Hulsean lectures for 1821, on the evidences of Christianity, as they were stated and enforced in the discourses of our Lord...

Front matter

TWENTY SERMONS

PREACHED BEFORE

In the Year M.DCCC.XXI.

Preface

The object of this work is so fully explained in the second Lecture, and the series of subjects and texts, which form the table of Contents, will so clearly point out the Author's plan, that it will be unnecessary to detain the reader by any further remarks on those topics. He deems it, however, not inexpedient, to give some account of the origin of the present publication, both as it regards the form, in which it has been brought before the world, and the manner, in which it was first suggested to his own mind.

The following Lectures were composed and delivered by the Author, in the capacity of Deputy to the Hulsean Lecturer, who was prevented, by indisposition, from proceeding to the discharge of his official duties, which commenced on the first day of April in the present year. — A notice being issued by the Trustees of the Lecture, dated xiv PREFACE.

March 13, 1821, inviting persons to offer their services to fulfil the provisions of Mr. Hulse's Will, after such consideration as the interval between the 13th and 26th of March allowed, though with some hesitation, the Author finally announced his willingness to undertake the task. He has now to express his gratitude to those who entrusted to him, under such circumstances, the duties of the Hulsean Lectureship, which are certainly more arduous than those of any similar institution; yet he has endeavoured to discharge them in the best manner he could. But he must now from the press repeat the request, which he made from the pulpit in his first Lecture,, that he may obtain such indulgence, as may be thought justly due to a work of this nature, composed and printed in less than nine months. It was undertaken amidst numerous ordinary engagements, and it has been pursued amidst various unavoidable, but unexpected interruptions, with a detail of which it is not necessary to trouble the reader, but which have caused the work to appear without that careful revision of so hasty a composition,

PREFACE.

XV which would have been exceedingly desirable. He could not, however, defer the publication of the work, and can therefore only say,

The hesitation of the Author, with respect to the undertaking-, was occasioned by the difficulty which he felt as to the method and arrangement in which so extensive a subject should be treated. Yet he was exceedingly desirous to avail' himself of such an opportunity to bring it forward, since it had been so highly satisfactory to himself, and, as he thought, was likely to be generally useful. — It was first suggested to his own mind, about two years ago, by reading to a sick parishioner the fifth chapter of St. John's Gospel; a complete analysis of w r hich is included in the following pages. The Author was at that time much astonished, and somewhat perplexed, to find that it contained a distinct enumeration and summary of the principal arguments in favour of Christianity. In his subsequent reading of the Gospels, he was even more surprised to observe that they

contained, in other parts,, so much on the same

c

XVI PREFACE.

subject ; and he at length formed the opinion that a complete system of evidence might be formed in the very words of our Lord, and of the Sermons and Epistles of the New Testament a . In consequence of this, when preaching* before the University in December 1820, he stated his conviction that a work might be constructed upon the principle explained in the second of the following Lectures, so as to place the subject of evidence in a point of view more intelligible, and more generally edifying, than the separate and abstract form, which it generally assumes. But, although he had even then formed the design to bring the subject forward, when he had fully digested and arranged it, he had not the slightest conception that he should have done it within a year from that time. And when the opportunity, of which he has been able to avail himself, a It was not until the Author had delivered several of the Lectures, that he met with Dr. Gerard's Dissertations on subjects relating to the genius and the evidences of Christianity. He was gratified to find that so sensible a writer had taken a view of the subject so nearly resembling that here given. Many other works have also touched upon it, but none, that the Author has seen, have completely and systematically exhibited it,

PREFACE. Xvil

occurred, it found him still more sensible than ever of the extent, as well as of the importance of the subject, in consequence of another perusal of the four Gospels with a special view to the consideration of it. He has done what he could to elucidate it, as far as they are concerned ; and all censure which this work may deserve must be directed against himself. He will contentedly submit, even to incur the charge of presumption for having ventured to undertake the following work, rather than that the subject should suffer in consequence of his unskilful management of it. If he has treated it with any tolerable degree of success, he thinks that it will appear that the subject of evidence is a topic of scriptural instruction, and that it may be treated, if occasion require, in our parochial ministrations, in a way which is at once explanatory of Scripture, satisfactory to the believer, and applicable to practice.

The Author has only further to request that the reader, whether, or not, he is satisfied with the statements and representations contained in this Volume, will at least borrow the hint which

Xviii PREFACE.

is given in it, and study for himself the discourses of our Lord, and the narrative which accompanies and illustrates those discourses. Those divine records will thereby receive a fresh light and importance, and he, who so reads them, cannot fail to receive both delight and satisfaction from the heavenly and comprehensive instructions and reasonings of our Lord himself.

