real Ufe to us, fuch as are the eternal SER M. Differences of Good and Evil, and all VII. Matters fundamental in Religion; in These things, Truth is always as diftinguishable to the unprejudiced Understanding of a Perfon even of a mean Capacity, as Light is by the Eye diftinguishable from Darknefs.

THAT God, the Maker and Judge of all, is to be worshipped, rather than the Fictions of Humane Folly. That the Worship moft acceptable to him, is the Obedience of a virtuous and fober Life, rather than an Endless Circle of mere external Ceremonies. That the Practice of Justice, Righteoufness, Meekness and Charity, is much more useful to men, -than- their stirring up each others Zeal -for or against opinions, of which they -understand very little: Thefe great Lines of Truth, are fo plainly, fo brightly confpicuous, both in Reafon and Scripture, that he who runs may read them. Whofoever is led into any Error, contrary to these Great and Fundamental Truths, 'tis not by his Understanding, but by his Will that he is deceived;

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SER M. therefore he is juftly answerable for his VII. Folly. God would have all men to be Javed, and to come to the Knowledge of the. - Truth, 1 Tim. ii. 4. The Light held forth to them is clear and strong; the Rules, , are Few and confpicuous; that an unprejudiced Perfon would hardly think it pofYet fo fible they should be mistaken. extenfive is That kind of Error which proceeds from Wilfulness and corrupt Affections, that in oppofition to these Great and Plain Rules it is, that the whole World lieth in Wickedness, 1 Joh. v. 19. In oppofition to the Evidence of This fhining Light it is, that the Devotion of the Popish World is transferred from the God and Father of all things, and from the One only Mediator whom He has appointed; to Saints, and Angels, and Ima

and fictitious Relicks. In oppofition ges, to the fame plain and evident Truths it is, that, not in the Popish World only, but in too great a part even of That alfo which calls itself Proteftant, mere outward and cuftomary Forms have by Many persons a greater Strefs laid upon them, than the weightier matters of the Law, Practife

VII.

Practife of True Virtue: And men gene-SER M. rally are more concerned to fupport uncertain Opinions, than to promote the Habits of Justice, Goodnefs, Temperance, Meeknefs, and univerfal Good-will towards Mankind; upon which principally depends our Happiness in This World, and our Title to That which is to come. This is the Great Corruption, the Great and Univerfal Error of All Ages in matters of Religion. And they who Thus oppofe themfelves to the Great End and Defign of the Gofpel, fubverting the Simplicity and Purity of the doctrine of Chrift; thefe, as well as the Atheistical, debauched, and profane, are the Perfons whom we ought to be continually infructing in Meekness, if God peradventure will give them Repentance to the Acknowledgment of the Truth.

IN which words of the Apostle, we may observe distinctly the following particulars. ft, A fuppofition laid down; That Truth is fomething real in itself, and of importance to Men; fomething that may be found, and which we ought to feek after. 2dly, An Obfervation made L 3

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SER M. concerning the corrupt ftate and difpofiVII. tion of Mankind; that Some there will always be, who will fet themfelves to oppofe the Truth. 3dly, A Direction given, concerning our Own Duty; that we ought to inftruct fuch perfons, in Meekness. And 4thly, a Reafon added, why we ought to do it in That manner; if God peradventure will give them Repentance to the acknowledgment of the Truth.

ft, HERE is a Suppofition laid down; that Truth, is fomething real in itself, and of importance to Men; fomething that may be found, and which we ought to feek after. I have already obferved, that where-ever the Scripture fpeaks of Truth, it always means Juch Truth as has relation to Religion; And I shall use the word in That fenfe, thro' the whole following Difcourfe. All Truth, of what kind foever it be, is real; but not always of importance. All Truth, has its Foundation in Nature; but is not always neceffary, or of any great Ufe for Us to know. But Truth in matters of Religion, is always of the greatest importance; as being the Foundation and the Support, of

Right

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Right Practice. Men, upon erroneous SER M. VII. Principles, may do what is Right by Chance; or the general Probity of their Temper, may overrule the ill influence of mistaken Principles: But there can be no certain, there can be no fteddy Rule of good Practice, without a Foundation of Truth. All Errour is founded in Imagination on ly; 'Tis a Shadow, without a Subftance "Tis generally nothing elfe, but a careless following of other mens Opinions, or pretended Opinions; a lazy and formal Adherence to the Customs of the Age men live in, or the Nations which happen to prevail, like other Fashions, in particular Places, and among certain Sects or Par ties of men. Principles of which kind, can be no better a Foundation of Practice, than mere Chance; And Religion built upon fuch a quick-fand, is, in the feveral Nations of the Earth, nothing at all more than the Cuftom or Fashion of the Country. Religion acceptable to God, who judges the Heart; muft be, in the Mind of every particular Perfon, a Love of Truth and Right: A Love of That Truth and Right, not which is efteemed. fuch

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