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 Samuel Davies (1723 - 1761)
Read freely text sermons and articles by the speaker Samuel Davies in text and pdf format. Presbyterian preacher in colonial British America who defended religious dissent and helped lead the Southern phase of the religious revival known as the Great Awakening. Davies was educated at Samuel Blair’s “log college” at Fagg’s Manor, Pa., and was ordained in 1747. His work during the Great Awakening centred at Hanover, Va.; in Virginia, where Presbyterians were persecuted as Nonconformists by the established church leaders, he became a chief defender of the Dissenters. He argued their cause before the Virginia general court and enlisted the support of prominent English and Scottish Dissenters. The government’s preoccupations after the outbreak of the French and Indian War (1754), however, diminished concern over Davies, especially when his war sermons helped rouse Virginians to defend the frontier.
Davies further enhanced his reputation as the outstanding preacher of his day by sermons given in England and Scotland during a trip with the evangelist Gilbert Tennent. Soon after his return Davies became the first moderator of the first presbytery of Virginia, Hanover, in 1755. On the same trip Davies raised funds in England for the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) and was its fourth president from 1759 until his death.
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showing from 1 to 50 of 62 articles
A Christmas-day Sermon
A Christmas-day Sermon
By Samuel Davies, December 25, 1760
"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good-will towards men!" Luke 2:13, 14
... read more
A New Year's Gift!
A New Year's Gift!
by Samuel Davies, January 1, 1760
"Knowing the timethat now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." Romans 13:11
TIME, like an ever-running stream, is perpetually glidi ... read more
A Time of Unusual Sickness and Mortality Improved
A Time of Unusual Sickness and Mortality Improved
By Samuel Davies, November 14, 1756.
"O Lord, are not your eyes upon the truth? You have stricken thembut they have not grieved; you have consumed thembut they have refused to receive correction! ... read more
An Enrollment of Our Names in Heaven the Noblest Source of Joy
An Enrollment of Our Names in Heaventhe Noblest Source of Joy
by Samuel Davies, January 14, 1759
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name!"
He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from ... read more
Divine Governmentthe Joy of Our World
Divine Governmentthe Joy of Our World
by Samuel Davies
"The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of islands be glad!" Psalm 97:1
Wise and good rulers are justly accounted an extensive blessing to their subjects. In a governme ... read more
Divine Mercy to Mourning Penitents
Divine Mercy to Mourning Penitents
By Samuel Davies
"I have surely heard Ephraim's moaning: 'You disciplined me like an unruly calf, and I have been disciplined. Restore me, and I will return, because you are the LORD my God. After I strayed, I r ... read more
Evidences of the Lack of Love to God
Evidences of the Lack of Love to God
by Samuel Davies, Hanover, Virginia; April 14, 1756
"But I know youthat you have not the love of God in you." John 5:42
Nothing seems to be a more natural duty for a creaturenothing is more essential to t ... read more
God the Sovereign of All Kingdoms
God the Sovereign of All Kingdoms
by Samuel Davies, at Hanover, Virginia, on March 5, 1755, on a day of fasting and prayer
"The Most High God is sovereign over the kingdoms of menand gives them to anyone he wishes!" Daniel 4:25
That this worl ... read more
In Time of War
In Times of War
By Samuel Davies, Hanover, Virginia; July 20, 1755.
"An oracle concerning the Valley of Vision: What troubles you now, that you have all gone up on the roofs, O town full of commotion, O city of tumult and revelry? Your slain were ... read more
Ingratitude to Goda Heinous but General Iniquity
Ingratitude to Goda Heinous but General Iniquity
by Samuel Davies
"Hezekiah's heart was proudand he did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him; therefore the LORD's wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem." 2 Chronicles 32:25
... read more
Jesus Christ, the Only Foundation
Jesus Christ, the Only Foundation
Samuel Davies, February 13, 1757
(Editor's note: This sermon starts a bit slow, as Davies explains the context; but do not despair, as it is one of the most insightful and powerful sermons that we have read.)
... read more
Lessons from the Recent EARTHQUAKE
Lessons from the Recent EARTHQUAKE
Preached in Hanover county, Virginia, June 19, 1756, by Samuel Davies.
