REV. MR. BRADFORD'S
JUNE 4, 1813.

S EUM ON,
DELIVERED AT CONCORD,

BEFORE
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR,
THE HONORABLE COUNCIL,
AND BOTH
BRANCHES OF THE LEGISLATURE
OF THE
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE,
JUNE 4th, A. D. 1812.

BY MOSES BRADFORD, A. M.
PASTOB OF THE CHURCH IS FIUNCISTOWS.

CONCORD :
PRINTED BY I. AND W. R. HILL,
FOR THE GENERAL COURT.
1812.

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, JUNE 4, 1812.
VOTED, That Messrs. Folsom:, Pickebins, and Johnson, with
such as the Senate may appoint, be a Committee to wait on the Rev.
Mr. BRADFORD, and present him with the thanks of the Legislature
for his ingenious Discourse delivered before His Excellency the Gov
ernor, the Honorable Council, and both branches of the Legislature, and
request a copy for the press.
Sent up for concurrence. CLEMENT STOKER, Speakei-.

IN SENATE.  the same day.
BEAD and concurred. Mr. Ham joined. H. B. CHASE, Clerk.

ELECTION SERMON.

1 TIMOTHY i, 15.
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners ; of whomj am chief.
/
THE soul of man is immortal. It is a candidate for
eternal happiness, or endless misery. The loss of final
happiness must be the greatest evil man can sustain.
The attainment of perpetual felicity must be the great
est good man can enjoy. Holiness leads to the latter,
and sin to the former. The sinner may ruin, but can
not save himself. Human invention has devised various
plans to avoid final evil, and to obtain final good. But
these plans have not been more amusing, than delusive.
Paganism early possessed a considerable portion of man
kind, has had its devotees in all ages, and still holds its
empire over the minds of the largest part of the inhab
itants of our globe. The Jews, as a nation, have long
since rejected Christ, and still persevere in their rejec
tion of Christianity. The Mohammedan and papal de
lusions, (those horrid defections from pure Christianity)
the one in the East, the other in the West, have at
tracted the attention and engaged the affections of an
immense number of mankind, for a long series of ages j
and their influence still continues to affect a large mass
of the race of man. Ancient Deism and more modern
Catholicism, and even Atheism, have, in their turn, sug
gested their several expedients, to quiet the consciences
and to sooth the minds of men respecting their final

6
state. But, of these things, we may say, (to use the
language of Job,) " Miserable comforters are ye all."
The Pagan knows not Christ. The Jew denies that
Jesus is the Christ. The Mohammedan prefers his
prophet to Him. The Papist mixes his religion with
numberless superstitions of human origin. The Deist
laughs at all Revelation, Old or New, and substitutes
his reason in its place. The admirer of modern Catho
licism proclaims his indifference to all theory in religion,
and rests his hopes on a few scraps of fashionable moral
ity. And the Atheist gravely tells you, " There is no
GOD." « So they wrap it up."
In the midst of this diversity of opinion, which at
once displays the folly and subtlety of human beings, our
text speaks a sentiment highly pleasing to the humble
penitent. The writer of this inspired passage, once felt
as great inveteracy to the truth expressed, in it, as any
we have referred to in the preceding remarks. He es
teemed Christ an impostor. He verily thought be ought
to do many things against the name of Christ, which
things he did. He breathed out threatnings. He
hurled men and women to prison, and compelled them
to blaspheme. He persecuted the Church of GOD. He
thought he could not do too much to suppress the reli
gion of Jesus. His zeal was great. He willingly be
came the agent and assistant of the high priest of the
Jews, in attempting the extirpation of Christianity.
Having obtained a commission, and being furnished with
suitable aid for this purpose, he pursued his intentions
in persecuting it even unto strange cities. And while
approaching his object, and just ready to grasp his prey,
he was arrested by an invisible and irresistible power.
Listen to his words in his address to king Agrippa, on

