SERMON LVII

SERMON LVII.

THE SUCCESS OF THE MINISTRY OF THE GOSPEL, OWING TO A SI FINE INFLUENCE. *

1 Cor. iii. 7. So then neither is he that plants any thing, neither he that waters; bid God that gives the increase.

THE design of God in all his works of creation, providence, and grace, is to advance and secure the. glory of his own name; and therefore, though he makes use of secondary causes as the instruments of his operations, yet their essicacy depends upon his superintending influence. It is his hand that sustains the great chain of causes and effects, and his agency pervades and animates the worlds of nature and of grace. In

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In the natural world, he makes use of the instrumentality of the husbandman to till the ground, to sow the seed, and water it. But it is he that commands the clouds to drop down fatness upon it, and the fun to diffuse its vital influence. It i. he that continues to the earth, and the other principles of vegetation, their respective virtues; and without this influence of his the husbandman's planting and watering would be in vain; and, after all his labour, he must acknowledge, that it is God that giveth the increase.

So in the world of grace, God uses a variety of suitable means to form degenerate sinners into his image, and sit them for a happy eternity. All the institutions of the gospel are intended for this purpose, and particularly the ministry of it. Ministers are sowers sent out into the wild sield of the world, with the precious feed of the word. It is the grand business of .their life to cultivate this barren foil, to plant trees of righteousness, and water them that they may bring forth die fruits of holiness. It is by the use of painful industry that they can expect to improve this wilderness into a fruitful sield; and the Lord is pleased to pour out his spirit from on high at times to render their labours successful; so that they who went forth -bearing precious feed'with sorrow and tears, return bringing their sheaves with joy. But alas! they meet with disappointments enough to convince them that all their labours will be in vain, if a sovereign God deny the influences of his grace. The agency of his holy spirit is as necessary to fructify the word, and make it the feed of conversion, as the influences of heaven are to fructify the earth, and promote vegetation. A zealous Paul may plant the word, and an eloquent Apol-los may water it; one may attempt to convert sinners to Christianity, and the other to build them up in faith, but they are both nothing as to the success of their labours, unless God gives the increase; that is, unless he affords the influence of his grace to render ther attempts successful in begetting and cherifhing living religion in the hearts of men. This is the great truth contained in my text: Neither is he that planteth any thing, nor he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

The Corinthians had been blest with the labours of several ministers, particularly of the apostle Paul, who had been the happy instrument of turning them from their native heathenism, and planting the gospel among them, and of Apollos, who succeeded him, and watered the good seed he had planted among them. But the Corinthians, instead of peaceably and thankfully improving the different gifts of different ministers for their spiritual and everlasting benesit, fell into factions, through a partial admiration of the one, in opposition to the other. Some of them were for Paul, as an universal scholar, and a strong reasoner; others were all fer Apollos, as an accomplished orator. And thus they considered these ministers of Christ, rather as the ringleaders of factions than as unanimous promoters of the fame catholic christianity. To suppress this party spirit, the apostle alks them, Who then is Paul, or who is Apollos ?" What mighty beings would you make us in your idolatrous attachment to us? Alas! what are we more than feeble ministers of Christ, by whom ye believed? We were not the authors of your faith, but the humble instruments of it in the divine hand; and the success that either of us have had has not been from our own power, but just as God hath been pleased to give to every man (ver. 5.) I sirst planted the gospel among you; Apollos afterwards watered it; this was all we could do: but we could not make it bear the fruits of holiness in one foul. It was God alone that gave the increase, and made our respective labours successful (ver. 6.) therefore turn your regard to him alone :—Cease from man, whose breath is in his nojlrils ; for wherein is he to be accounted of? Isai ii. 22. "Do not idolatrously share. the honour of your conversion between God the efficient, and us, the humble instruments of it; but as

cribe it to him alone: for neither is he that planteth any thing, nor he that watereth; but God that gave the increase; "he is all in all."

