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Sermons Of Christmas Evans

Christmas Evans

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SERMONS OF CHRISTMAS EVANS.

SERMONS OF CHRISTMAS EVANS.

A New Translation from the Welsh. WITH A MEMOIR AND PORTRAITURE OF THE AUTHOR. BY REV. JOSEPH CROSS. PHILADELPHIA: LEARY &amp; GETZ, PUBLISHERS. FOR SALE BY CARLTON &amp; PORTER, METH. BOOK CONCERN, NEW YORK. SWORMSTEDT &amp; POE, CINCINNATI, OHIO.—STEVENSON &amp; OWEN, NASHVILLE, TENN.—I. P. COOK, BALTIMORE.—JAMES P. MAGEE, BOSTON. WM. M. DOUGHTY, CHICAGO, ILL.—J. L. READ, PITTSBURG. H. H. MATTESON, BUFFALO, N. Y., AND ALL BOOKSELLERS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. 1857. Entered

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ADVERTISEMENT.

ADVERTISEMENT.

The Sermons of Christmas Evans contained in this volume, and the extracts from his journal and other writings given in the following Memoir and Portraiture, are translated by two different hands, and in very different styles. The former are clothed in very good English, but the diction of the latter requires an apology. Unable to procure a better version, we have furnished such as we found; and it is hoped that even this, with all its imperfections, will not be wholly unprofitable to the reade

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EXTRACTS.

EXTRACTS.

I. The Demoniac of Gadara 287 II. Entering Port 292 III. The Unclean Spirit in Dry Places 294 IV. Satan an Angel of Light 296 V. The Young Child 298 VI. Varieties of Preaching 300 VII. The Six Crocodiles 301 VIII. Envious Ambition 303 IX. The Dove, the Raven, and the Eagle 304 Picture of Christmas Evans Preaching...

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INTRODUCTION.

INTRODUCTION.

The introduction of Christianity into Britain is said to have taken place about sixty-three years after the crucifixion. By whose agency it was effected, cannot now be satisfactorily determined. Tradition has ascribed it to Joseph of Arimathea. This, however, is exceedingly doubtful. It has also been attributed to the apostle Paul. That the apostle Paul visited Britain, is quite probable, from the testimony of Theodoret and Jerome. That he was the first preacher of the gospel in Britain, i

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EARLY YEARS.

EARLY YEARS.

Christmas Evans , second son of Samuel and Joanna Evans, was born at Ysgarwen, Cardiganshire, South Wales, on the 25th of December, 1776. His birth happening on Christmas day suggested his Christian name. Samuel and Joanna Evans were poor, and unable to educate their children; and at the age of seventeen, Christmas could not read a word. When he was only nine years old, he lost his father and went to live with his uncle, who was a farmer, and a very wicked man. Here he spent several years of

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PROFESSION OF RELIGION.

PROFESSION OF RELIGION.

His first religious impressions he dates from his father’s funeral. But they were fitful and evanescent. To use his own language, “They vanished and recurred once and again.” When he was eighteen years of age, an awakening occurred among the young people of his neighborhood. Christmas himself was “much terrified with the fear of death and judgment,” became very serious in his deportment, and joined the Arminian Presbyterians at Llwynrhydowen. His Christian experience was evidently very imper

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COMMENCEMENT OF PREACHING.

COMMENCEMENT OF PREACHING.

He was now called upon to exercise his gifts in public prayer and exhortation. “To this,” he says, “I felt a strong inclination, though I knew myself a mass of spiritual ignorance.” His first performance was so generally approved, that he felt greatly encouraged to proceed. Shortly afterward, he preached a sermon at a prayer-meeting, in the parish of Llangeler, county of Caermarthen. The discourse, however, was not original, but a translation from Bishop Beveridge. He also committed one of

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BACKSLIDING AND RECOVERY.

BACKSLIDING AND RECOVERY.

The young preacher shortly felt the need of a little more learning, to qualify him for his calling. He commenced going to school to the Rev. Mr. Davis, his pastor, and devoted himself for about six months to the study of Latin. This involved him in pecuniary distress. He took a journey into England, to labour during the harvest season, for the purpose of replenishing his purse, and enabling him to continue his studies. While thus engaged, he fell into temptation, and his religious feelings s

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CHANGE OF VIEWS.

CHANGE OF VIEWS.

