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sive to the enemies of truth, and should be more currently used and more highly esteemed by its friends. The name, indeed, they must bear; and the way to prevent its being a term of reproach, instead of a mark of distinction, is not timidly to disown it, but clearly to explain it, and honestly and unreservedly to state, elucidate, prove and defend the rational and scriptural system of doctrines and duties to which it is affixed.

It is not apprehended, that the intelligent friends of real orthodoxy, will think the need of such a work, as the HOPKINSIAN Magazine is designed to be, at all diminished; when they consider, how small a proportion the religious, periodical publications of the day, bear to those, which are merely literary or political, and that most of those of a religious character, are designed rather to convey intelligence, than doctrinal instruction; and that but very few are open to the free admission and discussion of all those points, which are viewed as essential in the true system of evangelical doctrine and duty.— The taste of the religious public has been vitiated by the insipid and flatulent, or stimulating and narcotic aliment, which has been so plentifully administered, and can be corrected only by the sincere milk of the word, which is of all things, the most innocent, palatable and nourishing. The great inquiry is, for something new, or striking; while many nominal Christians turn away with indifference or disgust, from those plain, simple, solemn, searching truths of the gospel, which sustained the piety and kindled the zeal of Edwards and Bellamy, of West & Hopkins, & which are the proper nutriment of humil ity and submission, of patience and meekness, of self-denial and charity, and of every other Christian grace and virtue. These are the "weapons, which are mighty, through God, to the pulling down of strong holds, casting down imaginations and every high thing, that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ?" By the propagation of these truths, must the Christian world be purified, and the Heathen world be converted to Christ.

In vain do we send out missionaries to the ends of the earth, unless they carry with them the principles as well as the spirit of Brainard and of PAUL. In vain do we flatter ourselves, that the millennium is to be introduced, by a mode of preaching, which however eloquent and pathetic, gives no disturbance to the selfish heart-or by revivals of religion, which cannot bear the test of the whole counsel of God.

The usefulness and even the continuance of this work, must depend upon the endeavors of the friends of undisguised truth, to circulate it, and furnish suitable matter for its pages. They have ample means and ability to do both, which, it is hoped, they will feel constrained to employ and exert. An increase of patronage & of the number of writers for the work, brightens the prospect of the second volume. The Editor feels his responsibility, and desires to unite with his readers, in frequent prayers, that he may be guided and supported in his arduous labors, and that they may receive saving benefit to their own souls, from the truths which he shall be enabled to set before them.

THE

HOPKINSIAN MAGAZINE.

VOL. II.

SERMON.

JANUARY, 1826.

II. TIMOTHY, 2. 25.-In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God, peradventure, will give them repentance, to the acknowledging of the truth.

No. 1.

of that patience, forbearance and compassion, which they ought to exercise towards them, may be inclined to treat them with neglect, or to deal harshly with them, and answer them according to their folly and malignity. Hence he gives the direction in the text, "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God, peradventure, will give them repentance, to the acknowledging of the truth."

We are naturally led by these words, to consider,

I. The character of opposers. II. The proper manner of instructing them. And,

III. The motive for instructing them. We are,

I. To consider the character of opposers.

The epistles of Paul to Timothy, were designed to instruct him in his duty, as a minister of the gospel. They are the result of long experience and a deep acquaintance with human nature. And as they were written under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and made a part of the canon of sacred scripture, they are not of any private interpretation, but are intended for the direction and admonition of the ministers of Christ, in all ages of the Church. In the passage before us, the apostle teaches Timothy and all other ministers, how to treat opposers. By those that oppose themselves, He knew, that mankind are natu- the apostle evidently means such, rally averse to evangelical truth as make opposition to the truth, and duty, and that they are inclin- which it is the duty of the ministers ed to set themselves in opposition of the gospel to preach. This is to every preacher of the gospel, evident from the last clause of the who faithfully declares to them the text, "if God, peradventure, will counsel of God, and urges upon give them repentance, to the acthem the duties which they are knowledging of the truth." Opbound to do; and he also knew, posers will not acknowledge the that ministers are men of like pas- truth they set themselves against sions, and liable to be irritated that truth which every faithful with the opposition of "unreasona- preacher feels constrained to exble and wicked men," and instead hibit.

