%^V; ''■^, CIHM Microfiche Series * (IMonegraplis) •'S,. >;-•■ \ ICMH Collection de microfiches (monographies) ""-''. ■# . ■ 1 ■ . « . n c ■, ■■\-> :Ti c ? '[ C«nadiart ln«titut« lor Hiitorical Mkroraproduction* / liwtitU| Canadian tfa mieroraproductions historfquas / «. ___-,. — ___^ ■> ' >: m- Ttdinical and BilHiofrapliic Nam/ NolM ttchnmun tt bibliofraplikiuM (; Tha ImtitiiM hat attamptad to obtpin Iha \m\ orifiMi copy availabia for filinin«. f aaturil of tfiit cdfiy wtiidi may ba MMiofrapliically uniqua. Mrftidt may altar any of tha imagn in tha raprodiiction. or wlikl« may itgnificantiv chan«a tha usual mathdd of f iiminf. w* chacfcad baiow, □ Colourad covart/ Couvartura da coulauir □ Covart damatKi/ Couvartura andommafka □ Covart ra«t<^ and/or lamkiatad/ Couvartura rattauria at/ou pallicuUa □ S Cbvar titia mitsinf/' . : titra da couvartura manqua □ Colourad mapa/ r^^ ~ Carta* giographiquat an coulauf ^• L'Inttitut a microf iinU \^ maiilaur axamplaira qu'il lui a *t4 poviMa da ta prooirar, Lat d4tailt da cat axamplaira qui tont paut-4tra uniqiiat du point da vua biMiotraphiqua, qui pauvartt modMiar una imafa raproduita, ou qui pauvant axifar una modification dam la mttlioda normala da f ilmaia wnt indiquAt Ci-datiQut. ; , . « '".[ ^ QColAurad pafai/ Pagat da coulaur Pagat damaiad/ Pagat andommagaai □ Pagatrattorad and/or larliinatad/ Pagai rattauriai at/ou pallicuitet V~l\ PafN ditcokMirad. ttainad or foxad/ 1 ' Pagat dicolorAat. tachatlat ou piqu4at □ Pagas dataiehad/ Pagat d«taeh«at □ Colourad ink (i.a. othar than Uua or Wack)/ Encra da coulaur (i.a. autra qua Maua ou noira) Colourad piatat and/or illuttrationt/ Planchat at/ou iliuttrationi an ooulaur • ■*"■ r~n Showthrough/ I ^\ Trantparanca Quality of print variat/ Qualiti intgalada I'imprattion fqiJM D Bound with othar matarial/ Ralii avac d'autrat docUmanti y rT~1 Tight binding may causa thadowt or distortion .1 J/^alongintarior margin/ La raliura sarria paut cautar da I'ombraou da la distorsion la long da la miirga intiriaura . d Blank laavas addad during rattoration may < within tha taxt. Whanavar possiMa, thata hava baan omittad from filming/ II sa paut qua cartainas pagas Maiichas aiouttas lors d'una rattaUration apparaittant dam la taxta, mais. lorsqua cala <)tait pmsiMa. ca* pagas n'ont pas M f ilmtet. . , □ Continuous pagination/ Pagination continua □ Includas indaxlas)/ Cpmprand un {dmi\ ilidax TitIa on haadar takan from: / La titra da I'an-tlta proviant: { I TitIa paga of issua/ □ d Paga da titra dff la livraisoh Caption of issua/ Titra da depart da la livraison , Masthaad/ '; Ganariqua (piriodiquas) da la livraison Additional commants:/ Commantairas suppliftmantairas: Wrinkled pages may film slightly out of" focus. There are some creases In the middle of paiges. This itam is f ihnad at tha raduction ratio chackad balow/ Ca documant ast f ilmi au taux da rMuctioii indiqui cirdatsous. JflX, jiiL JM_ 22X 26 X . ;x>- y 12X IfX 20X 24X 28X .■.32X . Th» copy fllmtd h«r« has b««n raproducad thank* to tha ganaroaity of : T|m llRtod CkMvk sf CMM^i ArahivH wMIMM UMVMHIf HraMIM Tha imasaa appaaring hara ara tha baat quality poasibia contMaring tha condition and lagibiiity of tha original coi>y and In kaaping with tha filming contract spacifieatioAs. L'axamplaira filmA fut raprodult grica i la . '' g4nArpsit# da: ; . r Tm UmiMI ChwrM M Cmmn ArafeMM iMi [I.I ' -.1 .1 ir ; . -« VhlMii llMVMiily AnfeMH' iaa Imagas auivantas ont iti rjaproduitas aveo la plus grand soin^ oompta tanu da la condition at da la jfiattat* da I'aitamplaira film*, at an Conf orhnitA avac las Conditiona du contrat da filmagd,.' Original copiaa in printad papar covars ara filmad baginning with tha front covar and anding on tha laat paga with a printad or llluatratad impraa* aion, or tha back covar whan appropriata. All Othar original coplas ara filmad baginning on tha first paga wItK a printad or Hlustratad Impras- sion, and anding oh. tha laat paga with a printad or iflustratad imprassioh. Las axartiplairas originaux dont la coUyartura an papiar ast imprim4aMu>nt f ilmte an ca|mman9ant par la j>ramiar plat fj an tarminant sOlt par la darritiira paga qui comporta una ampraintil d'impjMsion ou d'illustration, aoltpar la aacond plat, Mion la cas. Tous las autras axamplairaa ' origirfkiix sont filmAs an commandant par la ■ Pfamiira paga qui comporta una^ amprainta imprassion ou d'itlustration at ifh tprminant par 14 darnlAra paiga qui comporta una talla kmprainta. .-;. ■':^^ Tha last racordad frama on aach microflcha ahall contain tha symbol —^-^(maaning "CON- TINUED"), or tha symbol ▼ (maaning "END"); whichOvar applias. /idjn da* symbolas suivants apparaltra sur la darnlAra Imaga da ehaqua microflcha, salon la cas: la symbols *»> sighifia "A SiMVRE", I* symbols V signifia "FIN". Maps, platas, clfarts. ate may ba fllmad^at diffarant raduction ratios. Those too iSrga to ba antiraly inciudadin ona axposura ara fiiniad baginning in tha upparlaft hand cornar. laft to . right and top to bottom, as many framas as raquirad. Tha following diagrams iilustrata the method: '- Les cartes, planches, tabla'aux, etc., peuyent litr^e filrnte A des taux da rMuction diff Grants. ' Loisque te document est trop grand pour Atre reprdduit en un seul clichi, 11 est f limA A partir da Tangle supArieur gauche, d4 gauche A drolte,^ et de haut an bas, an prenant le nombre d'images nicessaire. Las diagram nfes suivants illustrent la mAthoda. ; "Jifv^.-; / ::■.? ■..•■;i,:-:.' .■■■■;■: 2- •,;: ■#-•:■ >^■ ■ -.'■ ■ "".«■.■'.■'■■. '■■'■ ■>-' ?-'i'^-^-:- T^t:\ . ' " f ■; ■•:;:■'■■';: .-■] ■'.■■ ■ ' . ' ■,/" ■ :■■" ' >;'■■' ■. •". ■■ > -■;:^^-4.-;v': ■}^:v;i-:l:, - * -. - ■ - -...-■*■ .» ■■■■'■, " >■ ■- * ■■>♦■.•.■ ■ '*' , . . W,' '''''\.''<.-S:: -"'■■-.';•,.,"• •■■•■■■':-. MKROCOTY IBOUrribN TBT CHART ■ : (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) 1.25 |^|2j8 2.5 2.2 W 1.8 1.4 1 1.6 ,•■ :,.f. /IPPLIED IMHGE Jne V6S3 East Main StrMt RochMtar, Nm York 14609 USA (716) 482 - 0300 - Phon* (716) 288 1 5989 - Fax ^v:-^ ■ i^ .. A 7, *V, ' >;%•• .'4'<- V ■ '; - V 4 , / ■•%^4 ) J 4 JESUS CIIUIST THE Supreme Oovernoii \ . AND ONLY FOrNDATION Of THE CHRISTIAN CllUufcll. ■j(wi ■_ / PREACHED AT THE " . , ; ■ to , ■ . METIIOBIST CHAFEXi SAINT join's, NEWFOUNDLAND : By GEORGE GU BIT, " Methodist Mission ART. Thus saith the Lord, stand yo^in the ways," and sop, and inquire for the old paths where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest to ypur soul's. .,. jEAEMIAn. ■p . -:i I •■ ■ ■; ■ SAINT JOHN'S : ;. / : ■ ■'^' ■ ' - tRINTED^FOR TH? AUTHOR, BY JOHN RYAW, PRtSITE& TO THE KtNo's- MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY* AND SOLD AT HIS OFFICE, KINCV PLACE. 1S18.V fyke Three StfUHngf. „^,., J . ■ •■ ' ■■■-■■ " : ■■ ■ '■' ' ■..',. ' '''" ' • i . :- :■ " ' " ■ ■^-^- ■■ ■' ■■"*■■ " ■ ■ ■!■«*'■;" ■.■■ ^ : V '•:.■■ -A ; ■ ■ ■ ■ -^ \ . ' ■'•■■:,- -:--^: »,. ■>t -> ilUl 4 1963 :■/ V- C ■'#■■,■■ ■ v^ « / ■■'*■. -I "■/" reface. ■W" The fundJimrntal piinciplesof Protestan- tisiii, arc so|es8eiilially dirft'ient fnnii tho^e assumecl bJ Rumau Catholics, that it is im- possible tl Jt any rontrox eisy can be us-etully carriccl ofiJnctu'ixt the parties, on any of the iiiinor poi Its of dispute. As in Matheina- tics, so inl Polemic Theology, unless the disputants agree to certain data, they will only irritate each other's feelings, ami|By' losing Christian temper, increase the dim** culty of acquaint Jjpce «vilh Christian truth. Now as the supremacy ot^ Peter, is by per- sons professing the Uoman Catholic Ueli- gion, considered as a fundamental trutH, and as this is the point against which Protestants particularly object, a part of the controversy is thus txliiced before u«, *o which the at- tcntion may be prohtaJbly directed. In DEED, it behoves all persons (but chiefly tliose whose duty it is to feed their ^iut:ks, not with humaii inventions, but with rl JV. > PUEPAtE. the bread of li(;.)