now ye

oppofeth and exalteth himself above all, that is called God, or is worshipped: Jo that he, as God, fitteth in the temple of God, fhewing himself, that he is God, Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And know what with-holdeth, that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work, only he, who now letteth, will lett, until be be taken out of the way. And then Shall that wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord fhall confume by the spirit of his mouth, and deftroy by the brightness of his coming even him, whofe coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and figns, and lying wonders; and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be faved. And for this caufe God hall fend them ftrong delufions, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned, who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 272

SERMON

VIII.

The Apostle John's character and writings

confidered.

JOHN XXI. 24.

This is the difciple, which teftifieth these things, and wrote these things, and we know, that his teftimony is true. 310 SER

SERMON IX.

Of debates amongs Chriftians in the apof tolic age.

ACTS i. 8.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghoft is come upon you, and ye shall be witneffes to me, both in Jerufalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermoft parts of the earth.

SERMON X.

341

Christianity referred to the fincere inquiries and impartial judgments of mankind. 2 COR. iv. 2.

But have recounted the hidden things of dif honefty; not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifeftation of the truth, commending ourfelves to every man's confcience in the fight of God. 374

SERMON XI.

GOD's Moral Government.

PSAL. xcviii. 9.

With righteousness shall he judge the world.404

PREFACE.

PREFACE.

I

hath been often obferved, that the exemplary goodness and purity, by which the primitive Chriftians were distinguished from the world about them, with their amazing patience and meekness in bearing all forts of ill ufage on account of their religion, was one of the most effectual means of recommending it, and engaging others to embrace it. And furely it was very natural to think, that it must be an excellent difcipline, and not unworthy of coming from the good parent of mankind, which produced fuch effects in thofe, who fubmitted to it. It is juft matter of regret, that fo many

A 2

many at this day, who profefs Christ's religion, act a part unworthy of it, and feem to be very little under the influence of its principles in the conduct of life; that vice doth fcandaloufly prevail; and that in many inftances, where there is a zeal for Christianity confidered as a system of religious principles and doctrines, and men glory in the profeffion of it, there is yet fo little regard had to the laws of it in practice. Still there want not many inftances, in which this wisdom, which is from above, is seen to poffefs the heart, forming the temper, and directing the behaviour; and by these we may judge of the excellency of the religion of Chrift. To fee a perfon of no more than common understanding, a stranger to all learning and science in religious matters but what is derived from the holy

fcriptures, by virtue of this difcipline only, acting his part in life fo as with happy fuccefs to ferve the great purposes of it; to fee him maintaining an amiable purity of manners and decency of behaviour, abounding in the just and natural expreffions of devotion towards God, in the fruits of righteousness and charity towards mankind; to fee him ftudiously endeavouring to adorn every station of life, by the practice of those virtues, which are fuited to it; making it his first care to approve himself to God and his own confcience, refolved and firm in refifting temptations to evil, and in maintaining his integrity at any expence; labouring daily to correct what is amifs in his temper and way, and to grow in all good affections and difpofitions; living in the world, as a person who is not of