this subject...*' At mid-day, O King, I saw in the way
a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun,
shining roundabout me, and them which journeyed with
me. And, when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard
a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew
tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me ! It is hard
for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who
art thou, Lord ? And he said I am Jesus, whom thou
persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet : for I
have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee
a minister and a witness, both of these things which
thou hast seen, and of those things in which I will ap
pear unto thee ; delivering thee from the people, and
from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open
their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan unto GOD, that they may
receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them
which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
" Whereupon, O King Agripppa, I was not disobe
dient unto the heavenly vision : but shewed, first unto
them of Damascus and at Jerusalem, and throughout
all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that
they should repent and turn to GOD, and do works
meet for repentance.  Witnessing both to small and
great, saying none other things, than those which the
prophets and Moses did say should come ; that Christ
should suffer and that he should be the first that should
rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the
people and to thc Gentiles."
Thus we have a brief account of Saul's arrest, convic
tion, conversion, and appointment to the apostleship j
also a short summary of his doctrine.

8
s These tilings afford an irrefutable argument in favor
of the truth of Christianity. T-his is the « glorious
Gospel of the blessed GOD," " that Christ Jesus came
into the world to save sinners, even the chief." " This
is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation."
Thousands of Jews and millions of Gentiles have al
ready felt its power, and submitted to its laws. And
countless millions of both Jews and Gentiles will here
after reap its golden harvests in the eternal state. Then
let us spend a few moments in surveying its truths*
L The first truth in this doctrine, which we notice is,
That man is a sinner. However humbling this doc
trine may be to the natural pride of the human heart,
its truth is canfirmed by the universal history of man.
The saered and profane historian, each in his way,
equally establishes this solemn truth.. Every nation,
1:1 every age, has exhibited indubitable evidence of the
depravity of man. " His sin is written as with the
point of a diamond ,• it is engraved as with a pen of iron
ja a rock." It is impressed in indelible characters on the
tablets of the human heart ; and like the laws of Draco,
drawn in human blood, in the scenery of this world.
Sin is the transgression of law. Law implies a legisla
tor. The great law, violated by man, is the law of
GOD., This law is the moral law, therefore of perpet
ual obligation. It is holy, just, and good. Its legislator
is GOD : — A being of infinite perfection, of boundless
attribute, of the most exalted dignity, and consummate
glory. To violate his law must be the most aggravated
crime. It is insulting the Majesty of heaven and earth.
It is trampling on tlie highest authority. Hence thc
exceeding sinfulness of sin may be seen ; and hence its
infinite ill desert may be inferred. And as sin, consists

radically, in the moral temper of the human heart, and
not in thc mere external action of human life : and as
all men of every description* in their natural state, have
hearts similar, in their moral temper ; and as the mor
al temper of the human heart constitutes the moral
character of m*n in the sight of him, who looketh on
the heart ; we may see the reason, why GOD declares,
that all men are sinners. " For the heart is deceitful
above all things, and desperately wicked. Who can
know it ?" And if all men are sinners, then all men
need a Savior. For no future obedience can make atone
ment for past sin. And as the amount of human guilt
is infinite ; and the law demands perfect obedience and
its obligation is perpetual, so nothing short of infinite
merit can atone for man's sin. For nothing short of
perfect righteousness can satisfy the demands of the per
fect law of GOD ; and the law must be satisfied, both
in its penalty and requisition ; and sinful man is inca
pable of performing either, and having opportunity to be
happy ; therefore he needs a Savior who is able to ful
fil all the demands of the law.
II. These reflections naturally lead us, in the next
place, to consider the character of Christ Jesus, who is
represented in our text as having come into the world
to- save sinners. He is, undoubtedly, equal to tho ardu
ous undertaking ; otherwise he would prove himself to
be an impostor. But to effect the salvation of sinners,
he must be able to magnify the law of Jehovah, and
make it honorable. He must perfectly obey its pre
cepts, and satisfy its penalty-^Hc must have a righte
ousness, which may be the end of the law to every one
who believeth ; and an atonement, Avhich will satisfy
for the sins which are past ; so, that God may be just*