Trinity College, Dec. 21, 1821.

Contents

Introductory Lecture I.

Human Frailty and Mortality the special Objects of God's promised Mercy. — Suitable provisions of the Gospel, more especially as they are noticed in the opening Statements of the Evangelist St. John.

John i. 12 — 14. As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth p. 1

PART I. Lectures III — V

STATEMENTS OF JESUS, RESPECTING HIS PRETENSIONS AND THE OBJECT OF HIS MISSION, WHICH PRECEDED HIS ACTUAL APPEAL TO THE EVIDENCES IN CONFIRMATION OF THEM.

Lecture III.

Our Lord's Conference with Nicodemus.

John hi. 1 — 3. There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews ; the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God p. 53

Lecture IV.

Our Lord's teaching in Samaria and Galilee. — At what period., and for what reason., he began to argue in defence of his Mission.

Matt. iv. 23. And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people ,. p. 82

Lecture V.

The Occasion of the Discourse recorded in St. John's fifth Chapter, and the Persons to whom it was addressed. — Illustration and Analysis of the first portion of it.

John v. 17 — 20. Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

Then

CONTENTS.

XXI

Then answered Jesus, and said unto them, Verily, verily, T say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself , but what he seeth the Father do : for what things soever he doetli, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth p. 104

PART II. Lectures VI— XVII

THE REASONINGS OF OUR LORD RESPECTING THE EVIDENCES TO WHICH HE APPEALED IN CONFIRMATION OF HIS CLAIMS.

Lecture VI.

Our Lord's recapitulation of his Claims connected with a reference to the presumption in their favour from his not seeking his own Will.

John v. 30, 31. / can of mine own self do nothing ; as I hear y I judge ; and my judgement is just ; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. If I bear witness of myself , my witness is not true p. 129

Lecture VII.

Our Lord's reasonings, on the Evidence arising from the witness of John, addressed to the Rulers, to the Multitudes, to John's Disciples, and to his own.

John v. 31 — 35. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me ; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth o f me is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man ; but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light ; and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light p. 152 xxn

CONTENTS,

Lecture VIII.

Our Lord's Appeal to his Miracles as attesting his Divine Mission.

John v. S6. But I have greater witness than that of John; for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me p. 1 79

Lecture IX.

Our Lord's Appeal to his Miracles in proof of his Messiahship.

Matt. xi. 2 — 6. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another ? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see ; The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk ; the lepers are cleansed, aud the deaf hear ; the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be of ended in me p. 203

Lecture X.

Our Lord's Answer to the Cavil which imputed his dispossession of Demons to Satanic agency. He appeals to that class of his Miracles as indicating the establishment of the Kingdom of God.

Luke xi. 20. But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you p. 227

Lecture XI.

Our Lord s Appeal to the Witness of the Father, by which he was the subject, as well as the worker, of

Miracles.

CONTENTS.

xxiii

John v. 37, 38. And the Father himself which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you ; for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not p. 257

Lecture XII.

Our Lord's Appeal to the Scriptures of the Old Testament, as peculiarly designed to testify of Him.

John v. 39, 40. Search the Scriptures ; for in them ye think ye have eternal life ; and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life p. 286

Lecture XIII.

A Review of the particular Instances in which our Lord, during his life, actually cites or alludes to the Prophecies and Types of the ancient Scriptures.

Matt. xi. 12 — 14. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffer eth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And, if ye will receive it, this is Elias which was for to come p. 3 1 1

Lecture XIV.

Our Lord's Debates with the Jews. — That recorded in St. John's eighth Chapter considered— in the course of which our Lord specifies the period at which the Evidence of his Messiahship would be complete ; appeals to the Purity of his Life, and of his Doctrine ; hints at the Fulfilment in him of the Promise to Abraham ; and asserts his pre-existence.

John viii. 28, 29, 45 — 47. Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself ; but as my Father hath

taught

Xxiv

CONTENTS.

taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me : the Father hath not left me alone ; for I do always those things that please him.

And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin ? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God, heareth God f s words ; ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God p. 336"

Lecture XV.

Our Lord's Statement that the Fulfilment of his own Predictions would evince his Messiahship, The manner in which he displayed and noticed his unlimited knowledge of men and things.

John xiii. 18, 19. I know whom I have chosen: but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me, hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am He p. 362

Lecture XVI.

The remarkable Sayings of our Lord, at the time of his Apprehension, on his Trial, and on the Cross, considered. — His Institution of the Sacrament in Commemoration of his Death.

John xviii. 36", 37- Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world ; if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews : but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou say est that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I might bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice p. 387

Lecture XVII.

The Method in which our Lord evidenced the Reality of his Resurrection, and his reasonings on Prophecy after

that

CONTENTS.

