Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A., late of Pembroke-College, Oxford, and Chaplain to the Rt. Hon. the Countess of Huntingdon (1771 Volume 2).djvu/369

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

spoken of to encourage awakened sinners and quicken saints. If by gospel privileges you mean love-feasts, bands, &c. these I think are only prudential means, and therefore no doubt prudence should be exercised in the use of them. I am of your opinion, that too much familiarity in these things is hurtful. But it is hard to keep a medium, where a multitude is concerned. As ill effects are discovered, they should be corrected and avoided. The question and answer you refer to, I do not like. I know nothing of Christ's righteousness being imputed to all mankind. It is enough to say with the scriptures, "That it is imputed to all believers." What does my dear Mr. B—— think of that assertion of the Apostle, "He made him sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God, in him." And again, "Who of God is made to us, wisdom, righteousness, &c." cum multis aliis, vide Romans, ivth and vith.—Is it not as express as can be, that Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers? Consequently, it is sufficient for us, as preachers, to declare, "That all believers are actually delivered from the guilt of both actual and original sin, from the power of their corruptions here, and that at the hour of death they shall be delivered from the very in-*being of sin, and be admitted to dwell with the glorious Jesus, and the spirits of just men made perfect, hereafter." Another seven years experience, will teach some to handle the word of life in a better manner. Our business is to shew believers their compleatness in Christ, and to point them to Him for strength for every good word and work; and all to be done out of gratitude and love for what he hath done and suffered for them. But you know my sentiments; you have heard them all in my sermons. I have no reserves. What Mr. S—— says, I know not; I believe Christ's redemption will be applied to all that shall believe. Who these are, we know not, and therefore we are to give a general offer and invitation; convinced of this, that every man's damnation is of himself, and every man's salvation all of God. You would do well to read more; but whether it would be best for you to pursue, or re-assume your old studies, unless you are determined to settle, I cannot tell. Reading a Latin author, a little every day, to be sure could do you no hurt. Terentius Christianus, Castalio's Scripture Dialogues, and Selectæ Prælectiones Veteri