The Whole Works of the Late REV. Mr. Ebenezer Erskine, Minister of the Gospel at Stirling (Volume 3); Consisting of Sermons and Discourses, on the Most Important and Interesting Subjects (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1798. Excerpt: ... harmony among them all, that no error whatfoever can at any rate be foldered with them, any more than clay can be incorporated with gold. We fpeak then the words which become found doctrine, when we make all the divine perfections to harmonize in the contrivance of our redemption, when we give unto Christ in all things the pre-eminence, and when we lay the pride of sinful men in the dust. And in order to our thus fpeaking the things which become found doctrine, it is neceffary that we be well acquainted with the holy fcriptures, with approven fystems of divinity, and particularly with our own standards, our excellent Confession of Faith, and catechifms, which may well be called forms of found words. 2. A faithful minister of Christ is one, who is fet for the defence of the gofpel, as Paul was, Phil. i. 17. " I am fet (fays he) for the defence of the gofpel." There is nothing more warmly inculcates fcripture, than the defence of gofpel-truths, Prov. xxiii. 23. " Buy the truth, and fell it not." Phil. i. 27. "Stand fast in one fpirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gofpel." Heb. x. 23. " Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering." Jude, ver. 3. " It was needful for me to exhort you (fays that.apostle), that ye lhould earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the faints.' And in order to the defence of the gofpel, it is necessary that we be establifhed in the prefent truth, as the expression is, 2 Pet. i. 12.; that is, in the truths prefently controverted, or which are the prefent fubject of debate. And indeed, it is most lamentable, that in our day there are fcarce any of the peculiar doctrines of Christianity, whioh are not impugned and called in question by men of corrupt minds, and destitute ...