Part 1

Transcribed from the 1851 Lavis edition by David Price. Many thanks to the British Library for making their copy available.

THE SPIRITUAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE CENSUS.

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A SERMON,

PREACHED IN

The Parish Church of All Saints, Fulham,

30TH MARCH, 1851.

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BY THE REV. R. G. BAKER, M.A.

VICAR OF FULHAM, RURAL DEAN, AND PREBENDARY OF ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL.

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_WITH NOTES_.

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SOLD BY LAVIS, FULHAM.

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LONDON R. CLAY, PRINTER, BREAD STREET HILL.

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SERMON.

2 SAMUEL xxiv. 10.

“_And David’s heart smote him after that he had numbered the people_. _And David said unto the Lord_, _I have sinned greatly in that I have done_: _and now_, _I beseech thee_, _O Lord_, _take away the iniquity of thy servant_; _for I have done very foolishly_.”

AT the time here spoken of, David had been, for nearly forty years, king over “_the Lord’s people_.” The youngest of eight sons of one of the shepherds of Israel, and raised from that lowly station to the throne by the express appointment of Jehovah, it may well excite our surprise to observe his conduct on the occasion to which the text refers. We might have supposed that the incidents of his early life, no less than the experience of his riper years, would have taught him a more simple spirit of faith and trust than that which he now showed. “_A lion and a bear_” came upon him while he was yet a boy, and took a lamb out of his father’s flock which he was keeping; and he was not only delivered from them, but enabled alone and unharmed to slay them. {3} At another time, when the Philistine giant defied the armies of the living God, David went forth of his own accord to meet him. Mindful of the same power which had saved him from “_the lion and the bear_,” he asked no armour for his protection. He sought no weapon for the fight. “_Strong in the Lord_, _and in the power of his might_,” he prevailed, “_with a sling and with a stone_.” {4a} And “_the weak thing_, _and the base thing_, _and the thing that was despised_,” was chosen to confound and to “_bring to nought the thing that was mighty_, _in order that no flesh should glory in the presence of God_.” {4b} Then, again, how often had David been rescued from the personal jealousy of Saul! What signal success had been granted him against the enemies of Israel! And how strikingly had even the rebellion of his own misguided son been overruled to the promotion of his safety and glory!

But it appears that all this instruction had been given him in vain. He was still disposed to depend, in the transaction before us, upon the “_arm of flesh_.” Proud of the extent of his dominions and of the multitude of his subjects, and secretly pleased with the proof it would afford to other nations of his own wisdom and good government, he caused the people to be numbered; although, as the opening of this very chapter shows, it was against the advice, and even the entreaties, of his own officers. For “_Joab_, _the captain of the host_, _had said unto the king_, _Now the Lord thy God add unto the people_, _how many soever they be_, _an hundredfold_, _and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it_: _but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing_? _Notwithstanding the king’s word prevailed against Joab_, _and against the captains of the host_.” {4c} The heart of David, however, was soon opened by Divine grace to confess and to deplore the offence which he had committed. And the fearful judgment that followed served at once, in the most instructive manner, to humble and to disappoint him, by showing him how entirely he was dependent upon God for that _very source of strength and greatness_ which his conceit led him to prize so highly, and how suddenly he might be stripped of it. The account is given in the verses which follow immediately upon the text. For being allowed to choose between three visitations, famine, war, and pestilence, and preferring that which he supposed would fall upon his country most lightly, “_the Lord_,” we read, “_sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed_, _and there died of the people seventy thousand men_.”

