all used by the Holy Ghost to show forth his glory, which as far transcends them all as the eternal joy of God's saints transcends their lowest state here on earth; therefore our worthy Dr. calls him "most glorious." The law with its threatenings was glorious, which, in its delivery, caused the face of Moses to shine; the Gospel dispensation exceeds it in glory, but Christ is "most glorious;" for he is the glory of the Gospel, and has magnified the law. Heaven will be a glorious abode, but it is Christ that gives glory to heaven-his presence makes every place glorious; all other objects are only good as they lead to him he is glorious in himself. All the glory of God dwells in him, and shines forth from him; he is therefore the "most glorious." But is there not another word in this brief sentence which demands our attention? The little word "our." This is an important word—reader, is this Christ thine? and is he mine? Yes, he is ours by an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure, if we have fled for refuge to the hope set before us in the Gospel of his grace; if we, having been taught by the Holy Spirit, do make him our all. We are his by gift from his heavenly Father, see John, xvii. throughout; by purchase, see 1 Cor. vi. 20; by conquest, see Rev. vi. 2, and Ps. xlv. 5; and he is ours by solemn surrender. "Other lords beside thee have had dominion over us, but by thee only will we make mention of thy name," Isa. xxvi. 13; we have come, and do come, like the poor woman in the Gospel, content to be called dogs if so be we may pick up crumbs: and, blessed be God, he is ours from the first dawn of spiritual light unto and in the full blaze of eternal glory. The weakest, poorest, vilest rebel that ever came to Jesus, may and can, when he is enabled to take God at his word, say, "I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me ;" and the strongest, and he who is "like David," must say, "Without thee we can do nothing." May the Holy Ghost, the testifier, revealer, and glorifier of "our most glorious Christ," keep up in our minds a remembrance of his all-sufficiency in our darkest moments; so shall the cloud disperse, and we shall "rejoice in the Lord." Amen, Hallelujah. Astley, Nov. 9. ALFRED HEWLETT. A VOICE OF WAILING; A SERMON AGAINST THE SPREAD OF POPERY, PREACHED BY THE REV. JOSEPH JRONS, OF GROVE CHAPEL, CAMBERWELL, AT JEWRY STREET CHAPEL, ALDGATE, ON THURSDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 5, 1840. THE AUTHOR'S 55TH BIRTH-DAY. A voice of wailing is heard out of Zion.-JEREMIAH, IX. 19. AND if ever there was occasion for this voice to be heard, since Zion was the distinguished people of the most high God, it is now. Truth has fallen in our streets, and the enemies of God and man are multiplying around us; and anything but "the truth as it is in Jesus," passes off for pure religion. I trust that I shall be enabled to show you, this night-solemn as the occasion is, as well as the subject before us- -that for years by-gone I have not shunned to lift up my voice, as a faithful servant of the Lord, against the man of sin. Popery is gaining ground rapidly, and that man must be blind indeed who does not see it, who will not own it; yet, alas! thousands of such are to be found now. Beloved of the Lord, bear with me a little this night, while I tread a step out of my usual course, in addressing you from our text. Most of you know that I delight to lift up my voice to proclaim covenant love, covenant grace, covenant redemption, for a covenant people. And you also know that I scarcely ever deviate from this plan in my preaching; but I read in my Bible, that God's ministers are not only to comfort my people," but they are also "to warn the people when they see the sword coming." And I read that if they "shall see it coming, and warn not the people of their danger, the blood of the people shall be required at the watchman's hands; " and it is my fixed determination, as God shall give me opportunity, to be clear of the blood of all men. The prophet Jeremiah was called the weeping prophet, and the whole of his prophecies seem one continued strain of weeping and bitter lamentation for the Israel of God. The chapter from whence our text is selected opens thus-"Oh! that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep, day and night, for the slain of the daughter of my people." The wailing that my text refers to is not the wailing of despair-it is not a crying out for a deliverer of souls for the sons and daughters of the Lord; for we know, as sure as there is a God, all the elect family-all the sons and daughters of the Most High-all the Zion of our God, shall be brought safely home to glory. Why wail, then? It was because of the loss of their privileges their spiritual comforts which belonged to them; they were then, and ever shall be, a safe people. I confess that I would rather stand up in this pulpit, than be shut up in Newgate, or be stretched upon the rack, though I should get home to glory equally as safe; but would it not be a cause of grief? This, then, is the cause of the wailing; the Zion of our God is likely to be trampled down, and if Popery gains ascendency, our temple service must cease; and shall we not