DR. ROBBINS's CENTURY SERMON; PREACHED AT KINGSTON, April 2, 1794.
A CENTURY SERMON, PREACHED AT KINGSTON, In the County of PLYMOUTH, April 2d, 1794: AT THE SPECIAL DESIRE OF MR. EBENEZER COBB, WHO, ON THAT DAY, ARRIVED TO THE AGE OF ONE HUNDRED YEARS.
BY CHANDLER ROBBINS, D. D. PASTOR OF THE FIRST CHURCH IN PLYMOUTH.
Published at the request of Mr. COBB, and others.
"We have a father, an OLD MAN."
"The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness."
PRINTED AT THE Apollo Press IN BOSTON, BY BELKNAP AND HALL, No. 8, DOCK SQUARE.—1794.
by lingering sickness, or by sudden accident; whether at home amongst our friends, or abroad in distant lands, where none but strangers shall hear our dying groans. If the LORD be with us: if "the GOD of Jacob be our help," all will be well; we may safely close our eyes on all mortal enjoyments, and leave the world in peace.
We are convened this day, my brethren, on a very singular occasion. Singular, at least, in the present age of the world. The life of MAN is placed at "three score years and ten." But we are met to commemorate the goodness of GOD to his aged servant, here present, whose life has been protracted to the uncommon period of a HUNDRED YEARS this day. With wonder and with gratitude, we hail such an unusual ANNIVERSARY. "Our FATHERS, where are they?" Gone to the world of immortality. But how few of them had arrived at this advanced age, before they quitted the stage of mortality!
It is the design of the present discourse, without going into a particular consideration of the connexion in which the words stand with the context, to take them as a distinct sentence, containing a very important truth, and to endeavour some improving reflections from them, suited to this occasion, and to the circumstances of the aged person, present; and likewise to deduce such remarks, as may, by the blessing of GOD, be of general use and benefit to all.
There are TWO principal ideas held up to view, in the passage before us, to which your attention is invited.
I. The first is, the frailty and mortality of man.
[Page 7]II. The second, that there are certain cases and circumstances in human life, in which it may justly be said, "There is but a step between us and death."
1. We are naturally led to contemplate the frailty and mortality of man. The term DEATH, in our text, is full of awful import. Here is the end, not of our existence: Happy, comparatively happy for the wicked, the finally impenitent sinner, if it were so! But the end of all worldly joys and woes. Here is the entrance on a new, an untried state of existence, which will never end. What a subject this for serious reflection and improvement! A subject equally interesting to the parent and the child, to the aged and the youth. Why then should "the living who know they must die, put far away that evil day?" A day, which they cannot, by all their efforts, ward off, nor by all their tears of anxiety and distress, avoid. An event, which will not be bribed, by all the riches of the world, to a moment's delay. For "who," or by what price, can a man "redeem his brother, or give to GOD a ransom," that shall reprieve him from death?
When we take a view of the amazing havoc and destruction which that relentless enemy Death has made in our world, what a distressful reflection does it afford! It spares no age, sex or character. The prince on the throne and the beggar in his cottage, are alike subject to his awful power. The father and the son, the tender mother and the helpless babe, must each feel his fatal shaft, and bow to death. Nay, this king of terrors shews no more favour to the virtuous than to the profligate. [Page 8] The righteous and the wicked, the saint and the sinner, must equally fall before him, and submit to his dreadful sceptre. For "it is appointed to all," all without distinction, "once to die." Happy, my friends, if but once! For we are informed in the sacred word, of a "second death." A death, far more terrible than that of the body. It means the death of the soul; which term, in the language of scripture, is figuratively used to signify its eternal separation from GOD, and from all happiness; to a state of endless darkness and misery. But blessed be GOD, the same divine word does also inform us, that this death may be avoided. For it is written, "Blessed and holy are they that have part in the first resurrection, for on such the second death hath no power." Who are these privileged ones? it will be natural to inquire. Who, these happy souls, on whom that dreadful calamity shall never fall? The sacred word describes them, as the holy "followers of the Lamb." None but the friends and followers of JESUS, who have chosen him with all their hearts, for their Saviour and their King, will be distinguished with this glorious privilege of eternal exemption from the second death. For them, the Saviour hath "abolished death," and will enable them to triumph over it as a conquered enemy, in the lively hope of a blessed immortality. But, from the first death, there is no escape. "There is no discharge in that war." This is an enemy which has, ever since the apostacy of man, been going on from conquering to conquer; and will finally subdue the whole of our fallen race.
