Publication
Boston: T.R. Marvin, Printer, 32, Congress Street.
Physical description
24 p.; 22 cm
Notes
Sermon text: Romans i. 15, 16.
Opening words:
The great apostle had traversed sea and land, to spread the gospel of his adored Redeemer. Many a desolate region, and many a populous city had witnessed his unparalleled exertions in the holy cause. But as yet, he had never visited imperial Rome. Not that he overlooked that splendid, and populous, and guilty city. Not that he would treat it with neglect. Nor had repeated disappointments damped the ardor of his wishes. "I long to see you," says the good man, "that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that ye may be established." " I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. "So," he adds, "as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ."
The apostle had proclaimed the messages of heaven among the untaught and uncivilized; and encountered the fierceness of their opposition. But it was among the polished inhabitants of Athens, among learned civilians and philosophers, that he had met the keenest shafts of ridicule and scorn. He well knew, that amidst the highest cultivation of intellect, and refinements of manners, the heart, still unsubdued to the love of truth, might only be stimulated and armed to new hostility against it. Such hostility he might naturally expect in the city of Rome. There were the great, the opulent, the luxurious, the learned, the philosophic, and the proud, who, if they agreed in nothing else, would too probably agree in despising and rejecting the gospel of Christ. But, says he, I am not ashamed of this gospel. I know that it is the power of God to salvation. I know that those who despise it, need it not less than others, and must perish without it. I know that there is a power which can bring even them to see its beauty, and taste its blessedness. And I know that the very things which provoke their contempt, constitute its chief excellence and glory. I will therefore preach it wherever I have access. I will preach it boldly, and plainly and faithfully. I will preach it without softening any of its most offensive features. It was a noble resolution; worthy of an apostle, and worthy of every Christian minister.
The passage, viewed in this light, calls our attention to the leading objections which have been raised, in every age, against the gospel; particularly those objections which it has encountered in regions of learning and refinement; and which have frequently proved repulsive to cultivated and reflecting minds. To suggest and refute some of these objections, is the design of the present discourse.
Opening words:
The great apostle had traversed sea and land, to spread the gospel of his adored Redeemer. Many a desolate region, and many a populous city had witnessed his unparalleled exertions in the holy cause. But as yet, he had never visited imperial Rome. Not that he overlooked that splendid, and populous, and guilty city. Not that he would treat it with neglect. Nor had repeated disappointments damped the ardor of his wishes. "I long to see you," says the good man, "that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that ye may be established." " I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. "So," he adds, "as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ."
The apostle had proclaimed the messages of heaven among the untaught and uncivilized; and encountered the fierceness of their opposition. But it was among the polished inhabitants of Athens, among learned civilians and philosophers, that he had met the keenest shafts of ridicule and scorn. He well knew, that amidst the highest cultivation of intellect, and refinements of manners, the heart, still unsubdued to the love of truth, might only be stimulated and armed to new hostility against it. Such hostility he might naturally expect in the city of Rome. There were the great, the opulent, the luxurious, the learned, the philosophic, and the proud, who, if they agreed in nothing else, would too probably agree in despising and rejecting the gospel of Christ. But, says he, I am not ashamed of this gospel. I know that it is the power of God to salvation. I know that those who despise it, need it not less than others, and must perish without it. I know that there is a power which can bring even them to see its beauty, and taste its blessedness. And I know that the very things which provoke their contempt, constitute its chief excellence and glory. I will therefore preach it wherever I have access. I will preach it boldly, and plainly and faithfully. I will preach it without softening any of its most offensive features. It was a noble resolution; worthy of an apostle, and worthy of every Christian minister.
The passage, viewed in this light, calls our attention to the leading objections which have been raised, in every age, against the gospel; particularly those objections which it has encountered in regions of learning and refinement; and which have frequently proved repulsive to cultivated and reflecting minds. To suggest and refute some of these objections, is the design of the present discourse.