PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A., Vol. 5 (of 6) : Containing all his sermons and tracts, etc.
Whitefield, George, 1714-1770 · 189,652 words · 269 reading sections
Part 1
The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ Transcriber’s Notes │ │ │ │…
185 wordsSECTION 2THE WORKS OF THE REVEREND GEORGE WHITEFIELD, M.A.
Late of PEMBROKE-COLLEGE, OXFORD, And Chaplain to the Right Honourable, the Countess of HUNTINGDON.…
14 wordsSECTION 3CONTAINING
All his SERMONS and TRACTS Which have been already published:…
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A SELECT COLLECTION of LETTERS, Written to his most intimate Friends, and Persons of Distinction, in _England_, _Scotland_, _Ireland_, and _America_, from the Year 1734, to 1770, including the whole Period of his Ministry.…
34 wordsSECTION 5ALSO
Some other PIECES on IMPORTANT SUBJECTS, never before printed; prepared by Himself for the Press. To which is prefixed, An ACCOUNT of his LIFE, Compiled from his Original PAPERS and LETTERS.…
31 wordsSECTION 6LONDON:
Printed for EDWARD and CHARLES DILLY, in the Poultry; and Messrs. KINCAID and CREECH, at Edinburgh.…
16 wordsSECTION 7CONTENTS¹.
¹ The ♦Sermons marked with a *, are now first published from the Author’s own Manuscripts. ♦ “Seamons” replaced with “Sermons” ⭘ SERMON I. The Seed of the Woman, and the Seed of the Serpent. GENESIS iii. 5. _And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head…
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⭘ SERMON XXII. The Folly and Danger of parting with Christ for the Pleasures and Profits of Life. MATTHEW viii. 23, to the End. _And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him, &c._ ⭘ *SERMON XXIII. Marks of a True Conversion. MATTHEW xviii. 3. _Verily, I say unto you, except ye be converted, and be…
272 wordsSECTION 9SERMON I.
The Seed of the Woman, and the Seed of the Serpent. GENESIS iii. 15. _And I will put Enmity between thee and the Woman, and between thy Seed and her Seed; it shall bruise thy Head, and thou shalt bruise his Heel._ ON reading to you these words, I may address you in the language of the holy angels to the shepherds, t…
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Though this was a real serpent, yet he that spoke was no other than the devil; from hence, perhaps, called the old serpent, because he took possession of the serpent when he came to beguile our first parents. The devil envied the happiness of man, who was made, as some think, to supply the place of the fallen angels. G…
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What child of GOD can expect to escape slander, when GOD himself was thus slandered even in paradise? Surely the understanding of _Eve_ must have been, in some measure, blinded, or she would not have suffered the tempter to speak such perverse things. In what odious colours is GOD here represented! “GOD doth know, that…
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And how do they behave now they are naked? Do they flee to GOD for pardon? Do they seek to GOD for a robe to cover their nakedness? No, they were now dead to GOD, and became earthly, sensual, devilish: therefore, instead of applying to GOD for mercy, “they sewed or platted fig-leaves together, and made themselves apron…
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Never was nature more lively delineated. See what pride _Adam_ contracted by the fall! How unwilling he is to lay the blame upon, or take shame to himself. This answer is full of insolence towards GOD, enmity against his wife, and disingenuity in respect to himself. For herein he tacitly reflects upon GOD. “The woman t…
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“And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” She does not make use of so many words to excuse herself, as her husband; but her heart is as unhumbled as his. What is this, says GOD, that thou hast done? GOD here charges her with doing it. She dares not deny the fact, or say, I have not done it; but she …
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Before I proceed to the explanation of this verse, I cannot but take notice of one great mistake which the author of the _Whole Duty of Man_ is guilty of, in making this verse contain a covenant between GOD and _Adam_, as though GOD now personally treated with _Adam_, as before the fall. For, talking of the second cove…
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It is not to be doubted but _Adam_ and _Eve_ understood this promise in this sense; for it is plain, in the latter part of the chapter, sacrifices were instituted. From whence should those skins come, but from beasts slain for sacrifice, of which GOD made them coats? We find _Abel_, as well as _Cain_, offering sacrific…
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This promise has been fulfilled in the elect of GOD, considered collectively, as well before, as since the coming of our LORD in the flesh: for they may be called, the seed of the woman. Marvel not, that all who will live godly in CHRIST JESUS, must suffer persecution. In this promise, there is an eternal enmity put be…
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Then shall the seed of the woman give the last and fatal blow, in bruising the serpent’s head. Satan, the accuser of the brethren, and all his accursed seed, shall then be cast out, and never suffered to disturb the seed of the woman any more. Then shall the righteous shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father, an…
507 wordsSECTION 19SERMON II.
