| Description | Volume of sermons, lectures and notes for addresses, including abstracts from theological works. Included in this volume is the draft of a sermon, inserted at the start of the volume and expanded on folios 22 verso - 29 recto, which comments on the American Revolution (MS 983/2/1). The contents are as follows:
'Some Notes upon particular Psalms from Delauney's life of David' (folios 1-2).
Sermon; text: ii. Cor. xiii. 59 (folios 3-10); 'Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith'; on folio 10 is a note in different ink, 'Preached at Drumoak, M Cultur [Maryculter], P Cultur [Peterculter], N Banchory' [all in Aberdeenshire or Kincardineshire].
Sermon; text: Exek. xxxvi. 22, 32 9 (folios 11-22 recto); 'Not for your sakes do I this'; also reference at top of folio 11 to Ps. cxv.
Sermon; text: Jer. xviii. 7-10 (folios 22 verso - 29 recto); 'At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation...to pluck up, and to pull down and destroy it; if that nation.. turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them...'; reference on folio 22 verso to Ps. lxx. 11; [see also MS 983/2/1] discusses designs of 'the powers of Europe presently at War' and the designs of God, which are related to this, to purge us of our sins.
13 March 1760, 'Fast day'
Sermon; text: Jer. xviii. 7-10 (folios 29 verso - 36 verso); continuation of sermon of 13 March 1760; concludes discussion of attitude of God to present war; condemns unseemly behaviour on the Sabbath, including drinking in taverns, engagement of servants, buying and selling.
16 March 1760, 'Sabbath'
Sermon; text: ii. Tim. ii. 11-13 (folios 37-50); 'It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him [Christ], we shall also live...'; note on folio 50 verso states 'Preached at Aberdeen Aprile 1771', with references to Ps. cxix. 30 and xviii.7.
1771
Sermon; text: i. Cor. x. 13 (folios 51-60); 'God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able'; folio 51 contains an introduction; folio 52 has reference to Ps. cxii. 7-8; folio 60, at end of additional final paragraph, has note, 'Preached at M Culter, At Skene, At Aberdeen, At Drumoak.'
Lecture on Ps. xxiv (folios 61-67); commences with introductory remarks on the importance and use of the psalms of the worship of the Jews, the significance of this particular one; continues with a verse by verse commentary, discussion of different interpretations and final observations.
Blank (folio 68)
Sermon; text: Ps. lxvi. 18 (folios 69-74), 'If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me'.
Sermon; text: Ps. [xxvii. 6, last clause, 'I commune with mine own heart; and my spirit made diligent search'; originally paginated (1)-(34); [has references to notes written on following pages for insertion in various places] (folios 75-91).
2 September 1759
'Some Notes for a Disc[ourse] on S. Examination' on text: ii. Cor. xiii.5 (pp.(56)-(67)), (folios 91 verso - 92 verso); 'Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves...'
'Some notes of things to be suggested after the Celebration of H[oly] Commun[io]n'; on folio 97 recto or p(64) is a paragraph referring to 'Sermon Ending on p(55)' which is now missing; at the top of folio 98 verso or p(67) is a note referring back to folio 76 recto or p(3). (folios 93 - 98 verso), (pp(56)-(67))
'Hints of Address after Celebration, etc.'; perhaps incomplete (folio 98 verso, p(67))
Sermon; texts: ii. Cor. v. 10 (folios 99-108), 'For we must all appear before the judgment Seat of Christ', and Acts xvii. 31, 'Because he hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained.'
'Notes from Dr Duncan's of Smallholms Devout Communicant's Assistant' (folios 108 verso - 110 verso) [first published 1777].
?post 1777
List of contents: of the 18 items given, 1, 2, 7, 13, 15 and 16 have not been preserved. They include: sermon preached on thanksgiving day, 29 November 1759 [?for victories at Ouebec and Quiberon Bay on 13 Sep and 20 Nov]; sermon on Eccl. ix. 10; sermon on Matt. vii. 1; sermon on Isa. lx. 1; questions posed to communicants before partaking; notes for discourse at ordination of elders (folio 111).
MS 983/2/1
Draft of sermon, preached on 13 and 16 March 1760, expanded on folios 22 verso - 29 recto of MS 983/2 on text: Jer. xviii. 7-10. He comments on the war between Great Britain and the American colonists: 'But some may say, We are on the conquering side, going on successfully, God seems visibly to be contending with the Americans, not with us, with us he seems pleased The War is not at an End. We should thankfully acknowledge God but still mix trembling with our mirth. Is it not matter of deep sorrow and grief to be driven to the necessity of hewing down and destroying our brethren, bone of our bone'. |