An address to those who read

Front matter

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

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Chap. I. On The Fallen State Of Man

1. Man is corrupt. Of necessity God made Adam the first man holy, happy, and wise : able to stand and free to fall. He was not forced to fall either by the Lord or the tempter ; but of his own choice, he chose to break God's commandment, and lose his glory. By this fall he lost all moral goodness whatever, and his heart became evil, and nothing else but evil; as the following passage of scripture most clearly proves : And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually* Now Adam was a general representative of all mankind, who were then in his loins ; so that all mankind virtually fell with him, into all the moral evil in which he sunk. The sacred writers are not speaking of a few solitary individuals ; * Genesis 6, 5.

but they are describing man in the mass, when they say: Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child.* The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked : who can know it ?\ For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. J The carnal mind is enmity against God : for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.^ In fact the plain humbling truth is this : no man of all the human race can ever enter into heaven ; unless his heart be changed, by the grace of God, from sin to holiness. Our Lord Jesus Christ has most pointedly said: Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh ; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.\\

2. Man is sinful by practice. For if such be the tree, what must the fruit be ? Can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit ? By no means. See how sin brings forth every action of an unconverted man, and then examine the actions themselves ; and you will find in many actions enough sin, to sink the soul to ten thousand hells

7 if there were so many. See that infant on its mother's knee, and then you see a fallen creature, that early bears the fruit of corruption ; as may be proved from its almost unconquerable struggles of self will, and corruption-sprung bursts of passion : which make ones eye weep> and heart ache to feel ones self a man. Hear that blasphemer call his God to curse his eyes and limbs ; and you will shudder till you cool at such an awful swearer's prayer. May God in mercy save his soul. Mark how God's holy sabbath day is abused and broken. See the Sunday morning barber, how he shakes his razor at his God. And the Sunday miller, how he turns his mill sails with God Almighty's Sunday wind ; and thereby tells the neighborhood, that he is on his way to hell. Look at that man who is gardening on the Sabbath morning, after having been intoxicated on the Saturday night. Look at him, he toils hard to get to ruin. Look at him, for unless he repents you will not see him long; he is going to make his bed in flames : Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.* As for the Sunday butchers, and bakers, and rum sellers, and indeed all Sunday tradesmen, you may look above their store doors any Sunday

8 morning, and read it in legible characters : this is the way to hell. Many young people seem now on full stretch for ruin. They sin against their praying parents and their God : against the clearest light and keenest remonstrances of conscience : against the tears, prayers, and blood of Jesus. They are men ruiners, and women miners. But what is worst of all they are not humbled for their sins. Many a young man and woman have been cut off at eighteen, and put into hell, to keep them from doing any further injury in the world. Oh how true is the following passage of scripture : Their throat is an open sepulchre ; with their tongues they have used deceit ; the poison of asps is under their lips ; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness : their feet are swift to shed blood : destruction and misery are in their ways : and the way of peace have they not known : there is no fear of God before their eyes : — that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God*

3. Man is miserable. As sin and sorrow are twin sisters, men are miserable as well as wicked. Misery, deep toned misery stuns the mind of every unconverted human creature. And indeed so it must be; for nothing less than the ever-blessed God can make a man happy in his mind. And alas for poor sinners, they are without God in the world ! If you look among men you will see much that appears to be joy; but you must not conclude that all are happy who look glad. There is many an aching heart under a smiling face. When you look at a lively green grass grave, you scarcely remember that death is under it ; and so under many a lively countenance there is a dead sad heart. And there needs be no wonder at this ; for who can be happy when he knows : The wicked shall he turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God ?* What young dancer can be happy, when he knows he is dancing quick-step down to endless night and groans ? What young mocker of his father or mother can be happy, when he knows the ravens of the valley shall pick out his eyes ? Who can sleep easy, that knows he is in danger of opening his eyes in hell ? When a man is gaining the world, it makes him look pale, to remember that he must lose his own soul. And then when his soul is lost, his all is lost. Speak out ye sons of mirth and tell us, do ye not feel the heart ache, when you think of a death-bed, an angry God t a burning world, a judgment seat, and an awful eternity? However, whether you answer this question or not, of this we are assured, that happiness out of Christ can ne'er be found. And although you may lull yourselves and shun the thought : There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.*

4. Man is in danger. Every unconverted sinner in the world is in danger of being plunged into eternal torments every moment of his life. Unconverted persons live by mere sufferance : they have no right to live for they are condemned already. Such people are much indebted to Jesus, for it is through his much abused, but lengthened prayers that they are out of hell. Their danger is most imminent. The danger arises,

1st. From the notice God takes of sin.

2d. From the thoughts he has about sinners.

