Righteousness") they presumptuously defpife "that true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world," and think themselves guided only by "the leffer light" of Nature.- -And why do they despise it? Because it exhibits Truths for their belief too fublime for their comprehenfion by natural Reafon.Justly, therefore, may we fay with the Apostle, "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually dif

cerned."

I forbear to say that all of this defcription "chufe Darkness rather than Light because their deeds are evil :"—God forbid that such a want of Charity should ever be laid to my charge !-Though we are not to expect grapes from thorns, or figs from thiftles," their deeds may be virtuous, though their religion be wrong: I mean wrong fo far as it differs from the doctrines of the Gofpel.

66

Yet the difference among profeffing Chriftians is, perhaps, much less in reality than is, in general, imagined. Some differ not

fo

fo much about revealed Truths as human Interpretations: others differ more in Words than in Ideas.*-For, though "the Word of the Lord is a pure word that giveth Light to the eyes;" yet it may not ftrike all eyes exactly in the fame manner; nor receive fimilar Interpretations from all mankind. A Diamond viewed in different fituations will have different effects.

Beheld in the Sun it is fplendidly beautiful : when feen in the fhade its luftre is lefs vehement.

Therefore, inftead of inveighing against those who apparently differ from us, in fome points of polemic divinity, with illiberal invective, we fhould wait in filence till that period when "the fecrets of all hearts fhall be difclofed." And even where there is a real and effential Difference, instead of treating it with the rancour of a bigot (who would not wish Salvation to extend to any beyond the pale of his own communion) it ought to be lamented with the mild Benevolence of a Christian, who would have "all men to be. faved, and come to the knowledge of the Truth."-That they who

* See Dore's Letters on Faith.

R

deny

deny the Truth (as contained in the Gospel) will not be faved, is not for erring man to declare. "For who is he that he should judge another? There is one only that judgeth, which is God," before whose Tribunal we must all appear.

However, 66 knowing the Terrors of the Lord," it is our duty to "perfuade men" from Danger: and great Danger there certainly is, in entertaining unworthy notions of Christ, or denying the Doctrines of his ever-bleffed Gofpel. Of this we are affured by the mouth of Eternal Truth: "Whofoever shall deny me before men, him will I alfo deny before my Father which is in heaven."--Alarming Declaration! "O that they were wife,-that they understood this, that they would confider their latter end !"

But of you, my fellow Chriftians, I entertain different Sentiments. Strengthened, stablished, and fettled, in the Faith which was delivered unto the Saints, you will not be moved away from the hope of the Gofpel." Try not to fathom the unfearchable Mysteries which that Gospel contains; but be convinced that the expreffions which re

late

Yet

late to them are the expreffions of God, and therefore must be true. He himself is the greatest mystery: "He is a God that hideth himself, and is paft finding out." though "clouds and darknefs are round about him," it is our duty with implicit Faith to believe that " Righteousness and Judgment are the habitation of his feat." At present we see every thing as through a glafs-darkly but when Chrift in his glory fhall appear, the hidden things of darkness shall be revealed, and Mystery be no more. "Then fhall we fee and know him, even as he is known,"-fhall adore his infinite Perfections, in his Prefence have Life, and, at his right-hand, Pleasures for evermore." Amen.

PRAYER.

Merciful God, who haft endued the human race

with the Gift of Reafon,-preferve, we pray thee, this ineftimable Gift in every one of us, from Impiety and Prefumption: that we and all mankind fubmitting our Reason to thy heavenly Word, may believe what thou haft therein revealed; and finally become one fold under one Shepherd, Jefus Chrift our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Addreffed to a Congregation of YOUNG PERSONS, on the Evening previous to their being confirmed.

My young Friends!

AS a very excellent Rule for you to bear in mind after the folemn Rite of Christianity which you intend to-morrow to comply with,—I fhall introduce fome obfervations which I mean to address to you, with the following Text of Scripture, which will find in St. Paul's first chapter to the Coloffians, and at the 23d verse :

you

Continue in the Faith, grounded and settled; and be not moved away from the Hope of the Gospel.

ET"

LET

these words be ingrafted in your hearts. Talk of them when you fit in the houfe, and when you walk by the way, when

you