XX V that event. — The distinguishing peculiarities of the Christian Faith

Luke xxiv. 44—48. And he said unto than, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms concerning me. Then opened he their understandings, that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his jiame among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things p. 417

PART III. Lectures XVIII — XX

OUR LORD'S NOTICE OF THE REJECTION OF HIS CLAIMS BY THE JEWS; AND OF THE CAUSES, PROGRESS, AND CONSEQUENCES OF INFIDELITY.

Lecture XVIII.

Our Lord's Notice of the Rejection of his Claims by the Jews. — He specifies some of the moral Causes of Infidelity.

John v. 40 — 46. Ye will not come to me that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that you have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not ; if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only ? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father : there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my icords ? 449

XXVI

CONTENTS.

Lecture XIX.

The Infidelity of the Jews in its more advanced stage noticed by onr Lord with allusion to a passage of [saiah. — The occasion and purport of his Remarks; and a similar application of the same passage by the Evangelist St. John. — Other Cautions and Directions given by our Lord respecting the Temper and Method proper for Religious Inquiry.

Matt. xi ii. 14 — \6. And in them is fuffitfad the prdptibcp of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand ; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive. — For this people's hear I is waxed gross, and their ears are dull oj hearing, and their eyes they have closed ; lest at any lime they should see with their eyes, and hear with their cars, and should understand with, their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them p. 475

Lictuim: XX.

Our Lord's Notice of Infidelity in its last and confirmed stage.- — The Blasphemy against the Son of Man, and that against the Holy Ghost. — The demand of additional Evidence,, when that which is offered has been rejected. — Sanctions with which the Gospel is accompanied. — Conclusion.

Luke xii. 8 — 10. Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: but he that denieth me before men, shall be denied before the angels of God. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him ; but unto him that blaspherneth against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven p. 500

HULSEAN LECTURES

INTRODUCTORY LECTURE L — 0 —

HUMAN FRAILTV AND MORTALITY THE SPECIAL OBJECTS OF GOD'S PROMISED MERCY.

SUITABLE PROVISIONS OF THE GOSPEL, MORE ESPECIALLY AS THEY ARE NOTICED IN THE OPENING STATEMENTS OF THE EVANGELIST ST. JOHN.

As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his name : which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word, was made flesh, and dwelt among us, ( and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

He, who ff giveth to all life, and breath, and all things, hath made from one progenitor, and of one blood, all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth; and will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth V Yet, although all men have sprung from the same original, partake of one common nature, and are indifferently the objects of their Creator's regard, they are variously distinguished from each other. The diversities of form and countenance, station and condition, ability and pursuits, are as numerous as the individuals of

A Acts xvii. £ 25, 26". 1 Tim. ii. 4. A 2

Lecture I.

whom the race is composed. These, however, are distinctions of time only, and of this world ; " at the hour of death, and in the day of judgment;" they will have ceased for ever. But distinctions co-exist with these, which in some respects are already manifested ; which will hereafter be more fully developed, and more completely fixed ; which time cannot efface, and death cannot destroy ; which will determine our destiny at the last decisive day, and continue with us through eternity. These important distinctions are such as respect our inner man • our moral and religious character; the state of our affections, and soul, and spirit, with reference to God, and his favour, and the things unseen.

To those "who believe on the name of the only begotten Son of God," belong privileges and expectations, than which none more ennobling and animating can be enjoyed by man. They derive them from the mercy, and receive them through the power of God ; and the bliss and dignity which are hereby communicated to them in this world, are but a foretaste and pledge of more perfect blessedness in another. The same beloved Apostle who, in the words of our text, mentions these privileges, and also the wondrous method in which they were procured and revealed, in another part of his writings exclaims ; " Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us,, that we should be called the Sons of God." "Beloved," he adds, "now are we the Sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be." a It is, however, already revealed, that "redemption through the blood of Christ has procured for us the forgiveness of sins." We know that we were thus ic redeemed, that we might receive the adoption of sons and the adoption will one day be perfected, by " the redemption of our body" from the power of the grave. And therefore " the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the Sons of God ; when it shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into that glorious liberty" of which the children of God will partake, by being " the children of the resurrection." 5

"The hope thus set before us" is one to which we may ff flee for refuge" amidst all the fears, and adversities, and uncertainties of life. And if we are convinced that "grace and truth" have indeed " come by Jesus Christ ;" and that he, as " the only begotten Son of God, the Word incarnate, hath declared to us the Father;" then " though now we see him not, yet believing, we may rejoice in him with joy unspeakable and full of glory."

a 1 John iii. 1, 2.

b Eph. i. 7. Gal.iv. 5. Rom. viii. 15 — 23. Luke xx. 35, 56.

