Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Dorr, Benjamin, 1796-1869]]> Sermons]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Dorr, Benjamin, 1796-1869]]> Bible. New Testament]]> Bible. Gospels]]> Bible. John]]> Episcopal Church]]>
The inside front cover notes six dates Reverend Dorr delivered this sermon, from 1857 to 1862.]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Dorr, Benjamin, 1796-1869]]> Sermons]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Dorr, Benjamin, 1796-1869]]> Bible. New Testament]]> Bible. Gospels]]> Bible. John]]> Episcopal Church]]>
The inside front cover notes five dates Reverend Dorr delivered this sermon, from 1861 to 1866.]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Great Awakening]]> Presbyterians]]> Bible. Romans]]> Bible. Epistle of John, 1st]]> Bible. John]]> Presbyterian Church]]>
Tennent begins this sermon, "On God's love in the redemption by Christ's death," by citing Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:9, and John 3:16. From dates noted in the manuscript, it looks like Tennent wrote this sermon in 1748 or 1749, then delivered it again in 1758 and 1760.]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Great Awakening]]> Presbyterians]]> Bible. John]]> Bible. Epistle of John, 1st]]> Presbyterian Church]]>
Tennent begins this sermon, "On internal testimony," by citing 1 John 5:10, "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son." He also cites John 7:17, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."

From dates noted in the manuscript, it looks like Tennent wrote this sermon in 1748 or 1749, then delivered it again in 1750 and 1760.]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Great Awakening]]> Presbyterians]]> Bible. John]]> Bible. Romans]]> Presbyterian Church]]>
"The perseverance of the saints" shares a title with an earlier sermon by Tennent, and may be a newer version of that one. Tennent begins this sermon with reference to John 11:26, John 10:27-28, and Romans 8:33 to the end of the chapter.

From dates noted in the manuscript, it looks like Tennent wrote this sermon in 1750, then delivered it again in 1756, 1759, and 1763.]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Great Awakening]]> Presbyterians]]> Bible. Psalms]]> Bible. John]]> Presbyterian Church]]>
Tennent begins this sermon, on the subject of uprightness, by citing John 1:47, "Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" He also cites Psalms 84:11, "For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."

From dates noted in the manuscript, it looks like Tennent wrote this sermon in 1758, then delivered it again in 1759, 1760, 1761, and 1763.]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Great Awakening]]> Presbyterians]]> Bible. Romans]]> Bible. John]]> Presbyterian Church]]>
Tennent begins this sermon, on the subject of enmity, by citing Romans 8:7, "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." He also cites John 15:24, "If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father."

From dates noted in the manuscript, it looks like Tennent wrote this sermon in 1758, then delivered it again in 1760 and 1763.]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Great Awakening]]> Presbyterians]]> Bible. Samuel, 2nd]]> Bible. Matthew]]> Bible. Samuel, 1st]]> Bible. John]]> Bible. Hebrews]]> Presbyterian Church]]>
This manuscript contains two sermon topics in three presentations, perhaps presaging papers for a workshop or retreat. Tennent begins by citing 2 Samuel 15:26, "But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him." He goes on to cite further verses from Matthew, Samuel, John, and Hebrews.

The first presentation, addressed to "sirs," is almost a tutorial on how to weaken sin and deprive it of nourishment and its rule over people, with a questionnaire for self-examination and encouragement for those struggling. The second presentation talks of resignation, and is addressed to "dear sirs" with a "profession," possibly an audience of fellow ministers. The third paper, on submissive resignation, explores human psychological reactions as they make afflictions worse, and reminds the congregation to refer all to God and Christ, to help regulate and calm overreactions to troubles at their onset, and to ease the bearing of them over time.

From dates noted on the manuscript, it seems Tennent wrote these pieces in 1744, and returned to them again in 1745, 1746, 1748, 1749, 1756, 1762 and 1763.]]>
The second sermon, De resignatione divine voluntate (On resignation to the Divine Will)  outlines how people arrive at resignation:  first the sense of affliction, then the attempt to pray the affliction away, then realization of the right-ness of the circumstance, and finally consent to the will of the Creator and hope in him.]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Great Awakening]]> Presbyterians]]> Bible. Romans]]> Bible. Ephesians]]> Bible. John]]> Bible. Matthew]]> Presbyterian Church]]>
Tennent begins this sermon, about the impotence of man, by citing Romans 5:6, Ephesians 2:1, John 15:5, and Matthew 7:18.