3d. From the purposes he has concerning them.

4th. From the resources he has to execute his purposes. First, from the notice God takes of sin. Every sin that you have committed, the eye of your Judge has been upon you. For : All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.\ All your sins, however secret are written down in his book, to be remembered. For : God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil* Secondly, from the thoughts he has about sinners. He considers every sin an insult, and an offence to his Majesty, and an abominable thing which his soul hates. Hence : God is angry with the wicked every day.\ Oh how awful for him to be angry with a man. If every man in the world were your fell settled enemy, you would be in a better condition than you are, now God is angry. His frown is hell. Thirdly, there is danger, from his purposes concerning sinners. His purposes are firm. Read the following quotation ; and then you will know what he intends to do with impenitent sinners : Indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil.% Fourthly, there is danger, from the resources that he has to execute his purposes. God knows how to damn a man. He can kill the body, and cast the soul into hell. Go to the death-bed side of the sinner, and see him take his leap into the dark. When his eye-balls roll in wild affright : — his tongue faulters in his mouth : — death sits vacant on his brow ; — and deathsweats bathe his frame. When he shrieks, and horror strikes the standers by. Go, sinner, go and eye him. You may learn something, when he drinks off his last drop of lingering mercy, which is nearly on a blaze ; and then foaming, casts himself, into that endless ever-sounding sea, of darkness, fire and pain. As he enters the mouth of the pit, he will find it bearded with misery and woe. He may then begin his everlasting dirge : The battle's fought, the victory's lost — the battle's fought, and the victory's losU for ever. Then the way to the mercy-seat will be blocked up for ever. — Then the horns of the altar can never be grasped any more—Then the wings of the cherubim will for ever fall. — Then God's long abused redeeming truth-book, the bible, will be for ever shut, and sealed to his poor soul, with more than seven seals. Then he may begin and lament with the Poet, in such-like doleful strains as the following : —

li Infinite years in torments must I spend,

" And never, never, never, have an end !

i( Oh ! must I dwell in torturing despair,

" As many years, as atoms in the air?

" When these are spent, as many thousands more 3

* s As grains of sand upon the ocean's shore ?

4i When these are done, as many yet behind,

" As leaves i' the forest shaken by the wind f

« When these are gone, as many to ensue, « As blades of grass on hills and dales that grew ! » When these run out, as many on the march, " As starry lamps that gild the spangled arch? " When these expire, as many millions more, " As moments in the millions past before ? " When all these doleful years are spent in pain, " And multiplied by myriads yet again, " Till numbers drown the thought ; could I suppose, " That then my wretched years were at a close, " This would afford a hope— but, oh ! I shiver, " To think upon the dreadful words, for ever! »< I in the burning gulf blaspheming lie, M Time is no more, but vast Eternity ?" Jehovah's anger in worse than a million hells. And he says : The smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever* Eternity ! eternity ! eternity! awful, deep, dark, profound Eternity ! Reader, may God save thee and me, from the bitter pains of eternal death.

5. Man is helpless. To this awful eternity men stand exposed every moment ; and of themselves they are most completely helpless. They cannot atone for their own sins ;— kill their own corruptions ;— make themselves happy,— or deliver themselves from the pit of sin, nor from the old awful pit of vipers and fiends. Neither by suffering, nor yet good works, can any human

14 creature save himself. The self-made atonement of a sinner, and his self-wrought righteousness, will not stand before the following sayings, of the mouth of the Lord. Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.* Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are liken unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.\ It is our misfortune to be conceived in sin. But it is our crime to live a life of sin. God freely and spontaneously gave his well-beloved Son, to take upon him human nature, and to die for the sins of men. His controversy is not with human nature ; but with sin in human nature. The ever-blessed Jesus now waits and calls, for the return of sinful men. Sinner, you may come and welcome ; but mind and come soon, or you will lose yourself, and then you may weep and lament, but no one will take any notice of your tears. It is true, men are corrupt, sinful, miserable, in danger, and helpless ; but their help is laid on one that is mighty : therefore, we will weep, pray and labor on ; and trust God for effects. — May he give us a heart to it.

