From Cook's Appendix
1 Wallin, Benjamin. The Redeemer’s charge against his declining churches, exemplified in the case of the Church of Ephesus. London: Aaron Ward, 1743. In this discourse Wallin regrets that it has fallen out of fashion to be zealous for the doctrines and ordinances of the gospel. He notes that there are not many who are willing to engage in the necessary work of defending the gospel, both in the pulpit and in the press. Wallin also notes that the society-wide declension of religion is symptomatic of the neglect of religious duties exercised in the home. A lack of confidence in preaching has come from the false notion that because man cannot personally effect the salvation of his hearers, his proclamation is unnecessary. Wallin sounds the alarm for his nation and for all Christian denominations and urges a return to vital experimental religion. Using the text of Rev 2:4, Wallin uses the Puritan Plain Style to open and apply the passage about the church at Ephesus having lost its first love.*
2 ________. The compassion of the dying Saviour to those that crucified him, considered and improved. London: Aaron Ward, 1746. Sermon by Wallin on Luke 23:34. He discusses the implications of Jesus’ words from the cross “Father, forgive them…” and defends an understanding of the text in view of the doctrine of the Limited Atonement. Wallin distinguishes between the prayer as uttered from Jesus’ divine and human natures and suggest that Jesus was praying according to his human nature to witness to his willingness to forgive all who were responsible for his crucifixion and death. Jesus’ prayer did not indicate that the people’s sins must be forgiven, but that they might (i.e. be able to be forgiven according to his human will) be forgiven if the perpetrators repented. Wallin does not stress the fruitlessness of the non-elect attempting to come to Christ, but rather points to the words of Jesus that stand as a admonition and encouragement for sinners to repent. He also applies the text to the Christian and infers that the believer will have the Christ-like attitude of desiring his persecutor’s good. Ignorance is no excuse or shield from judgment if one is outside of Christ, yet even the gravest of sins should not discourage a man from seeking the forgiveness of Christ. Wallin passionately admonishes the trembling sinner to go to Jesus who promises that he will not cast out anyone who comes to him. Finally, Wallin applies the gospel to those who are backslidden and assures them as well that God will forgive them their iniquities and heal their backslidings as they go to Christ.
3 ________. The Christian life, in divers of its branches, described and recommended. London: Aaron Ward, 1746. Large discourse in four parts based on Philippians 4:4-7. Wallin stresses the importance of living within church fellowship as well as not deceiving oneself as to the state of his salvation based simply upon the regular attendance of public worship. He requests that no offence be taken from the various denominations as he urges godliness in all his readers regardless of the denomination to which they belong. Part I discusses the Christian’s joy and its cause. Part II is a discussion of moderation and its role in the Christian life. Part III takes up the topic of anxieties and cares and observes that the church would be well served with more practical theology and less wrangling about doctrines, handled in an argumentative way. Throughout he stresses experimental religion and the benefit of constant prayer. He speaks to the efficacy of God’s grace and the manner in which the Holy Spirit uses God’s various graces to call, gather, and keep his people. He makes a point to insist that there is no room to engage in speculation about the mystery of God’s election, while affirming that God has elected. The first sermon speaks primarily to the peace of God. It highlights the importance of a saving interest in Jesus Christ and pleads with unbelievers to commit their souls into his hands. Two sermons from 1 Thess 5:17 are appended, which again stress the importance of continual prayer, and how that even the natural man is to be stirred up to this duty, demonstrating Wallin’s opinion that there is a duty to obey the gospel. Wallin emphasizes the need for prayer in the closet, family, and church. The second sermon outlines and refutes some of the excuses used to cease praying.
4 ________. An exhortation against quenching the Spirit. London: John Ward, 1748. A sermon preached to a society of young men at Maze Pond on 2 Thess 5:19. In it Wallin discusses what it is to quench the spirit and how Christians should be on their guard against declinations of vital religion. He asserts the irresistibility of the Spirit’s operation, yet also warns against despising the Spirit’s work lest he should withdraw his gracious operations. He warns that all who disobey the gospel will be found to be quenchers of the spirit, as well as those who indulge known sin. The neglect of church assemblies is equally admonished against, while membership in religious societies that engage in partiality and disputes are to be avoided. He also suggests that Christians far too frequently engage in vain and trifling conversations immediately following their assemblies which has a quenching aspect to the work that the Spirit has just done. He concludes with a strict law exhortation but then a gospel hymn is adjoined to provide the gospel motivation for obedience.
5 ________. A humble address to the Churches of Christ. London: John Ward, 1750.
This address was published to exhort Christians not to forsake assembling together and to maintain their responsibilities within their respective churches. It warns of the serious injuries that are inflicted on communities when professed Christians do not take seriously their duties toward one another in the local congregation to which they are members. It also addresses the need of ministers to preach not just Systems of Doctrine, but to accommodate themselves to the circumstances and condition of the people and to preach sermons for their warning and comfort. He also likens prayer to the breath of the body and says that a church without prayer will become a breathless corpse. He addresses antinomian error that exalts God’s goodness but forgets duty to the Lord. Wallin also points out that the purpose for assembling together does not rest in the self’s edification, but that the Christian is also led by the Spirit to desire the edification of his fellow believers which require his presence for the maintenance of the church-state. He also criticizes the neglect of listening to the Word in the church that the member belongs to being excused as long as the Word is heard elsewhere.
*The church in Ephesus, of course, forsook its first love rather than losing it
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