April - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland

\.Two Notable Sermons by J. C. Philpot. 495Two Notable Sermons by J. C. Philpot.THE late Mr. Philpot is well known in Free Presbyteriancircles through the excellent sermons he left behind him.He was a clear and able experimental preacher. He laid allemphasis on the sovereign grace of God in Christ in savingruined sinners from sin, death, and )Jell. We do not accepthis views on baptism, but on the cardinal doctrine of justificationby faith, and faith alone, Mr. Philpot, probably, resembles Rev.Archibald Cook more than any we ever read, on the absolutesovereignty of God in justifying a sinner through the righteousnessof Christ. He was not a great theologian, like Calvin,John Owen, Charles Hodge, and Thomas Chalmers, but as anexperimental preacher, he was second to none. Philpot's sermonon Isaiah xviii. 5, 6, entitled ""'inter afore Harvest," is trulya masterpiece in experimental theology, depth of thought, pathos,faithfulness to the truth of God, in spirituality, simplicity oflanguage, gospel flavour, scriptural logic, we have read few, ifany, on the same lines that equal the above sermon. Thereare other most excellent sermons by the same author, but wemay mention another famons sermon of his, entitled, " The heirof Heaven walking in darkness," which is also a most refreshingsermon for tried souls, "who hunger and thirst afterrighteousness."There is a pamphlet by the same author entitled, Review of" Apocalyptic Sketches," " Signs of the Times," and" The ComingStruggle," price 3d. post free. The above pamphlet is on thebook of Revelation. We read it long ago, but after re-readingit recently we were struck with its applicable reasoning topresent-day conditions. It is very instructive indeed, and suitablefor old, and young people. Philpot is more like Rev. LachlanMackenzie, of Lochcarron, in his cautious analogies, and reasoningthan anyone we have Tead on the events that may take placebefore the Millennium; only Philpot does not go so far asMackenzie in propounding the opinion that the Pope shall removehis seat to J el'usalem before its final overthrow.