The Doctrine Of Grace Cleared From The Charge Of Licentiousness
The Doctrine Of Grace Cleared From The Charge Of Licentiousness
A Sermon, Preached at a Wednesday's Evening Lecture in Great-Eastcheap, December 28, 1737
And to the doctrine which is according to godliness—1 Timothy 6:3
The apostle Paul well understood the doctrine of the gospel, and its natural tendency to influence the lives of men; and was very much concerned for the honour and credit of it; that the conversations of professors might be as became it, and that they would in all things adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour. He was very desirous of instructing men of the meanest capacities, and in the lowest situation of life as servants, to behave agreeable to their masters, that the name of God, and his doctrine, be not blasphemed, ver., 1, 2. He charges Timothy, to teach these things, and exhort men to their duty; and adds, ver. 3. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, etc; plainly intimating, that the words of Christ, or the salutary doctrines of the gospel, perfectly accord with practical godliness; and that a dissolute life and conversation is very disagreeable to them. My view in reading these words is to vindicate the doctrine of grace from the charge of licentiousness, and to prove it to be a godly doctrine, and tending to godly edification; or that it is, as expressed in the text, a doctrine according to godliness. The method I shall take in treating on this subject, will be as follows:
II. Consider the Charge of licentiousness, which is brought against it, and the nature of it.
III. Make some concessions concerning the abuse of the doctrine, by evil and wicked men. And,