[This would have been the position of Welsh Tract Church in 1831 - ed]
"BELOVED BRETHREN- Your attention is called to the nature and use of means in religion, Relative to the nature and use of means, we do not wish to be understood as speaking of anything to be used concerning merit, but of those appointments which have been established for the accomplishment of the Divine Purposes, in the observance of which we are solely to rest on the Divine munificence for the blessing. We are to view the means not as the fountain, but as golden pipes let down from Heaven, which convey to us the salutary waters of life. Nor are we insensible that the great and majestic Creator, who spake and all things sprang from nonexistence into being in obedience to his omnific fiat.-He who fills the immeasurable extension of space, with inexhaustible stores of light, and upholds from age to age the stupendous fabric of the Universe, could have accomplished all his purposes without means But we have reason to bless God that for the good of man, and the glory and exaltation of our Redeemer's great name, means have been appointed. He uses builders and watchmen, yet it is the Lord that builds the house and keeps the city. (Ps. cxxxii.) Paul may plant and Apollos 'water; but God giveth increase. Indeed the systems of Nature, Providence, and Grace are all carried on by means, nor can any person expect the approbation of his own conscience, the respect of friends, or the smiles, of approving Heaven while they are neglected. Some have argued that the Divine decree supersedes the necessity of means. But the means .have been as certainly appointed as the end, In nature, while the Earth remains there is a promise of seedtime and harvest, yet no one is so preposterous as to think on account of this appointment, that he is exempted from the duty of preparing for seed time by breaking up the fallow-ground or so much as dream of a plentiful harvest when the proper means have been neglected.
The period of human life is represented as being an appointed time, or stated period, yet where is the man that refuses the use of means in this case; is anyone ready to relinquish the use of food because his days are appointed? That our Divine Parent generally works by them and thereby displays his - glorious perfections fully illustrated in the sacred Scriptures. When the Israelites were bitten by the serpents in the wilderness, Moses was commanded to lift up a serpent of brass, and the people were to look to it and be healed; wonderful -as it may appear, those that obeyed were made whole." They were commanded to look that their faith and submission might be manifest, and only to look that it might be evident their cure was' not effected by natural means, but by the miraculous interposition of God, in the same manner, sensible sinners are commanded to look unto Christ who has been lifted up on the cross for the salvation of wounded sinners, 'with the assurance that they shall be healed of their wounds. Look unto me and be ye saved all ye ends of the earth, for I am God (saith the Lord by the Prophet Isaiah) and it is a very consolatory consider ration that vast numbers in every age since the Christian era, have found peace and salvation in the Cross of Christ, and in opposition to the frowns of tyrants-the punishment of crucifixion and the flaming faggots, the doctrine of the Cross has made its, way through the world,
At the close of the Antediluvian period "when all flesh had corrupted his way on 'the Earth" and the Almighty had determined to sweep them away by a deluge, At this awful period the Lord appointed Noah to prepare an Ark. Although the profane world scoffed at the preacher of Righteousness, yet he attended to the means, and himself, his family, and of living creatures, two of every sort were saved, (Gen. 6, 7,8,9)
We have also a very striking view of Abraham's strict attention to God's command in offering up his son; and his approbation of the same. Observe also the obedience of Gideon arid his army to God's commands in the use of the appointed means; although at the first view trifling, especially to, those who look only at the outward appearance; consult Judges, 7, 8, and you will perceive the blessed and salutary .consequences. God will have the instruments and means, regarded according to his appointment and direction, that he has graciously manifested and delivered for instruction and salvation, and those who are tenaceous of his will are ever, ready to observe it themselves and press it upon others.
