What are two possible topics of puritan sermons?

Answer 1

In choosing two sermons the first would be a sermon on God's majesty and wisdom in relation to the elective purposes of God in salvation. The second would be on the need for sanctification and living a holy separated life.

In regards to a sermon on God's wisdom in providing salvation, the puritans would emphasize that God is righteous in his predetermination to save his elect. God is sovereign and has the right to decree those who will be heirs and partakers of life. Those outside his foreordained divine appointment to salvation are left segregated in their lost condition. They are left to their own designs and human condition. In their intelligent and prideful condition they reject God's grace.

To them is extended an "ordinary" invitation to accept the gift of life.

God's invitation to his elect is a "specific" call that is often called an efficacious (effective) calling. This calling works providentially to bring God's chosen to himself. This call was foreordained and decreed by God before the foundation of the world. God's choosing is within his good pleasure and no one comes to the Father except it be given him by the Father. God's elective purposes encompass foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:29-30.

In regards to sanctification the puritans gave true import to living a holy life. "Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord". (Hebrews 12:14).

Sanctification is a process whose goal is to be conformed to the image of Christ. As a doctrine sanctification was not new but the puritans gave it full consideration. The Westminster Shorter Catechism defined sanctification as "the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God and are enabled more and more to die unto sin and live unto righteousness". Being "renewed in the whole man" defined Puritan sanctification. Renewal began with justification and a day by day commitment to obedience to God's Word.

The Puritans did not separate how they lived publicly from how they lived privately. Holiness shaped their desire and character and guided their living. The Puritans strived to demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control". Galatians 5:22-23.

Answer 2

1. The importance of leading a morally upright life, as Puritans believed in strict adherence to biblical principles and moral conduct.
2. The need for maintaining a personal relationship with God through prayer, meditation, and regular attendance at church services to nurture spiritual growth and salvation.