When we fee a people enjoy the frequent cultivations of the gospel, and the means of spiritual fruitfulness, and yet few new trees of righteousness planted, and those, that have been planted, seemingly withering and unfruitful, we cannot but conclude that something is wanting; without which all the means they enjoy will be of no service. We should naturally turn our thoughts to an inquiry, what was wanting, had we tilled our lands from year to year without a crop. And since we sind at present, that notwithstanding all the labours bestowed upon us, we lie in a deep steep, and hardly know what it is of late to be animated with the news of some careless sinner here and there awakened to serious'concern about his eternal estate, it is high time to inquire what is wanting? There is certainly something wanting, which is of greater consequence than any thing we have. Here are the gospel, and its ordinances, which at times have done great things; and sinners have yielded to their resistless energy: here is a minister, who, however weak, has sometimes been the happy instrument of giving a sinner an alarm, and speaking a word in season to those that were weary: here are hearers that crowd our sanctuary; hearers of the fame kind with those whom we have seen ere now fall under the power of the word. And what then is wanting? Why, God, that alone can give the increase, is not here by the influences of his grace; and in his absence, neither he that planteth is any thing, nor he that watereth; they are all nothing together; and may labour till doomsday, and never convert one soul. Where is the Lord God of Elijah? Where is he that can do more execution with one feeble sentence, than we can with a thousand of our most powerful sermons! Why, he hath hid his face; and hence there is none that calleth upon his name, ihatslirreih up himself to take hold of him. Isai. lxiv. 7. And till the Spirit be poured upon us from on high, nothing but briars and thorns will come up among us. Chap, xxxii. 13, 15.

Let your thoughts, therefore, with eager attention now pursue me, while I am proving, illustrating, and making remarks pertinent to our case, from this affecting truth contained in the text, That the success of the ministry of the gospel with respect to saints and sinners, entirely depends upon the concurring influences of divine grace; or, that, without the divine agency to render the gospel successful, all the labours of its ministers will be in vain.

This truth can give us no surprize as a new discovery, if we have any acquaintance with the present degeneracy of human nature—with the declarations and promises of the word of God—with the accounts of the different success of the means of grace in various periods of the church—or with matters that might have come within the compass of our own experience and observation.

I. Such is the present degeneracy of human nature, that all the ministrations of the gospel cannot remedy it, without the concurring esficacy of divine grace.

So barren is the foil, that the feed of the word falls upon it and dies, and never grows up; as though it had never been sown there, till it be fructisied by divine grace. It is a foil fruitful of briars and thorns, which grow up, and choke the word; so that it becometh unfruitful till divine grace root them up. Or it may be represented by a rocky or stony soil, where the word of God can take no deep root, and therefore withers till it be molified by influences from heaven. Thus our Lord represents the matter in the famous parable of the sower. Matt. xiii. 3, &c. 18, &c.

The metaphors used in sacred scripture to illustrate this case, sufficiently prove the degeneracy of mankind, and their entire opposition to the gospel. They are represented as spiritually dead, Eph. ii. 1. John v. 25. that is, though thev are still capable of the exercises

of of reason and animal actions, yet they are really destitute of a supernatural principle of spiritual life, and incapable of suitable exercises towards God. And can a Paul or an Apollos quicken the dead with convictive arguments, with strong persuasions, or tender and passionate expostulations? No; none but he can do it whose almighty voice bade Lazarus come forth. Sinners are also represented as blind. 2 Cor. iv. 4. Now what can feeble mortals do to such? We can exhibit divine things before them; we can expose the horrid deformity of sin, and its tremendous consequences; we can display the glories of God, the beauty of holiness, and the allurements of redeeming love; but, alas! all this is but like exposing colours to the blind. We cannot open their eyes; we cannot communicate such views of things to their minds as are in any measure adequate to the things themselves. What can tender arguments avail to break hearts of stone? What signisies reasoning to govern headstrong obstinacy, which regards it no more than a whirlwind? What can persuasions do to extirpate inveterate, implacable enmity? Rorn. viii. 7. What can the charms of eloquence do to charm deaf adders that stop their ears? Psalm lviii. 4. The Israelites might as well pretend to overthrow the walls of Jericho with the sound of rams-horns, as we with our feeble breath to overthrow the strong holds of satan in the hearts of sinners! It is the divine agency alone that gives the success in both cases. Clay cannot open the eyes of the blind, except in his almighty hands who could form a world out of nothing, and who can work without or against means as eafily as with them.

The scripture-representation of the degeneracy of mankind are consirmed by universal experience. If we form any observations of ourselves or others, we sind that the whole bent of our souls by nature is contrary to the gospel. The gospel is designed to reclaim men from sin; but they are obstinately set upon it: it is designed to make sin bitter to them, and to dissolve

Vol. III.' P p their their hearts into tender sorrows for it; but we naturally delight in sin, and our hearts are hard as the nether mill-stone: it is intended to bring apostate rebels back to God, and the universal practice of holiness; but we love estrangement from him, and have no inclination to return. We abhor the ways of strict holiness, and choose to walk in the imaginations of our own hearts. The gospel is calculated to advance the divine glory, and abash the pride of all flesh, in the scheme of salvation it reveals; but this is directly contrary to the disposition of the sinner, who is all for his own glory. This requires no tedious arguments to prove it. Look in upon your own hearts; look back on your own conduct; look round you on the world; and there the evidences of it will glare upon you.

