Address to the Inhabitants of the Colonies, established in New South Wales And Norfolk IslandJohnson, Richard
Religion
Address to the Inhabitants of the Colonies, established in New South Wales And Norfolk Island
Johnson, Richard
Prisoners -- Australia; Sermons -- Australia -- 18th century; Speeches, addresses, etc.
Moses, by the express command of God, erected a brazen serpent upon a
pole, in the view of the camp of Israel [Numb. xxi. 9.]. Such of the
people as were stung by the fiery serpents, were directed and commanded to
look up to the brazen serpent. They who did so were healed. But if any
resisted, they were sure to die. For no other means or physicians could
relieve them. In like manner Christ Jesus our Saviour, once lifted up on
the cross, is exhibited in the preaching of the gospel. Sinners, who are
wounded and diseased by sin, are directed, exhorted, encouraged, and
commanded to look up to him [John iii. 14, 15.]. And they who are
persuaded so to do, are infallibly cured of all those spiritual maladies,
under which they have long and sorely laboured. But all, who despise and
reject this sovereign remedy of God's gracious appointment, either by a
total indifference to religion, or by expecting salvation in any other
way, will be left, and that most deservedly, to perish in their wilful
obstinacy and unbelief [John iii, 36.].
PART II
In the former part of this address, I have already laid before you, in
the plainest manner I was able, my views of the gospel of Christ. And
as an experimental knowledge of this gospel is so very important, I
have endeavoured to press that importance upon your consciences.
Whether you have paid that attention to the subject, which it deserves
and requires, yourselves best know. I can only say, that if I did not
know it to be of great weight, I should not either speak or write of it
with so much earnestness. But being persuaded and assured, by the
express testimony of the holy scriptures, that these things are true;
and truths, the knowledge of which is essential to your present
and future happiness, I must be plain and faithful in declaring them.
I ought to be very indifferent what men of depraved morals, and corrupt
principles may say, or think of me, if I have the witness of a good
conscience, and the approbation of the God whom I serve. My concern
is for YOUR welfare and salvation; for I am certain, as I have told you
before, and now tell you again, that unless the gospel is made the
power of God to your souls, you must be miserable in time, and to
eternity.
I propose now to give you some advices, to assist you in understanding
the gospel for yourselves, which if you observe, I trust, you will
attain to the possession of those principles, and walk by those rules,
which will both afford you present peace, and secure your future
happiness. For godliness has promises pertaining to the life that now
is, and to that which is to come.
Let me then exhort you to attend seriously to what you are to
believe; and to what you are to do. These two points include the sum
and substance of the gospel, the whole of the christian life, and may
be comprised in two words, FAITH and PRACTICE.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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