Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-08-01
FoR THE VINO.
A SHORT SERMON.

A SHORT SERMON.
The words of my text may found in philippe
against City Missions, published in yonr paper u
few days since.
Religion Is a good thing"
By religion here is evidently intended the reli-
gion NJ the Bible, commonly called christianity; as
no other religion is thought TO be in danger
OF degeneratiDg into fanaticism 6igory so much
deprecated in the context.
Having explained my text, proceed to establish
lis truth ]. The character of its author is a
strong proof that it is true Ertorted praise is
almost always true praise. 9. The effects of reli-
gion prove that it is "good thing"
Let any man cast his eyes the world and
deny, if he can that we are indebted to it for all
| our most valuable blessings.
But if my text is true, Religion also is true-be-
| cause falsehood Is NJ good thing.
The Bible then rs true.
As '' Religion is good thing" every person
ought TO 'eceive it with JOY and gratitude whene-
Yer 1t is offered to him. Unwillingness that :
good thing" should be grltuitousy offered to H.
proves that the heart is not only cnmity against
God, but Is enmity against maa-that it is indie d
deceit ui above all things, and desperately lex
ed"
The truth of my text illustrates the reason and
| the importance of Savlours command to his
disciples, Go ye into all the srorld and preach IN,
Gospel to erery creature" Wait not for people "a
apply for the Gospel. but 20" and remember to
begin at Jerusalem, in your city town; for il
you begin elsewhere, great oucry will be made
about charity beginning at home! Their master
also left them example, that they should follow
his steps. Z" He ,oent about doing good"-offerne
n good thing" without money and without price
to all who would receive it. In obedience to hi.
command, and in imitation of his example, his dis
ciPes are TO go out as sheep in the midst ofwolves
but with the assurance that he is with them even un
to the end of the world. They to tread
on serpcnts and scorpions without receiving any
| harm!
Should alarm be sounded, or great stir be
made, some mock and others revile and Persecute
the proPagators of religion, and they be beaten and
expelled pestilent fellows; this ,couId only den
tJy the religion they offer, soith that cf the Bible
For so Christ and his apostles Gated. If
says our Saviour, they have prosecuted me, they
Will also prosecute you. If they have called tn,
master of the house Belzebub how mu h mor
shall they call those of his household. The fulfil
ment of these predictions would not only establish
the truth of christianity, but would also prove be
yond doubt, that this revied an prosecuted reli
gion is the same ''good thing" contained in tn
bible Thus God promises that the ,ordth of maj
shall praise him, and the remainder of that wratl
he will restrain.
| The Bible being true, it is an awfuy dangerous
thing to resist the execution of Christ's commission
to his disciples. The counsel of the Lord shall
stand. He that belieueth nor shall be damned. How
dreadful then must be the doom Of those, who no
only 6etieue not, but shut up the kingdom of Hea
ven against others, and thus carry multudes will
| themselves down to damnation