622. ACT 16:9. DIFFUSION OF CHRISTIANITY DEPENDENT ON THE EXERTIONS OF CHRISTIANS

Act_16:9. Diffusion of Christianity Dependent On the Exertions of Christians

By Rev. Henry Grey, A. M., Edinburgh.

"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.”97Act_16:9.

The request presented to the apostle, in this striking vision, conveys in it an expressive indication of the dependence of man on the assistance of his fellows, and of the obligation under which we are consequently laid to help one another. This dependence, and this obligation, may be traced through human life, in all the variety of its circumstances; but is particularly deserving of our consideration, in reference to our spiritual and eternal interests. God has appointed, that the knowledge of religion, and the blessings of salvation, should be communicated to others, through the instrumentality of those who have previously been blessed with them; and he has thus imposed on those who know him, a duty peculiarly honorable and important. We may add, that their success, in discharging this high duty, usually bears some proportion to their fidelity; and that the actual extension of the knowledge and blessings of salvation seems, in a great degree, to correspond with the activity, zeal, and perseverance exerted in the propagation of them.

I. We begin with some general observations.

1. It cannot be doubted, that those grand arrangements of providence, which determine the general condition and circumstances of the human race, were designed, by infinite wisdom, to call into exercise the moral principles and feelings of man. God has assigned to each class of beings its appropriate character and relations; and that dependence of man on his fellows, which requires the exercise of mutual sympathy, and reciprocal kind offices, forms a grand law of human nature, and gives rise to many important duties, and many peculiar enjoyments. The neglect of the obligations imposed by this law, is the source of a large portion of human wretchedness; a cordial compliance with its demands would go far to restore man to his proper rank as a moral agent; and adorn his character with some graces of singular excellence, which, we think, are unknown to those higher intelligences who are exempt from suffering and sin.

2. This grand law of mutual dependence may be traced in operation, through all the different orders of society and departments of life. And in proportion as any state advances in civilization’97in proportion as labor is divided, and art perfected, and human life replenished with accommodations and comforts’97the dependence of man on his fellows becomes more and more conspicuous. The blessings of religion are the gifts of sovereign mercy, flowing from the bosom of infinite love; but, in dispensing them, God is pleased to make use of human agency. We remark,

3. That true religion is neither the invention of human genius, nor the deduction of human reason; but is founded on the actual circumstances of mankind, and on those positive discoveries which God has made of his character and will. God has appointed that the great facts on which it rests, should be made known, from generation to generation, by an unbroken succession of living witnesses.

4. The obligation under which we lie to help one another in our spiritual concerns, extends through all the various circumstances of life, and is particularly interwoven with its most interesting relations. This is the highest department of a parent’s duty. But to look beyond the family circle. Is it not the duty of every one to help his neighbor in this important concern? Consider,

II. The dependence of man on man, and the consequent obligation of mutual assistance, with a more particular reference to those nations destitute of the gospel.

1. I ask, Whether the necessities of the nations destitute of the gospel, do not furnish & powerful claim on all the help we can possibly afford them? Of their melancholy condition, in a moral view, little need be said to convince those who acknowledge the justness of the representations which the word of God gives us, of the present circumstances of the human race. Those characters of ignorance, guilt, and sin, which it attributes universally to fallen man, are most distinctly traced in those portions of mankind whom God has left most entirely to themselves.

2. I ask, Whether the means with which you are furnished of supplying the necessities of the nations, do not impose peculiar obligations? The God of love has made a provision for the recovery of fallen man, and you are acquainted with it. He has declared, that he "is in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them," 2Co_5:19; and to you has this word of reconciliation been committed. A remedy is prepared of sovereign efficacy to cure the moral maladies of man, and raise his soul to eternal life; and you are intrusted with this remedy. Can you suppose it lawful to withhold it from the millions who are incessantly dying for want of it?

8. I ask, Whether the declared will and purpose of God do not place beyond all doubt, our obligation to impart the gospel to the heathen? Look into the Bible, and say, Was it for you only the Saviour died? for you only the Holy Ghost was promised? for you only the gates of heaven were opened? No; he "gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time," 1Ti_2:6. The world is the ample theatre on which his grace is to be displayed.

The character of the gospel corresponds with its design. It is simple and spiritual, having nothing in it of a local or limited nature: its blessings are such as all may enjoy; its services all may perform; its precepts all may obey.

Application

1. Would that I may have conveyed any due sense of the necessities of the nations, or of your obligations to help them!

2. These nations might have been our benefactors, had God willed it; and, more faithful to their privileges and to the claims of brotherhood than we have been, might have sent us their apostles, their ministers of reconciliation, their ambassadors of peace.

3. It was not a seraph from the throne, but a man of Macedonia, who stood before Paul, and prayed him, "Come over, and help us." Many men, the men of many lands, approach you with this prayer. Christ asks of those who love him, obedience to his commands, the fulfilment of his declarations. He pleads by his cross and intercession; by the consolations of a throne of grace; by all your peaceful joys, and happy privileges; by the blessed hope of immortality,’97he entreats you to be fellow-workers with him in fulfilling the purposes of his love, and in communicating to "the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ!"

Autor: JABEZ BURNS