Hence we find our blessed Lord, the Holy Spirit, and an, Angel, the means of God's appointment in sending Men to the ministry for instruction, (see Acts, chapters 8, 9 & 10.) In the overthrow of Jerico, the means were to encompass the walls seven days, blowing with trumpets of rams horns-s-in this',vay the city was was demolished; nothing could be better calculated to manifest that the efficacy was all from God and cause his Israel to confide in him for the blessings of time and eternity. He who engulfed the Egyptians in the Red Sea, slew by his angel 185,OOO of the Assyrians in one night, and smote others with blindness, when they were sent to apprehend his Prophet, could have accomplished their downfall, independent of such means. So under the present 'dispensation, Chris.. tians are to encompass the fortress of Infidelity, blowing the Gospel trump is a means under God for demolishing the strongholds of Satan. We have reason to thank God that through these means the Empire of Satan has been depopulated to the confusion of the enemies of truth, the rejoicing of Saints and Angels, and the glory of God. The means and instruments under the Gospel are such as exalt the name of the adorable Sovereign. He has not commissioned the holy Angels, who stand near the ineffable glory of his throne.
Nor does He raise up an order of men, naturally distinguished by purer morals, more comprehensive understanding, or commanding eloquence. Were this the case the success of the Gospel might be ascribed to the excellency of the means. But he has employed base things of the world and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not to bring to naught things that are. That no flesh should glory in his presence. He generally employs means apparently the most unequal to the work; twelve men, iliterate, destitute of worldly wealth or influence, was the mighty means of spreading the gospel among all the nations of the Earth, despite the malice, tyranny, prejudice, and bigotry of those on the side of opulence and power.
Furthermore, permit us to mention in behalf of the use of means, that our blessed Lord when on earth used them; by duly attending our Lords appointed means, the hideous deformity of the lukewarm disappears, the dark cloud withdraws, and the light of Heaven bursts upon the scene and illuminates the abodes of men with the splendor of immortality. Those who steadily adhere to their duty, unmindful of the scoff of the infidel or the cavils of the Libertine. Jareen couraged with the prospects of " an exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Those that have suffered privations for the sake of the Gospel, have the promise of eternal life." Does our profession expose us to outward poverty? He promises in reversion his "unsearchable riches, even the tried gold of his kingdom." Those that are called to take up the cross, have the promise of an incorruptible crown. Those that are instant in season and out of season will be rewarded with an eternity of rest from all labor, What a glorious promise; " He that overcometh and keepeth my word unto the end, to him, will I give power over the nations; To him that overcometh I will give to sit down with. me on my throne," and I will give him the morning Star. Let us for a moment contemplate the last scene of one who has been faithful to his Lord's commands, and how dignified his triumph is, "I have fought a good fight: I have finished my course: I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for 'me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
In addition to this our Lord's last commands to his disciples, imply the highest activity in the use of means, Math xxviii, 18, 19, 20. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given to me in Heaven and in earth. -Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever, I have commanded you and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world, Amen.
On the other hand, by the neglect of our Lord's appointed means, the magazines of darkness are thrown open, and infidelity stalks abroad with a brazen front, the moral atmosphere is contaminated, the Sun withdraws her shining, and the beasts of darkness Issue forth to devour. For while the harmless and unsuspecting are asleep, the enemy is busily employed in sowing tares. In the consummation of human events, when .our Lord shall appear as judge of all, we learn that all those on the right hand are addressed with "come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungered and yo gave Inc n eat, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you took me in naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and ye came unto me.
Here' We have exhibited to our-view the blessed consequences of attending to his commands and appointments. . . In the observance[of every duty, we must remember that the caution the Lord gave Moses, is applicable to all Christians; " see that ye make all things according to the pattern shown you in the Mount."
We have no right to propose any alteration. In the use of means, regard should be bad to time, manner, and ends, &c.; otherwise it will but receive marks of God's displeasure. See the instance of Nadab and Abihu offering strange fire before the Lord and being consumed, (Lev. 10, 1.;) and also Korah and his company; Numbers 16, chapter, together with Saul -1; Samuel 15th.
When he says, wash in Jordan, it is plain he does not mean Abana or' Pharpar-when he says go baptizing, it is not sprinkling, and as all nations are mentioned, it is wrong not to use exertions to send the Gospel as far as Providence opens the way.
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