There was living, about this time, at Aberduar, a Mr. Amos, who had left the Arminian Presbyterians, and joined the Calvinistic Baptists. He came to visit young Evans, and converse with him on the subject of baptism. The latter was unpractised in argument, and little acquainted with the Scriptures. He strove strenuously for a while, but was at length silenced by the superior skill of his antagonist. Encouraged by his success, Mr. Amos made him another visit, during which he shook his faith i

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DEPRESSING VIEWS OF HIMSELF.

DEPRESSING VIEWS OF HIMSELF.

For several years after this, Mr. Evans entertained painfully depressing views of his Christian character and ministerial talents. He thought every other believer had more light than himself, and every other preacher greater gifts. He called himself “a mass of ignorance and sin.” He imagined his discourses entirely useless to his hearers. This he attributed partly to his habit of repeating them memoriter . Others appeared to him to speak extemporaneously, and he “thought they received their

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LABORS IN LËYN.

LABORS IN LËYN.

In 1790, Mr. Evans attended the Baptist association at Maesyberllan, in Brecknockshire. Some ministers from North Wales persuaded him to accompany them on their return. He found the Baptist people at Lëyn, in Caernarvonshire, few and feeble. They earnestly besought him to remain with them, to which he at length consented. He was immediately ordained a missionary, to itinerate among several small churches in that vicinity. Now he began emphatically to “live by faith on the Son of God.” The b

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VISIT TO SOUTH WALES.

VISIT TO SOUTH WALES.

Mr. Evans naturally felt a strong desire to see his friends in South Wales. During his second year at Lëyn, thinking it might benefit his enfeebled health, as well as refresh his spirit, he determined to make them a visit. He was unable to procure a horse for the journey, and the small societies to which he preached were too poor to provide him one. So he set forth on foot, preaching in every town and village through which he passed. His talents were now developed, and he had received “an un

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SETTLEMENT IN ANGLESEA.

SETTLEMENT IN ANGLESEA.

On Christmas day, when Mr. Evans was forty-six years of age, he removed from Lëyn to the isle of Anglesea. According to his own account, “it was a very rough day of frost and snow.” Unencumbered with this world’s goods, and possessing the true apostolic spirit, he “commenced the journey on horseback, with his wife behind him,” and arrived on the evening of the same day at Llangewin. Whatever the motive of this removal, it was certainly not the love of money. His salary in Anglesea was only £1

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POWERFUL SERMONS.

POWERFUL SERMONS.

In 1794, the South West Baptist Association was held at Velin Voel, in Caermarthenshire. Mr. Evans was invited, as one of the preachers on the occasion. It was a journey of about two hundred miles. He undertook it on foot, with his usual fortitude, preaching at different places as he went along. The meeting was to commence with three consecutive sermons, the last of which was to be preached by Mr. Evans. The service was out of doors, and the heat was very oppressive. The first and second s

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SANDEMANIANISM AND SABELLIANISM.

SANDEMANIANISM AND SABELLIANISM.

About this time arose among the Baptists of North Wales a bitter and distracting controversy, concerning Sandemanianism and Sabellianism, which had been introduced by the Rev. Mr. Jones, a man of considerable learning and influence in the denomination. Mr. Evans was at first inclined to fall in with these doctrines, and participated largely in the strife of tongues. He says:— “The Sandemanian system affected me so far as to quench the spirit of prayer for the conversion of sinners, and it indu

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TIME OF REFRESHING

TIME OF REFRESHING

Mr. Evans had been a long time in this controversy, destitute of all religious enjoyment, or, to use his own expressive phrase, “as dry as Gilboa,” when he experienced a remarkable refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The following account is extracted from his journal:— “I was weary of a cold heart towards Christ, and his sacrifice, and the work of his Spirit—of a cold heart in the pulpit, in secret prayer, and in the study. For fifteen years previously, I had felt my heart burning withi

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COVENANT WITH GOD.

COVENANT WITH GOD.

Mr. Evans now entered into a solemn covenant with God, made, as he says, “under a deep sense of the evil of his heart, and in dependence upon the infinite grace and merit of the Redeemer.” This interesting article is preserved among his papers. We give it entire, as a specimen of his spirit and his faith:— I. “I give my soul and body unto thee, Jesus, the true God, and everlasting life—deliver me from sin, and from eternal death, and bring me into life everlasting. Amen.—C. E. II. “I call t

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STUDYING THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

STUDYING THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

Mr. Evans made several visits to Liverpool, Bristol, and other parts of England. On these occasions he was frequently solicited to preach in English, to which he several times consented, to the great gratification of his English friends. These sermons evinced the same energy of thought, and the same boldness of imagery, as those which he preached in Welsh; but in the power of his peculiar delivery, they were inevitably far inferior. His brethren in England were much delighted with his perform

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NEW TROUBLES AND SORROWS.

