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fhall the Foundations of the Earth be out SERM. of Course, than that the Word of God fhall ceafe to be the Word of Truth.

As we cannot question the Veracity of the Deity without difputing his very Existence, we must be as abfolutely fure of all Matters written under the Direction of his Holy Spirit, as of Things moft evident; what we clearly perceive after Search fincerely made into the facred Oracles, to be there affirmed unconditionally and unexceptionably, we may and must rely entirely on the Certainty of it; nor can it be thought a Reflection on our Understanding to embrace any Article of Divine Revelation, folely on the Authority of the Revealer, without our feeing into the Ground and Reafon of it, which may in fome Points be impoffible, in others improper: But it is the strongest Argument of an impious Distrust to reject it.

BESIDES, as this Knowledge of Chrift Jefus is altogether certain, fo is it exceedingly beneficial.

Ir muft, indeed be allowed, that no human good Literature is without its Ufe and Advantage either to private Perfons or publick Societies; and what is more, where it is

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SERM. not fpoiled by Vanity or a Fondnefs of beI. ing wife above what is written, it is very ferviceable alfo for the right understanding of the holy Scriptures themselves, and fo tends to even the Knowledge of Chrift.

ALL folid Learning, of what Kind foever helps in its Proportion to raise, refine, and enlarge our Minds, and to render us more capable of attending to fpiritual Objects. However, let it be esteemed never fo highly at prefent, unless it leads us on from temporal to eternal Concerns, it will stand us in no Stead at laft. For what if we were skilled in all Arts, Sciences and Languages, and could manage them to the most beneficial Purposes? What, if we could argue with all the Skill and Sophistry that ever Men did? What, if we could dive into the abftrufeft Secrets of Nature, and fee into the Springs and Movements of all fecond Caufes? Yet, without Chrift, we fhould be but undone for ever: There is no other Way to be refcued from everlafting Death, than by him; the whole of our Deliverance from firft to laft is begun, continued, and finished in him; neither can we take one right, fecure Step towards Heaven, whilft we are ignorant of him and of his heavenly Doctrine.

BUT

BUT that our Knowledge of Christ may have Salvation for its End, it must have Sanctification for its Means: It is by the Way of Holinefs, that it conducts us to Happiness: And that we may be able both to fee and to practise the Things which make for our Peace, the Gofpel fets forth to us the most perfect Rules, illuftrates them by the most confummate Example, and promotes their Obfervance by the most powerful Supports. So that St. Peter had abundant Reason to fuppofe, that it is through the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift, Men efcape, or have the Power to escape, the Pollutions of the World (x), fince by it we are inftructed how to mortify our corrupt Affections, fo as to walk in newness of Life,---how to refift the Devil, fo as to make him flee from us,---how to continue ftedfaft in the Faith, fo as to make our Calling and Election fure.

LASTLY, To have a full View of the Excellency of this Knowledge, to its Ufefulness let us add the Delightfulness of it. How infipid foever it may be reckoned by the Profane and Senfual, yet to the SpirituallyD 3 minded

(x) 2 Pet. ii. 20.

SERM.

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SERM minded, who have tafted thereof, it is found

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fo fweet, that they cannot relish any other Entertainments like it. They long more and more for it, and think, they have never enough. As the Hart panteth after the Water-brooks, fo thirfteth their Mind after this Divine Fountain of Truth and . Purity.

NUMEROUS are the Refearches into Nature and Art, with which we may please our Imaginations, but this alone into the Mystery of Godlinefs can delight and fatisfy our Souls. For whatever elfe we may know or be ignorant of, we must be fenfible, that we are Sinners; and if fuch, then liable to the Wrath of Almighty God, and to all the Curfes and Judgments, he has threatened against Sinners: The ferious Thoughts whereof muft make the ftouteft Hearts to tremble, in spite of all their Refolution, and in the Midft of all their Self-fufficiency.

And where fhall we look for Comfort and Support under the Frowns of an angry God? We may hunt for it far and wide among the Creatures; but fhall never find it, fave in Jefus Chrift, and him crucified. On no other Ground can we warrantably

build our Hope of Pardon, and Acceptance, SERM. and eternal Life. And they, who do, when I. they reflect upon themfelves, upon their great Demerit, and upon what a precarious Footing they reft, by prefuming on God's Mercy to the Prejudice of his Holiness, Wisdom, and Justice, must be fcar'd with the frightful Apprehenfions of that Judgment and fiery Indignation, which will at laft devour them.

IT is, as St. Paul expreffes it (y) in the Face of Jefus Chrift, whofe Perfon is the exact Image of the Divine Effence, and Doctrine the perfect Refcript of the Divine Will, that we attain to the Knowledge of the Glory of God manifefted in the Salvation of Man. And to difcern, that he was delivered for our Offences, and is our Advocate with the Father, appearing continually the in Prefence of God on our Behalf,---on the Behalf of all true believing Penitents, muft fill our Hearts with the moft fubftantial Joy,---Joy! which no Man can take from us,---which let us not deprive ourselves of by any Corruption of Mind or Manners,--and which, let us pray God to communicate to the whole World, by filling it with the Knowledge

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(2 Cor. iv. 6.

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