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truth from error, who cannot believe, because gentleness, if they discover, that it is not the they have not heard, who cannot "hear with-fruit of our care to reward what in them is out a preacher," and to whom, alas! no preacher is sent? Rom. x. 14.

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worthy of reward, but of a natural inclination, which we have not the courage to resist, and But you, happy fathers, you, mothers, fa- which makes us yield more to the motions of vourites of heaven, who assemble your children | our animal machine, than to the dictates of around you as a hen gathereth her chickens reason? On the other hand, what good can under her wings," Matt. xxiii. 37; can you they derive from our severity, if they see, that neglect a duty, which is impracticable to others? it proceeds from humour and caprice more than That tyrants and persecutors should display from our hatred to sin, and our desire to free their fury by making havoc of our children, them from it? If our eyes sparkle, if we take and by offering them to the devil, is, I allow, a high tone of voice, if our mouths froth, when extremely shocking, but there is nothing in it we chastise them, what good can come of such very wonderful: but that Christian fathers and chastisements? mothers should conspire together in such a tragical design would be a spectacle incomparably more shocking, and the horror of which the blackest colours are unable to portray.

How forcible soever the motives, which we have alleged, may be, I fear they will be ineffectual, and such as will not influence the greatest part of you. It must be allowed, that, if there be any case, to which the words of our Saviour are applicable, it is this of which we are speaking, "strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it," Matt. vii. 14.

A reformation of the false ideas which you form on the education of children, is, so to speak, the first step which you ought to take in the road set before you this day. No, it is not such vague instructions as you give your children, such superficial pains as you take to make them virtuous, such general exhortations as you address to them, is it not all this, that constitutes such a religious education as God requires you to give them. Entertain notions more rational, and remember the few maxims, which I am going to propose to you as the conclusion of this discourse.

First maxim. Delays, always dangerous in cases of practical religion, are peculiarly fatal in the case of education. As soon as children see the light, and begin to think and reason, we should endeavour to form them to piety. Let us place the fear of God in these young hearts, before the world can get possession of them, before the power of habit be united to that of constitution. Let us avail ourselves of the flexibility of their organs, the fidelity of their memories, and the facility of their conceptions, to render their duty pleasing to them by the ease with which they are taught to discharge it.

Second maxim. Although the end of the divers methods of educating children ought to be the same, yet it should be varied according to their different characters. Let us study our children with as much application as we have studied ourselves. Both these studies are attended with difficulties; and as self-love often prevents our knowing ourselves, so a natural fondness for our children renders it extremely difficult for us to discover their propensities.

Third maxim. A procedure, wise in itself, and proper to inspire children with virtue, may sometimes be rendered useless by symptoms of passion, with which it is accompanied. We cannot educate them well without a prudent mixture of severity and gentleness. But on the one hand, what success can we expect from

Fourth maxim. The best means of procuring a good education lose all their force, unless they be supported by the examples of such as employ them. Example is also a great motive, and it is especially such to youth. Children know how to imitate before they can speak, before they can reason, and, so to speak, before they are born. In their mothers' wombs, at the breasts of their nurses, they receive impressions from exterior objects, and take the form of all that strikes them. What success, miserable mother, can you expect from your exhortations to piety, while your children see you yourself all taken up with the world, and its amusements and pleasures; passing a great part of your life in gaming, and in forming criminal intrigues, which, far from hiding from your family, you expose to the sight of all mankind? What success can you expect from your exhortations to your children, you wretched father, when they hear you blaspheme your Creator, and see you living in debauchery, drowning your reason in wine, and gluttony, and so on?

Fifth maxim. A liberty, innocent when it is taken before men, becomes criminal, when it is taken before tender minds, not yet formed. What circumspection, what vigilance, I had almost said, what niceties does this maxim engage us to observe? Certain words spoken, as it were, into the air, certain imperceptible allusions, certain smiles, escaping before a child, and which he has not been taught to suspect, are sometimes snares more fatal to his innocence than the most profane discourses, yea, they are often more dangerous than the most pernicious examples, for them he has been taught to abhor.

