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 181
Come, come unto him. If your souls were not immortal, and you in danger of losing them, I would not thus speak unto you; but the love of your souls constrains me to speak: methinks this would constrain me to speak unto you for ever. Come then by faith, and lay hold of the LORD JESUS: though he be in heaven, he now call…
249 wordsSECTION 182SERMON 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. And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: But he was asleep. And his disciples…
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The presence of CHRIST in the ship, did not preserve the disciples from fears and troubles; they were filled with uneasiness, although CHRIST was with them: this was only for a trial of their faith, to see if they would stand fast for the LORD in a persecuting time. My dear brethren, if the LORD is trying of you, do no…
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What poor spite was here, that the devil should disturb poor swine! And the city, therefore, was so grieved for the loss of a little wealth, that they came and besought CHRIST to depart; they did not want his company; they preferred a few poor swine before the company of CHRIST; a few worldly goods, a little pleasure, …
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Awake, you that sleep, and arise from the dead, from the death of sin, and CHRIST then will give you the light of his righteousness. Come to CHRIST and you shall be welcome; O come unto this blessed JESUS, come notwithstanding your vileness; for if you come not you will perish: If CHRIST does not save you, your own goo…
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It is true, that those who are sincerely good, are set up for marks for every one to shoot at. There is a continual enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent; if you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because CHRIST hath chosen you out of the world, therefore it hateth you. Do …
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Are you afraid to stand up for the cause of CHRIST in the world? Dare not you be singularly good? Are you afraid of being members of JESUS CHRIST? I tell you, such persons would crucify him afresh were he in the world. But do not you, my brethren, so learn CHRIST; let not the temptations of the devil keep you from comi…
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Here we may see, that no sooner had the devil power, but he puts it into execution; thus, if the devil has but power to tempt, or to hurry a soul, O how grievous a tyrant he is, hurrying from one temptation to another, from one sin unto another, and would, if it were possible, hurry you all into hell with as much viole…
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I would speak a few words to you before I part from you this evening, by way of application. Let me beseech you to come to JESUS CHRIST; I invite you all to come to him and receive him as your LORD and Saviour; he is ready to receive you: if you are afraid to go because you are in a lost condition, he came to save such…
700 wordsSECTION 190SERMON XXIII.
Marks of a true Conversion. MATTHEW xviii. 3. _Verily, I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven._ I SUPPOSE I may take it for granted, that all of you, among whom I am now about to preach the kingdom of GOD, are fully convinced, that it is …
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The LORD JESUS CHRIST knew this full well; he knew how desperately wicked and deceitful mens hearts were; he knew very well how many would go to hell even by the very gates of heaven, how many would climb up even to the door, and go so near as to knock at it, and yet after all be dismissed with a “verily I know you not…
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2. But I think it proper to premise something farther, because this text is the grand strong-hold of _Arminians_, and others. They learn of the devil to bring texts to propagate bad principles: when the devil had a mind to tempt JESUS CHRIST, because CHRIST quoted scripture, therefore Satan did so too. And such persons…
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Having premised these two particulars, I now proceed to shew in what sense we are really to understand the words, that we must be converted and become like little children. The Evangelist tells us, “that the disciples at this time came unto JESUS, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” These disciples h…
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When our LORD says, we must be converted and become as little children, I suppose he means also, that we must be sensible of our weakness, comparatively speaking, as a little child. Every one looks upon a little child, as a poor weak creature; as one that ought to go to school and learn some new lesson every day; and a…
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And as a little child is looked upon as an harmless creature, and generally speaks true; so, if we are converted, and become as little children, we shall be guileless as well as harmless. What said the dear Redeemer when he saw _Nathaniel_? As though it was a rare sight he gazed upon, and would have others gaze upon it…
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And therefore, as I have something to say by way of personal application, give me leave therefore, with the utmost tenderness, and at the same time with faithfulness, to call upon you, my dear friends. My text is introduced in an awful manner, “Verily I say unto you;” and what JESUS said then, he says now to you, to me…
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If thou art thus converted, and become a little child, I welcome thee, in the name of the LORD JESUS, into GOD’s dear family; I welcome thee, in the name of the dear Redeemer, into the company of GOD’s children. O ye dear souls, though the world sees nothing in you, though there be no outward difference between you and…
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Are ye converted, and become as little children, have ye entered into GOD’s family? Then assure yourselves, that your heavenly father will chasten you now and then; “for what son is there whom the father chastneth not: if ye are without chastisement, of which all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons.” It is…
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Would to GOD I could speak to all of you in this comfortable language; but my master tells me, I must “not give that which is holy to dogs, I must not cast pearls before swine;” therefore, though I have been speaking comfortably, yet what I have been saying, especially in this latter part of the discourse, belongs to c…
586 wordsSECTION 200SERMON XXIV.
