I have here a more special reference to those of you, who are called Settlers and Free People. You think, perhaps, and some of you say, That having served out your appointed term, you are now your own masters, and have therefore a right to employ your time as you please. But, indeed, it is not so. I must tell you, brethren, that my commission from God, and my appointment from government, extend equally and alike to all the inhabitants, without distinction. It is my duty to preach to all, to pray for all, and to admonish every one. And it is no less the duty of all, to come to public worship, to hear the gospel, and to pray for me. These mutual ties and obligations between you and me, are not lessened by any change in your circumstances. And remember, that the slight you put upon the public worship, is not properly a slight of me (if that was all, it would be a matter of utter indifference) but upon the Lord himself; for I trust it is his message, and not my own, that I deliver to you [Luke x. 16.]. I wish, therefore, what I have said upon this subject, to be understood as addressed TO ALL, whether of higher or lower rank, who are guilty of breaking the sabbath. Whatever our station or calling may be, our obligations to keep holy the sabbath-day, are precisely the same. If any are more inexcusable than the rest, it must be those, who, from their station and office, are peculiarly bound to set a good example to others. I hope this friendly hint will be received in good part. I mean not to offend. But I must admonish you, that whatever be your situation in life, you will gain nothing in the end, by doing what God forbids, nor will you be a loser by yielding strict obedience to his commands.
III. Be constant and diligent in prayer to God. Intreat him to give his blessing to what you read and hear, and to all your concerns. As we are weak and needy creatures, always dependent upon God, and always receiving mercies and favours from him, we ought to be frequent and earnest in prayer. Daniel was accustomed to pray three times in the day [Dan. vi. 10.; Ephes. ii. 12.]. I hope you will be punctual in prayer, morning and evening, at least. So long as any of you live without prayer, you live without Christ, without hope, and without God in the world. They, who do not pray to God while upon earth, will not be admitted to praise him in heaven. When the rich careless man who had fared sumptuously every day, for a time, lifted up his eyes in torments, he only desired and prayed for a drop of water to cool his tongue, but it was not granted to him. Oh! if you value your souls, pray earnestly to God. Consider your obligations to do so. He is your Creator, Preserver, Benefactor. In him you live and move, and have your being. And therefore not to acknowledge, by prayer, your dependence upon him, would manifest the greatest ingratitude and insensibility. Consider, likewise, the encouragement you have to pray. Though you are by nature sinners, and by practice enemies and rebels, he gives you free and sure promises, that whoever is disposed to return to him, and seek him by earnest prayer, shall not seek him in vain. Oh! my brethren, that there was less cursing and swearing, and more prayer among you!
After these positive directions what you ought TO DO, I proceed to some necessary cautions, against what you ought to avoid.
I. Profane swearing is one thing against which I am especially bound to warn you, because it is an evil which so much abounds amongst you.
God has said, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless, that taketh his name in vain. Our Saviour likewise has said, Swear not at all [Exod. xx. 7.; Matt. v. 34.]. But how can you reconcile these prohibitions to your conduct; or your consciences? When instead of not swearing at all, many of you seldom open your lips, but the first and last words which you utter, are blasphemous oaths, and horrid imprecations? Is this acting like rational or accountable creatures? Who gave you the powers of reason and speech? Was it not God? And can you think that he gave them to you, that you may blaspheme his holy name, and to use the most profane, obscene, and desperately wicked language your hearts can invent; a language only fit for incarnate devils, and shocking to the ears of the ignorant heathens? This is a dreadful evil which you may be assured, will not pass unpunished. This sin has often brought heavy judgments upon individuals, families, and kingdoms. Because of swearing the land mourneth [Jer. xxiii. 10]. Shall not I visit for these things, saith the Lord?
As a proof of the enormity of this sin, you read, that Moses, by the command of God, ordered a man to be stoned to death, for cursing and blaspheming [Lev. xxiv. 10-16.]; and it would be well, both on their own account, and for the good of others, if magistrates would strictly discharge their duty, by enforcing the laws of our land, which are engaged against this horrid practice. And in few places, perhaps in no place, such strictness would be more needful, or more salutary, than in this colony.
Our Lord assures us, that for every idle word that men shall speak they shall give an account in the day of judgment! [Matt. xii. 36] How dreadful then will be the case of those persons, who during their whole life have employed their tongues in cursing, swearing, lying, and all manner of vile and unclean conversation. Oh! think of this in time, and tremble and repent, and learn to use your tongues to better purpose in future! Read carefully the third chapter of James, and pray to God for his grace, and use your best endeavours to bridle your tongues which, if you do not subdue and conquer, will surely destroy and ruin you.
II. Consider, also, what must be the consequence of that unclean and adulterous course of life, which many of you follow. Common as this wickedness is in our colony (I believe no where more so) do not suppose, that the frequency will take away, or in the least abate the criminality of it. Neither suppose that this sin is less odious in the sight of God if committed in Port Jackson, than in England. You may frame excuses or plead necessity, for what you do, or permit to be done; but the word of God by which you must be at last judged, admits, of no plea, or excuse. The command is positive and absolute. The declaration of God, Thou shalt not commit adultery [Exod. xx. 14], is equally binding upon persons of all ranks to whom it is known, at all times, and in all places. Think not, that the holy and just God will dispense with his law, or relax the sentence he has denounced against the breach of it, that you may with impunity indulge your corrupt desires. No; it is written, whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. The apostle declares that no fornicator, adulterer, or unclean person, can enter into the kingdom of God; he repeats this warning nearly in the same words, a second and a third time. The heavens and the earth shall pass away; but not one jot or tittle of his word can fail. All shall be fulfilled [Heb. xiii. 4.; Gal. v. 17-21.; Eph. v. 3-5.]. And therefore, however this sin may be connived at by some, and committed by others, God will severely punish offenders, unless they repent of their wickedness and forsake it.
But I need not enlarge upon this subject, I have told you my thoughts of it again and again with faithfulness. It seems the plainness of my language has hurt the delicate feelings of some, and the faithfulness I have used has excited the censure and ill-will of others. But why am I blamed, if I have only affirmed and proved from the scriptures, that no fornicator, adulterer, or unclean person can go to heaven WHEN HE DIES, unless he repents of his evil practices, and turns from them, WHILE HE LIVES?
But whether you will hear, or whether you will forbear, I must repeat the unwelcome truth. My conscience, my duty, and my compassion, all urge me to deal faithfully with you. I mean and desire to be understood, and therefore I must speak plainly. It is my intention and desire to awaken and alarm your consciences: but alas! after all I can say or do, I am too little understood or regarded. But I must deliver my own soul, whether you will regard me or not. The day is coming when the Lord himself will judge between you and me. Oh, repent, repent, before it be too late.