Page:A Beacon to the Society of Friends.djvu/48

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44
PREACHING AN APPOINTED MEANS.
SER. II.

"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee." 1 Tim. iv. 16.

"Preach the word;[1]—exhort with all long

suffering and doctrine. For

the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;—they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." 2 Tim. iv. 2-4.

again.

"They please not God, and are contrary to all men; forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved."[2] 1 Thess. ii. 15, 16.

"[God] hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me, according to the commandment of God our Saviour." Titus. i. 3.

"Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my Gospel

and the preaching of Jesus

Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen." Rom. xvi. 25?-27.

  1. Preach the Word—Observe this passage is in immediate connection with the testimony, that all Scripture is given by inspiration; but by the division of the chapters much of its force is lost.
  2. Saved.—Observe the strong language of the Holy Spirit, in this and other instances, with regard to the importance of the knowledge of the Gospel being communicated by outward means.