\u201cThere is one God.\u201d <\/i><\/p>\n
Mark 12:32.<\/p>\n
1. And as there is one God, so there is one religion and one happiness for all men. God never intended there should be any more; and it is not possible there should. Indeed, in another sense, as the Apostle observes, \u201cthere are gods many, and lords many.\u201d All the heathen nations had their gods; and many, whole shoals of them. And generally, the more polished they were, the more gods they heaped up to themselves. But to us, to all that are favoured with the Christian Revelation, \u201cthere is but one God;\u201d who declares himself, \u201cIs there any God besides me? There is none; I know not any.\u201d<\/p>\n
2. But who can search out this God to perfection? None of the creatures that he has made. Only some of his attributes he hath been pleased to reveal to us in his word. Hence we learn that God is an eternal Being. \u201cHis goings forth are from everlasting,\u201d and will continue to everlasting. As he ever was, so he ever will be; as there was no beginning of his existence, so there will be no end. This is universally allowed to be contained in his very name, Jehovah; which the Apostle John accordingly renders, \u201cHe that was, and that is, and that is to come.\u201d Perhaps it would be as proper to say, \u201cHe is from everlasting to everlasting.\u201d<\/p>\n
3. Nearly allied to the eternity of God, is his omnipresence. As he exists through infinite duration, so he cannot but exist through infinite space; according to his own question, equivalent to the strongest assertion, \u2014 \u201cDo not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord;\u201d (heaven and earth in the Hebrew idiom, implying the whole universe;) which, therefore, according to his own declaration, is filled with his presence.<\/p>\n
4. This one, eternal, omnipresent Being is likewise all- perfect. He has, from eternity to eternity, all the perfections and infinitely more than it ever did or ever can enter into the heart of man to conceive; yea, infinitely more than the angels in heaven can conceive; These perfections we usually term, the attributes of God.<\/p>\n
5. And he is omnipotent, as well as omnipresent; there can be no more bounds to his power, than to his presence. He \u201chath a mighty arm; strong is his hand, and high is his right hand.\u201d He doeth whatsoever pleaseth him, in the heavens, the earth, the sea, and in all deep places. With men we know many things are impossible, but not with God: With him \u201call things are possible.\u201d Whensoever he willeth, to do is present with him.<\/p>\n
6. The omniscience of God is a clear and necessary consequence of his omnipresence. If he is present in every part of the universe, he cannot but know whatever is, or is done there; according to the word of St. James, \u201cKnown unto God are all his works,\u201d and the works of every creature, \u201cfrom the beginning\u201d of the world; or rather, as the phrase literally implies, \u201cfrom eternity.\u201d His eyes are not only \u201cover all the earth, beholding the evil and the good;\u201d but likewise over the whole creation, yea, and the paths of uncreated night. Is there any difference between his knowledge and his wisdom? If there be, is not his knowledge the more general term, (at least, according to our weak conceptions.) and his wisdom a particular branch of it; namely, the knowing the end of everything that exists, and the means of applying it to that end.<\/p>\n
7. Holiness is another of the attributes of the almighty, all-wise God. He is infinitely distant from every touch of evil. He \u201cis light; and in him is no darkness at all.\u201d He is a God of unblemished justice and truth; but above all is his mercy. This we may easily learn from that beautiful passage in the thirty- third and fourth chapters of Exodus: \u201cAnd Moses said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory. And the Lord descended in the cloud, and proclaimed the name of the Lord, \u2014 The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, and forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.\u201d<\/p>\n
8. This God is a Spirit; not having such a body, such parts or passions, as men have. It was the opinion both of the ancient Jews and the ancient Christians, that He alone is a pure Spirit, totally separate from all matter; whereas they supposed all other spirits, even the highest angels, even cherubim and seraphim, to dwell in material vehicles, though of an exceeding light and subtile substance. At that point of duration which the infinite wisdom of God saw to be most proper, for reasons which lie hid in the abyss of his own understanding, not to be fathomed by any finite mind, God \u201ccalled into being all that is;\u201d created the heavens and the earth, together with all that they contain. \u201cAll things were created by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.\u201d He created man, in particular, after his own image, to be \u201ca picture of his own eternity.\u201d When he had raised man from the dust of the earth, he breathed into him an immortal spirit. Hence he is peculiarly called, \u201cThe Father of our spirits;\u201d yea, \u201cThe Father of the spirits of all flesh.\u201d<\/p>\n
