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'Contemplate the Almighty in the kingdom of his grace': a Hackney Phalanx sermon on repentance and faith

The previous extract from the 1814 collection of sermons by Christopher Wordsworth (senior, d.1846), associated with the Hackney Phalanx, was an example of the rich natural theology to be found in Anglican preaching during the 'long 18th century'. Immediately after invoking and expounding such natural theology, however, Wordsworth immediately turned to 'revealed religion'.  

Two things may be noted about this extract. Firstly, Wordsworth - reflecting the well-established conviction of 18th century Anglicanism - confirmed that natural theology and revealed religion, rather than being contradictory, cohere, witnessing to the unity of creation and redemption. Secondly, when he turns to "contemplate the Almighty in the kingdom of his grace", Wordsworth yet again demonstrates how 18th century Old High preaching could sound like the Welseys, in calling hearers to a vibrant, lively faith.

Learn, secondly, to contemplate the Almighty in the kingdom of his grace. Here you will meditate successively on the holiness of his nature, and the purity of his will; how he requireth truth in the inward parts; and that the angels themselves are not clean in his sight. You will meditate on the book of his law: how holy it is, and just and true; with what terrors the promulgation of it was accompanied on mount Sinai: with what tremendous judgments it has since been confirmed and vindicated, through all ages: what preachers of righteousness have been sent to call men to repentance, and to lead them back again into the way of God's commandments: last of all, you will meditate upon the death of the Son of God, the most tremendous example that ever was exhibited to the world, how deadly are the sins of men; and how hateful in the sight of our Creator. 

All these things may indeed well teach us, how "fearful a thing it is to fall into the hands of the living God:" but they are not to teach us to do as these Gergesenes did, to seek to hide ourselves from him, or to be separated from his presence. No, this they are to teach us; to flee from our sins, which separate between us and our Maker. They are to teach us to resist the devil; to bid Satan depart from us; to humble us in the sight of God; to bring us to louder and louder to him for mercy; to make us flee for refuge to his sanctuary ; and to hang with a more fervent devotion upon the horns of his altar. If so we do: if thus we draw nigh to God, bringing to him the sacrifice of a lowly, a broken, a contrite and repentant spirit, he assuredly will draw nigh to us; he will be merciful unto us, and bless us ...

Even in the pilgrimage of this world, we shall meet with many comforts and refreshments on our way. Our fears, by degrees, shall abate, and our hopes and joys shall increase. The chains shall fall off from our hands, and from our feet. The voice of joy and gladness shall be in our dwelling. Like the eunuch of the queen of Ethiopia, "we shall go on our way rejoicing."

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