Sinners Affectionately Entreated to Enter on the Christian Pilgrimage

We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it ijou. Come thou with us, and we will do thee good; for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel. — Nvubers X: 29.

The Israelites, having been rescued, by the mightyhand of God, from Egyptian bondage, and conducted through the Red Sea, had received the law at Mount Sinai; and being organized by a divine constitution, were about to commence their journey to the promised land. Their tents were taken up, — their tribes marshalled in the prescribed order — and the silver trumpets prepared to give the signal for them to commence their march. The tidings of the departure of Moses out of Egypt, and his intended journey through the wilderness, had reached the ears of Hobab, his father-in-law, who had come from the land of Midian to make a parting visit. At this interesting crisis, Moses affectionately addresses him in the language of the text; We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you. Come thou with us, and we will do thee good, for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.” Hobab’s first answer was, ‘’I will not go; but I will depart to my own land, and to my kindred.” Yet Moses could not give up the suit; but with more mgent entreaty, he rejoined; — “Leave us not, I pray thee, forasmiicli as thou knowest how we are to encaiup in the wihUrncss, and thou maycst be to us instead of eyes. And it shall be, if ihon go wiih us, that what goodness the Lord shall do unto us, the same will he do unto thee.”

These atrectionate entreaties doubtless prevailed, and Hobab, afterward repented, and went; for we read of his posterity among the children of Israel, and of his sharing in the land of promise.

Li all this, my brethren, we have an illustration of several things which dislingnish the church of God. The whole multitude of believers have been rescued from spiritual bondage. Every Christian has been ransomed from the power of a tyrant far more cruel than Pharaoh. He has been delivered from ‘’ the prince of the power of the air” — “the Spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” — from “the God of this world, who hath blinded the minds of them that believe not.” He has been “turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God” — has been “recovered out of the snare of the devil,” by whom he was “taken captive at his will.” He has been delivered from a servitude to masters far more cruel than the task-masters of Egypt; and a bondage far worse than theirs — the bondage of sin, Satan, and the world. And in the moment of his greatest extremity, when he gave up all for lost — mountains on the one hand, and a howling wilderness on the other — destruction before, and the fell destroyer in the rear, the God of salvation appeared, and showed him a safe and easy passage out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son, “Not by works of righteousness which we had done; but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Thus redeemed from the hand of his enemies, and a new song put into his moulh, in common with the people of God, he can now show forth the praises of him who hath called him out of darkness into his marvellous light.

By the voice of God, believers are called to go out from “a world that lieth in wickedness” — to ‘’seek a better country, even a heavenly.” Enlisted under the captain of their salvation, they are marshalled as an army with barmers, to take possession of the promised rest. And this day, throughout all their hosts, has the silver trumpet of the gospel been sounded, as the appointed signal for them to go forward. And the thousands of Israel are now on their maich. “We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you,” is the declaration of the whole church of God on earth. They anxiously desire, and endeavor to persuade others to leave all and accompany them. If they cannot succeed, they must bid them a painful, and solemn farewell. Such are the leading thoughts suggested by the text, which are now to be illustrated, and applied to this assembly.

1. Christians are journeying. They are styled ^’strangers and pilgrims on the earth” — having here “no continuing city.” Long after God’s ancient people were settled in the land of promise, the psalmist used this language in prayer to God; “We are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers.” Of all the ancient worthies it is said; “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things, declare plainly that they seek a country.” Peter in his epistle to Christians in general, addresses them all under this tender appellation, “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” A life of faith, in the sacred Scriptures, is often compared to the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness; and every Christian now on earth, may adopt the language of David, “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears, for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.” And — ‘* Thy statutes have been my song in the house of my pilgrimage.” In heart and affections, he forsakes all. ‘^ Whosoever he be of you” says our Saviour, ‘’that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” The place which he leaves, is the city of destruction. “Arise ye, and depart, for this is not your rest; because it is polluted; it will destroy you with a sore destruction.” By faith, the Christian sojourns in the land of promise, as in a strange country — he looketh for a ‘^ city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Heaven is his home. His conversation, his heart, and his treasure are there. With the eye and the heart of a stranger, he prosecutes his journey through the wilderness of this world — ‘’ Seeking those tilings which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Whatever may be cumbersome, or useless, or suited to retard his progress, he will leave, or drop by the way. He will ‘’ lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth easily beset” him. To the attainment of this one great end, all his plans are subservient — seeking first the kingdom of God. “By patient continuance in well doing,” he seeks “for glory, and honor, and immortality.” Though, like the wanderings of the Israelites in the desert, his course, at times, seems retrograde, yet on the whole, he advances towards ‘’ the inheritance of the saints in light.”

