be just with God to sentence him to misery for ever; or whether he would be willing to be eternally miserable for the glory of God. But he revealed the lovely character of the Father of infinite mercy and compassion; and uttered such gracious words, and performed such miracles of grace, that the people were attracted and drawn to him by vast multitudes. And had it not been for the superstitious religion of his time, a superstition which seems now to be in fashion, it seems that the whole nation of the Jews would have embraced the Saviour and his gospel at once.

This superstition now stands forth to oppose the progress of divine light, and the spread of impartial grace but its power is but weak, its influence is vastly diminished; while the Prince of peace and salvation is extending the triumphs of his grace, and thousands are rejoicing to see his day. My friends, let us no longer worship the idol of superstition; let us no longer bow down to that which is an abomination; let us no longer imagine that our heavenly Father is possessed of these cruel, unmerciful passions, which have disgraced the christian name with persecutions too horrid to contemplate, and anathematized millions, for whom the Saviour died, with curses more horrid still. But let us learn of Him who has taught us to love one another, to love our enemies, to bless and

curse not.

The religion of Jesus is confidence in the divine favours; it is hope in everlasting life; it is forgiveness to those who injure us; it is fervent in supplications for those who despitefully use us and persecute us. This religion is designed to overcome evil with good, and to reconcile all things to God so that every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

SERMON XIII.

FEAST OF KNOWLEDGE.

DELIVERED IN BOSTON ON THE SECOND SABBATH IN MARCH, 1822.

JEREMIAH, III. 15.

"And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding."

In this prophetic testimony, the divine Being promises to give his people pastors, instructors or teachers according to his own heart. By this we learn that God will not leave it to the wisdom of this world to appoint a ministry; but that he will see to this himself, and will endow those whom he appoints with his wisdom, his mind, and his will.

The great object of this ministry is clearly defined. It is not to amuse the people with mysterious dogmas, and to draw over their eyes a bandage of superstition, rendered sacred by tradition; but its object is to feed the people with knowledge and understanding. This directs us to consider that all the subjects on which the true ministry labours, are such as the teacher knows to be true, and such as he understands: they are such as people may be taught to know and understand.

When the wisdom of this world sets up religion, and appoints a ministry, it takes care that those who are thus appointed, are according to itself in heart and affections; who will be faithful to its cause, and who will studiously oppose the wisdom, mind, and will of God. When theological institutions send out ministers, care is taken that their

wisdom, their minds and their wills, are all in accordance with the scheme of doctrine maintained by the institutions to which they owe their authority. What must we naturally expect from such teachers? Answer: they will feed the people with all the inconsistencies and contradictions, all the partiality and vindictive wrath, which are maintained in the schools where they were educated. As an example of what we here state, we refer you to the theological institution at Jerusalem; at the head of which was placed Dr. Gamaliel. Saul, the persecutor, was a pupil of this school of divinity; and he was according to the spirit, wisdom, and disposition of that institution. In perfect accordance with the interest of that wisdom in which he had been taught, he was exceedingly mad against Christ and his religion; and breathed out threatenings and slaughter against his disciples. By the authority which stood in support of the institution, at which this persecutor was doctrinated, he was authorized to take all that believed in the name of Jesus, and commit them to prison, whether men or women. But when this same person was appointed a minister of Jesus Christ, it was the work of no theological school of human establishment; it was the work of that God, who says in our text,—“ I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." What an amazing change is this, which was effected in this infuriated persecutor ! He is no longer in the spirit and interest of the school where he had obtained his education; but he is now in the spirit and interest of the gospel of Jesus Christ, whom he had before persecuted. Had it been left to the Jews and Gentiles to have set up a ministry, and to appoint ministers, the doctrine of Jesus would not have been their scheme; nor would men, such as were the apostles of the Saviour, been appointed to its public labours.

From motives, by which the human heart is susceptible of influence, individuals may take it upon themselves to become pastors or teachers. They may be deceived, and believe that God has sent them, when it is only the desire of their own hearts, occasioned by a zeal which is not according to knowledge: or they may appoint themselves to this work, because they desire those honours and emoluments which they find are attached to the profession. But my friends, there is not the least difficulty in determining whether a man be appointed by himself, or whether he be sent of God. If he has appointed himself, he will preach himself. But he will endeavour, first of all, to make you believe that he is sent of God. To do this, he will talk much about his love of, and concern for your poor souls. He will appear to be in an agony for the salvation of precious, immortal souls. He will solemnly declare how much he prays for your conversion, and that you may have an interest in the Saviour. He will inform you, that he weeps for you in the silent hours of the night; and that he is willing to spend and be spent for your salvation. When people hear all this, they say, this must be a good man, a good minister; how he loves our souls! This, my friends, is just what he wishes you to think and say. His object is now obtained. Your minds are placed on him; you love him in return for his loving you, or saying he loves you; and this is the object he had in view, when he told you all these things. If he had been appointed by our heavenly Father, if he had been a minister of Jesus Christ, he would have employed his arguments to persuade you to believe in the love of God, manifested through his Son to a sinful world. But he will not allow that God. is as much engag ed in the salvation of your souls as he is. If you ask him if he would save all men, if it were in his power, he would answer, Yes; even if it cost my life. If you ask him whether God has power

to save all men, he will very coolly answer in the affirmative; but will not allow that he loves his creatures enough to exert this power for their salvation. Now which is the best being, this minister, who would save all men if he could, or his God, who has this power, and yet will not do it? The minister, be sure. Which do the people love the best? Him, who they believe loves them the best. Our subject is now perfectly clear. The preacher appointed himself, and he preaches himself: he stands directly between God and the people, and their eyes are on him, and not on God, they love him, but do not love God: they put their trust in him, but not in God. Jesus said, "He that speaketh of himself, seeketh his own glory; but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, the same is true, and there is no unrighteousness in him." Ministers who directly, or indirectly imply, in their preaching, that they are better than our Father in heaven; and talk of their own love and zeal, certainly seek their own glory; and to exalt themselves in the estimation of the people.

The attention of the audience is now invited to the consideration of the holy things which are to be ministered to the people. Remember, our text says, "which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." This, we have already observed, gives us to understand, that the preachers sent of God, preach what they know and understand; and what the people can know and understand.

We shall here take the liberty to call up a few leading articles in the orthodox creed, which for ages have been considered as indispensable truths: a deviation from which, excludes from the Christian communion and fellowship. We shall not, at this time, undertake to disprove those inventions of human wisdom; but only to inquire whether they are facts which are known and understood. If they are, then they are the proper subjects to be ministered as spiritua food to the people: but