Who would not breathe a sigh, and shed a tear o'er such a fallen low-sunk race as this ? Envy not the man that can be calm. He knows but little — he feels but little of the importance of an immortal soul. Moses was a man of concern for souls. He manifested it by praying for the murmuring children of Israel ; and though wonderful to relate, yet God pardoned in an instant, in answer to his prayer, the sins of six hundred thousand souls* Hallelujah ! His arm is not shortened ! Jeremiah was a man of concern also. He wailed and said : Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night, for the slain of the daughter of my peopled How fine to weep for God and salvation ! May the number of those who sigh and cry, increase abundantly. The God-man wept and was moved with compassion, when he saw Judea sinners fainting, and scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.* Most undoubtedly, this world will one day be converted to God; but before that comes to pass, there must be much more going to God in prayer, and staying with him, to bewail the sins of the people — to confess them with particularity — to cast them on the atonement, in faith — to plead the promises, in hope against all human hope — and to claim much more New Testament unction on the Church and the world. Christians, let us arise, and wo to his throne — and shake ourselves from the dust of our sins — and get our bones clothed with flesh — and our spirits filled with breath — and then let us plead, and God will answer. Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence : and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. % O Lord shed abroad a greater burning in the hearts of the people, and hasten again " the old times."

Chap. II

ON THE RICH PROVISION, WHICH GOD HAS MADE, UNSOLICITEDLY, FOR THE SALVATION OF MEN.

Many persons are frequently speaking of man, as though he remained in the state of hopeless misery, into which he had fallen before God gave him the promise in the garden of Eden ; but it should be distinctly remembered, that he has already done much for us, and is now doing much every moment, and is waiting for us to concur with his saving plan, that he may do abundantly more, according to his promises. It is true, we "" * lsa. 62,6-7.

can do nothing of ourselves, nor for ourselves ; but Jesus Christ has undertaken our cause; and has engaged to do with us, and for us, every thing that is needful, both for our present and everlasting salvation.

1. Man is an object of the love of God the Father. Love boundless, bottomless, and infinite as God its author. It is amazing, that his heart should spontaneously fix on creatures so abominable and base ; but the truth of it is quite as firm, as the amazement is great. The holy scriptures speak best on this unspeakable subject. — How fine the following passages are: In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is loves 'not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins* For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.\

2. Man is redeemed by the mediatorial acts of God the Son. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God*

All things were made by him ; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life : and the life was the light of men* In ancient days, he frequently manifested himself to the Jewish Prophets, and renewed the promise of his coming to redeem the lost race. In the fulness of time he took upon him a human soul, and a human body; and was born a babe in Bethlehem. When about thirty years of age, he was baptized of John in Jordan ; and also anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows : he then began to preach in Judea the gospel of the kingdom of God — he performed miracles which showed the goodness of his love, and the greatness of his power — he healed the sick — he cleansed the lepers — he restored the blind, and deaf, and dumb — he stilled the winds and waves, and walked upon the sea — he raised the dead from the bed, the bier, and the tomb — he cast out devils and he pardoned sins. When the hour was come, he went into the garden of Gethsemane ; and there it pleased the Father to bruise him, and put him to grief. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly ; and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.^ That was an awful hour ! Then the fate of the world hung pending. Immediately after his agony, Judas betrayed him ; and the Jews bound him, and led him away to the bloody city — the old pool of the prophet's blood. There they tried him ; but could find no fault in him : yet they crowned his head with thorns — mocked him — spit upon him — smote him — impiously slew him, and hung him on a tree. His hands, and feet, and side were nailed and pierced : and blood and water flowed, a double flood, that washes white as snow. And now :

" Its streams the whole creation reach,

" So plenteous is the store; li Enough for all, enough for each,

" Enough for evermore. "

On the third day he arose from the dead ; and afterward went into heaven to pray. There he sits at his Father's right hand, making intercession for us men, and for our salvation. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour ; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man*

3. Man is enlightened and operated upon, by God the Holy Ghost. Yea, the whole world is full of the Spirit of God. And it shall tome to pass in the last days saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh.* The strivings of God's Spirit are general ; and all men are benefitted thereby. Many of the wicked are so convicted of sin, that they secretly smite upon their breasts and cry, God be merciful to me a sinner. They are most awfully alarmed, and fears of the most painful kind haunt them. Thoughts of death, and judgment, and heaven and hell very often distress them ; and cause them to sigh for mercy. They see the happiness of the people of God, and secretly envy them, and wish they were in the same state. Now the finger of God is in all this ; and if the sinner would yield, these strivings would lead to salvation. But most people resist the Holy Ghost ; and presumptuously go on in sin. Nevertheless, God is clear, and the wicked are without excuse.

4. The ever-blessed triune God offers to all mankind, by his gracious word, a free, full, present, and everlasting salvation. Free without money — full without measure — present this moment — and lasting as eternity.

1st. This salvation is spiritual in its nature. It is, the love of God — shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.i This love delivers us from the love of sin — the guilt of sin — the power of sin — the remains of sin — and from everlasting punishment as the consequence of sin. Where this love is shed abroad in the heart, all the graces of the Holy Spirit grow : in that heart Christ resides : communion with God is enjoyed : conformity to God is experienced; and unfading joys of heaven are anticipated, and will shortly be obtained.

