A caution that we presume not to allow ourselves in the practice of those sins which seem least to us.

1. Because the punishment of these sins, though less than that which is denounced against greater sins, is yet not little, not tolerable, 309.

2. Because men are apt to judge those sins little which God esteems great, 309.

SERMONS XLVII, XLVIII, XLIX, L.

BROTHERLY REPROOF.

Romans x. I.

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

In order to enforce the duty contained in the text, of desiring and promoting one another's salvation,

I. St. Paul's concern for the salvation of the Jews with regard to the different relations between him and them is shown,

1. If we consider him as a Christian, and them as opposers of the gospel, we are from his example obliged to desire and promote the eternal good of those who do themselves neglect their own salvation, 313.

2. If we consider him as a Christian, and them as his kinsmen, we are more particularly obliged to promote the salvation of those who are more nearly related to us, 313.

3. If we consider him as an apostle, we are instructed from his example, that it is the duty more especially of the ministers of God's word to promote the salvation of all men, 313.

II. The proper methods by which this duty may be most effectually performed are inquired into, 330.

III. It is shown that the most effectual method of performing this duty is Christian reproof, 333.

First, it is proved to be the duty of all Christians to reprove their offending brethren, 333.

Secondly, some cautions and directions are offered to make this reproof successful, 347.

1. It must be done with prudence, 347.

On proper occasions, 349.

To proper persons, 354.
At proper times, 357.

In a proper manner, 360.

2. It must be done with meekness, 366.

3. It must be done with humility, 375

4. We must take care that we be free from those faults for which we reprove others, 379.

The application, 383.

SERMON LI.

Preached at the parish church of St. Dustan's in the West: a farewell sermon. THE SEVERAL WAYS OF PARTAKING IN OTHER MEN'S SINS.

1 Timothy v. 22.

Neither be partakers of other men's sins.

We may be partakers of other men's sins,

I. By poisoning their souls with erroneous and wicked principles, 387.

II. By giving them evil counsels, 394.

III. By giving them an evil example, 397.

IV. By withholding from them necessary instruction, 399. This last branch concerns more especially the ministers of the gospel, 401.

The application, 403.

SERMON LII.

THE DANGER OF DELAYING REPENTANCE.

Hebrews iii. 7, and part of the 8th.

Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

To prove the danger of delaying repentance, 406.

I. The question concerning the validity of a late repentance fully considered and stated, 407.

II. Though it seems barely possible that a late repentance, such as dying persons are able to perform, may in some cases be accepted of God, for procuring God's pardon, yet the danger of delaying repentance is shown to be extremely great, because,

1. Notwithstanding the general promises of pardon to all that ask it, yet there are several instances in holy writ of those that have asked for pardon, and have not obtained it, because they asked too late, 414.

2. The promises made to sinners upon their returning to God are not more express than those denunciations that declare some sinners will not find pardon, 418.

The application, 421.

SERMON LIII.

THE DANGER OF RELAPSING.

2 Peter ii. 20.

If after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

The condition of those who relapse from a virtuous to a vicious course of life is proved to be more sinful and dangerous than the state of such as never pretend to virtue and piety.

I. More sinful: because the sins of such relapsers are, whilst
continued in, much more heinous, as they are committed,
1. Against greater knowledge, 424.

2. Against greater strength to obey, 426.
3. More to the dishonour of God, 428.

4. Against greater obligations to obedience, 429.
11. More dangerous; because there are less hopes of
their recovery out of this sinful state by repentance;
as there is,

1. Less probability such persons should ever go about to repent, 431.

2. Less hopes that their repentance should prove effectual, 433.

The application, 436.

SERMON LIV.

GOOD WORKS NOT MERITORIOUS.

Hebrews vi. 10.

God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love.

Since this assertion of the apostle is capable of two different

constructions, according as we interpret the word unrighteous to denote, either, one who deprives another of his just right, or one who is not faithful to his promise; it is inquired, I. In what sense God would not be unrighteous or unjust, though he should forget our good works, that is, though he should not reward us with eternal life for them, 440. The value of good works considered, 443. II. In what sense God, because he is not unrighteous, that is, not regardless of his promises, will not forget our good works, but will reward us for them with the glories of heaven and happiness everlasting, 446.

The application, 452.

SERMON LV.

PREACHED ON CHRISTMAS-DAY.
John i. II.

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. The text contains two matters of fact, the coming of Christ, and his ill reception. We shall be the better able to judge of these two facts, both of the exceeding love of him that came, and the monstrous ingratitude of those who received him not, by inquiring into the following circumstances:

I. Who it was that came, 457.

II. What was the benefit of his coming, 459.

III. Who the persons were to whom he came, and of whom it is complained, that they received him not, 463. The application to us Christians, who are ready enough to blame the ingratitude of the Jews in not receiving Christ, but not so apt to reflect in what manner we ourselves receive him, to whom he doth as truly and effectually come as he came to the Jews, 470.

SERMON LVI.

PREACHED ON EASTER-DAY.

I Peter i. 3.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The resurrection of Christ an infallible and undeniable proof

of ours,

I. As it proves his veracity, who hath plainly revealed unto us that we shall be raised from the dead, 475

II. As it is a proof of the acceptance of that price which he who is the meritorious cause of our resurrection laid down to procure our redemption from the grave, 480. III. As it is a proof of his power who is the efficient cause of our resurrection, 484.

IV. As it is an earnest and pledge given us, a pattern set us, by him who is the exemplary cause of our resurrection, 486.

The application, 488.

SERMON LVII.

PREACHED ON WHIT-SUNDAY.

1 Corinthians xii. 4.

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. The gifts to which the text refers, and the giver of them, being not a matter of mere speculation, but of near concernment to us, we may usefully employ our thoughts on this subject by considering what we ought to believe, 492. I. Of that one Spirit who dispenseth these diverse gifts, 492. II. Of those diverse gifts which are by this one Spirit dis pensed, 498.

SERMON LVIII.

BALAAM'S WISH TO DIE THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS.

Numbers xxiii. 10.

Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his !

Since all men, bad as well as good, generally desire, with Balaam, to die the death of the righteous, occasion is from hence taken of pointing out the qualifications requisite for such a death:

I. Faith, 510.

II. Hope, 511.

III. Charity, 513.

IV. A willingness to part with this world, 518. The application, 520.