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A RELIGIOUS & LITERARY JOURNAL.

AS EVERY MAN HATH RECEIVED THE GIFT, SO MINISTER THE SAME ONE TO ANOTHER.

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A SERMON,

PREACHED BY

THE REV. JAMES PARSONS,

man

OF YORK,

At the Tabernacle, City Road,
February 1, 1829.

TEXT, Luke ii. 25 to 32 verses. "And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."

THERE is, my Christian brethren, you are well aware, something about the character of old age, which is always interesting and venerable. It is impossible for us to look upon an individual, on whose head the winters of time have already shed their snows, and who is bending in the feebleness of many years, without giving the involuntary homage of our feelings, and our understanding. This we find to be especially the case with regard to those individuals who are passing on towards the close of their lives;-who have dedicated those lives to the service of God, and have been made partakers of that true and vital religion, which enables them triumphantly to meet all the agonies of the last decay of nature; having the immediate prospect of entering upon

VOL. I.

[PRICE 3d.

a glorious immortality. Of these persons, we have reason to confess, in the language of inspiration, truly, "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." The sayings of persons like these may well be collected, and may furnish those maxims and examples for the young, and subsequent generations, which are intimately connected with the welfare of individual men, and the promotion of the cause of God at large.

Who does not feel an interest when they look back to the period when Jacob collected his twelve sons around him, just before he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the Ghost, and was gathered unto his people, and pronounced those various prophecies which intimated the consummation of their future history? Who can look to the example of David, and see him giving his instructions to his son Solomon, who was to succeed him in the regal office, respecting the cause of God, without feelings of a similar kind? And who can read the words we have now selected, as the ground of our meditation, without being interested in those things, which, by the blessing of God, in their development and application, may be instrumental in promoting your spiritual welfare as you are travelling onward towards the destinies of eternity?

I am to direct your attention to Simeon, whose death words are mentioned here, in the following order of division

I. His character.
II. His declaration.
III. His desire.

I call upon to you contemplate,
First. HIS CHARACTER.

His character you remark, is given to us in the 25th verse; and it may comprehend the following departments.

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the Jewish people, they were consoled by the promise of the approaching Messiah, whose office was affirmed to be that of a restorer of happiness and peace. And could there be any enlightened anticipation of Him who had been promised, without feeling the application of that message to the heart, "comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God!" From the common principle which had been diffused among the Jews from the earliest periods of the Patriarchs, that Christ should make an advent into the world, there were devout men who were watching for the fulfilment of ancient prophecy. This was not only the case with Simeon, for we are told in the 38th verse, "that Anna coming in at that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem." will

1. There is a reference to his practice. "And the same man was just and devout." It is imagined by many, that the former of these expressions is intended to point out the prominence and accuracy with which he fulfilled those various duties, which he owed to his fellow-men; and the latter to signify, the habitual feeling of his mind, in his obedience and dedication to his God. Whether this division of the terms be correct, is comparatively of little importance, because it is evidently the general design of the statement, to point him out as a person whose mind was imbued with the spirit of religion, and whose temper was regulated by the required practice of the people of God. Like Zacharias and Elizabeth, who were his contemporaries in piety, he was "righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." Here you observe, there is a character formed under the regenerating influence of the power of God. It was not at all the result of his innate nature; because the moral aspect of human nature, without the inspiration of heaven, is this, "There is not a just man on earth that doeth good, and sinneth not." "They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Here you will remark, there is an instance of the renovating power of the Spirit of God, who alone is enabled to implant right principles in the human heart; and never must we forget that the influence of the Holy Spirit is always necessary to create in our characters, that which is holy, just, and good. Better is it, my Christian friends, to be known as a just man and devout, and mingling with the goodly fellowship of the saints, than to fill the highest places of human splendour and renown. The former are but effemeral in their existence, and unsatisfactory in their nature; but the latter are substantial and dignified, and are to endure in blessedness for ever.

2. There is a reference to his faith. He was "waiting for the consolation of Israel." The consolation of Israel was a name that was given to the Messiah, by those eminent men among the Jews, who before his advent were expecting and anticipating his approach. Amidst the dreadful demoralization of

And, so it is said again

of Joseph of Arimathea, that he was "an honourable counseller, who also waited for the kingdom of God."

You are to observe, that the anticipations of Simeon, and his devout companions, doubtless arose from their belief in those declarations of ancient inspiration, where the character of the Redeemer had been pourtrayed, and where had been stated the time of his appearance, the purport of his office, and the blessings of his reign. They could meet together, and look over the history of their forefathers, and there read of him who was to be born of the virgin, who was the child that was to be given, whose name was to be called "WONderful, COUNSELLOR, the MIGHTY GOD, the EVERLASTING FATHER, the PRINCE of PEACE;" and, on whose shoulders the government of universal nature was to be laid. They read of him on whom the spirit of JEHOVAH was to rest, that he might bind up the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that were bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. They read of him who was to bear the sins of many, and to make intercession for the transgressors. They read of him of whom it was said, "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and upon thy oly city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and

