ration, 72-3, Of Thirst for Knowledge, 74-4, Of Public Spirit,

76-4, Of heavenly-mindedness, 78-6, Of Patience and Mar-

tyrdom, 79-Conclusion, 84.

THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION.

SERMON IV.

Rom. viii. 15.-Ye have received the spirit of Adoption, whereby

we cry, Abba, Father.

Arrangement, the Gift received; the Liberty from bondage; and

the Address, 86-The Gift bestowed on God's children; 1, The

Spirit, a seal of our adoption, 87-2, Witness, 90-3, The Com-

forter, 93-Christian Liberty, 96-1, From Sin, 97-2, Satan,

99--3, Man's influence, 101-Abba Father, 103-Its import in

several particulars.

THE MEANS OF GROWTH IN GRACE.

SERMON V.

2 Pet. iii. 18.-Grow in grace.

The fact of growth in grace, 109-Explanation of the text, 110-

The means, 111-The ordinances, as, 1, Instruction, 112-2,

The sacraments, 115-3, Conversation, 118-4, Prayer, 121-

Rational reflections, 122-1, Upon our sins, 122-2, Providence,

124-3, God's love, 127-4, Death, 129-Divine influence, 130

-1, Teaching, 132–2, Affecting, 133—and, 3, Strengthening,

136-Concluding addresses, 138.

ASSURANCE OF A SAVING INTEREST IN CHRIST.

SERMON VI.

1 John iii. 19.-Hereby we know that we are of the truth, and

shall assure our hearts before him.

Unfounded Confidence, 142-Assurance attainable, 144-Principles

implied in self-examination, 148-1, Any gracious exercise is evi-

dence of piety, 152-2, Variety of Christian attainments, 154-

3, Conversion under different circumstances, 157-Remarks on

the religion of infants, their death, and future state, 158-4, The

aid of the Spirit, 163-Application in four particulars, 164-Dis-

tinction between saving faith and the assurance of salvation, 169..

THE EVIDENCES OF TRUE RELIGION IN MAN.

SERMON VII.

1 John iv. 13.-Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in

us, because he hath given us of his Spirit

Explanation, 172-Spiritual exercises, the evidence of spiritual life,

174-1, Self-abasement, 174-2, Dependence on Christ, 180-

85

109

142

171

3, Submission to the law of Christ, 184-4, Joy in God, 189-

Distinction between the special and common work of the Spirit,

191.

THE DUTY OF THOSE WHO HAVE NOT ASSURANCE.

SERMON VIII.

Isa. 1. 10.—Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth

the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no

light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his

God.

Explanation, 196-Duty of the desponding; 1, Distinguish doubt-

ing from unbelief, 198-2, Ascertain causes of doubting, 200-

3, Continue in practical obedience, 213-4, Believe in the Lord

Jesus Christ, 218-The end of faith is salvation, 221-Faith is

the duty of the sinner, 222-The inability of man by nature,

223-Christ freely offered to sinners as such, 223-Faith is an

exercise of the spiritual understanding and the spiritual affec-
tions, 224-Appropriation, 224, and 169.

THE CONSOLATIONS OF TRUE RELIGION.

SERMON IX.

Psalm Ixiii. 3-7.-Because thy loving-kindness is better than

life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I

live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be

satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise

thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and

meditate on thee in the night-watches. Because thou hast been

my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice

Explanation of the text, 229-Religion the best comfort, 236—1,

Destroys the principal causes of grief, 236-2, Supports under

remaining afflictions, 239-3, Brings to view the best objects,

241-4, Produces the purest affections, 245-Love seeks the

good, and the enjoyment of its object, and includes both benevo-

lence and desire of enjoyment, 246-Good will to others, and

regard to personal happiness, both original principles of the hu-

man mind, 248-Disinterestedness and selfishness described, 248,

249-5, Assurance of God's love, 251-6, Religion inspires with

the hope of eternal enjoyment, 253.

THE STABILITY AND PERFECTION OF TRUE

RELIGION IN MAN.

SERMON X.

Jude 24, 25.-Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling,

and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with

195

228

exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and

majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

The Perseverance of the saints, 257-Explained, 257-Vindicated,

260-By, 1, Declarations, 260-2, Promises, 261-3, Descrip-

tions, 262-Death of the saints, 263-Use of religion at death,

264-The soul's immortality vindicated, 267-The doctrine of

an intermediate place refuted, 271-Paradise, åons, 272-Heav-

en, 276-Conclusion, 279

256

PREFACE.

age

PROVISION was made in the constitution of human nature for the exercises of devotion: and, accordingly, men of every and kindred have some kind of reverence for an invisible Superior. It is upon this principle of the rational mind, not improperly called by moral philosophers, the Sense of Deity, that religion of all kinds is engrafted; and the very absurdities of Superstition and Fanaticism, as well as the enlightened piety of the sanctified soul, are evidences of its existence. A correct exposition of True Religion in Man, must of course, correspond with the most important objects of Moral Science, and be admitted itself as an interesting part of sound Philosophy. "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding." A delineation, moreover, of the power of godliness in the origin and progress of the Christian's "new and better life," is calculated to interest and to instruct the young believer, and to assist the more advanced disciple, in those reflections which are necessary to ascertain both the fact and the degree of his personal religion,

The Author, during a general, and even an intimate intercourse with Christians of almost all ranks and names, has frequently found himself at a loss, for a work, at once both doctrinal and experimental, to be recommended to the perusal of those who are seeking the consolations of the gospel of the grace of God, and adapted to the actual condition of society in our cities and our country. These discourses, most of which have been delivered in the course of his ministry

in this city, have been selected for the press in order to supply to the best of his ability this deficiency.

For the purpose of introducing more argument and criticism than can be properly admitted into a popular discourse, notes have been appended to the text, wheresoever they appeared to be necessary. If the volume should prove the means of instruction or comfort, to any of those who have been awakened in the midst of the gay and busy world, to any timid, doubting, or tempted believer, the author will rejoce that his labour hath not been in vain in the Lord, to whose patronage and blessing it is humbly submitted.