GOD ACKNOWLEDGED IN WHAT HE HAS WROUGHT, "The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous."-DAVID. LONDON: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, AND SOLD BY JOHN MASON, 14, CITY-ROAD, TO THE MEMBERS OF THE METHODIST SOCIETIES IN THE DEPTFORD CIRCUIT, THIS CENTENARY SERMON IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED, BY THEIR PASTOR AND SUPERINTENDENT, WITH HIS PRAYERS FOR THEIR SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY. As the author of the following Sermon has no expectation that it will be extensively read beyond the limits of the Circuit in which it was preached, and by more than a few of his personal friends, it may be asked, why he has published statements which must be very familiar to most of his readers. His answer is, when preached, many not united with the Methodists in church fellowship were present, and he deemed it his duty, on such a memorable occasion, briefly to bring before them what Methodism is, in its doctrines and discipline, that it might be known through what means it has attained its influence and elevation in the world; and having done so in the pulpit he did not feel himself at liberty to expunge those parts of the discourse when it was committed to the press. The Preacher, in publishing his Centenary Sermon, is actuated by the desire of recording his grateful sentiments for WESLEYAN METHODISM, to which, under God, he owes his station in life, and his hope of heavenly happiness. In his own family its blessed moral effects have been experienced by five generations, and he earnestly prays that the descendants of his sainted progenitors may continue an uninterrupted succession of faithful Methodists as long as they have a name on the earth. But should any of them ever become ashamed of, or estranged from, the spiritual family of their ancestors, he is anxious that his Sermon should remain to testify against their folly and ingratitude. Deptford, November 6th, 1839. A SERMON. 'Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us."—Psal. lxviii. 28. THERE are strong reasons to warrant the conclusion that this Psalm was composed by David, and composed by him for the express purpose of being sung by the children of Israel on the very joyful occasion of removing the ark from the house of Obed-edom, to a permanent residence in mount Sion. In the ark Jehovah deigned to make his presence known, and there he frequently displayed his majesty and glory; so that what was done by it is spoken of as being done by the Lord, who is described as ascending the heights of Sion, "leading captivity captive," and taking possession of his holy residence, attended by the thousands of his angels. This interesting and triumphant procession to Sion has been considered a typical representation of the glorious ascension of the conquering Redeemer of the world from his incarnate abode on earth to his exalted throne in heaven; and to him the words of David are distinctly applied by the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. (Eph. iv. 8.) The Psalm is principally devoted to a grateful record of the wondrous works of God, his works in the ways of his providence, and that in special reference to the Jewish nation. They had been assailed and oppressed by numerous enemies, but now those enemies were defeated and subdued, and they had become a mighty and an honourable people; for which they were exhorted to praise and bless God. And lest they should be disposed to ascribe any part of their greatness and glory to the schemes of their own wisdom, or the exertions of their own power, (a conduct to which they had ever been prone,) they were impressively taught, that their past achievements and their present condition must be acknowledged to be of the Lord. This is the instructive truth declared in that portion of the Psalm we have now read. The meaning of our text in reference to Israel as a nation doubtless was, You are mighty and exalted, but know that the strength |
