A sermon preached at Hatfield, October 20, 1807
''oK &•, \ :<!s • *^..^* * 0 ^ .^A '*^^ ■^ "-^^ o"^ ■ o > ^^-., .0" \^ ' , . 5 ' ,"> „ . „ ^_ ^°-^^. /, <: ,") r -v. ^IP:^' /"'% ^^<^^ ■^ ^^ .0 -^" '^ #!.' K^ Ho -t^ «°^ -v,-^ ,0' ^' ^. > .v.^;^v^ -n^^. ^ ^A^c? ■m^; ^:r^9- .0' ^ -'-■ O' »; \^ ^^4s%i/}l:. ■<r. 0 "- SERMON, PRE A C H E D A T HATFIELD, OCTOBER, 20, 1807. AT TH£ OPSNING OB HATFIELD BRIDGE. BY JOSEPH LYMAN, D. D. PAS7QR OF THE CHURCH IN HATFIELD. NORTHAMPTON, PRINTED ;By WILLIAM SUTLER. 1 807* Q AT a legal meeting of the Proprietors of Hatjield Bridge y holden by adjournfnent, at the houfe of Dr, Daniel White, in Hatfieldy on the 20th Oii, 1 807, Voted that Samuel F, Dickinfon, Efq. Mr, Nathaniel Smith, and Major Caleb Hubbard, be a mnmittee, to re* iurn the thanks of this Corparation to the Rev, Dr. Lyman, for his elegant and appropriate Sermon, this day delivered , and to requeji a copy thereof for theprefs. Atteft. Calfin Merrill Clerk* '5 \ W 0 ^v 0 ^3 ISAIAH, LXII. 10, Go through, go through the gates ; prepare ye the way of the people : caji up, caji up the highway ; gather out the Jlones ; lift up ajiandardfor the people. Jl he miniflers of Chrid:, when called to addrefs aflerablies v/hich bear his name and own his authority, fliould improve the opportunity to promote the interefts ol his kingdom, to honour the wifdom and goodnefs o£ his difpenfations, and to excite the confidence of his peo- ple in his promifes of grace and falvation to fmners. The events which take place, the counfels and labours, the plans and enterpiizes of men, all have an immediate or more remote influence upon the kingdom of our Redeem- er, and tend to bring forward the future peace and en- largement of the chriftian church, and that purity and felicity which a guilty world is to obtain under the ad- miniflration of Iramanuel. To him are the concerns of men committed : To him all things are fubordinate : All creatures are his agents to accomplifh his wife purpofes, and to prepare the way for a fulfilment of his promifes of reft and glory to a world long loft in folly, wickednefs and woe. By his infcrutable counfels and operations, Chrifl has from the beginning been preparing the way for the triumphs of his mercy in the reftoration of our miferable race, to purity of heart, and the rich enjoyment of divine proteftion and love. By his wifdom and pow- er, the ruler of nations, the friend of men, the redeem- er of finners gives every event a certain direction to pro- mote the ends of his moral government in bringing for- ward the full manifeftations of the Father's love to wretched finners, and in exalting the kingdom of grace upon the ruins of all the power, enterprize, and fuccefs of his adverfaries. It is Chrift's care that thofe hoftile ex- ertions which in every age, are direffed againft his king- dom, Ihall help forward his defigns and eftablifh his in» fruftrable decrees. The wrath of man will praife him. C4 ] The progrcfs and fuccefs of the devils power fliall ter- minate in the confirmation and radiant fplendor of the kingdom of righteoufnefs. Although he tarry, yet, con- fidently, wait for him. The joyous end will come, it will not tarry beyond the time appointed. Wifdom will lead us to contemplate creatures as his agents and revo- lutions as rolling onward his counfels of love to men. He v^ill employ the devices and labours of men to terminate the reign of fin and mifery in our world, and to haflen the blefled day when " the New-Jerufalem Ihali come down *' from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned ** for her hufband." In the chapter of our text the prophet labours to con- Jirm our hearts in the promifes God has made to his re- deemed church and calls upon us to offer up our prayers and to lend our diligent co-operations for the accomplifli- mentof the good things he has fpoken of Zion, the city of our folemnities. To animate our exertions and hopes he reminds us of the oath of God to nourifh, protect and lave his heritage. " The Lord hath fworn by his right *' hand and by the arm of his flrcngth, furely I will no *' more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies, and " the fons of the ftranger fliall not drink the wine for *' which thou haft laboured : But they that have gath- *' ered it fliall eat it and praife the Lord ; and they that *' have brought together fhall drink it in the courts of my " holinefs. That the kind purpofes of God's oath may b* effe^ed, and covenanted bleffings be fecured to mankind, the pro- phet urgently calls upon all to roufe their attention and fummon their energies to this great and good work. *' Go through, go through the gates ; prepare ye the *' way of the people, caft up, caft up the high way ; gath- *' er out the ftones ; lift up a llandard for the people.'