Sixth maxim. The indefatigable pains, which we ought always to take in educating our children, ought to be redoubled on these decisive events which influences both the present life, and the future state. For example, the kind of life to which we devote them, is one of these decisive events. A good father regu lates his views in this respect, not according to a rash determination made when the child was in the cradle, but according to observations deliberately made on the abilities and manners of the child.

Companions too are to be considered as deciding on the future condition of a child. A good father with this view will choose such societies as will second his own endeavours, he will remember the maxim of St. Paul, "Evil communications corrupt good manners," 1 Cor. xv. 33; for he knows, that a dissolute compan

ion has often eradicated from the heart of a youth all the good seeds which a pious family had sown there.

Above all, marriage is one of these decisive steps in life. A good father of a family, unites his children to others by the two bonds of virtue and religion. How can an intimate union be formed with a person of impious principles, without familiarizing the virtuous by degrees with impiety, without losing by little and little that horror which impiety would inspire, and without imbibing by degrees the same spirit? So necessary is a bond of virtue. That of religion is no less so, for the crime which drew the most cutting reproofs upon the Israelites after the captivity, and which brought upon them the greatest judgments, was that of contracting marriages with women not in the covenant. Are such marriages less odious now, when by a profane mixture people unite "light and darkness, Christ and Belial, the temple of God and idols?" 2 Cor. vi. 14, 15. Are such marriages less hateful now, when, by a horrible partition, the children, if there be any, are mutually ceded before hand, and in cold blood disposed of thus: the sons shall be taught the truth, the daughters shall be educated in error, the boys shall be for heaven, the girls for hell, a son for God, a daughter for the devil.

Seventh maxim. The best means for the education of children must be accompanied with fervent prayer. If you have paid any attention to the maxims we have proposed, I shall not be surprised to hear you exclaim, "Who is sufficient for these things?" 2 Cor. ii. 16. But, if it be the fear of not succeeding in educating your children, which dictates this language, and not that indolence, which tries to get rid of the labour, be you fully persuaded, that the grace of God will triumph over your great infirmities. Let us address to him the most fervent prayers for the happiness of those children, who are so dear to us, and let us believe that they will return in benedictions upon them. Let each parent collect together all his piety, and then let him give himself up to the tenderest emotions towards his children. O God! who didst present thyself to us last Lord's day under the amiable idea of a parent "pitying them that fear thee as a father pitieth his children," Ps. ciii. 13. O God! who thyself lovest thy Son with infinite tenderness and vehemence: O God! author of the tender affections, which unite me to the children thou hast given me, bless the pains I take in their education: disobedient children, my God, I disown. Let me see them die in infancy, rather than go along with the torrent of general immorality, and "run" with the children of the world to their 66 excess of riot," 1 Pet. iv. 4. I pray for their sanctification with an ardour a thousand times more vehement than I desire their fortune: and the first of all my wishes is to be able to present them to thee on that great day, when thou wilt pronounce the doom of all mankind, and to say to thee then, "Lord, behold, here am I, and the children thou hast given me." May God excite such prayers, and answer them! To him be honour and glory for ever. Amen.

SERMON LVI.

GENERAL MISTAKES.

ROMANS xii. 2.

Be not conformed to this world

Or all the discourses delivered in this pulpit those which deserve the greatest deference, and usually obtain the least, are such as treat of general mistakes. What subjects require a greater deference? Our design in treating of them, is to dissipate those illusions, with which the whole world is familiar, which are authorized by the multitude, and which, like epidemical diseases, inflicted sometimes by Providence on public bodies, involve the state, the church, and individuals. Yet are any discourses less respected than such as these? To attack general mistakes is to excite the displeasure of all who favour them, to disgust a whole auditory, and to acquire the most odious of all titles, I mean that of public censor. A preacher is then obliged to choose either never to attack such mistakes as the multitude think fit to authorize, or to announce the advantages which he may promise himself, if he adapt his subjects to the taste of his auditors, and touch their disorders only so far as to accommodate their crimes to their consciences.

