Sermons of the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, Series 9

By the infinite mercy of God I have been permitted to issue my Sermons weekly till they have now passed beyond the royal number of a thousand and five; at this time I am further gratified by a request to wi’ite a word of introduction to the ninth volume of the American Edition; for this additional favor I record my thanks to Almighty God. To me, more than to any other living man, it remains a marvel that my discourses should enjoy so wide and lasting a circulation, and what is far better, so large a measure of the divine blessing. I have kept strictly to the gospel of the Puritans, and have felt no temptation to wander into those new paths which in this country attract so many; it is with hope for our churches that I perceive that the good old ways have still their followers, and that all professors are not bitten by the Athenian madness, which craves evermore for “some new thing.” Young ministers will learn from the present example, that novelty in doctrine ip not needful even for the poor success which lies in popularity; to any other success it is fatal. I have preached what I believed and delighted in, and all my hopes for time and eternity rest in that everlasting covenant of grace which from my youth up has been my theme. I am not ignorant of the novelties of modern thought, nor do I cling to old-fashioned views out of reverence to antiquity; but I believe, and desire to record the belief, that the doctrines of grace are the marrow of the Gospel, and that the further men advance upon the teaching of Jonathan Edwards, Bunyan, Calvin, Augustine and Paul, the further they go astray.

To my American brethren, all hail I The Lord ‘re with you, and give His Word free course among you. Your ever-growing nation is the hope of the world. Untrammelled by a State-church, free from a thousand traditional bondages, you occupy a vantage-ground denied to us; much then is expected of you; and your brethren in England confidently look for great things at your hand. May you be rich in grace at home and abundant in labors abroad. jMay the millions who fly to you from every shore, never lower your moral and spiritual tone, but rather may they be drawn upward by your elevated godliness, and become “holiness unto the Lord.” Across the ocean, my brethren, I salute you, — “The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace I”

I hope the publisher of this volume, my esteemed friend Mr. Sheldon, will allow me to indulge a piece of personal weakness, — as we say in England, to ride a hobby of mine. I have for years taken infinite pains to compose and compile a Commentary upon the Psalms, — it is a huge affair, filling six volumes, of which two are printed, and the third IS nearly complete. We have sold two editions of Vol. L already, and the gentlemen of the press, and ray brethren a the ministry, have awarded me much generous praise, am, however, very greatly disappointed that I cannot get ny favorite work issued by an American house on ac- 50unt of its too great size. I hope that some few who read this will order the English Edition, which is issued cheaply, and may be had of Messrs. Passmore & Alabaster, aij publishers in London. Pardon this digression, dear brethren, and believe me to be.

Yours in Christ Jesus,

C. H. Spubqeow,

Of this sermon, a copy waa sent to every Baptist and Congrga tional minister in Great Britain, and several letters hae been received, acknowledging the quickening thereby received. May the like result be far more abundant in the New World.

“AS SOON A3 ZION TRAVAILED, SHE BBOUQHT POBTH HSB CHILDBKH.” —

Isaiah Ixvl. 8.

Israel had fallen into the lowest condition, but an mward yearning of heart was felt in the midst of God’s people for the return of the divine blessing; and no sooner had this anxious desire become mtense, than God heard the voice of its cry, and the blessing came. It was so at the time of the restoration of the captives from Babylon, and it waa most evidently so in the days of our Lord. A faithful company had continued still to expect the coming of the Lord’s anointed messenger; they waited till he should suddenly come in his temple; the twelve tribes, represented by an elect remnant, cried day and night unto the Most High, and when at last their prayers reached the fulness of vehemence, and their anxiety wrought in them the deepest agony of spirit, then the Messiah came; the light of the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel. Then began the age of blessedness in which the barren woman did keep house and become the joyful mother of children. The Holy Ghost was given, and multitudes were born to the church of God, yea wo may say, a nation was born in a day. The wilderness and the solitary place were glad for them, and the de» ert rejoiced and blossomed as the rose. We are not, however, about to enter into the particular application of our text as Isaiah uttered it: the great declarations of revelation are applicable to all cases, and, once true, they stand fast for ever and ever. Earnestly desiring that God may give a large spiritual blessing to his church this morning, through the subject to which my mind has been directed, I shall first ask you to note that in order to the obtaining of an increase to the churchy there must be travail and that, secondly, this travail is frequently followed by suryrising resuits. I shall then have to show why both the travail and the result are desirable and pronounce woe on those who stand back and hinder it, and a blessing on such as shall be moved by God’s own Spirit to travail for souls,

L It is clear from the text, “As soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children,” that there must be tub TRAVAIL before there will be the spiritual birth.

Let me first establish this fact from history. Before there has fallen a great benediction uyon God’s people, it has been preceded by great searchings of heart. Israel was so oppressed in Egypt, that it would have been very easy, and almost a natural thing, for the people to become so utterly crushed in spirit as to submit to be hereditary bond-slaves, making the best they could of their miserable lot; but God would not have it so; he meant to bring them out “with a high hand and an outstretched arm.” Before, however, he began to woi-k, he made them begin to cry. Their sighs and cries came up into the ears of God, and he stretched out his hand to deliver them. Doubtless, many a heart-rending appeal was made to heaven by mothers when their babes were torn from their breasts to be cast into the river. With what bitterness did they ask God to look upon his poor people Israel, and avenge them of their oppressors. The young men bowed under the cruel yok« and groaned, while hoary sires, smarting under ignominious lashes from the taskmaster, sighed and wept before the God of Israel The whole nation cried, “0 God visit us; God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, remember thy covenant, and deliver us.” This travail brought its result; for the Lord smote the field of Zoan with mighty plagues, and forth from under the bondage of the sons of Misraim, the children of Israel marched with joy.

Keep reading