V. look for; what that rest is which Christ SERMON hath promised to confer on those who come to him; whether their distress arise from moral or from natural causes. Come unto me, and I will give you rest. I. CHRIST affords rest to the disturbed mind that labours under apprehensions and fears of guilt. Let those who suffer distress of this nature come to Christ, that is, with contrition and repentance, have recourse to him as their Saviour, and they shall regain quietness and peace. Foolish and guilty they have been, and justly lie under dread of punishment; but the penitent sorrow which they now feel implies their disposition to be changed. It implies, as far as it is genuine, that, sensible of their folly, they now desire to become good and wise; and are determined for the future to hold a virtuous course, could they only hope to obtain pardon for the past. In this situation of mind, let them not be cast down and despair. Christ has brought with him from heaven, the olive-branch, He carries in his hand the signal of forgive pess. The declaration which he publishes SERMON is, Let the wicked forsake his way, V. and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon *. Insufficient though our own repentance be, to procure pardon from Heaven, we are informed, that an all-sufficient atonement has been made by Christ. Neither the number nor the atrocity of offences excludes from forgiveness, the penitent who returns to his duty. To all who come under this description, the offer of mercy extends, without exception. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall be not with him also freely give us all things †? This discovery of divine government, afforded by the Gospel, is perfectly calculated to scatter the gloom which had overcast the desponding heart. The atmosphere clears up on every side; and is illuminated by cheering rays of celestial mercy. Not only is hope given to the penitent, but it is rendered sinful not to indulge that hope. We are not only al * Ifaiah, lv. 7. ↑ Rom. viii. 32. lowed V. lowed and encouraged, but we are com- SERMON manded to trust in the divine clemency. We are commanded to believe that none who come unto Christ he will in any wise cast out *. As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn ye, turn ye, from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Such is the relief which the religion of Christ brings to them who labour and are heavy laden under the impressions of guilt and divine displeasure; a relief which nothing can render ineffectual to the heart, except the most gloomy superstition, founded on gross misconceptions of the nature and attributes of God.Let us now, II. CONSIDER what rest the religion of Christ gives to them whose distress arises not from inward and moral, but from natural and external causes ; from adverse fortune, or any of those numerous calamities to which we are at present exposed. To such persons it may seem *John, vi. 37. + Ezek. xxxiii. 11. more SERMON more V. difficult to promise any effectual relief. In the former case, the distress lay entirely in the mind. As soon as its views are rectified, and its apprehensions quieted, the evil is removed, and the cure effected. Here, the distress arises from without; and the religion of Christ affects not the course of external events. But though it removes not all the evils of life; though it promises no continuance of undisturbed prosperity (which indeed it were not salutary for man always to enjoy); yet, if it mitigates the evils which necessarily belong to our state, and supports us under them, it may justly be said to give rest to them who labour and are heavy laden. When much that is material and important is effected, we have no cause to complain, though all that we desire be not accomplished. In this part of the discourse, I am to be considered as addressing myself not merely to such as are at present suffering any severe calamity; I now speak to many, who in the midst of health and affluence, enjoy the various comforts of life. But I must desire such persons to look forward to what may one day V. day be their state. Let them reflect how SERMON important it is to prepare themselves for the future unknown vicissitudes of the world. For, if a man live many years and rejcice in them all, yet let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many Now, either in the prospect of future dis-. tress, or under present suffering, I say, that the religion, of Christ gives rest to the heart, by the fortitude which it inspires, and by the consolations which it affords. First, IT inspires fortitude. It discovers a supreme administration, so friendly to the interests of goodness, as never to allow the followers of Christ to dread, that, in any situation of fortune, they shall be neglected by Heaven. From the abstract consideration of the divine perfections, men had always some ground to be lieve, that the general order of the universe was consulted by its great Ruler. But how far the interest of individuals night be obliged to yield, or, in many cases, might be sacrificed, to this general order, they were left altogether in the dark. Here the * Eccles. xi. 8. gospel |