The three eminent faculties of the soul in great disorder by The new creature in the apprehensions of his understanding The affections, the third power of the soul, what they are, The workings of love and hatred, hope and fear, joy and ib. Page The new creature's love to God, to Christ, to the Holy Ghost, and to men, 176 His hatred, 179 His hopes and fears different from the natural man, 180 His joy and sorrow also different, 181 SERMON VIII. SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED. The expressions or exercises of the new creature described, with regard to his thoughts, words, and actions, 187 With regard to thoughts, he hath a serious turn of thinking, 188 An aptness to fall into holy meditation, 192 The thoughts of a natural man different, ib. The new creature doth not entertain defiling thoughts, 194 197 A wide difference between the new creature's and the natural man's words, The great evil of profane swearing, The new creature treats the name of God with respect, He is to make thankful acknowledgments to his head, the author of his new birth, The new creature is to come to that ordinance, for strength and growth in grace, 205 He forbears all things which he knows to be sinful, Vain pretences to excuse the great sin of Drunkenness, Page The renewed man keeps from all needless temptations, His end in sleeping, dressing, eating and drinking, and recreation, 215 217 218 221 ib. 223 224 The new creature labours to give no offence in any thing, The new creature's conduct represented positively, formal professor, and advice to the real Christian, 248 250 To have no fellowship with, but to reprove the unfruitful works of darkness, 261 TO THE INHABITANTS OF TRURO. MY DEAR FRIENDS, I HAVE ventured, at the instance of some pious Christians, to make public the following Discourses, which were originally intended for your service only. The matter of them, at least, is of vast importance, and such as it ought to be my first concern that you may be experimentally acquainted with. I thought it therefore advisable to send them forth to the world with a Dedication to you; that whilst by this means I should have an opportunity of acknowledging the obligations you have laid on me, and, in some sort, of testifying the respect I bear you, I might also, in a way hardly yet attempted by me, endeavour to engage your regards to that "one thing," which in a few years we shall all discover to be indeed "the only thing needful.” Brethren, if my heart's desire towards you, that ye may be partakers of Christ, makes me earnest and importunate, is there not a cause, seeing your happiness and my own are at stake? I would not that into God's rest." any one of you should " come short of entering Nor can I forget the ministerial me, and how fearful my doom, ! vows that are upon if any of you "die in your sins," without warning. For your sakes and my own, then, I beg leave to recommend to you this labour of love. It is the character of a CHRISTIAN, drawn as faithfully as I have been enabled to do it from the Holy Scriptures. It is not indeed a character which will suit the generality of those who call themselves by that name. Perhaps, also, it may make some, who have formed too favourable an opinion of their religious conduct, to be disgusted with themselves or it. But if vital Christianity be either run down by the torrent of infidelity and licentiousness, or be dwindling into a ceremonial form, in the practice of the few who live decently, and are well spoken of, it becomes the "stewards of the mysteries of God" to rise up to its rescue. It is this has engaged me to present that to you in description, which is but too rarely to be seen in life. That it may be made an instrument in the hands of the Spirit, of forming you after its likeness, is my first and most earnest desire. And should God vouchsafe to grant this blessing upon my attempt, to you and others, it will be my highest comfort, and an encouraging answer to the prayers and labours of, Your affectionate Servant in Christ Jesus, SAMUEL WALKER. Truro, May 22, 1755. |
