SERMON XII. Different Tempers judge differently of Religion. [Preached on Eafter-Day.] ORས་R》 I COR. i. 22, 23, 24. For the Jews require a Sign, and the Greeks feek after Wisdom: But we preach Chrift crucified, unto the Jews a Stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness: But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Chrift the Power of God, and the Wisdom of God. I N the following Difcourfe SE R duce fome useful Inferences therefrom. VOL V. T I. IN SER M. I. In order to Explain diftinctly the Text, 'tis to be obferved that the Doc- I gene generally extremely prejudiced against the SER M. marks of Wisdom, in its perfect agreeXII. ableness to the Dictates of True and Impartial Reafon: But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Chrift the Power of God, and the Wifdom of God. ift, THE Great and general Difference, between the Humours or Tempers of the Nation of the Jews on one hand, and the Greeks (who were Then the principal and moft polite part of the Heathen World) on the other hand, the Apostle obferves, was This; That the Jews, in Their examination into the Truth of any Doctrine proposed to them, were always apt to infist presently upon fome Miracle, upon fome Token to be shown them, in proof of the Doctrine's coming from God; Whereas the Temper of the Gentiles was, to expect conviction by Difputation and Argument, in Methods answering to the Philofophy of the Times they lived in, which was the Standard of Wifdom of the Age then prefent: The Jews require a Sign, and the Greeks feek after Wisdom. As to the Temper of the Greeks in this matter; nothing is more noto notorious in Hiftory, than that, about the S ER M. Times of our Saviour and his Apostles, XII. the things principally esteemed among them were Oratory and the Art of Dif puting: Oratory, by which Things were fet forth in a beautiful Light, adorned with proper figures, made pleafing and acceptable to the Hearers by a Variety of agreeable expreffions; And the Art of Difputing, by which every thing could be Supported with fome plaufible Arguments, every thing could be oppofed with Some feeming Difficulties, and every Difficulty could by men of Parts and Ingenuity have Something offered in Reply to it. These Instances of Skill, in themselves, and when applied to good Purposes, were Both of them really useful and valuable. By Oratory, Truth and Right represented in a good View, and clothed in proper and agreeable expreffions, appeared with a Greater Luftre, and made more Advantageous Impreffions: And by Skill in arguing, Reafon was taught to exert itself in its full Strength, and Truth to shine forth in its peculiar and inimitable Clear |