REVELATION, my brethren, does not overlook or fuperfede the use of reason and argument; it employs them in propofing and enforcing its doctrines and precepts; but it is by no means on the conclufions of reafon, however juft and incontrovertible they may be, or fuppofed to be, that they reft their faith who are favoured with a revelation from heaven. The doctrines of revelation cannot but be true: the inspired preach the words of truth and fobernefs: meffengers of GoD publish doctrines according to godliness, and whatsoever is pure excellent and venerable. These characters of a revelation from heaven, pre-eminently belong to the Gofpel. The fuperior excellence of the morals exhibited and required in the Gospel, I cannot omit obferving, by the way, in the circumftances of its firft teachers, and in the period and place of its being firft propofed, cannot be explained, in rational confiftent manner, but by admitting that the characters it defcribes did exift, and that the doctrines and precepts they deliver were communicated from heaven. Convinced that the Scripture is given by inspiration, whatever it contains is received without hesitation.

any

AN

An implicit faith in revelation is not, and cannot be, refused: it is not rational only, it is neceffary. Criticism and candid inquiry, however, are by no means restrained and interdicted by admitting that the Scriptures are the word of GOD. Searching the Scriptures, inquiring into and ascertaining what they contain, are required and commanded by our LORD, and his apoftles: but what they contain must be received, as the truths and commands of GoD, not the dictates and decifions of our own minds. It is readily admitted that, in the facred volume, there are fome things, concerning which the most confirmed believer may not think precisely in the fame manner that another concieves of them, who is as found and established in the faith of CHRIST as himself: there are others which all who receive the Gospel must receive without the leaft hefitation. There are

truths interwoven in every part of this revelation, and effential to its objects and end. There are fundamental truths, the removing of which would overturn the whole fabric. Among thefe effential truths, that there is a state of perfection and blifs beyond the grave holds a distinguished place. Ss

MUCH learning and ingenuity have been employed to fhew that the Jewish difpenfation or law, confidered in itself, and as contrafted with the Chriftian, does not propofe a ftate of future blifs or mifery. The maintainers of this opinion, however, cannot but allow that, confidered as connected with the Gospel, and introducing the more perfect law and better covenant, the old covenant and the hiftories of the Old Teftament, encourage the belief in that life and immortality, which Christianity places in the clearest and fulleft light. They cannot but admit that the Pfalms and the prophecies refer to a future world and a future judgment.

WHEN We read the hiftory of Abel, we cannot believe it poffible that he, to whom the LORD of all had refpect in his worship, and who was hated on account of his worthy character, and who was murdered because he was accepted of GOD, was extinguished for ever. It is impoffible to reconcile the approbation and favour of GOD with his violent and cruel death, but in believing that he was received into a state of exalted happiness in a better world.

THE

THE tranflation of Enoch; the history, wanderings and fufferings of Abraham, Ifaac and Jacob, the friends of GOD, to whom precious promifes were addreffed; the fiery chariot of Elijah; are not prefumptions but proofs and demonstrations of a happy state beyond the grave. So are their faith and fufferings, "who fubdued kingdoms, wrought

righteoufnefs, obtained promises, stopped "the mouths of lions, quenched the violence "of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out "of weaknefs were made ftrong, waxed va"liant in fight, turned to flight the armies "of the aliens; women received their dead "raised to life again, and others were tor"tured not accepting deliverance, that they

66

might obtain a better refurrection. And "others," adds the apoftle, in the paffage I refer to," had trial of cruel mockings and "fcourgings, yea, moreover, of bonds and "imprisonment: they were ftoned, they

were fawn afunder, were tempted, were "flain with the fword; they wandered about "in sheep skins and goat skins, being desti

tute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the "world was not worthy :) they wandered in "deferts and in mountains, and in dens and

"caves of the earth. And these all having "obtained a good report, through faith, re"ceived not the promise: GoD having pro"vided fome better thing for us, that they "without us, fhould not be made perfect;' that is, the perfect difpenfation in the profpect of which they rejoiced, was reserved for the days of the Messiah, for those to whom his Gofpel is propofed and preached.

ST. PAUL, in pleading for himself before King Agrippa, fhews the unreasonableness and inconfiftency of his countrymen, in their determined oppofition to him and the first Christians, for afferting the very things which "the twelve tribes inftantly ferving GoD "day and night,” expected, when he preached to them CHRIST and a refurrection.

BUT though a blessed futurity is revealed, in the old Scriptures, it is in the New Testament more fully, explicitly and clearly propofed. The dawn of Judaism ushered in the Sun of Righteoufnefs. The mifts and clouds of uncertainty and fufpicion, are dispelled. The grace of GoD brings falvation. CHRIST hath abolished death. What the Amen, the

true