It may be right for us to bear in mind, that what made this act of numbering the Israelites so very offensive to God, was that it tended to draw off the hearts of the king and of his people from that single and undivided regard which they owed to Him. All the trials of that nation carried on for such a long course of years, and all the statutes and laws given for their guidance, were meant to keep this conviction uppermost in their minds. They had been singled out from the rest of mankind, not only as the guardians of the true faith and worship, but as witnesses to all the world of the power, and love, and faithfulness of the Lord. Special mercies, continued miracles, wonderful deliverances were wrought for them, in order that they might feel, at every stage of their eventful history, that they were peculiarly _His people_. If _bread_ was wanting to allay their hunger, or _water_ to assuage their thirst, or _raiment_ to cover their bodies, it was not provided by any of the slow contrivances of human industry. But _the hard rock_ poured forth _their_ water, and _the heavens_ showered down _their_ food, and their “_raiment waxed not old upon them_,” even during the long period of forty years. If the inhabitants of every other land gave way before them as they advanced, _they_ were taught, and they might have learnt, from the utter disproportion of their own powers, that it was “_the Lord their God_” who drove them out. And if, in the restlessness of their spirit, they desired to have a king to reign over them, they were reminded that “_the Lord their God_” was _their_ King. However _few_, in any case, were the numbers of _their_ hosts, they always proved _sufficient_ for the work which they were charged to achieve. And however _numerous_ they were at other times, it might yet please Him, as it did on the occasion here recorded, to turn their strength into weakness in an instant. This numbering of the people, therefore, showed an utter distrust of that goodness which had never failed them, and called down a judgment so severe, that it must have warned them for ever against a repetition of the offence.

The question will have occurred already, perhaps, to the minds of some who hear me, Can any similar degree of guilt attach to that numbering of our own people which is going on at this time throughout the land, from one end of it even to the other? If, in the case of David, the measure was condemned so fearfully, and involved so signal a punishment, what are the circumstances in our own case that tend to remove from it any such reproach, and may even lead us to hope that instead of thwarting the will and pleasure of our God, we are really proceeding in conformity to it, and even promoting his purposes of grace and goodness to our land?

My brethren, in order to answer such an inquiry aright, it seems only necessary that we should remember the essential difference already pointed out between the chosen nation and any which the world has since seen. Never in any other case has the civil government of kingdoms been carried on by the immediate agency of Almighty power. _Our_ national welfare depends not upon miracles, but upon those provisions of human forethought or experience, which, under the Divine blessing, appear best adapted to meet each exigency that arises. And although there is often cause to lament that this blessing is so seldom _implored_ by us distinctly and publicly as a Christian people, and so little _acknowledged_ by us in the many mercies, which, as a Christian people, we are enjoying, yet still we may humbly believe that the inquiry now conducted cannot be displeasing to God. Many facts will be learnt from it conducive to the common good, and tending either to suggest or to mature provisions for our social improvement. Many practical lessons will be gained, teaching us how we may better “_bear each other’s burdens_, _and so fulfil the law of Christ_.” {7a} Many truths will be derived from the results of this Census, which may strengthen our hands as “_members one of another_;” {7b} and some objects, it may be hoped, will be answered by it, in the advancement of which we may cheerfully join in giving effect to the counsels of our rulers.

At the same time there are thoughts mingling with this subject of a more serious and personal kind, to which I could desire, in the guidance of God’s Spirit, to direct your minds. And the occasion for suggesting them appears so seasonable, and occurs so seldom, that it may reconcile us to the omission of other topics of inquiry, and the endeavour to found upon it some which may be made, under the teaching of that Spirit, conducive to our edification and salvation.

This enrolling of our people _every tenth year_, each man’s family in his own house, may it not read to us some lessons as Christians; while it affords to those who are set over us in the Lord, the materials for their guidance in the great work of government and legislation? Whether we regard it as private individuals, or as fellow-subjects in that civil community with which the Providence of God has connected us, or as members of the Church of Christ and “_heirs together of the grace of life_,” {7c} it may suggest to us many reflections of thankfulness, self-inquiry and abasement.