Let us not hesitate what part to take. St. Paul determines us by his example. I am going, to-day, in imitation of this apostle to guard you against the rocks, where the many are shipwrecked. He exhorts us, in the words of the text, not to take "the world for a model!" "the world," that is, the crowd, the multitude, society at large. But what society has he in view? Is it that of ancient Rome, which he describes as extremely depraved in the beginning of this epistle? Does he say nothing of our world, our cities and provinces? We are going to examine this, and I fear I shall be able to prove to you, that our multitude is a dangerous guide to show us the way to heaven; and, to confine ourselves to a few articles. I shall prove that they are bad guides to direct us, first, in regard to faith; secondly, in regard to the worship which God requires of us;thirdly, in regard to morality; and lastly, in regard to the hour of death. In these four views, I shall enforce the words of our text, "Be not conformed to this world." This is the whole plan of this discourse.

I. The multitude is a bad guide to direct our faith. We will not introduce here the famous controversy on this question, whether a great number form a presumption in favour of any religion, or whether universality be a certain evidence of the true Christian church? How often has this question been debated and determined! How often have we proved against one community, which displays the number of its professors with so much parade, that if the pretence were well-founded, it would operate in favour of paganism, for pagans were always more numerous than Christians! How often have we told them, that in divers periods of the ancient church idolatry and idolaters have been en

If the nature of the thing cannot convince you, that the multitude continue through negligence in the profession of that religion in which they were born, experience may here supply the place of reasoning. There is an infinite variety of geniuses among mankind. Propose to an assembly a question, that no system has yet decided, and you will find, as it is usually said, as many opinions as heads.

throned in both the kingdoms of Judah and Israel! How often have we alleged, that in the time of Jesus Christ the church was described as a "little flock," Luke xii. 32; that heathens and Jews were all in league against Christianity at first, and that the gospel had only a small number of disciples! How often have we retorted, that for whole centuries there was no trace, no shadow of the opinions of modern Rome! But we will not apply ourselves to this controversy to-day by fixing your attention on the sophisms of foreigners; perhaps we might divert your eyes from your own; by showing you our triumphs over the vain attacks made on us by the enemies of the refor-in one point of error, or rather, it is clear, to a mation, perhaps we might turn away your attention from other more dangerous wounds, which the reformed themselves aim at the heart of religion. When I say the multitude is a bad guide in matters of faith, I mean, that the manner in which most men adhere to truth, is not by principles which ought to attach them to it, but by a spirit of negligence and prejudice.

It is certain, if mankind were attached to a religion only because they had studied it, we should find a great number of people forsake that in which they had been brought up, for it is impossible, that a whole society should unite demonstration, that as truth has certain characters superior to falsehood, the temples of idols would be instantly deserted, erroneous sects would be soon abandoned, the religion of Jesus Christ, the only one worthy of being embraced, the only one that deserves disciples, would be the only one embraced, and would alone be received by all sincere disciples of truth.

Do not think, my brethren, that this reflection concerning that spirit of negligence, which retains most men in a profession of their own religion, regards only such communions as lay down their own infallibility for a fundamental article of faith, and which prescribe ignorance and blind submission as a first principle to their partisans, for it is but too easy to prove, that the same spirit of negligence reigns in all communities. Hence it comes to pass, that in general so few Christians can render a reason for their faith. Hence it is that people are usually better furnished with arguments to oppose such societies as surround them, than with those which establish the fundamental truths of Christianity. If then you follow the direction of the multitude in the study of religion, you will be conducted by a spirit of negligence, prejudice will be held for proof, education for argument, and the decisions of your parents and teachers for infallible oracles of truth.