NEW TROUBLES AND SORROWS.

Here we pass over several years of Mr. Evans’ history, during which nothing of very special interest occurred, except the agitation of the Fullerian controversy. This is a matter which requires only a passing notice in this brief memoir. We let it sleep in silence. Mr. Evans was now nearly sixty years of age. Infirmity, the result of his arduous labors and numerous afflictions, began to prey upon his system. The several congregations under his care had hitherto constituted but one church. B

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LEGAL PROSECUTION.

LEGAL PROSECUTION.

During the above-mentioned tribulations he received an insulting letter, threatening him with a civil prosecution. “They talk,” said he, “of casting me into a court of law, where I have never been, and hope I shall never go; but I will cast them first into the court of Jesus Christ, the source of law and authority.” So saying, he retired to his chamber, and falling upon his knees, he wept and made supplication in the following pathetic strain:— “O blessed Lord! in thy merit I confide, and trus

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CAERPHILLY.

CAERPHILLY.

An invitation, which he received about this time, to take charge of the Baptist church in Caerphilly, Glamorganshire, South Wales, confirmed Mr. Evans in his determination to leave the scene of his recent trials. He set out alone, in his sixtieth year. The distance he had to travel was about two hundred miles. On the way, while dwelling on his past misfortunes, he found his heart melted within him, and drawn out in fervent prayer. His faith soon triumphed over his afflictions and his fears.

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ANOTHER COVENANT.

ANOTHER COVENANT.

Previous to his removal, and while he was meditating the matter, he made a new covenant with God. We extract again from his journal:— “While returning from a place called Tongwynlâs over Caerphilly mountain, the spirit of prayer descended very copiously upon me. I wept for some hours, and heartily supplicated Jesus Christ, for the blessings here following. I found at this time a particular nearness to Christ, as if he were close by me, and my mind was filled with strong confidence that he att

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CARDIFF.

CARDIFF.

“After having entered into this covenant,” says Mr. Evans in his diary, “I came to Cardiff, heartily and unhesitatingly, like a merchant that should send his vessel to sea after it had been registered in the insurance office. I had nothing now to lose, for I had given myself up to the possession of Jesus, the Mediator of the New Testament, for time and for eternity; and so I have had to abide here in the secret of his tabernacle for these nine months.” He removed to Cardiff in the autumn of 182

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SERMONS FOR THE PRESS.

SERMONS FOR THE PRESS.

During his sojourn at Cardiff, though now sixty-five years old, much debilitated, and almost blind, he wrote about two hundred sermons for the press, many of which have since been published. It is certainly very remarkable, that he should write, at his advanced age, with all the vigor and vivacity of his earlier years. Perhaps, of all the sermons he ever made, those composed at Cardiff are the best. Most of them were preached on the Sabbath, and written out during the following week. This ci

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WELSH JUMPING.

WELSH JUMPING.

In the autumn of 1829, Mr. Evans wrote in his diary extensive notes of a conversation which he had with several ministers in Bristol, on “the manner of religious rejoicing so remarkable among the Welsh.” His friends condemned it in a sweeping sentence, under the name of “Welsh jumping.” Mr. Evans attempted its vindication. We insert his own account: “I observed that I could find no account of it among the Welsh until the time of Harris and Rowlands, Calvinistic Methodists, who flourished in W

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CAERNARVON.

CAERNARVON.

Mr. Evans’ next settlement was in Caernarvon. The Baptist interest in that town was in a feeble and languishing condition. The church numbered about thirty members, but they were chiefly of the lowest class, and sadly disunited. They had a decent house of worship, but it was involved in a debt of £800. “All things,” said Mr. Evans, “seemed like a waste howling wilderness; yea, a habitation of dragons, where they made their rest night and day.” Some advised the dissolution of the church, but

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PULPIT POPULARITY.

PULPIT POPULARITY.

Mr. Evans’ popularity in the pulpit was never greater than during the last few years of his life. His descriptive powers, which were transcendent from the first, improved to the day of his death. His services were always solicited at the anniversaries of the Missionary and Bible societies in Caernarvon, and the mayor of that town once made him a handsome present for a temperance speech which he delivered there. In 1834, he preached at the Holyhead association. His text was Heb. vi. 18. There

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INTERESTING LETTER.