It is the duty of every minister tion. Some are too ignorant to of the gospel, to declare all the manifest the enmity of their hearts counsel of God, and by manifesta- against the truth. This is true tion of the truth, to commend him- of the millions, who inhabit the self to every man's conscience, in Pagan world, who have never had the sight of God. "All scripture opportunity to hear the gospel or is given by inspiration of God, and form the least acquaintance with is profitable for doctrines, correc- its doctrines and precepts. And tion and reproof;" and a preacher this is also true of millions in the of the gospel must keep back noth- Christian world, who have either ing that is profitable. God has re- neglected to read and hear the gosvealed nothing in his word, which pel, or have seen and heard it so it is needless, or useless, for men misrepresented and distorted, as to know. "The things that are to become entirely arother gospel, revealed, belong unto us, and to and who remain nearly or quite as our children forever." The min- ignorant of the true gospel of Christ, ister of Christ is bound to speak as the Heathens. It is easy to see the whole truth, revealed in sa- that all those, from whom the goscred scripture, so far as time and pel is thus hid, can neither exercise ability shall be given him. He positive enmity, nor make open opmust exhibit the whole truth res- position to the truth. Some, who pecting the nude of the divine ex- have a partial knowledge of the istence-the character, works, and doctrines and duties of the gospel, decrees of God—the native char- are so much engrossed with worldacter and condition of mon-the ly cares and pursuits, as to feel very personal dignity and me liatorial in different towards every thing of work of the Lord Jesus Christ- a religious nature. Such is their the terms of the gospel-the per- spiritual deadness and insensibility, sonality, divinity and work of the that they are not themselves conHoly Spirit-the disinereste 1 na-scious of either love or hatred toture of true religion-the general war's the truth, nor do they manijudgment and the endless rewards and punishments of the future world.

To the truth on these, and all other divine subjects, impenitent men are, at heart opposed. Every impenitent, unrenewed man, is an evil doer; and "he that doeth evil hateth the light." The hearts of unrenewed men, are opposed to the truth, because it condemns their principles and practices, sets their characters in an odious light, disturbs their false prace, and awakens their fears of the wrath to

come.

But, though all impenitent men are, at heart, opposed to divine truth; yet they do not all openly express and act out their oppsi

fest the feelings of their hearts towards it, in the view of others.—— Again, there are those who have too little belief of the truth of the gospel, openly to oppose it. They view it, as they do the the mythology of the poets or the legends of romance. There are others still, who have too much belief of the doctrines of the gospel, openly to oppose them. They are convinced, that the gospel is of God, that its peculiar doctrines are divinely true, and that they must cordially embrace them, in order to be sayed.

Hence they dare not make open opposition to the truth.

But when the impenitent and unrenewed hear and read the gospel with some attention, gain some

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understanding of its leading doctrines, and are so far awakened and convinced, as to fear, at least, that they may prove true; then they seldom fail to make known the native enmity of their hearts aསྐྱ? gainst the truth. This is done, in nd various ways. It may be done by misrepresenting, or by reasoning and objecting against the doctrines advanced. It may be done, by direct contradiction and blasphemy; as when "Paul was pressed in quit, and testified to the Jews, that Jesus was the Christ; they opposed themselves and blasphemed." Sometimes enmity to the truth is expressed by railing at the preacher, slandering his character, and withholding his support. In these and such like ways, the impenitent often make open opposit ion to evangelical truth, when plainly and fully preached by the faith ful ministers of Christ. We are to consider,

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II. The proper manner of instructing those that oppose themselves.