What a melancholy picture is presented to our [Page 9] minds, if we only take a view of the awful ravage and desolation this enemy is making at the present day, among the contending armies in Europe; where the horrid "noise of war and garments rolled in blood" are the constant theme; the daily objects before their eyes! Oh! how doth humanity shudder at the thought of whole hecatombs of human lives immolated at the shrine of ambition and the accursed lust of empire! Or sacrificed to glut the vengeance of despotic tyrants, or to appease the wild, the unhappy ravings of a temporary enthusiasm! In either view it must be, to every feeling mind, a distressing reflection! Painful beyond expression, that there should be such a thoughtless, such an impious waste of human blood, as if it were of no more value, than that of beasts of slaughter! Oh! what a tremendous reckoning must the aggressors, the criminal authors of such destruction and misery, have hereafter! and what an awful account must they give up, in the great day of dread decision! in that day, when thrones and sceptres shall no longer protect the tyrant from justice, nor lawless power shield the murderer from the vengeance of a righteous GOD!
But while we contemplate with horror, these scenes of destruction, in fields of battle; we are ready to inquire, is it there only, that the enemy death is making desolation? Alas! no. He comes, with resistless force, into the peaceful habitations of domestic security and friendship; and often spreads a melancholy gloom over whole families. A tender husband, an affectionate wife, is snatched from the embraces of the sorrowful partner. The hapless child is left a solitary [Page 10] orphan, bereft of the guide of its youth. And how often does the tender parent mourn the untimely death of his offspring, cut down in the morning of life! But such is the will of heaven; who saith, "Be still and know that I am GOD." He hath righteously ordained that the reign of death should be universal, and all must, sooner or later, fall before it. The time when, the place where, or the means by which this event will take place, are exceedingly various; all, particularly ordered by the wise disposing providence of GOD, and as wisely kept a secret from mortals, reserved in the breast of infinite wisdom and goodness. Yet it is an event to which mankind are liable, every moment. Which leads us to the SECOND thing proposed, viz.
That there are certain circumstances in human life, and in which it may be truly said, "there is but a step between us death." The inquiry here, naturally is, when do these cases occur and what are those circumstances, and who the persons, of whom it can be affirmed with truth, that they are within "a step" of death? In answer, the following things are observed.
FIRST, The assertion is strictly true, in a sense, of ALL our dying race. They walk every day, by the brink of the grave, by the very gates of the eternal world. It is but a breath that separates us from the invisible state. "For what is our life but a vapour, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away." Surely "man at his best estate is altogether vanity." "He giveth up the Ghost, and where is he?"
SECONDLY, The truth in our text, may, with [Page 11] special propriety, be applied to that class of men, "who go down to the sea in ships, who do business in great waters." Our SEAFARING BRETHREN are an order of citizens, important indeed to society, and whose calling is both lawful and necessary. But every one knows it is also an hazardous one. Do they wisely reflect on the dangers that surround them? Are they sensible on what precarious ground they stand every moment while pursuing their business on the mighty billows? That "there is but a step," a plank, "between them and death." How important, how serious is the reflection! What a solemn argument to convince them of the necessity of religion, of reconciliation to GOD, and of actual readiness for death; that if it should be sudden, it may not come unexpected, nor meet them with surprise; which leads us to observe,
THIRDLY, How many SUDDEN ACCIDENTS, in the daily course of life, verify the words of our text, and are an awakening proof that "there is but a step between us and death." An apoplexy, a fall, a blow, a wound, and sometimes a sudden burst of violent passion, have, in an instant snapped asunder the brittle thread of life, and swiftly hurried the soul into the eternal world. Such events are by no means uncommon. How frequently do we read and hear of them? How often too, do mankind experience narrow, even hairbreadth escapes from instant death? when, to appearance, a miracle alone could have preserved them. That such cases do not more frequently prove fatal, and that our lives are not taken away by innumerable accidents, to which we are daily exposed, is to be [Page 12] ascribed to nothing but the immediate, constant interposition of GOD, whose powerful and merciful hand upholds us, each moment of life. I doubt not, that while I am now speaking, there are numbers here present, who can testify, from their own experience, to the truth of these observations, who, this moment, recollect the day, the place, the circumstance, in which they narrowly escaped being instantly deprived of life, and sent quickly into eternity. But the LORD was merciful, and has spared you yet a little longer. Let it not be, to fill up a greater measure of sin; but, O! may your gratitude to GOD be as signal, as was your deliverance!
