Sermons on 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. 1808 Excerpt: ... ears."--Of such principles and practices, my brethren, beware. Respect the institution of our Lord Jesus-" Let all things be done decently, " and in order."f In every age, and especially in troublous times, innovators have arisen, pretending to be something. Often have they created disturbances; and drawn many after them: but often, too, have they and their partisans, in a little, dwindled away; while the stated ministry has continued to subsist, and to be useful. Thus, in a stormy night, have we seen a flaming meteor dart across the sky, and by its blaze eclipse even the regular orbs of heaven; but in a moment' it vanished away, and left no trace behind. While they, though to the ignorant they appear to wander, and by the informed were observed to have small deflections in their - a Tim. It. j. f 1 Cor. xiv. 40. course, continued to pursue an invariable law, and to diffuse a steady and undeceiving light. One other observation naturally occurs, in the import of this part of the text. " We preach our" selves," says Paul, " your servants."--Of the services of the ministry, christians have indispensible need, and ought thankfully to receive them. Yet it seems implied in the very idea of a servant, that they have it in their power to choose, from among those who may offer them their services, such as are most agreeable to themselves. And he, who has just ideas of the relation between a minister and his people, will be peculiarly happy, and will gratefully acknowledge a kind providence, when he is called to his ministry, by his people's means. At the same time, however proper it may be that We, who are ministers, should be called to our particular stations by the voice of those whom we are to serve, there is thi...