XI. of Evidence for it, yet it could not be SER M. received, because the manifest Absurdity of the thing, would always be a stronger Argument against its being an Object of Faith, than any other Evidence could be for it. Every Revelation must be agreeable to the Nature of God, and to the poffibility of things. Our Saviour himself alleges it as an Argument, for the Proof of the Truth even of his Miracles themfelves; that his Doctrine was directly contrary to the Power and Interest of evil Spirits, and tended in its own Nature to the Glory of God, and to the Benefit of Men: Otherwife the Objection of the Pharifees would have been of fome force, that he caft out Devils by the Prince of the Devils. In the Old Testament, the greatest Difficulty of This kind, is the Inftance of Abraham offering up his Son; which if it was a thing unalterably evil in itself, it may be objected could never be a Revelation from God. For the clearing of which it is therefore to be observed, that of things Evil or Immoral there are three forts. Some things are Evil, only because prohibited by a pofitive Law; and thefe it is evident are VOL. II. no XI. SERM.no longer evil, than the Law which for bids them continues in Being. Other things are Evil unalterably in their own Nature; even fo as that it would be a direct contradiction and abfolute impoffibility to fuppofe, that God fhould at any time whatsoever, or upon any occafion, command them: Such are Hatred of God and Goodness, the worship of Falle Gods, a malicious or cruel Temper of Mind; and the like. Now between these two forts of Evils there is a third; which is not only evil, because contrary to any pofitive Law, but contrary alfo even to the Law of Nature itself: Yet not so unalterably, but that in fome particular circumftances, when exprefly commanded by the God of Nature, it may ceafe to be contrary to that Law. And of this kind, is the taking away the Life of an innocent man; as in the cafe of Abraham and his Son, Which though contrary to the Law of Nature, to be done by the Will of Man, or of any Power on Earth; yet may without any inconfiftency be in a particular cafe commanded by God: Because God who gave life, may take it away when he pleases, either by a na a natural Disease, or by any other In- SER M¿ ftrument which he thinks fit. Only he XI. who in fuch a cafe fhall pretend to be an Inftrument in the hand of God, muft fhow a Commiffion or Revelation, as clear as was That to Abraham: Otherwife all Impiety and Superftition may be brought in the place of Religion; as those of the Church of Rome, under pretenfe of doing service to God, are perpetually destroying the best of his Servants. 4thly and Laftly; As believing in God, fignifies believing his Revelations, as well as his Nature and Attributes; fo it always includes Obedience to him likewife, when it means That Faith which fhall be counted to us for Righteousnefs. Abraham's Faith, faith St. James, wrought with bis Works, and by Werks was his Faith made perfect. And concerning Ours in like manner St. Paul declares, Rom. x. 10. With the Heart man believeth unto Righteousness, and with the Mouth confeffion is made unto Salvation. SERMON XII. Of the GRACE of GOD. TIT. ii. II, 12. For the Grace of God, that bringeth Salvation, bath appeared to all men: Teaching us, that denying Ungodliness and Worldly Lufts, we should live for berly, righteously and godly, in this preJent World. N the First Chapter of This 6 ER M. ftedfaft in holding fast, painful in teach- S 3 pratifing |