This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1866 edition. Excerpt: ...the headlong recklessness, induced by a life without hope of better things in this world, --these are a too effectual bar to the approach of a yet higher and holier hope. So I do not think that I am abusing my trust as a preacher of the glad tidings of the kingdom of heaven if I first set before you ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1866 edition. Excerpt: ...the headlong recklessness, induced by a life without hope of better things in this world, --these are a too effectual bar to the approach of a yet higher and holier hope. So I do not think that I am abusing my trust as a preacher of the glad tidings of the kingdom of heaven if I first set before you the need of infusing some hope of a better lot into the dull weariness of the lives of our poor. But now we will pass on to higher things. We go forth in the name of God to tell these poor souls of another and a better hope. They are slaves, in bondage to their various sins. And we carry a Gospel in our hands. But what is the good news which the poor slave longs to hear? Is it not that his bondage is over, and that he is free? And we proclaim a Gospel of freedom, a Gospel of hope. Oh, I am sure we do not encourage enough in our teaching. I am sure we do not give enough place to hope. This is no question touching only the poor and wretched. It touches us all. Poor souls are bowed down with a sense of sin. They groan under its thraldom. And to how many does the bondage seem too hard to break!' How shall I 'escape?' they cry; 'how shall I break these 'fetters and burst these bonds? I have tried 'again and again, but I fail as often as I try. I 'am so weak and sinful, it is no use trying.' Nay, not so. Indeed, we would make answer, you shall not try in vain. There is freedom for you. Christ came to "save His people from "their sins,"--mark, not from the punishment of their sins only, but "from their sins." Fight on, and you shall win the victory. Thousands as weak and sinful as you are have fought and conquered. The battle may be long and weary; you may at times be wounded and ready to die; but never despair. He who died...
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