صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

tho' fome of the fentences, and perhaps many of the phrafes are unavoidably altered, yet so far as was poffible, the fenfe is retained. If what is offered should thwart the received opinion of any, I freely grant the objector what I claim as an unalienable privilege for myself, (viz.) the liberty of private Judgment, Nevertheless, with all the thinking I am capable of, I, like others, may err; for I have not yet set up for infallibility.As I do not pretend to be liberally educated, I flatter myself that fuch as are fo, will readily excufe any inaccuracies they may difcern: It is infufferable to beat a blind horse because he ftumbles-I fhall not trouble the reader with paffing encomiums upon myself, refpecting my deep fenfe of ignorance, unworthiness,

worthiness, inability, want of age, learn

ing, experience, &c. many have degraded themselves, who would have been highly offended, had any perfon elfe done it for them. Pompous profeffions are fo common with divinity publishers, that they are little more regarded, than the preamble in the beginning of an old act of parliament. -If any good is done hereby-if the Judgment of any is informed, or if any are stirred up to evidence their FAITH by their WORKS, let the good, the everlafting JEHOVAH be praised

HUDDERSFIELD,
Sept. 28, 1778.

W. MOORHOUSE.

FAITH

FAITH in GOD, and good WORKS

connected :

4

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

[ocr errors]

#

OU have been entertained this Day, with fome account of one of the most glorious truths that the bible contains, (viz.) that there is redemption by the blood of the crofs. On the truth or fallacy of this fingle article, depend things of no less importance than falvation or damnation. The atonement being found valid, falvation is fure to all the redeemed; but on the contrary, fhould the doctrine of redemption by blood be found either false or infufficient, there remains no hope for any of Adam's fallen pofterity. But it is our fong, our boaft, and confolation, The LORD bath vifited and redeemed his people.

Confidering

Confidering what is gone before*, I could not think of any fubject more likely for general usefulness, than a few remarks upon faith and good works. The portion of fcripture I have fixed upon for this purpose, you read in

PAUL's epistle to TITU S,
CHAP. III. VER. 8.

This is a faithful faying, and these things I will that thou affirm conftantly, that they which have believed in God be careful to maintain good works: these things are good and profitable unto men.

This epiftle was written to Titus, during St. Paul's abfence from him; whilft that great apostle was labouring in Greece, and his fon Titus in Crete (now Candia) but though the one was on that Ifland, and the other on the European Continent; yet, their God, their work, their ends and aims were all one. The bonds of chriftian affection, had fo united their hearts, that Paul, as a tender parent to his own fon in the common faith, fends this affectionate letter to fupply, in fome measure the lack of his perfonal prefence; well knowing, that the young minifter of JESUS CHRIST Would stand in need of godly counfel. How well is it, when the fervants

The preceding fermon was upon redemption, preached_by The Rev. Mr. Gill, from thofe moft excellent words finished".

"It is

(9)

fervants of the LORD feek to help one another in the great Work of the Ministry!

In the firft chap. he gives Titus a few hints refpecting the qualifications of a bishop, prefbyter, or overfeer of the flock of CHRIST: perhaps to remind him what was neceffary for his own part, as well as what was needful to be found in, and obferved by others engaging in the fame important office.-Thofe who bear the veffels of the LORD ought to have clean hands.

After having noted the character of a Minifter, he proceeds to give Titus fome general rules to be observed in the discharge of his facred trust; exhorting him to deal faithfully with all ranks, and ever to be reminding each clafs, of thofe duties which belong to their feveral stations in life; that by a steady obfervance of the fame, they might ftop the mouths. of gain-fayers, and glorify God their SAVIOUR. In the verfes juft preceding our text, he takes notice of two doctrinal points, highly neceffary for every one of Adam's race to be well acquainted with, (viz.) what we are by nature, and God's way of faving finners by grace, through the redemption that is in CHRIST JESUS that being juftified by grace, they manifeftly commence heirs according to the hope of eternal life. He then draws up a comprehenfive direction in these words I have fixed upon, This is a faithful faying, and thefe things I will that thou affirm conftantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works thefe things are good and profitable unto men. In these words, we have the duty of both Minifters

B

« السابقةمتابعة »