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The Confessional Presbyterian Archive is a curated digital library dedicated to preserving and promoting the writings of 17th–20th century Presbyterian pastors, teachers, and leaders. Featuring thousands of searchable texts, biographies, and historical resources, the archive provides direct access to the primary-source materials of American Presbyterianism.

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Literary Essays

Shedd's Literary Essays argue that true beauty must serve truth and goodness; culture requires intellectual discipline, rigorous education, and moral seriousness.
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Theological Essays

A collection of essays defending historical Calvinism and arguing theology as the science of the supernatural. Topics include method, natural vs. supernatural, evolution, original sin, and atonement.
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Questions upon Dr. Shedd’s Lectures in Theology

Study questions on Dr. Shedd's Lectures: methodology, bibliology, revelation, arguments for God's existence, divine attributes, unity and the Trinity, inspiration and canonicity.
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The Impotence of the Law

Sermon: the moral law cannot save or renew sinners; it exposes guilt and drives them to Christ. Only Christ's atonement and gospel mercy pacify conscience and bring holiness.
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The Original and the Actual Relation of Man to Law

Shedd explains Romans 7:10: God's moral law, ordained to life, is 'unto death' for sinful man. Conscience becomes a torment as duty conflicts with sinful inclination; only regeneration resolves this.
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Sin Is Spiritual Slavery

Shedd argues sin is spiritual slavery: every sin weakens the will and deepens bondage; conscience reveals our impotence and only divine regeneration can restore true moral freedom.
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Self-Scrutiny in God’s Presence

Shedd urges honest self-examination before God: God's holiness exposes sin, clarifies conviction, and calms panic. Though sins be scarlet, God's mercy in Christ promises forgiveness and restoration.
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Faith the Sole Saving Act

The sole saving act is faith in Christ, not obedience to the law. Human depravity makes justification by works impossible, so trust in another's righteousness is required.
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The Sin of Omission

Argues that the sin of omission—falling short of supreme love for God—is as culpable as overt sin. Using the rich young ruler, Shedd warns against loving possessions over God.
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The Use of Fear in Religion

Shedd defends fear of God as a legitimate, formative religious emotion, urging youth to cultivate reverent fear to temper lightheartedness, prompt repentance, and moral sobriety.
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The Present Life as Related to the Future

Shedd expounds Luke 16's Dives and Lazarus: earthly prosperity for the wicked is temporary; righteous suffering will be reversed in the life to come. Urges repentance and faithful cross-bearing.
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Sermons to the Natural Man

Shedd urges preachers to first apply God's law to awaken the natural man's conscience; only conviction of sin prepares souls to receive Christ's mercy and atonement.
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The Plan of a Sermon

A practical textbook on homiletics by D. P. Kidder, presenting theory and practice of preaching: sources, sermon structure, style, delivery, and pulpit elocution for ministers and students.
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The Canon Muratorianus

Examines the Muratorian Fragment: its dating, scribal corruptions, and testimony on the early New Testament canon—discussing Hermas, Pauline epistles, and Johannine writings.
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Homiletics, and Pastoral Theology

Shedd contends that true pulpit eloquence springs from thorough exegesis of Scripture and divine revelation, and that homiletics must be joined to pastoral theology to produce vigorous preaching.
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Extemporaneous Preaching

Shedd defends extemporaneous preaching, arguing it can match written sermons if grounded in lifelong study, fervent piety, and habitual practice. Heart and discipline make it effective.
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Maxims for Sermonizing

Shedd gives practical maxims for sermonizing: cultivate a homiletic habit, keep a high ideal for each sermon, and prepare through disciplined study, planning, and careful composition.
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Showing 9,081–9,100 of 22,007 items

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