PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A., Vol. 6 (of 6) : Containing all his sermons and tracts, etc.
Whitefield, George, 1714-1770 · 155,592 words · 214 reading sections
Part 181
_Secondly_, From the words of the text, I would take occasion to speak to those, who are about to lift themselves under the banner of CHRIST’s cross. What say you? Are you resolved to live godly in CHRIST JESUS, notwithstanding the consequence will be, that you must suffer persecution? You are beginning to build; but h…
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_Thirdly_, The text speaks to you that are patiently suffering for the truth’s sake: “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; great shall be your reward in heaven.” For to you it is given, not only to believe, but also to suffer, and perhaps remarkably too, for the sake of JESUS! This is a mark of your discipleship, an evidenc…
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Brethren therefore, whether in the ministry or not, I beseech you, “pray for me,” that I may never suffer justly, as an evil-doer, but only for righteousness sake. O pray that I may not deny my LORD in any wise, but that I may joyfully follow him, both to prison and to death, if he is pleased to call me to seal his tru…
590 wordsSECTION 184SERMON LVI.
An Exhortation to the People of GOD not to be discouraged in their Way, by the Scoffs and Contempt of wicked Men. HEBREWS iv. 9. _There remaineth therefore a Rest to the People of GOD._ WHEN we consider the persecutions they are exposed to, who live righteously and godly in this present world; it is amazing to consi…
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I shall not speak unto you, Pharisees, this morning, nor to any, except to you who have experienced the pangs of the new-birth, or are at present under them, and who know what it is to love the LORD JESUS in sincerity and truth: do not be discouraged, or think hard of the ways of GOD, my dear brethren, because you are …
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As many of you as design to partake of the emblems of the body and blood of our dying LORD, examine well yourselves, lest by eating and drinking unworthily, you eat and drink damnation unto yourselves: remember the dying love of your dying LORD, and eat and drink in commemoration thereof; do not let the world keep you …
441 wordsSECTION 187SERMON LVII.
Preached before the Governor, and Council, and the House of Assembly, in, _Georgia_, on January 28, 1770. ZECHARIAH iv. 10. _For who hath despised the Day of Small Things?_ MEN, brethren, and fathers, at sundry times and in divers manners, GOD spake to the fathers by the prophets, before he spoke to us in these last…
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The spirit of _Zerubbabel_, and of _Joshua_, and the spirits of all the remnant of the people were stirred up, and they immediately came, disregarding, as it were, their own private buildings, “and did work in the house of the LORD of Hosts their GOD.” For a while, they proceeded with vigour; the foundation of the hous…
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As a proof of this, I will not lead you so far back, as to the beginning of time, when the Everlasting “I AM” spoke all things into existence, by his almighty _fiat_; and out of a confused chaos, “without form and void,” produced a world worthy of a GOD to create, and of his favourite creature man, his vicegerent and r…
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But time as well as strength would fail me, was I to give you a detail of all the important particulars respecting GOD’s peculiar people; as their miraculous support in the wilderness, the events which took place while they were under a divine theocracy, and during their settlement in _Canaan_ to the time of their retu…
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Neither shall it rest here; whatever dark parenthesis may intervene, we are assured, that being still watered by the same divine hand, it shall take deeper and deeper root downward, and bear more and more fruit upward, till the whole earth be filled with the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Who shall…
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But whither am I going? Pardon me, my dear hearers, if you think this to be a digression from my main point. It is true, whilst I am musing, the fire begins to kindle: I am flying, but not so high, I trust, as to lose sight of my main subject. And yet, after meditating and talking of the rise and progress of the gospel…
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On _March 25, 1740_, in full assurance of faith, I laid the foundation of this house; and in the year following, brought in my orphan family, who, with the workmen, now made up the number of one hundred and fifty: by the money which was expended on these, the remaining few were kept in the colony, and were enabled to p…
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Who can imagine, that the prophet _Zechariah_ would be sent to strengthen the hands of _Zerubbabel_, in building and laying the foundation of the temple, if that temple was not to be frequented with worshippers that worshipped the Father in spirit and in truth. The most gaudy fabrics, stately temples, new moon sabbaths…
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Men, brethren, fathers, as many of you, whether inhabitants or strangers, who have honoured this day with your presence, give us the additional blessings of your prayers. And O that _Bethesda_’s GOD may make this day, though but a day of small things, productive of great things to the souls of all amongst whom I have b…
385 wordsSECTION 196SERMON LVIII.
