THE LORD's-DAY Evening ENTERTAINMENT, Containing Fifty-two Practical Difcourfes On the most Serious and Important SUBJECTS in DIVINITY, Intended for the USE of FAMILIES. In FOUR VOLUMES. By JOHN MASON, A. M. VOL. IV. The SECOND EDITION. D. 14.4.96 LONDON: Printed for J. BUCKLAND, at the Buck in Pater-nofter THE PREFACE: T HE Defign of this Collection of Sermons was to recommend and enforce (in a manner fuited to common capacities) thofe great principles of Religion, which have an immediate influence on the Chriftian Life and Temper; and which all Proteftant Chriftians not only believe, but acknowledge to have a greater Importance, than those points wherein they differ. This of course led my Thoughts chiefly to practical Subjects; which are generally the most useful and important. But as there are feveral peculiar Doctrines in the Chriftian Revelation, which have no small Influence on the Chriftian Practice, I conceived it not only proper, but necessary, to introduce Some of thofe kind of Subjects into this fourth Volume; with a View to illuftrate their Truth, Importance, and practical Tendency. And if, in the Courfe of fuch delicate Difquifitions, 1 make ufe of any Phrafes, or Modes of Expreffion, different from fome that are commonly received, I can fincerely fay, it is not from any Spirit of Oppofition or Affectation; but only from a Defire to conceive, and convey, the cleareft Ideas of the Subject I handle, according to the best Light I have from Scripture. The Difcourfes on the Covenant of Grace I intended once to have published in a diftinct Treatife, by themselves: but finding them to fall in exactly with my Defign in this fourth Volume, I thought they might as well make their Appearance bere in their original Form. I will not be over confident, that my Method of explaining the feveral Branches of that most extenfive Subject is precisely agreeable to the real Truth: but I would however hope it is not far diflant from it, by it's keeping clear of all extreams; at least, that it is intelligible. THE And be faid unto them, See that ye fall not out by the Way. Page 1. SERMON II. The Death of Chrift confidered as a Propitiation for Sin. Ifai. liii. 4, 5, 6. Surely he bath born our Griefs, and carried our Sorrows: yet we did efteem him ftricken, fmitten of GOD, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our Tranfgreffions, he was bruifed for our Iniquities : the Chaftifement of our Peace was upon him, and with his Stripes we are healed. All we like Sheep have gone aftray: we have turned |