The Happy Effects of the Pouring out of the Spirit 2
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In Jeremiah 31 you have many promises made to the Jews, both of temporal and spiritual prosperity, upon their conversion to God: and as the life of all, this is inserted, "I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts." This is substantially repeated, with an express reference to national deliverance, in the next chapter.
"I will surely bring my people back again from all the countries where I will scatter them in my fury. I will bring them back to this very city and let them live in peace and safety. They will be my people, and I will be their God. And I will give them one heart and mind to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, promising not to stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. I will rejoice in doing good to them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land. Just as I have sent all these calamities upon them, so I will do all the good I have promised them. I, the LORD, have spoken!" Jeremiah 32:37-42
Ezekiel speaks in the same strain with regard to the same event: "Thus says the Lord God, I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. And they shall come there, and they shall take away all the detestable things, and all the abominations thereof from thence;" that is, they shall promote a general reformation in their country. And from whence shall this proceed? You find the cause of it in the following promise: "I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh—that they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them."
Zerubbabel was the great restorer of the Jewish church and state, after the Babylonish captivity: and Zechariah informs us that this was the Word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, for his encouragement, "Not by power, nor by might—but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty." The reformation of the Jews, and their consequent restoration to a flourishing state, is not effected by any human power or means—but by my Spirit alone. Zech. 4:6.
And this will hold equally true in every age, especially under the gospel, which is peculiarly the dispensation of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, are virtues which have the most happy influence upon human society; and were they universally prevalent, they would effectually prevent all the calamities of war, and ensure all the blessings of peace. And these, Paul tells us, are the fruits, or effects, of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22, 23.
And, therefore, "until The Spirit is poured out from on high," they will never grow and flourish. Faith, repentance, and every grace are the free gift of God, wrought by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:8; Phil. I. 29; Acts 5:31, and 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 18. In short, not one soul, much less a whole nation—can be effectually reformed without the power of God. If even a well-disposed Lydia gave a believing attention to the things spoken by Paul, it was because the Lord opened her heart.Acts 16:14. "No man can come unto Christ—unless the Father draws him." John 6:44.
The Holy Spirit is uniformly represented, through the whole Scriptures, as the spring of all the goodness that is in the world; as the sacred fire, from whence proceeds every spark of true religion that is to be found in the heart of any person.
And the doctrine of the Scriptures, in this respect, is confirmed by history, and matters of fact, in all ages. When the Spirit is withdrawn, it has been found a truth, that those people and nations in particular, have degenerated: vice and luxury have gained ground, and true religion has declined, and died away; and that, too, in the midst of the most proper means to promote reformation, and to strengthen the things that remain.
Then the most solemn preaching, and the most alarming providences have no effect; but men continue blind and stupid under the clearest instructions, and the loudest warnings! They grow harder and harder, instead of being refined in the furnace of affliction!
But on the other hand, when the Spirit is poured out from on high—then the cause of true religion and virtue is promoted, almost without means; then sinners are awakened by a word; then true religion catches and circulates from heart to heart, and bears down all opposition before it. Peter had preached many a sermon before that which we find recorded in Acts 2; and his Lord and master had preached many a one—but with very little success. But now by one short discourse, no fewer than three thousand are converted in a few minutes among a hostile, prejudiced multitude, some of whom had been accessory to the death of Jesus Christ but a few days before!
And whence this happy turn? Peter himself will tell you, it was because then was fulfilled the ancient prophecy of Joel, "I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh." Acts 2:16, 17; Joel 2:8. Then, too, was fulfilled the promise of the blessed Jesus to his disciples; "I will send the Spirit unto you; and when he has come—he will reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement." John 16:7, 8. It was this which rendered the progress of the gospel so rapid and irresistible through the world, in spite of the most powerful opposition from all quarters in that age; which, in times seemingly more favourable , has languished and lost ground!
It is my happiness to be able to furnish you with an instance of the like nature, in the review of my own short life. About sixteen years ago, in the northern colonies, when all religious concern was much out of fashion, and the generality lay in a dead sleep in sin, having at best but the form of godliness—but nothing of the power; when the country was in peace and prosperity, free from the calamities of war, and epidemic sickness; when, in short, there were no extraordinary calls to repentance; then suddenly, a deep, general concern about eternal things spread through the country; sinners, startled out of their slumbers—broke off from their vices, began to cry out, What shall I do to be saved? and made it the great business of their life to prepare for the world to come. Then the gospel seemed almighty, and carried all before it. It pierced the very hearts of men with an irresistible power. I have seen thousands at once melted down under it; all eager to hear as for life, and hardly a dry eye to be seen among them!
