3. Another thing that vastly concerns the future prosperity of this town, is, that you should watch against the encroachments of error; particularly Arminianism and doctrines of like tendency.
You were, many of you, as I well remember, much alarmed with the apprehension of the danger of the prevailing of these corrupt principles nearly sixteen years ago. But the danger then was small in comparison to what appears now. These doctrines at this day are much more prevalent than they were then: the progress they have made in the land, within these seven years, seems to have been vastly greater than at any time in the like space before: and they are still prevailing and creeping into almost all parts of the land, threatening the utter ruin of the credit of those doctrines which are the peculiar glory of the gospel, and the interests of vital piety.
And I have of late perceived some things among yourselves that show that you are far from being out of danger, but on the contrary, remarkably exposed. The older people may perhaps think themselves sufficiently fortified against infection; but it is fit that all should beware of self-confidence and carnal security, and should remember those needful warnings of sacred writ, “Be not high-minded, but fear;” and “let him that stands, take heed lest he falls.” But let the case of the older people be as it will, the rising generation is doubtless greatly exposed. These principles are exceeding taking with corrupt nature, and are what young people, at least such as have not their hearts established with grace, are easily led away with.
And if these principles should greatly prevail in this town, as they very lately have done in another large town I could name, formerly greatly noted for religion, and so for a long time, it will threaten the spiritual and eternal ruin of these people in the present and future generations. Therefore you need the greatest and most diligent care and watchfulness with respect to this matter.
4. Another thing which I would advise to, that you may hereafter be a prosperous people, is, that you would give yourselves much to prayer.
God is the fountain of all blessing and prosperity, and he will be sought for his blessing. I would therefore advise you not only to be constant in secret and family prayer, and in the public worship of God in his house, but also often to assemble yourselves in private praying societies. I would advise all such as are grieved for the afflictions of Joseph and sensibly affected with the calamities of this town, of whatever opinion they are with relation to the subject of our late controversy, often to meet together for prayer, and to cry to God for his mercy to themselves, and mercy to this town, and mercy to Zion and the people of God in general through the world.
5. The last article of advice I would give (which doubtless does greatly concern your prosperity), is, that you would take great care with regard to the settlement of a minister, to see to it who, or what manner of person he is that you settle; and particularly in these two respects:
(1) That he be a man of thoroughly sound principles in the scheme of doctrine which he maintains.
This you will stand in the greatest need of, especially on such a day of corruption as this is. And in order to obtain such a one, you need to exercise extraordinary care and prudence. I know the danger. I know the manner of many young gentlemen of corrupt principles, their ways of concealing themselves, the fair, specious disguises they are wont to put on, by which they deceive others, to maintain their own credit, and get themselves into others’ confidence and improvement, and secure and establish their own interest until they see a convenient opportunity to begin more openly to broach and propagate their corrupt tenets.
(2) Labor to obtain a man who has an established character, as a person of serious religion and fervent piety.
It is of vast importance that those who are settled in this work should be men of true piety, at all times, and in all places; but more especially at some times, and in some towns and churches. And this present time, which is a time wherein religion[Pg 152] is in danger, by so many corruptions in doctrine and practice, is in a peculiar manner a day wherein such ministers are necessary. Nothing else but sincere piety of heart is at all to be depended on, at such a time as this, as a security to a young man, just coming into the world, from the prevailing infection, or thoroughly to engage him in proper and successful endeavors to withstand and oppose the torrent of error and prejudice against the high, mysterious, evangelical doctrines of the religion of Jesus Christ, and their genuine effects in true experimental religion. And this place is a place that does peculiarly need such a minister, for reasons obvious to all.
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