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23 To Know Christ
Preached in Manchester April 19th, 1840, prior to the preacher going his London journey. “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection.”—Philippians 3:10 These are the words of the apostle who was caught up into the heavens, and there had revealed to him what was not lawful for him to utter; and yet he desired to know Christ, whom to know is life eternal. To know him here is like a bud of spring; and when we die, it will break forth into a flower, full blown, and beauteous to behold. Now we know him but in part; but then we shall know him perfectly, for we shall see him as he is. 1. Let us consider this Him; 2. What it…
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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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26 A Holy Calling
“Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”—2 Timothy 1:9Here we find salvation stated before calling by grace; and, indeed, if we take a proper view of the subject, it was so in the mind and purpose of God. God the Father saved, or secured, the elect in Christ before the foundation of the world. Hence Jude says, “Sanctified by God the Father;” that is, set apart by God the Father, as the people of his holy choice, and so made the special care and charge of Christ. “According as he hath chosen us in him before the…
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28 A Rest For The People Of God
A Sermon Preached By William Gadsby In A Village Near Ely. “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.”—Hebrews 4:9 The whole human race is comprised in two descriptions of people, viz., the people of God's election, and the people of God's curse, against whom he hath indignation for ever. A solemn line of demarcation is made between these two classes by God himself, and it is as impossible for a soul to pass this line as it is for God to cease to exist. The first thing which the child of God is brought to feel is as contrary to “rest” as hell is to heaven. But the hypocrite may and does walk and live in error and sin, until he sinks…
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29 On Sanctification
[On page 241 there is the first of a Sermon on the above subject, from 1 Cor. 1:2. Had the following come under my notice at the time, I would have inserted it next the above. I feel, however, I should do wrong if I omitted it. It is in the “Gospel Standard” for 1835-1836.] “For by One offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”—Hebrews 10:14 The doctrine of Sanctification is clearly revealed in the Word of God; and when the mind of the saint is led into it by the blessed Spirit, the doctrine of a Triune Jehovah shines forth; for we are sanctified by the Three that bear record in heaven,—the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; as will…
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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…
