SERMON I. 12 THE POWER OF MAN TO DO THE WILL OF GOD. MARK xiv. 8. She hath done what she could. Most of the errors of the theological kind, which have been in the world, in former or later times, have originated from wrong conceptions of the Deity. When these have been radically wrong, they have been nearly as bad, if not worse, than atheism. We had better have no God, than one who is partial, unjust, severe, and cruel. The heathen, in general, say but little about the love of God; for their gods were such, as made it impossible for their votaries to love them. There was nothing truly amiable in them: If they had some good qualities, yet there was such a mixture of bad ones, as made them objects of detestation, rather than of affection. The worship, which the heathen paid their gods, proceeded from fear; and their fear was more of the slavish, than of the filial kind. Power they supposed belonged to them; but being destitute of benevolence, they dreaded their displeasure, and took such measures, as superstition directed, to appease their wrath and to secure their favour. To do this, the most cruel and barbarous usages were frequently found among them. Human sacrifices were supposed to be the most acceptable offerings: the most beloved objects frequently suffered the most painful and ignominious death. It is evident to those, who are best acquainted with pagan writers, that the world by wisdom knew not God; nor is it probable that they or we ever should have known him, if it had not been for that revelation, which he has been pleased to give us of himself. It is by,. what many called, the foolishness of preaching, that he means to save them that believe. If christians have better apprehensions of the blessed God, than other men, it is principally owing to the gospel with which they are fa |