* The a£i:ive zeal with which Chrift will infpire the hearts of men to forward his defigns, as the feaion of his fecond coming to blefs the world approaches, is reprefcn- ted under the image of a populous city, full of buftle and ftir and ardent labour, ihe inhabitants pafling and re- paffmg in clufters, through the gates, repairing the high- [ 5 ] ways and opening nc vv avenues for the admiilion and ac- commodation of the multitudes coming to join their com- munity and dwell within their walls. Vigorous will be the exertions to win new fabje^ls to the Saviour's ftandard, to enrol them denizens of Zion, and furnifli to them the privileges of his faving goodnefs. A glorious flandard will be ere^ledby his fervants to guide men to their refuge, to cover them from dangers, and to affure them of rich and unfpeakable bklhngs. Zion has faithful promifes, that in her future glory the earth fliall be full cf the knowledge, love and enjoyment of God ; the people wiU be all righteous and have an abundance of peace, length of days, health and joy. The earth fhall be full of people, the feafons will be meliorated, the foil be rendered pro- lific and the arts and occupations of men fliall promote the population of the world by furnifliing a rich fupply for all their wants. The ufeful and produclive arts of life, health and temperate pleafures fliall be cultivated and car- ried to perfefiion. The evils which now alTail us, im- pair health and rob us of our joys, difturb our union and fafety and wafle life,will in the courfe of providence be re- moved. The means and ordinances of religion will be improved and fucceeded in advancing all the focial, mor- al and chriflian virtues to the fummit of earthly perfefl- ion. Scarcely can calculation reach the accumulated num- bers of men under the triumphant reign of onrlmmauue!. Wars fliall ceafe under the whole heaven, and univer- fal peace (liall referve for population the millions which in every age are now falling by the edge of the fword. Temperance and lobriety fliali banifli the inroads of dif- r.ifc, and refcue from pedilence her annual prey.— - The facilities of gaining fubfiflence, and the honors L 6 3 paid to marriage (hail multiply the families and tribes of men. How fubdantial the felicities of that period h\ which the ftiield of providence ihall proteft men from harm, and the operations of his grace and fpirit fliall pu- rify their hearts and refcue their lives from the excef- fes ofvice & thofe fubfcquent evils which flow from human depravity. None of the people (hall fay ^^ I arnftcky* and little boys and girls, engaged in their innocent amiife- ments,Jhall fill thejlreets of the holy city ? The weari- forae toils of life (hall ceafc, and the falutary labours of indudry Ihall be crowned with the efficient blefling of ■ ihe Almighty. To this bleded era the eyes of good men look forward with delight : For thefe joyous s events will the humane and benevolent labour and pray : Believing fouls will wait on God, plead his promife and his oath, and fupplicate his pov/er and grace to haften the renovation and happinefs of man, and the manifeflatiori of his own goodnefs. Attentive chriftians will watch the figns of the times, and the footfreps of their Redeemer's providence. When , they fee the mighty preparations of the Lord in bringing forward the peace and glory of Zion, they will wonder,adore and praife. For thoufands of vears it has been a feafon of humili- ation, darknefs and raifery to man. He who rules in the hearts of the children of difobedience has exercifed an extenfive fway over the nations, filled the world with violence, wafting and death, with crimes and miferies. — Creation has groped for light and groaned for deliver- ance. Thus far hath the Lord fulfered the adverfary to prevail, that the power and grace of our Deliverer may appear more wonderful and Jus triumph more il- luflrious. The Lord hath neither forgotten nor forfak- en the earth. Zion is engraven on his heart and on the palms of his hands. Partial interpofitions and falvations liave been earnefU of future viffory. The immu- tability of his promife and oath teaches his children con- fidently to hope, " That the fet time to favor Ziori "will come.'