Walking with GOD. GENESIS v. 24. _And |Enoch| walked with GOD, and he was not, for GOD took him._ VARIOUS are the pleas and arguments, which men of corrupt minds frequently urge against yielding obedience to the just and holy commands of GOD. But, perhaps, one of the most common objections that they make is this, th…
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And _First_, _Walking with_ GOD, implies, that the prevailing power of the enmity of a person’s heart, be taken away by the blessed Spirit of GOD. Perhaps it may seem a hard saying to some, but our own experience daily proves, what the scripture in many places assert, that the carnal mind, the mind of the unconverted, …
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But _Secondly_, Walking with GOD not only implies, that the prevailing power of the enmity of a man’s heart be taken away, but also that a person is actually reconciled to GOD the Father, in and through the all-sufficient righteousness and atonement of his dear Son. “Can two walk together, (says _Solomon_), unless they…
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And, _First_, Believers keep up and maintain their walk with GOD, by reading of his holy word. “Search the scriptures,” says our blessed LORD, “for these are they that testify of me.” And the royal psalmist tells us, “that GOD’s word was a light unto his feet, and a lanthorn unto his paths;” and he makes it one propert…
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_Thirdly_, Holy and frequent meditation is another blessed means of keeping up a believer’s walk with GOD. “Prayer, reading, temptation, and meditation,” says _Luther_, “make a minister.” And they also make, and perfect a christian. Meditation to the soul, is the same as digestion to the body. Holy _David_ found it so,…
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_Sixthly_, They that would maintain a holy walk with GOD, must walk with him in ordinances as well as providences, &c. It is, therefore, recorded of _Zachary_ and _Elizabeth_, that “They walked in all GOD’s ordinances as well as commandments, blameless.” And all rightly informed christians, will look upon ordinances, n…
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But, _Secondly_, As it is an honourable, so it is a pleasing thing to walk with GOD. The wisest of men has told us, that “Wisdom’s ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths peace.” And I remember pious Mr. _Henry_, when he was just about to expire, said to a friend, “You have heard many mens dying words, and the…
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But supposing the objections were just, and walkers with GOD were as despicable and unhappy as you would represent them to be; yet I have a third motive to offer, which, if weighed in the balance of the sanctuary, will over-weigh all objections, viz. That there is a heaven at the end of this walk. For, to use the words…
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But the text leads me to speak to you that are saints, as well as to you that are open or unconverted sinners. I need not tell you that walking with GOD is not only honourable, but pleasant and profitable also: for ye know it by happy experience, and will find it more and more so every day. Only give me leave to stir u…
534 wordsSECTION 28SERMON III.