FOURTHLY, A SICK BED has often witnessed the truth of our text, that "there is but a step between us and death." Can none of us affirm this also, from our own experience? Have we not been, by a violent fever, by excruciating pain, or, by more slow discase, reduced to the very verge of life; our friends weeping around us, hourly expecting to see us breathe our last; physicians are of no avail, the disorder baffles their utmost skill, all hopes of recovery seemed to be gone, and in our own apprehension, if we had our senses, all the prospect was, vast, boundless, amazing eternity! When, all on a sudden, by an unexpected and unaccountable turn of the disease, we were, as if by the immediate voice of GOD, called back again to life, snatched as from the borders of the pit, ransomed from the grave, and at a moment, when it might, with truth be said, "There was but a step between us and death."
Once more, fifthly; with peculiar propriety, [Page 13] may the expression in the text be applied to those who are far advanced in OLD AGE. We know, indeed, that no age in life is exempt from the stroke of death. The youth who is now sporting in all the pleasures and gaieties of juvenile years, may be in his grave, before the man whom we here behold, bowed under the weight of years. It is not unusual that the fairest blooms are soonest cropt, by the cold hand of relentless death. But when a person has arrived at his threescore and ten, there seems to be a moral certainty of a speedy dissolution. His hoary hairs and enfeebled limbs daily admonish him that it is but "a step" that divides him from the congregation of the dead, from "the house appointed for all the living." Every hour tells him, the sands in his glass are just run out, that his "days are numbered, and almost finished." O how proper, how important, that those who have arrived at old age, should set loose from this world and all the enjoyments, cares, frowns and flatteries of it, view themselves as at the door of the grave, live in daily expectation of the summons that will call them into the world of spirits; and give all diligence that they be found in readiness for their last remove.
Having briefly suggested some observations from the passage before us, in a doctrinal way, I poceed to the
IMPROVEMENT.
A variety of useful remarks might be drawn from this interesting subject. I shall confine myself, and ask your attention only to a few of them, at this time.
[Page 14]1st, It naturally leads us, in the first place, to a humbling reflection on the weak, miserable state of man, in consequence of his guilty apostacy from GOD. Here is the baneful source of all our woe. To this fountain, we may trace all those bitter streams of sorrow, pain, misery and death, which spread such a dark and gloomy shade over this fallen world. From this source, have proceeded those rivers of blood which have deluged the earth; by wars, persecutions, oppressions, tyrannies, by anarchy, fanaticism and superstition; which, at different periods of time, have so much disgraced humanity and distressed the world. From the same cause have arisen all those bitter animosities, feuds and dissentions which have disturbed the happiness of societies, discord and variance in families, hatred and strife among individuals; in a word, all the unnumbered calamities that have befallen mankind from generation to generation, down to this day. They have all taken their rise from man's sinful departure from his GOD. Nor do the evils terminate here. They are not confined to the present life. Those endless miseries in the future world, which await the wicked, and the finally impenitent sinner, are but the just fruit and "wages of sin." But while we contemplate the dismal effects of sin, both in this and the coming world, what cause have we,
2dly, To adore the infinite wisdom and goodness of GOD, that there is a foundation laid in the gospel for hope even in death. That the consideration of the certainly of death, does not, necessarily land the mind in the region of hopeless despondency. Blessed be GOD, that although we must die, yet [Page 15] we may live again, and live a new, a better life, beyond the grave: a life of glorious immortality and joy; where sorrow and death shall reign no more for ever. For these hopes and this happiness, we are entirely and exclusively indebted to the gospel of Christ. This has brought "life and immortality to light." Here we find that "JESUS is the resurrection and the life;" and that he that "believeth in HIM, though he were dead, yet shall he live."
