ration, 72-3, Of Thirst for Knowledge, 744, Of Public Spirit,
76-4, Of heavenly-mindedness, 78-6, Of Patience and Mar-
tyrdom, 79-Conclusion, 84.
Arrangement, the Gift received; the Liberty from bondage; and
the Address, 86-The Gift bestowed on God's children; 1, The
Spirit, a seal of our adoption, 87-2, Witness, 90-3, The Com-
forter, 93-Christian Liberty, 96–1, From Sin, 97-2, Satan,
99--3, Man's influence, 101-Abha Father, 103-Its import in
several particulars.
THE MEANS OF GROWTH IN GRACE.
SERMON V.
2 Pet. iii. 18.-Grow in grace.
The fact of growth in grace, 109-Explanation of the text, 110-
The means, 111-The ordinances, as, 1, Instruction, 112—2,
The sacraments, 115-3, Conversation, 118-4, Prayer, 121—
Rational reflections, 122-1, Upon our sins, 122-2, Providence,
124-3, God's love, 127-4, Death, 129-Divine influence, 130
--1, Teaching, 132-2, Affecting, 133-and, 3, Strengthening,
136-Concluding addresses, 138.
ASSURANCE OF A SAVING INTEREST IN CHRIST.
SERMON VI.
1 John iii. 19. Hereby we know that we are of the truth, and
shall assure our hearts before him.
Unfounded Confidence, 142-Assurance attainable, 144-Principles
implied in self-examination, 148-1, Any gracious exercise is evi-
dence of piety, 152-2, Variety of Christian attainments, 154
3, Conversion under different circumstances, 157-Remarks on
the religion of infants, their death, and future state, 158-4, The
aid of the Spirit, 163-Application in four particulars, 164-Dis-
tinction between saving faith and the assurance of salvation, 169..
THE EVIDENCES OF TRUE RELIGION IN MAN.
SERMON VII.
1 John iv. 13. Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in
us, because he hath given us of his Spirit
Explanation, 172-Spiritual exercises, the evidence of spiritual life,
174-1, Self-abasement, 174-2, Dependence on Christ, 180-
Isa. 1. 10. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth
the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no
light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his
God.
Explanation, 196-Duty of the desponding; 1, Distinguish doubt-
ing from unbelief, 198-2, Ascertain causes of doubting, 200-
3, Continue in practical obedience, 213-4, Believe in the Lord
Jesus Christ, 218-The end of faith is salvation, 221-Faith is
the duty of the sinner, 222-The inability of man by nature,
223-Christ freely offered to sinners as such, 223-Faith is an
exercise of the spiritual understanding and the spiritual affec-
tions, 224-Appropriation, 224, and 169.
Explanation of the text, 229-Religion the best comfort, 236—1,
Destroys the principal causes of grief, 236-2, Supports under
remaining afflictions, 239-3, Brings to view the best objects,
241-4, Produces the purest affections, 245-Love seeks the
good, and the enjoyment of its object, and includes both benevo-
lence and desire of enjoyment, 246-Good will to others, and
regard to personal happiness, both original principles of the hu-
man mind, 248-Disinterestedness and selfishness described, 248,
249-5, Assurance of God's love, 251-6, Religion inspires with
the hope of eternal enjoyment, 253.
The Perseverance of the saints, 257-Explained, 257-Vindicated,
260-By, 1, Declarations, 260-2, Promises, 261-3, Descrip-
tions, 262-Death of the saints, 263-Use of religion at death,
264-The soul's immortality vindicated, 267-The doctrine of
an intermediate place refuted, 271-Paradise, άδης, 272-Heav-
en, 276-Conclusion, 279
PROVISION was made in the constitution of human nature for the exercises of devotion: and, accordingly, men of every age and kindred have some kind of reverence for an invisible Superior. It is upon this principle of the rational mind, not improperly called by moral philosophers, the Sense of Deity, that religion of all kinds is engrafted; and the very absurdities of Superstition and Fanaticism, as well as the enlightened piety of the sanctified soul, are evidences of its existence. A correct exposition of True Religion in Man, must of course, correspond with the most important objects of Moral Science, and be admitted itself as an interesting part of sound Philosophy. "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding." A delineation, moreover, of the power of godliness in the origin and progress of the Christian's "new and better life," is calculated to interest and to instruct the young believer, and to assist the more advanced disciple, in those reflections which are necessary to ascertain both the fact and the degree of his personal religion,
The Author, during a general, and even an intimate intercourse with Christians of almost all ranks and names, has frequently found himself at a loss, for a work, at once both doctrinal and experimental, to be recommended to the perusal of those who are seeking the consolations of the gospel of the grace of God, and adapted to the actual condition of society in our cities and our country. These discourses, most of which have been delivered in the course of his ministry
in this city, have been selected for the press in order to supply to the best of his ability this deficiency.
For the purpose of introducing more argument and criticism than can be properly admitted into a popular discourse, notes have been appended to the text, wheresoever they appeared to be necessary. If the volume should prove the means of instruction or comfort, to any of those who have been awakened in the midst of the gay and busy world, to any timid, doubting, or tempted believer, the author will rejoce that his labour hath not been in vain in the Lord, to whose patronage and blessing it is humbly submitted.
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