(.arorulIy to examine the groun(f on whieh they stand ; that so their faith may he the result of that convietion, ^liieh an imjmrtial exajiiination wdl sehloni faiJ of producing. Ji' if be asked why the author puhhsh- es the foIIowingSermon,lie rephes-beeause lie is firmly persuaded that truth loses no- thing bj investigation. Ernir l.>ve& conceal- nient, and Ignorance 'is her bosom friend. Knowledge her most dreaded foe. 'J'heau- thor ib a Prptestant,and Protestantism courts examination of its principles. The iiiji^^^ tions of Scripture—" judge notiiing before the time," and-" liet all bitterness and ^^rath, and anger, and clamour, and evil- speaking, be put away from you with all malice," cannot be too well understood, too rigidly practised.— The author therefore has carefully avoided alf railing accusations. Jle says nothing of heresy or schism. He calls no one who differs from him, a heretic or schismatic. This indeed would be an easy way of avoiding the force of a conclusive argument, but it is not the way prescribed by truths itis not tbe way prescribed by the \^ purrACfi. f. inc ttic so (ht'ir vk'tiun, seldom •ublisli- XTaiise ses no- :)iic('al-. frienrl, 'lie au- courts njn/c- before )S and I evil- ith all )d, too »rc lias itioiis. He lerelic II easy lusive "ribed yy the Scripture— 'Che command, ♦" Prove all things ; holdlW that which is ^ood ;" is is- sued ttom the hijJ^K^st authority, and cauiiot salcly l)c slighted. It is not improbal^le, but that most of the readers of the following discourse will be Protestants— 'I'o these, the author requests permission to offer a tew words of advice, before they^pKoceed any further. These' ou<^ht to recollect, that their favourite max- ini res|)ecting the right of private judgment in matters of rchgion, implies something more than that it mflr^ be exercised by them. The right they t^po'ssess is a talent en- trusted to their cafe by tlie great Loud <»f all, and of every talent an account shall be required. If those neglect tothink for them- selves, who beheve that they can give up their talent, and the responsibdity attached to it, without becoming wicked ar>d sloth- ^ ful servants ; surely those who are persua- ded that personal responsibility cannot be — ■ — - — — — — — — ^— — r ■'''■-^■. '" * Prove (Aortmazele), -try, |)rove, as«uy -as rcfinem do melali* hy fire»^ in order to know how p»ire thc> arc from all lieterogciicoiiu mixttire. Vrd« rurkluirsi's Gr. Lcx.on Dofc/ma:o.-t.y diU-ieiU'y ^v»lDte^er is |jropo«ed' to yoM-expo!**! oil thiii|;9 to rmevero scnit'mv. H- ii«', hm* Montaiau» renders the passttjje— Omnia exjptWiiU J (»(»m«m ieMe<#, '" v : »r *• VI. PHFFACK. roinoved from men, hut that cnrli one inusf give an aecoimt of himself to (mkI, ought to he consistent with Iheir own |)iinei|)le8, and to hide the word of God in their hearts, that they may not sin against him. TiiK author will not have written in vain, if any of his Pioiestant r^"ciders fuid the following remarks useful, in ecmfiimiin' their faith in the unmixed (josp't I ot^JjisLs, the unadulteiated woid of G'od. *■ REAi)i:n, rccblleet that word of Seri p- turc— "If any ofyou Jaelv wisdom, let him ask of God, that ijivxih to ;dl men lih( nilly, and uphraideth not ; and it shall l)e giKu liim/'— Lift up thy heart to (iod, and usiig the exeellent langyage of the C'hUieli of England, say— " iJlesstd Lord, who jiast caused all holy ^riptures to he written fi>r our learning, grant that we niiiy in sut h wise hear them, read, nun k, learn, and in- wjKdly digest them ; that hy patience and c>'^--->wf«'rr'!?rg*!T JESUS ciimsT • THE StPREMK OOVEnVOIl AND ONLY FOUNDATION T^ OF TUB CIIBISTIAI*! CIIUJICII. V i SERMON. M ATTIIF.W XVT.— 15 — If). WUm JF.JTtTr CAME INTO THE COASTS OF CESAUEA PlIlLrPPI, HE ASKED liiS DISCIPLES, SAVING, WII<»M DO ^lEN SAY THAT I, THE SON OF MAN, A w"? AND THEY SAID, SOME SAY THAT THOU ART JOHN* T H E B A PT I ST ; SO M E E L hAH ; AND O- THEUS JEREMIAS, Oil ONE OF THE Pl<0- P H ETS. H E S A I T H U NT« T H E M , B U T WHOM SAY YE THAT I AM ? AND SIMON" P ETFil ANSW EK FD A N D SA ID, THOU AHT CHHIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD. AiiD jJiSUS AlJSWiiUfcD AND ■ .■-"■ ■.■»■.■■. ^ ■ ,■ ■ SAtn UKtO niMy BLESSFD ART VhOU, SIATON BAR-JONA : F'OR FLESH AND* JBLOOD HATH NOT REVEALED TF UNTO THEE, BUT My FATHER WHICH IS IN H *EA V E N. A N n I S A Y A LSO U N TO Til E E, THAT THOU ART PETER ; AND UPON THlS«OCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH; AND TIJE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT. AND I WILL CIVE.UNTO THEE THE KEYS OP THE K I NG DOM OP H E A V EN ! A N D W H A TSO- EVER THOU SHALT BIND ON EARTH SHALL BE BOUND IN HEAVEN ; Al^IlD . WHATSOEVER TtlOU SHALT LOOSE ON EARTH 811 AI,L BE LOOSED IN HEAVEN. ^ ►efore we enter upon the direct I corisideratioh of tbis most important and • inteiesting declaration of our Lord Jesus, ! it will be necessary to remark, that there is 4 one rule to which we must attend in every at;tempt to interpret the Scriptures, if we wish to avoid darkening counsel by words J witHoat knowl^^'dge. The rule is, that no^ ^ one passage of the word of God must be so explained, as that the explanation shall contradict the general tenor of th^ inspired > writings. The reasoBi of thi3^ obvious. ; | X 1 4. m^ •^'. N T Vhou, SH AND IT UNTO H 18 IN 'OTUEE, D rpoN hurch; ILL Not I WILL op THE niATSO- EAJITH r ; A]f;:p OSE ON EAVEN.*^ 1 e direct int and I Jesus, there is a every , if we words hat no >t be so 1 shall ispijed [)vious. The Scriptures do not contradict themselves. It is impossible they should do so, for the word of God is truth; and it is the grand property of truth to be ever consistent with itself, as it is of error to be contradictory. If it were possible to prove that the books we possess^ and which |^fess to be given by inspiration of God, do actually contain real contradictions, the /certain inference would be, that the Scriptures are altogether false,. and therefore altogether useless; and it so, we can neither rely upon them, nor derive from them any authority whatever. To illustrate this rule, which cannot be too well understood, let us suppose that in a work, of whicli it was the profesbcd design to explain the nature and motions of the heavenly bodies, we found in one place the assertion that the Sun was the grand source of light and heat to the solar system, and in another, that the Sun was incapable either of emitting light, or of emitting, or exciting heat. Suppose that in one place we found it said that the Sun was immoveably fixed in the centre of the system, and that around this centre our earth and all the planets re- volved; and that in another we were inform- i eel, that not the Sun hut tlie eartii was the .centre, around which not only the planets revolved, but the Sun itself. Ifwc found sych contradictions, what opinion could-vve form of the work but that it was erroneous; of the author what could we think but that be was ignorant, or that he intended to con- fuse or mislead. Either his judgment or vemcity, or both, would be liable to strong, and far from unjustly founded suspicion. So with the Scriptures. If by fair argument it can be proved that they corittiin contra- djctions, they can lio longer be received as the word of God, for they will in that case have lost the essential charactei-istic of trulb. DrFFicuLTiEs they may have; and if their origin be divine, if they proceed from J^fje Incomprehensible Jehovah, diflifeulties they must have : but if they have been gi- ven to us by Him who neither can deceive nor be deceived, who is truth itself in its ? most perfect immutability, contradiction^'^ they cannot have. '- v ; The use to be made of this rule is, that if of any given text there j;ire two or more opposing interpretations, that which most 7 J .7 ,'V UJ i ! /. i J Ul .