VI. SERM. Providence rendered instrumental to extend the Christian name over the remotest regions of the earth. By the establishment of Colonies it has gained extensive ground over the Continent of America: and by the same cause it has been advanced in India, and is now dividing that Country with the Votaries of Brahma and the Followers of Mahomet. By the active and pious labours of Missionaries it has been spread in countries under the extremes of heat and cold. It has been preached on the frozen coast of Greenland: it has been resounded on the sultry shores of Senegal. In this brief review of the history of the Christian Church we see the gradual accomplishment of our Lord's prophetic parable of a Grain of Mustard-seed ascending and increasing to the height and compass of a tree, as also of those prophecies of an earlier age respecting the Rod that was to come out of the Stem of Jesse, and the Branch that was to grow out of his Root. Thus God was glorified in the Branch of his planting, in the work of his hands: thus a little one is become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation; the Lord himself himself hath hastened it in his own due SERM. time. And though some of its boughs VI. were blighted by various heresies and corruptions, and some were more violently cropt by the pestilence of the Mahometan superstition, yet it still continued to shoot out branches far and wide, and to bear fruit abundantly, till it was diffused from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the Earth. The success which has hitherto attended its diffusion is an earnest to us, that in the fulness of time these prophetic intimations will be accomplished in their full extent; that all Heathens shall be converted, all Mahometans reclaimed, all Jews renounce their prejudices, and look on him whom they pierced. The Cross of Christ shall universally triumph, and the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the seak. While we contemplate this growth of our Religion, we shall do well to join in the supplication of the Psalmist; Look down, O God, from heaven; behold Isa. lx. 21, 22. i Zech, xii. 10. and SERM. and visit this vine; and the branch that VI. thou madest so strong for thyself. So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name1. THIS parable, in com mon with most of those which our Saviour spoke, will admit of a double application; in particular to the Disciples who heard it; and in general to all other Christians to whom it is transmitted in the gospel, If we consider its application to the first Disciples, it would hold forth an encouragement to them for that arduous undertaking, which was shortly to devolve upon them, of preaching his gospel through the world. Poor and humble as they were in station and circumstance of life, uncultivated in their understandings, and unacquainted with the ways of men, yet were they the chosen instruments of that Providence, which hath appointed the weak things of the world to control the mighty, and the foolish things of the world to confound the wise ", in ! Psal, lxxx, 14, &c. 1 Cor. i. 27. planting VI. planting that religion, which in the ful- SERM. ness of time should overspread the earth. Whatever dangers they might encounter, and whatever toils they might sustain, they had this assurance from an infallible word, that by means of their diligence and labours the Branch of the Lord should be beautiful and glorious, and its fruit on the earth should be excellent and comely". Such a prospect was abundantly sufficient to support and animate them in every trial, and to give them fortitude and comfort even in the midst of persecutions. For what could the malice or the power of man avail to dismay those men, who confidently knew, that to them was committed by the King of Kings the task of conveying the tidings of salvation through the world, and of bringing all nations to the knowledge of the truth? Even in the pangs of an excruciating death, to which they were continually liable for the sake of righteousness, it would be to them matter of joy unspeakable and full of glory, that they were now passing into the regions of happiness to be peopled by. their suc SERM. cessful ministry; where being restored VI. to the society of their blessed Master they would with him see the fruit of the travel of their souls, and be satisfied. If we proceed to consider its application to all other Christians, we shall find it to supply different heads of instruction, as it severally yields an argument of faith, and an exhortation to a faithful practice. And first, as it yields an argument of Faith. As the parable gave encouragement to the Disciples in preaching the gospel through the world, so also does it yield the world a convincing proof, that what they preached was of divine authority. The two great Evidences for the truth of any Revelation are Prophecy and Miracle; in both which respects the Religion of Christ has a preeminent advantage. In the several circumstances of his life and character our Saviour was foretold by most of the ancient Prophets in concurrence. And when he came according to their predictions, he wrought such mighty works as no man could do unless God were • Isa. liii. 11. |