9. He \u201cmade all things,\u201d as the wise man observes, \u201cfor himself;\u201d \u201cfor his glory they were created.\u201d Not \u201cas if he needed anything;\u201d seeing \u201che giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.\u201d He made all things to be happy. He made man to be happy in Himself. He is the proper centre of spirits; for whom every created spirit was made. So true is that well-known saying of the ancient Fathers: Fecisti nos ad te: et irrequietum est cor nostrum, donec requiescat in te<\/i>: \u201cThou has made us for thyself; and our heart cannot rest, till it resteth in thee.\u201d<\/p>\n
10. This observation gives us a clear answer to that question in the Assembly\u2019s Catechism: \u201cFor what end did God create man?\u201d The answer is, \u201cTo glorify and enjoy him for ever.\u201d This is undoubtedly true; but is it quite clear, especially to men of ordinary capacities? Do the generality of common people understand that expression, \u201cTo glorify God?\u201d No; no more than they understand Greek. And it is altogether above the capacity of children; to whom we can scare ever speak plain enough. Now, is not this the very principle that should be inculcated upon every human creature, \u2014 \u201cYou are made to be happy in God,\u201d as soon as ever reason dawns? Should not every parent, as soon as a child begins to talk, or to run alone, say something of this kind: \u201cSee! what is that which shines so over your head? That we call the sun. See, how bright it is! Feel how it warms you! It makes the grass to spring, and everything to grow. But God made the sun. The sun could not shine, nor warm, nor do any good without him.\u201d In this plain and familiar way a wise parent might, many times in a day, say something of God; particularly insisting, \u201cHe made you<\/i>; and he made you to be happy in him; and nothing else can make you happy.\u201d We cannot press this too soon. If you say, \u201cNay, but they cannot understand you when they are so young;\u201d I answer, No; nor when they are fifty years old, unless God opens their understanding: And can he not do this at any age?<\/p>\n
11. Indeed, this should be pressed on every human creature, young and old, the more earnestly and diligently, because so exceeding few, even of those that are called Christians, seem to know anything about it. Many indeed think of being happy with God in heaven; but the being happy in God on earth never entered into their thoughts. The less so, because from the time they come into the world, they are surrounded with idols. Such, in turns, are all \u201cthe things that are seen,\u201d (whereas God is not seen,) which all promise an happiness independent of God. Indeed, it is true that,<\/p>\n
Upright both in heart and will <\/p>\n
We by our God were made; <\/p>\n
But we turn\u2019d from good to ill, <\/p>\n
And o\u2019er the creatures stray\u2019d; <\/p>\n
Multiplied our wandering thought, <\/p>\n
Which first was fix\u2019d on God alone;<\/p>\n
In ten thousand objects sought<\/p>\n
The bliss we lost in one. <\/p>\n
12. These idols, these rivals of God, are innumerable; but they may be nearly reduced to three parts. First. Objects of sense; such as gratify one or more of our outward senses. These excite the first kind of \u201clove of the world,\u201d which St. John terms, \u201cthe desire of the flesh.\u201d Secondly. Objects of the imagination; things that gratify our fancy, by their grandeur, beauty, or novelty. All these make us fair promises of happiness, and thereby prevent our seeking it in God. This the Apostle terms, \u201cthe desire of the eyes;\u201d whereby, chiefly, the imagination is gratified. They are, Thirdly, what St. John calls, \u201cthe pride of life.\u201d He seems to mean honour, wealth, and whatever directly tends to engender pride.<\/p>\n
13. But suppose we were guarded against all these, are there not other idols which we have need to be apprehensive of; and idols, therefore, the more dangerous, because we suspect no danger from them? For is there any danger to be feared from our friends and relations; from the mutual endearments of husbands and wives, or of parents and children? Ought we not to bear a very tender affection to them? Ought we not to love them only less than God? Yea, and is there not a tender affection due to those whom God has made profitable to our souls? Are we not commanded to \u201cesteem them very highly in love for their work\u2019s sake?\u201d All this is unquestionably true; and this very thing makes the difficulty. Who is sufficient for this? \u2014 to go far enough herein, and no farther? to love them enough, and not too much? Can we love a wife, a child, a friend, well enough, without loving the creature more than the creator? Who is able to follow the caution which St. Paul gives to the Christians at Thessalonica? (1 Thess. 4:5.)<\/p>\n
14. I wish that weighty passage (so strangely disguised in our translation) were duly considered: \u201cLet every one of you know how to possess his vessel,\u201d his wife, \u201cin sanctification and honour;\u201d so as neither to dishonour God nor himself; nor to obstruct, but further, holiness. St. Paul goes on, me en pathei epithymias<\/i>, which we render, Not in the lust of concupiscence, (What is this? It gives the english reader no conception at all. pathos<\/i> means any violent<\/i> or impetuous affection<\/i>. epithymia<\/i> is desire<\/i>. By the two words the Apostle undoubtedly means vehement and impetuous affections,) \u2014 \u201cas the Gentiles who know not God,\u201d and so may naturally seek happiness in a creature.<\/p>\n
