Metadata
Title
Gilbert Tennent sermons 78, "De Joshua" (On Joshua), 1750, and "De mortificatione" (On mortification) , 1746 or 1747
Date
1746/1758
Digital Identifier
PHS.TennentSermons078
Description
Gilbert Tennent (1703-1764) was an Irish-American Presbyterian clergyman, and one of the leaders of the Great Awakening.
This manuscript contains two sermons by Tennent. The first sermon is on the subject of Joshua, and references Joshua 24:15, Romans 12:1, and 1 Kings 18:2. The second sermon is on the subject of mortification, and references Colossians 3:5-8 and Romans 8:13.
From dates noted in the manuscript, it looks like Tennent wrote the first sermon in 1750, and wrote the second sermon in 1746 or 1747, then delivered it again in 1758.
This manuscript contains two sermons by Tennent. The first sermon is on the subject of Joshua, and references Joshua 24:15, Romans 12:1, and 1 Kings 18:2. The second sermon is on the subject of mortification, and references Colossians 3:5-8 and Romans 8:13.
From dates noted in the manuscript, it looks like Tennent wrote the first sermon in 1750, and wrote the second sermon in 1746 or 1747, then delivered it again in 1758.
Subject
Place
Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
Congregation
Second Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA
Holding Institution
Presbyterian Historical Society
Extent
23 pages
Format (Digital)
tiff
Rights
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
Language
eng
Type
Text
Abstract
Two related sermons. De Joshua (On Joshua) and De morificatione (On mortification) offer first a choice of religion to his congregation, and second, some of what the pledge to Christianity will involve. Joshua reminds the Israelites in their newly-occupied land of all the benefits conferred by God in bringing victory to them. In an enlighted mood he presents a choice to them of retaining their old gods from earlier days or turning to the Lord for their worship. Rev. Tennent revisits this story in his day to remind his hearers of the choice that they have-- whether to pledge to the Service of God or to the Service of Satan-- by four very detailed lines of argument: 1: presenting aspects of serving God which seem injurious to followers, but are only apparently hurtful; 2: presenting the real and serious injuries probable in serving Satan; 3: surveying the seeming advantages of serving Satan; and 4: citing in great detail the true advantages of serving God. Christianity is not the easiest route to follow but it offers the surest protection and hope for believers.
The second sermon On Mortification discusses ever-present daily trials of being in the world and their threats to one's soul, with the necessity of daily deadening the temptations to physical and spiritual sin. It provides practical reasons for not sinning in daily life, some of the attitudes people adopt and the rationalizations people make in extenuation, risking long-term gains for eternal life against short-term and very uncertain gains on earth. Humbling ourselves and fortifying ourselves against sin lessens its temptations.
An addendum added in 1750, reminding hearers of Christianity's practical nature in daily life: "holy practice," the result of "pious principles and institutions." Conversion is not a free pass to get lazy and do future wrong, but is just the beginning of our daily struggles to overcome temptation, and obligations as Christians to improve and practice restraint, with attention preferably to our own deficits and not those of others. Caution against intemperate speech as making religion vain.
The second sermon On Mortification discusses ever-present daily trials of being in the world and their threats to one's soul, with the necessity of daily deadening the temptations to physical and spiritual sin. It provides practical reasons for not sinning in daily life, some of the attitudes people adopt and the rationalizations people make in extenuation, risking long-term gains for eternal life against short-term and very uncertain gains on earth. Humbling ourselves and fortifying ourselves against sin lessens its temptations.
An addendum added in 1750, reminding hearers of Christianity's practical nature in daily life: "holy practice," the result of "pious principles and institutions." Conversion is not a free pass to get lazy and do future wrong, but is just the beginning of our daily struggles to overcome temptation, and obligations as Christians to improve and practice restraint, with attention preferably to our own deficits and not those of others. Caution against intemperate speech as making religion vain.
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IIIF Manifest
https://www.philageohistory.org/rdic-images/iiif.cfm/PHS.TennentSermons078/manifest