It is no small work to examine the truth, when we arrive at an age capable of discussion. The fundamental points of religion, I grant, lie in the Scriptures clear and perspicuous, and within the comprehension of all who choose to attend to them: but when we pass from infancy to manhood, and arrive at an age in which reason seems mature, we find ourselves covered with a veil, which either hides objects from us, or disfigures them. The public discourses we have heard in favour of the sect, in which we were educated, the inveterate hatred we have for all others, who hold principles opposite to ours, the frightful portraits that are drawn before our eyes of the perils we must encounter, if we depart from the way we have been brought up in, the impressions made upon us by the examples and decisions of our parents, and masters, and teachers, the bad taste of those who had the care of our education, and who prevented our acquiring that most noble disposition, without which it is impossible ever to be a true philosopher, or a real Christian, I mean that of suspending our judgment on subjects not sufficiently proved; from all this arise clouds that render the truth inaccessible, and which the world cannot dissipate. We do not say, that natural talents, or supernatural assistance are wanting; we are fully convinced that God will never give up to final error any man who does all in his power to understand the truth. But the world are incapable of this work. Why? Because all the world, except a few, hate labour and meditation in regard to the subjects which respect another life; because all the world would choose rather to attach themselves to It would be needless to prove this to you, what regards their temporal interests than to my brethren, in regard to erroneous commuthe great interest of eternal happiness: because nities. Were superstition banished from the all the world like better to suppose the princi- world, we should not see men, who are made ples imbibed in their childhood true, than to in the image of God, disgrace their nature by impose on themselves the task of weighing prostrating themselves before idols, and marthem anew in the balance of a sound and severe mosets, so as to render religious honours to reason: because all the world have an invinci-half a block of wood or stone, the other half of ble aversion to suppose, that when they are ar- which they apply to the meanest purposes: we rived at manhood they have almost lost their should not see a crowd of idolaters performing time in some respects, and that when they leave a ceremonial, in which conviction of mind has school they begin to be capable of instruction. no part, and which is all external and material,

II. The multitude is a bad guide in regard to that worship, which God requires of us; they defile it with a spirit of superstition. Superstition is a disposition of mind that inclines us to regulate all parts of divine worship, not by just notions of the Supreme Being, nor by his relation to us, nor by what he has condescended to reveal, but by our own fancies. A superstitious man entertains fantastical ideas of God, and renders to him capricious worships; he not unfrequently takes himself for a model of God: he thinks that what most resembles himself, however mean and contemptible, approaches nearest to perfection. We affirm, this disposition is almost universal.

But you ought to be informed, that there are other superstitions less gross, and therefore more dangerous. Among us we do not put a worship absolutely foreign to the purpose in the place of that which God has commanded and exemplified to us, but we make an estimate of the several parts of true worship. These estimates are regulated by opinions formed through prejudice or passion. What best agrees with our inclinations we consider as the essence of religion, and what would thwart and condemn them we think circum

we should not see a concourse of people receiv- 1. Consider mankind in regard to the masing with respect, as the precious blood of the ters who govern them. Here I congratulate Saviour of the world, a few drops of putrefied myself on the happiness of speaking to a free water, which the warmth of the sun has pro- people, among whom it is not reputed a crime duced by fermentation in the trunk of a decayed to praise what is praise-worthy, and to blame tree: we should not see pilgrims in procession what deserves blame, and where we may freely mangling their flesh in the streets, dragging trace the characters of some men of whom prualong heavy loads, howling in the highways, dence requires us not to "speak evil, no not in and taking such absurd practices for that re- thought, no not in the bedchamber, lest a bird pentance, which breaks the heart, and trans- of the air should carry the voice, and that forms and renews the life. You will easily which hath wings should tell the matter,' grant all this, for I have observed, it is often Eccles. x. 20. Is it in the palaces of the great less difficult to inspire you with horror for that humility reigns, humility which so well these practices, than to excite compassion in becomes creatures, who, though crowned and you for such as perform them. enthroned, are yet infirm, criminal, dying creatures, and who, in a few days, will become food for worms, yea, perhaps victims in the flames of hell? Is it in the palaces of the great, that uprightness, good faith, and sincerity reign? Yet without these society is nothing but a banditti, treaties are only snares, and laws cobwebs, which, to use a well known expression, catch only weak insects, while the fierce and carnivorous break through. Is it in the palaces of the great that gratitude reigns, that lawful tribute due to every motion made to procure our happiness? Is it there that the services of a faithful subject, the labours of an indefatigable merchant, the perils of an intrepid soldiery, blood shed and to be shed, are estimated and rewarded? Is it there that the cries of the wretched are heard, tears of the oppressed wiped away, the claims of truth examined and granted? Is it in the palaces of the great that benevolence reigns, that benevolence without which a man is only a wild beast! Is it there that the " young ravens which cry" are heard and fed? Ps. cxlvii. 9. Is it there that they attend to the bitter complaints of an indigent man, ready to die with hunger, and who asks for no more than will just keep him alive? Are the palaces of the great seats of piety and devotion? Is it there that schemes are formed for the reformation of manners? Is it there that they are "grieved for the affliction of Joseph," Amos vi. 6: and "take pleasure in in dust and stones of Zion?" Ps. cii. 14. Is it there that we hear the praises of the Creator? do they celebrate the compassion of the Redeemer of mankind?