15. If, by the grace of God, we have avoided or forsaken all these idols, there is still one more dangerous than all the rest; that is, religion. It will easily be conceived, I mean false religion; that is, any religion which does not imply the giving of the heart to God. Such is, First, a religion of opinions; or what is called orthodoxy. Into this snare fall thousands of those who profess to hold \u201csalvation by faith;\u201d indeed, all of those who, by faith, mean only a system of Arminian or Calvinian opinions. Such is, Secondly, a religion of forms; of barely outward worship, how constantly soever performed; yea, though we attend the Church Service every day, and the Lord\u2019s Supper every Sunday. Such is, Thirdly, a religion of works; of seeking the favour of God by doing good to men. Such is, Lastly, a religion of Atheism; that is, every religion whereof God is not laid for the foundation. In a word, a religion wherein \u201cGod in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself,\u201d is not the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last point.<\/p>\n
16. True religion is right tempers towards God and man. It is, in two words, gratitude and benevolence; gratitude to our Creator and supreme Benefactor, and benevolence to our fellow creatures. In other words, it is the loving God with all our heart, and our neighbour as ourselves.<\/p>\n
17. It is in consequence of our knowing God loves us, that we love him, and love our neighbour as ourselves. Gratitude towards our Creator cannot but produce benevolence to our fellow creatures. The love of Christ constrains us, not only to be harmless, to do no ill to our neighbour, but to be useful, to be \u201czealous of good works;\u201d \u201cas we have time, to do good unto all men;\u201d and to be patterns to all of true, genuine morality; of justice, mercy, and truth. This is religion, and this is happiness; the happiness for which we were made. This begins when we begin to know God, by the teaching of his own Spirit. As soon as the Father of spirits reveals his Son in our hearts, and the Son reveals his Father, the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts; then, and not till then, we are happy. We are happy, first, in the consciousness of his favour, which indeed is better than life itself; next, in the constant communion with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ; then, in all the heavenly tempers which he hath wrought in us by his Spirit; again, in the testimony of his Spirit, that all our works please him; and, lastly, in the testimony of our own spirits, that \u201cin simplicity and godly sincerity we have had our conversation in the world.\u201d Standing fast in this liberty from sin and sorrow, wherewith Christ hath made them free, real Christians \u201crejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks.\u201d And their happiness still increases as they \u201cgrow up into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n
18. But how little is this religion experienced, or even thought of, in the Christian world! On the contrary, what reason have we to take up the lamentation of a dying saint, (Mr. Haliburton, of St. Andrew\u2019s in Scotland,) \u201cO Sirs, I am afraid a kind of rational<\/i> religion is more and more prevailing amongst us; a religion that has nothing of Christ belonging to it; nay, that has not only nothing of Christ, but nothing of God in it!\u201d And indeed how generally does this prevail, not only among professed infidels, but also among those who call themselves Christians; who profess to believe the Bible to be the word of God! Thus our own countryman, Mr. Wollaston, in that elaborate work, \u201cThe Religion of Nature Delineated,\u201d presents us with a complete system of religion, without anything of God about it; without being beholden, in any degree, to either the Jewish or Christian revelation. Thus Monsieur Burlomachi, of Geneva, in his curious \u201cTreatise on the Law of Nature,\u201d does not make any more use of the Bible than if he had never seen it. And thus the late Professor Hutcheson, of Glasgow, (a stranger writer than either of the other,) is so far from grounding virtue on either the fear or the love of God, that he quite shuts God out of the question; not scrupling to declare, in express terms, that a regard to God is inconsistent with<\/i> virtue; insomuch that, if in doing a beneficent action you expect God to reward it, the virtue of the action is lost: It is then not a virtuous but a selfish action.<\/p>\n
19. Perhaps, indeed, there are not many who carry the matter to so great a length. But how great is the number of those who, allowing religion to consist of two branches, \u2014 our duty to God, and our duty to our neighbour, \u2014 entirely forget the first part, and put the second part for the whole, \u2014 for the entire duty of man! Thus almost all men of letters, both in England, France, Germany, yea, and all the civilized countries of Europe, extol humanity<\/i> to the skies, as the very essence of religion. To this the great triumvirate, Rousseau, Voltaire, and David Hume, have contributed all their labours, sparing no pains to establish a religion which should stand on its own foundation, independent on any revelation whatever; yea, not supposing even the being of a God. So leaving Him, if he has any being, to himself, they have found out both a religion and a happiness which have no relation at all to God, nor any dependence upon him.<\/p>\n