10
and the justifier of the ungodly, wjio believeth in Jesus;
But no finite being, man or angel, or super-angelic be-
idg, who i9 a mere creature, (and all are such but the
Eternal) has such a righteousness and atonement as are
necessary for the salvation of sinners ; for such beings
can perform nothing more than their duty, or they can
only fulfil the law for themselves, consequently can do
nothing for others. The Savior, then, must be more
than man, more than angel, more than any super-angel
ic creature. He must be Divine. He must be real
G OD, as well as perfect man. He must be God and
man united. Two natures, but one person. He must
be man, that he may obey and suffer. He must be GOD,
that his obedience and suffering may have infinite worth
and merit. He must be man, to exhibit a perfect ex
ample of all human virtues. He must be GOD, to hold
the reins of universal government, and be able to sub
due all things unto himself, to execute his will in heaven,
and accomplish his pleasure on earth. And such is
Christ Jesus, the anointed Savior. He was typified in
his Official character by the anointed prophet, by the
anointed priest, and by the anointed king, in the ancient
church. A prophet to teach, a priest to atone, aftd a
king to rule, is he. Though he is the seed of the
woman, the seed of Abraham, the Shiloh of Jacob, the
prophet of Moses, the angel of the covenant, the captain
of the Lord's host, the child given, and son born to the
church, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief j
yet he is the Creator of the world, the Governor of the
Universe, the Wonderful Counsellor, the mighty GOD*
the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, the Holy
One of Israel, whose goings were of old even from ever
lasting. Tlie names of GOD are his, the attributes of
GOD are his, the works of GOD are his, and the

11
worship of GOD is his. He is GOB over all blessed for
ever. Man adores him as GOD. Angels worship him
as GOD. The cherubim and seraphim proclaim his
holiness as GOD. The Holy Spirit beareth witness of
him as GOD, and the Father addresses him as GOD.
Hear his awfid and impressive address — " For unto
which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my
Son, this day have I begotten thee ? And again, I will
be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son ? And
again, When he bringeth the first begotten into the
world, he saith, And let all the angels of GOD wor
ship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his
angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But
unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O GOD, is far ever
and ever ; a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of
thy kingdom : Thou hast loved righteousness and hated
iniquity, therefore, O GOD, thy GOD hath anointed
thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. And
thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation
of the earth ; and the heavens are the works of thy
hands : They shall perish, but Thou remainest j and*
they shall'wax old as doth a garment ; and as a vesture
shalt Thou fold them up, and they shall be changed !
but Thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
But to which of the angels said He at any time, Sit on
my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy foot
stool." Thus, we see, he is mighty to save, even to the utter
most, all who come unto him. « He hath all power in
heaven, and on earth. All the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge are hidden in him. In him dwelleth all the
fulness of the God-head bodily. He that hath seen
me, said he, hath seen the Father ; for I am in the

12
Father, and ]the Father in me. I and my Father are
One." III. We now proceed to consider what he hath done
to save sinners, even the chief. And
1. He has contracted with the Father to make an
atonement for the sin of mankind. This stipulation was
among the transactions of eternity. Foreseeing, in the
counsels of GOD, the apostacy of man, he saw an open
ing for a gracious interposition. He readily offers him
self, and his offer is as readily accepted. Hear what
he says on this subject : « Wherefore, when he cometh
into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou
wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me : In
burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no
pleasure : Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the
book it is written of me) to do thy will, O GOD."
2. In the fulness of time he eame into the world, by
becoming incarnate. He took not on him thc nature
of angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
He assumes the office of a Mediator between the Father
and sinners. In this character he fulfils the office of a
prophet, of a priest, and of a king.
3. As a prophet, he gives men a Revelation of his
will, tp cure him of his errors, and teach him the
knowledge of his duty. « The spirit of prophecy is the
testimony of Jesus." " All scripture is given by in
spiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for re
proof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness j
that the man of GOD may be perfect, thoroughly fur
nished unto all good works." Again, the Apostle saith,
(t The grace of GOD, that bringeth salvation, hath ap
peared to all men, teaching us, that denying ungodliness

