Christ, to make men wife unto falvation, that SER M. they may first be induced to believe, and that, XV. believing, they may have life. It is not indeed to be expected that men of ordinary capacities should enter into the depths and niceties of every controverfy, that may be moved by men of wit and penetration: But it concerns them, however, to be able to give fome fenfible account, and reafon of the hope that is in them. If they expect redemption by the facrifice of Chrift, they should, by frequent reading of the fcriptures, attending feriously to the devotions of the Church, and fuch other helps as God's providence fhall furnish them withal, take care to be thoroughly inftructed in this important doctrine of Redemption. The dignity and power of our Redeemer ; the value of his facrifice, the efficacy of his merit, and the greatnefs of his love; the equitable conditions he requires from us, (namely, an earnest repentance, a lively faith, and active obedience, proceeding from a strong, and grateful fense of this his loving-kindness towards us) the means he has provided to aflift, and enable us to perform thefe conditions, namely, by sending his Holy Spirit to renew and fanctify our minds, that, from children of wrath and difobedience, we may become the fons. of God: the glorious confequences of fuch privilege to us, (namely, the pardon of our fins, deliverance from punishment, and in

heritance

SERM. heritance of everlasting felicity :) All these XV. are themes of meditation, which deferve

to be often recollected by us, that we may be perfectly rooted and built up in them. The daily devotions of the Church will be perpetually calling them to mind; and it is the happiness of our Communion, that we cannot regard its offices with any due attention, but we must have frequent occafions to confirm and eftablish us in the faith of Chrift.

Befides the reading of the Scriptures in the daily Leffons, and the appointment of felect Paffages for the Epiftles and Gofpels, upon ftated Fafts and Festivals: Befides the monthly reading through the Pfalms of David, and the occafional Pfalms and Hymns, which are beautifully difperfed throughout the feveral Offices: Befides all this, I fay, (which is one great method of inftruction) the very form and ftyle of our Liturgy is fuch, as cannot but inculcate and enforce the most important doctrines and duties of Religion.

We are thereby reminded of the corrup tion of our nature, and our own inability to cleanfe and purge it: We are taught to bewail our vilenefs and depravity, and inftructed in the only method of recovery; that ftupendous falvation which is wrought by Christ, and thofe gracious influences which are purchased and difpenfed by him. The mercy of God, the merit and digni

ty

ty of our Redeemer, are the conftant to-S ER M, pics from whence we urge and enforce our XV. Supplications, and not from any worthiness of our own, or right to the Divine Favour, The temporal bleffings of this life are acknowledged to proceed from the fame fpring and fountain; when we either give God thanks for the enjoyment of them, or humble ourselves in the time of their fufpenfion. And all this naturally leads to that humility of spirit, and that awful reverence for God, which are the greatest inftances of Faith and Obedience, and have the strongest tendency to keep our minds in fubjection to the whole law.

Again, the love of brethren is naturally founded in the love of God; and the fame is likewise very clearly fuggefted, when we extend our prayers to the whole race of mankind, and more especially to those who are received into the fame fellowship with ourfelves. And, if we would defcend to particular branches of this duty, they are oftentimes fuggefted in the forms we use, to ask for the fùpply of our neceffities. The duty of the magiftrate, to promote God's honour in the publick welfare, is clearly pointed out, when he is reminded whofe minifter he is; and the duty of the people, to render him all chearful homage and obedience, is likewife pointed out, when they are reminded whofe authority he hath. So again, the duties both of clergy.

and

SERM. and people, are very eafy to be gathered XV. from thofe petitions they are taught to offer → up for one another. And, for the juft demeancur of ourfelves in every relation, we have frequent and pertinent inducements fet before us, in the very Form of thefe expreffions, whereby we fue for the Divine aid and affistance for that purpose. So that our liturgy cannot be obferved with a due heed and attention, but it will certainly confirm us in the jufteft notions both of God and ourfalves, and excite us, from thence, to a punctual and regular difcharge of duty. From all which we may perceive the great advantage of attending its offices with fre quency, and recollecting the doctrines fuggefted by them, with care and diligence.

After this we fhall not cafily be thaken or moved with every wind of doctrine, and though there may be fubtilties proposed by men of art and fophiftry, which persons of an ordinary capacity cannot immediately res folve, yet fo long as they are well grounded in the main heads and fubftance of Religion, they are not to be startled with eve ry fhew of an objection: But, if any thing should strike so deep, as to give them real uneasiness, there is yet a

5. Fifth rule to be prefcribed in the cafe, and that is, that they should confult their fpiritual guide in difficulties of this nature, and provide for the peace of their own! minds, by the help of his more discreet

and

and experienced judgment, it being (as the SER M. verfes before the Text acquaint us) the de- XV. clared end of God's appointing the Pasto ral office in his church, that we may all reach to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God. And here again, give me leave to applaud the wif dom of our church, in recommending this method as the best expedient, for "quiet"ing our confciences, and avoiding of all "scruple and doubtfulness." Though all men are not abliged to ftudy controversy, nor confequently all thofe points of learning which are neceffary to that purpose; yet there are fome whofe office, to inftruct others, does oblige them to be more converfant in fuch enquiries: and to them, in fuch proportion as God's Providence has dispersed them in his church, the people fhould apply for refolution of their difficulties, and a proper fatisfaction as to those particulars in which they are not able to fatisfy themselves. In many cafes it will be eafy for them to difcern the ground of thofe folutions when given by another, which they would never have been able to difcover for themselves. Or, if the matter be entirely above their reach, they may then fafely fufpend their judgment, or acquiefce in that of their Paftors, and rest affured, that God will not require, of them fuch degrees of knowledge as are utterly

beyond