Many have since backslid-den, and all their religion has come to nothing, or dwindled away into mere formality. But, blessed be God, thousands still remain as shining monuments of the power of divine grace in that glorious day. That harvest did not continue very long: and now, in the very same places, and under the same ministry, or a better—there are hardly any appearances of it; though Providence has given them so many alarms of late, and such loud calls to repentance. And what can be the reason of such a surprising difference but this, that formerly the Spirit was poured out from on high—but now he is withdrawn; and hence thegospel and the means of grace, which-were once so powerful, have now lost their general efficacy, and have either no effect or a dreadful one—that is, to harden men more and more.
Now if this is so indeed, that is, if the Holy Spirit is the sole author of that reformation, which is necessary to preserve or restore public tranquillity and happiness; then we may be enabled by this to form some estimate of the present situation of our country and nation. By feeling this pulse, we may learn the state of our political body.
On the one hand, we may discover that God has not as yet abandoned guilty Britons, nor entirely withdrawn his Spirit from this world of sinners. If the Spirit has not been poured out in a copious shower of late, he has at least distilled like the dew, and caused some spots of the wilderness here and there to flourish. I have very agreeable accounts from my English correspondents, that many of the clergy there have been roused out of their long sleep; have abandoned the modish, new-fangled divinity of the age, gone back to the forsaken truths of their own articles and the reformation, and preach Christ crucified, and the unfashionable doctrines of grace, with indefatigable zeal and extensive success! This is the more unexpected, and the more promising as it has appeared in a church where religion has been declining for some time, and the things that remained were ready to die. We, I hope, have charity enough to rejoice in her recovery, though under another name.
Some drops of divine influences have also fallen upon certain spots in America of late. I have, some time ago, given you an account of the promising religious impressions among the students in the college of New Jersey: and my worthy correspondent, Mr. Bellamy, informs me, "As at New Jersey College, so in several places in New England, there have been awakenings, and some hopeful conversions of late: but whether these are to be looked upon as bees flying to the hive before a storm, or as some drops of mercy before a general shower, I cannot tell—but fear the former: for our land, in general, is in profound carnal security, and "the cry of our sins has reached to heaven."
I have several accounts of the same agreeable import from other hands. And I hope even Virginia is not left a mere barren wilderness, without one fruitful spot in it. Here and there a poor, thoughtless sinner has been alarmed, and turned to the Lord; and even some of Africa's gloomy sons have become, we hope—the Lord's freemen, and the genuine children of Abraham by faith. These things bear a promising aspect; and we would gladly hope, that the Lord has reserved such a remnant among us, that we shall not be made like unto Sodom, and desolate like unto Gomorrah: nor have we reason to complain, with desponding Elijah, that "we alone are left" to serve the Lord.
But, on the other hand, it is lamentably evident, there has not been of late any such general outpouring of the Spirit, as is necessary to produce a public national reformation: which is the only cure for a nation so far gone as ours. We have lost ground indeed before our enemies, and been almost everywhere worsted: but I am afraid that vice has stood its ground against the artillery of the gospel; or if it has lost in one place, it has gained in another.
By all accounts from Great Britain, and the neighbouring colonies, and by our own observations in this, it appears that the generality lie in a deep sleep, presumptuous and prayer-less, even when the bloody sword is unsheathed and brandished over them, and their country bleeds by a thousand wounds. They hardly ever reflect upon their sins—as the cause of these public calamities; nor humble themselves under these judgements, as indications of the righteous displeasure of God. Nay, some are arrived to such a daring height of infidelity, as virtually to abjure the divine government, and to avow that they do not think the God of heaven has anything to do with such affairs; but the potsherds of the earth dash themselves together of themselves, and the arm of flesh fights it out.
Our country and nation have had the gospel for a long time—the gospel, which is the most effectual expedient to reform the world, which has subdued so many obstinate sinners, and which has peopled heaven with so large a colony from our guilty globe.
We have also of late had the trial of the calamities of war—a bloody and savage war with a powerful, exasperated enemy, and their barbarous allies. But, alas! it appears, upon trial, that these means will not do. After all the trial that has been made, alas! it appears that infidelity, irreligious, immorality, and luxury—still stand their ground. Yes, by all accounts, they stand their ground even among the soldiery, and among the inhabitants of our frontiers, whose lives are in danger every hour. In short, a spirit ofdeep sleep seems to be poured out, instead of a spirit of reformation.
I wish it were evident, that we, in this congregation, have escaped this heavy judgement. And I cannot but hope, some drops of divine influence are distilling here and there among us. But, alas! my friends, I greatly fear, that even we have reason to lament and cry after the departed Spirit of God. I am greatly afraid we may be named "Ichabod", because the glory has departed. 1 Sam. 4:21, 22.