13
and worldly lusts, we should live snberfy, righteously,
and godlily in this present world j looking for that bles
sed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great GOD
and our Savior Jesus Christ : Who gave himself for us,
that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify
unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.'?
4, Christ Jesus ha3 set his followers a perfect ex
ample of all moral and humane virtues. He was pious
and devout towards his heavenly Father ; he was be
nevolent to mankind. He was tender and compassion
ate to his friends ; though his righteous indignation was
moved at the hardness of his enemies' hearts, yet he
prayed that their sins might be forgiven. " Father for
give them, for they know not what they do." He la
mented thc obstinacy of the wicked, and sympathized
with the afflicted mourners. He rejoiced at the ac
complishment of his Father's good pleasure, and wept
at thetomb of Lazarus.
5. Christ Jesus, in his mediatorial character, has ex
hibited a perfect righteousness, perfect in thought, feel
ing, word, and action. He was a Lamb without spot or
blemish. On his character there was no blot nor stain.
He was humble, meek, and lowly in heart. He was
just, holy, and good ; longsuffering, patient, and kind.
His character was complete and perfect. He was the
" end of the law for righteousness to every one who be-
lievethf' 6. Christ Jesus has made a complete atonement for
the sin of man. This was his chief work, for which all
others were preparatory. He hath magnified the law
and made it honorable $ he has vindicated the charac
ter of his Father, and supported the divine government 5

14
so that " GOD csta be just and the justifier of him who
believeth in Jesus. « Whom GOD hath set forth to be
a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his
righteousness for the remission of sins, that are past,
through the forbearance of GOD." " By him," saith
the Apostle, " we have received the atonement ; in due
time Christ died for the ungodly ; while we were sin
ners Christ died for us ; when we were enemies, we
were reconciled to GOD by the death of his Son."
Who by the grace of GOD hath tasted death for every
man ; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified
in due time. " If one died for all, then were all dead,
and he died for all." " And if any man sin, we have
an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous :
And he is the propitiation for our sins ; and not for
ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
These passages, and many others of the same import,
plainly and fully declare the complete atonement of
Christ for man's sin. " Behold the Lamb of GOD, who
taketh away the sin of the world !" " Is not this the
Christ, the Savior, who should come into the world V
7. Christ has made intercession for all, whom his
Father hath given him in the covenant of redemption.
He still intercedes. For these he prays, that they may
be kept from the evil of the world, through the name of
the Father ; that they might be sanctified through the
truth ; and that they may be with him, where he is, and
behold his glory, which the Father had given hiin. For
the Father loved thc Son before the foundation of the
world. IV. We may now proceed to consider from what
Christ Jesus saves sinners.

15
1. He saves sinners from their errors, delusions, su
perstitions, follies, and irreligion. These things he
effects by a declaration of divine truth, by the exhibi
tion of correct examples, by the institution of true re
ligion, by the display of real wisdom, and by the force
of the most powerful motives.
2. He saves sinners from.the dominion of sin. This
he accomplishes by the powerful agency pf thc Holy
Spirit, in his gracious operations, by restraining,
awakening, and convincing sinners ; by regenerating,
sanctifying, and justifying those, who are subjects of his
gracious influence. " Quench not the Spirit, resist not
the Holy Ghost, and grieve not the Spirit of GOD,"
lest he leave thee to " hardness of heart, and blindness
of mind, to treasure up wrath against the day of wrath
and the revelation of the righteous judgment of GOD."
3. He saves sinners from future and eternal punish
ment. This he does by delivering them from the sen
tence of the divine law. " There is no condemnation to
those who are in Christ Jesus;" by pardoning their sins,
through the redemption which is in Jesus ; by complet
ing the Avork of grace in them ; by openly acknowledg
ing them in the day of Judgment, and by giving them
eternal life. " He'" saith Paul, " will render to every
man according to his deeds. To them who, by patient
continuance in well doing, seek for glory, and honor, and
immortality, eternal life : But unto them that are con
tentious, and do not obey thc truth, but obey unrighte
ousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish
upon every soul of man that doth evil : of the Jew first,
and also of the Gentile : but glory, honor, and peace to
every man that worketh good | to the Jew first, and also
to the Qentile : For there is no respect of persons with

