The Whole Works of the Rev. W. Bates, D.D. Arranged and Revised, With a Memoir of the Author, Copious Index and Table of Texts Illustrated.

Volume 2. By the Rev. W. Farmer.

Contents

I. SERMONS OF THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. Psa. 103. 4. But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared. What is contained in forgiveness, Proofs that God is ready to forgive, The extent and freeness of divine forgiveness, Caution lest men abuse this doctrine, It affords strong consolation to those who are wounded in spirit, Be excited to seek pardoning mercy, The properties of confession of sin, The duty of pardoning the offences of others, Divine forgiveness a powerful motive to thankfulness

II. THE SURE TRIAL OF UPRIGHTNESS. Psalm 18. 23. I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. The Preface

FIRST. How a man's peculiar sin may be discovered;

[1.] How it may be discovered from its causes. By ascertaining the sins which are peculiar.

• 1. To the different temperaments of men's bodies
• 2. To the several ages of life
• 3. To the several callings of men
• 4. To prosperity and adversity
• 5. To the society with whom we converse
• 6. To the times in which we live

[2.] How it may be discovered from its effects

• 1. It is frequently and easily committed
• 2. It has the supremacy in the heart
• 3. It engrosses the thoughts
• 4. Men desire to conceal it from others
• 5. An enlightened conscience reflects upon it with anguish

SECONDLY. What is implied in a man's preserving himself from his peculiar sin, 1. Abstaining from the practice of that sin, 2. Mortifying the inward affection to it

THIRDLY. This is a decisive evidence of sincerity

• 1. God approves it
• 2. It is equivalent to perfection,

MOTIVES to this duty

• 1. Habitual indulged lusts are irreconcilable with a state of grace
• 2. By divine grace we may subdue the strongest lusts
• 3. Subduing a ruling sin will make the victory over other sins more easy
• 4. Consider what the Saviour suffered to deliver us from sin
• 5. The blessed reward of uprightness
• 6. The woful effects of indulging sin,

MEANS requisite for preserving us from our special sins

• 1. Be inquisitive to understand what it is
• 2. Watch diligently against it
• 3. Form serious resolutions against yielding to sin
• 4. On falling into this sin seek by speedy and deep repentance to recover the favour of God
• 5. Pray fervently and constantly for renewing grace
• 6. Exercise faith in the Redeemer

III. THE GREAT DUTY OF RESIGNATION. Matth. 26. 39. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. The Preface. - Explanation of the duty,

ARGUMENTS to convince us of this duty of resignation,

• 1. God's supreme right over us
• 2. His righteousness in all his ways
• 3. His uncontrolable power
• 4. His paternal love in sending afflictions, It is proved from
  • (1.) His gracious design in sending them,
  • (2.) His effectual support under them,
  • (3.) The happy issue out of them
• 5. His infinite wisdom orders all things for the best

MOTIVES to persuade us to this duty of resignation.

• 1. The example of Christ in his sufferings
• 2. The examples of the suffering saints in all ages
• 3. All creatures obey the will of their Creator
• 4. It is our most glorious perfection, to have our wills united to the divine will
• 5. It is our felicity quietly to resign our wills to the will of God

DIRECTIONS how to perform this duty of resignation

• 1. Faith in the divine providence and promises will compose the soul
• 2. Let God be the supreme object of our affections
• 3. Let us moderate our valuation of things below
• 4. A prudent forecast of future evils will arm us with patience to sustain them
• 5. Serious reflections upon our guilt and desert will suppress impatience
• 6. Reflect upon blessings as well as evils
• 7. Pray frequently and fervently for this disposition, The properties of acceptable prayer

IV. THE DANGER OF PROSPERITY. Prov. 1 . 32. The prosperity of fools shall destroy them. The Preface

FIRST, PROOFS that prosperity is destructive to sinners

• 1. It is the continual incentive of the vicious affections
• 2. Occasionally it incenses the irascible passions
• 3. It inclines sinners to an impious neglect of God
• 4. It exposes dangerously to the tempting power of Satan
• 5. It affords advantages to men to corrupt others
• 6. It usually renders the means of grace ineffectual, 7. It renders men averse to suffering for the sake of Christ, 8. It tempts men to delay repentance