Now, since the innate dispositions of men are thus averse to the gospel, it is evident that nothing but divine power can make it effectual for their sanctisication. Instructions may furnish the head with notions, and correct speculative mistakes; but they have no power to sway the will, and sweetly allure it to holiness.— Persuasions may prevail to bring men to practise what they had omitted through mistake, carelessness, or a tranfient dislike; but they will have no effect where the heart is full of innate enmity against the things recommended. In this case, he that planteth and he that watereth is nothing; it is God alone can give the increase; as is more than intimated by,

II. The promises and declarations of the word, which appropriate all the success of the gospel to God alone.

Jehovah is not fond of ostentation and parade, nor wasteful in throwing away his blessings where they are not needed; and therefore, if the means of grace were sufficient of themselves to convert sinners and edify believers, he would not make such magnisicent promises of the supernatural aids of his grace, nor claim the •efficacy of them as his own. He would not assert the insufficiency of them without his influence, nor assign

• * the the withdrawment of his grace as one cause of their tinsuccessfulness. But all this he does in his word.

Notwithstanding all the miraculous as well as ordinary means of grace which the Israelites enjoyed, there was need of this divine promise, The Lord thy God will circumcise thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul. Deut. xxx. 6. And this promise was not peculiar to the Mosaic dispensation of the covenant of grace, which was less clear and essicacious; but we sind that One superior excellency of the gospel-dispensation is, that it is more abundant in such promises. It is to the gospel-church that this promise is more particularly made; Behold, the days come, faith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, &c. not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers, in the day that I to k them by the hand, to bring them out oft/j3 land of Egypt, he. But this is the covenant that I will make with them: I will put my law in their inwardparts^ and write it in their hearts, jer. xxxi. jt, 33-.. Heb. viii. 8, &e.

This is a promise of so much importance, that it is. -frequently repeatecrwith some circumstantial alteration, as the very life of the New Testament church. 7' •will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me for ever; and I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. Jer. xxxii. 39, 40. Ezekiel echoes back the fame language by the inspiration of the same Spirit, I will give them one heart; and I will put a new spirit within them; and I will take the slonv heart out os their flesh; and I will give them an heart of flesh; and they shall walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them. Ezek. xi. 19, 20. See also chap. xxxvi. 26, 27.

What was the success of St. Peter's sermon (Acts ii.) in the conversion of 3000, but the accomplishment of those promises in Joel and Zechariah, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh. (Joel ii. 28, 29.) I willpour ou: upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

salem, the spirit of grace and of supplication, and they shall look, kc. Zech. xii. 10. These promises were substantially renewed by Christ, to encourage the drooping apostles, John xvi.^ 8, 9, 10. I willsend the Spirit; and •when he is come, he will convince the world, &c. All their miraculous powers were not sufficient for the conviction of mankind, without the agency of the divine Spirit; but by this, that promise of the Father to his Son was accomplished: Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power. Psalm ex. 3.

I might subjoin many other promises of the fame kind; but these are sufficient to shew the absolute necessity of divine influence, or the utter insufficiency of the best means without it. And what farther time might be allotted to this particular, I shall lay out upon this pertinent and useful remark, which, if rightly attended to, would rectify mistakes, and remove many scruples and controverfies upon this point. The remark is this, That the promises of God to bestow blessings upon us, do not render needless our most vigorous endeavours to obtain them; and, on the other hand, that our most vigorous endeavours do not supersede the influences of the Spirit to work in us the dispositions we are labouring after: or, That that may be consistently enjoined upon us as a duty, which is promised by God free favour; and vice versa. This may be illustrated by various instances. God commands us as strictly to circumcise the foreskins of our hearts, to make ourselves new hearts and new spirits (Jer. iv. 4.) and to cleanse ourselves from mortal pollution (Isa. i. 16.) as if this were wholly our work, and he had no essiciency in it. In the mean time, he promises as absolutely to circumcise our hearts to love him,to give us new hearts, and to purge us from all our silthiness, and from all our abominations, as though he performed all the work without our using means.— Now we are sure these things are consistent; for the sacred oracles are not a heap of contradictions. And how does their consistency appear? Why, thus: It is

