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THE GREAT DUTY OF KEEPING OURSELVES FROM INIQUITY: Being a Series of Sermons on Psalm 18:23
JOHN WHITLOCK (1625-1709) edited by Dr. Don Kistler
John Whitlock was a minister of the gospel in Nottingham, England. Here are 9 sermons on Psalm 18:23: “I was also upright before Him and I kept myself from mine iniquity.” Whitlock shows that men have some sins that are unique to them. That is why David prays to be kept from his iniquity. He shows the difference between a reigning sin and a tyrannizing corruption. This is Puritan pastoral counseling at its very best.
Appendixed are Whitlock’s farewell sermon from Revelation 3:3 and his funeral sermon preached upon his death in 1709 by John Barret, M.A.. “He was a burning and a shining light” John 5:35
John Whitlock was born in 1625. On June 23, 1642 he was admitted to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, graduating B.A. in 1645 and M.A. in 1649. He studied there under the venerable Ralph Cudworth. He held several pastorates before being appointed in 1651 as vicar at St. Mary’s, as a Presbyterian.
In July 1662 he was indicted for not reading the common prayer and, even though the Act of Uniformity was not yet in force, he was suspended and his church closed. He preached in various places for many years. As a result of the Act of Indulgence in 1687 he was able to return to Nottingham and resume his ministry there. His wife was the daughter of the celebrated Puritan, Anthony Tuckney. Whitlock died on December 4, 1709.
THE EPISTLE TO THE READER
Dear Christian Reader,
It is not any desire of appearing in Print, but mere importunity that hath prevailed with me to publish the few following Sheets: For tho' I would not decline anything that might tend to the honor of God, and the spiritual good of any; and tho' the Subject treated of, [viz. Mens finding out and keeping themselves from their iniquity] be a matter of great and constant importance, and that wherein much of the life of Religion, and the power of Godliness doth lie: yet this hath been so excellently and practically handled by the Reverend Dr. Bates, that I could hardly prevail with myself to give my consent to the publishing of these Notes; but have been at length overcome by the solicitations of some, whom, I must confess, I was loath to deny, as being bound to honor them for their close walk with God, and Zeal to propagate the Kingdom of Christ, and the practice of real Holiness.
These Sermons as now printed, with very little variation as to heads or expressions, were preached forty years since in public, Anno 1657. and having occasion this year in a Lord's day course of Sermons upon Isa. 53. to preach somewhat to the same effect upon those words, in the 6th verse of that Chapter [We have turned every one to his own way] I was desired to print, and have printed according to the Notes preached so long since, when I spoke more largely to the Subject than I did when I returned upon it this year. This is a true account of the occasion of these Sheets appearing thus in public, which it was convenient thou shouldst be acquainted with.
I shall add no more but my earnest prayers that God would make this Word profitable to myself, and all that shall read it; and to request thy prayers for me (whom God hath graciously brought almost to the close of my seventy third year) that God would be pleased more and more to fulfil to me that good Word of his Grace, that they that are planted in the House of the Lord, shall still bring forth fruit in Old Age, they shall be fat and flourishing, to the praise of the faithfulness and skill of God the blessed Husbandman, and of the fatness and virtue of Christ the true Vine. By such Christian remembrance of me at the Throne of Grace, thou wilt exceedingly oblige him who earnestly desires more Grace to approve himself while in this Tabernacle,
The faithful Servant of Christ and Souls, JOHN WHITLOCK. Nottingham Jan. 1. 1657/8.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Life of John Whitlock (1625–1709)
The Epistle to the Reader (see above)
Sermon 1 - The Opening of the Words
Sermon 2 - Men’s Special Sins
Sermon 3 - The Scripture Proof of the Doctrine
Sermon 4 - What Is Meant by Keeping Yourself from Iniquity
Sermon 5 - The Reasons of the Doctrine
Sermon 6 - The Application of the Doctrine
Sermon 7 - The Difference Between a Reigning Sin and a Tyrannizing Corruption
Sermon 8 - Some Motives to This Duty
Sermon 9 - The Ways and Means to Keep Yourself from Your Iniquity
Appendices
1. John Whitlock’s Farewell Sermon - Remember, Hold Fast, and Repent, A Sermon on Revelation 3:3
2. John Whitlock’s Funeral Sermon - Preached by John Barret, M.A.. “He was a burning and a shining light” John 5:35
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