Sermons and Biblical Studies

When the operation is such as to raise their esteem of that Jesus who was born of the Virgin, and was crucified outside the gates of Jerusalem; and seems more to confirm and establish their minds in the truth of what the gospel declares to us of his being the Son of God, and the … Continue reading “1.
JESUS IS SEEN TO BE THE SON OF GOD”

Having given some examples of things that are not evidence that a work wrought among a people is not a work of the Spirit of God, I now proceed to show positively what are the sure, distinguishing scripture evidences and marks of a work of the Spirit of God, by which we may proceed in … Continue reading “EVIDENCE
IN SCRIPTURE”

It is no argument that a work is not from the Spirit of God, that it seems to be promoted by ministers insisting very much on the terrors of God’s holy law, and that with a great deal of pathos and earnestness. If there really is a hell of such dreadful and never-ending torments as … Continue reading “MAKING
PEOPLE AWARE OF HELL”

If some who were thought to be wrought upon fall away into gross errors, or scandalous practices, it is no argument that the work in general is not the work of the Spirit of God. That there are some counterfeits is no argument that nothing is true: such things are always expected in a time … Continue reading “8.
SOME COUNTERFEITS”

Nor are many errors of judgement, and some delusions of Satan intermixed with the work, any argument that the work in general is not of the Spirit of God. However great a spiritual influence may be, it is not to be expected that the Spirit of God should be given now in the same manner … Continue reading “7.
ERRORS OF JUDGMENT AND DELUSIONS”

It is no sign that a work is not from the Spirit of God, that many people who seem to be the subjects of it are guilty of great imprudences and irregularities in their conduct. We are to consider that the end for which God pours out his Spirit is to make men holy, and … Continue reading “6.
SERIOUS MISTAKES”

It is no sign that a work is not from the Spirit of God that example is a great means of it. It is surely no argument that an effect is nor from God, that means are used in producing it; for we know that it is God’s ). By this it appears that example … Continue reading “5.
THE INFLUENCE OF EXAMPLE”

It is no argument that an operation on people’s minds is not the work of the Spirit of God, that many who are subject to it have great impressions made on their imaginations. That people have many impressions on their imaginations does not prove that they have nothing else. It is easy to account for … Continue reading “4.
PEOPLE’S IMAGINATIONS ARE AFFECTED”

It is no argument that an operation on people’s minds is not the work of the Spirit of God, that it occasions a great deal of noise about religion. For though true religion is contrary to that of the Pharisees – which was ostentatious, and delighted to set itself forth to the view of men … Continue reading “3.
“A GREAT DEAL OF NOISE ABOUT RELIGION””

1. The Very Unusual and Extraordinary Character of a Work What the church has been used to is not a rule by which we are to judge Nothing can be certainly concluded from a work being carried on in a very unusual and extraordinary way, provided the variety or difference is such as may still … Continue reading “NINE
NEGATIVE SIGNS”