* \\\ the courfe of events, in the changes, difcoveries and improvem.ents which have taken place a- mong men, the diligent obfcrvcr will fee the certain prog- | C 7 J refs of Chrift's government towards the deflruciion of his enemies, the mitigation of human miferies, the re- covery of man from guilt and ruin, and their reinftate- ment in that love of God, that fafety and happinefs for which his grace can fo abundantly qualify them. What do we now difcover to animate our hopes, that the darknefs which hath covered the earth is vanifliing away, and that light will foon vifit the habitations of men. Here the fearful and unbelieving with their bod- ing apprehenfions and cavilHng doubts, would arreft my argument and enfeeble your hopes in the near ap- proach of the felicity of man by the enlargement of Zion. To damp our glowing cxpeftations, they fay, When were the arts of infidelity, the efforts of irreligion, im- piety, human depravity and profligacy more flrenuoufly and fuccefsfully employed ? Do you not fee the tender feelingsof the heart obliterated, moral fentiment deeply, depraved and a diforganizing fyftem of demorahzation fpread over the civilized world. The beft inftitutions of religion, of civil and focial intercourfe are enfeebled, dif- graced and almoft annihilated. Sec you not the wit and ingenuity, the talent and enterprize of man devoted to fchemes of vice and folly, the ready inftruments of hu- man degradation and wretchednefs ? See you not the boundlefs refources of human art and enterprize abforb- ed in meafures of wafting and deftruftion ? The means of human gratification are converted into inftruments of fubjugation, of carnage and defolation. The barriers of fafety, and inftitutions moft valuable and neceflary to man are laid proftrate in the duft. The world is over- whelmed with thofe fufierings which are moft dreadful and ruinous. The inhabitants of the earth, employed as their own executioners, are greedily pl\]cking down ruin upon their own heads. Men*s hearts fail them through fear of the evils which are coming upon them ; and they groan under evils which they have neither ikill to evade nor power to remove. The face of the civilized world is pale with amazement at the intrufion of the horrors of the barbarous ages and the fcorpion lalhes of n reknt- lefs defpotifm. [ 8 ] Afks the IcoiFing fceptic. Are thefe the forerun- ners of man's renovation ? Thefe the prefages of the coming and kingdom of the Prince of Peace ? They are. The fourth beafl which arofeout of the fea, dreadful and terrible and itrong exceedingly, which had great iron teeth and devoured and break in pieces and ftamp- ed the refidue under his feet is finifliing his power and dominion among men. His authority was ellabliflied when the Roman Commonwealth had fubdued Perfeus, the lad Monarch of the Grecian dynafty. With an un- principled and favage barbarity the Roman beafl fub- verted and wafted the kingdoms of the world ; and when no food could be longer found among other nations, he turned his rage upon his own bowels, harralTed and butchered the citizens of Rome, and the tributary na- tions, and deluged the whole empire with wafting, mifl ery and woe. Thefe wrongs and diftrefles of nien led them to figh and pant after deliverance. They had in thefe conflicts learned the inefficacy of Grecian philofo- phy and Roman virtue to recover men from wickednefs and mifery. They Jooked and longed for a Saviour to come, to enlighten and fave a world lying in the depths of infamy, fuffering and defpair. The triumphs of Ro- man ufurpaiion and the griefs and anguifli of men, under wrongs and injuries, taught them their wickednefs, their impotence and wretchednefs, and prepared them to welcome the approach of that great Deliverer whom the nations had fo long expelled. Thus the diftrefles of men under the tyranny of the beaft prepared the way of the Lord before his face. They were the fore- runners of the nativity of the Son of God who was then born to redeem and fave a perifliing world. In like manner, the prefent wrongs and fufferings of mankind under the cruel dominion of this fame beaft, whofc power is continued in the French empire, which has nearly fwallowed up the ten kingdoms of Europe, thefe wrongs and fuiTerings of mankind are a fit preparation for the fecond coming of the Lord Jefus to fpread his glorious kingdom over the earth. The perplexities and C 9 ] woes of men are calculated and defigned to prepare the world for the propagation of the gofpel of peace and reconciliation among all nations. - In the prefent darknefs and diftrefs of men, we are taught, with unerring certainty, the errors of a fceptical philofophy, a boafting illuminifm 2i\\di 2. rational chriiliani- ty. By following thefe guides men have loft their way, imbibed corrupt opinions, their morals are grofsly de- praved and their lives are ftained with crimes and they are enveloped in doubt, darknefs and defpair. We fee when the truth of the gofpel is forfaken, the long tried and falutary inflitutions of fociety are fubverted and the fecurity and peace of nations are deitroyed, how men's bcfl inher^ances are torn from them, and their tendered conueflions are dilTolved. We fee how old empires and principalities vanifli at the approach of violence and ufurpation ; how the liberties of men, tainted with the breath of licentioufnefs, will expire under the magic rod of fiiftion and anarchy. It is owing to the predominance of fceptical principles, that we live in an age of degra- dation, and fee mufliroora emperors, kings, princes and dukes arifmg out of the aflies of civil government and freedom. We fee our world tortured with convulfions, and the friends of human dignity andhappinefs bathed in tears and covered with fackcloth, while they contem- plate the evils which infidel philofophy and a,ii impious apoflafy from the chriflian faith have brought upon this polluted, debafed world. But when the devil comea down in great wrath it is becaufe his time is flicrt.