It is, indeed, a solemn thing to exchange worlds, to go from time into eternity. The way through death is a dark valley, but JESUS can enlighten this passage. He has once, himself, passed through it. For he was dead, and behold he is alive, and liveth forevermore, Amen; and hath the keys of hell and of death." It is through this door of death that he has appointed all his friends shall follow him to glory. He will not therefore, "leave or forsake them," when they shall come to it. He has, by travelling through the dark valley himself, sweetened the passage for all his children, who come after him. So that many of them have cheerfully ventured into it, leaning upon the promise of their GOD and Saviour, and from sweet experience, have been ready to adopt those comfortable lines,
Have you never, my brethren, within your own observation, had occasion to witness this truth; in the triumphant departure of some, who, in their last hours have enjoyed unspeakable serenity of mind, if not transported with the lively hope of [Page 16] glory? Although, perhaps, a little before, or during their sickness, they were in great darkness and fear, respecting their state. They wept, they trembled at the awful prospect before them. Yet, through the goodness of a faithful GOD, before they left the world, the clouds dispersed, the everlasting mountains appeared; the tear of distress was wiped from their eyes, by the gentle hand of their compassionate Saviour, and the sting of the dreaded monster, was rendered pointless and easy, by the balmy supports of the gospel, and the sweet "consolations of CHRIST," in their expiring moments. Are these the blessed effects of a hope founded on the gospel? O! with what ardour of gratitude should we join the Apostle, and say, "Thanks be to GOD for this unspeakable gift."
3dly, The subject teaches us that death, or merely dying is, by no means the principal thing we have to fear in that solemn hour. There is something infinitely more dreadful than death, which is SIN. It is this, and this only, that clothes death with its principal horrors.
There is, indeed, something terrible and abhorrent to nature, in the thoughts of dying. Nature shrinks from the dissolution, dreads the painful stroke which separates the soul from the body, and all its tender earthly connexions. But the apostle tells us, "the sting of death is SIN." It is this that arms it with terror. When this is taken away by the pardoning mercy of GOD, through the precious blood of Jesus, death is stripped of its gloom, and becomes the friendly messenger, sent by the blessed Saviour, to call his children home to those "mansions in his Father's house, which [Page 17] he went, as their forerunner, to prepare for them." They meet him therefore with courage; sometimes with a transport of joy, saying, "O death where is thy sting! Thanks be to GOD who giveth me the victory, through our Lord JESUS CHRIST." Which leads me to remark,
4thly. The subject points out the only safe soundation of hope in death, viz. JESUS CHRIST. This, this is the "chief corner stone," on which you and I, my hearers, must rest our hope, if ever we expect to meet death with comfort and safety. "Other foundation can no man lay." The conflict will be inexpressibly terrible, without the presence of Christ, without the almighty support of his love and power. Every other foundation will assuredly fail. Where else would you look for support? Shall you place confidence in your having been educated in a christian country, and brought up under the light of the gospel? Or will you build your hopes on your good intentions and resolutions, on your prayers, tears and religious performances? Or dare you venture your all for eternity, on your having made a profession of religion and attended the ordinances of the gospel? In a word, will you trust to your works of righteousness, or your deeds of charity? These props are too weak to support a dying man, or give comfort to a soul just launching into eternity, and about to appear before a holy God. Be assured, that if you have no better foundation than these, your "expectation will perish;" these will all sink from under you, and prove as mere "refuges of lies," which will be swept all away by the besom of death, and will leave you hopeless, wretched and undone forever.
[Page 18]But if on the other hand, your hope rests on this "Rock of ages" JESUS CHRIST alone, if your confidence is built on the ground of that everlasting righteousness which he has wrought out, that complete atonement he hath made for sin; "neither life nor death can separate you from the love" and eternal enjoyment "of God;" nor can "the gates of hell prevail against you."
