ANOTHER GEORGE WHITEFIELD SERMON: “OF JUSTIFICATION BY CHRIST.”

GEORGE WHITEFIELD ACCURATELY DEFINES JUSTIFICATION WHICH IS A RARITY IN AMERICA TODAY, FOR OUR FASTFOOD FREEWILL FRIENDS ARE GOOD AT CLOUDING UP THE SIMPLE. “But ye are justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” From which words I shall consider three things: First, What is meant by the word justified. Secondly, I shall endeavor to prove that all mankind in general, and every individual person in particular, stands in need of being justified. Thirdly, That there is no possibility of obtaining this justification, which we so much want, but by the all-perfect obedience, and precious death of Jesus Christ. It has been objected by some, who dissent from, nay, I may add, by others also, who actually are friends to the present ecclesiastical establishment, that the ministers of the Church of England preach themselves, and not Christ Jesus the Lord; that they entertain their people with lectures of mere morality, without declaring to them the glad tidings of salvation by Jesus Christ. How well grounded such an objection may be, is not my business to inquire: All I shall say at present to the point is, that whenever such a grand objection is urged against the whole body of the clergy in general, every honest minister of Jesus Christ should do his utmost to cut off all manner of occasion, from those who desire an occasion to take offense at us; that so by hearing us continually sounding forth the word of truth, and declaring with all boldness and assurance of faith, “that there is no other name given under heaven, whereby they can be saved, but that of Jesus Christ,” they may be ashamed of this their same confident boasting against us.