INTERESTING LETTER.

We insert in this place an interesting letter written during Mr. Evans’ residence at Caernarvon. “Beloved Brother: * * * I write to you, August 5, 1836, in the seventieth year of my age, and in the fiftieth of my ministry, after conversing much with ministerial brethren, earnestly desiring to see our associational union brought into action by representatives of the churches, with a view to promote a determination,—1. To bear each other’s burden more efficiently in the denomination to which we b

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MONMOUTHSHIRE ASSOCIATION.

MONMOUTHSHIRE ASSOCIATION.

During this tour, he attended the Monmouthshire Association, and preached his last associational sermon. In his introduction, he described a man whom he had seen in Caernarvon, throwing a few beans to a herd of swine that followed him, and thus enticing them to the door of the slaughter-house, where they were to be slain; and said that, in a similar manner, with one temptation after another, Satan allures deluded sinners to the very gates of hell, where they are to be tormented for ever and eve

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LAST SERMON, SICKNESS, AND DEATH.

LAST SERMON, SICKNESS, AND DEATH.

Following this indefatigable man of God, we find him, on Sunday, the fifteenth of July, notwithstanding his late illness, at Swansea, preaching like a seraph, on the Prodigal Son in the morning, and in the evening on the words of St. Paul—“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,” &amp;c. The next evening he preached in the church at Mount Pleasant. He said he had taken his pulpit model from the day of Pentecost. He described the event of that memorable day, as a great naval battle betwee

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FUNEREAL SORROW.

FUNEREAL SORROW.

His funeral took place four days after his death. Never before was there such a funeral in Swansea, never such a concourse of mourners. The people came in crowds, and wept their way to the grave as if they had been following the bier of their father. The melancholy tidings of his departure spread through the principality, and the fountains of sorrow were everywhere unsealed. In Anglesea, especially, the grief was deep and universal. There he had spent more than half of his ministerial life,

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PERSONAL APPEARANCE.

PERSONAL APPEARANCE.

Mr. Evans was a good-looking man, nearly six feet high, and well proportioned. His intellectual faculties, phrenologically speaking, were amply developed. He had lost one of his eyes in his youth, but the other was large and bright enough for two. It had a peculiarly penetrating glance; and when kindling under the inspiration of the pulpit, added wonderfully to the effect of his eloquence. All his features were expressive of intelligence and love; his whole bearing, dignified and majestic; a

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MORAL AND CHRISTIAN CHARACTER.

MORAL AND CHRISTIAN CHARACTER.

From the time of his conversion to the day of his death, Mr. Evans exhibited a consistent and exemplary piety. Though he several times fell into darkness and doubt, and lost a portion of his burning zeal, he never forfeited his place in the church, or tarnished his Christian name. The uprightness of his deportment was acknowledged by all his neighbors; and those of other denominations, differing widely from him in creed and custom, always accorded to him the reputation of “a holy man of God.”

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SOCIAL DISPOSITION.

SOCIAL DISPOSITION.

Mr. Evans was naturally of a quick and irritable temper; but Divine Grace subdued his constitutional impetuosity, made him “gentle toward all men,” and clothed him with “the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.” He was eminently social in his feelings, and took great delight in the company of his friends. It cost him no effort to render himself agreeable in any society. In the cottage and the mansion he was equally at home, and the unlettered peasant and the erudite philosopher were equally i

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READING AND STUDY.

READING AND STUDY.

Mr. Evans was a great lover of books. He seized and devoured with avidity every interesting volume that fell in his way. He never resorted to reading, however, as a mere pastime. He sought for mental and spiritual treasures to enrich his sermons. For this he beat the fields and dug the wells of knowledge. Every thing was made subservient to his holy calling. Every thing was pressed into his preparations for the pulpit. His authors were selected with prudent discrimination, and perused wit

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DEVOTIONAL HABITS.

DEVOTIONAL HABITS.

Mr. Evans was eminently a man of prayer. Prayer was his daily bread, the very breath of his spirit. He considered himself entitled, through Christ, to all the blessings of the gospel, and came boldly to the throne of grace in every time of need. During his whole ministerial life, much of his time was spent in the closet. It was his custom for many years, to retire for devotion three times during the day, and rise regularly for the same purpose at midnight. The disorders of the church, the s

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CHRISTIAN BENEFICENCE.

CHRISTIAN BENEFICENCE.

