Winthrop, John, 1714-1779. Papers of John and Hannah Winthrop, 1728-1789. Abstracts of sermons preached at Harvard College, 1728-1729. HUM 9 Box 1, Harvard University Archives.

8. Prop.2 We are still upon the Second Proposition, viz. That we must love the Divine law. And I have answered the first Enquiry under this Proposition, viz. Wt is intended by loving the Diving law? 2.1 [?] me now to the Second 2.2. Enquiry, viz. Why should we love this Law? A.1. Because it is the Law of God. 2. Because in itself it is a very just, suitable & reasonable Law. 3. Because this is the only way to have, our conforming ourselves to it in any measure acceptable to God. 4. Because this is the only way to have our Duty pleasant & delightfuly to us. 5. Because this is the very Life of Religion.

Improvement. Use 1. How thankfull should we be that God has revealed his Law to us. 2. Wt multitudes are there yt do not love the Divine law? 3. We see wt reason many of us have to suspect ourselves whether we have any real Love to the Divine law? 4. Let us all be [exhorted?] to love the Law of the Lord.

Directions Dir. 1. Let us be much in the study of the Divine law. 2. Let us pray to God to open the eyes of our minds, that we may see the Excellency of his law. 3. Let us be making [?] all of the Excellency of his Law by living agreeable to the Precepts of it. 4. Let us never rest Satisfied untill we find ourselves in Love with the Divine Law.

Cambridge October 13th A.M. 1728. D.D. 10. Text. By Mr. Appleton from 6. Gal. 4. Bur let every man prove his own work, then shall he have rejoycing in himself alone, & not in another. Doct. Yt it is the great concern of every man to examine & move his own work. It greatly concerns us all to Examine our own, ourself Examination is a very important & necessary duty. 1. Because we are accountable to God for all our works. Nothing is more plain than that there will be a day of Reckoning wherein God will call every man to [an?] account for all the deeds done in the body whether they be good or whether they be evil. 2. Because God will [?] to every man according to his works. Our being called to any Account will be that we may receive a Sentence of Absolution or Condemnation according as we have done good or evil. 3. Because our works often have the appearance of good works, when they are not really so. 4. Because we are very apt to be deceived as to our works. 5. Because HE who is to be our Judge perfectly knows all our actions, & can distinguish between the good & the bad. 6. Because this is the only way to know wt is [?] us & to rectify & reform the Same. 7. Because many have perished & many others are in the utmost danger of it, who live in the neglect of this duty of Self Examination. 8. Because this is the only way to have any Solid hope, Comfort, & joy upon a good foundation. 9. Because God himself has commanded it & made it our indispensable Duty.

IMPROVEMENT Use. What a sinful neglect are they guilty of yt, are not carefull to examine & prove themselves & their works. Some men neglect this duty because they would not know the worst of themselves. Let us all Set about this duty more carefully than ever & let us consider that we must appear [before?] a very criticall judge, who will call us to an impartiall & exact account for every secret thot, word or action [?] we have done in the body.

Cambridge Oct. 27th A.M. 1728. Sacrament day 11. By Mr. Ward from 29 Psalm. 11. Text. The Lord will bless his people with peace. 2.1. Who are the people yt the Lork will bless with peace? A. Such as lay down the arms of their rebellious warfare, & comply with the terms offered in the Gospell. 2.2. How will the Lord bless his people with peace?

10.

a.1. By the forgiveness of their sins. [?] shall make some improvement of [w!?] has been said.

[Use?] 1. Doth the Lord bless his people with peace in [?] the forgiveness of their sins, we may hence infer that the consideration, hereof should lead them to admire & praise the goodness of God.

2. We may hence infer that the consideration hereof should inflame our hearts with the Love of God.

3. We may hence infer how greatly we are obliged to [?] who has purchased such an invaluable blessing for us.

4. We may infer from hence matter matter of comfort to all true penitents.

5. We may hence infer [?] the people of God are obliged hereby to forgive the offences committed against them.

a.2. The Lord doth bless his people with peace by the [Renewing?] & sanctifying Influences of his holy spirit.

