PREFACE.

THE

HE sacred Scriptures speak of "dead works," and of a "dead faith;" of a "form of godliness," and a "form of knowledge:" and in whatever way these may be combined together, the whole, as well as each of its constituent parts, must be widely different from "living faith," the "power of godliness," and a 66 new creation to good works." So that there is often far more coincidence in this respect, between men of discordant sentiments on speculative points, than is generally supposed.

To shew the absolute necessity of evangelical principles in order to holy practice; and their never-failing efficacy in sanctifying the heart, when cordially received; and to exhibit, according to the best of the Author's ability, the nature and effects of genuine Christianity, as distinguished from every species of false religion, without going far out of his way to combat any of them; is the special design of this publication. But he has, at the same time, endeavoured to explain, establish, and enforce his views of the gospel in that manner, which was deemed most likely to inform the mind and affect the heart of the attentive and teachable reader.

The doctrinal part of the apostolical epistles is always stamped practically; and the holy tendency of every divine truth is clearly shewn on the other hand, the practical exhortations are constantly enforced by evangelical motives and encouragements. This may therefore be considered as a good test of sterling divinity, by which it may be known from all that is counterfeit, or greatly debased with alloy.

The texts selected for these sermons are generally very plain and comprehensive; and the evident meaning of them, as they stand in the Scriptures, has been carefully investigated and adhered to: so that the reader, who hesitates concerning the doctrine, or the conclusions deduced from it, may, by diligently examining the context, perceive how far these are warranted by the authority of the sacred writers.

The Author, since he first circulated his proposals, has been determined, by the advice and reasons of his friends, to omit the short prayers, which he in

tended to add at the end of each sermon; but he hopes, that, as in other respects he has exceeded the proposals, he shall escape censure in this particular; and be credited in saying, that he had no motive in the alteration, but to avoid every obstacle to the usefulness of the publication.

To the special blessing and providential disposal of the only wise God our Saviour, he would commend this feeble endeavour to glorify him and promote the cause of the gospel: and whatever reception it may meet with from the public in general; he shall deem himself abundantly recompensed, if any persons should, by means of it, be brought to the saving knowledge of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, into whose name all Christians are baptized. May 12, 1796.

SERMONS

ON

SELECT SUBJECTS.

SERMONS.

SERMON I

THE TRUTH AND IMPORTANCE OF SCRIPTURE
REVELATION.

DEUTERONOMY XXXII. 47.

It is not a vain thing for you, because it is your life.

THE honoured servant of God, whose words are here selected, was favoured with health and the unabated force of all its faculties, at a very advanced time of life: and, so far from claiming a privilege of relaxation from labour, he seems, as death approached, to have redoubled his diligence, in order that the Israelites might have the things which he had taught them, in perpetual remembrance. An hoary head is indeed a crown of glory, when thus found in the way of righteousness: and "blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing."

Among other methods of durably impressing the minds of the people, Moses was directed to compose a prophetic song; as poems are generally learned with greater eagerness, and remembered more easily than other compositions: and at the close of this sacred song he thus addressed the people, "Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, even all the words of this law. For it is not a vain thing for you, because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it." Having given this earnest admonition, he was directed to ascend mount Nebo, that he might die there: a circumstance which could not fail to add peculiar energy to his concluding exhortations. The nation of Israel had spiritual blessings proposed to them by types and shadows, and Canaan represented the everlasting felicity of heaven, the inheritance of true believers. We live under a different dispensation, and enjoy peculiar advantages. "God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners, spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son."-" Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip-for how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" Heb. i. 1-3. ii. 1-3. The words of the text are therefore at least as ap