(Note: In this sermon, Davies is referring to the Great Lisbon Earthquake which took place on November 1, 1755. Contemporary reports state t ... read more
Life and Immortality Revealed in the Gospel
Life and Immortality Revealed in the Gospel
Samuel Davies
A sermon preached at the funeral of a young man, on September 1, 1756
"Who has saved us and called us to a holy lifenot because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose a ... read more
Life's Shortness and Vanity
Indifference to the Things of this Present Life
Urged from Life's Shortness and Vanity
A funeral sermon by Samuel Davies (17241761)
"What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on, those who have wivesshould live as if they had ... read more
Looking unto Christ
The Nature of Looking unto
Christ Opened and Explained
by Samuel Davies
"Look unto Meand be saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else!" Isaiah 45:22
It is the peculiar sin and unhappiness of the Christianized wo ... read more
On the Death of King George II
On the Death of King George II
by Samuel Davies
(Delivered on January 14, 1761, at Princeton College. It is interesting to note that Davies himself died shortly after delivering this sermon, on February 4at the age of 37.)
"How the mighty hav ... read more
Poor and Contrite Spiritsthe Objects of the Divine Favor
Poor and Contrite Spiritsthe Objects of the Divine Favor
by Samuel Davies
"To this man will I lookeven to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at My Word." Isaiah 66:2
As we consist of physical bodiesas well as immortal s ... read more
Practical Atheism, in Denying the Agency of Divine Providence, Exposed
Practical Atheism, in Denying the
Agency of Divine Providence, Exposed
by Samuel Davies, Hanover, Virginia; April 4, 1756
"And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men who are settled on ... read more
Rejection of Christa Common, and Most Unreasonable Iniquity
Rejection of Christa Common,
and Most Unreasonable Iniquity
by Samuel Davies, January 16, 1758
"He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, 'They will respect my son.'" Mark 12:6
There is no sin more comm ... read more
Religion the Highest Wisdom, and Sin the Greatest Madness and Folly
Religion the Highest Wisdom, and
Sin the Greatest Madness and Folly
by Samuel Davies
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His commandments have good understanding." Psalm 111:10
WISDOM is a character so honorable ... read more
Saints Saved with Difficulty; and the Certain Perdition of the Wicked
Saints Saved with Difficulty; and
the Certain Perdition of the Wicked
A funeral sermon by Samuel Davies, August 21, 1756
"For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with uswhat will the outcome be for those wh ... read more
Sinners Entreated to Be Reconciled to God
Sinners Entreated to Be Reconciled to God
by Samuel Davies
"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God!" 2 Corinthians 5:20
To preside in the s ... read more
The Certainty of Death
The Certainty of Death
A Funeral Sermon by Samuel Davies, April 22, 1758.
"O wicked manyou shall surely die!" Ezekiel 33:8
Men love themselves, and therefore delight to hear things favorable to themselves. A benevolent mind, whenever he occas ... read more
The Characters of the Healthy and Sick, in a Spiritual Sense, Considered and Contrasted
The Characters of the Healthy and Sick, in a
Spiritual Sense, Considered and Contrasted
by Samuel Davies
"It is not the healthy who need a physicianbut those who are sick." Matthew 9:12
There is no article of faith more certain than that Jes ... read more
The Christian Feast
The Christian Feast
by Samuel Davies
"Therefore let us keep the Feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth." 1 Corinthians 5:8
As we have the agreeable pros ... read more
The Christian Ministry
The Christian Ministry
By Samuel Davies, Hanover, Virginia, June 5, 1757; at the ordination of the Mr. John Martin, to the ministry of the gospel.
"This is a true saying, if any man desires the office of a bishophe desires a good work." 1 Timot ... read more
The Compassion of Christ to Weak Believers
The Compassion of Christ to Weak Believers
By Samuel Davies, 1724-1761
"A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench." Matthew 12:20
The Lord Jesus possesses all those virtues in the highest perfection, which render h ... read more
The Connection Between Present Holiness and Future Felicity
The Connection Between Present Holiness and Future Felicity
by Samuel Davies
"Follow after holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14
"Many are asking: Who can show us any good?" Psalm 4:6. As the human soul was originall ... read more
The Crisis, or the Uncertain Doom of Kingdoms at Particular Times
The Crisis, or the Uncertain Doom
of Kingdoms at Particular Times
A sermon by Samuel Davies, preached at Hanover, Virginia, October 28th, 1756, being the day appointed by the Synod of New York, to be observed as a general fast on account of the pres ... read more
The Divine Perfections Illustrated in the Method of Salvation, Through the Sufferings of Christ
The Divine Perfections Illustrated in the Method
of Salvation, Through the Sufferings of Christ
(A Sacramental Discourse)
By Samuel Davies
"Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this ve ... read more
The General Resurrection
The General Resurrection
Samuel Davies
(1724 - 1761)
"Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come out; those who have done goodunto the resurrection of life; and those who have d ... read more
The Happy Effects of the Pouring out of the Spirit
The Happy Effects of the Pouring out of the Spirit
by Samuel Davies, October 16, 1757
"Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yes, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city: Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the mult ... read more
The Justice of Godand the Sins of Our Country
The Justice of Godand
the Sins of Our Country
Samuel Davies, 1755
"When disaster comes to a cityhas not the LORD caused it?" Amos 3:6
It concerns you all seriously to reflect upon your own sins, and the sins of your landwhich have brought ... read more
The Love of Souls, a Necessary Qualification for the Ministerial Office
The Love of Souls, a Necessary Qualification for the Ministerial Office
by Samuel Davies, preached in Cumberland County, Virginia, July 13, 1758, at the ordination of the Henry Patillo and William Richardson.
