36 ________. The victorious Christian receiving the crown. London: George Keith, 1771. This work is the combination of Samuel Stennett’s funeral sermon for John Gill and Wallin’s address at the Interment. Wallin eulogises Gill more than he typically does in a sermon, perhaps because this is the Interment. He has high praises for Gill and insists that Gill regularly called people to the importance and necessity of repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He concludes his address in his usual manner with an admonition to believe the gospel.
37________. The blessedness of the man, whom the Lord shall find diligent in his station. London: J. Buckland, 1773. Funeral sermon for the deacon Job Heath whose children were in attendance, and whom Wallin addresses directly in the Dedication expressing his sincere desire for them to follow their father’s example and publicly embrace God’s salvation. His text is Matt 24:46. He acknowledges that there are various ways that the coming of the Lord can be legitimately understood, but urges his hearers to consider that the passage is speaking of the Lord’s coming at each individual’s death, and that to be found doing the Master’s work at this time is what the master seeks. Wallin notes that the life of faith is a life of work and diligent action seeking to do the things which God loves; he discusses the tension between faith and works. He also addresses the perseverance of the saints, and how a person’s salvation is also a working out of God’s decree so that the good works would be done which were foreordained. Wallin notes that the heavenly reward is not a reward of debt but of grace that comes solely from the munificence of the Heavenly Father. He clearly denounces attitudes of legality and trusting in one’s own righteousness, as well as an attitude of licentiousness and antinomianism.
38 ________. The happiness of the saints in a separate state. London: J. Buckland, 1773. Funeral sermon preached at Hitchin, Herts, on the death of Rev Samuel James based on Psalm 16:2. Wallin relates that pastor James was called to the congregation when their prior pastor, Rev John Needham, one of Wallin’s tutors, was taken home to be with the Lord. Wallin observes how it strikes us a strange that even those who are the proclaimers of life are overcome with the ravages of death. He then directs the congregation to consider the Psalm which he says points to Christ, and also to consider that he was the only one whose body was released from the bands of death, before it saw corruption. Wallin comments on the “popish” idea that Jesus’ soul descended into hell during his three-day rest in the tomb somewhat in passing. Once again in a funeral sermon 182 Wallin draws out the comfort that awaits the faithful departed in that they will be present with God in a local sense. Wallin next reflect on what the nearer presence of God means for the Christian and speaks of the joy that will arise from beholding Christ’s shining face. Another element of the departed’s joy will be satisfaction in the perfection of righteousness that God has accomplished in him. Additionally, joy will flow from a new understanding of God’s providence as it becomes fully know how God worked things to the good of the believers and for his glory. Wallin also soothes the consciences of those who mourn, assuring them that to not mourn would be most unnatural and unchristian. A Christian’s grief does not go to excess, but the grief does cause him to give thanks to God for his gifts and to call upon him for support. Wallin commends the deceased and the congregation for the longevity of their relationship with one another and encourages them to now return thanks for the good ministers that they have been blessed with, and to not take lightly the duty of selecting the next pastor. Wallin also recalls to the congregation that some years back there at been a significant increase in the congregation with many being baptized, and he addresses the congregation lest there be any who at that time had not joined through baptism that they would repent and come to the footstool of God’s mercy seat. He asks the congregation not to make their late pastor testify against them on the last day.
39 ________. The Church a habitation of God, through the Spirit. London: J. Buckland, 1774. A sermon occasioned when Dr Gill’s church called Rippon to succeed him and there was a division among the church over this choice which led to the creation of a new congregation. A meeting was held for all members of Gill’s congregation at Maze Pond. Dr. Stennett addressed those who were departing to form the new congregation and Wallin addressed them with a sermon. At the conclusion of the meeting, Rippon closed the service with prayer, and the separation was brought about amicably. Wallin preached from Ephesians 2:22. He admonishes the new members of the new congregation to fix their minds upon the new constitution and the sacred duties to which it obligates them. Wallin acknowledges both the universal catholic church but says that Paul is writing specifically to a local visible church and his instruction are valuable to each local church. Wallin observes that the local church is to have union within itself – not just an external union, but a union and communion with one another in heart and soul. Wallin warns against the opinions of some that despise church order and says that those who keep the ordinances of the Lord maintain a building as designed and set upon the Chief Cornerstone, while those who despise church order cause deformity within the house. Wallin says that his primary purpose is to address the design for which God intends the church to be his building, and joyously announces that its purpose is to be the habitation of God through the Spirit. Wallin stresses how this building cannot consist in isolation and was never intended to stand alone. God’s Spirit unites his members one to another in the local congregation and is truly and properly present among them in an invisible spiritual manner. Great comfort is offered by Wallin when he commends orderly communion and fellowship as he observes that God has promised to dwell with his people, and asks who will dwell where he finds no delight? Wallin also briefly touches on patriotism and the duty of a citizen as he asserts that the truest patriots of a nation are those who are concerned to build up the temple of the Lord. Wallin also reminds the people that because they are the sanctuary of the Lord, they will be mindful to not mingle themselves with the things that will defile that sanctuary. Finally, Wallin encourages the congregation to seek to multiply, but not by stripping members from other 183 congregations, and to seek the fellowship of her sister congregations when possible so that they might bless one another.
40 ________. The fountain of life freely opened to the willing-hearted sinner. London: J. Buckland, 1774. Funeral sermon for Elizabeth MacGowan, the 16 year-old daughter of Rev MacGowan and was preached at MacGowan’s church near Devonshire Square from Rev 22:17. Wallin points the grieving to the gospel of Christ which flows with everlasting consolation. He assures them that no contrite or humble soul should be dejected or despair because Christ has invited whosoever wills to take of the water of life freely. Wallin states that this gospel should be preached to everyone so that every sensible sinner will discern the work of the Spirit in his heart causing his to be willing to receive God’s gracious gift. Wallin suggest that each divine command is also a warrant, and that the preaching of the gospel is the manner in which the command and warrant is set before the individual. The one who is spiritually thirsty and commanded to drink is the one who is convinced of his ignorance, guilt, and pollution and therefore ready to perish. The taking of the water is by the way of believing and by faith applying the grace of the gospel to himself. This gospel call is for everyone, though not all will heed the call. Those who are called have no merit or good in themselves which would has contributed to their calling, but it is entirely of grace. Sensible sinners are given the discernment to understand that they do indeed will to take of the water, and are therefore assured that the water is for them. He specifically rejects the doctrine of eternal justification and insists that God’s children were reconciled by the atoning blood of Jesus. He calls sinners to believe and warns that it is insufficient only to be convinced that one is a sinner; one must also have faith to believe that notwithstanding his sin, Jesus has opened the way of salvation for him. Wallin concludes with an observation about the hesitancy of youth to present themselves to the church, in part, because more senior believers whom the youth look up to have not deemed themselves ready, and thus, by their example they hesitate to profess. Such was the case with Elizabeth, who, in conversation with her father on her deathbed, enlightened him to a habit of faith that existed far prior to her public confession. Wallin encourages parents not to forsake their duty to train up their children and make them familiar with the loving promises of God. Wallin concludes the sermon with a hymn with a strong gospel message.
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