For what has now become of that inquiry, "What shall I do to be saved?" Where, now, are the tears, the sighs, and groans of broken-hearted sinners? Where are their eager searches and crying for Jesus? When do we now see attentive crowds in the house of God, hearing as for their lives, with all the natural signs of raised passions in their countenances? Alas! these are rare things now-a-days. In some, vice appears impudent and barefaced, without a veil. Others indulge themselves in a stupid carelessnessabout true religion, and think it enough if they observe some of its fashionable outward forms, while they know nothing of the vigorous, heart-exercises of genuine Christians. In short, if we make our observations upon high and low, and all ranks, on both sides of the Atlantic, alas! we find they go on still in the same old way—as in the time of peace and prosperity! The danger of their country and their own, is no reason with them, why they should repent!
Now this is a sufficient evidence, that the Spirit has not been poured upon us from on high, in a plentiful shower. And this gives us reason to fear, that the furnace which God has kindled among us is not intended to refine—but to consume: or, in other words, that the calamities which we have felt, or which we fear, are rather intended to destroy, than to reform.
For you must observe such dispensations, and the means of grace in general, are intended for two very different ends; sometimes to reform and save—and sometimes to harden and destroy. Even Jesus Christ the Saviour came into our world for judgement—as well as for mercy; and is set for the fall—as well as rise, of many in Israel. The ministry of the gospel is a savour of death unto death, as well as of life unto life.
Isaiah was sent as a prophet to the Jews, when their sins were ripening fast, and their national desolation was approaching. And what was he sent for? Not to reform them; that was hopeless: but you may read his commission. "Go and tell this people: "Be ever hearing—but never understanding; be ever seeing—but never perceiving. Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." Then I said, "For how long, O Lord?" And he answered: "Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged, until the LORD has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken!" Isaiah 6:9-12
I have some better hopes concerning our country: and yet I must say, I have my fears that this dreadful passage may be fulfilled even upon it. I have my fears that briers and thorns will grow up in our land, or, which is much the same, that it may become the range of French and Indian savages. "Until The Spirit is poured upon us from on high." And when that period will arrive, whether sooner or later—is among the secrets of the divine counsels.
From what has been said, you may see what we principally need. We need arms, and artillery, and fortifications; we need more unanimity, judgement, despatch, and frugality in projecting and executing our undertakings; we need more public spirit, courage, and resolution among the populace. But, oh! these are not our only nor our principal needs: we need an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all ranks; and until this need is supplied, nothing is likely to go on well with us.
We need a general public reformation: and we shall always need it, "until The Spirit is poured upon us from on high." Alas! this need is little thought of; but it is by so much the more dangerous and lamentable. Never will our country and nation be safe, never will Britain or Virginia be out of the reach of some executioner of divine vengeance, until there be a public general reformation: and never will there be such a reformation, "until The Spirit is poured upon us from on high."
Here I must not forget a consideration of still greater weight; unless The Spirit is poured out upon us, thousands of Britons, thousands of Virginians, must perish forever; perish not in their own country—but in hell! Perish not by the sword of the French, or Indian instruments of destruction—but by the sword of divine justice, and the horrid instruments and torture in the infernal regions. This is a much more melancholy consideration than the ruin of our country. The ruin of souls, immortal souls, forever!—without any hope of deliverance!—from among the means of salvation!—oh! what horrid ruin is this! Yet this will be the doom of thousands, unless the Spirit is poured out, to turn and sanctify them.
Thousands declare by their conduct where they are going; they proclaim aloud they are bound for hell; and nothing but the Almighty Spirit can stop them in their mad career! Some of these unhappy mortals may be our friends and relatives; at least they share with us in the same human nature, and therefore should be dear to us. Nay, are not some of ourselves of that number? Even the suspicion of this may strike us aghast, and put us upon thoughtful inquiries into the matter.
Hence it appears, the Spirit of God is the most important blessing, both to our country—and our souls, both with regard to time—and eternity; and without it, both our country and our souls will be lost in the outcome.
Hence, therefore, you may be directed what to make the principal matter of your prayers to God. Pray for our king, for the ministry, for the parliament, for our governors, councillors, and all our officers, civil and military: pray for the Protestant churches, for our allies, pray for our army and navy, and for our poor exposed countrymen on the frontiers: pray for good regulations among ourselves, for the weakening of our enemies, and for the speedy return of a well-established peace: pray for our own reformation, and for the conversion even of our enemies, whether French papists, or heathen savages: but above all, pray for an outpouring of the Spirit. This is the grand, radical, all-comprehensive blessing: and if this is granted, everything else will go well with us!
To CONCLUDE, let me recommend a prudential to you, which you generally observe in temporal affairs; and that is, to prepare for the worst. Perhaps our religion may not be that cheap thing to us in time to come, which it has been hitherto: perhaps it may yet cost us our blood and lives. This we may expect will be our doom, if we should fall under a Popish government. And where is the glorious company of martyrs to be found among us? Who of you is willing to embrace a stake, and ascend to heaven in flames, for the sake of Jesus? Jesus, who died for you—will expect that some in this place will die for him, if they should ever be brought to the trial. And who of you is prepared to give this painful, this last evidence of your love and fidelity to him? Now you have time to deliberate upon it, and put yourselves in readiness: and it is prudence, as well as duty, to improve your time for this end, lest you be surprised unprepared.