Mr. Evans was a poor man, but “rich in good works.” Suffering poverty always excited his pity, and opened his purse. Wherever he beheld distress, he was “ready to distribute, willing to communicate,” according to the ability which God had given him. His salary in Anglesea, for twenty years, was only seventeen pounds per annum; and afterward, only thirty. With so small an income, he could not be expected to bestow much upon the various objects of charity. But he gave annually one pound to th

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SPIRIT OF FORGIVENESS.

SPIRIT OF FORGIVENESS.

“Be ye merciful, even as your Father who is in heaven is merciful.” There is no virtue more beautiful in its character, or more important to the Christian, than that thus enjoined by the Son of God. The spirit of forgiveness infinitely transcends all the effects of mere human philosophy, and allies man to his Maker. In this amiable quality, Christmas Evans was never wanting. He took a thousand times more pleasure in pardoning the offender, than the offender in asking his pardon. “It was onl

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CATHOLIC GENEROSITY.

CATHOLIC GENEROSITY.

That Christmas Evans was no bigot, might be inferred from the above anecdote. But we have other and ampler evidence of his Christian catholicity. He was a Baptist; and, with the rest of his brethren, a strenuous advocate for exclusive immersion. He was a Calvinist, and thought it very important to vindicate against Arminian views what are sometimes called “the doctrines of grace.” But he was also a Christian, and held all other Christians as brethren. He did not repudiate the sincerely piou

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INGENUOUSNESS AND HONESTY.

INGENUOUSNESS AND HONESTY.

A late American writer has said of insincerity, that it is the most detestable of all vices for which men go unhung. Yet it must be admitted, there is no vice more prevalent, even among the professed followers of Him, “who knew no iniquity, neither was guile found in his lips.” The sentiment, that it is right to deceive for the good of the church, is not peculiar to the Papists. Perhaps the enlightened Protestant can scarcely be found, who would verbally avow such a doctrine; but it is often

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SARCASTIC REBUKES.

SARCASTIC REBUKES.

In conversation he was always careful of the feelings of others. He would never employ a sarcastic remark, but for the purpose of merited rebuke. “It is better,” said he, “to keep sarcasms pocketed, if we cannot use them without wounding the feelings of a friend.” But he was capable, when occasion required, of wielding this weapon with terrible effect. Take the following instances:— Just before his removal from Cardiff to Caernarvon, he was conversing on the contemplated change in a circle o

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PULPIT TALENTS AND LABORS.

PULPIT TALENTS AND LABORS.

As a preacher, Mr. Evans was very peculiar. No translation of his sermons can give the English reader an adequate idea of their force and beauty in the original. He was exceedingly methodical and perspicuous. His arrangement was never loose and vague; his thoughts never confused and mingled together. He was a “wise master-builder,” who took care to lay a broad and firm foundation, and then “built thereon gold, silver, and precious stones.” The several parts of his discourse bore a mutual rel

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SERMON I. THE TIME OF REFORMATION.

SERMON I. THE TIME OF REFORMATION.

“ Until the time of reformation .”—Heb. ix. 10. The ceremonies pertaining to the service of God under the Sinaic dispensation were entirely typical in their character; mere figures of Christ, the “High-priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands;” who, “not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, has entered once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Sustaining such a relation to other ages and events, t

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SERMON II. THE TRIUMPH OF CALVARY

SERMON II. THE TRIUMPH OF CALVARY

“ Who is this that cometh from Edom , with dyed garments from Bozrah ? this that is glorious in his apparel , travelling in the greatness of his strength ? I that speak in righteousness , mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel , and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat ? I have trodden the winepress alone ; and of the people there was none with me : for I will tread them in mine anger , and trample them in my fury ; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my gar

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SERMON III. THE SMITTEN ROCK.

SERMON III. THE SMITTEN ROCK.

“ For they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them , and that rock was Christ .”—1 Cor. x. 4. In this chapter the apostle solemnly cautions his brethren against apostasy, and consequent shipwreck of their spiritual privileges. His admonitions are educed from important events in the history of the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the land of Canaan. He speaks of the march of the twelve tribes out of the scene of their bondage, under the uplifted banner of God; of their baptism un

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SERMON IV. FALL AND RECOVERY OF MAN.

SERMON IV. FALL AND RECOVERY OF MAN.

