a due sense of his dignity and glory, acknowledging his goodness, and copying his perfect example in fuch difpofitions, as are calculated to bring forth virtuous actions, And if at any time we are called upon to undergo any hardship, or bear any disappointment, for the fake of our duty, let us remember, that he endured the fevereft afflictions and most painful fufferings for our good, and that we by perfeverance are sure to make every temporal evil work for us hereafter a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. (2 Co. iv. 17.)

THE NATURE OF FAITH.

HEBREWS xi. 6.

Without faith it is impoffible to please him: for be that cometh to God, muft believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently feek him.

WH

HEN we view our own nature, we find ourselves capable of happiness in a greater degree than we ever experience in this vale of fin and mifery. Accordingly the scripture informs us, that happiness was the end of our creation, that it was forfeited by man's own fault, and that we are again restored through Chrift to a capacity of obtaining the divine favour. But though in

the

the great work of our redemption our Saviour has performed what was not in our power; yet he has not opened to us the profpect of everlasting life without our concurrence. He has fhewn us the road to falvation, and promifed us fufficient affistance to run the race that is fet before us. But we must add our own endeavours by the exercise of our reafon to difcern the truth; and conform our wills to the precepts of our heavenly Father. Full credit fhould therefore be given to the words of the God of truth, and an entire confidence be placed in his gracious promifes. As then faith and obedience are both neceffary to form the fincere christian, I shall make them the subject of two separate difcourfes, and, confining myfelf at prefent to the former,

First, enquire what particulars constitute the faith of a chriftian. And,

Secondly, compare the principal doctrines of the church of England with the tenets

of

of our adverfaries, to determine which are most agreeable to the holy fcriptures.

First, I am to enquire what particulars conftitute the faith of a christian.

The faith of a chriftian firft leads him to acknowledge the truth and authority of the Old and New Testament.

We are not only fenfible, that reason alone, befides its weakness, is liable to be mifled by our paffions and prejudices; but we have pofitive evidence of various kinds, that God has actually revealed to us his will in the holy fcriptures. Whether the whole of the fcriptures be the word of an infallible God, and given as a neceffary rule in religion to direct our thoughts, words, and actions, or the invention of prudent, though fallible men, is a queftion of the utmost importance to be rightly decided. If we err by disbelief, we run the risk of difobedience to the will of God. And if we attribute too much authority to the dictates of man,

we