Twenty-four Discourses / On Some of the Important and Interesting Truths, Duties, and Institutions, of the Gospel, and the General Excellency of the Christian Religion; Calculated for the People of God of Every Communion, Particularly for the Benefit of Pious Families, and the Instruction of All in the Things Which Concern Their Salvation

by Nathan Perkins

THE CONTENTS.

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[DISCOURSE I.]

That man has no principle within himself, by whatever name it may be called, which is adequate to all the purposes of his salvation, or a sufficient guide in matters of faith and practice.

Ephes. ii. 12. That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the Covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.

[DISCOURSE II.]

The subject continued.

[DISCOURSE III.]

The ways in which the holy scriptures are perverted by unlearned and unstable men.

2. Peter, iii. 16, 17. As also in all his Epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

[DISCOURSE IV.]

Stated prayer a duty binding on all men.

Acts, ii. 21. And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.

[DISCOURSE V.]

The duty of public worship, and its beneficial tendency.

Mat. iv. 10. Then saith Jesus, get thee hence Satan, for it is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

[DISCOURSE VI.]

The subject continued.

[DISCOURSE VII.]

The subject concluded.

[DISCOURSE VIII.]

The Ordinance of the Lord’s Supper, not a human invention, but a divine institution.

Mat. xxvi. 26, to the 31. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and break it, and gave it to the disciples, and said take, eat, this is my body.—And he took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, drink ye all of it. For this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sin. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day, when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives.

[DISCOURSE IX.]

Baptism by water not a piece of superstition, but appointed by Jesus Christ.

Mat. xxviii. And this part of the 19 verse.—Baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost.

[DISCOURSE X.]

The subject continued and finished.

[DISCOURSE XI.]

It is the will of the author of Christianity that, in the New Testament dispensation, there should be particular Gospel Churches.

1. Thessalonians, i. 1. Paul and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the Church of the Thessalonians, which is in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ; grace be unto you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

[DISCOURSE XII.]

The right way to understand the inspired writings.

Luke, xxiv. 45. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.

[DISCOURSE XIII.]

The Gospel to be supported by those who enjoy it.

Gal. vi. 6. Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teachest in all good things.

[DISCOURSE XIV.]

The Apostles, infallible guides in Religion, being commissioned, and immediately qualified, and inspired by the Redeemer.

2. Thessalonians, ii. 15. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the tradition which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our Epistle.

[DISCOURSE XV.]

The first day of the week proved to be holy time, and set apart by Christ, to be a weekly Sabbath to the end of the world.

Acts, xx. 7. And upon the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow, and continued his speech until midnight.

[DISCOURSE XVI.]

The subject continued and concluded.

[DISCOURSE XVII.]

The parable of the Tares.

Mat. xiii. 24–31. Another Parable put he forth unto them, saying, the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed Tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the Tares also. So the servants of the householder, came, and said unto him, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field, from whence then hath it Tares? And he said unto them, an enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, nay; lest whilst ye gather up the Tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest, I will say to the reapers; gather ye together first the Tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.

[DISCOURSE XVIII.]

No immediate inspiration or miraculous teachings of the divine spirit, since the canon of scripture was closed or since the apostolic age.

1. Cor. xiii. 8. Charity never faileth; but whether there be prophecies they shall fail, whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge it shall vanish away.

[DISCOURSE XIX.]

Sinless perfection unattainable in this life.

1. John, i. 8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

[DISCOURSE XX.]

The Apostle’s caution to all Christians—be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines, or the danger of instability, and pernicious tendency of error.

Hebrews, xiii. 9. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.

[DISCOURSE XXI.]

The general excellency of the Christian Religion.

1. Cor. xii. 31. But covet earnestly the best gifts: yet shew I unto you, a more excellent way.

[DISCOURSE XXII.]

The subject continued.

[DISCOURSE XXIII.]

The subject continued.

[DISCOURSE XXIV.]

The subject concluded.