say with the prophet, a voice of wailing is heard in Zion?" The cry of "no cause to fear, no apprehension of evil," has been heard long enough. I would that the ministers of God would lift up their voice, as a herald, and point out the danger of losing our spiritual privileges. But, alas! this is everywhere treated with contempt. Let us look at three things from our text. First-The appellation Zion; what is Zion? Secondly-The complaint; heard a wailing. Oh! Holy Ghost, help me to speak so as to clear my conscience. Oh ! help this people to hear, so as to get some profit; and let a revenue of glory redound to Thy great name; and let those who are so obstinately opposed to the facts (should there be any here this night) be led to see that there is not a voice of wailing without an occasion for it. And many of the Lord's family, I believe, think that Popery is become so intellectual and refined, that there is no cause to fear on our part. I hope they will not have cause to fear when it is too late. My prayer to God is, that, if it be his will and purpose, he would pour out the spirit of prayer on his children for this purpose; and then, if the evil day must come, that he would give his people grace and strength to stand, "to be more than conquerors through him that hath loved them." Alas, alas! how many cry out, "peace, peace, when there is no peace!" Infidelity and Popery are going hand in hand, and nearly the whole of the professing world help them on, with a very few exceptions. Anything but true vital godliness seems to satisfy thousands who profess to be God's children; and this appears to be the religion of poor England. They will be Papists-may God deliver them from this. I could say much here, but must forbear and pass on to my text, and say a word or two after the foregoing order, looking up to God for his blessing. First-The appellation in our text-Zion. I would ask what is meant by the term Zion? The church of the living God. Now I am sure of this fact, that if the people knew what is meant by this word church-the Zion of our God-Popery could not exist another day. Bear this in mind, I beseech of you. This Zion is not a national hierarchy-there is no such a thing hinted at all through the New Testament, as the church of God having anything to do with worldly policy and carnal things; the church of God is quite as distinct from the world as light is from darkness, as heaven is from hell. What, then, is the declaration of Scripture concerning it? "Jesus says, my kingdom is not of this world.” Then rest assured of this, beloved, whatever is of the world, and of worldly lordly power; whatever tends to aggrandize mortals, is not of the church of God, but quite opposed to it. 1. The family of God. The Zion of God is one family. وو I find that my Master said to the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the Scribes too, "Ye are of your father the devil;" and then turned to his own children and said, "Ye are of your Father which is in heaven.' Here are the two families. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he gave them a family prayer. I have heard much about family prayer, but confess that I have never seen one yet that would express my various wants, except that which the Lord Jesus Christ taught his disciples. All the children of God are born of God, taught of God, clothed by God, fed by God, and interested with God in all that pertains to this life and to that which is to come. 2. They are one, essentially one, with the Elder Brother. And this in a two-fold sense, virtually and vitally; and the former is of as much importance as the latter; nay, you cannot have the latter without the former, for it flows from it. This Zion was the beloved of the Father, chosen before all time. "In thy book were all my members written when as yet there were none of them.' I beseech you to mark here, that Jehovah Jesus was never seen alone as a single person, but as the covenant Head of all the election of grace. I hope that I am understood here. The church of God-this Zion of which I am speaking-were never seen alone by God the Father, but as they stood in the Lord Jesus Christ, as their Head and Representative. Look at the 17th of John-"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.' "Again, "O righteous Father," &c. Yes, beloved, the love that the Father has to his church, his bride, is of the same date-" Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world." Loved with Christ as they stood in virtual union with him, and the church is seen as part of himself; and I am bold to state that all he does is done on her behalf. I feel that I must speak clearly and precisely on this point. I have seen Jesus covenant with the Father for my salvation and that of the whole church. Seen it, say you? Yes, beloved, as clearly as if I had been there; the eye of faith beholds it in the word of infallible truth, and the Spirit of all truth bears witness of the same to my soul. "Thou hast loved them as thou lovedst me, and thou loved me before the foundation of the world.” Now, beloved, as they by reason of their union with the Lord Jesus Christ, as covenant Head, before the birth of time derived a virtual life; so now in time they derive a vital principle from Christ, their living Head. I want, my hearers, to devote a little time on this point, as it is of equal importance to the church of God. Believe me when I tell you, that your religion is not worth a straw, without this vital principle-the life of God in the soul. The inspiration of the Holy Ghost must give life. All your pretension to religion, without this life, only deceives youa holy heavenly work commenced in the soul-a God-like principle-a receiving "of grace for grace"-rich supplies of mighty grace from above-" Christ in you the hope of glory." 