Sermon on Romans 8:28
The strings of a musical instrument struck in their proper order yield an agreeable harmony and the various movements in a complicated piece of machinery complete the design of the artist but if one string of the instrment be broke or one movement of the machine be out of order, neither of them will answer the appointed end ...
The happy results of repentance 2 Corinthians 2:2
When there is a casting down among the people it is a time of lifting up to godly ministers. The sighs and groans of returning penitents are delightful music in their ears. The success of Peter's sermon in the second chapter of the Acts no doubt laid a foundation for many thanksgivings to God.
A funeral sermon Hebrews 2:15
Salvation by Jesus Christ is the very sum and substance of the Christian religion and the extensiveness thereof is one of its greatest glories. Were all the fruits of Christ's death concealed in the darkest oblivion and all reserved for another state yet were the highest returns of gratitude due even for a hope of future glory. The distant prospect might afford us ground of joy and tune our harps to the praise of Him who then would be the distant portion of his people. But what superior strains of praise are due when we consider that salvation begins even here, clusters are vouchsafed from the promised land and by the first fruits we may conclude what the harvest will be.
A funeral sermon Hebrews 2:15
Our work will be the most desirable reflecting upon the wonders of redeeming love the mysteries of providence the discoveries of grace the experience of our past lives and then we shall tune our harps to praise, make heaven echo with a new song, a song always the same yet always new ...
Instead of wondering that we die we have reason to wonder that we live so long "that a harp of a thousand strings should keep in tune so long";* that the water is not sooner spilt or we who are crushed sooner than the moth, retain that life so long which is sustained by so feeble a thread.
*Quotation from Isaac Watts
Communion with God our security and bliss Psalm 69:18
Though the minister may, like John the Baptist, be a burning and shining light, let his compositions be ever so striking and eloquent, pathetic and evangelical and his manner of address ever so engaging, his voice will have but little effect unless that of his Master be also heard, it will be but like a lovely song pleasing to the ear but make no lasting impression upon the heart.
Character tried by the Word and Providence of God Matthew 3:10
No, it was for thee he drank that bitter cup that thou hadst mingled and endured that wrath which thou hadst provoked so that thou mayest now sing and say "Who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died".
The right of private judgement Romans 15:5
... Some reject singing with a mixed multitude and according to the rules of art whilst others suppose it to be a desirable part of the worship which they owe to God and therefore by no means to be omitted in their public devotions. Many other instances might be mentioned of the same nature in which we should avoid all the animosity of party spirit ....
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