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20 Paul And James
Galatians 2:16: “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”James 2:24: “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” Paul and James appear to clash with each other; for Paul says we are justified without works and James says we are justified by our works. But the fact is, the one was speaking of what justified us in the sight of God and the other of what justified…
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21 The Glory Of God’s Grace
"To the praise of the glory of his grace.”—Ephesians 1:6 As the Lord shall be graciously pleased to give me wisdom and strength, I shall endeavor to call your attention to three leading particulars; I. What is grace, God's rich and free grace. II. Point out some branches of the glory of God's grace. III. Make a few remarks on some things as connected with our text, which the Lord has done to the praise of the glory of his grace. I. What then is God's free grace? The word grace is in almost everybody's mouth who makes a profession of religion. "Salvation is all of grace; we must be saved my grace," are words frequently spoken. But if you will allow the bulk of…
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25 The Mystery of Christ
A Sermon Preached By William Gadsby In Zoar Chapel, Great Alie Street, London, On Sunday Morning, June 4, 1848. “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ.”—Colossians 4:2,3 To be employed by the Lord, to be fitted and qualified by him, to speak forth the “mystery of Christ,” is the most solemn work that ever God set a creature to be employed in! Angels have been God's ministers to execute his judgments upon ungodly men and ungodly nations. They have been commanded to cut down thousands, and send them to black despair as an effect of their sin; and they have been…
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31 The Cloud Of Witnesses
“Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset ns, and let us run with patience the race set before us.”—Hebrews 12:1First, Who are these witnesses? They are those who have witnessed to God's truth, as Abraham, Isaac, and others, as mentioned in the preceding chapter; also apostles, ministers, and people who have borne testimony to the truth as it is in Jesus. Secondly, What did they witness to? Salvation being all of grace, through faith; not of works, lest proud men should boast. Thirdly, Why called a cloud? Because, when gathered together, they are a number which no man can number, any more than he…
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32 The Peculiar People
A Sermon Preached By William Gadsby On Thursday Evening, May 18th, 1841, At Edward Street Chapel, Dorset Square, London. “A peculiar people.”—1 Peter 2:9 The whole verse reads thus: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” There is one little word contained in this verse which includes in it everything that is worthy of our desire. And with this little word, together with its connection, sealed in our consciences, all the devils in hell will never be able to destroy our interest in heavenly things. “Why,” you will say then, “what can this word be?” It is…
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33. Not Willing That Any Should Perish
Preached in Manchester, 9 Februay 1840. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward; not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”—2 Pet 3:9 To add to, or diminish from, the Word of God is a crime, though much employed in the frivolities of the world; and the office of a minister is a very responsible one. He is God's steward, and he must one day give up his stewardship; and if he seeks to please men, he is not a true servant of God; nay, it is insulting God. Some say God is not willing that any creature should perish, but every one should come to repentance; but in…