our

our duty to use the most vigorous endeavours to obtain these graces promised, because it is only in the use of vigorous endeavours that we have reason to expect: divine influences. And yet these endeavours of ours do not in the least work those graces in us, and therefore there is certainly as much need of the promised agency of divine grace to esfect the work, as if we should do nothing at all. Our utmost endeavours fall entirely short of it, and do not entitle us to divine assistance; and this we must have an humble fense of, before we can receive the accomplishment of such promises as the effect of free grace alone. But we should continue in these endeavours, because we have no reason to hope for the accomplishment of the promises in a course of sloth and negligence. This point may be illustrated by the consistency of the use of means and the agency of providence in the natural world. God has peremptorily promised, that while the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest shall not cease. Gen. viii. 22. But this promise does not render it needless for us to cultivate the earth; nor does all our cultivation render this promise needless: for all our labour would be in vain without the influence of divine providence; and this influence is to be expected only in the use of labour. Thus, in the moral world, the efficacy belongs to God, as much as if we made no use of means at all; and the most vigorous endeavours are as much our duty as if we could effect the work ourselves, and he had no special hand in it. Were this remark attended to, it Would guard us against the pernicious extremes of turning the grace of God into wantonness, and pleading it as an excuse/or our idleness; and of self-righteousness, and depending upon our own endeavours. In this sruarded manner does St. Paul handle this point: Work out your own salvation with sear and trembling; for it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do, of his good pleasure. Phil. ii. 12, 13. But to return: As we may infer the necessity of divine influences from the promises of God, so

We

We may infer the fame thing from the many passages of sacred v/rit ascribing the success of the gospet upon sinners, and even upon believers, to the agency of divine grace. If even a well-disposed Lydia gives a believing attention to the things spoken by St. Paul, it is, because the Lord hath opened her heart. Acts xvi. 14. Thus the Philippians believed, because, says the apostle, to you it is given on the behalf of Christ to believe* Phil. i. 29. Thus the Ephesians were spiritually alive, because, says he, you hath he quickened, who ivere dead in trespasses and fins. Eph. ii. 1. Faith is not of ourselves; but is expressly said to be the gift of God. Eph. ii. 8. Nay, the implantation of faith is represented as an exploit of omnipotence, like that of the resurrection of Christ. Hence the apostle prays, Eph. i. 19, 20. that the Ephesians might be made deeply sensible of the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward that believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead. Repentance is also the gift of God: Christ is exalted to bestow it. Acts v. 31. When the Jewish Christians heard of the success of the gospel among the Gentiles, they unanimously ascribed it to God: then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life, Acts xi. 18. and it is upon this encouragement that St. Paul recommends the use of proper means to reclaim the obstinate: if God, peradventure, will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. 2 Tim. ii. 25. Regeneration also, in which faith and repentance and other graces are implanted, is always ascribed to God. If all things are made new, all these things are of God. 2 Cor. v. 17, 18. If while others reject Christ some receive him, and so are honoured with the privilege of becoming the sons of God, it is not owing to themselves, but to him. They are born, not of blood, nor of.the will of man, nor of the will of the flefa, but of Goa\ John i. 11, 12, 13. He begets such of his own sovereign will by the word of truth, James i. 18. and every good and perfect gift with which they are endowed ed is not from themselves, but from above, and cometh down from the Father' of lights, who is the great origin of all moral excellency, as the fun is of light, -ver. 1,7. Hence this change is expressed by such terms as denote the divine agency, and exclude that of the creature; as a new birth, John iii. 3. a new creation, 2 Cor. v. 17. Col. iii. 10. the workmanship of God ,created in Christ Jesus, Eph. ii. 1 o. a resurrection from the dead, John v. 25. Eph. ii. 1. Col. iii. 1. Now it is the greatest absurdity to speak of a man's begetting, or creating himself, or raising himself from the dead. Thus we sind that the sirst implantation of grace in the heart of a sinner is entirely the work of God; and, lest we should suppose that, when it is once implanted, it can flourish and grow without the influence of heaven, we sind that the progress of fanctisication in believers is ascribed to God, as well as their sirst conversion. David was sensible, after all his attainments, that he could not run the way of God's commandments unless God should enlarge his heart. Ps. cxix. 32. All the hopes of Paul concerning his promising converts at Philippi depended upon his persuasion, that he that had begun a good work in them, would perform it until the day of Christ. Phil. i. 6. . Nay, it was upon this he placed his own entire dependance. We are not sufficient of ourselves, fays he, to think any thing as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God. 2 Cor. iii. 5. If I am faithful, it is "because I have obtained mercy of the Lord to make me so." 1 Cor. vii. 25. By the grace of God I am what I am; and if I have laboured more abundantly than others, it is not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 Cor. xv. 10. I can do all things through Christ that flrengtheneth me. Phil. iv. 13. He was relieved under his despondencies by this answer, My grace is sufficient for thee, and my strength is made perseel in weakness. 2 Cor. xii. 9. This is more than intimated in his prayers for himself and others: for example, May the God of peace make you perseel in every goad work, to do his will; working in you that which is well-pleafing in his fight, through "Jesus Christ! Heb. xiii. 21. And indeed all the prayers of the saints for the aids of divine grace imply the necessity of them J for they would not pray for superfluities, or for what they already have in a sufficient measure. It is the Spirit that helps our insirmities in prayer, and other exercises of devotion, Rom. viii. 24. and all our preparation for the heavenly state and aspirations after it, are of God. He that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God. 2 Cor. v. 5. In a word, /'/ is God that worketh all our works in us, Isa. xxvi. 12. it is he that worketh in us both to will and to do, of his own good pleasure. Phil. ii. 13. Now the actual communication of divine influences, implies their necessity. Accordingly, we sind

