itself to life, or a creature towards giving SER M. itself being; and, thereby, render all the X. exhortations and commands of the gospel to repent, and turn from our evil ways, impertinent and trifling? The folly of this forced and unnatural method of interpreting is clearly feen in other instances, and univerfally allow'd; for when 'tis, Theff. faid, that the day of the Lord fo comethv. 2. as a thief in the night, who ever imagined, upon the bare force of this metaphor, that it will be attended with injustice and violence? And the true reason why men think justly on the one, and not on the other is, that in the one cafe they proceeded impartially, and, being under no biafs, take the natural and most obvious fense of scripture; whereas, in the other, their judgment is already determined in favour of fome party fcheme, which they take all opportunities and all advantages to fupport.

5thly, I would advise those who want leifure, opportunity, and, perhaps, capacity for critical enquiries, to read chiefly the plain parts of fcripture; thofe, efpecially, which defcribe the perfections and providence of God, or contain practical inftructions

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SERM. inftructions, and gofpel motives and en

X.

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couragements to virtue; and to trouble themselves but little about doubtful pasfages that are only incidental, and have no immediate connection with the grand defign of the revelation. For if Chriftianity be rightly understood in its practical doctrines, and as it is a moral rule, which, without doubt, must be the chief intention of any revelation; other obscurities, about ancient cuftoms, manners, fects, philofophy, &c. nay, about any points merely fpeculative, fignify just nothing. For as God would never have given a revelation, if the errors of the world had not been of a practical nature, but confifted only in abfurd theories; fo differen ces about fuch things may always continue, nay, the bulk of the world may know but little about them, and yet all the ends and uses of the Chriftian revelation, as a standing rule, be completely anfwered. Those who have time, and proper abilities, may commendably employ their thoughts about these leffer matters; but others, who have neither a genius, nor opportunities for fpeculation,

act

act wifely in not medling with it, but SERM. confining themselves to more important X. and effential points.

In the last place, as the great end of revelation must be to promote the practice of virtue, we learn from hence a fure rule, by which to judge of the importance of the feveral doctrines of it: We fhould lay no stress upon any but as it tends to promote a holy life, and upon all, juft in proportion to their tendency to this great and defireable end. And, upon this foot, what will become of moft of the controverfies, that have been fo furiously agitated in the Chriftian world, in which the best part of religion is not at all concerned? Learn then to employ your chief zeal about the weightier matters of the law, doing justly, loving mercy, and walking. humbly with God; and be but little follicitous about fpeculative opinions, and matters of doubtful difputation. Follow after the things that make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Rom. xiv. For then only will you have ftudied the fcriptures to a right purpose, when ye have purified your fouls, in obeying the James iii. truth thro' the fpirit, unto unfeigned love17.

VOL. I.

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of

Micah vi

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SERM. of the brethren; and learned to practife X. the wisdom that is from above, which is firft pure, then peaceable, gentle and eafy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without bypocrify.

I have nothing farther to add, but to commend you to God, and to the word of Acts xx. his grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among all them that are fanctified.

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SERMON XI.

Of Herefy.

TITUS iii. 10, II.

A man that is an heretic, after the firft and fecond admonition reject; knowing that he that is fuch is fubverted, and finneth, being condemned of bimfelf.

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IS furprifing to think, what a SERM. vaft influence the mere found XI. of words, artfully manag'd, has upon the generality of mankind, both to confound their judgment, and inflame their paffions. This the dealers in controverfy feem to be univerfally

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