Sermons & Devotionals by Thomas Reade

43. ON THE SPIRIT OF PRAYER There cannot be a greater blessing imparted to us, than a spirit of prayer. It is the pledge of all other blessings. When it pleases God to bestow a spirit of prayer, every other spiritual blessing is, as it were, waiting to descend upon the seeking soul. The spirit of gr... Read More

We have seen the sentiments of the Saxon Reformer respecting that corner-stone of the Reformation, the doctrine of justification by faith; how zealous he was for the absolute freeness of Divine grace, and yet how zealous for the interests of holiness. We will now consider his views and feelings with... Read More

50. ON THE THORNS IN THE PARABLE In the instructive parable of the sower, our divine Redeemer, who spoke as never man spoke, has discovered to us the nature of those thorns which choke and render unfruitful the good seed of the word of God. "The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the... Read More

52. On the Three Enemies Why are so many souls deceived and plunged into destruction? Because they will not think. Lack of thought is one of the fruitful sources of human misery. "My people do not consider." A thoughtless mind is one of the characteristics of that broad road which leads to destructi... Read More

6. ON THE TOTAL DEPRAVITY OF THE HEART The corruption of the human race after the fall, was radical and universal. "God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually;" Gen. vi, 5. It would seem surprising, tha... Read More

12. ON THE TWO COVENANTS The covenant of WORKS, in the order of time, was proclaimed to Adam before the covenant of GRACE. But, the covenant of grace, called in Scripture the everlasting covenant, was entered into by the divine people in the Godhead, before the world was made. While contemplating th... Read More

27. ON THE TWO GREAT INSTRUMENTS IN THE CONVERSION OF SINNERS The written word of God is one of the sacred instruments in the hands of the eternal Spirit for the regeneration of sinners. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." The preaching of the Gospel is another instituted means fo... Read More

30. ON THE TWO WAYS "Unto this people you shall say, thus says the Lord: behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death." (Jer. xxi, 8.) These important words were spoken to the Jews, when the king of Babylon was drawing near to besiege the city of Jerusalem. Those who went to the Cha... Read More

54. On Trials When I look into the world, and see all around me in pursuit of happiness; that certain something unpossessed, yet still desired; which eludes the grasp of thousands, who think they have just to make one effort more to seize the flattering shadow and be happy; I ask why all this restle... Read More

71. ON TRUE HAPPINESS There is one important truth which cannot be too deeply engraven on the heart—that TO BE HOLY IS TO BE HAPPY. This truth, being once admitted, accounts for the misery of thousands who are in search of happiness. They mistake its real nature, and the way which leads to it. They ... Read More

72. ON TRUE RELIGION True religion neither courts the observation, nor seeks the applause of men. It grows and thrives most in retirement. Its effects, indeed, are widely felt, and its blessings extensively diffused; but its salutary streams are fed by communion with God, by holy meditation, fervent... Read More

5. ON UNBELIEF Unbelief is a sin of much greater extent than is generally imagined. Some people confine the sin of unbelief to Jews, Muhammadans, and Pagans; to atheists, deists, and skeptics. They deem it a breach of charity to charge this moral evil upon those who profess to believe the Gospel to ... Read More

35. ON UNION TO CHRIST How beautiful is our Savior's parable of the vine! It illustrates in the most convincing manner this great truth, that "he who has the Son, has life; and he who has not the Son of God, has not life." We have in this parable a striking view of the true Church of Christ, which g... Read More

48. ON WATCHFULNESS This life is a state of probation. Hence trials are necessary in order to prove us, as gold is tried in the fire. God cannot be tempted with evil, neither does he tempt any man; but we are tempted when we are drawn aside of our own lust and enticed. Satan works upon our corrupt n... Read More

PAUL'S DESCRIPTION OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY. ON SELF-EXAMINATION. The doctrine of the Cross shines with peculiar luster in the writings of Paul. Its sublimity far surpasses the conception of the strongest intellect; while, through its simplicity, the most unlettered peasant is made wise unto salvation. ... Read More

PAUL'S DISINTERESTEDNESS (unselfishness). HIS PARENTAL SOLICITUDE FOR HIS SPIRITUAL CHILDREN. HIS SELF-RENUNCIATION. HIS CHRISTIAN FORBEARANCE WITH WEAK BRETHREN. Disinterestedness formed a beautiful feature in the character of Paul. It is the appointment of God, that they who preach the Gospel shou... Read More

The doctrine of justification by faith, through the righteousness of Jesus Christ, is the grand characteristic of the Gospel, which distinguishes it from all 'human' schemes of salvation. It is the revelation and work of God himself. Its design is– to humble the sinner, to exalt the Savior, and to p... Read More

PAUL'S EXPERIENCE IN THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE FLESH AND THE SPIRIT. Through the remaining darkness of our minds, how many conflicting opinions divide the Christian world. Each disputant claims truth to be on his side, and is ready to anathematize all who differ from him. Many, by fanciful interpreta... Read More

PAUL'S FAITHFULNESS IN REPROVING. HIS OBEDIENCE TO CIVIL GOVERNMENT. Among the many duties which compass the walk of the believer, few are more difficult to perform, than that of Christian reproof. We might naturally expect, that the great Apostle would be faithful in the performance of this duty. A... Read More

PAUL'S HUMILIATING CONFESSION. THE OPPOSITION HE MET WITH FROM THE JEWS. HIS RECEPTION AT JERUSALEM BY THE APOSTLES. THE NATURAL ENERGY OF HIS CHARACTER. PRIDE is the great opposer of regenerating grace, and would, if unsubdued, forever close the heart against the entrance of the Spirit. By an act o... Read More