tines were to ascertain wherein lay the great strength of Samson But with a common share of spiritual discernment and practical sense, the question is of easy solution. 1. They acknowledge a divine call, and act under the conviction that God has imposed on them the obligations of a gospel minister. They do not enter the ministry as men enter other professions; as a matter of taste or convenience, or as a means of acquiring wealth, and enjoying facilities for securing political influence and power. That their commission is from the court of heaven, and that the salvation or perdition of deathless souls depends under God upon the manner in which they fulfil the duties of their holy office, are to them solemn and momentous truths. With these views, minds rightly constituted cannot act without an honesty and integrity of purpose commensurate with the high claims of God and duty. To such, lukewarmness, worldly prudence, and timidity appear wholly out of place. Feeling that the vows of God are upon them, and that they have to do with eternal realities, the whole soul is thrown into the subject. 2. As their commission is divine, so is their message. They do not entertain their hearers with the philosophy of the schools, nor substitute the inventions of men for the words of inspired wisdom. Their doctrines and motives are drawn directly from the Scriptures. Their theme is the Gospel, plainly stated in its facts, doctrines, provisions, and results. The Bible is their text-book, and they feel bound to keep within the record. They find no liberty to dilute the truth, or soften its severity, to render it more acceptable. Preaching the truth as it is in Jesus, with all honesty, "whether men will hear or whether they will forbear," it becomes by the blessing of God, "the power of God unto salvation." 3. Add to this a knowledge of human nature, a practical wisdom acquired by intercourse with men in all relations and conditions, a versatility of talent and power of adaptation, aided, if not created by the nature of their duties, and the adopted method of performing them-but above all, the blessing of God upon their honest, zealous, and persever. ing efforts to glorify Him, and save immortal souls, and we have facts enough to explain whatever may have appeared mysterious or remarkable in the fruits of their labors. These views and feelings make their ministrations directly practical. Believing with all the heart in a free, full, and present salvation, they look for immediate results, and are not disappointed. These endowments are not the exclusive property of Methodist ministers, they are open to all who are designated by the Holy Spirit to the office and work of the holy ministry, and whenever possessed and rightly applied, they are attended by the same demonstrations of the saving power of God. This volume contains twenty-eight sermons, by twenty-three dif ferent ministers. The subjects discussed are the most important within the range of Bible theology, and presented with an ability, clearness and force, rarely equalled. They combine simplicity, dignity, variety, and unity. The simplicity and dignity are in the style, and unostentatious independence of thought; the variety in the character of the subjects (each differing from all the rest), and the diversity of talent and manner displayed in their composition-and the unity in the source whence they derive their materials, the correspondence of doctrine, spirit, and design. The Rev. gentlemen whose names are connected with the following discourses, are among the most eminent ministers of the church, living or dead. There is only a single name that we could wish might be removed from the list.* The name of Wilbur Fisk stands first, and he deservedly occupied the first rank among the lights of his church during the last years of his eminently useful life. He first gave character and enterprise to the educational interests of his denomination, and has left to the church a reputation full of honor, and spiritual fragrance. Next comes Enoch Mudge, the "first native Methodist preacher of New England." Then the venerable Dr. Nathan Bangs, eminently worthy to be classed with the Apostles of American Methodism; he has by his pen, his pulpit labors, and personal influence, done more to promote the growth and prosperity of the church of his choice, than any other living man. Richard Watson, the profound theologian of the English Conference, is also in the catalogue, together with the RIGHT REV. FATHER IN GOD, ELIJAH HEDDING, D. D., late senior BISHOP of the M. E. Church. The latter combined in his character, the cultivation of the scholar, the wisdom of the philosopher, the dignity of the Christian gentleman, and the simplicity of the child. His memory is like ointment poured forth. But time and space would fail me to speak according to their merits, of Durbin, and Levings, and Spicer, and Sandford, and others whose names are found in this list, some of whom have passed away to their reward in heaven, while others are obtaining honorable distinction in the spiritual contests of Zion. The reference we have made to them is enough. The purchaser of this book will possess some of the best sermons printed in the English language, and may at his leisure converse with, and weigh the words of piety and wisdom which have dropped from the lips of more than a score of the best ministers of the age. D. HOLMES. AUBURN, April 29th, 1852. *Leroy Sunderland. CONTENTS. SERMON I-By Rev. WILBUR FISK, D.D. PAGE SERMON X.-By Rev. JAMES SMITH. The Nature and Design of the Atonement.... SERMON XXIII.-By Rev. ZACHARIAH PADDOCK. The Church of Christ-its Foundation and Stability..... SERMON XXIV.-By Rev. AARON LUMMUS. SERMON I. BY REV. WILLBUR FISK, D. D. PRESIDENT OF THE WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, MIDDLETOWN, CONN. THE PROPERTIES OF THE LAW AND GOSPEL DISTINGUISHED. ROMANS, VIII. 2, 3, 4. FOR THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE, IN CHRIST JESUS, HATH MADE ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH. FOR WHAT THE LAW COULD NOT DO, IN THAT IT WAS WEAK THROUGH THE FLESH, GOD, SENDING HIS OWN SON, IN THE LIKENESS OF SINFUL FLESH, AND FOR SIN, CONDEMNED SIN IN THE FLESH: THAT THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LAW MIGHT BE FULFILLED IN US, WHO WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH, BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT. ONE leading design of the apostle, in this epistle to the Romans, seems to be, to show the distinctive and relative properties and offices of the law and the gospel,* and the relation man stands in to both. This subject he has touched with the hand of a master, and has reasoned upon it with clearness and precision. He has not ornamented it with the flowers of rhetoric, for it needed no such ornaments. He was speaking of the deep things of God, and describing the great mystery of godliness; and into this subject he threw all the energies of his own mighty mind, guided and aided by the inspiration of the Highest. Aside from immediate inspiration, no one could be better prepared to discuss this subject than the apostle Paul. The law had been his study from his earliest youth; and his history and writings afford abundant evidence that he had not studied it merely as a science, but he had carefully observed it as his soul's only hope of eter The term gospel, in this discourse, is used, not merely in its primary signification, as the "glad tidings" or "good message" of salvation by Jesus Christ; but also as a proper name of this system of grace. In this latter sense it is very generally used by theological writers, and in the New Testament. In close connection with this latter sense, the term is also used as expressive of that gracious influence, and that divine and energetic operation, which frees the sinner from the condemnation of the law, and from the guilt and power of sin. In this we are sustained by the text and context, which teach that "the law of the spirit of life' frees the sinner from condemnation and "from the law of sin and death." So also this same apostle, chap. i. 16, assures us that "the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, unto every one that believeth." And again, 1 Thess. i. 5: "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." See also 1 Cor. iv. 20, and other passages. |