and would foon have fhewn it to have been a

forgery, if it had been one.

If then it could not have been forged, when it was first published, at what other time could it have been forged? Unless we suppose, all these numerous books, in which it is mentioned, could have been forged also, which cannot well be conceived, it seems hardly poffible to fix any time, when a forgery could take place. So that its coming down to us men tioned by fo many writers from the time of its being first written, proves, that it is a true record; and that the facts it contains, are true.

Having thus given you a fhort account of the history of our bleffed Saviour; and fhewn you on what grounds we receive it, the conclufion from the whole, is that we must first believe, and then obey it.

The gofpel, we fee, comes recommended to our faith by fuch evidence, as nearly amounts to demonstration. No doubt, it contains many difficulties; but where we have pofitive proof, difficulties fhould vanish. We are well affured, for inftance, that the tides of the ocean are governed by the moon. We have proof of it every day.

Whatever difficulties therefore arife, on the queftion, and many do arife, our belief that the tides are governed by the moon, remains ftill unshaken.Thus there may be difficulties in religion: but tho' a difficulty may be a draw-back in a doubtful question, it can never overthrow a pofitive proof.

The great point of difference therefore between the fceptic and the believer is this: the former examines only difficulties: the latter rests upon proof.

If then we believe the gofpel, our next business is to obey it. If the New Teftament be true, every thing contained in it is true likewife. Let us then, my brethren, look to ourselves. All its promises-all its hopes-and all its threatenings are true. Let us not then confider these things, as matters, in which we have no concern. What higher can we have, than how to spend a life, that is to last for ever? Efpecially when we confider, it is in our power to make it an eternity of happiness.-If however we value not the promises of the gofpel, let us attend at leaft to its threatenins; affuring ourselves, that as certainly as this holy book is true, fo certainly, both its promises, and threatenings are true likewife. Let us then

look

look to ourselves. A deep intereft lies at stake. Let us remember what this holy book, in a hundred paffages informs us, amounting on the whole to this effect, that they, who have done good, fhall rife to the refurrection of life, and they who have done evil-to the refurrection of damnation.

SERMON XLVIII.

JAMES, ii. 17.

FAITH, IF IT HAVE NOT WORKS, IS DEAD BEING
ALONE.

THE word faith hath certainly different meanings in fcripture; but the nature of that faith

which justifies a christian, is every where fo plainly described, that I should think it could not easily be mistaken. If we have not fuch a faith in the author of our religion, and fuch a perfuafion of its truth, as will lead us to the practice of a good life-our faith is dead-and cannot justify us in the fight of God.

In pursuing this fubject, I fhall address myself to two kinds of people-to those who do not be

lieve-and to thofe who pretend to believe, but do

not practise.

With regard to the man who does not believe, we first wifh to know the extent of his faith.-You believe in God; and in the immortality of your foul. On these points you will fet up no controverfy. They made a part even of the heathen creed. Your exceptions, we prefume, then reach only to revealed religion.

May we afk then, whether you think man, in his present state, is in a state of perfection? or, whether you allow him to be a finful creature? Do you think yourself perfect? or did you ever find a perfect character fairly, represented either in ancient or in modern history? You must allow therefore that human nature is imperfect, and finful. This feems alfo to be a point univerfally acknowledged.

You must know too that the heathen nations thought fome expiation for fin was neceffary; and that facrifices of an atoning nature were almost univerfally practised. These are points of history, to which as a rational man we claim your affent.