The necessity of divine influences is asserted in the plainest terms in scripture. No man, says Christ, can come unto me, except the Father draw him. John vi. 44. He that hath heard and learned of the Father, and he only, will come to him, ver. 45. and this influence is not purchased by our endeavours, but it is the free gift of grace. Hence Christ varies his former declarations into this form; no man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of my Father; ver. 65. and the agency of divine grace is necessary, not only to draw sinners to Christ at sirst, but also to make them fruitful afterwards. Hence Christ represents even the apostles as dependant upon him as the branch upon the vine; and tells them plainly, that "without him they can do nothing." John xv. 4, 5. Through all the stages of the Christian life, we depend entirely upon him; and without his influences, we should wither and die like a blasted flower, however blooming and fruitful we were before. Hence, fays God to his people, in me is thy fruit found. Hosea xiv. 8. Since then this is the case, it will follow, that when God is pleased to withhold his influences, all the means of grace will be unsuccessful. Accordingly we sind,

The

The unsuccessfulness of the gospel is often resolved into the withholding or withdrawing of the influences of grace, as one cause of it. Thus Moses resolves the obstinacy of the Israelites under all the profusion of wonders that had attended them, into this, as one cause of it: The Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to fee, and ears to hear, unto this day. Deut. xxix. 2, 3, 4. If none believe the report of the gospel, it is because the arm of the Lord is not revealed. Isa. liii. 1. "If the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are hidden from the wise and prudent, while they are revealed to babes; it is because God in his righteous judgment and sovereign pleasure, hides them from the one, and reveals them to the other." Matt. xi. 25, 26. Nay, the evangelist speaks in yet more forcible terms, when speaking of the unbelief of the Jews, who were witnesses of Christ's convictive miracles and discourses; therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said, he hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts, John xii. 39, 40. and in the fame strain St. Paul speaks: he hath mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he •will he hardeneth. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that Jheweth mercy. Rom. ix. 18, &c. These passages are so opposite to the prevailing divinity of the age, that they are dangerous weapons to meddle with; and it is well they are the very words of scripture, otherwise we should be charged with blasphemy for mentioning the truth contained in them. We must indeed be cautious that we do not infer from these scriptures any such horrid doctrine as this, that men are compelled to sin, and pushed on to ruin, by a necessitating decree, or the resistless impulse of providence ; or that, though they were disposed to turn to God, they are judicially kept back and hindered by the divine hand. This would be contrary to the whole current of scripture, which charges the sin and ruin of sinners upon themselves; but these passages mean, that God denies to obstinate Vol. III. O^q sinners sinners those influences of his grace which are necessary to convert them, and which, if communicated, would have subdued their utmost obstinacy; and that in consequence of this denial, they will rush on in sin and irreclaimable impenitence, and perish; but yet that God, in denying them his grace, does not act: merely as an arbitrary sovereign, but as a just judge, punishing them for their sin in abusing the blessings he has bestowed upon them, by judicially withdrawing the aids of his grace, and withholdingfarther influences. And sure he may punish obstinate sinners with privative as well as positive punishment! he may as justly withhold or withdraw forfeited blessings, as inflict positive misery. This we all own he may do with respect to temporal blessings; he may justly deny them to such as have forfeited them; and why he may not exercise the same sovereignty and justice with regard to spiritual blessings, is hard to fay. His hardening the heart, blinding the eyes, &c. of sinners, signify his withdrawing the influences of grace which they have abused, his withholding those additional influences which might irresistibly subdue their obstinacy, and his suffering them to fall into circumstances of temptation. These passages do but strongly and emphatically express thus much: thus much they may mean, without casting any injurious reflections upon God; and less than this they cannot mean, unless we would explain away their meaning.

From the whole then, we sind that the doctrine of the reality and necessity of divine influences to render the administrations of the gospel effectual for saving purposes, is a doctrine familiar to the sacred oracles. This will receive additional consirmation, if we sind it agreeable to matter of fact: Which leads me to observe,

III. That the different success of the fame means of grace in different periods of the church, sufficiently shews the necessity of gracious assistances to render them efficacious. The various states of the church in various ages are but comments upon the sacred pages, and accomplishments of scripture.