-— Do you hear the voice of the Almighty fliaking terriblijf the nations ? Thefe, blefTed be God, thefe are the harbingers fent to prepare the way for the peace and glory of his church. God will work when men make void his law ; when his enemies exalt themfelves, he will fliow hirafelf to be higher than they. Do not. chriilians, do not in dark and-gloom.y times, defpair of the promifes ; be not weary in v»-aiting upon God. For in due time ye JJdjU reap if ye faint not. I have fpoken, thus diflufely of thefe afGiaing evil?. thefe trials of the f?.;th ".ncl patience of the faints, that 1 [ JO J might perfuade you to view them not in a difticartcning but in an animating point of lightjasthe preludes of Zion's better days : to remind you, that as in the natural fo in the moral worldjthe darkeft moments ufher in the dawn- ing of the day. Let us now turn our eyes from the glittering tokens of Chrift's coming and kingdom, thefe awful terors that at' ifndthe wondrous way which brings his blejjings down, — Our attention is invited for a few minutes, to more pleafmg tokens that Chrifl: will foon return to blefs the earth, with truth and peace. Blefled be his name for his gracious alTurr.uces, that he will turn all the devices- and hoftilities of his enemies upon their own heads, and the meafures which they purfue to marr his glory and fubvert his caufe, lliall terminate in their confufion and m the falvation and thankfgivings of his own people. — • Let us then trace the footfteps of his providence and difcover the confoling evidences of Chrift's care, and in- terelt in the concerns and happinefs of m.en ; thdt all' his difpenfations are in a gradual, but fare progreh' to the future enlargement and glory of his church upon earth. With what hope and joy mud we contemplate the direft and inftituted means whjch his children' and- fi-iends are actively and zealoufly erap'oying to fpread far and wide the tidings of falvation by furnifliing re-- fources and ufnig exertions and pouring out prayers for; the fuccefs of the everiadinggofpel ? What numbers- Supported by chriflian liberality, aided by pious fupplica- t-ions and warmed with heavenly fympathy and zeal, arc now rimning to and fro in the earth that the knowledge j and love of Jefus may be increafed. This is a great andi glorious theme. It is a theme which employs the hearts and tongues of faints and angels. Altho' I cannot ncv/ enter upon it, yet, your confcienecs would reproach mefhould 1 not mention it as the principal and moit: hopeful difpenfation of providence by which, with theH aids of the Holy Spirit, the gofpel is to acquire it? created fuccefs and the renovation of this world is to be o obtained. Leaving this delightful fubjeft, let me turn ycuratt^ntionto thofe events, in the kingdom ofpuovi- dence, which prefage the fpeedy appearance of Chrifl to blefs his church and fave the nations ot the earth. Among the preparatory means and happy prefages of Chrifl's univerfal dominion over the hearts and Hves of men, we may reckon all thofe ufeful difcoveries of for- mer and pi-efent times, thofe inventions of human art and genius by which the intercoufe of the nations is made eafy and expeditious, by which the means of fubfiftencc are increafed and the wants of men are more readily re- lieved and their numbers and comforts multiplied. The multitudes of the faved are new fourcesofglory to Chrift and of rapturous joy to his friends. Well therefore may we take into our account, as preparatory fteps to- wards the world's future felicity and glory, all thofe im- provements in fociety which add to the fubfiftcnce and accommodation of men and multiply their numbers in the earth. Now confider how providence is preparing the way for thofe countlefs multitudes who fliall inherit the earth in the reign of peace and righteoufnefs. What a facility has the invention ofprintijtg added to the acquifition of learning and fcience, to the attainment of knowledge in all our focial, civil and religious interells and concerns ? What a diminution of laboi, and what a radiance of light has refiilted from this important difcovery ? The difcovery of the magnet and the application of its rayfterious powers has made cheap and eafy, frequent and fafe the intercoufe of nations, and brought into con- tiguity the mofl remote countries and regions of the earth. Incalculable are the improvements which have been made in the arts of