^ % $ ■I ■■/■■I '\ y agrees with the plaiir declarations of other parts of Scripture, with the general tenor of the word of God, is to be received as the true one, or at least as having the strongest probability of its being so. The use which on the present occasion we must make hi this rule, is to endeavour to discover what is that meaning of the passage before us, which has the niost periect agrcemei\t with the Scriptures in general: The inference will then be, (and in proportion to the close- ness of the agreement, vyill be the strength and justice of the inference) that all oppo- sing interpretations are false, ^^ Tij ESE observations are laid before you : that you may recollect the design and per- ceive the tendency of the remarks that may be inade on this passage of Scripturee^et it never be forgotten, that the establishment of truth is the most certain conviction of error— Darkncssis dispelled by light. Des- troy the foundation, and the bailding must fall. If we can find the true interpretation of this, or indeed of any other pasi^age of Scri pture, the false ones may be left to them- selves— As the dangers of igoorauce are best \ i -1- •^ removed by the comraunication of instruc- tion, so the only way of pre ventiiig men from wrestingjiaird passages of Scripfure to their own destruction, is to make them welJ ac- quainted with that word, which was given expressly for the reguhition of our faith and practice. Wherewithal is a man to cleanse his way. but by taking heed thereto accord- ing to the Scriptures. ^^ ^ -_.- ^^ WniLST our Lord was on rarth, various opinions -were entertained concerning him. Such was iiis conduct, such the miracles he wrought, such the divine power that atten- ded his words, that the generality of the Jews regarded him as an extraordinary per- son; and in the minds of many, strong sus- picions were excited that he was indee'd the Ghrist. Jn reference to this variety of opi- nion, on the occasion noted in the text, lie asked his disciples—" Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, am r" Their reply justifies the. observation we have made-^ «*Somc, John tJie Baptist; Some Elijis; ^nd others, Jeremias, or one of the Prophets." He then requires a confession of their own ^ith Qiv this most important subject— ■^1-. '1 •v ■^^^ »»Whom saftr ye that I am?"—** An^ Siinon Peter ansvfered and said, Thou art Christ, (o Christos—the Christ) the Son of the living God " If it be asked why tliis re ply was made by Peter, the answer is not at alUdif- ficult. IT K well knew what were the senti- ments of the rest of the disciples, and promptly replied in their name. The rea- son is evident. The natural character of Peter, is clearly set before us in the New Testament. Baghfuhicss made no part of it. Warmth of feeling, unchastened by hu- mility, uticonlrolcd by discretion, is its dis- tinguishing feature. This, which when pro- perly directed became the most useful ener^ wy, on many occasions degenerated into rashriess, and often operated so as to pre- vent firmness and decision, lie trusted to his own strength, and Peter, the affectionate yet presumptuous Peter, denied hi« master with oaths and cursing. During the trans- figuration of Jesus, an instajice was aff[>rdedx^ of the existence of this ruling passion, for such with the Apostle it too frequently was. "Peter said— mark this well-^PfiTfiR said ».. . ■'.>-.,.■ I, ? I J ■ \-: **' d linto Jesus, « Lord it is good for ns to he here. If thou wilt, let us make liere three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for INI o- •scs, and one for Ehas."* Unthinking man ! Ah, had the Saviour Jicarkened to liini, and continued in that state of glory—had he refused the bitter cup of suflbring, what would Jmvc become of the sons of mm ? rWho, oh who, would haveimdertaken tlieir ^cause, if the Son of God,mi^hty as he was to save, had declined (lie arduous task ?-. Peter spoke fiist, nntf he spoke most rasJdv T'he Evangelist Lukcl adds with the^tricte^t propriety^^NotkuLving what he said.'f In thd chapter befbii us, we have another and a not less striking instance. "Jesus' began to shew Unto his ;■ •Matthew 17—4; + Luke9— 3X • Wi ■ •;'.>-,.■ ■>j" '-.if: rashness ! To diclatc to unerring wisdom f To censure him, who was fulfilhng the most benevolent purposes of God ! Mark thq severe huiguagc of the justly offended Savi- our.-" But lie turned and said unlo. Peter, Get thee behind nie Satan, tiiou art an of- fence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, Ini AHose that be of meii^"— Tlie forn»er confesion of the Apos- tle was fromheaven : this hitter was earthly and Satanic. Peter did not always speak right by speaking first. But was not a peculiar revelation here,,/ made^to Peter ? Did not our Lord say, "Blessed art thou Simon Bar-jona ; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." Undoubtedly our Lord did llvus address Pe- ^lerr^>iiUhat it was a revelation exclusive- ly granted to him, will appear more than dubious from the following considerations : Weak as was the faith, of the disxiiples of our Lord before the effusion of the Holy Gliost on the day of Pentecost, and imper- fect as till then was their knowledge, still the supposition is inadmissible, that there ^ :-^ "V^ ?*?■ .-g^. !\! ^. were not any amongst them who did not fear God and wopk righteousness so as to be accepted of him, and " the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him."* It is the language of Jesus, « If any man will do the will of God, he shall know of the doc- trine, whether it be ^f God, or whether I _^ speak of myself ;"f And as we may be certain that although there might be many who only called Jesus, Lord, yet there were some who did the will of God, even all his genuine disciples, it follows that they all knew ^f the doctrine which Jesus preached, that it was of God : they were acquainted witli its divine origin. Again. They not only knew that the doctrine of Jesus was of God, but they were acq^unted with its ge- neral nature.— "Unto y oil (said he to them) it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven — Blessed are your eyes, for they see ; and your ears, for they hear/'+ Once more.— It is a positive declaration of Scripture, that " no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost."§ But as among the disciples of Jesus there were many who truly called him Lord, it IblloWs •Psl. 25-14. fJohaT-lT. JMat. 13, ll~i6r~lilCoM8--S. i i. +*.. N; did not ■i .■■'1 9 as to 1 toft he i" It is will do ; le doG- ether I ""* my be s -^— 3 many re were ■'■ '?. all his '•■',. ley all ached. tainted py not ■■i was of i ils ge^ them) of the reycs, lear/'J ion of Jesus § But 1 were !)lIows or.l8— S. ^ .11 . that all these were thus taught to speak hy the Spirit of God. We must admit the first part of this argument in itsapplic'ation to the present case, unless we suppose tliat before the ascension of Jesus, and the con- sequent descent of the Holy Cihost, mea could discover as much of religious truth wkhout divine aid, as afterwards, with it. This supposition is absurd, and therefore false.-— The second part we must admit, un- less we suppose that all the disciples of Je- 8US with the exception of Peter, were hypo- crites ; but this must be false, as it contra- dix:ts notorioiA ftict.