stantial.

We make a scruple of not attending a sermon, not keeping a festival, not receiving the Lord's Supper, but we make none of neglecting to visit a prisoner, to comfort the sick, to plead for the oppressed. We observe a strict decency in our religious assemblies while our ministers address prayer to God, but we take no pains to accompany him with our minds and hearts, to unite our ejaculations with his to besiege the throne of grace. We think it a duty to join our voices with those of a whole congregation, and to fill our places of worship with the praises of our Creator, but we do not think ourselves obliged to understand the sense of the psalm, that is sung with so much fervour, and, in the language of an apostle, to "sing with understanding," 1. Cor. xiv. 15. We lay aside innocent occupations the day before we receive the Lord's Supper, but no sooner do-we return from this ordinance than we allow the most criminal pleasures, and enter upon the most scandalous intrigues. Who make these mistakes my brethren? Is it the few? "Be not conformed to this world," in regard to the worship that God requires of you, the multitude perform it in a spirit of superstition. III. Neither are the many a better guide in regard to morality. Here, my brethren, we are going more particularly to describe that class of inankind, among which we live, and of which we ourselves are a part. Indeed, the portraits we are going to draw will not be flattering to them, for justice requires, that we should describe men as they are, not as they pretend to be. In order to exactness let us consider them separately and apart. First, In regard to the masters who govern them. Se condly, In regard to the professions, which they exercise. Thirdly, In regard to some maxims generally received. Fourthly, In regard to the splendid actions which they celebrate. And lastly, In regard to certain decisive occasions, that, like touchstones, discover their principles and motives.

What ideas are excited in our minds by the names of such as Caligula, Nero, Dioclesian, Decius, names detestable in all ages? What ideas could we excite in your minds, were we to weigh in a just balance the virtues of such heroes as have been rendered famous by the encomiums given them? You would be astonished to see that these men, who have been called the delights of mankind, have often deserved execration, and ought to be considered with horror. But I purposely forbear, and will not put in this list all that ought to be placed there, that is to say, all those who have had sovereign power, except a very few, who in comparison are next to none, and who are, as it were, lost in the crowd among the rest. And yet the elevation of kings makes their crimes more communicable, and their examples more contagious; their sins become a filthy vapour infecting the air, and shedding their malignant influence all over our cities and families, lightning, and thundering, and disturb

ing the world. Accordingly, you see in general, that what the king is in his kingdom, the governor is in his province; what the governor is in his province, the nobleman is in his domain; what the nobleman is in his domain, the master is in his family. The multitude is a bad guide, mankind are a dangerous model, considered in regard to the masters who governous funeral honours will be prepared, it is to

them.

2. Consider the many in regard to divers professions. What is the profession of a soldier, particularly of an officer of rank in the army? It is to defend society, to maintain religion, to be a parent to the soldiery, to bridle the licentiousness of arms, to oppose power against injustice, to derive from all the views of death that lie open before him, motives to prepare his accounts to produce before his Judge. But what is the conduct of a soldier? Is it not to brave society? Is it not to trample upon religion? Is it not to set examples of debauchery, licentiousness, and vengeance? Is it not to let out his abilities, and to sacrifice his life to the most ambitious designs, and to the most bloody enterprises of princes? Is it not to accustom himself to ideas of death and judgment till he laughs at both, to stifle all remorse, and to extirpate all the fears, which such objects naturally excite in the consciences of other men?

