by Thomas Boston
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
It is hoped, the publication of them now may be for the edification of the church of Christ. The Sermons are also taken in his own notes, prepared for the pulpit only; and therefore they are not so full as, doubtless, they would have been, had he prepared them for the press. But though these volumes labour under the disadvantages which commonly attend posthumous works, there is ground to hope they may, through the divine blessing, be of singular use to the people of God.
They who had the happiness to be acquainted with the author, and have heard him preach—especially those who lived under his ministry—will easily observe in these Discourses that clear and distinct method of opening up texts, and deducing points of doctrine from them, wherein he excelled; as also the occasional opening up the Scriptures in the course of his sermons; with the close and warm application of the several subjects to the cases both of saints and sinners; in all which he "shewed himself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." He used to observe, that when he had continued for some time preaching on a subject, he still got the clearer insight into it, when he came to bring it home upon the consciences of his hearers.
So great was his delight in his Master's work, and so earnest his desire to be found occupied therein, when he should be called hence, that he preached two or three Sabbaths from a window in the manse to the people sitting without, after that he was no longer able to go to the kirk. And as the two Sabbaths, or three at most, in which he was, by his growing indisposition, laid aside from his public work, were very heavy upon him; so his Master was pleased to call him home on the Saturday, May 20, 1732, to celebrate the eternal Sabbath in that place where "the inhabitant shall not say any more, I am sick."
The subjects here handled are of the last importance, both to saints and sinners; and therefore justly claim their most attentive consideration. The character of the author is long since established; and any further commendation of him, as there is no need for it, so neither would it be so decent from the pen of such a near friend as his Son,
THOMAS BOSTON.
OXNAM MANSE, July 2, 1753.
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Table of Contents
GOSPEL-COMPULSION - LUKE 14:23.
CHRIST THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD - 1 JOHN 4:14
THE NECESSITY OF SELF-DENIAL - LUKE 9:23
THE OLD AND NEW MAN IN BELIEVERS - ROM. 6:6.
WORM JACOB THRASHING THE MOUNTAINS - ISAIAH 41:14, 15.
THE NECESSITY OF PRAYING ALWAYS, AND NOT FAINTING - LUKE 18:1
THE HAPPY ISSUE OF PRAYING ALWAYS AND NOT FAINTING - LUKE 18:8
THE STRENGTH OF CHRIST ILLUSTRATED IN THE WEAKNESS OF HIS PEOPLE. - 2 COR. 12:9
THE NECESSITY OF REPENTANCE - LUKE 13:5
THE DANGER OF DELAYING REPENTANCE - PROV. 6:10, 11
THE EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF THE THIEF ON THE CROSS NO ARGUMENT FOR DELAYING REPENTANCE - LUKE 23:42
GOD'S DELAY OF EXECUTING THE SENTENCE OF CONDEMNATION AGAINST UNGODLY MEN OFTEN MISERABLY ABUSED BY THEM - ECCL. 8:11
THE SINFULNESS AND HAZARD OF A PROFESSION OF RELIGION WITHOUT A CORRESPONDING PRACTICE - LUKE 6:46
THE MYSTERY OF SANCTIFICATION BY CHRIST OPENED UP - JOHN 13:8
THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE; OR, THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH. 1 TIM. 6:12