Sermons, on Various Important Subjects of Christian Doctrine and Practice (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: SERMON III. MEN HAVE A NATURAL, BUT NOT A MORAL POWER, TO PREVENT WHAT GOD HAS DECREED. Acts xxvii, 31. Paul said io the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. THE history of Paul's voyage to Italy, is one of the most affecting and instructive narratives iri the word of God. It displays his power, wisdom, and goodness, in governing the winds and waves, and the hearts and hands of men, in the most trying and distressing circumstances. Paul set sail in company with nearly three hundred persons, for a dangerous voyage in a dangerous season of the year, and in direct opposition to his own opinion and advice. These ominous circumstances undoubtedly spread a gloom over the minds of the whole company, and made them leave the last sight of land, with heavy hearts. Though the weather was in their favour at first; yet there soon arose a tempestuous wind, which obliged them to lighten the ship, and commit themselves to the mercy of the waves. While they were in this situation, neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and the storm continued and increased, until all hope of safety was lost. At length, Paul stood up and addressed their desponding minds, in this pathetick and consoling language: "Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer; for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by methis night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve; saying, Fear not Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God that it will be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a c...