What is the profession of a judge? It is to have no regard to the appearances of men, it is to be affable to all who appeal to authority, to study with application the nature of a cause which he is obliged to decide, it is patiently to go through the most fatiguing details of proofs and objections. But what is often the conduct of a judge? Is it not to be struck with the exterior difference of two parties appearing before him? Is it not to be inaccessible to the poor, to invent cruel reserves, and intolerable delays? Is it not to grovel in ignorance, and to hate study and labour?

What is the profession of a man learned in the law? It is to devote his service only to truth and justice, to plead only a good cause, to assist even those who cannot reward his labours. What is the conduct of counsel? Is it not to support both the true and the false, and to maintain by turns both justice and iniquity? Is it not to adjust his efforts to his own glory, or to his client's ability to pay?

What is the profession of a merchant? It is to detest false weights and measures, to pay his dues, and never to found his fortune on falsehood, fraud, and perjury. But what is the conduct of a merchant? Is it not to use false weights and measures? Is it not to cheat the state of its dues? Is it not to indulge an insatiable avidity? Is it not to enrich himself by telling untruths, by practising frauds, by taking false oaths?

What is the profession of a minister? It is to devote himself wholly to truth and virtue, to set the whole church an example, to search into hospitals, and cottages, to relieve the miseries of the sick and the poor; it is to determine himself in his studies, not by what will acquire him reputation for learning and eloquence, but by what will be most useful to the people over whom he is set; it is to regulate his choice of subjects, not by what will make himself shine,

but by what will most benefit the people among whom he exercises his ministry; it is to take as much care of a dying person in an obscure family, lying on a bed of straw, lost in oblivion and silence, as of him, who with an illustrious name lives amidst silver and gold, and for whom the most magnificent and pomp"cry aloud, to lift up his voice like a trumpet, and show the people their transgressions, and the house of Israel their sins," Isa. lviii. 1; Mic. iii. 8; and 2 Cor. v. 16; "it is to know no man after the flesh" when he ascends the pulpit, boldly to reprove vice, how eminent soever the seat of it may be. What is the usual conduct of a minister?. O God!" Enter not into judgment with thy servants, for we cannot answer one complaint of a thousand!" Ps. cxliii. 2; Job ix. 3.

3. Consider the multitude in regard to some general maxims which they adopt, and hold as rules and approved axioms. Have you read in the gospel the following maxims? Charity begins at home. Youth is a time of pleasure. It is allowable to kill time. We should not pretend to be saints. Slander is the salt of conversation. We must do as other people do. It is unworthy of a man of honour to pocket an affront. A gentleman ought to avenge himself. Ambition is the vice of great souls. Provided we commit no great crimes, we sufficiently answer our calling. Impurity is an intolerable vice in a woman, but it is pardonable in a man. It would be easy to enlarge this catalogue. Which of these maxims, pray, does not sap some of the first principles of the religion of Jesus Christ? Yet which of these maxims is not received in society as a fundamental rule of action, which we should be accounted singular and petulent to condemn?

4. Consider the multitude in regard to certain actions, of which they lavish praise and write encomiums. We do not mean to speak at present of such crimes as the depravity of the world sometimes celebrates under the notions of heroical actions. Our reflections are of another kind. It is pretty clear, that depravity is general, and piety in the possession of a very few, when persons of a superficial knowledge are praised for the depth of their understanding, and when such as perform very small and inconsiderable actions of virtue are considered as the wonders of the world. Sometimes I hear the world exclaim, What benevolence! What liberality! What generosity! I inquire for the evidences of these virtues, on which such lavish encomiums are bestowed; I expect to find another St. Paul, who, "wished himself accursed for his brethren," Rom. ix. 3. I hope to meet with another Moses, praying to be "blotted out of the book" of life rather than see his nation perish, Exod. xxxii. 32. But no; this boasted generosity and charity is that of a man, who distributed to the poor on one solemn occasion, once in his life, such a sum of money as he expends every day in prodigality and superfluity. It is that of a man, who bestows on all the members of Jesus Christ almost as much as he does on the walls of a room, or the harness of a horse. I hear the world exclaim in some circumstances, What friendship! What tenderness! I inquire for

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