“Cheerful they walk with growing strength,
Till all shall meet in heaven at length.
Till all before thy face appear,
And join in nobler worship there,”’

2. Christians desire others, and especially their kindred, to journey with them. “Come thou with us” is the language of their hearts. The common sympathies of our natures alone, would awaken such desires, and much more, the love of God shed abroad in the heart.

But more particularly — they desire

In the first place, that God may be glorified. In this the true Christian chiefly delights. He rejoices in hope of the glory of God. In the conviction and conversion of sinners, God is glorified, both actively and passively. When the news of his conversion reached the ears of the disciples, Paul says, “They glorified God in me.” When Peter related the story of the conversion of Cornelius and his household, in the ears of the church, “they glorified God, saying, then hath God also to the gentiles granted repentance unto life.” The Psalmist said, “O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.” ‘^ O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” His heart was also deeply affected in view of the dishonor cast upon God, by thoughtless sinners around him. “I beheld the transgressors and was grieved.”

Again. Christians have a tender regard for the welfare of their unconverted friends.

They see them eager in the pursuit of happiness in paths of disappointment. The pleasures of sense and of sin are but for a season, — unsatisfying, and often attended, and always followed by regret, and the goadings of a guilty conscience. “Even in laughter, the heart is sorrowful, and the end of that mirth is heaviness.” The Christian knows from experience the vanity of the world. We have often heard his testimony in language like the following.

“I try’d each earthly charm,

In pleasure’s haunts I stray’d,
I sought its soothing balm,

I asked the world its aid;
But ah! no balm it had

To heal a wounded breast;
And I, forlorn and sad.

Must seek another rest.”

Sorrow and disappointment, pain and death are the common lot of all; and the hope of the Christian is needful to bear up oui spirits under the evils that await us. Poor, indeed, must he be, who has no better portion than this world. With what mingled emotions of pity and grief, does the good man behold his fellow mortal, eagerly pursuing the phantom of pleasure, heedless of the crown of life, suspended within his reach. What a pity that so few should follow the example of Moses, who, “when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suifer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.”

Again — Christians foresee the misery that is coming upon their unconverted friends.

If they cannot be persuaded to leave all their sins, and journey with them, they must linger and be lost. The language of queen Esther expresses their feelings. “How can I endure to see the evil that shall come upon my people? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred.” The language of Paul is also in point. “I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart, for my brethren, my kindred according to the flesh.” Notice also, the feelings expressed by the compassionate Saviour, when he beheld the devoted city and wept over it. And

“Did Christ o’er sinners weep,
And shall our tears be dry?”

Again — Christians desire the company of their friends in their pilgrimage.

The Israelites had to encounter the dangers of the wilderness, and Moses pleaded for friendly aid. He said, “Leave us not, I pray thee, forasm.uch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes.” The difficulties and dangers which beset the Christian pilgrim in his pathway to heaven, are many, and often unseen and unexpected. The company and counsel of fellow travelers is mutually beneficial, and always desirable. Travelers to the same country, will inquire for each other — willlay their plans to walk in company, and

32 6 E R :I O N S AND REMAINS

agree mutually to assist each other on the way. “Two are better than one; for they have a good reward for their labor; for if they fall, the one shall help up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he fulleth, for he hath not another to help him up.” For this reason, pious children will desire the company of their parents — parents, the company of their children — husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, the company of each other. Friends who have long been companions in sin might be mutually helpful in returning to God.

