iv.

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 humility 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 instracting those that oppose themselves; if God, peradventure, will give them repentance, to the acknowledging of the truth.

The eristles 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

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.

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, who faithfully declares to them the counsel of God, and urges upon them the duties which they are bound to do; and he also knew, that ministers are men of like pas⚫sions, and liable to be irritated with the opposition of "unreasona- preacher feels constrained to exble and wicked men," and instead hibit.

evident from the last clause of the text, "if God, peradventure, will give them repentance, to the acknowledging of the truth." Opposers will not acknowledge the truth: they set themselves against that truth which every faithful It is the duty of every minister tion. Some are too ignorant to

as

of the gospel, to declare all the
counsel of God, and by manifesta-
tion of the truth, to commend him-
self to every man's conscience, in
the sight of God. All scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable for doctrines, correc-
tion and reproof;" and a preacher
of the gospel must keep back noth-
ing that is profitable. God has re-
vealed nothing in his word, which
it is needless, or useless, for men
to know. "The things that are
revealed, belong unto us, and to
our children forever." The min-
ister of Christ is bound to speak
the whole truth, revealed in sa-
cred scripture, so far as time and
ability shall be given him. He
must exhibit the whole truth res-
pecting the mode of the divine ex-
istence the character, works, and
decrees of God-the native char-
acter and condition of mon-the
personal dignity and meliatorial in lifferent towards every thing of
work of the Lord Jesus Christ- a religious nature. Such is their
the terms of the gospel-the per- spiritualdeadness and insensibility,
sonality, divinity and work of the
Holy Spirit-the di-paucreste 1 na-
ture of true religion-the general
judgment-awl the endless rewards
and punishments of the future
world.

manifest the enmity of their hearts
against the truth. This is true
of the millions, who inhabit the
Pagan world, who have never had
opportunity to hear the gospel or
form the least acquaintance with
its doctrines and precepts. And
this is also true of millions in the
Christian world, who have either
neglected to read and hear the gos-
pel, or have seen and heard it so
misrepresented and distorted,
to become entirely arother gospel,
and who remain nearly or quite as
ignorant of the true gospel of Christ,
as the Heathens. It is easy to see
that all those, from whom the gos-
pel is thus hid, can neither exercise
positive enmity, nor make open op-
position to the truth. Some, who
have a partial knowledge of the
doctrines and duties of the gospel,
are so much engrossed with world-
ly cares and pursuits, as to feel very

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

that they are not themselves conscious of either love or hatred towar's the truth, nor do they manifest 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 saved. Hence they dare not make open opposit on to the truth.

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

understanding of its leading doc- those that oppose themselves ?-
trines, and are so far awakened and
convinced, as to fear, at least, that

be they may prove true; then they
seldom fail to make known the
native enmity of their hearts a-
gainst the truth. This is done, in
various ways. It may be done by
misrepresenting, or by reasoning
and objecting against the doctrines
advanced. It may be done, by di-
rect contradiction and blasphemy
as when "Paul was pressed in
spirit, and testified to the Jews,
that Jesus was the Christ; they
opposed themselves and blasphem-
ed." Sometimes enmity to the
truth is expressed by railing at the
preacher, slandering his character,
and withholding his support. It.
these and such like ways, the im-
penitent often make open opposit-
ion to evangelical truth, when plain-
ly and fully preached by the faith-
ful ministers of Christ. We are
to consider,

1

1

II. The proper manner of instructing those that oppose them

selves.

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 tiem, 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

The apostle answers,
In meek-
ness." This is a calm, patient,
mild and unruffled state of mind,
procceding from humility, self-a-
basement, 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 su-
percilious, proud, scornful temper,
to an overweening regard to one's
ease, reputation and dignity, to
a hasty, passionate, and revenge-
ful spirit. This grace is perfect-
ly 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. IHe 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 sal-
vation 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 defcien-
cy 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 2. Religious instruction is the

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 understandings, 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,

It

appointed means of bringing op-
posers 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 impeni-
tent sinners. And conviction must
always precede, though it is not al-
ways followed by, conversion.
is only in view of divine truth, that
repentance can be exercised. Re-
pentance is a voluntary, holy ex-
ercise; and every such exercise
must have an object. The object.
in view of the mind, when true re-
pentance is exercised, is the truth
respecting the holiness of the di-
vine 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 op-
posers, to induce them to repent
and turn to God; such as the hate-
fulness and criminality of impen-
itence, 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 op-
posers of divine truth, as it is, that
they should be brought to repent-
ance, and have their sins blotted
out, when the times of refreshing
shall come from the presence of
the Lord.

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 It is possible, that when opposthe gospel; for they are all doc-ers are meekly instructed, God may cause them to repent. They never will repent, without a specmal divine influence, bowing their wills and cleansing their hearts.Repentance is the gift of God, as

trines 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.