Now we sind that religion has flourished or declined, not so much according to external means, as according to the degree of divine influence. Alas! what could Noah, that zealous preacher of righteousness do, during the 120 years of his ministry? He might warn, he might persuade, he might weep over a secure world, in vain: they would rush upon destruction before his eyes; and he could only persuade his own family; and even among them there was a cursed Ham. How little could Moses, the favourite messenger and intimate of God, prevail to make his people dutiful! Alas! after all the astonishing wonders he wrought before their eyes, they coniinued obstinate and rebellious ; for the Lord had not given them an heart to understand, &c. Deut. xxix. 4. This Moses mentions as what was beyond his power, and could be effected by omnipotence only. What inconsiderable success had that zealous prophet Elijah, the eloquent Isaiah, or that tender-hearted, mourning, weeping prophet Jeremiah! Surely, many feeble servants of Christ, in all respects inferior to them, have been crowned with more extensive success! Nay, when the Son of God descended from heaven a teacher to the world, who spake as never man spake, who carried omnipotence along with him to attest his doctrine by the most astonishing miracles, how few, during his life, were brought seriously to regard his doctrine! He was pleased to defer the remarkable effusion of his spirit till his return to his native heaven. And when it was poured out, what a glorious alteration followed! then Peter, a poor sisherman, is the happy instrument of converting three thousand with one short sermon; which is more perhaps than his divine Master had done by a hundred. Then, in spite of the united opposition of earth and hell, the humble doctrines of the cross triumphed over the nations, and subdued millions to the obedience of faith.

Then Then the doctrines of Jesus, who was crucisied at Jerusalem like an infamous malefactor, between two thieves, became the mighty, all-conquering weapons, through God, to demolish the strong-holds of Satan. 2 Cor. ii. 4. And whence this strange alteration? It was from the more abundant effusion of the Spirit upon the minds of men; upon their minds, I fay; for as to the external evidences from miracles, prophecies, &c. they were sufficiently clear before this happy season. But there was not the fame degree of internal illumination by the Spirit. It is often intimated by Christ, in his last discourses with his disciples, that the holy Spirit was not yet given; and hence it was that he and they laboured so much in vain. But upon his ascension he performed the promise he had so often repeated, and sent the Spirit both upon them and their hearers; and then the aspect of affairs was happily altered: then the word had free course, and was glorisied. Then the world, was convinced of Jin, of righteousness, and of judgment.

This point might be illustrated farther by a history of the various periods of the church from the apostolic age to the present time; but it would be too tedious; and what has been offered is sufficient to convince us that it is not by power, nor by might, but by the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts, that the interests of religion are carried on, Zech. iv. 6. especially if we add,

IV. Our own experience and observation, which furnish us with many instances in which this great truth has been exemplisied.

Our observation furnishes us with such instances as these :—Sometimes a minister who is an universal scholar, a masterly reasoner, and an accomplished orator, and withal sincerely engaged for the conversion of sinners, labours in vain, and all his excellent discourses seem to have no effect; while another of much inferior accomplishments is the successful instrument of turning many to righteousness. This cannot be

accounted

accounted for without ascribing the distinction to the peculiar concurrence of divine grace; for if it depended upon the instruments, it would be quite the reverse. Sometimes a clear, convictive, and withal solemn and warm discourse has no effect; while at another time the same doctrines, delivered in a weak, incoherent manner, have strange essicacy, and reach the heart. Sometimes the reading of a sermon has been the means of awakening careless sinners, when at other times the most solemn and argumentative preaching has been in vain. Sometimes we have seen a number of sinners thoroughly awakened, and brought to seek the Lord in earnest; while another number under the very same sermon, and who seemed as open to conviction as the former, or perhaps more so, have remained secure and thoughtless, as usual. And whence could this difference arise but from special grace? We have seen persons struck to the heart with those doctrines which they had heard an hundred times without any effect. And indeed there is something in the manner of persons being affected with the word, which shews that the impression is not made by the word itself, or by any other power than divine. The truths that make such deep impressions upon their hearts are no new discoveries; they are the old common repeated truths of the gospel, which they had heard before a thousand times; and the manner in which they are represented by the minister may not be clearer than usual. But, to their surprise, these familiar doctrines flash upon them as new discoveries; they appear to them in a quite different light, as though they had never heard them before: and they reach the conscience, and pierce the heart with such amazing energy, that the sinner is cast into a consternation at his own stupidity, that he never had such apprehensions of things before. He was wont to regard the word as a speculation, or a pleasing song, but now he sinds it living and powerful, &c. the secrets of his heart are laid open by it,

and and he is obliged to own that God is with it of a truth. Thus a believer also discerns the doctrines of the gospel in a quite different light at one time than at another: he sees new glories in them. Hence one lermon leaves him cold and hard-hearted, while another, no better in itself, sets him all on sire. Hence also one receives advantage from a discourse which had no effect upon another: and from this proceeds the difference in judgment about the excellency of sermons, which we may observe among Christians. Every one forms a judgment according to his own sensations, and not according to the discourse in itself. And indeed when we hear an exercised Christian expatiate in praise of a discourse, it is a happy sign that it was made of special service to him.