I observe

3. That to those whom they cannot persuade to accompany them, they must give the parting hand.

Having tried every method which love and friendship dictate, if they do not succeed, they must not tarry — they must go and leave them.

My dear heareis, is there nothing in this congregation which resembles the scene which has been described? If there is in reality a revival of religion in this place, and if theie are those who are not subjects of divine grace, it is even so. How solemn the separation! How affecting, as it respects this world! How unutterably momentous as it lespects the world to come! When one and another has been led to inquire, ‘’ What must I do to be saved?” and begun to “rejoice in hope of the glory of God,” intimate friends, observing the change, have sometimes felt a mournfid sadness stealing over their minds. ‘’I have ost my friend. We have long been intimate — have visited and sported together oft(Mi in diiys that are past; — but these scenes are over and gone forever. My friend has now left me to wander alone — gone to seek a better country. Well, my sober judgment and conscience tell me that he is wise — that he will never lament his choice. “Let me die the death of the righteous.” “But what shall I do ‘? A solemn sadness fills my mind, and scarcely can I repress the falling tear at such a parting.”

When our friends leave us, and remove only to a distant country, never more expecting to return, how solemn is the hour of separation. It awakens the tenderest feelings of the heart. But, my hearers, such a parting is but a faint emblem of what, in reality, is now transpiring among us. Did you never look forward with deep concern to the separations of the last great day? Have you ever thought of different members of the same family, standing one on the right hand, and the other on the left of the judge? And did you not feel a solemn dread, lest perhaps, you should b6 found on the left hand 1 That awful separation, which determines the eternal destiny of every soul, takes place first in our world. It is now taking place in this revival — in this assembly. That change of heart which is necessary to fit the sinner for heaven, must take place on earth, in this life, or never. And a change of heart among sinners now, will, of course, produce a change of views, and feelings and pursuits, which will end in a separation of intimate friends. At such a season, many who feel little or no concern for their own souls, are wont to complain of being neglected by their former friends, who have become the subjects of divine grace. They imagine that those who have embraced the gospel, have ceased to love them.

Let me tell you, they do not love you less, but they love the Sav’ioiir more. They cannot accommodate themselves to your feelings and wishes consistently with their attachment to him. They cannot make yon their intimate associates as formerly; unless they change their character, or you change yours. With them “old things are passed away, and all things are become new.” I’liey have lost their relish for the pleasures of sin — the amusements and vanities of this world. They have set their afiections on things ,above, not on things on the earth. In this sense, they “are dead, and their life is hid with Christ in God.” They are no longer “conformed to this world,” but ‘’transformed by the renewing of [their] mind.” If you will not follow ihem, — take up thesul)ject of religion and become Christians in solemn earnest, they must, in this sense, forsake you. In such a case, Christ requires them to forsake father, and mother, and wife and children, and all that a man hath, or he cannot be his disciple. A separation of views and feelings, of interests and pursuits, must take place, if you will not accompany them; or they must die with you in the wilderness, and never enter heaven. If you will not go with them lo heaven, do you wish them to drop the subject of religion — to awaken again the terrors of a guilfv conscience — to plant thorns on a dying pillow — to bartei away the joys of heaven, and go to hell merely to keep you company ‘? Will you urge the wonted affection of a frother. or a sister, or the tics of former friendship? Will you put them on trial of their friendphi[), their humanity, or their politeness, as some unfeeling wretches have done. That they love you still, their bursting hearts, and streaming eyes, when they speak of you, tell. In their name, and while, as I doubt not, their prayers are solemnly offered for the success of the invitation, I now renew to every one of you the invitation — “Come thou with us, and we will do thee good, for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.” “Leave us not, we pray thee — And it shall be if thou go with us, that what goodness the Lord shall do unto us, the same he will do unto thee.” He will wash you in the same atoning blood — sanctify you by the same Spirit — He will grant you the same grace — the same peace of conscience, and joy in the Holy Ghost. He will meet you at the same throne of grace — will guide you by the same counsel — and at last, receive you to the same glory.

