Medical References in Sermons 19

Volume 6 Sermon 9 Hosea 4:7

Woebe to them whose sins go unpunished. God spares in wrath, and corrects in mercy. When a physician ceases to administer his bitter potions, or a surgeon to search the wound, it is a sign they look upon the case as desperate. As God does not spare his people here; in order that he may spare them hereafter; so he often forbears to punish the wicked in this world, and suffers them to enjoy uninterrupted prosperity, that he may punish them more severely in the next. Amos iii.2; Luke xvi. 22-25; Heb xii.6

Medical References in Sermons 13

It is said that Beddome would often turn to the world of medicine for an apt illustration in his preaching.

Example 13

Consider what I say 2 Tim 2:3

We hearken to a physician when he prescribes for our health, and to a counsellor when he is to plead our cause; and shall we not much more hearken to the servants of the most high God, who shew unto us the way of salvation?

Medical References in Sermons 11

The Important Question John 9:29

Persons do not step immediately out of a state of quietness in sin into a state of salvation. They must have a fearful apprehension of wrath before they will fly from it a painful sense of their disease before they will apply to the physician and none will seek after life and righteousness from another till they have seen themselves in a state of guilt and condemnation. Nothing but absolute necessity will drive a soul to Christ.

Medical References in Sermons 10

The Impotent Man Acts 3:8

2. His poverty added to his distress. If help was to be obtained by medicine he had not the wherewithal to procure it. We read of a woman who had spent her whole substance upon physicians but it is probable that this man never had any substance to spend. It is evident that at this time he lived upon charity and perhaps had to beg his bread. And thus it is with sinners they are wretchedly poor yet very proud. So poor that like this man they are ready to starve yet so proud that they will not beg.

Also later in the sermon

2 It was speedy and instantaneous. Peter does not put him upon a long course of medicine giving him to hope that after trying this or the other method he might obtain relief but takes him by the hand and lifts him up when suddenly the disorder be it what it will left him and his limbs were restored to their proper use ....

And

Heal thou me says the prophet and I shall be healed. The cure will be wrought if thou undertake it, All others are mere empirics* they may skin over the wound but thou wilt heal it. They may palliate the disorder but thou wilt remove it. Oh bring your sick and polluted souls to Christ and say as the centurion of his servant Speak but the word and I shall be healed or as the leper concerning himself Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean.

*Persons who, in medicine or other sciences, rely solely on observation and experiment. Quack doctors.

Medical References in Sermons 09

Zechariah 9:12

1 Consider the relief provided by a stronghold. However, not any stronghold which we may fancy or prepare for ourselves though the imagination of man is very fruitful in inventions of this kind. When conscience is alarmed any thing is sought to that will afford a little present ease and lying vanities are as common now as lying wonders were in the dark days of popery. The physician of souls is neglected and physicians of no value are applied to. When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah saw his wound then went Ephraim to the Assyrian and sent to king Jareb yet could he not heal you nor cure you of your wound. Such has been and still is the conduct of sinful men. They make any thing their refuge rather than Him who is as a hiding place from the wind and a covert from the tempest and as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. Some overwhelmed with a sense of guilt and terrified with apprehensions of future wrath fly to the absolute and uncovenanted mercy of God. Some to their church privileges and others to their good works and religious performances. Some hope to conciliate the divine favour by their prayers and tears their amendments and reformations and ....

Medical References in Sermons 08

Self-examination Psalm 139:23

THIS excellent Psalm so descriptive of the greatness and majesty glory and excellency of God concludes with a pathetic address to him Search me oh God. Do it thoroughly, search into my actions and all their springs, into the temper of my mind and every crevice of my soul. Take full cognizance of me, examine me as an artist does his work to see whether there be any flaw or defect in it, as a physician does the pulse or a surgeon the wounds of his patient, as a merchant his book of accompts or a shopkeeper his stock in trade. Try me as we try gold in a balance or by the touchstone or as candidates for honour and preferment to see whether their talents be equal to the station they are designed to occupy.