navigation and trade, and in the wealth and enjoyments of nations fmce the magnet has unfolded its powers and ufes to mankind. A wide door and efFe6lual has been opened for the progrefs of trade, the acquifition of wealth, the exchange of the earth's bounties and for cementing falutary connexions between the various and diflant tribes of men. Friend of Jefus ! look and fee what facilities are derived from this difcov- ery for fending the gofpel of peace, with its unfpeakabic bleffings, to all your brethren who dwell on dillaatcoa- tinents and in the Iflands of the fea ? The wealth of na- tions, fo much augmented by modern difcoveries and improvements, is now applied as fueltomen^s lufts, to inflame avarice, to foiler ambition and to feed fenfuality ; but this wealth, in the fcheme of Chriil's government, iias its important ufe. In that day, when all fhall be right- ifous and fmcerely love one another, the wealth of the na- tions fhail be devoted to human happinefs and to culti- vate in all hearts, the love of God and man. In this ap- plication of the wealth flowing from recent inventions and enterprizes doth our Lord fay, Thefdvcr and the gold are mine. i; '3 3 ing roads and eflablifliing ftages, faid " TJjis labour will 7iot be loft ; we are at work for thofe who 'will live in the Milknium." Could we all be purfuaded to make our difcoveries, exertions and enterprizes ufeful to others ; did we calculate upon a large fcale for the comfort and prefervation of life, and for the intercft of future genera- tions, we fhould have the fatisfaftion ot an approving confcience as v/orking for ChriH and his kingdom ; and then we might be affared that our labour would not be in vain in the Lord. My Chrifiianfrioids atid brethren, "While we contemplate the wifdom and goodnefs of our adorable Saviour in directing the difpenfations of provi- dence, and, the inventions and labours of men to the benevolent purpofes of His moral government, and in preparing the world for the full participation of his promifed grace, let us not pafs unnoticed thofe wonder- ful improvements and extenfive enterprizes which the prefent agehas witneiTed in the conflrudion of numer- ous, magnificent Bridges over our moft rapid and dan- gerous rivers. The number, the ftrength and fecurity of thefe flruftures exceed the mod fanguine hopes and calculations of our fathers. Half a centuiy palled, cre- dulity itfelf would not have meditated thefe enterprizes nor dreamed of their fuccefs. The throwing of Bridges acrofs the wide flowing and rapid waters of the CGnnodicut would, a few years iince, have been treated as an ideal and romantic proje£lion : But we are this day convened to acknowledge the goodnefs of providence in the finilhing, and opening of the fifteenth Bridge e- re£i:ed over that magnificent and potent flream. This is the happy event, which has brought us into this houfe of God, to make our humble acknowledgments to him, for fucceeding this expenfive and beneficial work j to indulge our friendly feelings towards one another, to teftify our cordial approbation of this laborious effort of human fkill, perfeverance and public fpirit ; and to unite our fmcere wiflies and cordial prayers, that the benefits of this work may be permanent and co-extenflve with the mcfi fanguine expectations of the proprietors, patrons and execu- 3 m] ion of this laudable enterprize. It Is a good work :— • May the good Lord add his bleiTing to it, and prcferve it, as one among his innumerable inftruments of promot- ing the enjoyments, of exciting the thankfulnefs and of increafmg the filial dependence of his creatures upon his unerring wifdora and fatherly kindnefs. In reccolleding the progrefs of this labour, we fliould notice with fubmiffive refignation, the many delays, em- barraiTments and lofTes which have attended the execu- tion of it. But all thefc embarralTments and loffes we ihould hold in fmall account, had not the infcrutable coun- fels of our Father in heaven made this work the oc- cafion of the fudden and difaftrous death of our valuable friend, Mr. Solomoti Bolticood. This aflive patron and principal of the defign, precious to his family and connexions, and a valuable member of fociety, was here called to finifli his earthly toils, and go into the imme- diate prefence of his God and Judge. Thus is the life of man endangered in his moft ufeful employments ; thus our pleafures are interfperfed with griefs ; thus would God teach us all, that we have a v/ork to do, in- finitely more important and interefling than any jworldly project. It would be neither pious nor reafonable, that our grief at the loffes and bereavments which have ac- companied this labour of love, fliould flifle and fiipprefs our temperate joys on the completion of a defign of inch public utility. "We, gratefully, approve that conflant perfeverance, active 7xal and