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A complete body of divinity in two hundred and fifty expository lectures on the…A compleat body of divinity in two hundred and fifty expository lectures on the…
A complete body of divinity in two hundred and fifty expository lectures on the Assembly's Shorter catechism wherein the doctrines of the Christian religion are unfolded, their truth confirmed, their excellence displayed, their usefulness improved; contrary errors & vices refuted & exposed, objections answered, controversies settled, cases of conscience resolved; and a great light thereby reflected on the present age. / By the Reverend & learned Samuel Willard, M.A. late Pastor of the South Church in Boston, and vice-president of Harvard College in Cambridge, in New-England. ; Prefaced by the pastors of the same church. ; [Six lines of Scripture texts]A compleat body of divinity in two hundred and fifty expository lectures on the Assembly's Shorter catechism wherein the doctrines of the Christian religion are unfolded, their truth confirm'd, their excellence display'd, their usefulness improv'd; contrary errors & vices refuted & expos'd, objections answer'd, controversies settled, cases of conscience resolv'd; and a great light thereby reflected on the present age. / By the Reverend & learned Samuel Willard, M.A. late Pastor of the South Church in Boston, and vice-president of Harvard College in Cambridge, in New-England. ; Prefac'd by the pastors of the same church. ; [Six lines of Scripture texts]
printed by B. Green and S. Kneeland for B. Eliot and D. Henchman, 1726
AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLY's SHORTER CATECHISM: IN Two Hundred a… › Sermon 6 (Question 2 cont.)
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. THE wonderful! Efficacy of the Scriptures upon the hearts and consciences of men: The conquering power of it, and irresistible operation of it, whether considered extensively or intensively.
EXTENSIVELY. How large an Empire hath this gained? And that by no carnal Stratagems, or outward force, but by its own spiritual energy. How did the word prevail in the Apostles days, when the preaching of tho Gospel won such Multitudes to the faith of Christ? For, th• Paganism & Mohammedanism, and many Heresies have been powerfully prevalent, yet they were things, either suited to the corruptions of men, or advanced by external force and policy. Whereas it is evident, that the Scriptures are levelled against all these Corruptions, and require the things that are most contrary to man's natural Inclinations. The Rich, the Wise, and Noble of the earth, Kings and Counsellors set themselves against it. The Instruments, by which it was carried on, were poor, illiterate, ignoble, contemned ones. The rage and violence used to suppress it, expressed in all manner of Cruelties, was managed with greatest fury. All which notwithstanding, did ⟨p. 18⟩this word go on conquering and to conquer. Col. 1.6. Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world, and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the g•••e of God in truth. And from whence should it derive this virtue? One that little loved it, could say of it; Acts 5.38, 39. If this counsel, or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it.
EXTENSIVELY. How large an Empire hath this gained? And that by no carnal Stratagems, or outward force, but by its own spiritual energy. How did the word prevail in the Apostles days, when the preaching of tho Gospel won such Multitudes to the faith of Christ? For, th Paganism & Mahometanism, and many Heresies have been powerfully prevalent, yet they were things, either suted to the corruptions of men, or advanced by external force and policy. Whereas it is evident, that the Scriptures are levelled against all these Corruptions, and require the things that are most contrary to man's natural Inclinations. The Rich, the Wise, and Noble of the earth, Kings and Counsellors set themselves against it. The Instruments, by which it was carried on, were poor, illiterate, ignoble, contemned ones. The rage and violence used to suppress it, expressed in all manner of Cruelties, was managed with greatest fury. All which notwithstanding, did