Many such instances as these familiarly occur in the sphere of our observation; which prove, by matters of fact, that the success of the gospel depends upon the influence of divine grace. But we need not look about us to observe others. Turn your eyes inward upon what has passed in your own minds, and you shall sind, that

Your own experience proves the fame thing.— Have you not found that the very fame things have very different effects upon you at different times? Those truths, which at one time leave you dull and sleepy, at other times quicken all your powers to the most vigorous exercise. Sinners, do you not return from the house of God in very different frames, though the service there has been substantially the same? At one time you sweat and agonize under a sense of guilt and make many resolutions to change your course of life; and at another time there is a stupid calm within, and you matter not all the concerns of eternity. Some indeed have lain so long under the rays of the Sun of Righteousness, that they are hardened, like clay, and hardly susceptive of any deep impressions at any time, after they have murdered their conscience, and silenced all its sirst remonstrances. strances. These may go on serene and placid, till the flames of hell give them sensation; and this is most likely to be their doom; though it is not impossible but that this gospel, this stale, neglected gospel, which now makes no impression on their stony hearts, may yet be endowed with almighty power to break them into the tenderest contrition: and I pray God this may be the happy event. I pray God, O sinner, that thou mayest yet fall under the resistless energy of those important things which now appear but trifles to thee. But till persons are thus become proof against the gospel, they generally feel a variety of dispositions under the ministry of it; and this variety is to be principally ascribed to the various degrees of divine influence upon them at different seasons. And you saints, you also experience a like vicissitude. Sometimes, O how divinely sweet, O how nourishing is the sincere milk of the word! How does the word enlighten, quicken, and comfort you! How exactly it suits your very case! At other times it is tasteless; it is a dead letter, and has no effect upon you. At times a sentence seems almighty, and carries all before it; and you feel it to be the word of God; at other times, you perceive only your feeble fellow-mortal speaking to you, and all his words are but feeble breath; as different from the former as chaff from wheat. See Jer. xxiii. 28, 29. Your own memories can supply my desiciency under this head, by recollecting such instances as these perhaps during your whole life; and the time urges me to make some remarks upon what has been said. These are so numerous and copious, that though I had them principally in view, and chose this subject for the sake of them, yet I can but supersicially touch upon them. Hence we learn,

1. How essential and important the doctrine of divine influence is to the church of God. The very life, and the whole success of the gospel depend upon it. And since this necessarily supposes the utter depravity pravity and spiritual impotence of human nature in its fallen state, that doctrine also must be frequently and plainly inculcated.

Alas! the great defect of the system of divinity too fashionable in our days, and one great cause of the languishing state of religion in our age, and of the prevalency of vice and impiety! Since it has been the mode to compliment mankind as able to do something very considerable in religion, religion has died away. Since it has been the fashion to press a reformation of mens lives, without inculcating the absolute necessity of divine grace to renew their nature, there is hardly such a thing as a thorough reformation to be seen; but mankind are evidently growing worse and worse. Since men think they can do something, and scorn to be wholly dependant on divine grace, the Lord, as it were, looks on and suffers them to make the experiment; and, alas! it is like to be a costly experiment to multitudes. God withholds his influence in just displeasure, and lets them try what mighty things the boasted powers of degenerate nature can do without it; and hence, alas! they lie all secure and asleep in sin together. Sermons are preached; the house of God is frequented; the ordinances of the gospel administered; yet vice is triumphant; carnal security almost universal; and so few are earnestly seeking after religion, that one would hardly suspect, from the success, that these are intended as means to bring them to this. Thus, alas! it is around us if we believe our fenses: and thus it will continue to be, till ministers and people are brought to the dust before God, to acknowledge their own weakness, and entire dependance upon him.— Therefore, hence we learn,

