SERMON II.

DELIVERED BY THOMAS WETHERALD, IN LOMBARD-STREET MEETING, BALTIMORE; ON THE MORNING OF THE First of first month, 1826.

"To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offering of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats: bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot, away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting; wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Here is a plain and unequivocal distinction between formality and religion. One leads to a strict observance of external rites and cere

monies; and that not only under the legal dispensation, but under every dispensation of God to man; whether it leads to an observance of the law, or to the fulfilment of the rituals of that cloudy dispensation, the law of Moses-which made not the observers thereof perfect. This we discover by the command "wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow;' and the effect which this was to produce, is described in these words, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

And I apprehend there is as great necessity for this cleansing operation, in the present day, as ever there was under the Jewish dispensation: And there is a medium appointed, whereby these effects can be produced, on every individual of the human family. We are all objects of this provision, for as the soul of the servant, so is the soul of the master; as the soul of the handmaid, so with her mistress. Now the medium whereby these effects are produced, is within ourselves; and none of us need say, who shall ascend into heaven to bring Christ down from above; or who shall descend into the depths to

bring him up; and this is the word which the Gospel has preached unto you.

And what is the Gospel? Is it mere declamation? Is it the mere acknowledgment of certain abstract propositions, concerning the truth; or is it the teaching the dogmas and opinions of this or that society? Is this Gospel? No, my brethern, it is that which can never make perfect-It is that which stands in the wisdom of man, and is without the word or power of God. But the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth; but not the Scriptures, or historical account of his outward appearance in that prepared body of flesh. It consists in love and communion of our heavenly Father, whether they have received the Scriptures or not; for in these days men have made them the foundation of much spurious religion. God is the same unto all; and all are equally subjects of his regard, and all may equally receive his salvation in that manner, who look unto him. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." The reason why this is not more felt is, because of our disobedience-it is because we have crucified into ourselves the son of God afresh, and

now, in his new and spiritual appearance, have put him to an open shame, by offering unto him the blood of bullocks, burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts, and of he-goats: And because we have neglected to wash and cleanse, and to put away the evil of our doings, to rectify our passions, and to crucify those passions which separate us from the source of all purity; so that darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the people. And from this cause it is, that when we are thus assembled, instead of being prepared to hear the word, and worship in spirit and in truth, we are prepared to hear what this, that or another individual may have to say upon abstract propositions relative to the truth.

Now, what are these abstract propositions? Abstract propositions may be applied to truth; but they can never form a part of its essence. They are in truth but human speculations; and by these abstract propositions, we may understand what is generally considered the doctrines of various religious societies of the present day; and although they may be considered by many as essential in religion, I want it to be understood, and I desire to be your companion in the belief, that these abstract propositions never can form a part of the vitality of the true system. They may have a tendency to disguise it; but we have a strong consolation, that truth needs

no cover. It never appears more amiable, than when it appears in its own simplicity, as received from the great fountain of all truth and wisdom.

"Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance, from dead works, and of faith towards God, of the doctrine of baptism, and of laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do if God permit." From this we find, that these principles, doctrines and views, into which some have been led, are not a sufficient rule of faith and conduct: And wherefore? Because the same divine illimitable power, which led the apostles, and other righteous men, in former times, is still extended to the human family; and none need say to his neighbour or brother, know ye the Lord, for we may all know him, from the least to the greatest; and may experience the declaration fulfilled in our own selves. I will forgive them their sins and iniquities, and remember them no more. How vain it is, then, to be perplexed about these abstract propositions about truth, used in obscuring and preventing the gracious purposes of Omnipotence, not only at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in the body of flesh, but denying him in his new and spiritual appearance, when he shall come a second time.