ment, the only folid foundation for peace and comfort to the guilty foul; this is a truth by no means afcertainable in a state of nature; because every thinking man must see that repentance hath nothing in itself available to take away the inherent finfulness of fin, and render a past tranfgreffion as though it had never been committed.

If from the Pagan world we turn our eyes upon the people of the Jews; still the profpect of spiritual rest is distant and clouded. It is true, it pleased Almighty God, left his name fhould be utterly loft amongst men, to select to himself a National Church: And therefore it seemed expedient to his divine wisdom to prescribe them certain laws and rules, how they ought to regulate their own demeanor, and his worship and fervice. But the Mofaical œconomy being only fubfervient and preparatory

to

to that more glorious difpenfation to be introduced by the Meffias; it confifted chiefly in carnal and typical ordinances; fuch as, the Apostle tells us, could not 'make them who did the fervice perfect, as pertaining to the confcience; and fuch as he elsewhere calls weak and beggarly elements, when compared with the maturity, the freedom, and spiritual excellence of the gofpel.-In fhort, true Religion was among the Jews fo veiled under figure, oppreffed with ceremony, and fupplanted by tradition; that to the generality, who looked not beyond the letter, but rested in the outward performance, there could arise from so shadowy an institution little rational fatisfaction, and well grounded confidence. How much foever they might boast in having Abraham to their Father; in being the favourites of Heaven; in the exactness of their oblations, and multitude of their facrifices; yet true reft to the foul, in

full

full affurance of life and immortality, was reserved for the glad tidings of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Through Him alone it is that men are happily poffeffed of a confiftent and perfect rule of their duty: One great end of whofe coming into the world was, that he might make known unto us the whole will of his Father. The Law of Nature long defaced, is now bẹcome plain and legible in every one's own breaft; cleared alike from Heathen darkness and Pharifaical fuperftition. So truly was the preaching of the gospel, in this fenfe alfo, both a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of God's People Ifrael. There is indeed no one focial virtue, nor any thing that ferves to promote the peace, the honour, the interests of mankind, but the laws of Christ have an unerring tendency to maintain and further. And though (fuch

(such is the perverseness of man) the good effects of these wholesome laws are not altogether fo vifible in the world; yet is this no argument against the virtue of them, if duly applied: For, did men but act up to the principles of Christianity, the many prophetical promises concerning the peaceable and happy times of the Meffiah would be fignally accomplished. How greatly foever we may suffer ourselves to be misled by prejudice or paffion, Chrift is affuredly the door, the way, and the life. The whole duty of man in every relation he can poffibly stand engaged towards his God, his fellow-creatures, and himself, is by his doctrine and his authority pointed out to every apprehenfion : Ignorance can be no longer a cloak for fin, nor want of light any juftifiable excuse for works of darkness. And this is a truth so apparent, and which bears fo hard upon the confciences of all; that those

who

who do not live conformably to the precepts of the gospel, nay, even those who deny it to be divinely inspired, are yet obliged to acknowledge the purity and perfection of it's morals.

Add to this, that Christianity does not only prescribe the most perfect rules for our conduct, but also enforces thofe rules with the most prevailing motives and generous encouragements; fuch as must affect every difpofition; and fuch as no human power could ever have offered, much lefs fulfilled. It must be owned that virtue, however amiable to cool and deliberate minds, has not charms enough in itself to biafs the affections of the multitude; and few men are frightened out of their lufts and paffions by the bare deformity of vice. But what more cogent motives than thefe could mere reafon have fuggefted with any affurance, or upon any foundation? Whereas the propofals