THE

CONSTRAINING INFLUENCE

OF THE

LOVE OF CHRIST:

A SERMON,

PREACHED

"IN THE CHURCH OF THE UNITED PARISHES OF ST. MARY WOOLNOTH & ST. MARY WOOLCHURCHHAW, LOMBARD-STREET, LONDON,

BEFORE THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

THE LORD MAYOR, ALDERMEN, AND SHERIFFS,

On the 30th day of March, 1800,

FOR THE BENEFIT OF

LANGBOURN-WARD CHARITY SCHOOL:

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.MATT. V. 16.

TO THE

TREASURER, THE TRUSTEES, AND COMMITTEE

OF THE

CHARITY SCHOOL OF LANGBOURN-WARD,

THIS SERMON,

PUBLISHED AT THEIR REQUEST,

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED AND PRESENTED

BY THEIR OBEDIENT SERVANT,

JOHN NEWTON.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE preacher cannot publish this Sermon as an exact copy of what he delivered from the pulpit. Some interval passed before he was desired to print it. His recollection is much impaired by age; and he had no notes to assist it: but the plan is the same. He hopes and believes that none of the leading sentiments are omitted, and that the additions, if any, are but few. As it is, he commends the perusal to the candour of the reader, and the blessing of Almighty God.

203

THE CONSTRAINING INFLUENCE OF THE LOVE OF CHRIST.

2 CORINTHIANS, V. 13-15.

For, whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For, the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them and rose again.

THE apostles, and first preachers of the Gospel among the heathens, exhibited to them a phenomenon perfectly new. The Greeks and Romans had known persons, among themselves, who had strenuouly exerted their talents and activity in the pursuit of fame, power, or wealth; but they now saw men no less indefatigable and persevering in prosecuting a design which, far from procuring them either honour or profit, exposed them, wherever they went, to contempt, stripes, imprisonment, and death. Their professed aim was to make others as happy as themselves in the possession of an unseen Good. For the attainment of this end, they willingly gave up all prospect of worldly advantage, though they were generally treated with scorn and cruelty by the most of those whose best interests they wished to serve. This was a disinterested benevolence of which the philosophers, the pretended friends of wisdom and virtue, had no idea; nor were the means they employed better understood. They