nities that were maliciously put upon him; and even in his laft agonies pray for his murderers?

Thus it appears from the whole te nor of our Lord's conduct, that the temper of his mind was very unlike to that either of the Greek Philofopher, or Master of Ifrael: And therefore no wonder he should be defpifed and perfecuted by both; that the manner of his life, as well as the nature of his doctrines, fhould be to the one a ftumbling block, and to the other foolishness. For though in the reason of the thing there could be no better recommendation to any, especially a fpiritual, inftructor, than an humble and charitable difpofition'; yet partiality and worldly interest are implacable enemies to the truth, however graciously offered, or evidently displayed: And that wickedness in general is a caufe fufficient to produce infidelity, we have

the

the testimony of fcripture, of reason, and experience.

But to us, who are under none of the prejudices of Jew or Gentile; who profefs ourselves to be the followers of the meek and merciful Jefus; who know from whence he came, when he made his first humble appearance upon earth; and whither he is now afcended; who alfo expect him a fecond time in great majefty to judge the world: To us, I fay, how amiable are the leffons, how engaging the example of this divine Teacher who therefore humbled himfelf, that we might be exalted; who became poor, that we might be made rich; and who died once ignominiously, that we might live with Him for ever in glory.

And this brings me to the Second thing propofed; which was to confider the merits of our Bleffed Lord's preten

fions, or, in other words, the efficacy of his Doctrines, to give Rest to the Souls of Men. And here

2. Whoever allows himself leisure to reflect on the state of Religion and Morality in the world, before the coming of Chrift; that grofs ignorance, and corruption of manners, which had overspread the face of the whole earth; toge ther with that uncertainty and perplexity, in relation to truths of the greatest · confequence, that had taken poffeffion: of the best and most confidering part of mankind; muft needs be fatisfied of the neceffity of fome Revelation, in order to point out to men their duty; and alfo properly to encourage them in the purfuit of it.

The condition of the Gentiles is

every

where represented in Holy Scripture under the notion of darkness; And true it

is, that neither the light of nature, nor tradition, had influence fufficient to preferve the knowledge and worship of the one true God; but notwithstanding these the whole world was become idolatrous and desperately wicked. Nor were the utmost efforts of human reafon effectual to dispel this ignorance, or to heal this corruption. The original cause of fo univerfal a malady was full as little known to the wife and learned, as to the fimple and illiterate. It must indeed be granted, that many of the better fort faw, and perhaps fecretly lamented, the popular errors: To them alfo we owe this farther acknowledgment, that they have given us many excellent fayings for the conduct of human life. Yet after all, they did not generally oblige themselves to the practice of their own precepts; not having fufficient motives to that end: Much less had they any authority whereby they could charge them on the confciences

fciences of others. Befides, as many different Philofophers, fo many different schemes of duty: All of them of equal force with respect to the perfons who delivered them; and therefore none of them of force enough to oblige others. But allowing a compleat fyftem of morality to be formed from their feveral speculations; and that the reasonablenefs of living up to the fame appeared to every unprejudiced mind: Yet forafmuch as the paffions of men have a powerful influence over their actions, hardly to be restrained even by Christian faith; what arguments could they propofe of weight enough to counteract the affections and lufts of mankind, who were themselves fo little affured of the reality of a state of rewards and punishments in a life

to come?

Then, as to the doctrine of forgivenefs of fins upon repentance and amend

ment,