16
GOD. In the day when GOD shall judge the secrets
of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel."
i. He saves sinners by confirming them in perpetual
holiness in the future state. They shall sin no more*
They shall be pure, perfect, and complete in holiness.
They shall be entirely conformed to the moral image of
Christ. Who is the image of the invisible GOD. No
temptation shall ever, draw them aside from duty. The
fire of love will never be extinguished ; but kindle and
glow and burn for ever.
5. He saves sinners by establishing them in a state of
perfect and continual happiness. The people of GOD,
in this life, suffer many evils, as other men ; but in the
future life, all tears shall be wiped from their eyes.
There shall be no more crying, nor pain, nor death. All .
these shall have passed from the people of GOD. And
joy, and peace, and honor, and glory, and immortality,
and endless felicity, shall be their happy portion from
the hand of their glorious Redeemer.
V. Having expounded at some length thc leading
doctrine of our text, we shall now shew on what condi
tions, on the part of sinners, Christ Jesus saves them.
1. He saves sinners from final ruin on the condition
of genuine and evangelical repentance. The prophets
preached repentance ; Christ Jesus preached repen
tance ; and he sent his apostles and ministers " to
preach, that men shoidd repent and turn to GOD, and
do works meet for repentance, that they might receive^
the forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those
who are sanctified by faith in Christ." GOD com
mands all men every where to repent, wherever the

17
Gospel is preached. Christ says, notwithstanding all
which he has done to save sinners, " Except ye repent,-
ye shall all perish." So that without repentance no
adult can be saved.
2. He requires of sinners, that they should heartily
believe, or cordially accept the Gospel. "He that be
lieveth shall be saved," says Christ Jesus. Paul preach
ed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When the trembling
and convinced jailor said to the imprisoned Apostles,
" What shall I do to be saved ?" their answer was,
" Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be
saved and thy house." " For without faith, it is im
possible te please God." For He requires all who come
unto Him to believe, that " He is, and that He is the
rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." On the
contrary, the unbeliever is " condemned already, and
the wrath of GOD abideth on him." And continuing
in this condition, " he shall not see life 5 but shall be
damned." ,, VI. We now proceed to consider the Apostle's declara
tion concerning the Gospel, that " It is a faithful say
ing, and worthy of all acceptation."
1. We a*e not required to believe that which is not
true, nor tp believe the truth without evidence. We
may therefore presume, that the Gospel , rests on the
most convincing and satisfactory evidence of its truth and
credibility. No writer of note, ancient or modern, has pretended
to deny the authenticity and genuineness of the books
pf the sacred Scriptures ', or that the books of the Old
and New Testament were, in general, written by the

