4. To speak very plain in a plain case ; — the state of this nation is such, let our expectation and our hopes be what they will, and prog- nostics be multiplied, God can multiply upon another hand ; — the case of this nation is such, that without repentance evidenced, and uni- versal reformation sincerely endeavoured, England cannot be saved, — will not be saved; — God will forsake it, — destruction from the Lord will overtake us.
5. I should have told you, also, what I judge indispensably neces- sary, that any such reformation may be obtained in this nation ; as, —
(1.) That there be, through the providence of God, provided an- other manner of administration of the word throughout the nation than at present there is; which is the only means of conviction, and conversion unto God. Signs, and wonders, and judgments, terrify ; — it is the word that must reform, and turn to God. And if the state of things continue so, that some who are able and wise for the work are forbid, and others, that engross all to themselves, are either un- able or negligent in it, — I have no great hopes of seeing reformation in this land.
(2.) Unless the generality of magistrates be better principled for, and better instructed in, their office, than as yet they seem to be, a reformation will not be carried through this nation. And, —
(3.) Which is the principal, — That those who have been examples in sinning, and in drawing others to sin, become examples in re- penting, and reforming, and turning to God.
(4.) Lastly, That the whole nation be stirred up, and do not faint in the pursuit of it.
I have scarce been able to speak the heads of these things unto j^ou. I wish I had strength to speak all that is in my thoughts and heart upon this matter unto this whole nation; for hereon, and not on any thing else, depends the deliverance and safety of it.
POSTHUMOUS SERMONS.
PART II.
SERMONS PUBLISHED
M.DCC.XXI.
VOL. IX.
PREFATORY NOTE.
Under the second division of the Posthumous Sermons of Owen are included all the previously unpublished discourses which appeared in the folio edition of his Sermons and Tracts, 1721. The editors of that volume state, after alluding to his sermons formerly printed, — "With these are printed a considerable number of sermons and other tracts never before published, which we do assure the public are genuine, — a great part of them having been transcribed from his own copies, and the rest taken from his mouth by a gentleman of honour and known integrity."
The gentleman referred to was Sir John Hartopp. Dr Isaac Watts, on the death of that baronet, preached a well-known and beautiful sermon on " The Happiness of Separate Spirits." " When I name Sir John Hartopp," said the preacher, " all that knew him will agree that I name a gentleman, a scholar, and a Christian." In the course of the tribute he pays to the memory of the de- ceased, he alludes to the cordial friendship that long subsisted between Sir John and " that great and venerable man, Dr Owen;" and mentions that he had supplied Asty with important information for his brief memoir of our author. Sir John Hartopp deserved the warm eulogy of Dr Watts. He was a good man, and the friend of good men. He was thrice elected Member of Parliament for Leicestershire, at the time when the attempt was made to exclude the Duke of York from the crown. He attended the ministry of Owen in London, and was in the habit of taking notes in shorthand of his sermons, which he afterwards transcribed in full. From these manuscripts most of the posthumous sermons of our author have been derived. He died in 1722, after the publication of the folio edition of Owen's Sermons; and his name, therefore, is a voucher for the genuine- ness of all the discourses contained in this division.
Two discourses on " The Strength of Faith " are here given first, because con- nected with one on the same text in the preceding volume, — vol. viii. p. 207. The discourses which bear no date follow. The subsequent discourses in this divi- sion are arranged according to the years in which it has been ascertained that they were preached. — Ed.
POSTHUMOUS SERMONS.
SEKMOff I.
THE STRENGTH OF FAITH.
" He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. — Rom. iv. 20.
In this chapter the apostle singleth out a signal example, to make good the conclusion which, by sundry convincing demonstrations, he had proved in the foregoing chapter; namely, that the justification of a sinner could by no means be brought about nor accomplished but by the righteousness of faith in Christ. This, I say, in the ex- ample of Abraham, and from the testimonies given concerning him, and the way whereby he was justified before God, the apostle proves from the beginning of the chapter to the end of verse 17. From thence to the end of verse 22 he describes that faith of Abraham Avhereby he obtained acceptation with God ; that in all things he might propose him as an example and an encouragement unto us.