Ambition would mightily fade, and lofe all the Grace and Force of their Temptation: Then we fhould poffibly have lefs of the Noife, but more of the Life and Spirit of Religion in us; and the Form of Godlinefs would not be fo wretchedly over-proportion'd to the Power of it. Nothing can be more proper than St. Peter's Advice* in this Cafe, with which I fhall conclude, where after he had foretold this great Revolution, in which the Heavens shall pass away with a great Noife, and the Elements fball melt with fervent Heat, the Earth alfo, and the Works which are therein fhall be burned up. Upon this he infers, Seeing that all thefe Things hall be diffolved, what Manner of Perfons ought we to be in all holy Conversation and Godliness; looking for the Appearance of the great God, and our Saviour Jefus Chrift. * 2 Pet. iii. 1Q, II. To To whom with the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, be all Honour and Glory, both now and for Amen. evermore. 55 SERMON SERMON II. *********************** ******* 2 COR. V. 10. For we must all appear before the ROM thefe Words I took Oc- I. The Certainty of a Judgment to come. 13 II. The 31 II. The Solemnity and Terror of it. III. The Impartiality of the Sentence. I. The Certainty of a Judgment to come, I prov'd from the general Consent of Mankind, there being no Part of natural Religion, except the Being of a God, more unquestionably receiv'd by Jews and Gentiles, than the Expectation of an Account to be pafs'd in the other World. This Truth I obferv'd might be farther collected from the Remorfe and Applauses of Confcience, Men's Thoughts either accufing, or excufing them, according as they had kept, or neglected the Law written in their Hearts: Their Satisfaction or Difquiet, their Hopes and Fears, their Refolution or Defpondency arifing from the Account they were able to give of themselves : All their Paffions and Expectations usually 6 |