SECONDLY, The FOLLY of prosperous sinners, It is

• 1. Voluntary
• 2. Culpable
• 3. Ignominious
• 4. Most woeful

THIRDLY, The MISERY of prosperous sinners is

• 1. Just
• 2. Certain
• 3. Aggravate

INFERENCES from the doctrine

• 1 . Prosperity is no certain sign of God's special favour
• 2. The prosperity of the wicked is consistent with God's hatred
• 3. The prosperity of the wicked, so far from being a sign of God's love, often proceeds from his deepest displeasure
• 4. We should look upon prosperous sinners with pity
• 5. We are instructed to judge rightly of affliction
• 6. We should improve prosperity to our eternal advantage

RULES how to manage prosperity for our everlasting good

• 1. Amidst prosperity let us preserve a humble sense of our meanness, frailty and unworthiness
• 2. Cultivate a meek temper and deportment
• 3. Render solemn and affectionate thanksgiving to God for his mercies
• 4. Be vigilant to avoid the sins incident to prosperity
• 5. Use worldly blessings with moderation
• 6. Seek after the favour of God and communion with him
• 7. Employ riches and power for the glory of God and the good of others
• 8. Resolve firmly to part with all possessions and dignities at the call of duty, 9. Pray earnestly and constantly for divine grace

V. SPIRITUAL PERFECTION UNFOLDED AND ENFORCED. 2 Cor. 7

• 1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. The Preface
  • CHAP. I. The coherence and doctrine of the text. The duty of christians to cleanse themselves from all pollutions. A principle of holiness and supplies of the Spirit requisite EVILS TO BE AVOIDED
    • (1.) Uncleanness. The difficulty of purifying from it. Means for purifying,
  • CHAP. II.
    • (2.) Anger. Directions to prevent its prevalence. Motives to extinguish it.
    • (3.) Covetousness. How it discovers itself. Causes why it is difficult to cure. Means by which it may be mortified
  • CHAP. III.
    • (4.) Pride. Its various kinds and degrees. The difficulty of subduing it. Antidotes against it
  • CHAP. IV
    • (5 ) Infidelity. Its unreasonableness
    • (6.) Hypocrisy. Cured by a sense of God's omniscience
    • (7.) Envy. These defilements prove the necessity of regeneration
  • CHAP. V. The nature of perfection considered. The essential perfection of grace consists in sincerity. Comparative perfection of the saints in this life. Absolute perfection only attained in heaven
  • CHAP. VI. PARTICULAR GRACES CONSIDERED
    • (1.) Faith. The nature, the objects, and the motives of doctrinal faith. On the belief of supernatural truths. On the supposed innocence of error
  • CHAP. VII. The efficacy of faith. The practical influence of faith in the providence of God
  • CHAP. VIII
    • (2.) Love. The most eminent of the graces. Love to God arising from his love to us. Love to our neighbour. The forgiveness of injuries results from it
  • CHAP. IX
    • (3.) Hope. Its suitableness to our present state. How it differs from presumption
    • (4.) The fear of God. Its influence on the christian character
  • CHAP. X. The promise that God will be our Father a powerful inducement to strive after the perfection of holiness. RULES whereby we may discern whether we are proceeding to perfection
  • CHAP. XI. Rules continued. Exhortation to follow after holiness early, zealously, with alacrity, and perseverance. Answers to objections. MOTIVES to excite us to be intent upon this great work
  • CHAP. XII. MEANS that are effectual for attaining to eminent holiness. Unfeigned faith in Christ. Prayer. Hearing and reading the word of God and meditation. The sacrament of the Lord's supper. The observance of the sabbath. The serious examination of our state and conduct
  • CHAP. XIII. Means continued. Continual watchfulness. Due regard to relative duties. Unabating progress in the way to heaven.