expenfive liberalicy which infpired the Propy'ictors of this flru(flure to encounter, and furmount tliofe various embarralTments and difficulties which threat- ened the abortion of their enterprize ; and that enduring patience which enabled them to bring to maturity the object of their w idles. The dire^ors to whom the management of this concern was entruftedare for their fidelity entitled to the efteem and approbation of the public, and of their immediate condituents. The Qontra^orSy Artificers and laborers who have C 'J I J^niJIjed tins work, have given lively fpecimens of mechani- cal Ikill, of diligence, and of punftual honor and honef- ty in executing their truft, and have merited and obtain- ed the confidence of thofe who had committed to themf their important interefts and their property. 1 am warranted to tender the fincerc thanks of the Direftors and Coporation, to/Z'(?/> numerous individuals ^ in this and neighboring towns, who have gratuitoufly aid- ed this weighty enterprize by pecuniary contributions and perfonal labours. To thcfe pecuniary aids and per- fonal labours are the public much indebted for this ufe ful accommodation. We, in particular and with gratitude, acknowledge the generous and paternal interpofition of the Lcgijlaturs of this Commonwealth^ by granting to the corporation a; Lottery for raifmg ten thoufand dollars to relieve the Pro- prietors, opprelTed v/ith their lofTes, and to enfure to the community a mod important benefit which was in hazard' of being lofl. May the liberal benefaFiors of this defign, enjov the pleafmg fatisfafbion of feeing all their benevolent wiihes- •ompletely realized in the moft durable and extenfive ad- vantages to fociety and individuals. Hatfield-Bridge, this day opened for public ufe, may be viewed as a fpecimen of human art and fkill, of what great and noble projedls may be accompliflied by liberal zeal and a conftant pertinacious perfeverance. It is an ornamental monument of the public fpirit of the projectors and of the talents and ingenuity of thofe v/ho have executed the work. This is not a monument to perpetuate the name oi fome imperial butcher who has founded his fame and his greatnefs on the bones of his fubjefrs and flaves, who claims rank in the ^page of hiftory for having trampled down authorities, facked cities, impoverifhed and made defolate countries and kingdoms, once flouriihing in peace and joy and plenty. This is not a monument raifed at the expence of the freedom and independence of nations and cemented with the tears and. blood of men, a -{land- mg memento of pafled fufferings and of the prefcnt fervi- sude and degradation of God's rational creatures. r.6] No. This Bridge crefted under the foflering care oF Providence is devoted to thofe benevolent purpofes which accord with and promote the defigns of God's love to men. It is erefted, to be a bond of friendly union to the citizens of neighbouring towns — to facilitate and ren- der fafe and expeditious focial intercourfc — to preferve valuable property from peril and lofs — to relieve from folicitous apprehenfions and torturing fears the minds of travellers and their friends — and to be the ufeful inflru- ment of faving the lives of men and animals. Under thefe views, we may juftly confider this ftruft- ure, an ejfential public benefit. It is coincident with the goodnefs of God to men. It is not a futile, vain effort' of human pride. It is not the progeny of avarice. It is not an inflrument of lofs and fuffering. It is to be reck- oned among thofe ufeful labours of men, and thofe kind events of providence by which the aggregate fum of hu- man felicity is increafed and the fubfiftence and numbers of mankind are multiplied. May the God of heaven and the Redeemer of men own, accept and blefs the labour of our hands and make this, one link of that golden chain which is fiifpcndedi from his throne and reaches down to this footflool. May this be one of thofe numberlefs, effectual pre- paratory fteps which fiiall lead on the aufpicious day of man's renovation and bleffednefs, of that day in which all the inventions and employments of men, all their faculties and property ihall be holiness to the Lord. And now, my friends and fellow chriflians, permit me to conclude this addrefs with my fervent prayers to the God of all grace, that all you of this affembly may be as a city compacl together which cannot be broken down ; that you may be builded upon the foundation of the a- poftles and prophets, Jefus Chriil himfelf being the chief corner (tone : In whom all the building, being fitly fram- ed together, groweth into an holy temple in the Lord. And when the earthly houfe of this tabernacle fliall be difTohed, may you have abuilding of God, an houfe not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.— Amen, .3^ * ^^-V.. ^-./ .^ Vv>^. u •0^ f ^ ^'\. 'b V^ u. 