--The cori8eq;uerice therefore remains firm, that althougli^^one of the disciples, not even Peter, had receiv- ed the influences of the Spirit of God, as afterwards on the djry of Pentecost, they did, yet tliey had so far been made parta- kers of his grace, as to be enabled with tfu6 faith to call Jesus, Lord, This will further appear by considering the words pC the Saviour on another occasion. " Itis written in the prophet^, and they shall all be taught of God; Every man tflk^fore that hath heard and learned of the Father, cometh unto me." Now as it is certain that many 'N ■ , .12' .,...■•/ ' ■ . . did Sincerely conic to Jesus, it is rqunlly certnirj that those ennic to him l)erause they werp tiught of God : they had heard and leartjci) of the I uiher. L V If these things be considered with the atteli^lon they deserve, it will appear evi- dcn|,| First— :i'hat ;^1| sincere disciples of Jesu^wcre convinced that the doctrines he taugl^h)verc divine, Stcond— That they had 4 general acquaintance ivtth those doc- trincf ^'hird-That they derived this kuo>f ledge frou) the inspiration of the Holy C ho^t. « Flesh and blood had not revealed it unto them," Perhaps it may be necessa- ry to« state the reason, that in speaking of that knowledge of our :^.ord Jesus which the Disciples possessed while he dwelt among them, we have used the expression, * general acquaintance.' Their knowledge was very imperfect. We include Peter in the application of this i:emarkv Would he liave rebuked Jesus for speaking of his ap- preaching suflerings, if he had iully entered into the meaning of his own confession .? The knowledge of Peter and of the rest of the disciples, was bul as thq first dawning 0, r(|unlly ISC tijcy rd nud 'ith (lie «r evi- ites of ines he it they se doc- d this e Holy vealed E'ccssa- ing of which dwelt Bssion, V ledge iter in jld he is ap- itered ision ? L'st of 4-At 13 of day.— Tt was not till the Sun of Uightc- ouHuess arose in nil I>i9 g!<»*y «" l'»c ^'"^ "^ Pentecost, that they were confirmed in the knowledge of Jesus Christ their Lord and Saviour. The result of the whole is, that the revelation which Peter received, and by which he was enabled to make so important a confession, was given him in hfs indivi- dual capacity as a man, and not in his cha- racter as an apostle. He Received it as he was a Christian, and as this was a Christian privilege, not as a peculittr favour confer- red on him above Christians in general. TuE eighteenth verso must now be made the subject of our most serious consi- deration. "And I say also unto thee that thou art Peter; and on this rock will I build my Church." The allusion, pointed as it is in thp original, does not appear in the translation. Peter, signifies a rock; and it has hj^nce beer) supposed, tlvat on him as the founclation, the Church- of Christ is built, and /that consequently by him it is supported and governed. On the other hand it has been thought, that \yhilst Jesus alluded to the signification of tl^ name, his t,. f % ■ iWll -M.I I IW i - iPH mmm «• u meaning was that tlio truth containq the conrc'»sion made hy Peter, ]^^s^Hml ; grand fomuhition of the Christftitjpnrrh!^^ ' That the Saviour did frctjuciUily mifke triM^ ^ silions, sudden and even ahfiipt transitions from surrounding oUjeets to spiritual sub- jects, is toa obvious to be denied,*l [:■■■'■■..,'■■ 16 y- .;• ;■ \Apostle.-^They do not suppose that the text gives nothing to Peter but what the iVpostles had with him, and the Prophets had before him. If nothing else were meant by this interpretation of the text than that Pe- ter was what we acknowledge Apostles and Prophets to have been, secondary foundations, it would not be worth while to attempt to contradict it. A little consideration would slie w, that as all the prophets and apostles give testimony to Jesus, so to regard ///rwi as secondary foundations, is to lead u.s to Jesus Christ as the Chief Corner Stone; and therefore that the difference between the two interpretations would be rather in words than in meaning. We repeat it, that the point in dispute is no less than whether Christ or Peter be the foinidatjon of the Christian Church. -I Let us take that interpretation of the text which supposes Jesus to refer to the confession which Peter made; and apply to this,^ the rule we have already laid down. Let us see whether this agrees withj or contradicts the general tenor of the word of God. In doing this, let us consider, L 17 that the rhat the hets had leant by that Pe- itles and idatimis, ?mpt to n would apostles rd ilirm :l ii.s to Stone ; )etween It her in it, that vliether of the I of the to the I apply y laid js withj le word ider, h 4 The confession which Peter made. II. Whe- ther we are warranted by- Scripture to con- clude, that the truth thus confessed is the foundation of the Cliristian Cliurch. I. The confession made by Peter. ** Thou art the Christ ; the son of the living God." It may be necessary here again to observe, that some of the opinions which the apostles entertained respecting Jesus were very erroneous, partaking of the na- ■ tui^e qfe tjiose whiqh at ihat time generally prevailed among the Jews. It does not even appear that when their views were most correct, they were very comprehen- sive. — -They seem often to have had some glimpses of the majesty of thcrLord Jesus and then agahi^ have relapsed into their former darkness.-- -Sometimes they viewed him as having power to work the most stu- pendous miracles ; at others they marvelled that even the winds and the spas obeyed him. After that Jesus was glorified and the Hol}^ Ghost given, this obscurity was remo- ved ; and the truth with all its evidence and in ail its effulgence burst on their view. Their mistakes were at once rectified and all their mipi i^^'" cioiibts removed ; and ever after tliis, they ex-^ Pressed themselves on the Bubjeet of their Master's person and character, Vith the most exact precision. They err, not knowing the Scriptures, who think that any thing like inconclusive reasoning is to be fout^iip the writings of the apostles. "^ ^^^-^S^ It is notrnfecessary to suppdiscslfeat Pe- ter understood the full meaning of his own confession. It is not likely that he did-— In explaining therefore these words, we are not so much to consider the opinions then held by the Apostles, as those afterwards posses- sed by them. It is evident that the words of Peter contain an explicit acknowledg- ment of the Messiahship of Jesus ; Christ being the Greek translation of the Hebrew word, Messiah, and both signifying, the Anointed, It is worthy of notice, that the High Priest uses similar language, in endea- vouring to extort from the dignified sufferer before him, a Confession of what he deemed his blasphemous pretensidns— " I adjure thee, by the living God, that thou tell us, whether thou be th^ Christ, the Son of God '**— Here then is the truth contained * Matthew 86-^3. — — ^ heyex-H / 5f their f lemost ing the ! ng like Uthe i tiatPe- C lis own ' lid In are not '^ en held posses- 1 ; words | )wledg- J ; Christ * iebrew ng, Mc hat the endea- sufferer leemed adjure tell us. Son of ntained in the confession before us. Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, anointed of the Lord to save his people from their Sins. This is lie to whom are applicable all the sublime descriptions q( the Messiah, his works and his kingdom which the Prophets dcUvered, and which the Apostles explained. Tuts is Jehovah oca Right eous«^ NFSs ; lie who said "Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire--burnt offerings and sin offerings hast thou not required— then said 1, lo 1 come"-r^This is he who tabernat ded atiiong'us,and made his Sonl an offer- ing, that he might put away Sin by the sacri- ficeofhimseUV Short as is this confession of Peter, it is most expressive, for by attribu- ting to Jesus the Messiah&liip, it attributes to him all that tiie Scriptures whether of the old or new testament, have declared on the subjeet,-r-Let us proceed to' inquire— 11. whether we are warranted by Scripture to conclude, that the confession thus made by Peter, includes the fundamental truth of the Rstian Church. I. On THE TRUTH OF THIS IMPORTANT ■'■'■/'■'.: ■': ■ .'