Alas! what shall impenitent sinners do, if matters should come to this pass? If they part with Christ, rather than with their lives, they are undone, unless they retract the ruinous choice. And if they should die martyrs in his cause, even this would not save them. An unholy soul cannot ascend to heaven, even from a martyr's stake. "If I should give my body to be burnt," says Paul, "and have not love—it profits me nothing." 1 Corinthians 13. 3. What then remains, oh sinners—but that while you enjoy a few days of peace and liberty, you lay them out in earnest endeavours to obtain sincere religion—a religion that will stand the severest test! and then you are safe, come what will.
I will not take upon me to determine, what will be the outcome of this war. But I am afraid, it will issue much to the disadvantage and mortification of Great Britain and her colonies. From the rapid conquests of France, and our own disappointments and defeats, we have reason to fear, either that a desperate war will be continued, until we are undone; until Britain is stripped of some or all her colonies, and perhaps herself become a conquered province of France: or that she will be obliged humbly to petition for peace; which we may be sure will not be granted—but on terms very disadvantageous; and which will therefore tend to weaken her more and more, and allow her enemies time to increase their strength, and enable them to finish with greater ease the conquests they have begun. The Protestant religion is also in very threatening danger; for wherever the arms of France or Austria prevail, there, we may be sure, it will be oppressed. The Popish powers threaten that small part of Europe and America that is free, with the yoke of civil and religious tyranny; while Sweden, Denmark, the seven United Provinces, and other Protestant states, lie asleep, and do not exert themselves to ward off the blow. Perhaps we are born to see such tragic revolutions as these: and if so, what awaits us but poverty and slavery, and the loss of all that is dear to us: and are we prepared for such trials as these? or are we so stupid, as not to be alarmed, and excited to prepare, even by the perhaps of such things coming upon us? Nothing but real vital religion, which will stand the trial of fire and faggot, and the tortures of the inquisition, will be an effectual preparative for such a time.
Let us, therefore, examine whether our religion is such. If it is, we may bravely bid defiance to all the powers of earth and hell, to work our final ruin, and be secure and triumphant in Him that loved us, who will make us more than conquerors. But if not, alas! we have no room for one hour's ease and security; but should be anxiously labouring to flee from the wrath to come, whether in this world, or the next. Let us now "seek the Lord, while he may be found; and call upon him while he is near," Isaiah 55:6; and in this way we may yet escape into the chambers of divine protection, before the gloomy storm breaks upon us.
In the midst of these gloomy views, methinks a ray of dubious hope darts through the threatening cloud, and bids us take a little courage, and mingle some cheerful expectations with our fears. Who knows but the Lord will yet turn, and repent, and leave a blessing behind him? Who knows but he may yet surprise us with an effusion of his Spirit, to purify us, instead of pouring upon us the vials of his displeasure, which we deserve? His ways are unsearchable; the turns of his providence often surprising and unaccountable; and his mercy above all our thoughts.
Perhaps he may allow the power of France to rise to such a formidable height, and us to be broken and reduced to a helpless extremity, that his hand may be the more manifest in her overthrow, and in our deliverance. Perhaps the extremity of calamity may bring us to the knee, as humble penitents before our offended Sovereign, and turn us to him: and then he may appear as our deliverer, when we are sensible of our dependence upon him, and that the help of man is in vain.
I am encouraged to hope for deliverance in such an extremity, from a remarkable passage in Deuteronomy, the thirty-second chapter, "The LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free." Our strength is not yet gone: we have still a powerful army and navy: and therefore are full of self-confidence. But when this atheistic-al confidence is mortified, and we are brought to acknowledge our need of the alliance of Heaven, then God may rise for our deliverance.
There is need of preparation for deliverance, as well as for trials and calamities; and to deliver us before we are prepared for it, would not prove a blessing in the outcome. To deliver a thoughtless, presumptuous, impenitent people, while they continue such—would be to encourage their presumption and impenitence, and to make them more daring in sin, and in the neglect of God and true religion. To this purpose Peter exhorts us, to "humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that we maybe exalted In Due Time." 1 Peter 5:6.
There is a due time for exaltation or deliverance; and if we would be exalted before the time, we would only be exalted upon a precipice, where we would soon turn giddy, and fall again with greater violence! Let us therefore long and pray not only for deliverance—but that we may be prepared for it, so that it may be a real blessing to us in the outcome—such a deliverance may God grant us in due time through Jesus Christ. Amen.
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