“ For if , through the offence of one , many be dead ; much more the grace of God ; and the gift by grace , which is by one man , Jesus Christ , hath abounded unto many .”—Rom. v. 15. Man was created in the image of God. Knowledge and perfect holiness were impressed upon the very nature and faculties of his soul. He had constant access to his Maker, and enjoyed free communion with him, on the ground of his spotless moral rectitude. But alas! the glorious diadem is broken; the crown of righteo

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SERMON V. ONE GOD AND ONE MEDIATOR.

SERMON V. ONE GOD AND ONE MEDIATOR.

“ For there is one God , and one Mediator between God and man , the man Christ Jesus .”—1 Tim. ii. 5. The apostle Paul urges the propriety, and importance of praying for all men, in the several conditions and relations of life, from a consideration of God’s merciful intentions toward all men, as exhibited in the sufficiency of the gospel provision for their salvation. But if any are saved, it must be through the medium which God has ordained, and in the manner which God has prescribed. Therefo

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SERMON VI. THE LIVING REDEEMER.

SERMON VI. THE LIVING REDEEMER.

“ Oh that my words were now written ! oh that they were printed in a book ! that they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever ! For I know that my Redeemer liveth , and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth : and though after my skin worms destroy this body , yet in my flesh shall I see God : whom I shall see for myself , and mine eyes shall behold , and not another ; though my reins be consumed within me .”—Job xix. 23–27. It is the common opinion of learned d

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SERMON VII. MESSIAH’S KINGDOM.

SERMON VII. MESSIAH’S KINGDOM.

“ And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom , which shall never be destroyed : and the kingdom shall not be left to other people , but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms , and it shall stand for ever . Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands , and that it brake in pieces the iron , the brass , the clay , the silver , and the gold ; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereaf

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SERMON VIII. THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST.

SERMON VIII. THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST.

“ Who , his own self , bore our sins , in his own body , on the tree ; that we , being dead to sins , should live unto righteousness ; by whose stripes ye were healed .”—I Peter ii. 24. What great encouragement to patience and fortitude is afforded the followers of Jesus, by the apostle’s contrast of the light and transient afflictions of the present time, with the eternal weight of glory reserved for them in heaven! How forcible the argument which he draws from the approaching scenes of anothe

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SERMON IX. THE PURIFICATION OF CONSCIENCE.

SERMON IX. THE PURIFICATION OF CONSCIENCE.

“ How much more shall the blood of Christ , who , through the eternal Spirit , offered himself without spot to God , purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God ?”—Heb. ix. 14. The Hebrew Christians, to whom the apostle wrote, were well acquainted with the laws of ceremonial purification by the blood of beasts and birds, for by blood almost every thing was purified in the service of the temple. But it is only the blood of Christ that can purge the human conscience. In speakin

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SERMON X. THE CEDAR OF GOD.

SERMON X. THE CEDAR OF GOD.

“ Thus saith the Lord God ; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar , and will set it ; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one , and plant it upon a high mountain and eminent ; in the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it ; and it shall bring forth boughs , and bear fruit , and be a goodly cedar ; and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing ; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell ; and all the trees of the field shall know th

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SERMON XI. THE PRINCE OF SALVATION.

SERMON XI. THE PRINCE OF SALVATION.

“ For it became him , for whom are all things , and by whom are all things , in bringing many sons to glory , to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings .”—Heb. ii. 10. “ And being made perfect , he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him .”—Heb. v. 9. I have put these passages together because of their similarity. In discussing the doctrine which they contain—the doctrine of salvation through the mediatorial work of Christ, I purpose to conside

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SERMON XII. FINISHED REDEMPTION

SERMON XII. FINISHED REDEMPTION

“ It is finished .”—John xix. 30. This exclamation derives all its importance from the magnitude of the work alluded to, and the glorious character of the agent. The work is the redemption of the world; the agent is God manifest in the flesh. He who finished the creation of the heavens and the earth in six days, is laying the foundation of a new creation on Calvary. Four thousand years he has been giving notice of his intention to mankind; more than thirty years he has been personally upon ea

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SERMON XIII. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS.

SERMON XIII. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS.

“ He is not here ; for he is risen , as he said . Come , see the place where the Lord lay .”—Matt. xxviii. 6. The celebrated Jonathan Edwards of America begins his History of Redemption with an account of the Lord’s visit to Adam and Eve at the cool of the day in Eden. All the wonderful works of God toward the children of men, since the seed of the woman was promised to bruise the serpent’s head, are to be considered as so many parts of the same great machinery of providence, whose wheels, lik

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SERMON XIV. THE ASCENSION.

