66 powerful mean of salvation to every one that believed and obeyed it. It came unto them, not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." It opened the blind eyes, unstopped the deaf ears, and loosed the dumb tongue, It" proclaimed liberty to the captives" of sin, "the opening of the prison to them that were bound" by their lusts and vices, and was instrumental in "binding up such as were bruised." By means of it the sick in sin were healed, and the dead in sin made alive. Yea, they were quickened, and raised up, and made to sit in heavenly places with Christ Jesus." They were assured of the favour of God, stamped with his image, and introduced into a state of friendship and communion with him. Being "begotten by this Word of Truth; being "born again of this incorruptible seed," they were constituted the children of God, not only by adoption, but also by regeneration, and "made a kind of firstfruits of his creatures," dedicated to, and employed in his service, and conformed, in all things, to his holy will. 6. It was "the power of God unto their salvation from sin and its consequences. By faith in the doctrine of Christ crucified, they were "blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things, and in heavenly places:" They had "redemption through his blood the forgiveness of their sins; were made accepted through him the Beloved," and were rendered " holy and without blame before him in love." Nay, "his exceeding great power towards them that believed," so renewed them in the spirit of their minds, and transformed them from an earthly and sensual, to an heavenly and divine temper, that their "conversation was in heaven, and their "life hid with Christ in God." They were "filled with joy and peace in believing, abounded in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost," and "dwelling in love, dwelt in God and God in them." They enjoyed, therefore, an heaven on earth. They anticipated their future felicity. For having received a title to it in their justification, and a meetness for it in their regeneration and sanctification, they also enjoyed a pledge, earnest, and foretaste of it in the experimental knowledge and love of God, and in fellowship with him; it being "life eternal to know” and have communion with "the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent." This knowledge and privilege, through faith in a crucified Redeemer, they possessed, and thereby had within them that "well of water, which is to spring up to life eternal," when the grace of the saints shall issue in glory. 7. And now, my brethren, as the very same are the spiritual ef fects of the gospel in every age and nation, in which it is truly and properly received; as it always has been, and still is, "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; I should surely be guilty of a great omission of duty, if I were not to add, protracted as my discourse has already been, a few words by way of application of what has been advanced. I call upon you therefore, to examine yourselves touching your experience in these inportant matters. In what light do you view, and in what spirit do you receive this doctrine of "Christ crucified ?" And what effect has it upon you? Is it a stumbling-block to you, as it was to the Jews? or do you, with the Greeks, consider it as foolishness? Notwithstanding that you have, it may be, often attentively heard it, does it not leave you in ignorance and sin, in guilt and wretchedness? Or, being truly and effectually called, and brought to experience repentance unto life, and saving faith through it, is it to you the wisdom of God and the power of God? Do you discern and acknowledge the most manifest traces of divine, yea, of infinite wisdom and power, in this wonderful dispensation? And are you enlightened and renewed by it? Are you, who "were once darkness, made hereby light in the Lord ?" Are you "made a people who were not a people? and have you obtained mercy who had not obtained mercy ?"* Although you were formerly "dead in sin, and in the uncircumcision of your hearts,” has he "quickened you, and raised you up, through faith of his divine operation, having forgiven you all trespasses ?" Are you "washed, justified, and sanctified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God ?" "washed in the laver of regeneration; renewed by the renewing (power) of the Holy Ghost, and being justified by grace, made heirs, according to the hope of eternal life?" These, my brethren, are questions infinitely momentous, and it concerns you all, more than I can describe, to be able to answer them in the affirmative. In the affirmative you will soon be able to answer them, if you receive in faith and love, the testimony that is and will be borne here, concerning Christ crucified, and obey from the heart the form of doctrine which," from this Eph. v. 8. and 1 Pet. ii. 10. † 1 Cor. vi. 11. and Tit. iii. 5-7. 66 pulpit, will be "delivered unto you." Now may he "who was crucified in weakness, but who liveth by the power of God," even our Lord Jesus Christ himself, give efficacy to the word now spoken, "and may God our Father, who hath loved us, and given us everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and establish you unblameable in holiness, and fruitful in every good word and work." FINIS. SERMON I. Christ's Commission to his Ministers. Page "Go ye into all the World, and preach the Gospel to every creature: He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but The Nature and Design of the Gospel of Christ, and the Consequences of 2 Cor. iv. 3. "But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost." 25 The Devices whereby the god of this world prevents the efficacy of the Gospel. 2 Cor. iv. 3, 4. "But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that be- lieve not, lest the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should shine On the Second Coming of Christ. "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven, with his mighty Angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and The Character of those who shall be condemned by Christ at his coming. SERMON VI. The future Misery of the Wicked. On the Life and Labours of the Rev. John Wesley. "Remember them that had the rule over you, who spake to you the Word of God; whose Faith follow, considering the end of their On the true Glory of an House of God. Haggai ii. 9. "The Glory of this latter House shall be greater than the former, saith the Lord of Hosts: And in this Place will I give Peace, SERMON XI. On the Occasion of the Death of Mrs. Foster. 1 Thess. iv. 13, 14. "I would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them who are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others, who have no hopc. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, them also that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.".. Rage 195 1 Thess. v. 23, 24. May the very God of Peace sanctify you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.". SERMON XIII. On the Way of attaining Sanctification. 1 Thess. v. 23, 24.......... SERMON XIV. 229 249 Preached on the Occasion of the Death of Mr. Alexander Mather, on Sunday, August 31, 1800, at the Chapel in Great Queen-Street, and at the New Chapel, City-Road, London. Job xix. 23-27. "Oh, that my words were now written! Oh, that they were printed in a boo!! That they were graven with an iron pen, and lead, in the rock for ever! For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth," &c... SERMON XV. Preached on the Occasion of the death of the Rev. Peard Dickinson; on 273 Jer. xiv. 8. "The hope of Israel, and the Saviour thereof in time of trouble.” 307 SERMON XVI. On the Nativity of Christ. Isaiah ix. 6. "Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.". SERMON XVII. On the Nativity of Christ,-Continued. 341 Isaiah ix. 7. “His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor," &c. 367 SERMON XVIII. The Principles and Practice of the Sect every where spoken against, impartially considered, in a Discourse delivered at the Opening of the Methodist Chapel at Twickenham, Dec. 14, 1800.. Acts xxviii. 22. "We desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: For as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.”. SERMON XIX. ...... Preached at the Opening of the Methodist Chapel, at Newbury, Sept. 19, 1804. 1 Cor. i. 23, 24. "We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." 391 415 |