13
persons whose names they bear. Admitting these facta,
and that they were honest men, we see not but they
were as competent to write the history of their own
times, and to testify to the transactions, of which they
were eye witnesses, as other historians, either ancient
or modern. That there were such writings as the Old
Testament, the Hebrew nation will testify, who still
possess it in its original purity and language. Chris
tians of all ages and nations, since the era of Christ, as
well as those of the present period, have had possession
of the New Testament.
2. Numerous miraculous interpositions of Divine
Providence, in attestation of the truths and doctrines of
the sacred Scriptures, and especially of the Gospel, are
recorded by these holy penmen. These were of a salu
tary or stupendous nature, indicative of divine goodness,
as well as declarative of omnipotence. And, in the
whole, they constitute an impressive and awful con
firmation of divine truth. They are the broad seal of
Heaven set to revelation, obvious to the senses and con
sciences of all men, who saw or experienced their
effects, whether beneficial or destructive. These mira
cles were not beyond the power of the Deity to perform.
They were appropriate to the exigences in which they
were accomplished, and were more forcible than a thou
sand arguments, to evince the truth, and enforce con
viction on the consciences of men. Even the most bit-,
ter enemies of Moses and Christ did not pretend to deny
the reality of their ^miracles, which are attributed to
them in the Scriptures, but only attempted to invalidate
their force, and prevent their effects on the minds of
men. Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses for a while,
but at length they yielded to superior and irresistible

19
power, and acknowledged the finger of GOD. So the
Jews, at first, imputed the miracles of Christ to Belze-
bub ; but when they saw Lazarus alive, whom, after be
ing four days in the grave, Jesus raised from the dead,
they said, " What do we, for this man doeth many mira
cles," and felt the importance of exerting themselves
to prevent all men going after him. So neither Celsus
nor Julian dared to deny the reality of Christ's mira
cles, but attempted to evade their influence, and to ac
count for them on other principles, besides the omnipo
tence of the Deity. But what honest mind does not
perceive the fallacy of the reasoning of these ancient
and modern deists and infidels. Admitting their mode
of argument to be correct ; to be consistent, they must
refuse their assent to all history, and deny the testimo
ny of their own senses. But granting that miracles
were wrought by the Divine power, then GOD has spok
en, and the Gospel is a faithful saying, and worthy of
all acceptation;
3. Again, the Scriptures contain a vast series of pro
phecies, some of which have already been fulfilled, oth
ers are now accomplishing, and all will be accomplished
in due time. As miracles afforded a convincing and
satisfactory evidence of the truth of the Gospel to the
candid, in ancient days, so the fulfilment of prophecy
presents an irrefragable proof of the divinity of the sa
cred Scriptures to every honest inquirer after truth.
And would every man of science exercise the same can
dor and dispassioii in his investigation of evangelical
truth, as he does in his inquiries after scientific truth
and historic fact, he would find the history of Christ
better attested than that of Socrates, the history of Mu
ses better supported than that of Solon or Lycurgus,

20
which none pretend to doubt. He would find, in the
sacred Scriptures, independent of its divine origin, says
a late celebrated writer, " more sublimity and beauty,
more pure morality, more important history, and finer
strains of poetry, and eloquence, than can be collected
from all other books, in whatever age or language they
may have been composed."
4. But what further recommends the Gospel pecu
liarly to mankind is, its adaptation to human necessity.
It is just such a method of salvation as man wants. It
amply provides for all his necessities. Is he poor ? The
Gospel enriches him. Is he thirsty ? It gives him to
drink the water of life. Is he hungry ? It offers him
the bread of eternal life. Is he naked ? It clothes him
with the garment of righteousness and salvation. Is he
wounded ? It heals him with the balm of Gilead. Is
be sick ? It restores him to health. Is he dead ? It
raises him to eternal felicity. " Christ Jesus is made"
unto all, who believe in him, " wisdom, righteousness,
sanctification, and redemption."
Omitting the complimentaj addresses, usual on similar
occasions, not from any disrespect to our rulers, but
from a disapprobation* of the practice, we advance to
make a few inferences from the preceding discourse 3
and these must be short.
1. Our subject teaches us the immense value of the
souls of men. Among all the objects of this lower cre
ation nothing has the impress of immortality, but the
soul of man. " Man," says an elegant divine, " a
creature of yesterday, frail as the tender grass, is made
for immortality. The lamp which the Lord hath

