VIII. ance or Probability may lie on one fide, and SERM. Truth on the other. But when Prejudice is added at the fame time to magnify thofe Appearances, or feeming Probabilities, and inclines the Mind immediately to judge by them, it leads it still farther from the Truth, which fhews how neceffary it is thoroughly to examine Appearances before we trust to them, and to divest ourselves of all Prejudices in forming our Sentiments of things, in order to judge righteous Judgment. 2. We hence fee one chief reafon of that great diversity of Sentiments there is amongst Men concerning the fame Objects of Judgment. Some are perverted by Prejudices, others deceived by Appearances; and fome have more Ability and Penetration to guard against the undue Influence of both. And as this arifes, in a great measure, from the original make of the Mind, it follows that this diversity of Judgment hath it's Foundation in fome degree in our very Nature; and that it is no more poffible for all Men, strictly speaking, to think the fame thing, than it is for them to write the fame Hand, or speak in the fame Tone; and we can no more expect they should have just the same Set SERM. Set of Notions, than that they should have VIII. just the same Set of Features. But by the way, let it be remembered, that though we are all befet with Prejudices and false Appearances, which are apt to bias and betray the Judgment, yet it is very weak and criminal for a man to fuffer himfelf to be misled and deceived thereby without any care to guard against them. Such Indolence is attended fometimes with the most pernicious Effects; and was the ground of that fatal mistake the Jews ran into with regard to our Saviour's Perfon and Doctrine. They were governed altogether by Prejudices and Appearances, took no care at all to arm themselves against the Influence of the one, and the deception of the other, and fo were led to judge the most unrighteous Fudg ment. 3. I cannot but think likewise, that we may from hence, in a good measure, account for that Spirit of Infidelity that prevails fo much in the prefent Age. The Motives and Reasons for which some Men reject the Gofpel of Christ now, seem to be the very fame for which the Jews rejected his Person and Doctrine Doctrine when he was upon Earth, I mean, SERM. because they will not be at the pains of exam VIII. mining matters impartially, but suffer themfelves to be biaffed by unreasonable Prejudices and fuperficial Appearances. Like the Jewish Priests, they scorn to think with the Vulgar; and seek to raise to themselves a Trophy of Wisdom on the Ruins of their Faith, and affect to be thought wiser than others, only on the merit of believing lefs: by which means they lose the Applause they laboured to fecure, and diminish their Understanding just as much as they hoped to exalt it. So naturally does Vanity fruftrate it's own End. However, under the Impulse of it, they readily imbibe every Prejudice, and fall in with every Appearance of Objection that lies against the truth of Christianity. Their Pride creates their Prejudices, and their Prejudices abuse their Reason. Hence they multiply Cavils against the plainest Principles, find Difficulties where others can see none, and magnify every Appearance of Difficulty into an unfurmountable Objection; upon which they triumph, and commence Champions in the Cause of Infidelity. In SERM. In a word, juft fuch Tempers and Difpofi tions had the Pharifees of old, as our present Set of Deifts fhew now. And had these lived at that time, they would doubtless have joined the fame Cry against Jefus, crucify bim, crucify him. The fame treatment he met with from thofe, his Gospel now meets with from thefe; Ridicule, Abuse, and most unrighteous Outrage. To thofe our Saviour immediately directed the Advice in the text, as the best means to correct their Mifunderstanding and falfe Judgment, pointing out to them at the same time the true Caufe and Source of it. With a peculiar Propriety then are the Words applicable to their Followers in Infidelity in our day. And of great Service might it be to them to take this for their Motto, Judge not according to the Appearance, but judge righteous Judg ment. Laftly, As I have produced feveral Inftances in which this Rule ought especially to be applied, let us remember now to take it with us, and make use of it in all thofe, and fuch like Cafes. It is a Rule of greater Importance than we may at first imagine. And I am fatisfied, the more we attend to it, It it, the more fhall we be convinced of it's SERM. Excellence. To a neglect of it is owing VIII. the Prevalence of fo many falfe notions and errors that spread abroad in the World, fome of which have the most unhappy Influence on the Tempers and Practices of men. is applicable in every cafe, and is of use in all. How often have we been convinced of the neceffity of it by Experience? How often have we found things to be otherwife than at firft they appeared to be? And have seen reason to retract, and alter that Judgment which we have formed of things, by too rafhly trufting to external Appearances? Truth fometimes lies deep, whilft Errors, like Straws, upon the Surface flow. -Let us take care of being precipitant either in our Applaufes or Cenfures of men. If we judge by mere Appearances only, we may very eafily be miftaften in both. If it be asked then, what muft we judge by, if not by Appearance? That Question I fhall more particularly refolve, when I come to fpeak of the latter part of the Words, Judge righteous Judgment. In the mean time let it be remembered, that we are not hereby forbid to take any notice at all of Appear ances, |