Sermons, and Other Miscellaneous Pieces (Volume 2) - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1804. Excerpt: ... 255 SERMON XXXI. HOSEA VI. I. Come, and let us return unto the Lord; for ke hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he mill bind us up. FOR A FAST DAY. ON RETURNING TO GOD. A HOUGH scripture were entirely silent on this head, our own sad experience might sufficiently convince us, that by nature we are estranged from God, and of consequence from true and solid happiness. The almost universal and daring impiety which prevails in the world; that open contempt of all religion which possesses one part of mankind; that carelessness and indifference which, like a deep lethargy, lulls asleep another; and that coldness, deadness, and backsliding which too frequently overtakes even God's own people, sufficiently warrant, at all times, especially upon a day of solemn fasting and humiliation, the propriety of addresses, such as that contained in my text, " Come, and let us return un"to the Lord." I propose, first, to explain the exhortation; and, secondly, to enforce it particularly from the motive in the following context: For he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath "smitten, and he will bind us up." First to explain the exhortation: "Gome, "and let us return unto the Lord;" and this exhortation, in the first place, implies, that man was once in a state of nearness unto God. This was the case of our first parent, whom " God ' created in his own image, and after his own "likeness," in all the dignity of innocence and enlarged understanding. When we look back to that glorious and happy period of his existence, and behold one in our own nature, qualified for the enjoyment, and actually enjoying tile friendly, the gracious presence and converse of his great Creator, with what humble rapture must our hearts burn within us, to view our fellow creature, ou...