Cares of the world, hinder the success of the gospel Cecil's observations on the purity of a church 261, Chalmer's, Christian and Civic Economy, quoted—Preface Christ, crucified, the leading truth of christianity his presence, the glory of christian assemblies a manifested presence a beneficial presence through the power of the Spirit to meet in his name in order to enjoy it the pattern and model of all christians Christian, the name was once a crime Chrysostom, quoted ..... Church of England, its importance Clement, quoted Cooper's Crisis referred to Cobbett, on prayer, quoted Conversion, not from human power by the Holy Spirit, through the word Cradock's knowledge and practice quoted Cranmer, quoted Cyprian's observations as to Bishops preaching Dangers in hearing to be guarded against improper motives in coming inattention while there 16, 32, P prejudices against the truth not putting away our sins Deceitfulness of riches, hinders success of the word the precise blessing to be expected the difficulties in the way of its accomplishment Douglas's Advancement of Society, recommended and quoted Duties of the present day, individually and nationally Eastcheap Lectures quoted Edification, does not arise from humau power but from the Holy Spirit Edwards, President, quotation from Election, secured by hearing Established Church of England, its importance .... 266 •lice quoted. shops pre dagainst ing ess of the it gerons sal, promed pected is accomplis be removed th begins, grows, and is perfected by hearing Page llie's Historicul Collections, quotations from d despised, when his servants disregarded addon's remarks, on what done to promote preaching, ardness of heart, described and guarded against 38 287 216 to esteem them, 116; to obey and provide for fastidious, address to them only, described at length Hearing the word, directions for guard against dangers to which we are exposed bear in the spirit of prayer in simplicity of mind with candour with seriousness in faith in the spirit of self-application comparing all with God's word in the spirit of obedience Heathen, obstructions among them to diffusion of the gospel ...... Hey, Mr. his remarks on attending the established church Hieron's remark on trying what we hear its appris Holy Spirit promised to all flesh in the last day urch ecommended! nd nationals ower ance increase of prayer for edifies the converted glorifies Christ comforts his people ... 114 143 193 146 148 157 159 162 162 163 164 167 169 170 172 173 251 18 139 106 173 96 103, 256 265 302 100 91 94 97 98 100 107 275 seals them to the day of redemption Hoornbeck's remark on what the Apostles say of ministers Hurd, Bishop, quotation from What are your feeling to promote this, you spend the sabbath in idle parties of pleasure and vain amusements. at the close of such a sabbath? After a day so spent are you not wearied, disappointed, burdened, and dis satisfied? So far from being refreshed for the duties of another week, you are unfitted for them. There is infinitely more vexation in mis-spending the sabbath, than in any apparent mortification of our carpal ple sures by following its due and holy employment. Give the day to its sacred duties; bring your children to hear his ministers; and especially let the word of Chris this day reign in your heart and family, and it wil spread a heavenly influence around you; you will be invigorated and quickened for all your daily toil and labours. The word of God, wherever it is received and obeyed, spreads life and fertility, joy and happiness. * Are you CHILDREN? begin early to love and reve rence the word of God. Be attentive to what is said by his ministers. Try at least to remember the text of the sermon which you hear. Ask your parents w explain what you do not understand. Think of young Samuel; while he was a little child, he ministered unle the Lord, when the word of the Lord was precious. He watched in the temple of the Lord, and God called him to be a prophet, and used him as an instrument of extensive good. My little children, love to hear like Samuel, who said, when God called him, Speak Lord, * In a sermon on Luke ii, 42, as to Joseph and Mary's taking Jesus at twelve years old to the temple, Latimer commends Mary for going, as the law did not oblige her, and thinks she went to hear the word of God. He adds, "Note the painful. ness of Mary, that she was content to go so great a journey for God's sake. I fear this journey of her's will condemn a grea many of us which will not go out of door to hear God's word." for thy servant heareth. Young as you are, you should consider yourself a servant of God, you should hear what he speaks, and hear in order to obey. Think of the children who sang Hosannahs in the Temple; and of Jesus himself, who at twelve years of age was found in the midst of the Doctors, both hearing and asking them questions. Pray you for God's blessing, as that child did of whom it is said that she never entered the house of God without secretly offering up this petition, Lord, help me to remember something." The way in which the young become strong and overcome the wicked one, is by having the word of God abide in them. 1 John ii, 14. ring you let the and he round yo berevert jor early to be ttentive t to remember! Ask your and. Th ild, he wa ord was p and Ga Are you IN INFERIOR SITUATIONS--Clerks, apprentices, or engaged in manufactories in large cities or towns, or in laborious situations, where you are confined during the week to a close and constant employment? possibly you think yourselves at liberty to neglect hearing on the Sunday, and to spend it in walks and recreation. We allow that the inducements to the carnal mind are very strong, when, to adopt words used on another occasion, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth, and the time of the singing of birds is come, to neglect the less agreeable privilege of hearing the sacred word; and to pursue, without restraint, the delightful recreation afforded to one who has been shut up all the week by the view of the simple scenery of nature, and the refreshing breezes of a pure air. Probably the necessities of your family allow you no other day for such an enjoyment. Probably your earthly master would not, or could not, allow you time for such a refreshment. You think it right to obey him, lest your temporal But-would you think it an act rell, love ed him, seph and M le, Latiner ge her, and "Note the so great aj will conden To hear God interests should suffer. of extreme folly, and call it a wasteful idleness to be wandering among the fields when your earthly master, or your family call you to work, and have you not : heavenly master, and have you not spiritual necessities? God has issued his command-Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy! Will you disregard it? God gives his wages: will you undervalue them? If thou turn away thy fool from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord honourable, and shalt honour him, not doing thine our "ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thin own words, Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord. Christians! there are much higher joys, even in this world, than contemplating the beauties of nature! 0 to have our sins washed away in the blood of Christ. and to be justified freely by his grace, to be renewed by his Holy Spirit, and to become a child of God, this is true happiness on earth! And there are before you, yet higher joys still in the paradise above, the new heavens and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. May the blessed Spirit of Christ give us a taste for these; let us not forfeit these for any mere temporary indulgences. Our life is now a life of faith, and not of sense; be not surprised therefore if you have to give up some temporal pleasures; those which are innocent shall be enjoyed with a double relish. In any case the time is hastening on when we shall enter the joy of our Lord, even fulness of joy. But will you still say-Surely we may have Sunday for a day of pleasure. By all means let Sunday be a day of pleasure: but what is your pleasure? Is it idle conversation, feasting, and light and vain company! O these are not real pleasures; they are very unsatis factory and transitory gleams of false pleasure. Delight |
