Sermons and Biblical Studies

“And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name: and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not.” Mark 9:38, 39. 1. In the preceding verses we read, that after the Twelve had been disputing “which of them … Continue reading “A
CAUTION AGAINST BIGOTRY”

“And Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself.” Acts 26:24. 1. And so say all the world, the men who know not God, of all that are of Paul’s religion: of every one who is so a follower of him as he was of Christ. It is true, there is a … Continue reading “THE
NATURE OF ENTHUSIASM”

DISCOURSE I “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: Yea, we establish the law.” Romans 3:31. 1. St. Paul, having the beginning of this Epistle laid down his general proposition, namely, that “the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;” — the powerful … Continue reading “THE
LAW ESTABLISHED THROUGH FAITH”

“Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Rom. 7:12 1. Perhaps there are few subjects within the whole compass of religion so little understood as this. The reader of this Epistle is usually told, by the law St. Paul means the Jewish law; and so, apprehending himself to have … Continue reading “THE
ORIGINAL, NATURE, PROPERTY, AND USE OF THE LAW”

“This is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord our righteousness.” Jer. 23:6. 1. How dreadful and how innumerable are the contests which have arisen about religion! And not only among the children of this world, among those who knew not what true religion was, but even among the children of God; those … Continue reading “THE
LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS”

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin.” 1 John 3:9. 1. It has been frequently supposed, that the being born of God was all one with the being justified; that the new birth and justification were only different expressions, denoting the same thing: It being certain, on the one hand, that whoever is … Continue reading “THE
GREAT PRIVILEGE OF THOSE THAT ARE BORN OF GOD”

“So is every one that is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8. 1. How is every one that is “born of the Spirit,” — that is, born again, — born of God? What is meant by the being born again, the being born of God, or being born of the Spirit? What is implied in … Continue reading “THE
MARKS OF THE NEW BIRTH”

“Circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter.” Romans 2:29. 1. It is the melancholy remark of an excellent man, that he who now preaches the most essential duties of Christianity, runs the hazard of being esteemed, by a great part of his hearers, “a setter forth of new … Continue reading “THE
CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART”

“Ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them.” Mal. 3:7. I. 1. But are there any ordinances now, since life and immortality were brought to light by the gospel? Are there, under the Christian dispensation, any means ordained of God, as the usual channels of his grace? This question could never … Continue reading “THE
MEANS OF GRACE”

[I.E., THE LAST JUDGMENT — GL] “We shall all stand before the judgement-seat of Christ.” Rom. 14:10. 1. How many circumstances concur to raise the awfulness of the present solemnity! — The general concourse of people of every age, sex, rank, and condition of life, willingly or unwillingly gathered together, not only from the neighboring, … Continue reading “THE
GREAT ASSIZE”