SERM. their tendency to establish and confirm IV. good difpofitions, they affift and promote the pursuit of real and Godlike virtue. Let us be perfuaded therefore, in the use of those means which our holy religion prescribes, to get as great a resemblance of our maker, in his moral character, as is poffible; that we may hereafter be admitted into the regions of light and immortality, where we shall be more completely like him, because we shall see him as he is, and improve in this likeness, and confequently, in honour and felicity for

ever.

SER

Nay, but, O man, who art thou
that repliest against God? ----

T

HO' religion be in itself moft SERM. excellent, and founded on the V. highest reason, there is a great deal of skill and judgment required in order to a rational and fucceffful defence of it. We ought not only to understand it thoroughly ourselves, before we attempt to recommend it to others, but should take care to fupport it by none but folid arguments, that will bear being examined, and stand the test

SERM, of a strict and critical enquiry; and to V. give proper anfwers to the objections of its adverfaries. For by an ill manage

ment, we may injure and expose the best cause in the world; and when the opposers of religion find that our arguments for it are weak and trifling, they will easily be perfuaded to triumph, as if they had gained a complete victory; and imagining, tho' without juft ground, that this is all that can be said in vindication of it, their prejudices will be more ftrong and invincible: This is especially true with respect to our reasonings about the providence of God, upon which all religion depends. The fame way of anfwering objections will not do in all cases; but, on the contrary, what may be very properly urged at one time, will, at another, leave the truth quite naked and defenceless; nay, in the opinion of the ignorant and prejudiced, ftrengthen the cause of infidelity.

Thus the words of the text were very pertinently applied by St. Paul, as I fhall have occafion to fhew in the following difcourfe; but have been used by others, who overlook the particular cafe of which

the

V.

the apoftle was treating, in anfwer to ob- SERM. jections to which they are by no means adapted; objections that are really unanfwerable, being against supposed methods of conduct in the Deity, which are abfolutely inconfiftent with justice and goodnefs: And fince, befides this, fuch principles have been inferred from them, as represent the fupreme and most perfect being under the character of a mere arbitrary fovereign; and render it impoffible for us to judge of, or argue from his moral perfections, which are the only foundation of amiable conceptions of him, and of the true peace and comfort of mens minds, as well as the fureft rule. we have to direct us in our religious enquiries; I think I cannot employ your time more profitably, than in fettling the. true sense of this text, and guarding it against misconstructions: Especially if it be confidered, that 'tis but too natural for unthinking people to make ill ufes of it, injurious to the honour of God, and the cause of piety and virtue. I fhall therefore,

I. Point

SERM.

V.

I. Point out two or three things that
are not imply'd in it.
II. Propose a few cafes, to which, if
they could happen, and were urg-
ed as objections against the provi-
dence of God, it would not be a
fufficient and rational reply. And
then,

III. Shew to what cafes these words
may be properly applied.

I. I am to point out two or three things that are not implied in the text, but are falfe and groundless inferences from it. And,

ft. We ought not to infer from it, that God is a defpotic arbitrary Sovereign, whofe will is the only rule of his actions. The great God, tho' he be fupreme and accountable to none, always governs himself by the eternal and unalterable rules of wisdom, equity, and goodness: His will is not, itfelf, the standard and measure of right; but there is an intrinfic neceffary difference, in the

nature