Outline 1.

BRIEF OUTLINES OF SERMONS.

THE OUTLINES here presented to the public have been selected from a great number of others, - regard being had rather to the important subjects on which they treat, than to the skilful disposition of the matter which they contain. It must always be considered injurious to the deserved posthumous reputation of an able minister, to have such slender helps to thought, as these are, exposed to public view. Yet in the few specimens which follow, meagre though they be, the intelligent reader may trace the master mind of the author of the Checks, and the Christian zeal and charity of the vicar of Madeley. They will also be perused with considerable interest by all those who have rightly estimated the spirituality, fervour, and unction which accompanied the ministrations of this eminent Christian pastor; and on beholding the judicious (yet very imperfect) array of his Scriptural materials, every pious man will be tempted to apply to them, in an accommodated sense, the expression of the banished Grecian orator concerning his celebrated rival: “What would you have felt had you heard Fletcher himself deliver them in their perfect form with Divine pathos!” OUTLINE 1.

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,” &c. Genesis 1:26.

INTRODUCTION. - Man created last. The finishing stroke, (1.) For humility.

(2.) That his palace might be furnished.

The word of command, - now, of deliberation. Trinity in our creation, - so in our regeneration.

I. God’s natural image, lost in part.

1. Clear understanding, - now dark.

2. Pure reason, - now carnal.

3. Upright will, - now sinful.

4. Holy affections, - now disordered.

5. Strong memory, - now losing good.

6. Immortality, last as to the body, which would have suffered no violence, hunger, pain, or old age.

II. Totally lost.

1. Dominion over the creatures.

EXCEPTIONS. - Seas, fishes, rocks, earth. (Moses.) Sun, moon. (Joshua.) Fire. (Elijah.) Iron. (Elisha.) Seas, fishes, trees, winds. (Jesus Christ.) Faith as mustard seed.

2. Impassibility. - (Naked,) insects, vermin, thorns, &c.

3. Intuitive knowledge. - Creatures, angels.

4. Glory. - (Naked,) garment of light.

5. Knowledge of God. - Adam hiding, quibbling, &c.

6. Love of God. - He fled from him.

7. Righteousness and true holiness. - Innocency, propensity to good.

8. Peace and happiness.

III. How is the mighty fallen! Ox for stupidity. Wild ass for refractoriness. Lion for rage. Fox for craftiness. Dog for greediness. Swine for impurity. Devil for sin. Covetousness beside.

IV. INFERENCES. -

1. If we are born in sin, we are fallen. Satan’s image.

2. If God created us, let us obey him. Leave the usurper, - return to our first Master.

3. No safety or bliss till God’s image is recovered.

4. How rational the doctrine of the new birth.

5. It is God’s work. Let us make; created again.

6. How precious Christ, the second Adam, whose image we are called to recover. “We all with open face, beholding,” &c, 2 Corinthians 3:18.

7. How empty formality and morality.

8. How invaluable the workings of the Spirit.

9. How deluded professors not new created.

V. APPLICATION. -

1. Careless sinners. - Know whence you are fallen. Awake. See your calling in Christ Jesus: a King, a Priest, a Prophet, a Son of God. Confess what you are: groan for what you are not. If you remain sinners, like to like.