■■ D ■ " -.y..-'^' " ■ ■' 20 t>ECLARAiriON, D'EPENDS THE GENERAL TlirXII OF THE CuillSTIAN SYStEM.— 1 If Jesus be not what Peter here con- fesses hiip to be, he is an impostor, in des- cribing whose character language fails us^ The religion foundecl by him is an imposture of no common mahgnity ; a diabolical de- lusion. Instead of being a light to lighten the Gentiles, he has rolled thick clouds over the nations, and placed them in the midst of darkness that may be felt. But let this important truth be eonfirmed, and the Gos- pel of Jesus becomes established on a fouri-^ dation no less sure than the word of God which endureth for ever ; and with the ut- most confidence we may exclaim with Pe- ter, *' AVe have not followed cunningly de- vised tables."* John, in his first Epistle fre- quently uses language which fully confirms the views we are taking of the subject.— Mark the strength of his expressions— "Who is a liar, but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ.^f "> Hereby know ye the Spirit of God ; Every Spirit that confesselh that Jesus Christ is come jn tlie flesh, is of God ; :■' \, i^: ♦ 2 Peler, 1-16. 1 1 Jolw, 2-22. . "J . " . "'-■■*. ENlERAt : 1 ere con- , , in des- fails us^ ipostui*e ^ icul de- lightcn ids over e midst V J let this ;^ heGos- j a fouri- , I of God 1 the ut- ith Pe- gly'de- stlefVe- onfirnis )ject.— "Who Fesus is :, 3 Spirit Lh that •God; «nd every Spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Clirist is come in the flesh, is not of God."* "Wlioso shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and be ittGod."+ "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God ."J «« Who is he that overcometh the worlcl*- but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God."§ Now where in the whole word of God, do we find one passage which fairly interpreted, attaches—we will not say fun- damental importance— but any importance at all, to what has been asserted to be the scriptural doctrine of the supremacy of Pe- ter ?— Does not the very silence of Scrip ture speak here, and bear the most unequi- v()cal testimony to the truth of the interpret tation we are now supporting. ^^^ 2. Tins TRUTH IS THE SUPPORT OF ALL THE DOCTRINES OF THE NeW TeS- ' TAMENT. ■ ' -;„ ■■ •. L ■-■■■■^- This is the centre from which all the lines issue, atid the point to which they all converge. This is as the-Sun in the firma- ment, not^nly shining with incomparably * 1 John, 4, 3-3. t 1 John, 4—15. 1 1 John, 5—1. § 1 John, 5— ft #^ ■;'.:M the gi^atest splendour, but itself the Rourre of light to all the attendant planets. What- ever doctrine shines Mrith light not borrowed from thls,^^ bf>longs not to the system ; and ire know that the blackness of eternal dark* ness is reserved for wandering stars. \Vlmt ' doctrine is there which will possess any strengtH, if it be denied that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the hving God ? When .St. F^ul would give a summary of bis ow» ^preaching and that of his brethren, it was in language such as this. '*7f e preach— we ApostleB— we preach GiiRtsT Jbsus this Lonb=— and ettrselves, yoxir Servants for Je^ su's Sake.*'* ** We preach tVirts? cruc^€d."f The satne Apostle, eomphiining of some ivho preached the Gospelfi-offl impbre mo- tives, bears testimony to what we are now ' proposing. " Some indeed preach Ch r ist even of envy and strife.— The one preach Christ of contention— What then, not- withstanding every w^y, whether in pretence or in truths Christ is preached, and there- ih 1 tejrtice, yea and will rejoke.^^ Can this be asserted of the supremacy of Peter .'^ -^What trMlh shines with less lustre if this .^ — - . ■ ' •' . • 2Cor.4-6. i 1 Cor. 1—23. VP'"'- 1— iS.&c. . --'^-■.1.., ■"N" : 25 ■ be removed ? From the denial of thi«, what diictrine becomes more obscure in its mean-^ ing, or less pointed in its application ? V 3. All THE PROMISES of the gospeii ARE DERIVED from THE liSTABLISIiMfcNT O* THIS TRUTH. Whence is it but from tbis,4hat par- don is -promised to Uie guilty^ and purity to the unholy ? It is as possessed of the cha- racter of the Anointed Saviour, tliat J^su^ commands repentance and remission of^ns to be preached in his name in all nations. Of this Peter himself seems to liave been luHy aware, when on the day of Pentecost, he preached his most admiraljle sermon to- the astonished people. Tlie conclusion ho, draws from his powerful argumentation is, ^*LeJi all the house of Israel know assuredlj that- '■ - ^ * V 4. All t»epr£(:jepts OF THE Gospel, . TOGETHER WITH TU& TIIKEATENINGS BY WHICH THEY ARE ENFORC£D, DERIVE THEIR AUTHORITY TROM THIS SOVRCE. In the second Psalm, reference to ^his is so distinctly made, that it will be sufK- # tient to quote its emplititic lajiguage to ex-* pluin that part of the sul^joCt which Is novt before us: refcrriiYc; to the whole of the New I'estanicnt for pnuif mow at larger. "^Wliy .do the heathen rage, and the people ima- gine a vain thing ? 'I'he kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers thereof take counsel together, against the Lord^ ^'^^ against his Anointed, \ (Cu hist) saying, Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their cords from us. ; He that sittetb in the heavens shall laugh i the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak un- to them in his wrath,Utid vex them in his sore /displeasure. Yd have I set my king up" rUi trembling. Kiss the Sox lest he be angri/i^d ye perish .-.ii . 86 . ■.■ frm the way, ^^^^^ hitwraih i$ tcindUd bui a iiiiU, Blessed are all they that put their trust in him"— Now here all is plain apd explicit. The Kin^ in Zion is cli»tii\d|y declared to be the Son of Go(K From W* thuB possessed of regal authority, laws lire issued. By this suprenre legislator, this King of Kings and j;.ord of; Lords* this Word of God,* are thrcateningj^^lenoiinced, and by him will they be at lasPully execii* ted. But where is Peter caljted Kin^ in ZUm? Where does God say of him, Tht)U art my Son I Wliere is the Wromise m^de to Hiw, that the heathen shall be his inhe- ritance and the uttermost parts of the earth his possession ?— Where is he authorized to deoounce .threatenings and anathemas a- gainst those who should become the objects of his displeasure ? Is this dignity imparted to bim ? Tkifn where is the patent by which it isxrreatei ? Let us be shewn the declara- tion of tfte \nnqf (3od on the subyect. Not from the writings of allegorizing and ambi- tious Fathers j not from the thundering de- cretals of the Vatican ; but from the on- XY AUTHORITATIVE KECORPS OF THE DI- '' ■ ' - ■ , ' ■ I,.. ., — ^ " " .,■. .