_Peter_’s Denial of his LORD. MATTHEW xxvi. 75.¹ _And Peter remembered the words of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice: and he went out, and wept bitterly._ ¹ The two following Sermons came to hand after the others were in the press. BIOGRAPHY, as one observes, is the …
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But before we proceed to the prosecution of these points; it may be proper to premise, that we take it for granted the Apostle _Peter_, before his fall, was certainly a converted man. This is controverted by some. For what reason, is best known to themselves. The scriptures evidently leave us no room to dispute it. One…
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But to proceed. Spiritual sloth, as well as spiritual pride, helped to throw this Apostle down. The sun, that glorious Sun of righteousness, was now about to enter into his last eclipse. Satan, who had left him for a season, or, till the season of his passion, is now to be permitted to bruise his heel again. This is hi…
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Well! the blessed JESUS is now at the bar. Omnipotence suffers itself to be arraigned, and he who set bounds to the sea which it cannot pass, is content to be bound, and that as a criminal, by the work of his own hands. False witnesses rise up against him, and lay to his charge things that he knew not. “This fellow, sa…
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Surely, it is high time for the cock to crow. Hark! The cock does crow, not only once, but twice; but all in vain. Fallen as this great man is, he must still fall lower. _Satan_ is now about to give him the last and most fatal thrust. He hath his quiver full of deadly arrows, and hath always instruments at hand, the we…
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This, and much more of the same kind, we may well suppose was the real language of that convincing, heart-piercing look, which the LORD JESUS at this time gave his fallen _Peter_. Amazing! He looks him into contrition; whereas had he rewarded him according to his iniquity, he might have looked him into hell. Rejoice wi…
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But why should I waste my time in reasoning with men of such perverse minds? To you who do, from your hearts, believe on JESUS of _Nazareth_, and who, in reality, are the children of the most High GOD, the mournful passage we are now upon, does, in a more immediate manner, call me to address myself. You, I am persuaded…
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Young preachers, to you in an especial manner are these words of exhortation sent. Of all people in the world, you had need watch most against spiritual pride. It is a fly that often spoils your whole pot of ointment. This made aged _Paul_ so careful to warn _Timothy_ not to lay hands upon novices, lest, says he, “bein…
902 wordsSECTION 204SERMON LIX.
The true Way of beholding the LAMB of GOD. JOHN i. 35, 36. _Again, the next Day after, John stood, and two of his Disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the LAMB of GOD._ GLORIOUS words these! Before we set about the opening and enforcing them, permit me to introduce myself in the language …
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I presume one reason that may be assigned for it may be drawn from the account we have given us of his most amazing and unparalleled meekness. A Lamb, you all know, is one of the most pacific creatures in the world. When we would describe, or point out a person of a peaceable disposition, we say such a one is as quiet …
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But to proceed. The paschal lamb was further typical of CHRIST, its great antitype, in that it was to be killed in the evening, and afterwards roasted with fire. So CHRIST, our passover, was sacrificed for us in the evening of the world; only with this material difference, the paschal lamb was first slain, and then roa…
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But further. The paschal lamb was typical of CHRIST our passover in another respect. For as the blood of the lamb, after it was slain, was sprinkled upon the door-posts of the _Israelites_ houses, so the blood of JESUS CHRIST, shed for the sins of the world, is to be applied to, and by faith sprinkled upon the hearts o…
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But secondly. By beholding the LAMB of GOD, we are to understand not only looking to him so as to trust him for the pardon of our sins, but beholding him so as to have our hearts broke with a true and godly sorrow for having crucified and slain him by them. For thus speaks the LORD by the mouth of the Prophet _Zecharia…
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But this is not all. A scriptural beholding of the LAMB of GOD, denotes not only such a relying on CHRIST for pardon of sin, as is attended with a truly godly sorrow for it, but such a believing on him, as is productive of a holy life, and a universal chearful observance of all his divine commands. When the two discipl…
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Once more. A true beholding of the LAMB of GOD, implies such a beholding him, as will transform us into his divine likeness. This will be the effect of our seeing him as he is in heaven; and this, in its degree, will always be the consequence of our beholding him with an eye of a true and lively faith on earth. When _M…
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But it is time for me to draw nearer to a conclusion. We have now then, my dear hearers, done with the doctrinal part of our text; in opening of which, that we might deal with you as rational creatures, we have endeavoured calmly, and in the fear of GOD, to address ourselves to your understandings: but the hardest work…
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Are any here present who are entrusted with the care of youth that are intended for the ministry? My text warns me not to leave you out in this address. _John_ directed his disciples to behold the Lamb of GOD: and ought not such, who have the oversight of those who are hereafter to be employed in the same divine work a…
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But do not the words of our text lead me to address all in general, as well as tutors and their pupils in particular? Yes: to you, even to as many as hear me this day, whether high or low, rich or poor, young or old, one with another, may a word of exhortation naturally be directed. It was to the people, as well as to …
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But as for ungodly and obstinate unbelievers that die in their sins, it shall not be so with them. Behold him indeed you shall; behold him you must; “For yet a little while, and we must all appear before the judgment-seat of CHRIST.” But O! how shall I speak it? You must behold him once, never to behold him any more! B…
385 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.