Faith then was originally designed of God, to re-establish the law of love. Therefore in speaking thus, we are not undervaluing it, or robbing it of its due praise: but on the contrary shewing its real worth, exalting it in its just proportion, and giving it that very place which the wisdom of God assigned it from the beginning. It is the grand means of restoring that holy love, wherein man was originally created. It ̈ follows, that although faith is of no value in itself, (as neither is any other means whatsoever) yet as it leads to that end, the establishing anew the law of love in our hearts, and as, in the present state of things, it is the only means under heaven for effecting it: it is, on that account, an unspeakable blessing to man, and of unspeakable value before God.

Sermon on Rom. iii. 31.

BIBLE THE CHRISTIAN'S RULE.

This is a lantern unto a Christian's feet, and a light in all his paths. This alone he receives as his rule of right or wrong, of whatsoever is really good or evil. He esteems nothing good, but what is here enjoined, either directly or by plain consequence. He accounts nothing evil but what is here forbidden, either in plain terms, or by undeniable inference. Whatever the scripture neither forbids nor enjoins (either di

rectly, or by plain consequence) he believes to be of an indifferent nature, to be in itself neither good nor evil: This being the whole and sole outward rule, whereby his conscience is to be directed in all things.

Sermon on 2 Cor. i. 12.

THE PURE IN HEART SEE GOD IN ALL THINGS.

The pure in heart see all things full of God. They see him in the firmament of heaven, in the moon walking in brightness, in the sun when he rejoiceth as a giant to run his course. They see him making the clouds his chariots, and walking upon the wings of the wind. They see him preparing rain for the earth, and blessing the increase of it; giving grass for the cattle, and green herb for the use of man. They see the Creator of all, wisely governing all, and upholding all things by the word of his power. O Lord, our Governor! How excellent is thy name in all the world!

In all his providences relating to themselves, to their souls or bodies, the pure in heart do more particularly see God. They see his hand ever over them for good; giving them all things in weight and measure, numbering the hairs of their head, making a hedge round about them and all that they have, and disposing all the cir

cumstances of their life, according to the depth both of his wisdom and mercy.

But in a more especial manner, they see God in his ordinances. Whether they appear in the great congregation, to pay him the honour due unto his name, and worship him in the beauty of holiness; or enter into their closets, and there pour out their souls before their Father which is in secret: whether they search the oracles of God, or hear the ambassadors of Christ proclaiming glad tidings of salvation; or by eating of that bread, and drinking of that cup, "shew forth his death till he come" in the clouds of heaven in all these his appointed ways, they find such a near approach as cannot be expressed. They see him, as it were face to face, and "talk with him, as a man talketh with his friend;" a fit preparation for those mansions above, wherein they shall see him as he is. Sermon on Matt. v. 8, &c.

CONCIENCE DESCRIBed.

What are we to understand by conscience?— What is the meaning of this word that is in every ones mouth? One would imagine it was an exceeding difficult thing to discover this, when we consider, how large and numerous volumes have been from time to time wrote on this subject and how all the treasures of ancient

and modern learning have been ransacked, in order to explain it —And yet it is to be feared, it has not received much light from all those elaborate inquiries. Rather, have not most of those writers puzzled the cause, darkening counsel by words without knowledge; perplexing a subject plain in itself, and easy to be understood? For, set aside but hard words, and every man of an honest heart will soon understand the thing.

God has made us thinking beings, capable of perceiving what is present, and of reflecting or looking back on what is past. In particular, we are capable of perceiving, whatsoever passes in our own hearts or lives; of knowing whatsoever we feel or do; and that either while it passes, or when it is past. This we mean, when we say, Man is a conscious being: he hath a consciousness or inward perception, both of things present and past, relating to himself, of his own tempers and outward behaviour. But what we usually term conscience, implies somewhat more than this. It is not barely, the knowledge of our present, or the remembrance of our preceding life. To remember, to bear witness either of past or present things, is only one, and the least office of conscience. Its main business is to excuse or accuse, to approve or disapprove, to acquit or condemn.

Some late writers indeed have given a new name to this, and have chose to style it a moral sense. But the old word seems preferable to the new, were it only on this account, That it is more common and familiar among men, and therefore easier to be understood. And to Christians it is undeniably preferable, on another account also; namely because it is scriptural; because it is the word which the wisdom of God hath chose to use in the inspired writings.

And according to the meaning wherein it is generally used there, particularly in the epistles of St. Paul, we may understand by conscience, A faculty or power, implanted by God in every soul that comes into the world, of perceiving what is right or wrong in his own heart or life, in his tempers, thoughts, words, and actions.

Sermon on 2 Cor. i. 12.

THE NECESSITY AND ADVANTAGE OF ATTENDING TO CHRIST IN HIS WORD.

Let us observe, who it is, that is here speaking, that we may take heed how we hear. It is the Lord of heaven and earth, the Creator of all, who as such, has a right to dispose of all his creatures; the Lord our governor, whose kingdom is from everlasting, and ruleth over all; the great Law-giver, who can well enforce all his

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