What think ye of CHRIST? MATTHEW xxii. 42. _What think ye of CHRIST?_ WHEN it pleased the eternal Son of GOD to tabernacle among us, and preach the glad tidings of salvation to a fallen world, different opinions were entertained by different parties concerning him. As to his person, some said he was _Moses_; others …
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Some, and I fear a multitude which no man can easily number, there are amongst us, who call themselves christians, and yet seldom or never seriously think of JESUS CHRIST at all. They can think of their shops and their farms, their plays, their balls, their assemblies, and horse-races (entertainments which directly ten…
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Many will think these hard sayings: But I think it no breach of charity to affirm, that an _Arian_ or _Socinian_ cannot be a christian. The one would make us believe JESUS CHRIST is only a _created_ God, which is a self-contradiction: and the other would have us look on him only as a good man; and instead of owning his…
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Man did eat; and herein acting as our representative, thereby involved both himself and us in that curse, which GOD, the righteous judge, had said should be the consequence of his disobedience. But here begins that mystery of godliness, GOD manifested in the flesh. For (sing, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth!) the etern…
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_Thirdly_, What think you about being justified by CHRIST? I believe I can answer for some of you: for many, I fear, think to be justified or looked upon as righteous in GOD’s sight, without JESUS CHRIST. But such will find themselves dreadfully mistaken: for out of CHRIST, “GOD is a consuming fire.” Others satisfy the…
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This doctrine of our free justification by faith in CHRIST JESUS, however censured and evil spoken of by our present Masters of _Israel_, was highly esteemed by our wise fore-fathers: for in the subsequent words of the forementioned article, it is called a most _wholesome doctrine_, and very full of comfort: and so it …
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It is true, the doctrine of our free justification by faith in CHRIST JESUS, like other gospel truths, may and will be abused by men of corrupt minds, reprobates concerning the faith; but they who receive the truth of GOD in the love of it, will always be shewing their faith by their works. For this reason, St. _Paul_,…
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Take the substance of what has been said on this head, in the few following words. Every man that is saved, is justified three ways: _First_, _meritoriously_, by the death of JESUS CHRIST: “It is the blood of JESUS CHRIST alone that cleanses us from all sin.” _Secondly_, _instrumentally_, by faith: faith is the means o…
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As I observed before, so I tell you again, the faith which we preach is not a dead, but a lively active faith wrought in the soul, working a thorough change, by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the whole man: and unless CHRIST be thus in you, notwithstanding you may be orthodox as to the foregoing principles, notwithsta…
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O my brethren, my heart is enlarged towards you. I trust I feel something of that hidden, but powerful presence of CHRIST, whilst I am preaching to you. Indeed it is sweet, it is exceedingly comfortable. All the harm I wish you, who without cause are my enemies, is, that you felt the like. Believe me, though it would b…
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Now to GOD the Father, &c.…
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The wise and foolish Virgins. MATTHEW xxv. 13. _Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of man cometh._…
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THE apostle _Paul_, in his epistle to the _Hebrews_, informs us, “That it is appointed for all men once to die; after that is the judgment.” And I think, if any consideration be sufficient to awaken a sleeping drowsy world, it must be this, That there will be a day wherein these heavens shall be wrapt up like a scroll,…
