As true Christianity is of practical tendency, doing the will of God is contra-distinguished from a mere knowledge of it. “Not every one that saith Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of the Father.” Mat. vii. 12. For, though a man cannot do the divine will, without having previously known it; yet a knowledge of it is often entirely destitute of any sincere inclination to perform it.; and in every such case, “he that knoweth his Master’s will and doth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.” Luke, xii. 47. So that, while, the word of God abounds with severe reproofs and awful denunciations against those, who are under the power of that self deception, which makes them content with being hearers of the word, and not doers of it, and leaves them satisfied with some head-knowledge, though accompanied with carnality and hypocrisy of heart; the same sacred word gives all imaginable encouragement even to those, who are willing to conform to the will of God, though between their wishes and their practice there should be a considerable disparity, and the weakness of their faith should throw many impediments in their way. “The Lord will not despise the day of small things. He will not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoking flax. To that man will he look, that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at his word.” Zech. iv. 10. Isa. xlii. 3. Isa. lxvi. 2. These, and promises of similar import, confirm the truth of the text, and embolden every true follower of Christ to look for a fulfilment of them in his experience; while with child-like simplicity of heart, and an earnest desire to be taught of God, he diligently useth the means of instruction, and waits for that blessing, requisite to render them effectual. Such persons the Lord will take by the hand, and guide into the way of truth, and peace. He will open to them the mysteries of his kingdom; and unfold the riches of his grace. The secret of the Lord is with them; and he will shew them his covenant. He will manifest himself to them, as he doth not to the world; and shine upon their ways with a progressive and cheering light. They shall become conversant in the deep things of God, and acknowledge those very doctrines to be of divine original, which at first they trembled to receive. They shall see their consistency, and know them to be of God, from their effects; since the doctrines of distinguishing, efficacious, and victorious grace, and these alone, have a tendency to make the heart humble, holy, and happy, and to keep it so; to support the believer in an hour of temptation, and to help him to trust in the everlasting covenant when he walketh in darkness and hath no light. And, when multitudes of the presumptuous and self-confident, who soar on the wings of a towering profession, shall faint and grow weary, and utterly fall into error and sin; they shall hold on their way, and wax stronger and stronger, they shall mount up on wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Fed by the sincere milk of the word, their souls shall grow and thrive; and experiencing the preciousness of the promises, they shall anticipate with joy their fulfilment in glory. Safe in the everlasting arms of Divine protection, they shall be kept from every fatal snare. And happy in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they shall enjoy the influence of that Divine Comforter, until all the clouds of sin and error being passed away, a flood of divine light and ineffable glory shall break in upon their souls, and they shall sin, sorrow, and complain no more for ever.
Having shewn, that the doctrine of the gospel is of divine original—from the prophecies and miracles that attest its divinity—from the purity of its system, equally remote from the monstrous absurdities of paganism and superstition—from the harmony it produces between the divine attributes—from its utility and suitableness to the condition of fallen man; having considered the privilege of knowing that this doctrine is of God; and having shewn what is necessary to the attainment of that knowledge, I shall conclude with observing,
In the first place, that a rejection of the gospel argues a want of that temper necessary to investigate truth; and that pride, or an attachment to some beloved lust, is at the bottom, whereby the judgment is corrupted and the heart depraved. Hence be assured, that evangelical truth and moral righteousness are inseparably connected; and that ignorance of, or opposition to, the truth, is the road direct to every immoral and dangerous path.
Secondly, since a willingness to do the will of God is the pre-requisite towards attaining the knowledge recommended in the text; let us confine ourselves to this simple criterion of heavenly wisdom and of a gracious heart, and not look for marks of it in the parade of learning and pomp of profession, among those, who, upon these superficial grounds alone, boast of superior knowledge.
Thirdly; since to know the gospel, is the privilege of a renewed mind; and to practise its precepts, the result of a divine power; how should we importune the Father of lights to give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of his Son; without which, we must grope in the dark and fall into error! Mat. xi. 27.
Lastly; encouraged by the salutary promise in the text, let the timid and unestablished plead it in faith before the throne of grace. God is faithful to fulfil what he hath spoken; and the experience of his people hath borne testimony to his veracity and his compassion in all ages. Plead the promise in the all-meritorious name of Jesus, in whom all the promises are yea and amen. Urge the covenant engagements of the Father to him, whereby he hath promised that all his children shall be taught of God. Expect no favor upon your own account; but look for every thing from him, in whom all fulness dwelleth, and in whom the Father is well pleased. Let not some difficulties, or a little suspense, discourage you. Continue instant in prayer. Wait in faith, in hope, in patience. And the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you! To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever! Amen.
SERMON VIII.
BELSHAZZAR’S DOOM; OR, SINNERS, WHETHER PRINCELY,
PATRICIAN, OR PLEBEIAN, WEIGHED IN THE
BALANCE, AND FOUND WANTING.
“TEKEL, Thou art weighed in the balances and art found wanting.” Dan. v. 27.
The history, to which the words of the text refer, is extremely memorable. During the captivity of the Jews, a variety of singular events concurred to prove that the sins, which brought desolation upon their country, and subjected them, for a period of seventy years, to the Babylonish yoke, had not, nevertheless, wholly alienated the affections of Jehovah from them, or dissolved that covenant relation which he had originally adopted towards them, as the “God of Abraham,” and that any act of indignity perpetrated against an afflicted people, or any insult cast upon the service of their temple, would be recognized as the highest affront to the Majesty of Heaven, and not be suffered to pass with impunity, though the perpetrators were the princes and potentates of the earth.