“And thou my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind; if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever.” Ye children, for whom I travail in birth again — did you know the feelings of a parent’s heart — “Come thou with us” — “and my heart shall rejoice even mine.” And ye parents too — did you know the heart of a child that has left all for Christ — ‘’He calls and I must gp. Though I love you none the less, yet I love him more than father or mother. Leave me not, I pray you. I need your help, your counsels, and your prayers. My father, my mother, come thou with us.”

And thou, too, my bosom companion — the partner of my sorrows and my joys, ‘’ Come thou with us.” Let us adopt the resolution together, ‘’As for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Though I love you no less than ever, yet I love my Saviour more than all. Leave me not.

And ye too, the companions of my youthful days, and companions too in sin; I have seen my folly, and my sport is ended. Often have I invited, and you would never refuse — You too have invited, and I a thousand times have cheerfully complied. One more invitation, and I have done. ‘’Come thou with us.” The church on earth invites; and the spirits of just men made perfect; and all the hosts of heaven invite you. “The Spirit and the bride say come; and let him thatheareth say come; and let him that is athirst come; and whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.” If you leave us, the fault will be your own. We desire your company, and pray for your conversion — and all heaven stoops to invite you. If at last you have no part in that kingdom to which we are bound, it will be because you loved the world, and preferred the pleasures of sin for a season.

Thus, in the name of all the subjects of this revival, have I given the invitation to their friends and companions to journey with them; — and I must add, in the name of this church, and in the name of my Lord and Master. And must I leave you here? If it must be so, my hearers, then duty requires me to call even upon your nearest and dearest companions who have commenced their heavenly journey, to stay not a moment for you.

“Cease, ye pilgrims, cease to mourn,
Press onward to the prize.”

Dry your tears, — and let nothing hinder you from following the steps of your leader. Obey implicitly every command of his. Thwart all the wishes — resist ail the entreaties — endure all the frowns — and renounce entirely the society of your dearest earthly companions, rather than neglect the least command of Christ, To him yon are bound by obligations infinitely greater, and ties of affection infinitely dearer, than you can be to them. They never died to save your souls from hell. And his unalterable decision is, “he that lovelh father or mother, more than me, is not worthy of me. He that loveth son or daughter, more than me, is not worthy of me,” “He that seeketh to save his life shall lose it; and he thatloseth his life for my sake shall find it.” Again I repeat it,

“Cease, ye pilgrims, cease to mourn.

Press onward to the prize;
Soon the Saviour will return,

Triumphant in the skies.
There we’ll join the heavenly train,

Welcome to partake the bliss;
Fly from sorrow and from pain,

To realms of endless peace.”

But 0, my impenitent hearers, I cannot bear to leave you thus. If you cannot be persuaded to accompany your friends,! must remind you that you too are journeying, as fast as the Christian — as fast as the wheels of time can carry you. But whither, ah, whither are you bound ‘?

“See the short course of vain delight.
Closing in everlasting night.”

Pursue your present course a little longer, and you will soon be at a returnless distance from happiness and hope.

“Today if ye will hear his voice,

Now is the time to make your choi2e;

Say, will you to Mount Zion go!

Say, will you have this Christ, or no?

Ye wandering souls who find no rest,

Say, will you be forever blest r

Will you be saved from sin and hell?

Will you with Christ in glory dwell?

Come, now dear youth, for ruin bound.

Obey the gospel’s joyful sound;

Come, go with us, and you shall prove

The joy of Christ’s redeeming love.

Once more, we ask you in his name;

For yet his love is still the same;

Say, will you to Mount Zion go?

Say, will you have this Christ or no?

Leave all your sports and glittering toys,

Come share with us eternal joys;

Or — must we leave you bound to hell?

Then, dear young friends, a long farewell.”