From dates noted in the manuscript, it appears Tennent wrote this sermon in 1744, then delivered it again in 1746, 1747, 1748, 1751, 1755, and 1760.]]>
Reverend Tennent felt that this topic needed periodic airing given THE TEMPTATIONS he saw around him in a growing colonial city. He preached this sermon seven times during his ministry.]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Great Awakening]]> Presbyterians]]> Bible. Philippians]]> Bible. John]]> Bible. Peter, 1st]]> Presbyterian Church]]>
This manuscript contains two sermons written by Tennent. The first sermon, on the topic of salvation, begins with reference to Phillippians 2:12,"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." The second sermon, on the topic of saintly perseverance, begins with reference to John 10:27-28, Phillippians 1:6, and 1 Peter 1:5.

From dates noted on the manuscript, it looks like Tennent wrote these sermons in 1744 and delivered one or both again in 1750.]]>
The second sermon urges the constant work necessary to commit to seeking salvation and gain it. This was a work in progress; ideas, lists, and Bible references continue beyond the closing pages to the back cover.]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Great Awakening]]> Presbyterians]]> Bible. Thessalonians, 1st]]> Bible. Peter, 1st]]> Bible. John]]> Bible. Corinthians, 1st]]> Bible. Hebrews]]> Bible. Proverbs]]> Bible. Galatians]]> Bible. Psalms]]> Presbyterian Church]]>
This manuscript contains two sermons by Tennent. He begins the first sermon, on the topic of sanctification, with references to 1 Peter 1:2, John 17:17, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Corinthians 6:11, and Hebrews 12:14. He begins the second sermon, on the topic of peace, with references to Proverbs 3:17, John 16:33, 1 Peter 5:14, Galatians 6:16, John 14:27, and Psalms 16:5.

From dates noted on the manuscript, it looks like Tennent wrote these sermons in 1744, then delivered one or both again in 1746, 1747, 1748, 1750, 1755, 1757, and 1758.]]>
Rev. Tennent expands the knowledge of consecration from things or individuals set apart from the mass of ordinary people, e.g. temple utensils or boys like Samuel being dedicated to the temple, to the possibility of attaining sanctification by ordinary believers operating in everyday life.

He reviews ways of spotting false impressions of sanctification, what its true nature is, why we need it, and how it comes from God. One way is through peace: signs of false peace and true peace, living peacefully and seeking peace.

Both sermons include at least one question and answer and suggestions for examination of self.]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Great Awakening]]> Presbyterians]]> Bible. Peter, 1st]]> Bible. Corinthians, 1st]]> Bible. Timothy, 2nd]]> Bible. Ephesians]]> Bible. John]]> Bible. Galatians]]> Bible. Romans]]> Presbyterian Church]]>
This manuscript contains two sermons by Tennent. The first sermon, on the subject of being called to the ministry, begins with references to 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Corinthians 1:26, 2 Timothy 1:9, and Ephesians 4:1. The second sermon, on the subject of adoption, begins with references to John 1:12, Ephesians 1:5, Galatians 3:26, and Romans 8:15.

From dates noted on the manuscript, it looks like Tennent wrote these sermons in 1744 or 1745, then delivered one or both again in 1747, 1748, 1750, 1755, 1757, 1759, and 1762.]]>
On the efficacious or effective call from God analyses the ways humans can be called: universal, a reminder of the vast workings of God as we see them in nature; common, as a calling to high office in church or state; or as the presentation of the promises of Christ for man's consideration; or special, efficacious, effectual, a call directly to the Elect, incorporating the motivating power of the Holy Spirit to inspire and build their faith and what they can accomplish through it.

Hearing the word is the instrumental cause, but the acceptance of the word is the efficient cause, through which the Holy Spirit works both to realize one's sinfulness, despair and anxiety, overcomes his stubbornness, and brings him to an acceptance of the worth of redemption and the will to seek it and take it on board.

The second sermon describes forms of earthly adoption, then sets forth how people become adopted by God, first by their realized need of him, then by God's grace, by the operation of the Holy Spirit, by faith, engendering love and obedience. Examination and review.]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Great Awakening]]> Presbyterians]]> Bible. John]]> Bible. Lamentations]]> Presbyterian Church]]>
Tennent wrote this sermon on the Paraclete, which in Christian theology, refers to the Holy Spirit as an advocate, counselor or comforter. Tennent refers to the Bible verses John 16:7, Lamentations 1:16, and John 14:16 in his discussion of this subject.