20. It is no wonder that this religion should grow fashionable, and spread far and wide in the world. But call it humanity, virtue, morality<\/i>, or what you please, it is neither better nor worse than Atheism. Men hereby wilfully and designedly put asunder what God has joined, \u2014 the duties of the first and the second table. It is separating the love of our neighbour from the love of God. It is a plausible way of thrusting God out of the world he has made. They can do the business without him; and so either drop him entirely, not considering him at all, or suppose that since<\/p>\n
He gave things their beginning, <\/p>\n
And set this whirligig a-spinning, he has not concerned himself with these trifles, but let every thing take its own course.<\/p>\n
21. On the contrary, we have the fullest evidence that the eternal, omnipresent, almighty, all-wise Spirit, as he created all things, so he continually superintends whatever he has created. He governs all, not only to the bounds of creation, but through the utmost extent of space; and not only through the short time that is measured by the earth and sun, but from everlasting to everlasting. We know that as all nature, so all religion, and all happiness, depend on him; and we know that whoever teach to seek happiness without him are monsters, and the pests of society.<\/p>\n
22. But after all the vain attempts of learned or unlearned men, it will be found, as there is but one God, so there is but one happiness, and one religion. And both of these centre in God. Both by Scripture and by experience we know that an unholy, and therefore an unhappy, man, seeking rest, but finding none, is sooner or later convinced that sin is the ground of his misery; and cries out of the deep to Him that is able to save, \u201cGod be merciful to me a sinner!\u201d It is not long before he finds \u201credemption in the blood of Jesus, even the forgiveness of sins.\u201d Then \u201cthe Father reveals his Son\u201d in his heart; and he \u201ccalls Jesus, Lord, by the Holy Ghost.\u201d And then the love of God is \u201cshed abroad in his heart by the Holy Spirit which is given unto him.\u201d From this principle springs real, disinterested benevolence to all mankind; making him humble, meek, gentle to all men, easy to be entreated, \u2014 to be convinced of what is right, and persuaded to what is good; inviolably patient, with a thankful acquiescence in every step of his adorable providence. This is religion, even the whole mind which was also in Christ Jesus. And has any man the insolence or the stupidity to deny that this is happiness; yea, that it <\/p>\n
Yields more of happiness below<\/p>\n
Than victors in a triumph know?<\/p>\n
23. There can be no doubt but from this love to God and man a suitable conversation will follow. His \u201ccommunication,\u201d that is, discourse, will \u201cbe always in grace, seasoned with salt, and meet to minister grace to the hearers.\u201d He will always \u201copen his mouth with wisdom, and there will be in his tongue the law of kindness.\u201d Hence his affectionate words will \u201cdistil as the dew, and as the rain upon the tender herb.\u201d And men will know, it is not he only that speaks, but the Spirit of the Father that speaketh in him. His actions will spring from the same source with his words; even from the abundance of a loving heart. And while all these aim at the glory of God, and tend to this one point, whatever he does, he may truly say, \u2014<\/p>\n
End of my every action thou, <\/p>\n
In all things thee I see:<\/p>\n
Accept my hallow\u2019d labour now,<\/p>\n
I do it as to thee! <\/p>\n
24. He to whom this character belongs, and he alone, is a Christian. To him the one, eternal, omnipresent, all-perfect Spirit, is the \u201cAlpha and Omega, the first and the last;\u201d not his Creator only, but his Sustainer, his Preserver, his Governor; yea, his Father, his Savior, Sanctifier, and Comforter. This God is his God, and his All, in time and in eternity. It is the benevolence springing from this root which is pure and undefiled religion. But if it be built on any other foundation, as it is of no avail in the sight of God, so it brings no real, solid, permanent happiness to man, but leaves him still a poor, dry, indigent, and dissatisfied creature.<\/p>\n
25. Let all therefore that desire to please God condescend to be taught of God, and take care to walk in that path which God himself hath appointed. Beware of taking half of this religion for the whole; but take both parts of it together. And see that you begin where God himself begins: \u201cThou shalt have no other gods before me.\u201d Is not this the first, our Lord himself being the Judge, as well as the great, commandment? First, therefore, see that ye love God; next, your neighbour, \u2014 every child of man. From this fountain let every temper, every affection, every passion flow. So shall that \u201cmind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.\u201d Let all your thoughts, words, and actions spring from this! So shall you \u201cinherit the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world.\u201d Preached at DUBLIN, April 9, 1789.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cThere is one God.\u201d Mark 12:32. 1. And as there is one God, so there is one religion and one happiness for all men. God never intended there should be any more; and it is not possible there should. Indeed, in another sense, as the Apostle observes, \u201cthere are gods many, and lords many.\u201d All … Continue reading “THE
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