Page images
PDF
EPUB

teresting passage of the sacred history, with a few practical reflections.

1. Let us admire and adore the goodness of God, who hath not left himself without witness of a future state in any age of the world. The doctrine of immortality is of infinite importance to the human mind, supplying the most powerful motives to piety and virtue, and the most effectual consolation in the troubles of the present state. And surely we may say that this doctrine has been taught to the world, in a manner as extraordinary, as the nature of it is important to mankind. In three grand religious periods of the worldthe Patriarchal, the Levitical, and Christian, the doctrine has been practically demonstrated by the translation of Enoch and Elijah, and the ascension of our blessed Lord. We love to be assured of direct communication between this and a brighter world, if it be but in solitary examples. We rejoice, if there have been witnesses of such events. Of the last and most glorious event of this nature, the ascension of Christ, blessed be God, there was a cloud of witnesses, many of whom sealed the truth of their testimony with their blood. To the faith of this cardinal event, let us resign ourselves with confidence. Christ has risen and ascended, the first fruits of them that slept. Be assured, his true disciples shall follow him, as into the grave, so also into glory. Let this affecting, blessed truth, let this glorious, immortal prospect, elevate our views, our ends, our sentiments, and conduct. No more shall our souls cleave to the dust, nor grovel after

earthly trifles, nor sensual pleasures. By devout and holy desires, by aspiring and pure affections, let them claim the skies. Here we are pilgrims and strangers; here we have no abiding city.

Let us seek one which

is above, to which Enoch and Elijah, to which our gracious and glorious Redeemer have ascended,--one whose builder and maker is God,-one eternal in the heavens. Again,

2. We should admire the goodness and mercy of God, who, in the darkest seasons, raises up men to be lights in the world, a blessing to their country, and a prop to declining religion. Such was Elijah. There were a few thousands, indeed, in Israel, who had not yet bowed the knee to Baal. But they were obliged to conceal themselves. In this gloomy state of things, the Lord sent Elijah, and religion prevailed, famine ceased, and the nation triumphed over invading and insulting enemies. And hence,

3. Let us as a nation, or smaller community, or as individuals, learn whither to look for light and relief, when a dark and gloomy season is passing over us. History is recorded for our admonition. There is the same God, and as full of mercy to all who will put their trust in him. To him let us look to preside over and bless the nation; to awaken us as a religious society from error, from stupidity, from bitterness, wrath, and clamour; and to bring us back from our wanderings to purity and peace. And as individuals, if we are conscious of coldness and dullness in a christian profession, or a total neglect of his service, let us remember, that he

will visit for these things, except we repent, when he will receive us graciously, and love us freely.

4. It is delightful to draw from our subject the ground of conviction, that God is mindful of his faithful servants, and will finally receive them in the most triumphant manner to glory. The eyes of mortals are not often greeted with the sight of heavenly glory on earth. But death is triumph to the Christian. Whenever we see a faithful servant of God and Christ closing his eyes in death, then let us exult to see, by the eye of faith, his happy spirit encircled by angels, who are a flame of fire, and rising to glory. And Oh! let us be anxious that an exit safe, peaceful and glorious too, may be our's, when we shall be called for. That time is not far off-it will soon be here we have not a moment to lose. Let us propose to ourselves the bright example, we have been contemplating, of firm attachment to God and true religion, if we stand alone. Let us abide by the covenant of our God, and cling to his altar and ordinances, if it be amidst general neglect.— Then God will reward our fidelity, by granting us his presence when we most need it, in the valley of the shadow of death. And when he, who is the believer's life, shall appear with ten thousands of his saints, to judge the world, we shall appear with him in glory. Amen.

SERMON XIII.

DANIEL.

DANIEL X. 19.

O man, greatly beloved, fear not; peace be unto thee; be strong, yea, be strong.

These words were applied to the prophet Daniel by a divine messenger, whom he saw in a vision," clothed in linen, his loins girded with fine gold, his body like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude." "O Daniel, a man greatly beloved," was his salutation. And when the prophet was ready to faint with astonishment at the glory of his appearance, he reassured him with the same gentle and comforting language. "0 man, greatly beloved, fear not; peace be unto thee; be strong, yea, he strong."

It is not particularly denoted whether he was beloved by God or men; the text may, however, intend both. Certain it is, that the character of Daniel is one of the most perfect in the holy scriptures. His fame for wisdom and rectitude was such, that for these exalted qualities his name became a proverb, even in his lifetime. Ezekiel, speaking of a land visited with divine judgments for its sins, affirms that if Noah, Daniel and Job were there, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness. And the same prophet, speaking to a proud and vain prince, and reproaching him for thinking too highly of himself, says, "Thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret they can hide from thee. Thus, even in his lifetime, for Daniel was cotemporary with Ezekiel, he was regarded the highest example of righteousness and wisdom. This eminence for wisdom and righteousness is the more extraordinary, as no man was ever placed in situations of severer trial. While very young, he was carried a captive to Babylon. For his beauty and talents he was selected as an object of royal favour, and educated in a luxurious and licentious court. He was not only permitted, but required to partake of the provision of the king's table, and of the wine which he drank; but through religious scruple he refrained, resisting the promptings of youthful appetite, and hazarding the displeasure of an absolute monarch. He was a foreigner, and even a captive, yet was exalted to the highest trust and dignity short of the throne.

« PreviousContinue »