SERMON XIV. THE ASCENSION.

“ Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things .”—Acts iii. 21. These words are part of St. Peter’s sermon to the people of Jerusalem, on occasion of the cure of the lame man, at the “Beautiful Gate” of the temple, shortly after the day of Pentecost. This, and the sermon recorded in the preceding chapter, were perhaps the most effective ever delivered on earth. As the fruit of Peter’s ministry in these two discourses, about five thousand souls were converted to Chri

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SERMON XV. TRIBULATION CONQUERED.

SERMON XV. TRIBULATION CONQUERED.

“ These things have I spoken unto you , that in me ye might have peace . In the world ye shall have tribulation ; but be of good cheer ; I have overcome the world .”—John xvi. 33. The last sayings of those we love are not soon forgotten. These words form the conclusion of our Lord’s valedictory to his disciples. They did not yet understand that the redemption of man was to be obtained by the death of their Master. When Christ was put to death, he descended to the lower parts of the earth, in

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SERMON XVI. THE GLORY OF THE GOSPEL.

SERMON XVI. THE GLORY OF THE GOSPEL.

“ According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God .”—1 Tim. i. 11. The being of God, and some of his attributes, are revealed to us by natural religion. The proof is seen in all his works, commending itself to the reason and conscience even of pagan nations. “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God hath showed it unto them; for the invisible things of him, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his et

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SERMON XVII. THE SONG OF THE ANGELS.

SERMON XVII. THE SONG OF THE ANGELS.

“ Glory to God in the highest , and on earth peace , good will toward men .” Luke ii. 14. The most important event recorded in the annals of time, is the incarnation of the Son of God. Anointed to be “the Apostle and High Priest of our profession,” it was necessary that he should humble himself, to assume our degraded nature, and enter into our suffering condition. Had he appeared on earth in the unmitigated glory of his Godhead, the children of men could not have borne the revelation, and co

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SERMON XVIII. THE STONE OF ISRAEL.

SERMON XVIII. THE STONE OF ISRAEL.

“ Behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua . Upon one stone shall be seven eyes . Behold , I will engrave the graving thereof , saith the Lord of hosts , and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day .”—Zech. iii. 9. Amid all the tribulations which the church has suffered, she has ever been preserved and sustained by the gracious providence of God; like the bush in Horeb—burning, yet unconsumed. In the days of this prophet, the church was feeble and afflicted. Having just retu

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SERMON XIX. JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH.

SERMON XIX. JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH.

“ But how should man be just with God ?”—Job ix. 2. The Almighty proclaimed himself to Moses, “the Lord, merciful and gracious;” and in the New Testament, he is called “the God of all grace.” “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound; that as sin reigned unto death, even so might grace reign, through righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord.” God is determined to glorify the unsearchable riches of his grace in the salvation of sinners. But how can this be done, without

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SERMON XX. THE SHIELD OF FAITH.

SERMON XX. THE SHIELD OF FAITH.

“ Above all , taking the shield of faith , wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked .”—Eph. vi. 16. The Christian is engaged in a warfare, “not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness”—or wicked spirits—“in high places;” who go about like roaring lions, seeking whom they may devour; assailing the servants of Christ even on their high places—their Pizgahs, their Tab

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SERMON XXI. THE PARACLETE.

SERMON XXI. THE PARACLETE.

“ And I will pray the Father , and he shall give you another Comforter , that he may abide with you for ever ; even the Spirit of Truth , whom the world cannot receive , because it seeth him not , neither knoweth him ; but ye know him , for he dwelleth with you , and shall be in you .”—John xiv. 16, 17. The Bible is a most wonderful book. It came to us from heaven, and is stamped with the Spirit and the character of heaven. It assails our favorite maxims and customs, and declares that he who w

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SERMON XXII. THE FATHER AND SON GLORIFIED.

SERMON XXII. THE FATHER AND SON GLORIFIED.

“ Howbeit , when he , the Spirit of Truth , is come , he will guide you into all truth ; for he shall not speak of himself ; but whatsoever he shall hear , that shall he speak ; and he will show you things to come . He shall glorify me : for he shall receive of mine , and shall show it unto you . All things that the Father hath are mine ; therefore , said I , that he shall take of mine , and shall show it unto you .”—John xvi. 13–15. The wonderful Providence which brought the Children of Israe

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I. THE DEMONIAC OF GADARA.

