The Wesleyan Pulpit

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1855 edition. Excerpt: ... their fellow-men serious and devout, but they are ungodly, that is, not like God, unconverted, un regenerate, they have the form, but not the power of godliness; many of these are amiable in their disposition, but they are not in the ark, they do not dwell in the secret place of the Most High, nor abide under the shadow of the Almighty, they are sleeping on the brink of perdition, all beneath is hell. Nothing, my beloved friends, will save you but a change of heart. By the sinner is meant the openly profane, the swearer, drunkard, liar, cheat, licentious, sceptic, and infidel. If the righteous are just saved, where shall these sinners appear?" The ungodly are like the chaff," &c. 3. Their heavenly Father chastens them with kind severity, "Whom the Lord loveth," &c. It is through much tribulation they enter the kingdom. We are refractory children, the most affectionate parents give bitter ingredients to their sick children, and this is done in love, "And like as a father pitieth," &c. Not a hair of our head would perish, not a sigh would be heaved, nor a groan extorted, the ague would not chill, nor the fever burn, no cloud would darken our skies, no sorrow oppress our spirits, no pang of affliction would be felt by us, could we get to heaven without them, were it not to accomplish purposes of grace and mercy upon us. Severe discipline is necessary to qualify us for the employments and enjoyments of the glorified spirits in bliss: God is never more kind than when he seems to be most unkind, he spares no corrections, withholds no afflictions that will have a tendency to the sanctification of his people. In this world, it is frequently the case, the path of the righteous is fenced up with barriers, and...