Obedience, which the Penalty was intended to enforce. And though the World every where retained fome Notion or other of a future State, and was fond of cherishing the languishing Hopes of Immortality; yet these Hopes feem rather to be the Remains of that firft State, in which Nature had the full Profpect of Life before her, and which fubfifted when the Bleffing itself was forfeited, than any juft Affurance of another Life after Death, to be purchased by Virtue and Obedience. To repair this Breach, and to fettle Religion once more, upon the fureFoundation of the Hopes and Fears of Eternity, our bleffed Lord brought Life and Immortality to light again by the Gofpel; and published to the World the new Doctrine of a Refurrection from the Grave, of the Truth of which Doctrine we had the firft Inftance, and the fulleft Confirmation, in his own victorious Triumph over the Powers of Death and of Darkness. Hence it is that we are faid to be begotten again through Christ Jesus unto a lively Hope, or unto the Hope of Life: hence also we are told, that God hath now appointed a Day, in which he will judge the World by the Man Christ Jesus. Hence it is, that these two, or rather this

one

one Article relating to a Resurrection and a Judgment to come, was the main Thing which the Apostles had in Commiffion to publish to the World; infomuch that when a new Apostle was to be chosen in the Room of Judas, it was required, as a neceffary Article, that he should be qualified to be a competent Witness of the Refurrection of Christ, in which the Authority of this great Article was founded.

But to what Purpose was it to restore Religion from the Corruptions of Ignorance and Superstition; to what End was this better Hope brought in? Since our first Parents, who wanted not this Hope, nor this Knowledge, yet wretchedly fell from both by Tranfgreffion, what Security can we, their Sons, ftill worfe than they, promife ourselves from these Advantages? It is we that are weak and degenerate, it is we that most of all want to be restored: this original Corruption made it neceffary, in order to fave the World, not only to restore Religion, but Nature herself. Hence it is that our Admiffion into the Gospel is attended with a new Birth unto Righteousness; hence it is that we are put under the Conduct and Direction of the Holy Spirit, who is our L 2 Fellow

Fellow-Labourer in the Gofpel, and in all Times, and in all Places, ready to comfort and fupport the Faithful. If, to strengthen our Confidence in him, we are told that he is in all Refpects equal to the extenfive Charge; that being the Eternal Spirit of God, he can in all Places and at all Times discharge the Office; this Knowledge, which was communicated to make our Faith and Hope confiftent, and to fet both upon a reasonable Foundation, ought to be no Objection against either. And fince thefe Articles of our Creed, being beyond the Discovery of human Reason, are placed upon the furer Foundation of the Demonftration of the Spirit, in mighty Signs and Wonders, they ought to be no Stumbling-block to us; for the Reafon may teach us to embrace the Remedy, which she could not provide.

It is true, the Gospel has taught us Things, which by Nature we could not know; but they are all defigned to confirm and ftrengthen our Hope in God: it is true alfo, that there are some Inftitutions in the Gofpel, which in their own Nature are no conftituent Parts of Religion; but they are fuch only as are neceflary to enable us to do

Our

our Duty, by conveying to us new Supplies of fpiritual Strength. These are the Additions which the Gospel has made to natural Religion; forgive its Injury. Our blessed Saviour faw that the Hopes of Nature were loft, therefore he brought to Light again Life and Immortality: he faw that we were corrupted, not able to refift Evil, and therefore' he supplied the Defect by the Affiftance of his holy Spirit; pardon his Care, and do not think the worfe of him, or his Religion, for the great Provifion he has made in it for your Security.

These Confiderations may perhaps fuggeft to your Thoughts what probable Ground there is to hope for Succefs in our Endeavours to spread the Gospel of Christ in the dark Corners of the World; and what is the true Method of propofing it to the uninftructed Part of Mankind. But as I choose to decline this Subject, and to leave it to the properer Hands on which it is placed, I shall shut up all with this Petition: that God would haften the Completion of the Prophecies relating to the Kingdom of Chrift; that he would give him the Heathen for his Inheritance, and the utmost Parts of the Earth for his Poffeffion, that he may be his Salvation to all People.