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Opposed to the doctrine according to godlinefs are divifions and fchifm, pride and uncharitableness, contentions for forms at the expence of vital piety; for things indifferent at the expence of things effential; for human fyftems to the denial of the unalienable right of private judgment, and implicit invafion of the prerogative of the head of the church.

Oppofed to his doctrine are the pretenfions to private revelation, which bring the oracles of God to the standard of every vifionary. Thus a fight against God is maintained under a mifguided zeal for him.

As little do the feclufion and aufterities of a monaftic life accord with his religion who went about doing good.

Any doctrine that interferes with the order of fociety, with the duties of our relations and stations, is contrary to that of Chrift. This teaches to lead a quiet and peaceable life-to love our nation, and feek the good of Jerufalem-to cultivate the public, private and friendly affections, as they were confpicuous in the author of our religion.

Opposed to his religion is every doctrine of licentiousness-every doctrine addreffed to the prejudices, paffions and lufts of men-every doctrine which makes religion uncertain and mutable. Jefus Chrift is the fame yesterday, to-day, and forever. Truth is immutable. Godlinefs is the fame in all times and places. "The wrath of God is revealed againft all unright"eousness, and ungodlinefs of men." The grace of God teacheth to crucify the flesh, with the affections and lufts-to ftrive for the mastery of our appetites.

The view we have taken of the truth as it is in Jefus, the doctrines to be believed and their practical defign and influence, may fuffice for our propofed delineation of religion.

The true Chriftian knows what and why he worfhips. The love of God and friendship of Chrift teach him univerfal benevolence. He views with complacency all the followers of God and of his Son. He has meat to eat, of which the world is ignorant. He

learns obedience by all that he fuffers, as did the bleffed Jesus-never murmuring or defponding. He fees the beauty of holinefs, the deformity and malignity of fin; and his inward affection to the former, and abhorrence of the latter, correfpond to the nature of them. The administration of God is contemplated, not with acquiefcence merely, but with delight. Obferving the works and ways of God, his fervent prayer is, Thy will be done. This is godlinefs.

If the view we have taken of Christianity be juft, then doubtless this counfel is of God. No other could have exhibited the glorious harmony of his holiness, juftice and mercy. No other could have laid fuch a foundation for the restoration of apoftates. No other could give the peace which paffeth all understanding. No other could fupply with ftrength against fin. No other could give the lively hope of eternal life. How neceffary, how ufeful and important the doctrine of Chrift? No man ever fpake as he fpake. Could he have done the works he did, if he were not a divine perfon? Could he otherwise have foreseen and foretold the various events, which came to pafs according to his declaration, refpecting himself and his religion and disciples?-refpecting the temple and city of Je rufalem, and the people of the Jews?--Therefore,

Secondly, we ought to give diligent and earnest heed to his doctrine. By receiving the record which God hath given of his Son, we fet to our feal that God is true. "We receive the witness of men: The witness of "God is greater." We receive his witness, when the gofpel worketh effectually in us. Believers on the Son of God have the witness in themselves, in the fanctifying influence of the gofpel. Their converfation in heaven is a good exemplification of their faith. A religion, which has fuch effect on its difciples, is manifefted to be the doctrine according to godlinefs.

Thirdly, if the converfation of any profeffors is not as becometh the gofpel, let the reproach fall on them,

and not on their profeffion. Did they walk worthy of their vocation, they would put to filence the ignorance of foolish men. That the name of Chrift and his doctrine are reviled through them is for a lamentation. This is their condemnation. For "the foundation of "God ftandeth fure, having this feal, The Lord know"eth them that are his. And, Let every one that “nameth the name of Chrift depart from iniquity."

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Would we, who profefs godliness, act up to this profeffion, let us reverence Jefus as fent of God, and feparate ourselves from fuch as treat him with indifference and with fcorn. "What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what "communion hath light with darkness?" The afferters of the fufficiency of the light of nature, the revilers of the gofpel, would be thought to have an improved tafte, a correct and enlarged mind. The gofpel has enlightened mankind fitting in darkness, without hope, thinking the Godhead to be like unto gold, or filver, or ftone, or wood, graven by art and man's device. To whom but Chrift, the light of the world, is it owing that the fame ignorance on moral and religious fubjects does not prevail in the prefent time throughout Chriftendom? Or whence is it, that the infidel has now a better understanding on fuch fubjects? He will not ask nor receive counsel from God only wife-will not acknowledge that he is obliged to Christianity for the light it has given him. Those who have no fenfe of the fall, corruption and imbecility of human nature-who fee no need of a Redeemer to atone for man's guilt, or of fupernatural affiftance to fet him free from the defilement of it-who truft in themselves that they are righteous, and will not fubmit to the righteoufnefs of God, which is by faith of Jefus Chrift, cherish vain imaginations. "Thou fayeft, I am rich, and increased with goods, "and have need of nothing; and knoweft not that "thou art wretched, and miferable, and poor, and

"blind, and naked." The fick nigh unto death, and yet imagining themselves in found health, are not more difordered in their natural understanding, than finners are in a moral fenfe, if they think themselves just persons. The first thing requifite in the religion of guilty, condemned, helpless creatures is to be fen, fible of their condition.

To us the gospel is preached, whether we will hear or forbear. What may be thought of the piety or virtue of any who have not heard of Chrift is not the enquiry for fuch as have heard of him: But what must be thought of the piety or virtue of the latter, if they will not receive HIM, though his miffion has fimilar proof to that which we have for the existence and providence of God.

What doctrine did Jefus teach? What precepts did. he give? How did he live? All that he taught and enjoined, all that his own example enforced, is according to godlinefs. His religion is practical throughout : A practical faith or affent is the condition of it: Its great design is to call all men to repentance; to make them holy as God is holy, and thus meet for the enjoyment of him. The grace of the gospel reftores the dominion of righteousness. The believer, the penitent, yields himself to God as one alive from the dead. Being made free from fin, and become fervants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

SERMON II.

AN ENQUIRY ABOUT ETERNAL LIFE.

MARK X. 17.

AND WHEN HE WAS GONE FORTH INTO THE WAY, THERE CAME ONE RUNNING, AND KNEELING TO HIM, AND ASKED HIM, GOOD MASTER, WHAT SHALL I DO THAT I MAY INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE?

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THE confideration of this question will afford

useful instruction, first, in its immediate reference to the character and circumftances of the perfon who propofed it. Secondly, as an enquiry of univerfal

concern.

FIRST, With reference to the person who propofed it.

Three evangelifts, Matthew, Mark and Luke, have related the ftory of this young man's application to Chrift: They all introduce it upon the occafion of young children being brought to Chrift for his bleffing. The difciples reproved those who brought them; but HE, approving of their being brought, was dif pleased with the disciples, and faid, "Suffer the little "children to come unto me, and forbid them not; "for of fuch is the kingdom of God. Verily I fay "unto you, Whofoever fhall not receive the kingdom "of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. "And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and bleffed them." St. Luke introduces

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