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through the whole Christian world, in all periods, down from that time to the present. Moreover, Christ himself ordained Apostles and other ministers to administer those sacraments, and to govern his church. Accordingly, an order of ministers has continued, from the commencement to this day; so that the Christian ministry is, and always hath been, as notorious, in point of fact, as the tribe of Levi among the Jews. But if the Gospel history and doctrines had been invented in some ages after Christ, then at the time of the invention there could have been no such observances as Baptism and the Lord's Supper; there could have been no such order of clergy or ministers, as are said to have been derived from the institution of Christ, and to have descended from that time without interruption; a circumstance that would at once have demonstrated the whole to have been false: for as it was impossible there could have been any such things before they were invented; so it is as impossible they could have been received and credited when they were invented; for every one must have known, from his own observation and experi

ence, that no such order of clergy had existed; and that no such observances as Baptism and the Lord's Supper had prevailed: thence it follows, that it was as impossible to have imposed these facts upon mankind in after ages, as it would have been to have made persons believe that they saw the miracles of Christ, and were parties concerned in them, if they were not: and hence, on the one hand, we are preserved from any cheat or imposture at the time the facts occurred; and, on the other hand, we are secured against any imposition in after ages; in other words, it is proved to a demonstration, that the miracles of Christ, considered as matters of fact, are true; and, therefore, that we must come to the same conclusion with the ruler of the Jews, that our blessed Saviour was a divine teacher; that no man could have done the miracles which he did, except God had been with him; and, therefore, that the Christian religion hath come to us supported by such divine sanctions as to make it evident, that it is indeed, and in truth, a revelation from God.

From what hath been advanced, I shall beg to offer a few remarks. And first, I would

direct your minds to the importance of the

subject we have discussed.

Let us consider, merely a matter of indifference or of small importance. Our most essential interests, my brethren, for time and for eternity are at stake. If the Gospel be true and divine, to reject it would not only be infinitely hazardous, but must involve us in the deepest guilt, and expose us to the greatest danger. If, in fact, it should be found, that we have rejected a revelation from God, confirmed by the clearest and most illustrious attestations; that we have refused the testimony which God hath given of his Son; have poured contempt on the Saviour, whom in his infinite wisdom and love he hath provided for us; that we have slighted the authority of his laws, and the aids of his Holy Spirit; that we have despised all gracious promises and invitations, and set at nought his awful threatenings; surely we have the most alarming reason to apprehend the severest effects of insulted mercy; a punishment as awful as our guilt is great. Whatever favourable allowance may be made to those who have never heard of the

that the case before us is not

Gospel, or who have never had it taught in; its purity; it is plain, from the whole tenor of scripture, that those to whom it is clearly published, who have its evidence plainly laid before them, and yet notwithstanding shut their eyes against this heavenly light, and despise the salvation it offers, can have neither safety nor hope. Let us then, my brethren, beware of indifference, and of unbelief. Let us examine, and search the scripture, that we may receive it, not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God. And should we at first meet with difficulties, as may justly be expected in writings so ancient, which relate to circumstances and events so remote, let us not be discouraged. By a careful considering and comparing the scriptures themselves, and by making a proper use of the helps that are afforded us, these difficulties will gradually diminish, the study of the word of God will become daily more interesting and delightful z and if we unite prayer and faith, and an humble and obedient mind with these our inquiries, we may rest assured that we shall arrive at all that is necessary for us to know, and to believe,

and to practise for our present and for our future welfare.

Finally, it is to be hoped that what hath been advanced will tend to convince us, that our faith standeth upon too firm and sure a foundation to be shaken either by the malice or the subtility of its ablest adversaries. It is, therefore, peculiarly incumbent upon all, who bear the name of Christians, at all times, but more especially in times like the present, in which so strange an eagerness hath prevailed to subvert the credit and authority of the Gospel, to take the most effectual methods, by a well directed zeal, to maintain and to promote it. Much, it is true, hath been done by argument; but this, my brethren, is not all that is necessary. A merely notional and speculative belief of Christianity will be but of small avail. The principal care of those who profess it should be, that their hearts and their lives should be so brought under its divine influence, that it may not merely be an outward form, but a living principle, full of life and power; promoting real holiness of heart and life, and enabling us "So to let our light shine before men, that they may see our good works, and

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