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SERMON XIV.

MEANS OF PERPETUATING THE BLESSINGS

OF CHRISTIANITY.

ISAIAH 59: 21. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord: My spirit, that is upon thee, my words, which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and forever.

WHETHER these words relate to the Christian church in general, or only to that part of it, which shall hereafter be composed of converted Jews, is not entirely obvious. In either case, the promise which they contain, is made to God's professing people, and has reference to the prosperity of the church.

No man, accustomed to reflection, confines his attention to the present hour. Even if this world were the only theatre of human action, it would still be evident, that the scene in which we find ourselves, as it did not commence, so neither will it terminate, with our mortal existence. The succession of human beings will continue, with all their capacities for pleasure and pain, with all their native moral propensities either to virtue or vice. The condition of society, we know, admits of great diversity. Its actual state is, at one period, exceedingly different, as to order, happiness, and morals, from what it is at another. Should we, therefore, leave out of the account our own descendants, and the consideration of another life, it would still be difficult to avoid all solicitude for the generations yet to come. Even in the case supposed, something more than curiosity would lead us to inquire, what was likely to be the state of the world after our departure, and what the character and condition of our successors. But, when we contemplate ourselves, in the honorable,

and interesting relation of parents, and consider, that the blood which is now confined, or was ever confined to our own veins, may flow hereafter in a thousand channels, and that the flame of life, when extinguished in these tabernacles, may be lighted up in successive generations, even until "the day when the Son of man shall be revealed;" when we reflect, moreover, that in this long series of rational beings, so nearly related to ourselves, each individual will possess immortal powers, and will be prepared while on earth, for the joys of eternal redemption, or for sufferings without end or mitigation, it is impossible, that any person of piety or reflection should deny, that he stands in the most interesting relation to posterity; nor can such an one forbear to inquire, whether his descendants shall be the patrons of piety and Christian morals, or diffuse around them the poison of infidelity, and profligate habits.

To the Christian, who indulges these reflections, and feels that solicitude which they are calculated to excite, no passage, perhaps, in the whole inspired volume, can be more grateful, than that, which has been read from the evangelical prophet:As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord: My spirit that is upon thee, and my words, which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart from thy mouth, nor from the mouth of thy seed, nor from the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and forever.

The blessings, comprehended in the promise, are means of instruction, together with the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit: My Spirit, that is upon thee, and my words shall not depart out of thy mouth, &c. It seems, therefore, promised to the professing people of God, that the essential truths of religion shall be preserved among their children and remote descendants; that public preaching shall be enjoyed; and the ordinances of Christianity retained. In addition to this, there shall be, from time to time, such communications of divine influence, as shall ensure effect to evangelical doctrines: God's word shall not return unto him void; but shall accomplish that, which he shall please, and prosper in the thing whereto it is sent. Parents

shall have the joy of seeing their children walk in the truth. The piety of one generation shall descend to another; so that there shall at no time be occasion for inquiring, "why the former days were better than these."

Against that explanation of the text, which has now been given, it may perhaps be objected, that it receives no support from acknowledged facts. We do not perceive in the church of God, that pious succession, which, agreeably to this explanation, the immutable God has pledged himself to provide.

To this I reply, that many promises in Scripture are conditional, even where no conditions are expressed. From many proofs of this, we select the following; I mean the rejection of the house of Eli from sacerdotal honors, on account of the profligacy prevailing in his family; which profligacy he had not used sufficient efforts to suppress: Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed, that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me forever. But now the Lord saith, be it far from me; for them that honor me, I will honor; and they that despise me, shall be lightly esteemed.

In like manner, when God promises to his professing people, whether collectively or individually, that their successors, or descendants, shall receive the blessings of his word and spirit, it seems to be with the understanding, that certain things, on their part, are to be performed; that each rising generation in the series shall receive such Christian attention and instruction from parents, guardians, or the church, as the interesting relation which the latter sustain to the former, requires them to impart. When the want of this is flagrant, or habitual, neither parents, nor churches, can, with any propriety, appropriate the promise contained in the text. In places, in churches, and families, where the light of Christianity once shone with all its clearness, and where the spirit of piety was exhibited in its native excellence, there is now gross error, palpable darkness, or unblushing impiety. To say nothing of the seven churches of Asia, those golden candlesticks, in the midst of which was seen walking, one like the Son of man, what are the present effects of all that flood

of light, which was once poured on the city of Jerusalem and the land of Palestine? "The pure gospel of Christ," says a recent traveller, "every where the herald of civilization and science, is almost as little known in the Holy Land, as in California, or New Holland. A series of legendary traditions, mingled with remains of Judaism, and the wretched phantasies of illiterate ascetics, may now and then exhibit a glimmering of heavenly light. But, if we seek the blessed effects of Christianity in the land of Canaan, we must look for that period, when 'the desert shall blossom as the rose, and the wilderness become a fruitful field.'”

It may now, I think, be fairly inferred, that something is to be done by Christian parents, by churches, by the Christian community, that the blessings, mentioned in the text, may be conferred on the rising generation and their posterity. We are bound to consecrate our influence to the cause of God; i. e. to the interests of truth, happiness, and virtue. But the influence of every man extends somewhat beyond the limits of mortal existence. The civil, literary, moral, and religious character of future generations, will be materially affected by the piety or impiety, the wisdom or folly, the activity or sloth, of those who are, at present, in active life.

I now proceed, very briefly, to specify some of those things, which are necessary on our part, that the blessings, promised in the text, may be conferred on our descendants: that God may prevent his Spirit and his words from departing from the mouth of our seed, or of our seed's seed.

1. It is necessary that we ourselves should have, not only a uniform, deep-rooted conviction of the truth of Christianity, but a sensible apprehension of its promises, threatenings, and requisitions. Our religion will doubtless make no very deep impression on the minds of others, while its influence on our own appears to be inconstant and superficial. Besides, if such be the state or cast of our religion, it will want that hardiness and energy, without which enlarged purposes of benevolence, and piety, will neither be formed nor carried into effect. Had Abraham

been a believer, of doubtful or wavering character, God would not have given such honorable assurance, as to the effects which his religion should have on his descendants: I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him; and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judg

ment.

2. That the Spirit of God and his words may not depart from our posterity, it is obviously requisite, that knowledge of the Holy Scriptures should be early and sedulously cominunicated. Here is the safe repository of our religion; the source and guardian of the Christian faith. Every true church, every Christian on earth, has imbibed the waters of life from this fountain. The knowledge of sacred Scripture, when once obtained, is, to a certain degree, wrought into the character; by which I mean, that it imposes the most salutary restraints, by producing a sense of responsibility-exhibits a perfect code of moral preceptsand represents religion as something solemn, magnificent, vast, and immutable. Attention to these writings, is to be perpetually urged upon the young. All opportunities are to be improved for fixing their minds on that system of faith and morals, which the Scriptures inculcate. This method must be pursued with unyielding perseverance. It is a divine ordinance-a mode of education, instituted by the Author of revealed religion: These words, which I command thee this day, said God to Israel, shall be in thy heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children; and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. By such means was a theoretical and practical knowledge of God, to be preserved and cherished in the church of Israel, and the land of promise. Domestic education was part of that system, by which Jehovah designed to secure to himself a chosen people. In the words, quoted from Deuteronomy, there is one sentiment peculiarly to be noticed; especially, as it corroborates the remarks which were made under the preceding article: The words that I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart. This is menVol. II.

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