3. They are regenerated persons. Regeneration is absolutely necessary to prove that you belong to this Zion-to make it manifest you are born of God. Don't misunderstand me; I don't say that regeneration makes you children of God; but I do say that regeneration is essential to salvation-regeneration is a proof positive of your belonging to the church of God. This is the turning point between us and Popery. If I were called upon to state the difference between vital religion and Popery, I should not ask the question, "Have you bowed to the Pontiff of Rome, or his hirelings called Puseyites?" but I would just ask, "Did you obtain your religion from God or from man? Is it the work of the Spirit, or is it only a conforming to man's device?" Popery is the religion of the carnal mind-the religion of the devil; it is a form without power-a name to live while dead— a putting the things that belong to God into the hands of a base man, and ascribing the attributes of Deity to a vile blasphemer. A natural religion is but natural, call it what you please; call it Mahometanism if you like ; dead men dressed up and decorated with forms and ceremonies, are but dead carcases after all. I saw one of this sort of things as I was coming here to-night-a dressed-up image called a Guy Fawkes. "Well," said I, "this is Popery-a great deal of show-a painted-up figure; but it is dead-a form but no power. This is Popery." I care not where it is found, whether it be in a church, a chapel, or a cathedral; it is a dead religion-it is nothing less than Popery, which is Satan's masterpiece of infernal policy. I would here just say when it first began. It first began to work during the second century: but it was not set up publicly before the days of Constantine. Before him all the emperors had been Pagans. When Constantine professed himself to be a Christian emperor-though I do not believe that he ever had any vital religion in his heart-it was the fashion at Court to be a Christian; and in this way thousands of carnal men were made, or rather called, Christians. He persuaded them to burn their images and to become Christians; what was the result? Numbers of carnal men assuming spiritual offices-the name of Christian, but not Christianity; and thus the foolery and the mummery of carnal men took the place of spirituality, as opposite to vital godliness as the man of sin is to the true living church of God. The church of God is a regenerated household; while, on the other hand, the ungodly and carnal church (if such you would call it) is the household of Satan; they are of the synagogue of Satan. Thus, beloved, it is a point of vast importance in our day to ask the solemn question, Am I a living man? Have I a living principle? Has the Holy Ghost wrought a new life in me? And let me beseech you to put this seriously to your conscience before God, this night-Do I possess the life of God in my soul? Am I a recipient of life divine ? I tell you in the name of my God, a Protestant name will not save you any more than a Popish one. I tell you that " 'you must be born again." It is not mine, but the declaration of the Son of God-" Except a man be born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven." Now I nveer heard of a man being born without being generated; nor did I ever know of any one being born again without regeneration; though a Popish Jesuit, under the Christian name, in this Metropolis, has dared to assert this, and insulted God the Holy Ghost thereby. Beloved, if you be partakers of life divine you are Christians, and nothing but the regenerating power of the Holy Ghost can effect this for you. I felt this part of my discourse to be of real importance, and I entreat of you to investigate this point for yourselves; you will want this to bear the rack, and flames, and open persecution, that are about, I fear, to burst on the church. Nothing then will support you but the life of God in your soul. I hasten to the next particular. Secondly-The complaint heard in Zion-a wailing. And it may be asked, What should Zion wail for? Her King is the Sovereign of all worlds. Why should she weep? God the Father loves her. Why should she weep? Jesus loves her. Why should she weep? The Holy Ghost loves her. She shall get safely to heaven. She cannot possibly miss of this. It is the travail of her soul for the prosperity of Zion. It is not the safety of Zion as regards her eternal destiny, but as regards her peace in this time state; and if we look around us, sure I am we shall see enough to make Zion weep. And were I asked why she weeps, I should answer, Because of these three things : Open foes are multiplying around her. |