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. 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]]> ]]>