let us now think which is safest. For it is certainly SER M. most prudent to incline to the safest side of the ques

ř CCXXIV.

im tion. Supposing the reasons for, and against the principles of religion were equal, yet the danger and hazard is so unequal, as would sway a prudent man to the affirmative. Şuppose a man believe there is. no God, nor life after this; and suppose he be in the right, but not certain that he is (for that, I am sure, in this case is impossible) all the advantage he hath by this opinion, relates only to this world and this present time: for he cannot be the better for it when he is not. Now what advantage will it be to him in this life? he shall have the more liberty to do what he pleaseth; that is, it furnisheth him with a stronger temptation to be intemperate, and lustful, and unjust; that is, to do those things which preju

dice his body and health, which cloud his reason, - and darken his understanding, which will make him

enemies in the world, and will bring him into danger. So that it is no advantage to any man to be vicious : and yet this is the greatest use that is made of atheistical principles ; to comfort men in their vicious courses. But if thou hast a mind to be virtuous, and temperate, and just, the belief of the principles of religion will be no obstacle, but a furtherance to thee in this course. All the advantage a

man can hope for by disþeļieving the principles of reEligion, is to escape trouble and persecuction in this

world, which may happen to him on account of religion. But supposing there be a God, and a life af. ter this, then what a vast difference is there of the consequences of these opinions! as much as between finite and infinite, time and eternity.

Secondly, to persuade men to believe the scriptures, I only offer this ço men's consideration. If there be

SERM. a God, whose providence governs the world and all
CCXXIV.

the creatures in it, is it not reasonable to think that
he hath a particular care of men, the noblest part of
this visible world ? and seeing he hath made them
capable of eternal duration that he hath provided
for their eternal happiness, and sufficiently revealed
to them the way to it, and the terms and conditions
of it? Now let any man produce any book in the ci
world that pretends to be from God, and to do this;
that for the matter of it is so worthy of God, the
doctrines whereof are so ufeful, and the precepts so If
reasonable, and the arguments so powerful, the truth
of all which was confirmed by so many great and un-
questionable miracles, the relation of which hath been
transmitted to posterity in public and authentic re-
cords, written by those who were eye and ear wit-
nesses of what they wrote, and free from suspicion >
of any worldly interest and design ; let any produced
a book like this, in all these respects; and which,
over and besides, hath by the power and reasonable-
ness of the doctrines contained in it, prevailed so mi-
raculously in the world, by weak and inconsiderable
means, in opposition to all the wit and power of the
world, and under such discouragements, as no other
religion was ever assaulted with ; let' any man bring
forth such a book, and he hath my leave to believe
it as soon as the bible. But if there be none fuch, as
I am well assured there is not, then every one that
thinks God hath revealed himself to men, ought to
embrace and entertain the doctrine of the holy scrip
tures, as revealed by God.

· And now having presented men with such argu.
ments and considerations as are proper, and I think
sufficient to induce belief, I think it not unreasonable
to entreat and urge men diligently and impartially a

to

to consider these matters; and if there be weight in SER M. these considerations to sway reasonable men, that they.com

would not suffer themselves to be biaffed by preju2 dicé, or passion, or interest, to a contrary persuasion. . Thus much I may with reason defire of men : for

though mén cannot believe what they will, yet men

may (if they will) consider things feriously and im: partially, and yield or with-hold their assent, as

they shall see cause, after a thorough search and exa: mination. i If any man will offer a ferious argument against

any of the principles of religion, and will debate : the matter soberly, as one that considers the infi

nite consequences of things one way or other, and

would gladly be satisfied; he deserves to be heard 7. what he can say : but if a man will turn religion in: to raillery, and confute it by two or three bold jests ;

he doth not make religion, but himself ridiculous, in E the opinion of all confiderate men, because he sports e with his life. • ' E . So that it concerns every man that would not trifle

away his soul, and fool himself into irrecoverable mifery, with the greatest seriousness to enquire into these things, whether they be so or no, and patiently to con

sider the arguments that are brought for them. ' . And when you are examining these matters, do not $ take into consideration any sensual or worldly inter

elt; but deal fairly and impartially with yourselves Think with yourselves, that you have not the making of things true or false ; that the principles of religion are either true or false, before you think of them. The truth of things is already fixed; either there is a God, or no God; either your souls are immortal, or they are not; either the scriptures are a divine revelation, or an imposture; one of these is

certain

SER M. certain and necessary, and they are not pow to be CCXXIV,

altered. Things will not comply with your conceits, and bend themselves to your interests. Therefore do not think what you would have to be, bụt consider impartially what is *.

. And if upon enquiry, you be çonvinced that it is the greatest reason and prudence to believe that there is a God, and a future state, and that the scriptures are the word of God; then meditate much of these things; attend to the proper consequences of such a persuasion;' and resolve to live as becomes those who believe there is a God, and another life after this, and that it is best for you to obey the precepts of his word, being persuaded that whatever is there promised in case of obedience, or threatned in case of disobedience, will certainly be accomplished.

And labour to strengthen yourselves in this belief; because faith is the spring of all rational actions, and the root of all other graces; and according to the Itrength and weakness of faith, your holiness, and obe: dience, and graces will Aourish or decay.

And because the matters of faith do not fall under our senses, and the things of another world are invisible and at distance, and consequently not so apo to effect us, as present and visible things, we should take the more pains with ourselves, that by revolving frequently in our minds the thoughts of God, and representing to ourselves the happiness and misery of another world, they may have as great an effect upon us, as if they were present to us, and we saw them with our bodily eyes.

* Of this see more in the sermon above mentioned.

SER:

| SER MON CCXXV. . of the christian faith, the means of it's

conveyance, and our obligation to
receive it.

ex.

JOHN xx. 31.
But tbese are written, that ye might believe that Jesus

is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name. | Have largely discoursed concerning the general S ERM, I nature of faith, and more particularly concern- CCXXV. ing the faith which is truly divine and religious ; in The first the latitude of which is contained a persuasion con-fermon on cerning the principles of natural religion, the being of this e God, the immortality of the soul, and a future state ; and a persuasion of the divine revelation of the scriptures, and the matters contained in them. Now among matters of divine revelation, the doctrine of the gospel is a principal part ; which is the last and most perfect revelation which God hath made to the world, by his Son Jesus CHRIST; and a firm belief and persuasion of this is that which is called christian faith, or 6 the faith of the gospel ;” and which, by way of eminency, is usually called “ faith" in the new teftament..

Now christian faith is not opposed to a divine faith, but is comprehended under it; as being a principal and eminent part of divine faith, but not all that which may be called divine faith. Christian faith supposeth a belief of the principles of natural religi. on, and a belief of those revelations which God for

merly