The works of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. in nine volumes (volume 1 of 9)Watts, Isaac
Religion
The works of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. in nine volumes (volume 1 of 9)
Watts, Isaac
Dissenters, Religious -- England; Sermons, English -- 18th century; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
I. What the gospel of Christ is, that we may not mistake it.—II. What is
included in this expression, I am not ashamed of it.—III. What there is
in this gospel that might be supposed any way to expose a man to shame;
and I shall take occasion under this head to give particular answers to
some of the most important objections that might be made against the
gospel, and shew that there is no just reason to be ashamed of it.—IV. I
shall consider what is that general answer to all objections; that
universal guard against sinful shame which is contained in my text, and
which will bear out every christian in his faith and profession of the
gospel of Christ, _viz._ that it is the power of God to the salvation of
every one who believes.—And, V. I shall draw some proper inferences.
_First_, What is the gospel of Christ?
I answer in general, It is a revelation of the grace of God to fallen
man through a Mediator. Or, It is a gracious constitution of God for the
recovery of sinful and miserable man, from that deplorable state into
which sin had brought him, by the meditation of Christ: Or, in the words
of my text, it is the power of God, or his powerful appointment, for the
salvation of every one who believes. The word gospel, in the original,
εὐαγγέλιον signifies good news, or glad tidings. And surely, when a
sinner who is exposed to the wrath of God, is sensible of his guilt and
danger, it must needs be glad tidings to him to hear of a way of
salvation, and an all-sufficient Saviour. This constitution of God for
our salvation has had various editions, if I may so express it, or
gradual discoveries of it made to mankind, ever since Adam first sinned,
and God visited him with the first promise of grace before he turned him
out of paradise. But the last and most complete revelation of this
gospel was made by the personal ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, and
more especially by his apostles, when his own death, resurrection, and
exaltation had laid the complete foundation for it. From the books of
the New Testament therefore we may derive this larger description of the
gospel of Christ.
It is a wise, a holy, and gracious constitution of God for the recovery
of sinful man, by sending his own Son Jesus Christ into the flesh, to
obey his laws which man had broken, to make a proper atonement for sin
by his death, and thus to procure the favour of God, and eternal
happiness for all that believe and repent, and receive the offered
salvation; together with a promise of the Holy Spirit to work this faith
and repentance in their hearts, to renew their sinful natures into
holiness, to form them on earth fit for this happiness, and to bring
them to the full possession of it in heaven.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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