21
lighted up in his breast, will burn for ever. The mind
will be ever vigorous and active. No labor can exhaust
it. No length of ages can waste its energy. No accu
mulation of guilt, or pressure of suffering, can destroy
its activity. Such a mind, destined to exist and net for
ever, destined to the bliss of heaven or the pains of hell,
lives in every human being | in the savage as in the cit
izen ; in the Heathen as in the Christian ; in the Hin
doo, the Chinese and the Hottentot as in the polished
European or independent American." Its salvation has
been the subject of divine contemplation from eternity.
The plan was settled before the creation of the Uni
verse. To accomplish it, the worlds were made. For
the same important end, they are upheld and governed.
All things are subordinated to this grand purpose. For
this end, Christ Jesus came into the world, taught, la
bored and suffered, died on the cross, and rose again
from the dead. For this the scriptures were given, and
the Spirit sent.
3. We infer, that it is the duty of all men to seek
their own salvation and that of others. " What shall
it profit a man, to gain the whole world and lose his own.
soul ? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his
soul ?" Christ has set an immense price on the souls of
men, and has displayed infinite benevolence in providing
for their salvation. " Can any Christian be a stranger
to the enlarged views, the benevolent desires and pleas
ing designs of the glorious Redeemer 1" « Does not ev
ery pious man resemble Christian love to the soids of
men ? And can he be satisfied with any thing short of
all that infinite love designs ? The Christian feels for his
fellow men. He considers their temporal interests, and
promotes them ', their temporal wants and sufferings,

22 *
and relieves them. " But when their spiritual interest is
before him ; (declares an eloquent and pious writer) —
when the value of their souls, and the prospect, which
the gospel opens, of immortal happiness in thc world to
come ; his bowels of compassion are moved ; his ten-
derest affections are kindled ; pure and heavenly love
warms his soul. He longs for the eternal felicity of
kindred and friends, of his country and the world. His
heart's desire and prayer to God is, that all men," in
the reach of mercy, "maybe saved ; that all human
beings may forsake their evil ways and turn to the
Lord ; that his kingdom may come, and his will be
done on the earth as it is done in heaven, " that his way
may be known on the earth and his saving health a-
mong all nations." With this holy affection reigning in
bis heart, the fervent devoted Christian presents him
self a living sacrifice unto God ; and counts it a privi
lege to do and suffer any thing for the advancement of
His cause. He is ready to endure all things for the
elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation
which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." « In this
state of mind no difficulty discourages j no danger a-
lai*ms. He is steady to his purpose, as resolute, active
and patient in pursuit as the restless miser or ambitious
conqueror. And as their desire of wealth and of con
quest is insatiable and unbounded ; so is his desire for
the diffusion of Christian knowledge and happiness.
Every degree of success attending the dispensation of
the Gospel, even a single instance of conversion among
'the weakest and meanest of mankind, yields *him the
purest pleasure. But this pleasure only increases de
sire. His enjoyment of the good already attained urg
es him on to the pursuit of more. The progressive ea-

23
largement of the kingdom of Christ will constantly en
large the benevolence of his heart. While there is a
nation or tribe under heaven not subdued to Christ, the
enlightened, fervent Christian cannot rest. His unal
terable object is, that" the knowledge of the Lord may fill
the earth. His heart beats high for the conver
sion of the world. This, my dear brethren, is the true
spirit of our holy religion. This is the affection which
glows in every new-born soul. This is the principle
which governs and animates the Church of Christ."
" In the name of him," therefore, " who died on Cal
vary, we call upon you, O Christian, to labor for the
salvation of beings who will never die. Of what con
sideration is their nation, climate, color, language, gov
ernment, education and manners ? Here all distinctions
vanish. Learned and ignorant, refined and rude, honora
ble and base, are all on a level in point of accountable-
ness to God, and immortality of soul. Rise, then,
above all the distinctions which misguide our judgments
and our hearts, and seek the salvation of this great fam
ily of immortals."
3. Our subject teaches the abundant fulness, which
God has provided for |he salvation of immortal and
precious souls. What would infinite wisdom devise, in
finite goodness prompt/ or infinite power do more, than
they have done, or vfiU do, to effectuate the salvation of
man ? The treasure of heaven is given ; the bowels of
divine mercy ar^ displayed ; the foundation is strong
and broad, sucK as infinite wisdom and goodness would
have it. Thjdre aj.e the best means of instruction, a
perfect rigl/teousness, a complete atonement ; all things
are ready* The conditions are moderate and reasona
ble j th/ offer is generous and free j the motives are

