Address to the Inhabitants of the Colonies, established in New South Wales And Norfolk Island — John Shaqi
Address to the Inhabitants of the Colonies, established in New South Wales And Norfolk IslandJohnson, Richard
Religion
Address to the Inhabitants of the Colonies, established in New South Wales And Norfolk Island
Johnson, Richard
Prisoners -- Australia; Sermons -- Australia -- 18th century; Speeches, addresses, etc.
These blessings become ours, only by believing, or faith. Thus it is
said, God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son
For what purpose? Why, That whosoever BELIEVETH in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life [John iii. 16,18.],--he that believeth
in him is not condemned; he that believeth in him who juftifieth the
ungodly, his faith is counted to him for righteousness [Rom. iv. 3, 6.].
My friends, search the scriptures, and you will find that this is the
tenor of the whole Bible; I may add of our church also, in
the Articles and Homilies. This believing is sometimes called a coming
to Christ, a looking unto Christ, a trusting in him, a casting our
burden upon him [John vi. 37.; Isa. xlv. 22.; Eph. i. 12.; Ps. lv. 22.].
And remember, that until we do thus come to Christ, trust in him,
cast our cares and burdens upon him, we have no part or interest in
what the gospel unfolds and offers; however others, who have
believed, and daily act faith upon him, are rejoicing in the participation
of those rich benefits and blessings which the gospel freely offers to
guilty and perishing sinners.
The faith whereby a sinner receives Christ, and becomes a partaker of
all the blessings of the gospel, is the sole gift of God, wrought in
the heart by his Holy Spirit [Eph. ii. 8.]. This Holy Spirit produces an
inward change in the soul, called, in the scripture, the new birth,
regeneration [John iii. 3-7], or conversion, and thus enables a sinner,
convinced of his sin and misery, to look to Jesus, and to believe on him.
But though repentance and faith are the gifts of God, which none can
obtain by any endeavours of their own, yet we are encouraged and
commanded to pray for them [Luke xi. 17.].
All who have thus, through grace, believed, and are daily living a
life of faith in the Son of God, shall be saved: but such as
carelessly neglect, or wilfully reject this gospel must be damned
[ Mark xvi. 15.]. Think, I beseech you, of this! Remember, that it is the
solemn declaration of the Lord Jesus Christ himself.
Now is the time to obtain the blessings revealed in the gospel, and
which are set before you when it is preached. Many have had these
gracious declarations made to them, before we were born, and they
will be repeated to many after we are dead. But THIS is our day. NOW is
the accepted time, now is the day of salvation [1 Cor vi. 2.]. TO-DAY--for
you and I may not live to see to-morrow. TO-DAY; if you will hear his
voice, harden not your hearts [Heb. iii. 7, 8.]. My brethren, it is your
duty, your wisdom, and will finally prove to be your greatest happiness,
to seek an interest in this salvation for yourselves. It is your personal,
and must be your heart concern, to make your calling and election
sure [2 Pet. i. 10.].
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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