_Ten years_ have passed away since this Census was last taken; and of course by far the larger portion of those here present were at that time included in it. These allotted periods fixed by the institutions of men agree very remarkably with those which the Spirit of God in his word has pointed out as warnings of the shortness and the uncertainty of life. “_The days of our age are threescore years and ten_; _and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years_, _yet is their strength labour and sorrow_; _for it is soon cut off_, _and we fly away_.” {8a} If this, then, be the limit to the life of man, what an important portion of it do these latter years contain, quickly as they pass away, and short as they now appear in looking back upon them! It is well known that nearly one-half of the number of deaths that occur among mankind happen before the tenth year of life is completed. Yet have _we all_ been spared, through sickness, and casualties, and during one year of that term through pestilence itself raging at our doors, to see the end of it; and to improve it, as affording a rich fund of opportunities, and warnings, and motives, and principles for the period yet to come. Nor is it only life that has been thus continued to us; but life with all its attendant health, and strength, and reason, and many temporal comforts. And there have been dangers warded off, and blessings multiplied to us in a measure which we should now find it difficult, even with the utmost stretch of memory, to reckon; still less to trace out all those impressions of gratitude and praise towards the Great Dispenser of them all, which each of them, as it passed, ought to have fixed indelibly upon the heart. For these are all the gifts, too often even the unasked gifts, but in every case the undeserved and ill-requited gifts of Him “_in whom we live_, _and move_, _and have our being_.” {8b} And in addition to these, how mercifully have our spiritual privileges been continued to us, those which unite us with “_Christ the hope of glory_,” {8c} and which open to us the supplies of His grace, and which long since ought to have led our affections from earthly to heavenly things. _For ten years more_ has the revealed word of God been spread out before us, “_the engrafted word_, _which is able to save our __souls_;” {9a} inviting us to “_flee from the wrath to come_;” {9b} charging us to have our treasure in heaven; and reminding us, wherever we open it, of the things which belong to our eternal peace. _For ten years more_ has His Blessed Son been calling to us to “_come to Him that we might have life_;” {9c} cheering us with the promise that “_whosoever cometh to Him shall in no wise be cast out_;” {9d} offering to meet and to bless us with His spiritual presence in the ordinances of His own appointment upon earth, and interceding for us continually before the throne of His Father in heaven. _For ten years more_ has that Spirit who does “_not always strive with man_,” {9e} been striving with _us_; often grieved by our coldness, our inconsistency, our unwatchfulness; yet never quite leaving us to ourselves; and even now waiting to be entreated by us, that He may purify and sanctify us wholly. And let me say, that if it is an obvious, it is also a solemn thought, that _these ten years_ have included above 500 Sabbaths; each of which might have been, had we diligently improved them, a new step in our advancement towards heaven. They might have made such an addition to our stock of spiritual knowledge, and strength, and progress, as would ere now have carried us far more onward than we have yet reached towards that “_rest which remaineth for the people of God_.” {9f}

And then comes the concerning question, from which not one person who hears me can escape; In what manner, to what degree have these advantages been turned to account? _These ten years_ of continued forbearance, and longer trial, and multiplied mercies on the part of our God, do they find us at the close of them living more closely to Him; more desirous of His favour; more afraid of His displeasure; and adorning more, in our life and conversation, the gospel of His own dear Son? _So much __nearer_ as we must know ourselves to be to our latter end, are we in any, and in what measure, better prepared to meet it? Do our tempers and pursuits prove us to be, what this new stage of our journey must convince us that we are, mere “_strangers and sojourners upon earth_,” {10a} seeking “_a better country_, _that is_, _an heavenly_?” {10b} Or rather, are there not some sins still, as in time past, a shame and a burden to us; some evil habits or negligences, some ignorances or omissions yet cleaving to us, and even growing with our growth, and strengthening with our strength? The world, the flesh, and the devil, those three enemies of our souls whom we engaged in our baptism to renounce, have they less power over us than they once had? And do we find in ourselves more readiness to pray, more comfort in our private prayers, more delight in our Sabbaths, more of actual profit from all the means of grace, than we did before? With such an inquiry as this presented to him, and quickened by the thought, that as more time is gone there is so much the less remaining, may not the most advanced and established among us find room for confession and self-abasement? And if this indeed be so, if even “_the righteous scarcely be saved_, _where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear_?” {10c} Where those who “_make a mock at sin_,” {10d} “_glory in their shame_,” and only “_mind earthly things_?” {10e} What must be their state in the sight of God, and what their aggravated danger, who for _ten years more_ have been “_crucifying the Son of God afresh_” {10f} by their open unresisted ways of sin, despising the grace of God, and giving a more free indulgence to those very lusts against which the true believers have been at least watching, and contending, and praying?

My brethren, it may seem, no doubt, an alarming reflection, but it is still a faithful saying, and confirmed by all our experience, that if _ten years more_ have not carried us forward in our heavenly course, if they do not find us growing in grace, in the knowledge of ourselves and in the knowledge of Christ Jesus, they will too probably find us confirmed in evil; more estranged from God; more ripe for judgment; the chains of sin bound faster around us, and all our habits more difficult of change; nay, even impossible to be changed, until that Spirit from on high be given us, who can at any time turn a man from darkness to light, but who, the longer He is wilfully slighted, is the less willing to be sought.

