any one instance, to have brought truth within a narrow compass, for the benefit of those who have neither leisure nor opportunity for closer investigation, he will feel that he has still done something, though it may be but very little. It may be thought, perhaps, that the titles of some of these discourses are inconveniently long. But fullness and precision, in stating the subject of a sermon, may sometimes prepare a reader for entering upon it with more relish, and for perusing it with more benefit; and the author found that he could not abridge them, without risking the loss of this advantage. CONTENTS. SERMON I. ON THE JOINT OPERATION OF THE FEAR AND THE LOVE OF GOD. DEUT. X. 12. "And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul?" SERMON II. Page 1 ON THE CHARACTER AND PIETY OF DANIEL. DANIEL vi. 10. "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and, his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." Page 17 66 SERMON III. ON THE REJECTION OF A WRITTEN REVELATION OF THE DIVINE WILL. ST. LUKE Xvi. 31. If they hear not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead." Page 35 SERMON IV. ON THE NATURE AND TENOR OF THE INVITATIONS OF THE GOSPEL. ISAIAH lv. 1. "Ho! every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come ye, buy, and eat: yea come, buy wine and milk, without money and without price.” Page 54 SERMON V. ON THE CHILDHOOD OF OUR SAVIOUR. LUKE ii. 40. "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him." Page 71 SERMON VI. ON THE COMING OF OUR SAVIOUR, AS IT LED TO THE TRIAL AND DISCLOSURE OF MEN'S TRUE CHARACTERS. ST. LUKE ii. 34, 35. And Simeon said unto Mary his mother: behold this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." Page 90 SERMON VII. ON TRUE RELIGION, AS IT STANDS CONNECTED WITH THE EXERCISE OF THE AFFECTIONS. ST. LUKE Xxiv. 32. "And they said one to another: Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures.” Page 110 SERMON VIII. ON CHRISTIAN CHARITY, AS IT STANDS OPPOSED TO SELFISHNESS. |