14-Preaching Particular Redemption and the Offer

I have made the point that we should not enter into detailed explorations of God's decrees in our preaching to sinners – not, I hasten to add (and now repeat), that we should never mention such when addressing sinners. But as I have explained, this must be done in the right spirit. And what is that right spirit? To illustrate what I have in mind, I reproduce extracts from two preachers who, having set out the glories of the redemption which Christ accomplished, addressed sinners with the free offer. I have chosen George Whitefield's sermon on 'The Lord our righteousness' (Jer. 23:6), and Jonathan Edwards' History of Redemption.