These are some of the topics, and, as I well know, they are but a few of them, which a retrospect of this interval might urge upon us as individuals; and these arise only from a review of our own position as the survivors of this new period of probation which the Lord in mercy has permitted us to pass. But I might well ask you to cast your eyes once more back, (it will be wise and profitable for us to do so,) in order that we may call to mind how many persons, some of them dear to us as our own souls, _began_ this same period with us, who have not lived like us to witness its _close_. If the thought suggests to any of my hearers some recollections of pain, and sorrow, and separation, may they have the grace given them to consider that it is the brightest light which casts the deepest shadows; and that there are trains of thought which can edify while they sadden us; like the shade of Peter’s body, which, as it passed across the multitudes, gave life and health to whatever it obscured. {11a}

The number of interments which have occurred within the last ten years in the three burial grounds of this parish have included more than a fifth part of its population. Such is the sure and rapid way in which, day by day, and year by year, the sentence passed upon our fallen race is fulfilled. “_Dust thou art_, _and unto dust shalt thou return_.” {11b} And some of these events, if I could now place them in order before you, have been attended with circumstances so full of awakening instruction, they have proclaimed so distinctly the instability of all earthly ties, the vanity of all expectations that have not heaven for their object, and the love of Christ for their security and their motive, that no louder call could ever be addressed to those who have been most nearly affected by them. And as surely and as quickly will the same mortality proceed during the next decade of the world’s duration. Another like proportion, another fifth, yes, my brethren, one person in five, of those who are assembled here to-day, will be swept off from the engrossing cares and the unsatisfying frivolities of life into the great charnel-house which must ere long receive us all. How many more such ties will be loosened before the same interval recurs again! Those whom we love the best may be taken from us, or we from them, never more to meet until the resurrection of the last day. With such perpetual notices before us of the shortness of our time, and of the momentous nature of that work which it is given us to do, let us resolve to work while it is day. Let us neglect no call; let us abuse no warning; let us lose no opportunity which may assist us in making our “_calling and election sure_.” {12a} “_This I say_,” declares St. Paul, with a full conviction of the truth upon his mind, “_This I say_, _that the time is short_: _it remaineth_, _that both they that have wives be as though they had none_; _and they that weep_, _as though they wept not_; _and they that rejoice_, _as though they rejoiced not_; _and they that buy_, _as though they possessed not_; _and they that use this world_, _as not abusing it_: _for the fashion of this world passeth away_.” {12b}

Suffer me now to advert to some topics of inquiry which such an occasion as this presents to us, as members of the same civil community, fellow-citizens of the same favoured land, or even as inhabitants of the same parish. There are other mercies for us to review, and there are other grounds of humiliation in the abuse of them, which we have to cherish beyond those which belong to us as private individuals. And to these we cannot safely be indifferent.

Consider the many blessings we have to acknowledge as bestowed upon our country. During the earliest of these intervals fixed for numbering the people, of which we have now reached the sixth, we were engaged in destructive wars, always a source of the most extensive misery and crime. And ever, as the period came round for enrolling our living population, there was an allowance to be made for the losses it had suffered of multitudes who had passed into the grave before their full time, in foreign lands, amidst the horrors of the battlefield or the naval fight, their last hours wanting all the solace of domestic endearment or spiritual comfort. But we have now been mercifully spared for nearly forty years from any general or continued war. _Ten years more_ of almost unbroken peace, or of peace broken only in the remoter dependencies of the empire, have passed over us. And very few of our countrymen, comparatively with other times, have had their lives cut short by a scourge to which the pride and covetousness of mankind are always urging them, but which it may be hoped the God of love and peace, in answer to the prayers of His servants, will continue still to restrain. It was a feeling of the terrors of that scourge which drew from David the affecting entreaty recorded in the chapter before us: “_Let us fall now into the hands of the Lord_; _for his mercies are great_: _and let us not fall into the hands of man_.” {13}

And if it cannot equally be said that our land has been spared from the visitation of pestilence, if it has pleased God, within the last ten years, to send again among us that fearful judgment, what cause had we for thankfulness that even in the midst of that judgment He remembered mercy, and that in the most direct answer to prevailing prayer that we have ever witnessed, He caused the disorder to cease even at the time when it seemed to be defying all human means of restraining it.