"So, being affectionately desirous of ... read more
The Method of Salvation Through Jesus Christ
The Method of Salvation Through Jesus Christ
by Samuel Davies, October 2, 1757
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him, should not perishbut have everlasting life." John 3:16
I have been s ... read more
The Nature and Author of Regeneration
The Nature and Author of Regeneration
by Samuel Davies
"Marvel not that I said unto you: You must be born again." John 3:7
Those doctrines are not strange to a well-informed mind, which are most wondered at in the ignorant world. Ignorance is a ... read more
The Nature and Blessedness of Sonship with God
The Nature and Blessedness of Sonship with God
by Samuel Davies
"Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon usthat we should be called the sons of God! Therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we ... read more
The Nature and Danger of Making Light of Christ and Salvation
The Nature and Danger of Making
Light of Christ and Salvation
by Samuel Davies
"But they made light of it." Matthew 22:5
There is not one of us in this assembly who has not heard of Christ and his great salvation. There is not one of us who ha ... read more
The Nature and Necessity Of True Repentance
HERE WE FIND SAINT PAUL in as learned an assembly as perhaps he ever appeared. We find him in Athens, a city of Greece, famous all over the world for learning; a city of Socrates, Plato, and the most illustrious philosophers of antiquity lived and taught. ... read more
The Nature and Necessity of True Repentance
The Nature and Necessity of True Repentance
by Samuel Davies, May 22, 1757
"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men everywhere to repent!" Acts 17:30
We here find Paul in as learned an assembly as, perhaps, he e ... read more
The Nature and Process of Spiritual Life
The Nature and Process of Spiritual Life
by Samuel Davies
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressionsit is by grace you have been saved!" Ephesians 2:4-5
... read more
The Nature and Universality of Spiritual Death
The Nature and Universality of Spiritual Death
by Samuel Davies
"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit w ... read more
The Nature of Justification, and the Nature and Concern of Faith in it
The Nature of Justification, and the
Nature and Concern of Faith in it
by Samuel Davies
"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in t ... read more
The Nature of Love to God and Christ, Opened and Enforced
The Nature of Love to God and
Christ, Opened and Enforced
by Samuel Davies
The third time Jesus said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know a ... read more
The Objects, Grounds, and Evidences of the HOPE of the Righteous
The Objects, Grounds, and Evidences
of the HOPE of the Righteous
by Samuel Davies, March 6, 1757
"The wicked is driven away in his wickedness; but the righteous has hope in his death." Proverbs 14:32
To creatures that are placed here on eart ... read more
The One Thing Needful
The One Thing Needful
by Samuel Davies
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needful. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42
For ... read more
The Preaching of Christ Crucified, the Means of Salvation
The Preaching of Christ Crucified, the Means of Salvation
by Samuel Davies, April 25, 1759
"Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to thos ... read more
The Primitive and Present State of Man Compared
The Primitive and Present State of Man Compared
by Samuel Davies, Hanover, Virginia; December 10, 1758
"For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man; how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of g ... read more
The Rejection of Gospel-light, the Condemnation of Men
The Rejection of Gospel-light,
the Condemnation of Men
A sermon by Samuel Davies, delivered at Princeton College
"And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were ... read more
The Resurrection of Damnation
The Resurrection of Damnation
Samuel Davies (1724 - 1761)
"Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come out; those who have done goodunto the resurrection of life; and those who h ... read more
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