3. The Lord doth bless his people with peace when he removes from them the calamitous dispensations of his providence, with [which?] they have been exercised.

4. [When?] he vouchsafes to them the blessings which they pray for.

5. [When?] Virtue [?] Piety do revive & flourish among them.

6. The Lord doth bless his people with peace [when?] by Death they are taken out of the world.

[ ? ] Cambridge. Dec. 8th 172[8?]. a.m.

Text. By M. Wigglesworth from 11. Rom. 33d

[O?] the depth of the Riches both of the wisdom & knowledge of God!

1. That whatever may

11. Sabbath-Day

2. ? Cambridge Dec. 15th. 1728. a.m.

12. By [Mr?] Appleton from [?].

Text. But let every man prove his own work, then shall he have rejoycing in himself alone & not in another. I come now to examine the ? publick acts of Divine worship.

1. As [1?] the common, ordinary [?] Exercises of Gods house every Lord's Day.

2.1. [?] Let us examine views, aims, or designs have [2?] we [1?] in coming to the House of God. [Attending] the pulic worship [multitudes?] that come to the house of God have no regard to him therein, but come from [?] [sake?]. ? Is this something that we aim at in coming to God's house, even to [see?] his Glory, to meet with God & his grace to nourish our Souls [withal?] { ? ] worship in the Beauties of Holiness?

2.2. Let us inquire how we behave our selves in the house of God, & at his public worship. Can we say that we [?] [endear?] ours to ? worship him in spirit & in truth, & that our hearts go along with every petition [?] [?] that is offered up to God?

3. Can you say that you attend the publick worship of God with that attention & close application that becomes you?

4. Do you bring forth fruit according to these opportunities [&?] advantages to the praise & glory of God? Do you find yourselves growing better & better by the word, or [that?] you are still as carnal & sensual as ever you was?

12 Sabbath day. Cambridge December 15th. P.M. 1728. 13 By Mr. Appleton from G. Gal. 4. But let every man prove his own work. We are now upon the proving & examining those acts of [?] worship which we [profess?] to [pay?] to God, & wth. we attend upon. 2. Let us examine & prove our work of solemn covenanting with God as Parents Should examine & enquire how & often what manner they have given up their Children to God in Baptism.

Let us inquire, 1. Wt is it that has moved us to & put us upon this duty of covenanting with God? 2. Have you taken the Covenant of the Lord upon you with that Knowledge & understanding that is needful thereunto? 3. We should enquire, whether we entered into Covenant with full purposes & Resolutions to live agreeably thereto? 4. Have we kept God's Covenant & his Testimonies? I proceed to examine & prove 3. Our Solemn [renewing?] our covenant in the holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. 1. Wt are your aims & designs in coming to this holy Ordinance? 2. Have you taken pains to get that Knowledge that is necessary to this holy Ordinance? 3. Are you so concerned about this holy Ordinance as to prepare your selves to meet with {Christ?} his Table? 4. Can you Say that you do sincerely renew your Covenant with God in this Ordinance? 5. How do you find yourselves whilst you are attending upon this holy Ordinance? 6. Are you careful to live agreeable to your Profession & to Such peculiar Priviledges?

Sacrament day. Cambridge December 22nd A.M. 1728 1A By Mr. Appleton from 2 Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the Same image from glory to glory, 'even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Doct.1. All time believers do now with open face behold the glory of the Lord Jesus {Christ}. Prop. 1. There is an infinite glory in the Lord Jesus {Christ}. 1. If we consider his Divine nature he is infinitely glorious. 2 If we consider his humane nature he is glorious.

2. {Christ} is glorious if we consider him as mediator between God & man. 1. If we consider him as a prophet, he is more glorious than any other. 2. If we consider him as our great high priest he is very glorious. 3. If we consider him as a King he is exceeding glorious.

3. If we consider the wonderfull works of {Christ} he will appear very glorious.

Application. 1. Wt we have heard of the glory of {Christ} should fill us with the highest reverence & regard for him? 2. Let us all consider what condescention of {Christ} it was to permit us to come into his presence, or to take any notice of us.

