more particular difcuflion of which, will be the fubject of fome following Difcourfes.

I fhall only beg leave at prefent to add an Obfervation or two, concerning a Diverfity of Religion in general, and the cafe 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 abstractly 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 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 we have seen: yet from what has been already faid, thus much will appear, viz. That one of thefe is in fome measure a neceffary confequence of the other, during the prefent Laws of Nature,

Thefe Obfervations might be carry'd a great way towards accounting for the flow Progrefs of Chriftianity among fuch Nations as feem otherwife not ill qualify'd at prefent for the reception of it; but that they are not to be carry'd so far as thofe have done who pretend that Chriftians first taught the People of America to be wicked, fee Bayle's Dict. Art. Leon. V. 3. P. 773.

See Mr. Fortin's Difcourfes concerning the Truth of the Christian Religion. D. 1. and Remarks on Eccl. Hift. V. 3. P. 428, &c.

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 fhewn 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 courfe of Divine Providence is to Men in fome circumftances render'd unavoidable, that the Divine Goodness will, in these Circumftances, most undoubtedly excufe, and accept with all its Imperfections.*

The fame thing obtains remarkably in each particular System, even in thofe 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 requir'd 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 affirm'd of Modern Heathens; the generality of whom still preferve in fome degree, the great fundamental Principles of one Supreme God, a Providence, and Future State; as Authors of the beft Credit have affured us. +

2. As to the cafe of thofe People in general, we may confider, that if they have fewer and lefs Advantages than others, their Natures and Capaci

See Rymer's General Reprefentation of Rev. Rel. c. 6. 'Tis a Beauty in Providence to advance in the Difpenfations of Religion; to propofe various Perfections in Piety and Virtue upon Earth, and antwer them with refpective Promotions in Heaven.' p. 152.

ties must likewife be inferior; to which their future State may be proportioned: God is not oblig'd to make all men equally perfect in the next world, any more than in this; and if their Capacity be render'd lefs 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 ourselves; 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 whomfoever much is given, of him shall much be required. We know that all their Souls 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 juft and right. But of this more hereafter.

I come in the last place, briefly to obferve, the great Benefit of complying with the Terms of the Gofpel, and the inexcufableness of rejecting it.

The Benefit of the Chriftian Inftitution above all others appears, in that it naturally fits Men for an higher degree of Happiness, as well as entitles them to it, by pofitive Covenant. It gives them more juft 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

A Collection of them may be feen in Stackhouse B. of Div. Part 3. c. 8. S. 2. 3. p. 528. &c. or Millar. Hift. of the Prop. c. 5. &c.

C

good

good Difpofitions, which are the immutable Foundation of Happiness, 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 Study, whatfoever things are true,- boneft,-juft,-pure, lovely, and of good report; and binds all these upon us with the ftrongeft 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 fays, 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 exprefs'd in the Text, and many other parts of Scripture, by Repentance: Repentance from dead works, and ferving the living God. This was the substance of our Saviour's preaching, and what the Apostles continually teftified, both to the Jews 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 indifpenfably neceffary to fit us for the Prefence of God; the Society of Angels; and the Spirits of just Men made perfect.

*Acts 20. 21. v. infra Note k. p. Tracts V. 2. p. 233. or Bp. Bradford's B. Lect. Serm. 9.

and Dr. Jeffery's

How

How gracious a Defign this! how reasonable, juft, and holy an Inftitution! How ftrongly must it recommend itself to every man's Judgement and Conscience, 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 Saints of Light! And how shall we escape if we neglect fo great Salvation? How difingenuous, and ungrateful muft 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, fuch as the Heathens of old delighted in, and which betray too many now a days into the like State; and blind their Eyes, and harden their Hearts, against all poffible Conviction—namely, Pride, Covetoufnefs, and Senfuality. May we all comply with the Apostle's advice, in walking circumfpectly towards them that are without; fince the reafon affign'd is, in fome refpects, of as great force at prefent; - because the Days are evil. As Infidelity still abounds, and the Love of many waxeth cold, we who profess the Faith of Chrift, and think we have more perfect understanding of it, and are to communicate the fame to others; we ought to contend fo much the more earnestly for it, and labour to adorn the Doctrine of our Lord in all things. To our daily Prayers, therefore, let us add our conftant Endeavours, that the Kingdom of God may come on those who have not