2. That when we enjoy the ministrations of the gospel in the greatest purity and plenty, we should not place our trust upon them, but wholly depend on the influence of divine grace for the success. We are apt to think, if we had but such a minister among

us, us, how much good would be done! It is true, that faithful and accomplished ministers are singular blessings to the places where they labour, because it is by their instrumentality that the Lord is wont to work: but still let us remember, that even a Paul or an Apollos is nothing, unless the Lord give the increase. One text of scripture, one sentence will do more execution, when enforced by divine energy, than all the labours of the ablest ministers upon earth without it. For this divine energy therefore let us look; for this let us cry, cursed be the man that trusieth in man, &c. When we depend upon the instruments, we provoke the Spirit of God to leave us. If we are fond of taking ministers in his stead, we shall make the trial, till they and we wither away for want of divine influences. This provokes the blessed Spirit to blast the gifts of his ministers, to suffer them to fall, or to remove them out of the way, when they are set up as his rivals, that their idolaters may fee they are but men. This provokes him to leave the hearers fruitless under the best cultivations, till experience sadly convinces them that they can do nothing without him. Therefore let not ministers trust in their own abilities, nor people in their labours; but all in the Lord.

That we should ascribe all the success of the gospel to God alone, and not sacrilegiously divide the honour of it between him and the instruments of it, or between him and ourselves, the ministers of Christ are ready to answer you, in the language of Peter, If we be examined of the good deed done to impotent sinners, by what means they are made whole; be it known unto you, that by the name of Jesus do they stand whole before you. Acts iv. 9, 10. Why do ye look so earnestly upon us, as if by our own power or holiness we had done this! chap. iii. 12. It is a very shocking compliment to them to be accounted the authors of your faith. Good ministers love to be humble, to lie in their proper sphere, and would have God to have al l the glory, as the great esficient; and when

Vol. III. R r we we ascribe the work of God to the instrument, we provoke him to withdraw his influence, that we may be convinced of the mistake. Let us also take care that we do not assume the honour of the work to ourselves. Alas! we had no hand in it, but opposed it with all our might; and therefore, not unto us, &c. Ps. cxv. 1. The Lord hath done great things for us in this place, for which we are glad. One can name one, and another another, as his spiritual father, or the Helper of his faith; but still remember, these only planted or watered; but it was God that gave the increase: and therefore to him alone ascribe his own work.

3. Hence also we may learn, whither we should look for grace to render the gospel successful among us. Let us look up to God. Saints, apply to him for his influences to quicken your graces, and animate you in your Christian course. Sinners, cry to him for his grace to renew your nature and sanctify you. Not all the men, nor all the means upon earth, can be of any service to you without him. Carefully attend upon the gospel, and all its institutions; but still be sensible, that these alone will not do; more is necessary; even the supernatural agency of divine grace.

How dangerous a thing it is to grieve the Spirit, and cause him to withdraw! In that cursed moment when a sinner has quenched the Spirit, all the means of grace become useless to him. Our salvation depends entirely upon the divine agency; and therefore to forfeit this, is to cut ourselves off from ail hope. Let us then indulge every good motion, entertain every solemn thought, cherish every pious resolution, and so, as it were, invite the blessed agent to accomplish his work, instead of provoking him to leave us. Alas! how natural is it for mankind to resist him! how averse are they to indulge his motions, and submit to his operations! And are net some of you guilty in this respect?

4. We observe that whatever excellent outward means and privileges a church enjoys, it is in a most miserable condition, if the Lord has withdrawn his influences from it: and whether this be not too much our own condition, I leave you to judge. Some of you, I doubt not, are even now, when others are withering around you, flourishing in the courts of the Lord, and feel the dews of heaven upon you: such I heartily congratulate. But in general, it is evident that a contagious lukewarmness and carnal security have spread themselves among us. Matters would not be thus still and quiet, if there was any considerable number of sinners among us anxiously seeking after salvation. The violence of their concern would^r constrain them to unbosom themselves to their minister, and to Christians around them. Our public assemblies would not wear so stupid and unconcerned an aspect, were they generally pricked to the heart. And what is the cause of this declension? Why, the Lord denies the increase: the Lord withholds his influence. This complaint is become fashionable among us, and often upon our lips; but pray consider what you fay when you utter this complaint. And is the Lord indeed withdrawn from us? Then all is gone; then saints may languish, and sinners may perish; and there is no remedy. We may indeed have preaching, sacraments, societies, &c. but, alas! what will all these avail, if God deny the increase! they will not save one soul; nay, they will but aggravate our condemnation. Let sinners take the alarm, and consider how fad their case is, who have outlived the season of remarkable divine influences! The harvest is. past, the summer is ended, and you are not saved; and what do you think will become of you? How poor a chance, if I may so speak, have you for life, when the spirit is thus restrained! You hardly know one careless sinner, in the compass of your knowledge, that has been made seriously religious, within these two or three years. If men were pressing into the

kingdom kingdom of heaven, you might be helped forward, as it were, in the crowd; but now all lies as a dead weight against you, and is it not time for you to cry mightily to God that he would pour out his spirit upon you I