Richard Adams's sermon titled "Of Hell" (subtitled in some editions as "The Wicked Shall Depart from Christ into the Greatest Torments") was preached in May 1659. Context & Publication Series Origin: It was delivered as part of The Morning Exercise Methodized, a series of 28 sermons organized by Thomas Case and preached at St. Giles in the Fields, London, in May 1659. First Publication: The collection was published in 1660 as a systematic overview of Christian doctrine. Text & Topic: Preached on Matthew 25:41 ("Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels"), the sermon provides an exposition of eternal punishment, distinguishing between the pœna damni (the pain of loss) and pœna sensûs (the pain of sense).

This sermon concludes a five-week series on God's blessing of America by examining the biblical and historical context of slavery. The preacher argues that while Scripture does not explicitly forbid the institution of slavery, it strictly prohibits man-stealing and enslavement through commands to love neighbors and follow Christ's example of humility. By analyzing historical documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Confederate Constitution, the speaker distinguishes between the sinful origins of the American South and the biblical foundations laid by early separatists and Puritans that led to abolition. The central message emphasizes that true faith results in the abolition of oppression and calls for a modern spiritual revival to address contemporary moral crises.

This sermon emphasizes the vital duty of church members to engage in continual, fervent prayer for their pastors, framing it as a spiritual necessity rooted in Scripture and theological principle. Drawing from the writings of John Owen and key New Testament passages—including Ephesians, Colossians, and Paul's personal appeals— it underscores that pastoral ministry is a weighty, divinely commissioned work involving the eternal destinies of souls, facing spiritual opposition, and aiming at the glory of God. The sermon argues that such prayer is not optional but essential, as it supports pastors with divine strength, protection, and effectiveness, and is reciprocated by the pastors' own intercession for the congregation. It further highlights that the failure of ministry is not merely a personal shortcoming but a corporate judgment on the church, while also affirming that the pastor's need for prayer is ultimately for the spiritual good of the flock, not self-preservation. The call is clear: members are to pray persistently, specifically, and with holy urgency, recognizing that their prayers are a vital, active participation in the church's mission and spiritual health.

The sermon centers on the biblical imperative for church members to observe and imitate the godly lives of their pastors, provided that those pastors themselves are walking in the ways of Jesus Christ. Drawing from John Owen's teachings and multiple New Testament passages—including 1 Corinthians, Philippians, and 1 Peter—it emphasizes that pastoral leadership is not merely about doctrine but about embodied discipleship, where conduct, character, and consistency in faith serve as a living example for the congregation. The preacher underscores that while pastors are imperfect, their lives should reflect Christ's holiness, humility, and self-denial, and their moral integrity is essential for both spiritual influence and credibility. The ultimate motivation for such a life is not personal honor but the glory of God, and the congregation is called to respond with love, grace, and discernment, recognizing their pastors' lives as a means of grace to encourage holiness and perseverance in the Christian journey.

The sermon presents holiness as a vital, non-negotiable expression of the Christian life, rooted in God's own holy character and essential for the health of the church, the conviction of unbelievers, and the glory of the gospel. Drawing from key biblical texts—including Exodus 19, Leviticus 19, 1 Peter, and the Sermon on the Mount—it emphasizes that believers are called to be a holy nation, a royal priesthood, and a light to the world, not by moral performance alone, but by the transformative power of grace. The central message is that holiness is both a divine imperative and a human responsibility, grounded in the work of Christ, and it serves as a living testimony that convicts the lost, edifies the church, and reflects God's moral beauty. The sermon underscores that ungodly living harms the church's witness, brings reproach to God's name, and jeopardizes eternal destiny, while godliness brings present joy, future reward, and the fulfillment of God's redemptive purpose. Ultimately, holiness is not a burden but a joyful response to grace, made possible by the Spirit and aimed at conforming believers to the image of Christ.