2nd. This salvation is free for all. God the Holy Ghost calls to the world and says : And whosoever will, ^ him take the water of life freely* Rich and poor, young and old, bond and free, black and white, noble and ignoble, learned and illiterate may come and welcome, yea, and be heartily welcome to a free, full and present salvation.

3rd. Salvation is free to all that believe. It is a free gift to poor God-condemned self-condemned sinners, given as soon as they believe in Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith ; and that not of yourselves : it is the gift of God : not of works, lest any man should boast.\ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. $ No one need stagger at this abundant kindness since God unsoli-

22 citedly gave his .well-beloved Son. For : He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things.* What a favor ! What a boon! Salvation is offered to the worthless! To the unworthy worthless ! But the great spell in the business is this, infinitely worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and he was slain for us.

4th. Salvation is free in all that believe. Any believer however weak may stand if he keeps himself in the love of God ; and any believer however strong may fall, yea and will most certainly fall unless he continues to believe and obey. But if we continue to believe : Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers^ nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God,which is in Christ Jesus our Lord A

5th. This salvation when received in its ful ness delivers the soul from all inward and outward sin. From all sinful thoughts, tempers, and actions. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean : from all your filthincss, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.% Now if God cleanses the soul from all filthiness and idols, there is neither filth nor idol left. Some persons say that, sin must of necessity remain in 113 as long as we live. Now by saying this they politely insinuate, that Satan is stronger than Christ. This statement creeps on its belly, and venomously whispers, my friend Beelzebub has made a breach that your friend Jesus cannot repair. But O thank God, the crown is yet on the brow of our royal Master ; and his foes are under his feet. He knows how to destroy the works of the devil root and branch. And : If we confess our sins, lie is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness*

5. This salvation when enjoyed in its fulness consecrates the whole soul and body to God and his service every moment. They who enjoy this state are fully devoted to God, and they experience the answer to the following prayer: And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly ; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. t They experience the truth of the following statement : Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants^of righteousness^ For as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity ; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.* They have complied with the following commandments : — For ye are bought with a price : therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.\ Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.\ Oh the bliss of those that are constantly round about thee !

6. This salvation is every where present to the believing soul. Jesus Christ consecrated the whole world to soul-saving purposes when he said : Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.^ Hear the tone of the gospel, Salvation is a must be, just here, just now. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven ? That is, to bring Christ down from above : or, who shall descend into the deep ? That is, to bring up Christ again from the dead. But what saith it ? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart : that is, the word of faith, which we preach ; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.* The clouds of salvation are bursting heavy just upon you : only pierce them by praying faith ; and you will find in this dispensation, floods of salvation — waters to swim in. Jesus is present here. Touch him by the finger of faith, and virtue will come out of him, and heal you all. Behold, now is the accepted time ; behold, now is the day of salvation .f 8. This salvation is eternal in its duration. It saves through life and all its toils : through death and all its dangers : through the state and. place of separate spirits, on the awful morning of the resurrection ; and then through the unmeasured ages of blissful eternity. It is life, life eternal, life !

Chap. III. How A Sinner May Get Converted To God

Conversion is a change of the heart and life, from sin to holiness. Very few people know how a sinner must act to experience this blessed change. It is true the bible reveals the way ; but most people err, either through temptation, or ignorance, or enmity, or pride. May the Lord grant that we may see the way ; and then walk * Rom. 10, 6-9. t 2 Cor. 6,2."

in it. To get converted to God, you must repent and believe the Gospel. Many wicked people know that they are doing wrong, and that if they die in their present state they will drop into hell : therefore they should this moment flee from the wrath to come, by attending to the three following things. First, get the knowledge of yourselves : Secondly, repent : Thirdly, believe the Gospel.

1. Get the knowledge of yourselves. Know your sinful state and condition, by nature and practice. Think on your ways. Read the bible. Discourse ingeniously with some religious person. Often pray to God Almighty that the Holy Spirit might enlighten you. And if there be a heart-searching preacher within twenty miles, go and hear him as soon as you can. If his prayers and sermon be all about you, do not be offended ; but bless God and take courage. Attend to these things until you feel yourself to be a mad foolish sinner. Then you will be in what is called a state of conviction.

2. Repent. Now repentance is a change of the mind ; and it generally produces sorrow for sin, hatred to sin, confession of sin, restitution for sin, forsaking o^ sin, and a desire for mercy. The tears, fears, burdens, and distress even of

27 fifty years are not repentance ; and they will not avail ; unless the mind js changed and sin forsaken. The moment you change your mind and forsake sin, and feel your lost condition, you are a mourner; and the character to whom the promises are made ; and a proper person to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for pardon.