DLA ANA THE Committee of the Religious Tract Society intend to publish a new Edition of these excellent Sermons, after they have been carefully revised by the Sons of the venerated Author, who have kindly presented them to the Institution. J. Hill, Printer, Black Horse Court, Fleet Street, London. SERMON XXVII. 1 COR. xiv. 24, 25. If all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: and thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. N these words we have an account of the power of the gospel in the days of the apostles. We see here what was the design and effect of the word of God in primitive times; and it should be our concern that the same gospel may be blessed in the same manner among ourselves. In those early days there were miraculous gifts in the church; for instance, ability to speak in a language which the preachers had never learned; and this was to enable them to address themselves to people of all nations. It was then reckoned very honourable to possess the gift of tongues, and some coveted it too much. St. Paul, in this chapter, shews that it was far more desirable to prophesy or preach; Follow after love,' saith he, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy; for he that prophesieth, (or preacheth,) speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.' And, in our text, he mentions the blessed effects of preaching, in the conversion of a person to God. He supposes a case, which no doubt often happened: a Heathen, or other ignorant person, led by curiosity, happens to come into an assembly of Christians, in a house, or barn perhaps, wishing to see or hear something of this new religion he listens to what one or another of the preachers drops, and the Spirit of God opening his eyes and touching his heart, he is convinced that he is a sinner, he feels himself condemned, he is surprised to find the secret thoughts of his heart laid open; and, so struck with an awe of the Divine Majesty, he earnestly implores the mercy of God, and is convinced that God is, in a special manner, present with his people. True religion is always the same. The gospel is always the power of God;' and when he is pleased to own and bless the preaching or reading of it, the same blessed effects are produced. Men are fully convinced of sin, and converted to God. The Lord grant that such may be the effect of his word among us at this time! I. We may first observe, that Preaching the gospel is an ordinance of God, and constantly used in the primitive church. Our Saviour, when leaving this world, directed his disciples to ' go and teach all nations;' to go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature;' he graciously promised to be with the preachers of it, even to the end of the world; and added this solemn sanction- He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.' Thus it appears that believing in Christ is necessary to salvation; and preaching the gospel is generally necessary to believing; for how shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?' Despised as preaching the gospel was at first, and still is by many, it hath pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.' Mark xvi. 16. Rom. x. 14. 1 Cor. i. 21. A portion of this blessing may be expected by all those who meet together, at any time or place, for reading or hearing the Scriptures, or the explanation of them in preaching, with a view to their own edification or that of their neighbours. May we enjoy it now! II. Curiosity frequently led persons to the Christian assemblies. The religion of Christ made a great stir in the world. The true knowledge of God was so lost in general, that wherever the gospel was first preached, it excited great attention; it seemed a new religion; it brought strange things to men's ears. Some were greatly prejudiced against it. Many false and |