Truth and Divinity of the Gofpel were infallibly demonftrated; it follows, that we have likewise unexceptionable Evidence of the Truth and Divinity of the Gofpel.

BUT the Gofpel, how true foever it may be, can faye none but those to whom it is known. Wherefore in order to its being an efficacious Means of Salvation, it is neceffary,

Thirdly, THAT fufficient Provifion be made for the due Publication of it. SOUR Lord himself during his Abode on Earth preach'd the Kingdom of God among his Countrymen the Jews; and after his Refurrection he commiffioned his Apoftles to go forth every where, and to make Disciples of all Nations. In the Execution of this Commiffion, They and their Companions and Scholars, tho' for the most part mean and illiterate Perfons, fucceeded to Admiration. By the Gift of Tongues they were on a fudden enabled to proclaim the glad Tidings of Salvation, and the Terms of it, in all the then known Regions of the Earth. Their

D 3

SERM.

II.

The

Their Teaching, it is true, was not with
the enticing Words of Man's Wifdom
but inartificial, plain and familiar; with-
out the Affiftances and Ornaments of
Learning and Elocution, accommodated
to the Understandings of all.
Things which they taught were of uni-
verfal Concernment; wherefore it was
proper and needful that they fhould be
made eafy and clear to the Apprehen-
fions of all Their Perfons,
and their
Doctrine and their Method of Teaching
it, were by thofe who were highly con-
ceited of their own Wifdom, treated with
Contempt and Scorn. But the Event
was, that incredible Numbers of all Sorts
and Degrees of Men in all Places were
foon reclaim'd from Idolatry and all
manner of Vice, to the Worship of the
One True God, and the Practice of
Virtue.

ALL the Philofophers together were
to
never abi
to make any confiderable Pro-
grefs in Reforming the World. Their
Philofophy was for the most part very
abftruse and remote from common Ap-
prehenfions,

ར་མ

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བགའ

prehenfions, conceal'd under many Terms of Art, the diftinct Meaning of which was not eafily known, dedue'd by very fubtil Reasonings, and perplex'd with many nice and intricate Queftions, which were of little ufe in Morality, and of which the Vulgar were not competent Judges. Only Men of Parts and Learning, and a great deal of Leifure, were qualified for the Study of it. The reft, who are always by far the greatest Part of Mankind, had neither Abilities nor Opportunity to enquire into it. So that very few in comparison were, or poffibly could be benefited by it. But what the Philofophers with all their Learning and Oratory, and Arts of Reafoning could not effect, That the fimple Fishermen in Oppofition to them accomplish'd at once, by what was called the Foolishness of Preaching; that it might appear, that the Religion which they taught was no Impofture, but of Divine Original; and that the Prevalence of it was owing to the Power of God, and not to the Wif dom of Men.

38

SERM.

II.

SERM.

II.

MOREOVER, For the fecure tranfmitting the Doctrine of the Gofpel pure and entire to after Ages, the Apoftles and Evangelifts committed it to Writing, in the Books of the New Testament; wherein all Things neceffary to be Believ'd in order to Salvation, together with the Duties of the Chriftian Religion, and the Motives by which they are enforced, are delivered with great Plainnefs indeed, in condefcention to the meaneft Capacities, but withal with that Solemnity, Weight and Authority, as are hardly to be met with in other Books, and cannot fail of making a deep Impreffion on all intelligent and fober-minded Perfons. And they established a fuccef five Order of Men, whofe peculiar Bufinefs it should be to propagate the Religion which they planted, from Generation to Generation.

ON them it is incumbent to declare unto Mankind all the Counsel of God, and to keep back from them nothing that is profitable. To communicate to them the whole Body of faving Truths, not s only

II.

only entire, but uncorrupt and unmixt with any thing that might hinder their SERM. falutary Effect; to explain to them these Things in a manner fuitable to their Capacities; frequently to inculcate them upon those who already know them, and to press them to an answerable Practice. To perfuade, to entreat, to exhort, to encourage, to terrify, to admonish, to warn, to charge and to teftify. To fupport the Weak, to comfort the Feebleminded, to ftir up the Drowfy and Negligent, to confirm the Irrefolute and Unfetled, to refolve Doubts, to remove Objections, to convince Gainfayers, and to reprove and bring back thofe who are out of the Way. To be constant and diligent, and ferious and earneft in doing thefe Offices; to be inftant in Season, out of Seafon, with Meeknefs and long Suffering, and with all Authority. Finally, to fhine themfelves as Lights in the World, to guide them who are under their Care by their Example as well as by their Teaching, and to go before them in the Way to Salvation.

A