-
16 Christ And His Church, One
“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body being many, are one body; so also is Christ.”—1 Corinthians 12:18 The inseparable union which subsists between Christ and his church is a most glorious part of the dispensation of God's matchless grace. The blessed Lord Jesus Christ, as the Christ, and his church, are one, and always were one. They never were, never will be, two. In the eternal purpose of the glorious Trinity, Christ and his church sprang up together, as one glorious body, the Lamb and his wife, having all grace and glory secured in the Head, for the eternal blessedness of every member, and the declaration of the glory of all the perfections…
-
19 The Benediction
A Sermon Preached By William Gadsby On Tuesday Evening, June 1st, 1841, In Gower Street Chapel, London, On taking Leave At The Close Of His Annual Visit. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”—2 Corinthians 13:14 If God is graciously pleased to grant you and me the sweet unction of the blessings contained in the passage read as a text, we possess the rarest blessings it is in the power of God to bestow upon creatures. Angels do not enter into the glorious mystery of some part of it; and therefore we have a song to sing more divinely glorious than that of the angels in heaven. Some…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
