CHRISTIAN TEMPER: BEING THIRTY-EIGHT DISCOURSES UPON THE PRINCIPAL HEADS OF PRACTICAL RELIGION. Designed for the USE OF FAMILIES. IN TWO VOLUMES. By JOHN EVANS, D. D. To which is prefixed SOME MEMOIRS OF HIS LIFE. VOL. I. As the Servants of Chrift doing the Will of God from the Heart. Ephef. vi. 6. THE FIRST AMERICAN FROM THE SIXTH LONDON EDITION. T CAMBRIDGE, (Maff.) PRINTED BY WILLIAM HILLIARD. 1801, profecuting that design. When any doctrine of the Gospel is the argument, to bring it down to practice, by shewing the reasonable influence which it ought to have upon one and another virtue: Or when the dispositions and duties of a Christian are more directly insisted upon,. to recommend them from christian motives. The discourses now offered to your perusal, are drawn up with the latter view: Wherein I have endeavoured to select those characters and ingredients of the chriftian temper, which I apprehend to be of principal weight, and of the most frequent and extensive use in the course of our obedience. In the review, they are cast into that method and order, which I thought most natural, and likely to be of the greatest service. The contents of both volumes will shew you the plan of the whole design at one view. I have taken the liberty of making fuch additions or other alterations in transcribing them for the press, as appeared to me most conducive to ferve the ends of practical religion. They are designedly accommodated to the use of fami lies, especially on Lord's-day evenings. For that purpose I have endeavoured that they might not exceed in length; that in most of them a particular subject might be finished in a fingle discourse; or, that, where that rule could not be well observed, that the matter might be so divided, as to make each fermon as intire and inde. pendent as possible. If you shall think fit to make use of them in that way, I'would hope that by the blessing of God the labour would not be in vain to your children and fervants; and that at least it may be fo far useful to yourselves, as to bring to remembrance the most necessary directions for christian conduct, though ye know them, and be established in them. I am purfuaded upon a long knowledge of many of you, that I have your concurrence in hearty wishes, that the zeal of all good Christians might be chiefly spent about the unquestionable points of vital religion: that eager and unedifying contentions among them who hold the head, might give place to a holy ardour for pro moting love and good works in themselves and others: and that the faith once delivered to the faints, might be employed as a weapon in the christian warfare againft the world, the flesh, and the devil, rather than be made the occafion of doubtful disputations, or of angry contefts among brethren. I have nothing to add, but my fervent prayers to God, that your love may abound yet more in knowledge, and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be fincere, and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the praise and glory of God. And it is my earnest defire of you my brethren, that you would continue daily to pray for us who labour among you in the word and doctrine, that we may obtain mercy to be faithful and successful. I am your affectionate Servant, JOHN EVANS.. Prescot-street, April 3, 1723. |