From dates noted in the manuscript, it looks like Tennent wrote this sermon in 1744, then delivered it again in 1746, 1748, 1751, 1757, and 1761.]]>
Cites many instances from Scripture on this power as well as on the absence of comfort for those who live wayward lives-- being too satisfied with the worldly and short-term, and heedless of the greater comfort and more reliable help under trials given by Christ the Mediator.]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Great Awakening]]> Presbyterians]]> Bible. John]]> Bible. Luke]]> Bible. Mark]]> Presbyterian Church]]>
Tennent begins this sermon by citing Luke 24:25, "Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken." He also cites Mark 9:24 and John 6:44. From dates noted in the manuscript, it looks like Tennent wrote this sermon in 1745, then delivered it again in 1748, 1751, 1755, and 1759.]]>
More interesting for today are the many reasons given for man's slowness, which show Rev. Tennent's years of experience and knowledge of how people's minds work, which in his day he ascribes to the workings of Satan: arrogance, thinking that faith is effortless and that God will forgive anything; unwillingness to believe in the new Covenant of free grace no matter what they hear of it from others until the Holy Spirit opens their hearts to it, and even then they think that all they need is to do good works, influenced by the way we're trained for school and working life. Or, as independent men, they are too proud to want anything "free" and to be beholden to Christ, not to seem self-sufficient. They're reluctant to beg rather than dicker for an agreement man-to-man, and even expect the Almighty to cater to their wants rather than be subordinate to God and his will.

Other men feel they are presumptuous in believing in God's mercy for such as they; having sinned before, they're inferior and dare not hope for justice and mercy later, even with the invitations given in the Bible. Some think they've sinned beyond forgiveness, others that their sins haven't been bad enough to merit mercy. For some, loud laments and breast-beating offer temporary if illusive relief but don't tend toward progress.

For these last, Rev. Tennent begins a section of practical theology: people's excuses and his responses. In this as in other sermons, Rev. Tennent, harsh to backsliders, is patient towards those who honestly struggle with diffidence and wavering faith. His comments on how Satan mitigates sin to the worldly are also interesting: sin is either trifling or non-existent-- and disguises miscreants by rationalizing, even glorifying them, e.g., the spendthrift as generous; the drunkard as sociable; the greedy or miserly as frugal.

MS difficult to read, as the paper of poor quality; lots of show-through from writing on each side of a page. See note on [p. 18] where very faint writing which needed reading with a hand-mirror seems to complete the visibly broken-off text.]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Great Awakening]]> Presbyterians]]> Bible. John]]> Bible. Samuel, 1st]]> Bible. Song of Solomon]]> Presbyterian Church]]>
This manuscript contains two sermons by Tennent. The first, on Christian obedience to the law, draws from 1 Samuel 15:22, "And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." In this sermon, Tennent also cites John 14:15-21, about showing God love by obeying his commandments. The second sermon is on Canticles 2. (Canticles is another name for Song of Solomon.)

From dates in the manuscript, it looks like Tennent wrote these sermons in 1745, then delivered on or both of them again in 1748, 1750, 1755, and 1759.]]>
The second sermon begins as an analysis of the famous poem from Song of Songs that begins "I am the Rose of Sharon," in today's thinking manifestly a poem of young love by people at the height of their strength and beauty, but interpreted in Christian doctrine as the mutual love of Christ and his Church. Analysis of the details of the two opening chapters; a few more insights are individually jotted down, but the rest of Canticles 2 is dropped. Instead, the sermon takes up the Parable of the Marriage of the King's Son, Matthew 22:1-14, titled, De veniendo ad nuptias (On coming to marriage) which proves a much more powerful inspiration. Examination and a zealous exhortation follow, especially the list of attributes that recommend Christ as best of all husbands.

The sermon physically interesting also for the ruled lines and penmanship exercises on pages with blank areas, whether by one of the Reverend's children, step-children, or possibly some young visitor.]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Great Awakening]]> Presbyterians]]> Bible. John]]> Presbyterian Church]]>
The title of this sermon, which Tennent delivered first in 1743, then again in 1746 and 1747, translates to "On the enmity of the not born-again." In the sermon, Tennent argues that "unconverted sinners" actively choose to be strangers to God, and goes so far as to state they "have a possitive hatred against God."]]>
Sermon recalls some of the accusations in the Nottingham sermon of 1740, On the Dangers of an Unconverted Ministry  as directed toward pastors who had not had a personal  experience of God-- dead ministers preaching to dead congregations.  

