called a revelation? And what valuable ends can be answered by a revelation which is unintelligible? fay these objectors.

BUT, thofe points in the Christian scheme, which are too deep for human comprehenfion, do not relate to practice. All required, in relation to them, is an affent to their truth, on the credit of God's word. This is neither difficult nor un. reasonable.

PERHAPS with only human powers, it may be impoffible to comprehend thofe fubjects which are left myfterious in divine revelation; but are they incredible if God hath declared them? Few would be the articles of our creed, did we admit the belief of nothing which we do not understand. We carry myfteries in ourselves. We are compounded of foul and body, but who explain the connexion; tell us the effence of either the one or the other, or define the principles on which the foul commands the body? We are loft in ourselves, and in all the objects which surround us.

WHATEVER God hath declared, we are bound to believe because he hath declared it; and whatever he hath enjoined, we are bound to do because he hath enjoined it, though the reasons of his in- j junctions may not be revealed. God is under no obligations to explain matters to us. "God is greater than man. Why doft thou ftrive with him? He giveth not account of his matters."

OTHERS object because the Gospel is not fent to all nations. That God fhould be fupposed to communicate it to some, and not to others, they

allege to be unreafonable, and fufficient to deftroy its credit; especially, as the book which claims to be a revelation teacheth that "there is no refpect of perfons with God."

THAT God makes his creatures to differ respecting talents and advantages, is a truth not to be denied. Those who on this account, object to the truth of the gofpel, will not deny it. If God: makes differences refpecting every thing elfe, why not refpecting religion? Where is the injuftice or impropriety of trying fome with gospel advanta ges; others only with the light of nature? If requirements vary with betruftments, none have reafon to complain; and that this is the cafe is plainly the language of revelation.*

WITH equal reason might the hand of God in creation be denied, because different grades are found among creatures, and fome have greatly the advantage over others; and in providence because its diftributions are unequal. That thefe inequalities are obfervable, and that they are the work of God, will be acknowledged by all who believe the being of a God, and his providential government. If any are difpofed to call these in question, we turn from them. To reafon with them would be in vain. "That which may be known of God is manifeft in them; for God hath fhewed it unto them. For the invifible

things of him, from the creation of the world, are clearly feen, being understood by the things that. are made, even his eternal power and Godhead ; fo that they are without excufe."

Vid. Difcourfe on Romans, ii. 11.

A SCOFFING age may cry out against Chriftianity. To fome it may be a "ftumbling block; to others foolishness." Men may exclaim against the gospel, and against the doctrines and duties of it, and the means which have been used of God to propagate it. Still" the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is ftronger than men." So it hath been in times paft; fo it will be in times to The foolish, the weak and bafe things of the world, have confounded and brought to nought, all the world termed wife, and great, and mighty.

come.

IMPERIAL Rome at the fummit of her greatness, could not crufh the cause of him who died on Calvary!" Had this counsel or work been of men, it would have come to nought." Probably the name of Jefus, would long ere now have perished from the earth. But all his enemies could do nothing effectually against him. They could on. ly do" what God's counsel had determined to be done.

CHRISTIANITY hath ftill its enemies; of the fame character with thofe of old. They have overthrown the faith of fome. Others they may feduce. That "fcoffers fhould arife, in the laft days walking after their own lufts; that fome fhould deny the Lord that bought them, and that many should follow their pernicious ways," were foretold by an infpired apoftle, and "they turn to us for a teftimony.'

If we be

WE are called a Chriftian people. lieve the gofpel, happy are we if we obey it."

The generality profefs to believe it.

But how is it

received? Do not many neglect it? Do not fome who affent to its truth, "go their way to their farms, or their merchandize," regardless of it, neither confeffing Chrift before men, nor feeking an intereft in him?

If the gospel is from God, to fuch neglecters of the grace it offers, it must be "a favor of death unto death!" And is not their number great? Doth it not increase from year to year, from age to age? To those who are taken up with fenfual pleafures, and with minding only earthly things, St. Paul would say "even weeping you are enemies to the cross of Christ, and your end will be deftruction."

LET us be perfuaded to bring home these confiderations to ourselves. We are deeply interested in them. "The fecrets of our hearts will ere long be judged by the gofpel of Chrift." To thofe who will not receive and obey the gofpel, we have only to say, "Notwithstanding, be ye fure of this, that the Kingdom of God is come nigh unto you."

LUKE xviii. 8.

When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

'HE that believeth and is baptized fhall be fav. ed; but be that believeth not fhall be damned." So teftified the rifen Savior. Faith is made a condition of falvation. But God requires only a reasonable service. He must then have given evi. dence of the truth to which he requires affent. He hath given it abundantly. Chriftians " are compaffed about with a cloud of witneffes."

THE proofs of Chriflianity are of two kinds external and internal. Both are ftrong. United they leave infidelity without excufe.

Or external, the chief are miracles and proph. écy. Miracles carried conviction to behold. érs; and were defigned to give credibility to fpecial meffengers. Prophecy is a ftanding evi dence, by which teftimony is borne to the truth. of revelation; yea, it is a growing evidence, which gains ftrength by every fulfilment.

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