Sermons on Various Important Subjects | Page 6

whom he had appointed to inculcate it.
Christianity then appeared devoid of support--the opposition to have
everything on its side. Christ's followers were a little flock, destitute of
power or learning, and in the world's view utterly contemptible. Rome,
the mistress of the world, had reached the summit of her greatness; and
she soon turned all her power against the feeble band, who were
laboring to diffuse the knowledge of Christ. and calling men from
dumb idols, to serve the living God.
To the eye of man how unequal the conflict? Had not those followers of
the Lamb been assured that their redeemer lived--that he was divine
--that he was with them, and would be with them, they would have
declined a contest with those before whom the world trembled. But
they entered, un-dismayed on the work assigned them, went through
With and completed it! They prospered in that to which they were sent.
This had never been done had not God been with them; for none of the
advantages possessed by their enemies were neglected. The first effects
of enmity to Christianity were directed against Christ's person. He had
been some time teaching and doing miracles in Judea, and numbers had
attached themselves to him. They considered him as a prophet mighty
in "word and deed." Some who witnessed his mighty works, exclaimed,
"When Christ cometh will he do more miracles than this man hath
done?" Others, "Is this not the Christ?"
These movements among the Jews drew the attention of their rulers,

and raised them to opposition. A humble, suffering Savior, did not suit
their pride and lust of power. They looked for a temporal deliverer,
who would lead them to victory, and subdue under them, the powers
which held them in subjection. No other would they receive as the
Messiah. As soon, therefore, as the fame of Jesus began to spread
abroad, and numbers treated him with respect, they resolved to destroy
him. At the feast of the passover, which called all the males of Israel to
Jerusalem, they caused him to be apprehended--tried him their great
council--condemned him to death, and importuned the Roman governor
to sentence him to the cross, as a rebel against Caesar. The charge was
not supported--Christ did not aspire to temporal dominion--"his
kingdom was not of this world." The governor declared him not guilty.
Had Christ, like the Arabian deceiver, which afterwards arose, assumed
the sword, marked his way with blood and carnage, the Jews would
have bid him welcome, and flocked to his standard. Then he might
have been denominated a rebel against Caesar. But nothing of this
nature was found upon him. Therefore were the Jews his enemies; but
the imperial magistrate "found no fault in him;" though persuaded to
consent to his death.
But though such were the temper and views of the Romans respecting
Christ, at the time of his sufferings, they were different when his
ministers went forth to set up his religion. When the nature of
Christianity was discovered, and it appeared opposed to Paganism, and
tending to its destruction, the Roman chieftains, who had been taught to
venerate their Gods, and claimed to be high priests of the national
religion, entered with zeal into the views of Christ's enemies, and
reared the standard against his followers. All their powers were exerted
to crush, the cause of the divine Immanuel. Ten general persecutions
are said to have been raised against the Christians; and myriads of the
faithful to have been sacrificed to heathen malice and bigotry.
Neither were these the only enemies of Christ. The learning of the age
was applied to confound his followers. The sophistry of Grecian
metaphysics directed against his unlettered disciples. Who could have
expected Christ's little flock, devoid of every worldly advantage, to
have maintained their ground against such formidable enemies? Who,

judging by the rules of man's judgment, have entertained a suspicion
that they would not soon be driven from the field? But their cause was
that of God. Heaven was on their side, "In vain did the heathen rage
and the people imagine vain things. He who sitteth in the heavens,
laughed; the Lord had them in derision."
* * * * * *
SERMON II.
The Wisdom of God in the means used to propagating the Gospel.
1 Corinthians i, 27, 28.
"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the
wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound
the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things
which are despised, hath God chosen, and things which are not, to
bring to nought things that are."
In the preceding discourse we took a summary view of the means used
of God to propagate the gospel, and