Зображення сторінки
PDF
ePub

place, before unparalleled in the annals of time. Our minds have been roused by their astonishing nature, and kept in constant agitation by their quick succession. After viewing them for a while at a distance, we found ourselves suddenly drawn into the current, and borne along with an alarming rapidity towards hopeless ruin. Our perplexities, fears, and dangers increased every moment. But at a period when the prospect was most gloomy and threatening, when we seemed on the verge of destruction, and no means of safety were within our reach, the tempest ceased, the clouds broke and dispersed, and our horizon became clear and tranquil. "Ascribe ye greatness to our God." Him the winds and the waves obey. He having said, peace, be still," we are surprised at the sudden and great calm,-we are most agreeably surprised that we hear no longer the sound of the trumpet and the dire alarm of war.

[ocr errors]

But

In history we read of Alexander, of Pompey, of Charlemagne, of Lewis the Fourteenth, and of a few others, who, from the noise and bustle which they made in the world, their victories and triumphs over their fellow-worms, were distinguished by the epithet of great added to their names. what could be the greatness of vanishing phantoms, beings themselves shadows, and shadows their enterprises and achievements? At most and at best they were but instruments in the hand of Him, whose kingdom ruleth over all; and in their

exploits, whatever they might have been, they effected nothing more than his hand and his counsel had before determined to be done. In nothing can his rational creatures become truly great, but by endeavours to imitate his moral perfections, his holiness, truth, and justice, his mercy and goodness. By forming ourselves to a resemblance of him in these respects, we may become his adopted children, and in this relation be regarded as heirs of God, and joint heirs with his son Christ Jesus to honour and immortality.

SERMON II.

FOUNDATION STONE.

ISAIAH xxviii. 16.

Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

In this figurative language, the evangelical prophet sets forth the Messiah as the only sure foundation of hope for apostate men. That the words are thus to be understood, is put beyond a doubt by their being so interpreted by the writers of the New Testament. They are quoted both by St. Peter and St. Paul, and expressly applied to Christ. Isaiah opposes this only sure and safe foundation to that groundless confidence, that refuge of lies, under which the degenerate Israelites were accustomed to shelter themselves. In the context, the judgments of God, like a tempest of hail, or an overflowing flood, are represented as ready to burst upon this sinful people. They, however, instead of being alarmed at the threatened danger, were as se

cure and unconcerned as though they had made a covenant with death not to approach them, and were at an agreement with hell, or the grave, that it should not swallow them up. Whatever was

the ground of this their confidence, it is pronounced by the prophet to be fallacious. Therefore, or in contradistinction to all the schemes of worldly wisdom and policy, the text declares, in God's name, that he is about to lay a stable foundation for the confidence of true believers,-a foundation with every property necessary to sustain the spiritual temple of Jehovah, the edifice of his church. In allusion to those famous structures of antiquity, which were once the wonder of the world, whose foundations were laid amidst the acclamations of a crowd of admiring spectators; or, perhaps, in allusion to the foundation of nature itself, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy; the attention of all contemplative beings, whether on earth or in heaven, is summoned to the bringing forth of the great corner-stone of God's living temple, the church. "Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation."

When we consider, my brethren, who and what we are, our present situation, the changes which await us, the destination of our being, and the prospects before us as probationers for eternity, we cannot but feel the importance of looking out for some sure foundation on which to build our happiWhat trials are in reserve for us personally,

ness.

[ocr errors]

as individuals, we know not. Losses, bereavements, sicknesses, and manifold calamities, may form the scenes through which we have yet to pass. At all events, the catastrophe of death awaits each one of us; and what a building must that be which the king of terrors shall not demolish! "Besides, when all the purposes of divine love, in our world, shall be accomplished, an almighty tempest of divine indignation shall break upon it, and sweep away all that it contains, blending cities, kingdoms, plains and mountains, seas and dry land, kings and beggars, in one vast heap of promiscuous ruin." Our happiness must be built upon a foundation that will stand the shock of that tremendous day; that will remain unmoved when the foundations of nature shall be shaken and give way; that will afford us a firm support, while the earth under our feet, and the heavens over us, shall be passing away with a great noise. Where, it is natural most anxiously to inquire, shall we find such a basis for our hopes? Where shall we find that rock, on which we may stand secure amidst the convulsions of a falling world? The text directs our eyes to the only sure, solid, immoveable, everlasting rock, on which we may build, safely build, our eternal all. The voice of God himself calls our attention to this foundation. "Thus saith the Lord God, Behold." Multitudes of our degenerate race, while floating along on the surface of time towards the vast ocean of eternity, are accustomed, in a manner

« НазадПродовжити »