Sermons for the Christian Year Volume 7 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1878 edition. Excerpt: ... SEEMON XLV. THE LETTER AND THE SPIRIT. TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 2 Cos. iii. 6. "The letter hilleth, but the spirit giveth life." The Church calls upon us this week to consider what are our prevailing sins; what are the things whereof our conscience is afraid, and to ask God's pardon for them. "Pour down upon us the abundance of Thy mercy, forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid." Such is the petition our mother puts into our mouth. She takes it for granted that there are things whereof our conscience is afraid, wrong things which we know of in ourselves, and for which we need and long to be forgiven. Take notice of this, my brethren. If a man be disposed to think altogether well of himself, if there, be no particular sin or failure which hangs heavy on his heart when he thinks on his condition towards God, that very circumstance is a reason for him to fear that he is in a sad and dangerous way. God's promises are to the tender conscience, to the soul that goeth stooping and feeble," to him that has no good opinion of himself; who fears, not without hope and thankfulness, yet really fears, when all seems to be going on well with him. Now suppose such a man as this sitting alone and keeping silence, suppose him trying, as he will of course try very often, to sum up the things which may and ought to make his conscience afraid, he will be not unlikely to find many instances, in which he has sinned by taking the letter instead of the spirit of Christ's law, transgressing thereby another most serious warning, set before us by Holy Church in the Epistle for this same Sunday, "The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." This is the special subject, my brethren, concerning which I desire to speak to you to-day. I...