to bring in everlasting righteousness." And knowing that they were, by arithmetical calculation, now standing upon the threshold of another dispensation, they were waiting with eagerness for the accomplishment of all these prophecies. Here you will observe there was a beautiful instance of that faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen; the faith which looked to one great object, the Son of God, the Saviour of the world. I need not remind you, that from the commencement of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ has been presented to us as the one great object on whom the faith of the people of God ought to repose, some of whom were called upon to believe in Him who was to come, and others on Him who had arrived, and again departed to glory. But both these characters have received the imputation of his merits; and patriarchs, and prophets, and seers, and those persons on whom the ends of the world are come, are all blended together in one body, of which Jesus is the head, and at last will be assembled and congregated together in one heaven, to believe the testimony which God has given respecting the Lord Jesus Christ, and to wait for the second advent of that great being, who once appeared as a criminal at a bar of Judgment, but who, in the midst of the sounding of the trumpets of angels, shall come forth from the shrine of his celestial throne, as an universal King to Judgment. Let this character be ours! And be it ours to remember, that "we must be followers of them, who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises," for without faith, it is impossible to please God!

3. There is a reference to his gifts, for while it is said, "the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel," it is also said, "and the Holy Ghost was upon him." This statement is not intended to imply merely that he was a partaker of the influences of the Spirit of God, which operated in effecting or preserving a moral renovation of the man, but that he was the subject of his peculiar instruction, with regard to a knowledge of scripture; for it is said in the 26th verse, "And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not

see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ." You are to observe, that this holy man of God was a partaker of that same divine agency, which, in ancient times, had enkindled the visions of prophets, and of seers; that agency which had inspired the pen of Isaiah, the harp of David, and the splendours of Ezekiel—that mighty agency which had shed a light of never ceasing splendour over the course of ages yet unborn, the brightness of which should be perpetuated to the final consummation of all things! Simeon was one of the sacred band, who were emphatically denominated, "the lights of the world," and of those holy men of old, who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and whose messages therefore, are to be regarded as coming from that God, with whom, "it is impossible to lie." These gifts were intended to communicate to Simeon happiness of the highest order, that he might bear a public testimony to the Messiah-gifts, by the exercise of which those splendid statements were to be made, that might prepare the people for his mission, and be the instrument in confirming the faith of man in every age of time. You are to observe, that it is a constant principle in the designs of Jehovah, that whereever he makes a revelation to men, for the promotion and advancement of his own individual character, he at the same time, connects it with the great end of his public designs. Every gift of the Holy Ghost, which is bestowed upon mortals, and which operates in individual prosperity, is intended to advance those plans of grace, which were devised in the councils of eternity, and to prepare the souls of men for the scenes of eternity. Contemplate,

Secondly. HIS DECLARATION.

Under the influence of that prophetic illumination, which is intimated in verse 26., he came to the temple at the precise period and moment when the infant Redeemer was brought by his parents to receive dedication, according to the custom of the law. "And he came by the spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms and blessed God." His inspiration now assumed the cha

racter of sublimity, not to be surpassed, and he made a proclamation of immense importance, with regard to the character of our Lord and Saviour; he calls him the "salvation, which God had prepared before the face of all people: A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."

I shall request you to consider,

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shepherds, as they were keeping their
flocks by night, he exclaimed,
"Be-
hold, I bring you good tidings of great
joy, which shall be to all people; for
unto you is born this day, in the city
of David, a Saviour, which is Christ
the Lord." Then there arose the
harmony of the spheres, to add a fresh
libation to the songs of eternity,
"Glory to God in the highest; on
earth, peace and good will towards
men.' When the illustrious Being
himself, in a subsequent part of his
career, announced the purpose for
which he came to earth, he said, "The
son of man came to seek and to save
that which was lost." When the Apos-
tle Paul would give us an entire sum-
mary of the gospel, he said, "This is a
faithful saying, and worthy of all
acceptation, that Christ Jesus came
into the world to save sinners, of whom
I am chief." The entire testimony of

the testimony of Simeon, is involved
the great and comprehensive truth of
all evangelical religion: namely, that
Christ is the salvation which God hath
prepared.

1. The nature of the work which Christ was ordained to accomplish. He is entitled, "The salvation prepared by God." The divine mission of Jesus has here received a very distinct exhibition, and Christ is now presented to our view as that great and glorious Being to whom all the prophets bare witness, and who, through a long succession of ages, had been an object of desire. Hence he was called the Christ, the Anointed of God. He was the incarnate Word, by whom all the shadows were to receive their sub-inspiration is uniform and one, and in stance; all the types were to receive their antitype; all the prophecies were to receive their fulfilment; and all the promises their accomplishment; on whose character the faith, and confidence, and hope, and joy, of innumerable millions of mankind were to be placed, and by whose works all that was mighty, and splendid, and redeeming in the councils of God, were to be fulfilled. He is revealed here as the great hope of a sinner's salvation, as coming into the world to accomplish our redemption from those evils, which, if they had been permitted to press upon us, would have facilitated our destruction. You will remember, that in those books of prophecy, to which Simeon had access, our Redeemer is declared in the character of a Saviour, "mighty to save." Saving by the right hand of his power. Nor can there be a reference to the records of ancient inspiration, without perceiving that character, which was to be more immediately fulfilled in the development of the plan of mercy, which has been revealed to us in the gospel. With what holy joy should we hail the salvation of Christ as that prepared by God! When the angel came to Joseph to tell him of the approaching birth of the Saviour, he said, "Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins." When another herald came to the

