2dly, FROM hence appears the Reason SER M. of our Saviour's fpeaking fo much in Parables. To the Wife and well-difpofed, it was given to know the Mystery of the Kingdom of God; but to others (i. e. to the Wicked) he fpake in Parables, that Jeeing they might not fee, and bearing they might not understand: And thence our Saviour fo frequently at the Parables cried out; He that bear, let him hear; and, He ceive it, let him receive it. bath an Ear, let him bear, what the Spirit faith unto the Churches. end of his has Ears to that can re And he that 3dly, FROM what has been faid, we may observe, how it comes to pass, that Faith, which is generally looked upon as an Act of the Understanding, and fo not in our own Power, is yet in the New Teftament always required and infisted upon as a Moral Virtue. The reafon is, because Faith, in the Scripture-fense, is not barely an Act of the Underftanding, but a mixt Act of the Will alfo; confifting very much in that Simplicity and Unprejudicenefs of Mind, which our Saviour calls receiving the Kingdom of God II. SERM. God as a little child; in that freedom 11. from guile and deceit, which was the character of Nathanael, an Ifraelite indeed; and in that teachable difpofition or Defire to know the Will of God, for which the Bereans were fo highly commended, who fearched the Scriptures daily, whether thofe things the Apostle taught, were fo or not. They are commended for not believing on the Authority even of the Apostles. But " 4thly, FROM hence it appears, that there is no need of an Infallible Guide on Earth, or of an unerring Church. For all neceffary Truth is fufficiently made known in Scripture; and one great part of our Chriftian Duty, is to study the Will of God with fuch a Difpofition of Mind, as may entitle us to the Promife given in the Text, that the Wife fhall understand. 5thly and Laftly, YET This must be fo understood, as to be a Security, not against All, but againft Fatal Miftakes. The best and pioufeft perfons, may in many things err; but their Errors cannot be dangerous, or of final ill confequence: For For in things abfolutely neceffary to Sal-SER M. vation, the Wicked only can be void of II. Understanding. None of the Wicked Shall understand; But the Wife fall under ftand. SERMON [61] SERMON III. The Practice of Morality leads to the Practice of the Gospel. JOH. iv. 44.. No man can come to Me, except the Father which has fent Me, draw him. T HE Duty and Happiness of SER M. vernment of God; whofe Kingdom over Nature |