_Abraham_’s offering up his Son _Isaac_. GENESIS xxii. 12. _And he said, Lay not thine Hand upon the Lad, neither do thou any thing unto him; for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy Son, thine only Son from me._ THE great Apostle _Paul_, in one of his epistles, informs us, that “whats…
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How GOD was pleased to reveal his will at this time to his faithful servant, whether by the _Shechinah_, or divine appearance, or by a small still voice, as he spoke to _Elijah_, or by a whisper, like that of the Spirit to _Philip_, when he commanded him to go join himself to the eunuch’s chariot, we are not told, nor …
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O that unbelievers would learn of faithful _Abraham_, and believe whatever is revealed from GOD, though they cannot fully comprehend it! _Abraham_ knew GOD commanded him to offer up his son, and therefore believed, notwithstanding carnal reasoning might suggest many objections. We have sufficient testimony, that GOD ha…
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So that the place, of which GOD had told him, was no less than three days journey distant from the place where GOD first appeared to him, and commanded him to take his son. Was not this to try his faith, and to let him see that what he did, was not meerly from a sudden pang of devotion, but a matter of choice and delib…
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Verse 9. At length “they came to the place of which GOD had told _Abraham_. He built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound _Isaac_ his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.” And here let us pause a while, and by faith take a view of the place where the father has laid him. I doubt not but the b…
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I see your hearts affected, I see your eyes weep. (And indeed, who can refrain weeping at the relation of such a story?) But, behold, I shew you a mystery, hid under the sacrifice of _Abraham_’s only son, which, unless your hearts are hardned, must cause you to weep tears of love, and that plentifully too. I would will…
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From hence we may learn the nature of true, justifying faith. Whoever understands and preaches the truth, as it is in JESUS, must acknowledge, that salvation is GOD’s free gift, and that we are saved, not by any or all the works of righteousness which we have done or can do: no; we can neither wholly nor in part justif…
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Learn, O saints! from what has been said, to sit loose to all your worldly comforts; and stand ready prepared to part with every thing, when GOD shall require it at your hand. Some of you perhaps may have friends, who are to you as your own souls; and others may have children, in whose lives your own lives are bound up…
268 wordsSECTION 36SERMON IV.
The great Duty of Family-Religion. JOSHUA xxiv. 15. _As for me and my House, we will serve the_ LORD. THESE words contain the holy resolution of pious _Joshua_, who having in a most moving, affectionate discourse recounted to the _Israelites_ what great things GOD had done for them, in the verse immediately precedin…
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And this will appear, if we consider that every governor of a family ought to look upon himself as obliged to act in three capacities: as a prophet, to instruct; as a priest, to pray for and with; as a king, to govern, direct, and provide for them. It is true indeed, the latter of these, their kingly office, they are n…
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1. And the first thing I shall mention, is, _reading the word of_ GOD. This is a duty incumbent on every private person. “Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life,” is a precept given by our blessed LORD indifferently to all: but much more so, ought every governor of a family to think it in a pe…
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From all which considerations put together, it is evident, that family prayer is a great and necessary duty; and consequently, those governors that neglect it, are certainly without excuse. And it is much to be feared, if they live without family prayer, they live without GOD in the world. And yet, such an hateful cha…
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_Abraham_, no doubt, was a man of as great business as such objectors may be; but yet he would find time to command his houshold to serve the LORD. Nay, _David_ was a king, and consequently had a great deal of business upon his hands; yet notwithstanding, he professes that he would walk in his house with a perfect hear…
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It is true, some men may think they have done enough when they give unto their servants food and raiment, and say, “Did not I bargain with thee for so much a year?” But if they give them no other reward than this, what do they less for their very beasts? But are not servants better than they? Doubtless they are: and ho…
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And that there may be always such a heart in you, let me exhort all governors of families, in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, often to reflect on the inestimable worth of their own souls, and the infinite ransom, even the precious blood of JESUS CHRIST, which has been paid down for them. Remember, I beseech you to r…
292 wordsSECTION 43SERMON V.
CHRIST the best Husband: Or an earnest Invitation to Young Women to come and see CHRIST. Preached to a Society of Young Women, in _Fetter-Lane_. PSALM xlv. 10, 11. _Hearken, O Daughter, and consider, and incline thine Ear: Forget also thine own People, and thy Father’s House: So shall the King greatly desire thy Bea…
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_Thirdly_, There is not only mutual choice, and mutual affection, but likewise _mutual Union_: And here doth the marriage lie chiefly, in this union; CHRIST and souls are contracted, and the knot is tied so fast, that neither men on earth, how great soever they be, nor devils in hell, though they should combine all the…
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You must likewise forget your father’s house. “Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and forget thy father’s house.” You are not here to cast off all affections unto natural relations; but you must forget all relations, so as to be ready to forego all their favour, when it standeth in competition with that of the LORD JES…
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Now, my dear sisters, I shall speak a few words to those of you who have not yet espoused yourselves to the LORD JESUS. It is a great sin, and surely you highly affront the LORD that bought you. It is likewise your folly to refuse and neglect the gracious proffers of being the spouse of CHRIST; hereby you forfeit all t…
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Do you desire one that is good? There is none like unto CHRIST in this regard; others may have some goodness, but it is imperfect; CHRIST’s goodness is compleat and perfect, he is full of goodness, and in him dwelleth no evil. Do you desire one that is beautiful? His eyes are most sparkling, his looks and glances of l…
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Consider, if you be once espoused unto CHRIST, if once joined in this relation, you shall never be separated from him; neither men nor devils shall be able to separate you: none, none, shall disjoin you; and when death doth break all other bonds, it shall not break the conjugal bond between you and CHRIST, but bring yo…
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I will, my dear sisters, spend and be spent for you, and by the assistance of GOD, will persevere in this that I have begun; and as many of you may have opportunity some evening in the week, without breaking in on the business of life; I shall therefore, my sisters, either be here, or where you shall be publicly acquai…
371 wordsSECTION 50SERMON VI.
