144 ib. In which is shewn wherein this change doth properly and directly confist, and what are its principal evi dences and fruits. Sect. 1.—Wherein the change in Regeneration doth properly and directly confift. Sect. II. The second part of this change. Sect. II.-The effects of Regeneration ; with some of the principal evidences of its fincerity. Sect. IV.-A more particular inquiry into what pro perly constitutes the fincerity of the change. 149 158 171 CHA P. III, Of the fieps by which this change is accomplished. 189 SECT. I.---There must be a discovery of the real nature of God. 191 Sect. II.-There must be a discovery of the infinite glory of God. 200 SECT. III.-There must be a convi&tion of sin and danger. 208 Sect. IV.Of the degree of forrow for fin in true penitents. 219 Sect. V.-Acceptance of salvation through the cross of Chrift. 229 Sect. VI.- How the believer recovers peace of conscience. 239 Sect. VII.-How the Christian is governed in his daily conversation. 244 CONCLUSION. 249 SERMON I. All Mankind by Nature under Sin. Romans iii. 23. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. 267 S E R M O N II. The finner without excufe before God. Psalm cxxx. 3. If thou, Lord, mouldit mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand ? 285 Page. SE R M O N III. Hope of forgiveness with God. Christ's death a proper atonement for Sin. 1 John ii. 2. And he is the propitiation for our fins; and not for ours only, but also for the fins of the The love of Christ in Redemption. SE R M O N VII. S E R M O N IX. SE R M O N X. Page. SERMON XI. except thou bless me. 447 SER MON XII. Fervency and importunity in Prayer. Genefis xxxii. 26. And he said, I will not let the go, cxcept thou bless me. 465 481 503 SERMON XIII. . Obedience and sacrifice compared. 1 Sam. xv. 22. Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and facrifices, as in obeying the voice of the SERMON XIV. SERMON XV. they may see your good works, and glorify your Fa- . The happiness of the Saints in Heaven. Rey, vii, 15. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve liim day and night in his temple. 529 551 Delivered at Princetoil, before the Board of Trustees of the College of New Jersey, May 6, 1795, occasioned by the deaih of the Rev. JOHN WITHERSPOON, D. D. L. L. D. President of said College, by JOHN RODGERS, D. D. Senior Minister of the United Pres. byterian Churches, in the city of New-York. PUBLISHED BY PARTICULAR REQUEST OF THE BOARD, MATTHEW, xxv. 21. “ His Lord said unto him, “ Well done, thou good and faith ful Servant ; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” HE doctrine of a future state of rewards and punishi ments, lies deep at the foundation of our holy religion : It is a doctrine perfectly consonant to reason and supported by it; and is either asserted, or justly taken for granted, in every page of the facred oracles. This is the immortality, for the blessedness of which we became incapacitated, by our apostacy from God; and that, for the enjoyment of which, it is one great design of the religion of Jesus Christ to prepare us. The whole frame of this religion is wisely calculated for this end. Among the many evidences of these truths, we may appeal to the discourses of our Divine Master; and particularly to this, of which our text is a part. VOL. I. B In the preceding chapter, he had given his disciples an instructive discourse on the certainty and folemnity of his second coming. He continues the subject in this chapter, and enforces the great duty of preparation for it, by the parable of the ten virgins, from the first verse to the thirteenth; by the parable of the talents, from thence to the thirtieth verse; and by a more particular account of the process of the judgment of the great day, from thence to the end of the chapter. The niore immediate design of the parable of the talents, of which our text is a part, is to enforce the duty, and illustrate the happiness of being prepared for giving up our account, when he shall come to judge the world in righteousness. You may read it at your leisure. The man travelling into a far country,” in this parable means our Lord himself; who is the great head of his church, which is his family. The “ fervants,” of whom we here read, mean all professing Christians; all who call them•selves the servants of Christ, whatever their nation or denomination may be; though some suppose the Ministers of the Gospel are more particularly intended. By the talents, we are to understand the various gifts of Heaven, whether of a common or of a special nature. They include the bounties of Providence, such as health, strength, reason, genius, riches, honor, power, learning, reputation, the several advantages arising from our stations in life; and, together with these, those graces of the spirit that constitute the Christian temper. These are all so many talents put into our hands, to be improved for God, and the best interests of our fellow-creatures; and they are different to different persons. To one God gives more of these gifts or graces, and to another less; which is clesigned in the parable by the master's giving to one fervant five talents, and to another two, and to another one. By " the Lord of those servants coming, after a long time, to reckon with them,” we are to understand that particular judgment which every one passes under at death, when our final states are determined : and also, and principally, our Lord's coming to judge the world in righteousness, at the latt day, “ When every one shall re |