THE DESIGN, RIGHTS AND DUTIES, OF LOCAL CHURCHES. Delivered at the Installation of the Rev. Elias Cornelius as Associate Pastor of the Tabernacle Church, in Salem, Mass., July 21, 1819, .204 THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS. Delivered at Worcester, Mass., October 15, 1823, at the Ordination of the Rev. Loammi Ives Hoadly to the pastoral office over the SERMON I. THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD DESIRABLE. "Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven." MATTHEW 6: 10. In this passage we are instructed to pray that the world may be governed, and not abandoned to the miseries of unrestrained sin; that God himself would govern, and not another; and that God would administer the government of the world, in all respects, according to his own pleasure. The passage is a formal surrender to God of power and dominion over the earth, as entire as his dominion is in heaven. The petition, therefore, "Thy will be done," contains the doctrine -- THAT IT IS GREATLY TO BE DESIRED THAT GOD SHOULD GOVERN THE WORLD, AND DISPOSE OF MEN, IN ALL RESPECTS, ENTIRELY ACCORDING TO HIS OWN PLEASURE. The truth of this doctrine is so manifest, that it would seem to rank itself in the number of self-evident propositions, incapable of proof clearer than its own light, had not experience taught that, of all truths, it is the most universally and bitterly controverted. Plain as it is, it has occasioned more argument than any other doctrine, and, by argument merely, has gained fewer proselytes; for, it is one of those controversies in which the heart decides wholly, and argument, strong or feeble, is alike ineffectual. This consideration would present, in the threshold, a hope less impediment to further progress, did we not know, also, that arguments a thousand times repeated, and as often resisted, may at length become mighty, through God, to the casting down of imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God. I shall, therefore, suggest several considerations, to confirm this most obvious truth, that it is desirable that God should govern the world entirely according to his own good pleasure. 1. It is desirable that God should govern the world, and dispose of all events, according to his pleasure, because he knows perfectly in what manner it is best that the world should be governed. The best way of disposing of men and their concerns is that which will most effectually illustrate the glory of God. The glory of God is his benevolence, and his natural attributes for the manifestation of it, and constitutes the sun of the moral universe, the light and life of his kingdom. All the blessedness of the intelligent creation arises, and ever will arise, from the manifestation and apprehension of the glory of God. It was to manifest this glory, that the worlds were created. It was that there might be creatures to behold and enjoy God, that his dominions were peopled with intelligent beings. And it is that his holy subjects may see and enjoy him, that he upholds and governs the universe. The entire importance of our world, therefore, and of men and their concerns, is relative, and is great or small only as we are made to illustrate the glory of God. How this important end shall be most effectually accomplished, none but `himself is able to determine. He, only, knows how so to order things as that the existence of every being, and every event, shall answer the purpose of its creation, and, from the rolling of a world to the fall of a sparrow, shall conspire to increase the exhibitions of the divine character, and expand the joy of the holy universe. An inferior intelligence at the helm of government might conceive very desirable purposes of benevolence, and still be at a loss as to the means most fit and effectual to accomplish them. But, with God, there is no such deficiency. In him, the knowledge which discovered the end discovers also, with unerring wisdom, the most appropriate means to bring it to pass. He is wise in heart; he hath established the world by his wisdom, and stretched out the heavens by his discretion. And is he not wise enough to be intrusted with the government of the world? Who, then, shall be his counsellor? Who shall supply the deficiencies of his skill? Oh the presumption of vain man! and oh the depths both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! 2. It is desirable that God should govern the world according to his own pleasure, because he is entirely able to execute his purposes. A wise politician perceives, often, both the end and the means; and is still unable to bring to pass his counsels, because the means, though wise, are beyond his control. But God is as able to execute as he is to plan. Having chosen the end, and selected the means, his counsels stand. He is the Lord God omnipotent. The whole universe is a storehouse of means; and when he speaks, every intelligence and every atom flies to execute his pleasure. The omnipotence of God, in giving efficacy to his government, inspires and perpetuates the ecstasy of heaven. "And a voice came out from the throne, saying, Praise our God. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of many thunderings, saying, Alleluia, the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." What will that man do in heaven, who is afraid and reluctant to commit to God the government of the earth? And what will become of those who, unable to frustrate his counsels, murmur and rebel against his providence? 3. It is desirable that God should govern the world according to his pleasure, because the pleasure of God is always good. The angels who kept not their first estate, and many wicked men, have great knowledge, and skill, and power: and yet, on these accounts, are only the more terrible; because they employ these mighty faculties to do evil. And the government of God, were he a being of malevolence, armed as he is with skill and power, would justly fill the universe with dismay. But, as it is, brethren, "let not your hearts be troubled." With God there is no perversion of attributes. He is as good as he is wise and powerful. God is love! Love is that glory of God which he has undertaken to express to his intelligent creation in his works. The sole object of the government of God, from beginning to end, is, to express his benevolence. His eternal decrees, of which so many are afraid, are nothing but the plan which God has devised to express his benevolence, and to make his kingdom as vast and as blessed as his own infinite goodness desires. It was to show his glory, to express, in action, his benevolence,— that he created all the worlds that roll, and rejoice, and speak his name, through the regions of space. It is to accomplish the same blessed design, that he upholds, and places under law, every intelligent being, and directs every event, causing every movement, in every world, to fall in, in its appointed time and place, and to unite in promoting the grand result,— the glory of God, and the highest good of his kingdom. And is there a mortal, who, from this great system of blessed govern |