established, as even the lambs of his flock could reasonably desire. And now, IV. Let me conclude the discourse, with hinting at the purposes to which it may be improved, And surely the survey we have been taking of the tenderness of Christ as a Shepherd, may naturally lead us to some such reflections as these. 1. "How amiable does our blessed Redeemer appear, contemplate him under such a character!" when we Such sentiments of humanity are wrought into our very natures, that we cannot but love any person, especially one of distinction, who condescends to the weak and the helpless, and tenderly accommodates himself to their necessities and distresses. You honour, and you love, a man of genius and learning and eminence in life, who will lay aside other more splendid employments, that he might instruct children, or by kind and affectionate converse, even with the poorest creature that applies to him, may ease the burdens of the sorrowful spirit. If a minister of such a character has been remarkable for his readiness to such services, and for his diligent and successful application to them, though it be plainly the peculiar duty of his office to abound in them, he is justly respected while he lives, and his name and memory are dear and precious to survivors: Yet this is only the condescension of one worm to another. How much more reason have we, to reverence and love the compassionate Jesus, the prince of glory, who has so long borne, and so tenderly and faithfully executed this kind office, and bears and executes it to this day! How many diseased souls has he healed, how many weak hands hath he strengthened, how many weeping eyes has he dried, how many trembling hearts has he supported and revived! Let our love and our praises ascend to this great common benefactor, for the share which others have had in his goodness. But must the reflection stop here? Are not we ourselves in the number of those obliged creatures? And shall we not feel, and own the obligation -We should surely be a burden to ourselves if we had no sense of the kindness of those, who supported us in our feeble infancy; who then bore us in their arms, and cherished us in their bosoms; who watched over our slippery steps, and added the more important care of forming our opening minds to knowledge and virtue. And when we have felt the burden of more advanced days pressing hard upon which have been referred to under the former head, but also from the observation of facts, as far as it is possible for a train of particular observations, to confirm such a general assertion. I must here take the liberty to say, (because I think it my duty on this occasion publicly to testify it) that though for my age I have had a considerable opportunity of making my remarks on various cases of persons under spiritual distress, yet excepting a very few instances of evident distraction, which none can reasonably imagine to have affected their eternal state, I cannot recollect any single instance, in which the humble soul has seemed to be finally deserted by the great Shepherd. Many, who have been under strong convictions and agonies of mind, have, indeed, forgot their resolutions, taken up often in an apparent dependance on themselves, and have Returned with the dog to his vomit, and with the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. Many who have talked loudly of their extraordinary communications from above, and despised others who have been less confident, have quickly appeared self-deceiving hypocrites, and have been left by foul miscarriages to bring a scandal on themselves, and on religion too. But I cannot remember, that I ever met with a single person, who appeared, as one of the lambs of Christ's flock, humble under a sense of sin, and cordially disposed to put himself under the care of Christ as the great Shepherd, who after seeking and waiting on him, has been either driven away by terror, or finally seduced into soul-ruining errors or crimes, even by the most artful deceivers. Many of them have perhaps for a considerable time gone on weeping and trembling; but they have kept their hold even to the last, and died with much more comfort than they lived. Others have, for a long course of after-life, found their consolations as great, as ever their sorrows had been: And after all their fears, many are to this day going on in a steady calm, as Knowing whom they have believed+; while others, who I doubt not are equally safe, are saying, If we perish, we will perish at his feet: But so far as I can recollect, I have never myself seen any of such a character, who have fallen into a final apostacy, or died in such circumstances, as to leave room to fear that their souls were lost; and I have heard of few cases, which bear such an appearance.Let all these remarks and arguments be attentively considered, and then say, whether the grace and tenderness of a Redeemer be not as clearly proved, and as firmly established, as even the lambs of his flock could reasonably desire. And now, IV. Let me conclude the discourse, with hinting at the purposes to which it may be improved, And surely the survey we have been taking of the tenderness of Christ as a Shepherd, may naturally lead us to some such reflections as these. 