Page images
PDF
EPUB

throne of grace, in the greatest trouble and distress, and they went away rejoicing. Now, these Psalms, I take to be exact celebrations of what God did by providence and grace for the worshippers. Hence we should exhort all penitents to expect the like deliverance, God being ready to shine on all hearts the moment repentance has prepared them for the reception of his grace.

Some may here object, that many well-disposed Christians, whose piety has been adorned with benevolence, have never, on the subject of assurance, been able to express themselves in the high and heavenly language of inspired men; and that they have doubted, whether the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins, (Luke i. 77,) were attainable in this life.-Perhaps, on enquiry, those well-disposed Christians, whose sincerity I revere, have sat under a ministry, which scarely went so far on the doctrines of the Spirit as SAURIN.-Perhaps they have sought salvation, partly by their works, instead of seeking it solely by faith in the merits or righteousness of Jesus Christ. Perhaps they have joined approaches to the altars of God, with the amusements of the age; and always been kept in arrears in their reckonings with Heaven. Perhaps their religious connections have hindered, rather than furthered, their religious attainments. If these sincere Christians were properly assisted by experienced people; if some Aquila and Priscilla were to expound unto them the way of God more perfectly, (Acts xviii, 26,) they would soon emerge out of darkness into marvellous light; they could not long survey the history of the Redeemer's passion, without loving him again; they could not review his victories without encouragement; they could not contemplate the effusions of his grace, without a participation of his comfort. They would soon receive,

" What nothing earthly gives, or can destroy,

" The soul's calm sunshine, and the heartfelt joy."

Another defect of our author, (if my opinion be correct is, that he sometimes aims at oratorical strokes, and indulges in argument and language not readily comprehended by the better instructed among the poor. This should caution others. True eloquence is the voice of nature, so rich in thought, so abundant in motives, and happy in expression, as to supersede redundant and meretricious ornament. It unfolds the treasures of knowledge, displays the amiableness of virtue, and unveils the deformity of vice, with the utmost simplicity and ease. It captivates the mind, and sways the passions of an audience in addresses apparently destitute of study or art: art, indeed, can never attain it; it is the soul of a preacher speaking to the heart of his hearers. However, SAURIN ought to have an indulgence which scarcely any other can claim. He addressed at the Hague, an audience of two thousand persons, composed of courtiers, of magistrates, of merchants, and strangers, who were driven by persecution from every part of France. Hence, it became him to speak with dignity appropriate to his situation. And if, in point of pure eloquence, he was a single

shade below Masillon, he has far exceeded him as a divine.

With regard to the peculiar opinions of the religious denominations, this venerable Minister discovered superior knowledge, and admirable moderation. Commissioned to preach the gospel to every creature, he magnifies the love of God to man; and charges the sinner with being the sole cause of his own destruction. [Sermon, Hosea xiii. 9.] Though he asserts the perseverance of the saints, it is, nevertheless, with such restrictions as tend to avoid disgusting persons of opposite sentiments. Against Antinomianism, so dangerous to salvation, he is tremendously severe: and it were to be wished that the supporters of these opinions would profit by his arguments. It is much safer to direct our efforts, that our hearers may resemble the God they worship, than trust to a mere code of religious opinions dissonant to a multitude of Scriptures.

May Heaven bless to the reader this additional mite to the store of public knowledge, and make it advantageous to his best interests, and eternal joy!

JOSEPH SUTCLIFFE.

Halifax, Nov. 21, 1805.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
« PreviousContinue »