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And now, Sirs, let me pause a while, and in the name of GOD, whom I endeavour to serve in the gospel of his dear Son, give me leave to ask one question. Whilst I have been drawing, though in miniature, the character of these foolish virgins, have not many of your consciences made the application, and with a small, stil…
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But it is not so with hypocrites and unbelievers beyond the grave; for what says our LORD? “And at midnight:” observe, at midnight, when all was hushed and quiet, and no one dreaming of any such thing, “a cry was made;” the voice of the arch-angel and the trump of GOD was heard sounding this general alarm; to things in…
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But how may we imagine the foolish virgins were surprized, when, notwithstanding their high thoughts and proud imaginations of their security, they now find themselves wholly naked, and void of that inward holiness and purity of heart, without which no man living at that day shall comfortably meet the LORD! I doubt not…
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The wise virgins, in the parable, no doubt endured the same cruel mockings as you may do; but as the lamb before the shearers is dumb, so in this life opened they not their mouths; but now we find they can give their enemies an answer: “Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you; but go ye rather to them that sell…
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But who can express the transports that these wise virgins felt, when they were thus admitted, in holy triumph, into the presence and full enjoyment of him, whom their souls hungred and thirsted after! No doubt they had tasted of his love, and by faith had often fed on him in their hearts, when sitting down to commemor…
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I fear, sirs, too many among us are of this mind: nay, I fear there are many so polite, so void of the love of GOD, as to think it too great a piece of self-denial, to rise early to offer up a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving acceptable to GOD through JESUS CHRIST. If any such, by the good providence of GOD, are br…
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And now, he that hath ears to hear, let him hear what manner of persons these were, whom JESUS CHRIST dismissed with this answer. Remember, I entreat you, remember they are not sent away for being fornicators, swearers, sabbath-breakers, or prodigals. No, in all probability, as I observed before, they were, touching th…
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“_Watch_;” that is, be upon your guard, and keep your graces in continual exercise: For as when we are commanded to watch unto prayer, it signifies that we should continue instant in that duty; so when we are required to watch in general, it means that we should put on the whole armour of GOD, and live every day as tho…
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And _first_, I would remind you that are notoriously ungodly, of what our LORD says in the text: For though I have said that your damnation slumbereth not, whilst you continue in an impenitent state; yet that was only to set you upon your watch, to convince you of your danger, and excite you to cry out, “What shall we …
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_Secondly_, I would apply myself to those amongst you, that are not openly profane, but by depending on a formal round of duties, deceive your own souls, and are only foolish virgins. But I must speak to your conviction, rather than your comfort. My dear brethren, do not deceive your own souls. You have heard how far t…
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_Lastly_; what I say unto you, I say unto all, watch: high and low, rich and poor, young and old, one with another, I beseech you, by the mercies of JESUS, to be upon your guard: fly, fly to JESUS CHRIST, that heavenly bridegroom: behold he desires to take you to himself, miserable, poor, blind and naked as you are; he…
388 wordsSECTION 224SERMON XXVI.
The Eternity of Hell-Torments. To the INHABITANTS of SAVANNAH in GEORGIA. _My dear Friends_, THOUGH the following sermon has been preached elsewhere, yet as the occasion of my preaching it among you was particular, as you seemed to give an uncommon attention to it in public, and afterwards expressed your satisfactio…
279 wordsSECTION 225GEORGE WHITEFIELD.