However unreasonable and absurd their opposition may be, and however base and malignant the disposition which they manifest towards the truth and them that are set for the defence of it; they are not to be abandoned, as incorrigible and hopeless. They must still be instructed. The truth must still be held up before them and intulcated upon them; whether they will hear or whether they will forbear. The preacher must not suffer himself to be induced by their opposition, to deviate from the word of the Lord, to say either more or less. He must go on, instructing them, and particularly in those points, which they most grossly pervert, and most bitterly oppose.

But, in what manner must the preacher of the gospel instruct

those that oppose themselves?— The apostle answers, "In meek mess." This is a calm, patient, mild and unrulled state of mind, proceeding from humility, self-abasement, and submission to the sovereign will of God. It is a branch of that supreme love to God and disinterested benevolence to men, in which a minister ought to discharge every part of his duty. Meekness stands opposed to a supercilious, proud, scornful temper, to an overweening regard to one's ease, reputation and dignity, to a hasty, passionate, and revengeful spirit. This grace is perfectly exemplified in the conduct of our Savior, who was "meek and lowly of heart," who, when he was reviled, reviled not again, and when he suffered, threatened not. The same is forcibly inculcated in that precept of our Lord," Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you; and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you"-and in that injunction of the apostle, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”The minister of the gospel should feel willing to suffer shame for the name of Christ. He should be willing to plead the cause of truth and righteousness, through honor and dishonor, through evil report, as well as good report-to bear the afflictions of the gospel—. to endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The servant of Christ should esteem it sufficient honor and enjoyment, to be as his Master. He should consider the native opposition of his own heart, to the pure and saving truths of the gospel-his present defciency in duty, and unworthiness in the sight of God-and the light

ness of his sufferings, compared to However whole and safe they may those of the innocent and conde- think themselves; they are in the scending Savior, who suffered 'gall of bitterness and bonds of inthe contradiction of sinners against iquity.' The wrath of God abideth himself.' He should pity the op- on them; and except they repent, posers of divine truth, who often they will all perish. know not what they do; who are always acting an unreasonable and criminal part; and who are unwisely and perversely exposing their own souls to destruction.With this spirit and temper, every minister of the gospel should proceed in explaining, establishing and enforcing the truth, with the utmost plainness, seriousness and engagedness, upon the understand ings, consciences and hearts of his hearers, even of those, who most angrily and violently oppose themselves. He should preach under a solemn sense of duty, and with a sincere aim to profit the souls of his hearers. Which leads us to consider,

III. The motive for instructing opposers in the manner described. "If God, peradventure, will give them repentance, to the acknowledging of the truth."

In order to perceive the nature and feel the force of this motive, it is necessary to consider, distinctly, the several particulars implied in it.

And,

1. The opposers of the truth need repentance. They are in an impenitent, unrenewed state. All their open opposition to divine truth, arises from the impenitency and hardness of their hearts. No one, whose heart was penitent, humble and holy, ever made opposition, understandingly, to the peculiar and fundamental truths of the gospel; for they are all doctrines according to godliness, and perfectly pleasing to all such, as have received the love of the truth, that they may be saved."

Opposers, then, need repentance.

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2. Religious instruction is the appointed means of bringing opposers to repentance. It is by means of a clear and full exhibition of that precious truth, which they hate and reject, that conviction is produced in the minds of impenitent sinners. And conviction must always precede, though it is not always followed by, conversion. is only in view of divine truth, that repentance can be exercised. Repentance is a voluntary, holy exercise; and every such exercise must have an object. The object, in view of the mind, when true repentance is exercised, is the truth. respecting the holiness of the divine character, the goodness of the divine law, and the odiousness and guilt of one's self, as a. sinner, transgressor and rebel. It is by the preaching of the truth, that the proper motives are set before opposers, to induce them to repent and turn to God; such as the hatefulness and criminality of impenitence, their ability to repent, the assurance of pardon, if they will repent, and of endless punishment, if they will not. In every view, it is as important to instruct the opposers of divine truth, as it is, that they should be brought to repentance, and have their sins blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

It is possible, that when opposers are meekly instructed, God may cause them to repent. They never will repent, without a specal divine influence, bowing their wills and cleansing their hearts.Repentance is the gift of God, as

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