SER M. Virtue, has nevertheless deferved a far VIII. higher degree of fettled Efteem and Appro bation. Now This authentick declaration made by our Saviour, of the acceptablenefs of True Repentance in the Sight of God; is That Glad Tidings, which the word Gospel, [Euayyer, in its original Signification, properly denotes; That publication of Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards men, which the Angel, in his congratulation to the Shepherds, calls Tidings of great joy which shall be unto all people; and which the Apoftle St Paul ftiles by the general name, of the Grace of God which bringeth Salvation. The Means, by which the Benefit of this gracious Difpenfation is originally applied to Sinners, is Baptifm: By which, they who were converted from unrighteous ways thro' the Apostles Preaching of the Gofpel, having their Hearts (as the Scripture expreffes it) Sprinkled from an evil conScience, and their Bodies washed with pure Water, received affurance of the Pardon of their past Sins, and entred into a Solemn obligation to obey the Commands of God for the future; And by which at all

times,

Το

times, they who are initiated into Chrift's S E.RM. VIII. religion, are admitted to the gracious Terms of the Gofpel covenant, and obliged to live in obedience to thofe Terms: For the Baptifm which faves us, the Apoftle expreffly declares, is not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the Anfwer of a good conscience towards God. those who renounce this Baptifm by total and final Apoftacy, the Benefit thereof is entirely vacated: For the One Sacrifice of Christ once offered for us for ever, being totally and finally rejected; there remains no more Sacrifice for Sin, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which fhall devour the AdverJary. As to thofe who never totally apostatize, but yet, notwithstanding their profefion of Chriftianity, fall into the habitual practife of Any Wickedness or Debauchery; their Sin, without doubt, is far more inexcufable; their Hearts more hardened; their Return to their Duty, much more difficult; than That of fuch. Sinners mentioned in the Text, whom our Saviour came to call originally to Repent

ance

For 'tis better for men never to

SERM.have known the way of righteousness, than VIII. after they bave known it, to turn from the Holy Commandment delivered unto them. Nevertheless, even to fuch Offenders as Thefe, however unworthy, there still remains a gracious Call to Repentance; and the invitation which God has made by his Son in the Gofpel, he in abundant mercy. continues to repeat. Such perfons, are to be rebuked very sharply, but not driven abfolutely to Defpair. That which is lame, ought not to be turned quite out of the way, but that it rather be beated. St Paul delivered a great Sinner unto Satan, to the end that bis Spirit might finally be farved in the day of the Lord: and gives caution, leaft even fuch an one should be fwallowed up of much Sorrow. He speaks of many that had finned already, even in the Inftances of great Crimes; and threatens them upon Suppofition they had not yet repented. The Apostle St James' de-· clares likewife; If any of you do err from the Truth, and one convert him; let him know, that He who converteth a Sinner from the Errour of his ways, shall fave à Soul from Death, and fhall bide a multi

tude

VIII.

tude of Sins. And our Saviour himself, S & R M, fpeaking even of Great Corrupters of religion, threatens that he will caft them into a bed of Sickness, and kill their chil dren (that is, their Followers) with death, except they repent of their Deeds. Indeed, in cafes of This nature where men, notwithstanding their Knowledge of the Truth, have been guilty of Great and Prefumptuous Wickedness, their Repentance ought to be very exemplary, and their Amendment thoroughly and confpicuously effectual. To thefe perfons, the Scripture fays; Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your Joy to Heaviness; Humble your felves in the Sight of the Lord, and he fhall lift you up. But for the fmaller Failings, Infirmities and Surprizes, incident even to fincere and good men through the whole courfe of their lives; for the forgiveness of thefe, there is evidently continual provifion made in the whole Tenour of the Gofpel. Our Saviour directs us to pray daily, for the forgiveness of Trefpaffes of This kind ; and, by commanding us to forgive each ́

Other

SER M. Other fuch Trefpaffes, not only till Seven VIII times, but even till Seventy times Seven gives reafon to those who conftantly and fincerely indeavour, to obey his Will, to hope for proportionable favour at the hands of God.

THE Inferences arifing from the foregoing Doctrine of Repentance, are:

ift, FROM what has been faid, appears the Folly of thofe corrupt Practices, of Confeffions, Penances, Abfolutions, and the like; introduced in the Church of Rome, inftead of true Amendment of life,) by the Vanity and Ambition of Men. For the Texts, concerning retaining and forgiving of Sins, on a mifunderftanding of which these corruptions have been founded; do not, in their true Meaning, put it into Any men's power, to fit in the Seat of God, but only appoint and authorize them from God, to preach and explain That Doctrine unto Men, by the Terms of which they must finally, be judged.

2dly, FROM what has been faid about the nature of True Repentance, it appears; that, among Proteflants, and Chri

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