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"No sinner ever yet departed this life with a lively hope " in God, and with confidence of salvation by his Redeemer, “who was a stranger to the doctrines of grace. No Christ❝ian, who denies these doctrines, can have any hope that "he will be enabled to triumph at his last hour, desiring "to depart as being far better; and thus leave to his fa"mily behind him a testimony to the truth by his stedfast "faith.

"By some such a dissolution is not expected in any cir"cumstances; such a testimony is not looked for. They "hear indeed of such instances among others, but they are "willing to believe that they are not true; for if they be, "they know that their own hope cannot rest on the right "foundation.

“All preaching ought to have reference to the sinner's "hope in death; for whatever is short of this, is doing nothing "for eternity. We must all soon come to that state when "the doctrines which we have individually received will be "put to the proof, and their efficacy manifested to others; "we must soon be in those circumstances, when every vain "refuge shall be swept away, and the truth of God shall ❝alone prevail.

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"I have discharged a duty, my brethen, in setting plainly "before you those doctrines of our religion, which I am my"self fully convinced can alone produce the fruits of right"eousness and the good works of the New Testament. "am further convinced, that they alone can give peace to "the soul, and comfort in death. They are the doctrines "of the Church of England, the good old religion of our an"cestors; without taint of Romish corruption, of Socinian"ism, or of modern philosophy. Nor am I conscious of hav❝ing used a single expression or sentiment which does not "accord with the language and spirit of our Church and of "the holy Scriptures; and I must continue to believe this, "till I am convinced of the contrary by well ordered proof.

"These are the doctrines which I have ever maintained, "and which I ever desire to uphold in my ministry; and on "whatever other subjects I may occasionally dwell, the

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"truth and admission of these doctrines is always to be un"derstood.

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"It is easy to discourse on more pleasing and popular sub"jects; but it is not so profitable to you. Some may not approve; but to others the word preached may be made "the power of God unto salvation.' If our doctrine give no "offence to the world in general, ye know that it can be no "longer the doctrine of Christ. It is another Gospel.' It "is a doctrine which may confirm our hearers in error, and "lead them onward to old age with no better view of hea"venly things than that of the infidel.

"It is a view of our lost estate by nature and actual guilt "in the sight of God, and then a view of the great propitia❝tion on the cross, which alone can open to our understand❝ings the transcendant and ineffable glory of the Gospel of "Christ. Nor can such a view be exhibited, even in the "lowest degree, but by the influence of the divine grace, "cooperating with our prayers, by enlightening the judg"ment and purifying the heart.

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"But the aid of the Holy Spirit is promised to them "who ask it.' Thus are we encouraged to begin the work "of our salvation in the most rational manner, and by the "most natural means. And those who can prevail on them"selves to begin thus seriously, will find the truth of God's "promises confirmed to them in every progressive stage of "religious knowledge and practical virtue.

"The life of such persons is thus described in one of the "Articles of the Church, commencing from the period of "their first seeking the aid of the divine Spirit, unto the "end of their course.

Wherefore they be called, according to God's purpose,

"by his Spirit working in due season;

"They through grace obey the calling;

They be justified freely;

They be made sons of God by adoption;

They be made like the image of his only begotten Son "Jesus Christ;

"No sinner ever yet departed this life with a lively hope ❝in God, and with confidence of salvation by his Redeemer, "who was a stranger to the doctrines of grace. No Christ"ian, who denies these doctrines, can have any hope that "he will be enabled to triumph at his last hour, desiring "to depart as being far better;' and thus leave to his fa"mily behind him a testimony to the truth by his stedfast "faith.

"By some such a dissolution is not expected in any cir"cumstances; such a testimony is not looked for. They "hear indeed of such instances among others, but they are "willing to believe that they are not true; for if they be, "they know that their own hope cannot rest on the right "foundation.

"All preaching ought to have reference to the sinner's "hope in death; for whatever is short of this, is doing nothing "for eternity. We must all soon come to that state when "the doctrines which we have individually received will be "put to the proof, and their efficacy manifested to others; "we must soon be in those circumstances, when every vain "refuge shall be swept away, and the truth of God shall ❝ alone prevail.

"I have discharged a duty, my brethen, in setting plainly "before you those doctrines of our religion, which I am my"self fully convinced can alone produce the fruits of right"eousness and the good works of the New Testament. I "am further convinced, that they alone can give peace to "the soul, and comfort in death. They are the doctrines "of the Church of England, the good old religion of our an"cestors; without taint of Romish corruption, of Socinian"ism, or of modern philosophy. Nor am I conscious of hav"ing used a single expression or sentiment which does not "accord with the language and spirit of our Church and of "the holy Scriptures; and I must continue to believe this, ❝ till I am convinced of the contrary by well ordered proof. "These are the doctrines which I have ever maintai "and which I ever desire to uphold in my ministry; "whatever other subjects I may occasionally

249

DR. BOCHARGE

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but to others the wet pres "the power of God unto salvam "offence to the world in general, "longer the doctrine of Christ. "is a doctrine which may earn "lead them onward to old age with "venly things than that of the infe It is a view of our lost estate by sat and ad " in the sight of God, and then a view of the ❝tion on the cross, which alone can wwwintl "ings the transcendant and ineffable gry of the Nor can such a view be exhibited s

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"selves to begin thus seriously, will find the truth of God's "promises confirmed to them in every progressive stage of "religious knowledge and practical virtue. "The life of such persons is thus described in one of the "Articles of the Church, commencing from the period of "their first seeking the aid of the divine Spirit, unto the "Wherefore they be called, according to God's purpose, "by his Spirit working in due season; "They through grace obey the calling;

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"They walk religiously in good works; and at length, "by God's mercy,

"They attain to everlasting felicity.'"

The impression of these sermons upon his audience was, as we have already observed, considerable. There were probably some whose prejudices or whose passions would render them proof against both the reasonings and the exhortations of their author; though the one were unquestionably sound and scriptural, and the other powerful and persuasive. There were doubtless, however, others, who were instructed, confirmed, and edified by his labours; while these, whether accepted or refused, afford an evidence of his fidelity as a minister and ambassador of Christ, which will hereafter "testify for him before his glorious throne."

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