Harks back to Freylinghuysen's "dividing the Word aright", promising destruction for the unrepentant, born into sin, but unwilling even to show gratitude to the God who created them and who granted them reason and the potential for shedding sin.]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Great Awakening]]> Presbyterians]]> Bible. Matthew]]> Bible. John]]> Bible. Luke]]> Presbyterian Church]]>
Tennent cites three Bible verses in this sermon on the subject of "fruitfulness:" First, Matthew 3:10, "And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." Second, John 15:8, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." Third, Luke 13:7, "Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?"

From dates noted in the manuscript, it looks like Tennent wrote this sermon in 1744, and delivered it again in 1745 or 1746, 1747, 1748, 1750 and 1755. However, the back cover proclaims "A sermon occasioned by the Late proclamation for a general Fast, preached at Philadelphia January 7, 1747."]]>
Reading from the title on p. 2, it begins with a salute to the virtues of the grape vine, known throughout the ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern worlds as a wonderfully useful plant medically for its stem and leaves as well as for its grapes and wine. The sermon then extends fruitfulness to human beings, who should work with Christ and the Holy Spirit always in mind as sources of their best selves, As the sermon was revised and re-thought, appropriate means for following Christ were added to the verso of the later title page on the front cover.

The back cover offered a surprise and a research bonus. It is a draft of a title page for a sermon presented by Rev. Tennent as part of a Fast held in Philadelphia in 1747 that prayed for a resolution of fighting between armies in Europe (King George's War, 1744-1748, North American portion of the Wars of the Austrian Succession, fought as one of the French and Indian Wars to determine whether Britain or France should rule over North America.) [A bit more detail given on the Back cover page of Sermon 77 in the PCER project.]

The more specific title given on another page of the original is: Rev. Mr. Tennent's sermon on fasting and prayer. (viewed online, Aug. 1, 2026, via the National Library of Australia, https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/10225698)]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> Tennent, Gilbert, 1703-1764]]> Great Awakening]]> Presbyterians]]> Bible. Matthew]]> Bible. John]]> Bible. Luke]]> Presbyterian Church]]>
This manuscript contains two sermons by Tennent. The first sermon, "On God's love," begins with citations of Matthew 22:37-38 and John 4:16. The second sermon, "On the penitent thief," begins with reference to Luke 23:39-43.

From dates noted in the manuscript, it looks like Tennent wrote these sermons in 1747, then delivered one or both of them in 1749, 1750, 1753, 1755, 1758, and 1762.]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> White, William, 1748-1836]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> White, William, 1748-1836]]> Bible. New Testament]]> Bible. Gospels]]> Bible. John]]> Episcopal Church]]>
In this sermon, written for Lent, Reverend White discusses his thoughts on John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my Peace I give unto you: not as the World giveth, give I unto you."]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> White, William, 1748-1836]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> White, William, 1748-1836]]> Bible. New Testament]]> Bible. Gospels]]> Bible. John]]> Episcopal Church]]>
In this sermon, Reverend White discusses his thoughts on John 3:16, "God so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting Life."]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> White, William, 1748-1836]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> White, William, 1748-1836]]> Bible. New Testament]]> Bible. Gospels]]> Bible. John]]> Episcopal Church]]>
In this sermon, written for Trinity Sunday, Reverend White discusses his thoughts on John 14:16, "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever."]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> White, William, 1748-1836]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> White, William, 1748-1836]]> Bible. New Testament]]> Bible. Gospels]]> Bible. John]]> Episcopal Church]]>
In this sermon, written for Trinity Sunday, Reverend White discusses his thoughts on John 3:7, "Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again."]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> White, William, 1748-1836]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sermons]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> White, William, 1748-1836]]> Bible. New Testament]]> Bible. Gospels]]> Bible. John]]> Advent]]> Episcopal Church]]>
In this sermon, written for Advent, Reverend White discusses his thoughts on John 3:19, "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and Men loved Darkness rather than Light, because their Deeds are evil."]]> Sermons]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]>