In the last place, from the doctrine of my text, we may infer the neceffity of guarding against our favourite vice. It is agreed, that every man living is more prone to fome vices than to others: the corruption of our nature disposes itself differently, according to our different conftitutions and habits; and the point that tends to, is our favourite vice; which we are ftudious to represent in the most favourable light, and leffen the malignity of it with all our art and industry: we intercede for it, as Lot did for Zoar, Is it not a little one? and flatter ourfelves, that we may compound with GoD for one fin; and that, if we discharge our duty in other points, he will not be extreme to call us to account for this one: little confidering, that every habit of vice is a mortal fin; and that one mortal disease is as inconfiftent with health, and as deadly, as a thousand; that a mortification, or a gangrene, may as well begin from one point, as from any number; and will as effectually overrun the whole man; that vices are connected; and that one fin, admitted to our heart, is like that evil fpirit in the gospel, who, when he had taken poffeffion, brought

with bim feven more fpirits, worse than himself. And, lastly, That we have scarce more than one fin to conteft with, the fin that does fo eafly befet us; that, tho' this world be a state of warfare, yet have we, for the most part, but one mighty enemy to combat; the rest are weak, and easily defeated. The corruption of our nature dif poses itself to one point; and there, as in the breach of a fortrefs, we should be particularly watchful, because there is our greatest danger. And if we are so false to ourselves, and to the Captain of our salvation, as bafely to defert or surrender the post he has appointed us to maintain; how shall we dare to appear before him! especially when we were affured of his fupport in the conflict, and might have taken up the whole armour of GOD for our defence; whereby we should be enabled to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one, and to ftand in the day of battle. Stand therefore, my brethren, in the name of GOD; having your loins girt with truth, and having on the breast-plate of righteousness; and take the belmet of falvation, and the word of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always,

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always, with all prayer and fupplication in the Spirit, and watching thereto with all perfeverance, that ye may be found faithful in the day of trial.-Which GoD of his infinite mercy grant, through the merits and mediation of JESUS CHRIST,

SERMON

SERMON II.

EPHES. V. 33.

Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular, fo love his wife even as bimfelf; and the wife fee that She reverence bbufband.

TH

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HE apoft principal defign, in this epiftle to the Ephefians, is, to deter these new converts from all those corruptions that reigned in the heathen world, and exhort them to that purity of life and manners, injoined by the gospel: that they should put off, concerning the former converfation, the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lufts; and be renewed in the Spirit of their mind, putting on the new man, which after GOD is created in righteousness and true bolinefi.

Many of the deities worshiped by the heathen world, were the greatest monsters

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of iniquity and uncleannefs, that ever were heard of. And therefore it is no wonder, if their worshipers thought there was no evil in those actions, which were authorized by the example of their gods. Nay, on the contrary, forafmuch as all religion directs us to the imitation of what we adore, hence it came to pafs, that the most flagitious and monstrous impurities were not only practifed, but injoined, injoined as neceffary rites of adoration, and actually performed in their very temples. And a this was the practice in many other places, vas remarkably fo at Ephefus (whither this iftle is directed), as we are affured by Strabo and Athenæus. And therefore the apoftle's defign, in this epistle, is to reclaim his converts of that city from those abominations, to which they were before devoted.

And, in order to do this, he gives them to understand, that the God they were now taught to worship, was a Being of infinite perfection and purity: and therefore to make their adoration acceptable to him, they must put off their former pollution, and imitate his purity: they must put off the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lufts; and put

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