Lecture I.

We purpose, in these Lectures, to call your attention to the striking 1 and satisfactory manner in which the certainty, design, and importance of the Gospel were originally exhibited to mankind. We shall shew you, in our next Lecture, that the Evangelists, St. Luke and St. John, themselves have directed us to such a view of the subject. St. John has also prefaced his narrative with a comprehensive statement respecting the divine and eternal glory of the Word, who (C was made flesh, and dwelt among us full of grace and truth and the retrospective, present, and prospective, benefits of this incarnation of the Son of God. If, therefore, we devote this introductory discourse to a summary review of those important truths, into the certainty of which we are to inquire, we shall, by such a procedure, still follow the guidance of the Evangelists, and conduct our inquiries upon the plan which they suggest to us.

The Gospel announces to us an appropriate and adequate provision for our necessities, as sinful and, therefore, as dying, creatures. ( f For since man was a partaker of flesh and blood, the deliverer of men likewise took part of the same ; that through death, he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil ; and deliver them, who through fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bond-

Lecture I.

age." a And rightly to have meditated upon that guilt and frailty of man, which infuses bitterness into the cup of life, and sharpens the sting of death, will best teach us that humility and gratitude, with which we ought to contemplate "the exceeding riches of God's grace, in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus/' b

That we are frail and dying creatures is proved by universal and unvarying experience. We are carried down the stream of time ; and, like every other bubble that floats upon its surface, we also, in our turn, must disappear. Not only the fleeting portion of time during which we ourselves exist, but even the generation to which we belong, quickly passes away. The tolling bell, and the opened grave, ever and anon remind us of the unwelcome truth. Man, our brother, neighbour, and friend, "goeth to his long home;" "the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit to God who gave it." And, when we remember the judgment that comes after death, conscience reminds us of our transgressions, and suggests distressing, but not groundless, fears. For, by all that we. can discover of the "eternal power and Godhead" of our Creator, by all that we have been taught, or can comprehend, respecting his character, we know that he is cc glorious in holib Ephes. ij. 7.

Lecture I.

ness," and the " hater of iniquity ;" "abundant in goodness and truth/' and yet of inflexible justice ; that he " searcheth the hearts and trieth the reins/' and will "bring* every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." If we dwell exclusively on the contrast exhibited to us between his perfections and our imperfections, between his glory and our degradation, we could scarcely do otherwise than despair. But in order that humility may be combined with hope, we must consider these truths in connexion, as in Scripture we are taught to do. There all that is weak and frail in man is put in immediate connexion with all that is mighty and glorious in his God. Man's sinfulness and God's mercy are noticed together, both in the general declarations of his readiness to forgive, and also in the more explicit statements respecting the wondrous and consolatory provisions, which, by the incarnation and humiliation of the Son of God, are made for our redemption and salvation. Hence we may indeed learn the salutary lesson of humility and self-abhorrence ; but hence also may we be raised from the debasing depths of despair, and taught to lift up the down cast eye, to " behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us." We are taught "worthily to lament our sins, and to acknowledge our wretchedness/' in order that the remedy provided for both may be worthily esteemed, and earnestly sought ; that so we may obtain of " the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness., through Jesus Christ our Lord/' a Yes, Christians, as " we have none in heaven but God/ 5 so "if on earth we desire none in comparison of him then although our "heart and flesh" may and must "fail, God will be the strength of our heart, and our portion for ever."- b Let the Psalmist, in another place, give us the assurance and the reason of such a hope: "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass ; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone, and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him ; and his righteousness unto children's children ; to such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them/ ,c We are taught to take the same extensive and consolatory view by St. Peter : " We are born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is grass, and all the glory of a Colkct for Ash- Wednesday. b Psalm lxxiii. 25, 26.

c Psalm ciii. 13 — 18.

Lfxture I.

man as the flower of grass. The grass withered and the flower thereof falleth away ; but the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you/ ,a Here the Apostle cites and explains the words, which Isaiah ascribes to the voice crying in the wilderness ; when, rapt into Gospel times, he already seemed to hear it uttering the proclamation, <( Prepare ye the way of the Lord ; that the glory of the Lord may be revealed, and all flesh may see it together/' b Here then we are approaching to a full discovery of the wondrous means, by which " God's people are comforted, their warfare is accomplished, and their iniquity pardoned/' Turn we then once more for information respecting this interesting matter to the declarations of the Apostles of Jesus Christ. What says St. Paul? ff The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God 3 sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh ; that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us. who walk not b Isai. xl. 1 — 8. Throughout the remainder of the chapter the prophet gives a magnificent description of the divine attributes, and applies them for the consolation of man.