MATTHEW xxv. 46. _These shall go away into everlasting punishment._ THE excellency of the gospel dispensation, is greatly evidenced by those sanctions of rewards and punishments, which it offers to the choice of all its hearers, in order to engage them to be obedient to its precepts. For it promises no less than eter…
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I know it has been objected by some who have denied the eternity of hell-torments, That the words _everlasting_ and _ever and ever_, are often used in the Holy Scriptures, (especially in the Old Testament) when they signify not an endless duration, but a limited term of time. And this we readily grant: but then we rep…
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And if this be granted (and who dares deny it?) it follows, that if a wicked man dieth in his wickedness, and under the wrath of GOD, he must continue in that state to all eternity. For, since there is no possibility of their being delivered out of such a condition, but by and through CHRIST; and since, at the hour of …
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But, _Secondly_, If the torments reserved for the wicked hereafter are eternal, then let this serve as a caution to such persons, (and it is to be feared there are some such) who go about to dissuade others from the belief of such an important truth: There being no surer way, in all probability, to encourage and promot…
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“O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death!” O foolish mortal that I was, thus to bring myself into these never-ceasing tortures, for the transitory enjoyment of a few short-lived pleasures, which scarcely afforded me any satisfaction, even when I most indulged myself in them. Alas! are the…
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From which unhappy state, may GOD of his infinite mercy deliver us all through JESUS CHRIST; to whom, with thee O Father, and thee O Holy Ghost, three Persons and one eternal GOD, be ascribed, as is most due, all honour, power, might, majesty, and dominion, now and for evermore.…
50 wordsSECTION 231SERMON XXVII.
Blind _Bartimeus_. MARK x. 52. _And JESUS said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed JESUS in the way_. WHEN the apostle _Peter_ was recommending JESUS of _Nazareth_, in one of his sermons to the _Jews_, he gave him a short, but withal a glorious an…
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“And as he went out of _Jericho_ with his disciples, and a great number of people;” ♦ὄχλου ἱκανοῦ a great number of mob, or rabble, as the High-priests of that generation termed them: for these were the constant followers of JESUS of _Nazareth_; it was the poor that received his gospel, the common people heard him glad…
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But to proceed, “As our LORD went out of _Jericho_ with his disciples, and a great number of people, blind _Bartimeus_, (the son of _Timeus_) sat by the highway-side begging.” It should seem that he was a noted, though by no means what we commonly call, a sturdy beggar; having no other way, as he had lost his sight, to…
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One would have thought that such a moving petition as this would have melted the whole multitude, that heard his piteous cry, into compassion, and induced some at least to turn suitors in his behalf, or help to carry him to the blessed JESUS. But instead of that, we are told, verse 48, that “many charged him.” The word…
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_Bartimeus_ has set before such objectors an example; O that they would once submit to be taught by a poor blind beggar! For he, casting away his garment, rose, and blind as he was, came to JESUS; “casting away his garment.” This seems to be a large coat or cloak, that he wore to screen himself from the rain and cold; …
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And now, my dear hearers, how find you your hearts affected at the relation of this notable miracle which JESUS wrought? are you not ready to break out into the language of the song of _Moses_, and to say, “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, continually doing wonders!” Marvellous a…
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A natural man, indeed, goes no further than the outward court of the Scripture, and reads this, and the other miracles of our blessed Saviour, just in the same manner as he reads _Homer_’s battles, or the exploits of _Alexander_. But GOD forbid, that we should rest in only hearing this matter of fact. For I tell thee, …
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Here is a great multitude of people following me, a poor worm, this day. I rejoice to see the fields thus white, ready unto harvest, and to spread the gospel-net amidst so many; but alas! I shall return home with a heavy heart, unless some of you will arise and come to my JESUS; I desire to preach HIM, and not myself; …
608 wordsSECTION 239SERMON XXVIII.
Directions how to hear Sermons. LUKE viii. 18. _Take heed, therefore, how ye hear._ THE occasion of our LORD’s giving this caution, was this: Perceiving that much people were gathered together to hear him out of every city, and knowing (for he is GOD, and knoweth all things) that many, if not most of them, would be …
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And how can we here avoid admiring the love and tender care which our dear Redeemer has expressed for his spouse the church? Who, because he could not be always with us in person, on account it was expedient he should go away, and as our forerunner take possession of that glory he had purchased by his precious blood, y…
880 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.