_Britain_’s Mercies, and _Britain_’s Duty. Preached at _Philadelphia_, on _Sunday, August 24, 1746_. and occasioned by the Suppression of the late unnatural Rebellion. PSALM cv. 45. _That they might observe his Statutes and keep his Laws._ MEN, brethren, and fathers, and all ye to whom I am about to preach the king…
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Need I make an apology, before this auditory, if, in order to see the greatness of our late deliverance, I should remind you of the many unspeakable blessings which we have for a course of years enjoyed, during the reign of his present Majesty, and the gentle, mild administration under which we live? Without justly inc…
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But, alas! how soon would this happy scene have shifted, and a melancholy gloomy prospect have succeeded in its room, had the rebels gained their point, and a popish abjured pretender been forced upon the _British_ throne! For, supposing his birth not to be spurious, (as we have great reason to think it really was) wha…
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Besides, was a _Popish_ Pretender to rule over us, instead of being represented by a free parliament, and governed by laws made by their consent, as we now are; we should shortly have had only the shadow of one, and it may be, no parliament at all. This is the native product of a _Popish_ government, and what the unhap…
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Glory be to GOD’s great name! the LORD has rebuked him; and that too at a time when we had little reason to expect such a blessing at GOD’s hands. My dear hearers, neither the present frame of my heart, nor the occasion of your late solemn meeting, lead me to give you a detail of our public vices. Though, alas! they ar…
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The time, manner, and instrument of this victory, deserves our notice. It was on a general fast-day, when the clergy and good people of _Scotland_ were lamenting the disloyalty of their perfidious countrymen, and, like _Moses_, lifting up their hands, that _Amalek_ might not prevail. The victory was total and decisive.…
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This would be to act the part of those ungrateful _Israelites_, who are branded in the book of GOD, for not shewing kindness to the house of “_Jerub-Baal_, namely _Gideon_, according to all the goodness which he shewed unto _Israel_.” Even a _Pharaoh_ could prefer a deserving _Joseph_, _Ahasuerus_ a _Mordecai_, and _Ne…
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And why should not we “observe GOD’s statutes, and keep his laws?” Dare we say, that any of his commands are grievous? Is not CHRIST’s yoke, to a renewed soul, as far as renewed, easy; and his burden comparatively light? May I not appeal to the most refined reasoner, whether the religion of JESUS CHRIST be not a social…
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The clouds may again return after the rain; and the few surviving rebels (which I pray GOD avert) may yet be suffered to make head against us. We are still engaged in a bloody, and, in all probability, a tedious war, with two of the most inveterate enemies to the interests of _Great-Britain_. And, though I cannot help …
431 wordsSECTION 59SERMON VII.
Thankfulness for Mercies received, a necessary Duty. A Farewel Sermon, preached on board the _Whitaker_, at Anchor near _Savannah_, in _Georgia_, _Sunday, May 17, 1738_. PSALM, cvii. 30, 31. _Then are they glad, because they are at rest, and so he bringeth them unto the haven where they would be._ _O that men would…
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And yet as common as this sin of ingratitude is, there is nothing we ought more earnestly to pray against. For what is more absolutely condemned in holy scripture than ingratitude? Or what more peremptorily required than the contrary temper? Thus says the Apostle, “Rejoice evermore; in every thing give thanks,” 1 _Thes…
885 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.