in it; 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 fuppofe, all these numerous books, in which it is mentioned, could have been forged alfo, which cannot well be conceived, it feems hardly poffible to fix any time, when a forgery could take place. So that its coming down to us mentioned by fo many writers from the time of its being firft 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 hiftory of our bleffed Saviour; and fhewn you on what grounds we believe it, let us draw a conclufion from the whole. That conclufion is, that we muft firft 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, diffificulties fhould vanifh. 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 quef

tion, and many do arife, our belief that the tides are governed by the moon, remains ftill unfhaken. -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 refts upon proof.

Let

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. us then, my brethren, look to ourfelves. 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 least to its threatenings; 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 to ourselves. A deep intereft lies at ftake. Let us remember what this holy book, in a hun

dred

dred 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.

1

THE

'HE word faith hath certainly different meanings in fcripture; but the nature of that faith which justifies a christian, is every where so plainly described, that I should think it could not eafily 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 addrefs myself to two kinds of people-to those who do not be

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

not practice.

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

May we ask 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 necessary; and that facrifices of an atoning nature were almost univerfally practifed. These are points of history, to which as a rational man we claim

your affent.

You