1. "How amiable does our blessed Redeemer appear, contemplate him under such a character!" when we Such sentiments of humanity are wrought into our very natures, that we cannot but love any person, especially one of distinction, who condescends to the weak and the helpless, and tenderly accommodates himself to their necessities and distresses. You honour, and you love, a man of genius and learning and eminence in life, who will lay aside other more splendid employments, that he might instruct children, or by kind and affectionate converse, even with the poorest creature that applies to him, may ease the burdens of the sorrowful spirit. If a minister of such a character has been remarkable for his readiness to such services, and for his diligent and successful application to them, though it be plainly the peculiar duty of his office to abound in them, he is justly respected while he lives, and his name and memory are dear and precious to survivors: Yet this is only the condescension of one worm to another. How much more reason have we, to reverence and love the compassionate Jesus, the prince of glory, who has so long borne, and so tenderly and faithfully executed this kind office, and bears and executes it to this day! How many diseased souls has he healed, how many weak hands hath he strengthened, how many weeping eyes has he dried, how many trembling hearts has he supported and revived! Let our love and our praises ascend to this great common benefactor, for the share which others have had in his goodness. But must the reflection stop here? Are not we ourselves in the number of those obliged creatures? And shall we not feel, and own the obligation -We should surely be a burden to ourselves if we had no sense of the kindness of those, who supported us in our feeble infancy; who then bore us in their arms, and cherished us in their bosoms; who watched over our slippery steps, and added the more important care of forming our opening minds to knowledge and virtue. And when we have felt the burden of more advanced days pressing hard upon more public attempts. Attend therefore to the religious concerns of your children and servants; and do it with a gentleness suited to their age and circumstances. Frighten them not with a rigorous and austere severity; but, as St. Paul expresses it with regard to himself, be Gentle among them, even as a nurse cherisheth her children*. In short, let us all Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christt; and let us candidly receive one another, As we hope that Christ, with all our infirmities, hath received ust. 3. "What abundant encouragement is here for the feeblest soul, to commit itself to Christ!" Let me now, on that encouragement, particularly address the exhortation to those, whose circumstances render it peculiarly their concern. Let me address it to you, my younger friends, even to the children that hear me this day. We speak of the gentleness and goodness of Christ, on purpose to invite you to him. Go to him by faith and prayer, and say, " Blessed Jesus, I come to thee a poor weak tender creature; but it was in regard to such weakness, that thou hast been pleased to speak so graciously. I believe what I have heard, and I mean to venture my soul upon it. I flee to thee, as the helpless lamb to its shepherd, when hungry that he may feed it, when pursued by wild beasts, that he may defend it. Lord, open thine arms and thy bosom to me, though I am so inconsiderable a creature. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou ordainest praise§ Fill my heart with thy love, and my mouth with thy praise, and lead me on, till I may come to praise thee amongst the angels in heaven, and to serve thee as they do." Let me address the exhortation also to the tempted and sorrowful soul. O thou afflicted, thou who art tossed with the tempest, and not comforted! Look unto Jesus. Let thy conflicts and dangers drive thee to him, though Satan would thereby attempt to drive thee from him. Accustom not thyself, to think of Christ as dreadful and severe. Terrify not thyself with the thought of the iron rod of his vengeance, whilst thou feelest thyself disposed to submit to the golden sceptre of his grace, to the pastoral rod by which he guides his sheep. And when thou findest thy doubts arising, flee to the representations and assurances of his word, so largely insisted on above; and * 1 Thess. ii. 7. + Gal. vi. 2. Rom. xv. 7. Isa. liv. 11. pray, that the influences of his Spirit may strengthen thy faith in them. Nor let me neglect so proper an occasion, of addressing myself to aged christians. You, my friends, though not the lambs of the flock, are, on some account, the feeble of it. Though I hope, and believe, that many of you are strong in grace; yet the outer man is decaying, and sensible comfort often decays with it. Yet be not discouraged, but remember your Shepherd. You have not only heard of his grace, but you have long experienced it. Be cheerful in it, and remember, that as all your experiences will not secure you otherwise than as in the bosom of Christ, so all your infirmities and trials cannot endanger you while you are there. He has led you on gently and safely through the wilderness; a few steps more will finish the journey, and bring you to the pastures of Canaan. Once more, let me address the exhortation to those who have gone astray from this blessed Shepherd, and invite them to return to him. May I not appeal to your own consciences to witness, that it was never better with you, than when you kept nearest to him; and that while at a distance from him, you are exposed to want and danger, and bitter regret? Has not your heart melted within you, while I have been speaking? and have you not been ready to say, "Oh that I were once more lodged in those gracious arms, in that compassionate bosom." And what hinders it? Does he not assure you, that he will yet be willing to receive you? Nay, that he will yet rejoice over you on some accounts even more, than over those who never wandered*. Return then, in the strength of divine grace, to the duties you have neglected, to the ordinances you have forsaken; and may your souls find refreshment in them, that with firmer Purpose of heart you may for the future cleave unto the Lord+? And now, Lastly, "What a delightful idea does it give us of the natural endearments, which shall pass between Christ and his people, when they are brought to the world of glory?" There they shall be no longer exposed to necessities and alarms; but all the purposes of his love shall be completed, in their everlasting security and joy. And surely the gracious Redeemer must be inconceivably delighted, when he there sees of The travail of his soult. When he has with a gentle and *Luke xv. 6,7. VOL. II. + Acts xi. 23. Isa. liii. 11. |