That the salvation which is accomplished by Christ for man, is a salvation for the guilty, from the power and punishment of sin, is a principle firmly to be maintained. That the salvation accomplished by Christ for man is a salvation by virtue of the sacrifice of Christ, is a principle firmly to be maintained, and the doctrine of this principle is to be regarded, as of primary importance to the salvation of the soul. For if an exception is made of this, the soul is left without a refuge, and "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."

The recognition of the principle of salvation, by the atonement is, we believe, most distinctly involved in the proclamation of Simeon, both on account of the distinctness with which the doctrine is beheld in ancient prophecy, and on account of the illumination which he received by the power of the spirit of God. The entire statements of Scripture present this doctrine for universal reception: namely, that the death of the LORD JESUS CHRIST upon the cross, was a true and proper sacrifice for the sins of men, and thats

scendants of Abraham was to be rc

Faith is the appointed medium by which
we receive the imputation of his right-garded as one of the brightest ornaments
cousness, and the application of his
atoning merit. It is thus that we are
justified before the throne of the eter-
nal God, and are prepared in spirit
and in mind for the enjoyment of eter-
nal happiness with God in heaven;
"We are justified freely (says Paul),
through faith in his blood. Believe on
the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt
be saved." O what tidings, and what
gladness are there here! Salvation!
O it is the word of grace as sent from
Jesus throughout this fallen and apos-
tate world! Salvation! O it is the
word which opens the dungeon, and
proclaims liberty to the captive; which
chases away the shadows and darkness
of despair; which snaps the captive's
fetters, and sets him free! Salvation!
O that is the word which raises the
bosom to rapture, amid the agonies of
dissolving nature, and stamps the im-
press of righteousness and glory upon
the corpse that is bordering on the
confines of the grave! Salvation! O
that is the word which dwells in me-
lody upon the lips of angels, and
which amid the high bestowments of
eternity, will peel forth in melody in
the songs of immortal multidutes before
the throne of God for ever and ever!
Christ is the salvation which God hath
prepared!

of his character; and, while at some
future time it was determined, that
they should be gathered into the fold
of Christ, as the great Shepherd and
Bishop of their souls, you are aware
there was to be a still wider diffu-
sion of his grace among the Gen-
tiles, where the dark cloud of sin
had brooded for successive ages, im-
penetrable, and perfectly impervious.
There was to be the shining of the
heavenly light, and the sending forth
of its splendour was to be the means
of carrying to the world at large, God's
heavenly truth, till the inhabitants
thereof finally received the enjoyments
of immortality. You will observe,
that the exhibition of Christ's salvation,
pronounced here, agrees most fully
with that pronounced by the father of
John, where he says, "The day spring
from on high hath visited us, to give
light to them that sit in darkness, and
in the shadow of death, to guide our
feet into the way of peace." Referring,
once more, to the ancient declaration
of prophecy, you may there have ob-
served, how many statements are made
with regard to the extent to which the
blessings of salvation were to be carried.
The prophet Isaiah exclaims, "The
people that walked in darkness, have
seen a great light they that dwell in
2. Consider, the extent to which the land of the shadow of death, upon
the work was to be carried. He pro- them hath the light shined." And
claims it is as a salvation, "which again, in the 46th chap. 6th verse, "I
God has prepared before the face of the Lord have called thee in righteous-
all people; a light to lighten the Gen-ness, and will hold thine hand, and
tiles, and the glory of thy people
Israel." This is a remarkable instance
of the clearness and force with which the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit upon
Simeon had imbued his mind, over-
throwing, as you remember it did at
once, all those various prejudices by
which the Jewish nation was in-
fluenced;
and without any regard to
national privilege, he made an in-
stant proclamation of that gospel
which was prepared by God, which
was to be diffused among all nations,
and which was to communicate
its blessings to the utmost regions
and the most degraded inhabitants of
the earth. While it was known that
Christ was the glory of the people of
Israel; while, the fact that the Sa-
viour came forth from among the de-

will keep thee, and give thee for a co-
venant of the people-for a light of the
gentiles." Again, in the 49th chap.
6th verse," It is a light thing that
thou shouldest be my servant, to raise
up the Tribes of Jacob, and to restore
the preserved of Israel: I will also
give thee for a light to the Gentiles,
that thou mayest be my salvation unto
the ends of the earth." When the
gospel system was introduced, you
remember that the great Redeemer
gave a general commission to his apos-
tles, "Go ye forth into all the world,
and proclaim the gospel to every crea-
ture.? The apostle set it forth by a
special declaration, that God had given
the Redeemer to open their eyes, (the
Gentiles) and to turn them from dark-
ness to light, and from the power of

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