-: * R i 29 t^ ft - ■/■■ S--r Icr when explained in its scriptural latitude, is the religious experience of pious Chris-' ^f lians, that it is descrying of our notice, that wherever the grand truths comprised in that confession are denied, there genuine experi- ence, saving acciuaintuncc witli the divine mercy and power, is not only unpossessed, but too frequently made the subject of ridi- cule. Now this cannot be said of the su- pretnacy of Peter. AVe mean not to say- Jar be the very thought from us— that none can have this evangelical piety who believe in this tenet. We would say, " Peace be with all tiicni that love our Lord Jesus in sincerity;" and many who have diflfered from us in opinion respecting this suprema- § cy, have feared God, thdj' have loved the ever blessed Kedecmcr, and have been made ^ . partakers of the influences of the Holy Ghost, and their lives have manifested the communion of their hearts with God. Newf ^ ther do we mean to say, that all who believe, -..,. that the I truth confessed by Peter^ is the - fc)undatiU of the Christian Church, are spi- ^ritually minded, having their treasure and ■ their heart and ^heir conversatioii in Reaven. ; . ; Peter believed what he confessed, but for v .1 ' r^ mtmrn 30 w some time after this, worldly affections too much influenced his mint!. So with many. They believe the truth, but because they do not love it, they hold it in unrighteous- ness, What we would say is, that Ive, who believing'in the supremacy of Peter, enjoys Ghristian experience, eryoys it not in refer- ence to that supremacy, but to the doctrine of Christ, as the appointed Saviour ; and that he, who rejecting this supposed supre- ihacy, yet has his understanding enhghten- ed to see the richesof the grace of God, and his affections sanctified, and ^he obstinacy of his will subdued, and the irregularities of his life reformed, enjoys these blessings with reference to the same source. Jesjas Christ, appointed of God to be the Sayiour of sinr- ners, is in religious experience all in all, the Alpha and Omega. He is the object of sa^ ving faith and holy knowledge, the source of comfort and purity, the author, the sole author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him. No man truly runs the Chris- tian race, unless h6 funs looking most sted- fastly (aphorontcs) unto Jesus.^^ • Heb.l2— 1,2. 31 (i This HETPRI^'SENTATION ACGOKDH WITH THE GENERAI. SENSE OF SCRiP- ) TURE, WHICH BOTH IN EXPRESSION AND ^ MEANING, REPRESENTS Jl^US AS THE ONLY rOUNPATION OF THE ChURGH. I,ET US here most seriously inquire, ^ What saith the Scripture ?'-In Isaiah w€ read— "Therefor^ thus saith the Lord God, behold! lay in jZion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stoife, a pr^ious corner stone, a sure foundation."* In the Balms, «1 he stone which theMdersrefosed^isbecoHie the bead-stone ^f the corner; this is the Lord's doing,.and it is marvellous in our •:,: eyes. ;t.; ; ■■ :U:' ■■■-":■ ..■\-. :• - To these important passages, reference is frequently made in tlie New Testament. By noticing the principal of these refereiv- ces; and attending to their application, we shall at once discover who, according to the inspired writers, m the foundation of the Christian Church.- In doing this, it wdl be necessary to do little more than cite the di^ '- forent passages, permitting them to speak for themselves. In Matthew xxi. 42—44, we read, "Jesus saiUi unto Ihem, did ye • haiaU28— 1«. + Psalntll8-5K,«3. I :';.;■: ■,■.■■.■"•.- 32: ,. -^'■, ■■'■■; ■■'■■ never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is* be- come the head of the corner : this is the Lord's doings, and it is marvelious in our eyes?— And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken ; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder."— Again— in 1 Gor. iii. 11, "Other founda- tion can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." It is particularly worthy of notice, tliat to this subject" Peter himself makes the most pointed reference— Acts iv, 8-^12. " Then Peter,j^'Wffi'i/6 th^ Holy Ghost, smd untO them, Ye rulers of the peo- ple, and elders of Israel, if we this d^ be examined |Of the^good deed-done to the im- potent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it knoWh unto you all, and to ^11 the people of Israel, that by the name f Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye cru- cified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which WAS^ET AT NOUGIIJ OP YOtJ BUILDERS, which IS tIecome the head of the CORNER. Neither is there salvation IN ANY other : rOR THERE IS NONE ^. CM- 33 OTHER NAME ONDEll HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN, WHEREBY W^ MUST BE SA- VED." Indeed it $8 most strange tbatr if the text be supposed to allude to any supe- nority: over his brethren conferred on Peter, we find not the most distant allusion made to it, after the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was given to the Apostles to lead them into all truth* Peter himself seems to have been altogether unconscious that he possessed the honor which has been claimed for hirg. He never mentions it in bis epistles, never in the sermons he preach- ed. We have seen that on one occasion, when preaching under the plenary influence of the Holy Ghost, he most unequivocally points to Xesus as the only Foundation; in his epistles he does not contradict his ser- mon-1 Epis. ii. 3, 4, 6, 7, 8-" If so be ye have tasted tliat the Lord is gracious^ To a2?^m coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God,and precious— Wherefore it iscontain- ed in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Sioij a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shal l not be confound* j^ •Jbtenie— 13. \\ ^ 3# 1* 1 A r y A' cd. IJnto you therefore which beheve, he is precious :" but unto them which be diso- bedient, the stone which the builders disal- lowed, the s^nie is made the he.ad of the comer, and a stone, of stumbling, and a rock olr offence* even to them wlhich stumble at the word, being disobedient." Is it asked, Hrhether this might not proceed from excess of humility in Peter ? Well then-— let us in- quire what others thought on the subject. Did the rest of the Apostles acknowledge him as their chief ? Did the truly hurnblc Apostle to the Gentiles ? Let us hear what lie says in,^his epistle to the Galatians.*— **B«t when Petet was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, beqause he was to be blamed. For befofe that certain came from James; be did eat with the Gentiles : bi|t when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were pf the circumcision. And the other Jews (^mfpekrithesan) dis"SEmble0 liic e wis e Wit if him; insomuph that Barnabas also was carried away with- their (ypOkrisbi-- HTPOCRisy) .dissimulatiori-— But when I saw thai they walked not uprightly, accor* u^ .>■ • '>* ?*, -i-T ■ - /. : ■ '> 7^ "-^ vi'^;;-- ■ ^'- B " ■ ^^^ 35 • '»* fjihg to ttic trulb of th^ gospel." We here see that Peter so far forgot himself, and neg- leetcd to watch and pray, that he became involved in criminal hypocrisy— We say cri- minal hypocrisy; for he led others into the same evil line of conduct, and that too on a most important suhject. When it is re- collected that Peter's conduct had referencg^ to one pf the mpst important subjects of the Gospel, which he endangered, that he was leading men from JcsUs Ghrist to human inventtons, that this conduct of Peter was inost contrary to his own ^judgment* the .term i criminal hypocrisy' will not appear Peter's conduct was a real Sin^ not> certain imprudenceJ' In Acts 11, we find some of the circumcision contending , with Peter for his going among the Gentiles, aiid preaching to tliem. The Apostle jus- tified himselfi:by entering into a full expla- tiation. both of his conduct, and of the mo- tiS'es by whicd he was influenced i and it "" is particularly observable that he rests his defencei kot on AiTi- AUTiioBitY thai? HE POSSESSED— though this, had he pos- ~ Jessed such authority as the text gives hini> ' if it gives him any thing, would have been ^-■^f too strong. — --vy • • / . — V ^ . ^ // ^ ^^4^^ f •-■^v.