14. Cambridge Decʳ. 22ᵈ. P.M. 1728. Sabbath Day 15. By Mr. Bowes from 73ᵈ. Psalm . 28 . It is good for me to draw near to God. [?] It is good for persons to draw near to God. [21?]. Wt is meant by drawing near to God? a. To draw near to God is to Keep all his command= =ments, [to?] devote our selves entirely to his service, [to?] [walk?] in all his Ordinances blame less, in short, to draw near to God is to be religi= -ous. ◇ 2. It is good for persons to be religious, or to draw near to God. Good is both pleasant & profitable, [?]. 1. Religion is a very pleasant delightfull busi= =ness. 3. Prov. 17. Her ways are ways of pleasant =ness, & all her [pathes?] are peace. [?]One Consideration to make Religion a pleasant business is the tranquillity & serenity of mind which the sincere embracers there of enjoy. The religious ◇ man also enjoys a calmness of mind upon his death-bedd; which,. the wicked man at [such?] a [time?] would give, a word for 2. Religion is a very profitable business Religion gives its embracers health & long life. The religious man is most likely to gain credit & reputation among men.

Improvement. 1. From what we have heard we may infer the great goodness of God to us, who hath joyned our Duty & [interest?] together. 2. From what we have heard we may [?] 15. a notion of the pleasantness & profitableness of Religion. ------------------------------------------------------------------------16. Cambridge Decʳ. 29th. A. M. 1728. Sabbath. By Mr. Appleton from 6. Gal. 4. But let every man prove his own work [?] I am now about to examine those works which more immediately concern our Fellow-creatures. 1. Let us examine our works of Justice. 1. Let us enquire whether we do justice to men according to the various relations which we [hand?] in to one another. 1. As we are all men, as partakers of the same flesh & blood, let us enquire whether we carry it with that civility, which is due to them. 2. As to particular relations, let us enquire how we carry it to one another as [?].

2. Let us enquire whether we have been just & honest in our dealings with one another. 3. Let us enquire whether we are careful to maintain [?] between man & man. 4. Have we been just to mens character's reputation 5. Have we been careful to make [self?] [intuition?] where we have wronged others? Unless we are carefull about this matters, all our repentance for it is [in?] vain 6. Do we endeavor in all things to [?] that golden rule of justice, to do others as would be willing they should do to us.?

Sabbath Day 16. Cambridge December 29th P.M. 1728.

17. By Mr. Champney from 2. Cor. 6.2. Behold NOW is the accepted time, behold now is the day of Salvation.

1. We have a time, in which we have an opportunity, if we will improve it, to work out our Salvation. 2. This Time is the present Time. 1. God himself has declared it to be So. Prov. 27. 2. Consider how uncertain the remains of Life are to us. 3. Consider that upon Supposition that we are sure of a longer Life, yet we may under very unhappy Circumstances. 4. Because there is the same reason for our working out our Salvation now, as ever there can be for it hereafter. 3. This present time is the accepted time. 1. It will appear to be so, if with respect to God, if we Consider the many Calls herefor, & Cautions against our putting off the working out our Salvation. 2. Consider that God in judgement to some who have not improved the present time hath left them to harden in a State of impenitence. 2. The present time is the accepted time with respect to us, because

17.

1. We are uncertain of any other time than the present of working out our Salvation 2. Because we are now in the enjoyment of the means of Grace, which we are not sure to enjoy hereafter. 4. These things being so, are worthy of our Serious thought & Consideration 1. That we have a time of working out our Salvation, is well worthy of our Serious thoughts. 2. It is also worthy of our Serious Consideration that this time is the present time. For, 1. This Consideration will be of great use, to help us from running the great Danger of deferring to hencafter. 2. That Consider that This Consideration will quicken & harden us in working out our Salvation. 3. Consider what great Encouragement we have to improve the present time, Since it is So acceptable to God. 1. Have we a time to work out our Salvation, what praises are owing to God who hath given us time. 2. Is the present time the accepted time, So how much they are wanting to themselves, who do not improve this Time. 3. Let what has been Said, be improved by 3 different [sets?] of psalms.