I. THE DEMONIAC OF GADARA.

Luke viii. 26–39. “ And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils a long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.” I imagine that this demoniac was not only an object of pity, but he was really a terror in the country. So terrific was his appearance, so dreadful and hideous his screams, so formidable, frightful, and horrid his wild career, that all the women in that region were so much alarmed that none of them dare

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II. ENTERING THE PORT.

II. ENTERING THE PORT.

“ For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the ever-lasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ .”—2 Pet. i. 11. This language seems to be borrowed from the case of a ship bringing her passengers to port on a pleasant afternoon, her sails all white and whole, and her flags majestically waving in the breeze; while the relatives of those on board ascend the high places, to see their brothers and their sisters returning home in safety from the stormy main. How pleas

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III. THE UNCLEAN SPIRIT IN DRY PLACES.

III. THE UNCLEAN SPIRIT IN DRY PLACES.

I see the wicked spirit, like a winged dragon, having a long tail, drawing circles and flying in the air, in search of a dwelling-place. Casting his fiery look upon a certain neighborhood, he spies a young man, in the bloom of his days, and in the strength of his powers, sitting on the box of his cart, going for lime. “There he is,” says the old hellish dragon; “his veins are full of blood, and his bones are full of marrow; I will cast the sparks into his bosom, and will set all his lusts on f

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IV. SATAN AN ANGEL OF LIGHT.

IV. SATAN AN ANGEL OF LIGHT.

Satan perceived that it would be convenient and advantageous for him to have two suits of clothes. A suit of flaming, impurpled, and blackish red was his raiment since he instigated the rebellion in heaven: this he wears at home. This is the garment that is emblematic of his wrath and cruelty against El-Shaddai. He transformed himself when he tempted the first Adam, and succeeded in casting him down. The Second Adam knew him, when he required him to obey his command, and worship him instead

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V. THE YOUNG CHILD.

V. THE YOUNG CHILD.

Herod said to the wise men, “Go and search diligently for the young child.” The magi immediately commenced their inquiries, according to the instructions they received. I see them approaching some village, and when they come to the gate they inquire, “Do you know any thing of the young child?” The gateman comes to the door; and, supposing them to have asked the amount of the toll, says, “O, three halfpence an ass is to pay.” “We do not ask what is to pay,” reply they, “but, do you know any t

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VI. VARIETIES OF PREACHING.

VI. VARIETIES OF PREACHING.

I perceive four strong men on their journey toward Lazarus’ grave, for the purpose of raising him to life. One of them, who is eminent for his piety, says, “I will descend into the grave, and will take with me a bowl of the salt of duties, and will rub him well with the sponge of natural ability.” He enters the grave, and commences his rubbing process. I watch his operations at a distance, and after a while inquire, “Well, are there any symptoms of life there? Does he arise, does he breathe,

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VII. THE SIX CROCODILES.

VII. THE SIX CROCODILES.

Every church-member should learn to hunt a crocodile. The first crocodile is a spirit to search closely for faults, instead of hiding them with brotherly love, according to the directions of the gospel. This is Ham, the old crocodile, that exposed the nakedness of his father, instead of hiding it like Shem and Japheth; for which his father banished him to the river Nilus, where he still remains in Africa, under the curse of his father. Old pious Eli erred greatly, by allowing his children to e

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VIII. ENVIOUS AMBITION.

VIII. ENVIOUS AMBITION.

The forest of Lebanon once held a consultation to choose a king, upon the death of the king, the Yew-tree. They agreed to offer the crown to the Cedar; and if the Cedar should refuse, to invite the Vine and the Olive to office. They all refused the honors for the following reasons. The Cedar refused, “because,” said be, “I am sufficiently high as I am.”—“I would rather,” said the Vine, “yield wine to cheer others, than receive for myself.” And in the same manner, the Olive preferred giving i

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IX. THE DOVE, THE RAVEN, AND THE EAGLE.

IX. THE DOVE, THE RAVEN, AND THE EAGLE.

A nobleman had a Dove, a Raven, and an Eagle, belonging to his palace. There was no sociability or fellowship prevailing among them. The Dove fed on its own food, and hid herself in the clefts of the rocks, or in the dove-house near the palace. The Raven fed upon dead carcasses, and sometimes picked out the eyes of little innocent lambs, if she could pounce upon them in a chance place;—she also nestled in the top of the trees. The Eagle was a royal bird, flying very high, but yet of a rapaci

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ADVERTISEMENTS.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

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