— p m nu tirtAtiswerable argument— but no-; l*c resolved tlie whole into the divine appoint-" menti and then they ueld TiiEin peace,* and glodiied God* ■w/e have now carefully examined th^it p^i^f the text- which is at present befdre ; us. We have seen that the interpretation of it which makes Peter the foundation of the church, not only stands unsupported by any other passage of Scripture, but that it is in fact contradictory to the general tanor ' of tbe inspired writings. We have seen,'that the interpretation which supposes the truth confessed by Peter, in its reference to Jesus^y to be the foundation, is supported by nume- rous, and express passages of holy writ, and harmonizes witli the most perfect concord with the whole word of God. The inference^ then is uiideniable, tliat this latter interpre- tation is most certainly true, and that the former is most certainly false. '« ' The next part of the text which comes belbreus,relatestp thesecurityoftheChuich. " Tl)c gates of hell shall not prevail against ■ -■'^:' ■ V . ■ ■ ■^■- '-;■ V ;■ ^ ■; -. :; . -^ > .- ' *Ck. Thpy>»eregfct>gficd/qtiiie(ed, t^^^ It . , , . /.^'-5:^rt>-;^' it." But what ,4a the ChiVrch of Ghrist? Observi^he exact import of the question j it is' not, what i*f;tf Christian Church, but. H-hatis/AeChurS of Christ?. On this rock will I build MY Church. We reply, it is the whole Congregation of ■ real Christian* believers in heaven ^nd in earth. Those who compose this Church on earth believe in thO Lord Jesus with their hearts unto righteousness, with a foith Which wVrkuig by love purifies the heart, and consecjucntly, as it must reform the liie, is evinced by art ' universal obedience to the commands of God. They are Miving stones,' buildedoji that fbuttdation which God hath laid in Zi- on. Each individual is a temple of th© Holy Ghost ; and the whole conijmny are *^ built on the foundation of * the |Apostles 'and Prophets, ^Tesus Christ himself being the chief'corner stone; In whom, alt the building, fitlyiramed togetlrer, groweth un- to an Holy ieiiiple in the Lord/'^ Those wlip compose Uiis Church in heaven, are the S[yirits of just men made ^)erfect ; tliose who have washed, their' robes,* and made them white in the bfood of the lamb^'hese • ■v ^. ■■ " H': as ■«;. ■'>• '4- serve God day and night in his temple, and experience tlie blessedness of the dead that die iii the Lord. You will easily perceive;^ that this Church,even that part of it on earth (and of this we now principally speak) is holy, not nominally, rbut really sp, for it is. composed of hoi jr members. ** iSf any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature.'* , ■Rest assured of this, THAT mb wtio loves ,, Si N, a Vd LI V ES I N 1 T, IS N O MEMBER, OF THE CHURCik OF Christ. This Church is Catholic— or to use the better term, because better understood, and. loss liable to miscpn- structiQnT-it is universal. It is composed of pious believers of aUplaces, and of all ages, those who are redeemed to God by the nierits and grace of Jesus Chiist out* of ' all nations and kindreds, and people,' and • tongues. . X^et it likewise be distinctly no- ted, that this Chfirch must by no means be identified with either any particular Church, . or with any number, or with even .the whole' colleGtion of particular Churches. The vast Gongriegatioii of protessing Christians is not; the Church of Christ. To this latter a man cannot possibly belong unless he have per- soug^rpicty ; to the fornier lie may belong «. t. 'i\: m t^- 4it^out it. A man may be a member of jTay particular Church, atturch of €hri»t are a live from the dead,>y virtue of t^e c[uickening power of the Spirit. of God who dwells in . their hearts* ; The Clwirch, is'^e body of Christ ;t pnd if It be undeniably^true that *» he who commitleth Sin is of the devil/'t Can such a one be at the same time, a mem- , ber of this sacred body ? It matters not ho\^ excellent the discipline jpay be, or how true thedoetrine of any particular Church i a man may be surrounded by piety of which he is nota partaker ; and if helSfe^ not a partaker of it, it will only serve to aggravate his crime in the great day of accounts, that though he knew to do goo^yet he did it not* jf Against the Church of Christ, the gates of hell slfall not prevail This diocs; not mean tliat particular Churches may not become extinet. Our Lord threatened cer. tain lukewariii Christians^that if they re^ ' pented not, the Candlestick should be leraiQi. ired from its place.| P articidkr Churches '*Eph.a-I,:&c. +Eph.l^3. tlJ*°8-8^ Vl«T.«-|y ./:■ wr^:: Ul^!^^- ■ ■ / . • A. ■ ■-;/:. have become extinct, and may again be* come extinct, and yet this promise remain unbroken. Where is now the first Christian Church that ever was formed, that at Jeru- salem ? Where the Church at Ahtioch? The simple meaning of this promise is, that even in times of the greatest defection, th^ world shall not become as Sodom, destitute of rigbteousness and righteous men. A remnant shall be always left, worshipping God in spirit and in truth'; and solong as there are in the earth, those who are thq children t)fGod by faith in C,hrist Jesus, so long does this promise remain accomplished. ^ We may here take occasion to reply 4o a question, often proposed as if it had never .received its answer.-^W here was theTPro-p testant Church before the days of Luther ? An argument is couched under this ques^. tion, the fallacy of which will at once be perceived, when all ambiguity of expression is cleared away. < If any partfcular Ch urch commenced its existence siqce the days of the Apostles, it is a new^ and consequently ^ : eAp6 Church? Ifecollect the distinctidn justpi^e betAveen the church of Christ, and If ,,.-l:^. .; > :l:^. ■■ Ai ■;■■■■■,;■/:,";■> . feny particular cliurcli, aiul you will see that the question to be of any force, ought not to be, at what period did that particular church receive its e^stence, but according to what rules ^Va8 it originally founded, Aod by what laws is it still governed. Where was the Protestant Church before the dayji ^ of Lifther ? Does the question mean,^#here before the time of this celebrated man, were persons to be found beheving the essential r, principles of Protestantism? If the. question be possessed of any force, this is its meaning; • ^ and if f his be its meaning we reply, they -^ were to be found in ihe members of the churches planted by the apostles. In the word of God areprotestant principles recofr. ded, and frottHhis^ource will all true pr<>. testants derive th^ir^ ecclesiastical regula- tions. The truth of the matter is, Aman h not saved as he is aitoemberof either a Pro- testant, or Roman Catholic society | but as he is a member of the One,- Holy, and ■■■■,. -- . •■«■'■. Universal CHURCii of Christ, out oj WHICH THERE IS no Salvation, He who lives in sin, j»4iether he be Protestant or Roman Calth0fic, is no child of Go^ no heir of heaven. £L ■■|.fv|. \ ■ .:■■ \ ■■'■ \ V^Sv^ll ■* :_^r M ./ 49 • Thb next expression requiring expla« nation is—" And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven/' Bir the phrase * kingdom of heaven,* we cannot here understand the kingdom of glory, for of this we have several representa- tions given to us ; and though of the salva- tion of Peter we do not entertain a doubt, jet his name enters into no description of heaven, no account ofthc solemnities of the day of judgment. We are indeed most ex- pressly informed, that he who shall say "Well done, good and faithful servant, en- ter thou into the joy of thy Lord;"* and "Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foun- dation of the world ;"f that he who shall "take vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel,"+ i§^ none other than our Lord Jesus himself It remains therefore that the allusion is 16 the kingdom of grace on earth. Now whate- ver is sigaified by the gift of the keys, it cannot be meant that Peter alone was au- ^lorked and assisted to lay down rtiks for W \ •Mat. 85-111. t Mat. 25— 34. {aHl w i^l — 7,1 } ; -m^. "M- ,^, •»'» : .■ J h Ihc government of the Christian churchy for this, and that »)y the aid of the Holy Gl^oat was (lone by PauU and James, and Jude, and John, as well as by Peter.