THE GREAT CONCERN, therefore, the all important inquiry, my hearers, is, have we, or have we not, built our HOPE on this foundation? The subject before us, as well as the occasion, render such an examination peculiarly suitable and important, not to one more than to another; but to all, of whatever age, class, or condition, of life. Are we not all mortal? Do we know the day of our death, or the length of time that infinite wisdom has allotted us for our probation here? Are we certain that the term has not nearly expired? And are we secure one hour, or moment, from the arrest of death?
It has been observed, and justly, that the words of our text are truly, applicable to every one; that "There is but a step between us and death." That "our life is but a vapour," and who can tell when, or how suddenly, that vapour shall be driven away? Without doubt, it will be much sooner, with many, than they now expect.
Are any of you, now in the prime of life; in the vigour of youth? Will this prove a security against the stroke of death? Look to yonder, Golgotha, and see the graves of many a lovely youth, snatched from their fond parents in the morning of life; youths, who as little thought of dying as you do this day, until the fatal summons came.
[Page 19]Are others of you in the meridian of life, involved in the cares of a family, and busily engaged in worldy schemes and pursuits? And are you sure that your sun will not set before the evening of old age, or that your present engagements shall not be interrupted by an unexpected call into the eternal world? Are you sure that the awful words pronounced by the prophet to Hannaniah, will not be verified in you, "This year thou shalt die!" What frequent admonitions have we, by the yearly, and daily calls of one and another from us by death, to "prepare to meet our GOD," "lest coming suddenly, he find us sleeping."
Let the solemn question then, be brought home to our bosoms. Am I prepared for that step which will usher my immortal spirit into the immediate presence of my maker, GOD? Have I, at present, any hope at all, on which I make dependance? If so, is my hope any thing better than "the spider's web," or the "hope of the hypocrite, which will perish when GOD takes away my soul." On what ground am I building for eternity? Is it on the sandy foundation of mere morality, or my own good works? Is it on an empty profession of godliness? Or upon some favourite name, party, denomination or distinction among men? Is it upon transient affections, sudden impulses, or flashes of joy, like those of the "stony ground hearers?" Are these the foundation on which I am building my eternal hopes? Or, is it upon that firm, that immoveable ROCK, Christ Jesus? Have I ever deeply felt my perishing need of this foundation? my utter depravity, guilt and helplessness; the righteousness of that law that condemns [Page 20] the transgressor of it to eternal punishment, for every instance of violation? Gal. iii. 10. Have I been convinced of the entire insufficiency of all "works of rigteousness which I have done," or can do to make the least atonement for my sins, or procure my pardon and acceptance with a holy and just GOD? And being divinely enlightened, have, I "fled for refuge" to the perfect and glorious atonement of CHRIST, as "the only hope set before me?" Have I seen the safety, the alsufficiency of this foundation, so as cordially to trust in it for my whole salvation; that I can humbly say, in the language of the prophet, "in the Lord have I righteousness and strength?"
And is my hope of that kind, that it "purifies me, even as HE is pure?" Am I become, indeed, a "New creature?" Have "old things passed away?" If I have experienced a change of heart, is it manifested by a change of life? by a studious care to "deny all ungodliness and every worldly lust, and to live soberly, righteously and godly in the world?" THESE are the scriptural marks of a real christian. If these are found in us, my brethren, WE are christians: And have just ground of "rejoicing in the hope of the glory of GOD." And death, how soon or suddenly soever it may come, can do us no harm: we shall fall asleep in Jesus.
But if not, in the name of GOD, it is high time to awake and look to our standing. For it is, indeed, on "slippery places;" and "there is but a STEP between us and death." And if "our feet should slide," while in the present condition, under an insupportable load of guilt, the weight will [Page 21] inevitably plunge us into a state of remediless woe, of endless ruin. On the other hand, how joyful, how glorious is the prospect which a good hope in Christ presents to the dying christian! Cheerfully may he look forward to the departing hour, and with sweet serenity adopt the sacred triumph of the apostle, "I am more than a conqueror through him that hath loved me."
5thly. But I now close the discourse, by a more particular application of the subject to that aged, very aged person, on whose account we are convened this day; and at whose request I stand here on this occasion.
