deavoured to give evangelical doctrine the place in this volume to which he thinks it justly entitled, practical doctrine, he trusts, has not been neglected. As "without faith it is impossible to please God," so it is equally certain, "by their fruits" the genuine disciples of the Saviour are to be recognised. One discourse has been devoted to the subject of Sabbath sanctification. Were there no State Religion, the observance of the Sabbath, even as a day of rest from worldly labour, would, it is to be feared, by many be no longer continued; the poor would be denied the privilege of hearing the Gospel preached unto them; a flood of immorality and irreligion would burst upon devoted England, and her honourable name would, ere long, cease to be respected amongst the nations. The manner in which the Sabbath is to be sanctified is taught in the Holy Scriptures, and commending to every man their perusal, we shall only remark, that as the religious observance of God's holy day must be beneficial to the soul, so, the neglect of such an observance may, nay, must be detrimental, to our immortal interests. Several of these discourses have for their sub ject the duty and importance of prayer. The author believes a form of prayer to be the most generally appropriate for social worship, and hence a form of prayer is included in this work. The collect of the day, and a portion of Scripture, appeared also indispensable. With the hope that this book may be useful, not only in Family Worship, but also to those who may be at a distance from church, or who from other causes may be unable to attend her Sabbath services; it is commended to the Christian reader, under the sincere feeling, that how numerous soever may be its defects, there is value given to its pages by this announcement being implied in every discourse,-"God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." May the Divine Spirit of all grace ever bless the word, making it quick, and piercing, and powerful, in affecting the hearts of those who read, and of those who hear, and may they read and hear as for ETERNITY ! INDEX OF THE SERMONS. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the a FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT. SERMON IV. THE BELIEVER'S HOPE. 2 Cor. v. 1. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY. SERMON V. THE FALL OF ADAM. Genesis iii. 9, 10. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. SERMON VI. CHRISTIAN HUMILITY. Psalm lxxxvi. 1. Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me; for I am poor and FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. SERMON VII. CHRISTIAN FAITH. 1 Cor. ii. 2. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save PAGE 32 41 51 60 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. SERMON VIII. THE BELIEVER'S TRUST IN GOD. Psalm xxiii. 4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. SERMON IX. THE SPECIAL PROVIDENCE OF GOD. Psalm cxlv. 18. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. SERMON X. ON CHRISTIAN DUTIES. 1 Cor. xvi. 13. Watch ye; stand fast in the faith; quit you like men: be strong FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. SERMON XI. SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH JESUS. Ephes. ii. 1. PAGE 69 78 87 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses 96 and sins... |