— Neither can it mean that this apostle should have the sole power of . admitting and excluding members— not into the ehurch of Christ, for he that truly believed, received the end of his faith, even the salvation of his soul-^ not into the visible chiirqh, for Paul both admitted, and etcludcd, and re-admitted members, '^'hat thenxloes this gift imply ? We shall discover it^ meaning if we com- • pare it with two other passages of Scripture. Luke c. 11. V. 52.— "Woe unto you law- yers, for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entereld not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hinder- ed.'* Observe here, ^that to possess the — power of illustrating important truth is to have the key of, knowledge, and that to prevent the ignorant from receiving instruc- tion, is to ta]ke away that key. Compare ™ this again^ with Matthew 23. 13.— "Woe unto you. Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrttes I / for ye SHUT up the kingdom of heAven" .*• ■/.. /■. ■:■:■/.■- :;;■;.;;"■. ■;.. 'V ■/ 44,;: : , ^ /^ v: v ^. .. V-/ ■- selves, neither suffer ye them that are en- tering to go in." From the comparison together ofthese two last passages, we learn, that to take away the key of knowledge, and to shut lip the kingdom of heaven are equivalent terras ; tlie^key of knowledge is evidently the power to instruct, for those therefore who have this power, to neglect to use it, is to shut up the kingdom oflieaven/ to neglect making men wise unto salvation. Kow Peter had given unto him the keys of the kingdom of heaven— He was called of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Apostleship.— A dispensation of the gospel was committed to him that he might preach the gospel, and \that by preaching it, he might throw open the gates of the Church, that all who would be saved according to the will of jQod, might enter in and experience the inestima- ble advantages of the *rCommunion of SaintV^— And it is remarkable that Peter was the first who did tliis.— He first of all, before \any of the other apostles, preached the Gospel, both to the Jews and Gentiles, so that afterwards (to use the expressive lan- guage of Paul) * «a great door, and effec- ■J- • I Cor, 16—9. •■*n' ■■/■::■•■■"■■■■•.:■• 45 tual, was opened." In fact, this expression is not uncommon. Thus— " When I came to Tj-oas to preach Christ's Gospel, (eis. ad, m order to— 'preach,' must evidently be in- serted) and a door was opened unto me of the Lord."*— "Praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utter^ ance,taspeak the mystery of Ghrist."f But note more particularly. Acts 14, 27, in con- nection with what has been just said, res- ^ peeling Peter first preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. "They (Paul and Barnabas) rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the poor op PAiTii ^NTO THE Gentiles." Let it however be recollected, that not to Peter only was authority gi,yen to preach the Cxospel, but likewise to all the other apos- tles. ^Paul speaks of himself as preaching the Gospel, (and consequently as being the. instrument in opening the door of faith) where Christ was not named, lest he should build on another man's fbundation^'J ^ We now come to the power of binding and loosing. " And whatso ever thou shalt • 2 Cor. 2 -12. + Col. 4—3. t ««"'• 15—^0. 1^, -f^gfri.'my,^! •■ ^ i '' bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoeirer ihou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." First. The power must be noticed, binding and loosing. This is both declarative, and * absolute. It is a powerof i/ec/ariwgthe will of God; of pronouncing the precepts, and promises aud threatenings of the Gospel. A similar niode of expression bccurs in Jeremiah, Ic. 9, 10, V. ^Behold I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have set thee this day over the nations, and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build and to plant." Now can we for a moment suppose that this was to be accomplished in a literal sense ? —We know that Jeremiah by the Spirit of God, prophesied of the exaltation and de^ pression of nations; and by a strong, but far frotu unusual figure of speech, he is said to do that which he declared should Jbe done. 'Jliis power is likewise absolute, when taken' in its i-elerencc to ecclesiastical discipline. The ins{)irad apostles had pbwer given them to give directions, both as to the terms of church-mefiibefsVip, and as to the. con- duct to be pursued; to improper members, X •9 4r ,..,^_ and to backsliders wishing to return to the communion of the church. It must not be forgotten that this power of binding and . Joosing is not confined to Peter. On ano- ther occasion, our Lord applied the same remark to the disciples, saying, "Whatever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in Ij^ven, and whatsoever ^e shall loose on iiall be loosed in heaven."* But we „ _-^otice, Secondly, The confirmation if this power when exercised. As to the declarative part o^ it^ no doubt can for a moment be entertained, but that he that be- Jieveth, experiences the commencement, and looks for the completion of Salvation i whilerhe that believeth not, is. condemned already, and shall hereafter be damned. As to the absolute part of this power, no one. who examines the New Testament will de- ny that Communion with the visible Church, is of prime importance, and that excommu- nication, exclusion ftom such communion, WUEN PROPERLY PERFORMED ACCORD- ING TO THE TRUTH OF* THE GoSPEL, IS more awful than Is perhaps generally im^ gined. God confirms the exerc ise of the • UtX. 18-418...,. ^:: •■**'., « ^. ^ ^.* • 9 >v t % »v '' . pnie. s)«wia be observed. According ..to thelWufts tlieApostjaraclfed, but ferthtr they ,,venl/„ot: iiordo we finj in any of * their wntihgs, (he most distant allusion to- any other method of explaining the passage before «,. Ministei. of the Gospel may see • that the laws of Jesus are observed ifl their ' congregatlonj^nd they may-.it is a part of iheir officete>do it, and in the proper cv- e«;.se of it they may not be hindered-sb app y general rules to particular cases, that ^" "'"•gsmaybedonedeeently.andftvor- J«-; but farther than this they mqy not go. Jhey are not Sovereigns in the CHbrcb,^d "oojje.of them, not all of thei^togetbe^ '? no Christian eongregatioD, no^assWnblage 'iH ^ • y. ■:^*^:. <■ — — ^ -— » : '• . ,• ' ■ ' •• . ' '• ' J J, -^- ■ ~ « .>-i >:.■'■ / t V' ■ ; ■ w ^ ' N : ::/, / 49 of Chtistjan congre|jiationsi no, not cy«rt tlie whole body of professing Christians,' could ^ - they all njfcet together, liave any ^uthority^ to make new laws binding on mens* etinsci- ^ ences. Jesus tiiaisT is the Supreme,, \, .'■'■. ' ■ '. ' GOVISRN^OR, AN9 SOtB FOUNDATION OF , THE Ch Rtsi: I a N C hv R ch. liiRistiAN Brethren,; let us ijpt forr. ; get ihe practical tendency of; |lve {Passage before JUS. It IsTnot erfough ithat 3'ou seeits 'meaning, that you guard against tnistaketV. . < opinions. You are ^jmo^r qnequivtikra ' •- poii»ed.by it^to Jpsu**a:^'theip^^ of ': i Salvation. Vl^^ei^ Encouragement J^^ . yoii to build upon iti' . »If on this yourepps^ V '^yoiir confidence^ you s^ll remain unshaken «vdn thoijgh tlie worM be dissolved. On. other hand, recoHecl; this Stone m^y be td'Vou a Stbhe of stCimbrmg and a roqk of - offence ; yojtMnay fall on it and be broken, - it jnay fall oh you and grind you to. ponder, not deceiveid ; God is Bot jpnoctked. atsoeyer a nxan^oweth that:shail heTca^. ith whatever body of prbfesslng ChrMiaos we may be connected, thbugh their doOtrine bet pure and their discipline correct as in the / w ■xi m- ,,/• ■^ f N ./' ■■*■■*■'> i^ — ^ S.HW '«!' f» H' veiy agebf the Apostles, yet this connec- tion, useful as it,may be, will not of itself save us. 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