How great, venerable Father! how distinguishing is the goodness of that merciful GOD, who has upheld you through all the vicissitudes of a long life, and has lengthened out your days to this remarkable period! What millions of inhabitants have been swept off from the earth, since you came upon the stage of life! and how few COEVALS have you in our world! With what wonder and gratitude have you cause to look back upon the varied scene of life you have passed through, and upon the revolutions and changes you have seen, since the days of youth! Changes in the natural world; changes, surprizing changes in the political, and in the moral world. To us, Sir, especially to our rising youth, the race of life you have run, appears very long indeed. But not so to you, as you have told me, but a mere span. Upon a retrospective view of it, methinks you are ready to say, with the aged patriarch, when the curious question was put to him by Pharaoh, "How old art thou?" In reply, "Few and evil [Page 22] have the days of the years of my life been." You cannot, however, add, as in the next words, that "you have not attained to the years of the life of your fathers, in the days of their pilgrimage;" for you have exceeded them all, and almost all upon the present stage of action.
A rare sight! my brethren, our eyes behold, this day! A fellow citizen, who has survived a century! Born when New-England was in its childhood; when America was, comparatively, a wilderness; but about SEVENTY YEARS after the landing of our forefathers in PLYMOUTH, the place of his birth. May the unusual sight suitably affect our minds, and excite serious and grateful reflections on the wonderful power, goodness, patience and tender mercy of GOD to his creatures!
And while you, AGED FATHER, with good old JACOB, acknowledge, with a grateful heart, "the GOD that hath fed you all your life long," may you not, with peculiar propriety, now, at the close of a long life, adopt the words of DAVID in the text, and say, "There is but a step between me and death!" an important step indeed. You will naturally, on this occasion (as far as the enfeebled powers of your mind, which are necessarily impaired by age, will permit) be led to contemplate the great, the interesting change that lies just before you; and the awful importance of being found in actual readiness for it. You have "heard and learned" from the gospel, what that foundation is, on which alone, you, and we all, can with safety build our hopes, and die in peace. And that "other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." The all-perfect [Page 23] atonement made, and the everlasting righteousness brought in by HIM, is that Rock, on which you may, with infinite security and satisfaction depend, when you shall be called to take that last step which will introduce your unbodied spirit into a world of untried and immortal existence. On this ground, never did one fail, or come short of heaven. On this foundation then, fix, immutably fix your faith and hope. Then, may you, with patience and serenity of soul, "all the days of your appointed time wait, till your change comes," when, with a gentle stroke, the messenger death shall give you a peaceful dismission from earth to "a brighter world on high." And in the mean time, may you, the few intervening days that heaven may allot you, between this and the parting hour, be enabled to adopt the words of "Paul the aged," and say "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand, henceforth is laid up for me, a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will give me in that day, and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing."
FINALLY, brethren and friends, all, who have met here this day and on this occasion, the singular event which has called us together, is adapted to excite very useful and improving reflections in the minds of both old and young. It is very improbable we shall ever meet again on a similar, and perhaps never, all of us, on any occasion. This, be it as it may, is of very small importance, compared with one of infinitely greater moment. Nor is it material at what age or period of life, we quit mortality, whether in youth, in manhood, or at [Page 24] the age of a hundred years. The only important point is, that our peace be made with God, by virtue of a real, a vital union with the Lord Jesus Christ. Without this, all our hopes are vain, and will end in fearful disappointment, at the hour of death. For it is written, "the sinner, though an hundred years old, shall be accursed." But "precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his saints," and "mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." To the soul united to Jesus, death will prove the welcome harbinger of endless joys.
Be it therefore, our great, our only concern, to secure this blessedness. To this end, let us hearken to, and comply with the calls of the gospel, improve the fleeting moments of life to the glory of GOD, and in "serving our generation according to his will;" and then, when life shall close, we shall be gathered to our fathers in peace. Our bodies shall lie down in that mansion of silent repose, "where the wicked cease from troubling;" and our souls, through the merits of our divine Redeemer, shall be received to that eternal "Rest that remaineth for the people of GOD."
AMEN.