The sermon centers on the biblical mandate for Christian mutual accountability, emphasizing that believers are called to lovingly watch over one another's lives, gently warn against sinful behavior, and, when necessary, bring unresolved issues to the church for communal discernment. Rooted in Scripture from Leviticus to James, it presents admonition not as harsh judgment but as an act of grace, essential for preserving holiness, restoring broken relationships, and reflecting Christ's love within the church. The teaching draws heavily from Matthew 18's three-step process of private confrontation, witness-bearing, and church involvement, affirming that discipline is a communal duty—not merely an ecclesiastical formality. It underscores that all believers, not just leaders, are equipped by the Spirit to engage in this practice with humility, gentleness, and a heart for restoration. Ultimately, the sermon portrays church discipline as a vital mark of a faithful, holy community, necessary for spiritual health and witness in the world.

This sermon emphasizes the vital Christian duty of corporate intercession when any church member faces distress, persecution, or affliction, framing it as a natural outflow of the spiritual unity believers share in Christ. Rooted in Scripture—particularly Acts 12, Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and 2 Thessalonians 3—the teaching underscores that the church, as the body of Christ, is called to respond not merely with sympathy but with fervent, earnest prayer that reflects their shared identity in Christ. The preacher highlights that this practice is not optional but essential, as it fulfills God's will, exalts the gospel, preserves the church, fosters conformity to Christ's sufferings, and deepens the inestimable blessings of genuine fellowship. By praying for one another in trials, the church demonstrates that their spiritual union—grounded in redemption and the Holy Spirit—is nobler and more enduring than any natural bond, and thus demands active, sacrificial care and prayer for every member in affliction.

This sermon centers on the biblical imperative for humility and impartiality within the church, calling believers to reject favoritism and instead condescend to the weakest brother by performing even the least service for the good of fellow believers. Grounded in Christ's example—particularly His foot-washing in John 13 and His teaching in Matthew 20—this ethic of service is rooted in the radical spiritual equality found in Christ, where distinctions of wealth, status, gender, or social standing are nullified. The Apostle Paul's exhortations in Romans 12 and Galatians 3, along with James's warning against partiality, underscore that all believers are equally heirs of God's promise and members of one body, united by faith, grace, and shared hope. The sermon emphasizes that true greatness in the church is not found in position or prestige, but in selfless, Spirit-enabled service, motivated by Christ's sacrifice, God's impartial character, and the shared spiritual inheritance of all believers. Ultimately, the local church is called to embody a community where no one is neglected, and every member—regardless of outward differences—is valued and served with love and humility.

This sermon emphasizes the critical Christian duty to discern and avoid false teachers and heretical teachings, grounded in the biblical mandate to preserve the unity and purity of the church. Drawing from Owen's rule on avoiding causes of division, it underscores that believers must vigilantly identify and shun those who promote doctrines contrary to Scripture, including seducers, false prophets, and proponents of movements like Socinianism, Quakerism, and Roman Catholicism, whose teachings undermine core Christian truths. The sermon highlights key biblical passages—from Deuteronomy's warning against false prophets to Paul's exhortations in Romans, 1 Timothy, and 2 John—that consistently command believers to test teachings by apostolic doctrine, reject those who divide through pride and flattery, and avoid those who promote easy salvation or personal gain. It stresses that this discernment requires a deep, practiced engagement with Scripture, a commitment to God-ordained teaching authority, and awareness of the deceptive tactics of false teachers, who often appear in sheep's clothing with smooth speech and appeals to popular desires. Ultimately, the call is to remain rooted in the revealed Word, to reject all that contradicts it, and to protect the church from the spiritual harm caused by unorthodox and divisive teachings.

This sermon centers on the biblical mandate for believers to voluntarily and proportionally share their material resources with those in genuine need, grounded in the principle that all possessions are entrusted by God for the common good. Drawing from Scripture—Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Proverbs, Isaiah, Romans, and the Pauline epistles—it emphasizes that generosity must be motivated by love, faith, and a heart that delights in giving, not obligation, and is to be discerning, meeting actual necessities while considering both the recipient's need and the giver's ability. The church is called to steward resources through organized means like the diaconate, yet also to practice private charity, reflecting Christ's self-giving love and affirming the unity of the body of Christ. Ultimately, such giving is not merely a moral duty but a spiritual act that pleases God, testifies to the gospel's power, and reflects eternal priorities, as every act of kindness toward a fellow believer is seen as done to Christ Himself.