"HOW FAR MAY AN HYPOCRITE GO?"
I. He many do much and reach high, have great illumination to understand and teach others.
II. He may have powerful convictions, and make clear confessions of sin with much aggravation.
III. He may be under awakening and fear; to reject temptations and to be afraid of sin.
IV. He may be terrified under apprehension of sin when committed because of wrath to come. Many men’s consciences come after this to be seared and think they are safe.
V. He may have earnest longings after the state of the blessed, take pains, thin well and speak well of the people of God, desire to be joined with them in His death. Many desire to be happy who take no care to be holy.
VI. He may repent of his sin confess sin, and outwardly forsake sin; weep, put on sackcloth, and go softly.
VII. He may be a temporary believer in Jesus Christ, trust in Him, wait on Him, and hoped to be saved by Him. He may be ravished, delighted with the privileges of saints. He may be careful in all external duties.
VIII. He may pray in his affliction and God may answer and deliver.
IX. He may be eminent and zealous in profession and witness to the truth, and look like one of the worthies of the Camp of Israel.
X. He may enjoy all the privileges of the Gospel and outwardly and outwardly profit also by them.
XI. He may bring much glory to God and do good to many souls.
XII. He may have, enjoy, and keep his hopes till he dies and comes into the other world –
And all may be without saving grace....
-Samuel Willard, April 6, 1679
"Boston Sermons"-
Lend a hand to one another In the daily toil of life; When we meet a weaker brother, Let us help him in the strife.
There is none so rich but may, In his turn, be forced to borrow; And the poor man’s lot today May become our own tomorrow.
Lend a hand to one another: When malicious tongues have thrown Dark suspicion on your brother, Be not prompt to cast a stone.
There is none so good but may Run adrift in shame and sorrow. And the good man of today May become the bad tomorrow.
-William McGuffey-
Third
Reader
1, 1490 --Jerome Savonarola preaches in St. Mark’s church. The service is "crowded to suffocation, and Florence, Italy begins to feel the surge of a mighty revival. Men can be seen to tremble, and women sob.
6, 1801--Revival breaks out on America’s western frontier. It will last six days and is noted for its emotionalism. Peter Cartright, the circuit rider, will be converted in this revival. Baptists and Methodists are present, but it is predominantly a Presbyterian revival.
1809 --In Somersby, Lincolnshire, England, Alfred Tennyson is born to the rector of the parish. His most famous poetical work, "Crossing the Bar", he has requested be the concluding work in all collections of his poetry.
8, 1683 --As assembly of Huguenots are surprised by a troop of dragoons. Most of the congregation escape --those who are apprehended are hung on the nearest trees. Their crime? They do not subscribe to the king’s religion.
1756 --An assembly of Huguenots meeting in lower Languedoc to ordain three young men to the ministry are suddenly surprised by a detachment of soldiers. These young ministers have arrived from Lausanne in Switzerland where they had received their education. Between ten and twelve thousand people have congregated from the surrounding countryside. The psalm-singing ceases and the pastors present urge patience and submission. The soldiers fire into the crowd which turns in every direction to flee. The "brave" soldiers are left the masters of the field: a long trail of blood remains to mark the site on which the prayer meeting was held. - "
1789 --The General Committee of Virginia Baptists send a letter to President George Washington expressing fear liberty of conscience was not adequately provided for in the recently adopted National Constitution. Washington will reply he will do all in his power to guarantee complete liberty of conscience.
9, 1883 --Robert Moffat dies at the age of 88 years. The place is Leigh, Kent, England. He has translated the Bible into the African language and has influenced his son-in-law, David Livingstone, to go northward where no missionary has been.
10, 1785 --William Carey is sent out by his church to preach the Gospel "wherever God in His Providence might call him." He will write of Thomas Scott, "If there be anything of the work of God in my soul, I owe much of it to his preaching when I first set out in the ways of the Lord." After reading Captain Cook’s Voyages, he will be profoundly moved to become the first missionary of modern times.
11, 1778 --Augustus Toplady, who has penned the hymn, "Rock of Ages", dies in London, England. He is 38 years of age. Just before he expires, he is seen to burst into tears, and exclaim, "All is light, light, light ...Oh, come, Lord Jesus, come; come quickly!"
13, 1587 --Sir Walter Raleigh has sent three small ships from Plymouth to Roanoke Island, Virginia with 150 settlers. Today, America’s first protestant service will be held.
14, 1457 --John Gutenberg completes the printing of his Latin Psalter.
1862 --General "Stonewall" Jackson writes, "In order to render thanks to Almighty God for the victory at Cedar Run, and other victories, and to implore His continued favors in the future, Divine services were held in the Army on the 14th of August."
15, 1742 --The revival in Cambuslang, Scotland continues with the town of 900 people swelling to 30,000 who have come to hear the Word of God. Three thousand will observe the Lord’s Supper. Songs will be heard through the night.
1832 --"Little done, and as little suffered. Awfully important question, ’Am I redeeming the time?’" --Robert Murray M’Cheyne."