24
powerful and animating. This great salvation is suffi
cient for all men ; for Asiatics and Africans ; for Euro
peans and Americans ; for men of every grade and
rank j for Magistrates, Legislators and People. It is
sufficient for the poor and the rich, bond and free ; and
for teachers and those who are taught. And all stand
in need, perishing need, of it. Millions unnumbered
have accepted, and yet there is room.
4*. Our subject teaches that there is safety in no oth
er bint Christ Jesus. Has he come into the world to
save sinners ? Then no other can save them ; all others
are thieves and robbers, who have been before or sinee
Christ, who have pretended to be saviors ; and those,
who have trusted in them, have perished. Is there any
other name given under heaven, or among men, by
which men can be saved ? Is it not time for us to look
out for safety ; and cursed is he, that trusts in an arm
of flesh. Where shall Ave go but to God, to the Savior ?
He faintcth not, nor doth he grow weary ; he has ever
lasting strength. He is able to save to the uttermost all
that come to God by him. " When the poor and needy
seek water, and there is none, &nd their tongue faileth
for thirst ; IfheLordwillkear them; I, the GOB of Is
rael, will not forsake them."
5. If there is safety in no otherXbut Christ, how im
portant is it, that the Gospel b& published to all the
world. This was the command of ChV^t, to "preach
the Gospel to every ereature," to " <n> ^iple all na
tions." This command expresses the benev&^nce of Je-
nu, and displays the infinitude of his love\ & is not
confined to 'the apostles and primitive ministers; it is
limited to no age nor nation. Its obligation^ hinds
V-

25
Christians " always, even to the end of the world."
The motives, which excited the Apostles to preach the
Gospel to all nations, have not lost their energy ; they
remain in full force. " The heathen nations are as
wretched now as they were then. Their salvation is as
necessary, as important, and as easily effected." It is
the duty of ministers to preach ; of others to help.
Thc Messiah is given to be a light to the Gentiles.
They must hearthe glad tidings. " But how can they
hear without a preacher ? and how can they preach ex
cept they be sent ?" Ministers must preach, and other
Christians must encourage, send and support them in
this great and benevolent work.
6. Finally, if there is salvation in no other but Christ
Jesus ; how important is it, that all of every rank, high
and low, should comply with the terms of the Gospel,
while they have the offer ? Now is the accepted time,
now is the day of salvation, for the present generation ;
but the opportunity may soon be past. We live in an
age of revolutions and wonders. Sudden changes are
passing on the nations and kingdoms of the world: Na
tion has risen against nation, and kingdom against king
dom. Every crown, almost, has been overturned ; ev
ery sceptre broken ; every throne shaken or demolish
ed ; every government revolutionized. God has arisen
to punish the nations, and to pour out the cup of his in
dignation on the inhabitants of the earth. What wars,
and rumors of wars ! What desolations and devastations
by land and sea ! What unusual tempests and seasons !
What earthquakes and pestilential diseases in divers
places ! What fearful apprehensions and forebodings of
evil? What jeopardy of life, liberty and property ! Is
*

26
it not important, then, that we secure the best interests?
of our immortal souls ? But this can be done only by
our becoming Christians. Let our hearts, then, be
Christian ; let our lives be Christian ; let our senti
ments be Christian : let our rulers of every grade be
Christians ; let our teachers be Christians ; let all the
people be Christians. Let our laws promote Christian
ity, and our influence encourage it, and our interest sup-.
port it. And may the Almighty and Eternal GOB
Christianize the whole world.
AMEN.