ftill retaining Christianity*. Perhaps it may be enough to have given these general hints; which though they were founded on mere conjecture, yet till fuch an hypothesis can be difproved from fact, we ought rather to acquiefce in them, than confidently arraign Divine Providence, and cenfure its ways with man, in matters of the last importance. But, I hope, arguments may be drawn from them, fufficient to stop the mouths of our adversaries: a more particular discussion of which, will be the fubject of fome following difcourfes.

I shall only beg leave at present to add an obfervation or two, concerning a diverfity of religion in general, and the case of those who cannot attain to the knowledge of the Chriftian.

And first, Though I fee no reason to affirm with fome, that God takes equal delight in the various kinds of worship, which come to be established in the world; and that a specific difference in religion is, in itself, and abftractly confidered, equally acceptable to him, with that diversity of beings which he conftituted: on the contrary, I think, he has plainly discovered one most perfect standard, and requires all men to approach as near it as they can; and may be faid to approve every approach to it, and prefer that to its oppofite; in the fame manner as he does every other excellence, and improvement of the human mind; where he intends perpetual advancement,

as

See Fortin's difcourfes concerning the truth of the Chriftian Rel. Difc. 1. and remarks on Eccl. Hift. Vol. III. p. 428, &c.

as we have seen-yet from what has been already faid, Thus much will appear, viz. That one of these is in fome measure a neceffary confequence of the other, during the present laws of nature, in the moral and intellectual world: a difference of rank, and capacity, among men, must needs produce an equal difference in their religious notions, as was shewn above; fuch difference therefore, in degree of perfection, is made neceffary by the constitution of things, and the general difpenfations of Providence; and what by the ordinary course of Divine Providence is to men in fome circumstances rendered unavoidable, that the Divine Goodness will, in these circumstances, most undoubtedly excufe, and accept with all its imperfections *.

The fame thing obtains remarkably in each particular system, even of Chriftianity itself; which to different perfons, and in different times and places, appears in a very different light: though fo much always, every where, lies level to all, as is abfolutely required of each; and fo much alfo as will, or might, have a very confiderable influence upon their lives and manners. And the fame may in a great measure be affirmed of modern Heathens; the generality of whom still preserve, in fome degree, the great fundamental principles of one fupreme God, a Providence, and future State;

See Rymer's Gen. Repr. of Rey. Rel. c. 6. 'Tis a beauty in Providence to advance in the difpenfations of religion; to propose various perfections in piety and virtue upon earth, and answer them with refpective promotions in heaven. p. 152.

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State; as authors of the best credit have affured us *

Secondly. As to the case of these people in general, we may confider, that if they have fewer and less advantages than others, their natures and capacities must likewife be inferior; to which their future ftate may be proportioned: God is not obliged to make all men equally perfect in the next world, any more than in this; and if their capacity be rendered less than that of an ordinary Chriftian, a lower degree of happiness may fill it.

However, we need not be extremely folicitous about their eftate; much lefs caft any ungrateful imputation on the Governour of the world, for not having dealt fo bountifully with them as with ourfelves; fince we know that, in all cafes, every one will at length be accepted according to that he has, and not according to that he has not; and that to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required. We know that all their fouls are in the hand of a moft merciful Creator, all whofe ways are equal; and who will most affuredly deal with every one according to what is just and right. But of this more hereafter.

I come, in the last place, briefly to observe the great benefit of complying with the terms of the gofpel, and the inexcufeablenefs of rejecting it.

The

A collection of them may be feen in Stackhoufe's B. of Div. Part 3. c. 8. 2, 3. p. 528, &c. or Millar's Hift. of the Prop. c. 5, &c. Comp. Mod. Univ. Hift. Fol. V. 3. B. 14. c. 8. and Crantz Hift. of Greenland, B. 3. c. 5. § 38, &c.

The benefit of the Christian institution, above all others, appears in that it naturally fits men for an higher degree of happiness, as well as entitles them to it, by positive covenant. It gives them more just and worthy notions of the divine Being, and the relation they bear to him; and of the duties which refult from that relation. It explains, improves, exalts all thofe virtues and good difpofitions, which are the immutable foundation of happinefs, both in this world and the next. It directs us to add to our faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge temperance,' to temperance patience, to patience godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity. It propofes to our ftudy, whatsoever things are true, → boneft, — just, — pure, — lovely, -and of good report, and binds all these upon us with the strongest sanctions: at once giving us the most ample inftruction in, and warm incitement to, the practice of our duty; and affording all fit, neceffary means of grace, in order to prepare and train us up for glory. And thus, as St. Peter Tays, bath the Father given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us unto glory and virtue ; — that at length we might be partakers of the DIVINE

NATURE.

The great condition of this covenant is expreffed in the text, and many other parts of scripture, by Repentance repentance from dead works, and ferving the living God; to which is annexed

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the very comfortable and much wanted affurance of entire Forgiveness *.

This was the fubftance of our Saviour's preaching, and what the apostles continually teftified, both to the fews,, and alfo to the Greeks, namely repentance towards God; that is, a thorough reformation of mind and temper; a renouncing of this world, its vanities and vices; and an improvement in all those graces and good habits, which are abfolutely and indispensably neceffary to fit us for the presence of God; the fociety of angels; and the fpirits of juft men made perfect.

How gracious a defign this! how reasonable, and holy an institution! How. ftrongly must it recommend itself to every man's judgment and confcience, when once rightly understood! And what infinite reafon have we to give continual thanks unto the Father, who hath not only prepared for us an inheritance; but likewife laboured to make us meet to be partakers of it, among the faints in light! And how shall we escape if we neglect fo great falvation? How difingenuous, and ungrateful must it be, to refuse and put it from us! How dangerous, to contemn and blafpheme it!

Rather, may the mercies of God, in Chrift Jefus, engage every one of us in time to obey the divine precept in the text; to shake off all our vices, such as the heathens of old delighted in, and which betray too many now a days into the like ftate; and blind their eyes, and harden their hearts,

* See Dr. Owen, B. L. § 18.

+ A&s xx. 21. V. infra Note g. p. 291, and Jeffery's Tracts, V. II. p. 233. or Bp. Bradford's B. Lect. Serm. 9.