Six Sermons Delivered at the General Convention of Universalists, at Its Annual Session in Concord, N.H., on the Nineteenth and Twentieth September, 1832 (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. 1833. Excerpt: ... SERMOJV 3. BY MENZIES RAYNER. Acts xvii: 19, 20. May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears; we would know, therefore, what these things mean. St. Paul, in his travels to'preach and prop agate the gospel, had been conducted to Athens, . which was one of the most celebrated cities ire the world; and the very seat of Grecian scienceand literature. Here he found the people wholly given to idolatry. Here also he met with Jews, and devout persons, with whom, in their synagogue and in the market, he disputed daily concerning Jesus of Nazareth. And here he was encountered by certain philosophers of the Epicurians and stoicks. And some said '" What will this babbler say?" Others thought him to be "a setter forth of strange gods; because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection." And they took him, and brought unto Areopagus--the place where the Athenians held their supreme court of justice. Here they Wished the apostle to give them a particular illustration of his doctrine, which, to them, was altogether new and strange. "May we know (said they) what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know, therefore, what these things mean." With this request the apostle was not backward to comply. He had not hastily adopted opinions--or inconsiderately embraced a system of religion, of which he could give no satisfactory account, --which shunned investigation, or which he thought incapable of being defended. He was himself, thoroughly convinced and satisfied of the truth and excellence of the christian feligion, and so anxious was he to promulgate the gospel doctrine of grace and salvation for all mankind, Jews and Gentiles, t...