“Meditate much on Evangelical Truths, and the Gospel-Doctrine that is deli∣vered in Scripture. For as it is the Law of God, as revealed in the Scripture, that makes a mans sin to appear out of measure sinful, by that pure glass he seeth him∣self more monstrous and deformed a thousand times, then ever he apprehended himself: so by diligent inspection into, and consideration of the glorious things of the Gospel, we see a more easie and more probable way for assurance of Gods love, then otherwise we would: It’s not therefore the duty of Gods people to be only poring upon their sins to be alwayes applying the Law to themselves, but they are also to behold the glorious riches of Gods grace in the Gospel.” (Taken from sermon #145 mentioned below)
Anthony Burgess
Anthony Burgess Expository Sermons on John 17
(“145 expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, or, Christ’s prayer before his passion explicated…”)
I have read the first five in the series. They are not long and I look forward to reading more of these before listening to a modern preacher. I did find a mistake in the first sermon. 1 Timothy 4:5 is quoted and it is noted as 1 Timothy 3:5. Anyone reading these will not be able to miss the spelling differences in that day.
note: there was a well-known unbeliever by the same name in the 20th century
CR
Wings of the Wind 
Good to hear you’re working through those sermons. Scripture should always be the anchor above all voices, old or new.
Thank you, Willie. Amen to scripture should always be the anchor above all voices, old or new. In the first of the 145 sermons, Burgess makes a statement that is not doctrinally important but it is questionable from my understanding of the scriptures. I thought it was a clever statement but I don’t think anyone can verify if it is true. I may as well share it with you:
“The Preaching of the Word doth not convert necessarily, as the Fire doth necessarily burn, the Sun doth necessarily shine; No, for then where∣soever the Word is preached, all their eyes would be opened, all their hearts softened that hear it, but experience doth wofully confute this; We see Christ who preached as one having authority, and no man ever spake like him, yet he threw in his Net and catched few fish, yea, we doe not reade of so many converted by his Ministry as by some of the Apostles.”
Amen 🙏 Chris…. Scripture is the final measure, not experience or opinion. The Word is always powerful, even when hearts respond differently, and we trust God with the results.
Thank you again, Willie, and I appreciate this comment. Scripture is definitely the final measure, not experience or opinion as you have stated. Powerful is a perfect word for the Word. It is what leads us on through the good times and the rough times.
this is a lovely (metaphorical) way of putting it! 🙂
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Thanks for the good passage from Anthony Burgess and the links to the biographical short article and sermon listing. I’m going to “listen” to one of the sermons while doing yard work later. Yes, when I saw the name I immediately thought of the 20th century writer.
You’re welcome, Tom, and thank you for the comment. He is not one of the well-known Puritans but my understanding is that some of his writings are very worth reading. From another source I found this:
“He refuted Baxter’s work for its Arminian tendencies that promoted a process of justification involving the cooperation of divine grace and human works. His second volume on justification, which appeared six years later (1654), discusses the natural righteousness of God and the imputed righteousness of Christ.”
I had never heard of the 20th century writer with the same name but I don’t know literature very well.
Thanks for the wonderful quotes and the link to information about Anthony Burgess, Chris. These old writings are worth our time, especially in our own era.
Hi Elizabeth. You’re welcome and thank you for your comment. I think they are worth our time as well.
Hello Chris, thank you again… I trust you received my comment which might be under “anonymous.” I omitted to sign in! I much appreciate these old writings.
Hi Elizabeth. You’re welcome and thank you for your comment. I’m glad you like them. Sometimes the way they worded things gives them a deep sense of meaning.
mersblog.com·4d ago
“Meditate much on Evangelical Truths, and the Gospel-Doctrine that is deli∣vered in Scripture. For as it is the Law of God, as revealed in the Scripture, that makes a mans sin to appear ou
Thank you for sharing this thoughtful reflection. I especially appreciate Burgess’s emphasis on balancing the conviction of the Law with the hope and grace revealed in the Gospel. His reminder that believers should not dwell only on their sins but also on the riches of God’s mercy is both encouraging and spiritually nourishing.
You’re welcome, Vijay, and thank you for this good comment. I thought the same thing when I read this. The word “balance” is a perfect word when dealing with the law and the gospel. We are aware of our sins but, as you stated, we need not dwell on them when God can forgive us through simple prayer. Thinking on God’s mercy is exactly as you have described it, “encouraging and spiritually nourishing.” Thank you for this thoughtful reply!