We

hath not been over and over debated. have only the old argument dreffed up anew. The fceptical inquirer cannot poffibly mistake his way. The road is tracked by many wheels; and needful guide-pofts are every where fet up. From the knowledge abroad in the world, he may easily find abundance to fatisfy all his enquiries.

The great conclufion from the whole, is, that the minifters of religion cannot be too cautious in avoiding the words which man's wisdom teacheth; nor too careful in comparing fpiritual things with fpiritual. Polemical divinity, no doubt, hath a tendency to lead us afide. The great point before us is very different. Inftead of employing our time on the difficult topics of the gofpel, which concern few, it would ferve the cause of the gospel better, to endeavour by every means, as we are beft able, to inculcate the important truths of religion, which fo much concern us all the intention, and neceffity of it its graces, and high offers its means of purifying our nature-its conditions, and awful fanctions. These are truths which, though well known, require daily inculcating; and placing in various lights. On examining therefore the whole

whole intention, and tenor of the gospel-on comparing Spiritual things with fpiritual, we must be convinced, that the greatest service we can do to religion and the best obedience we can fhew to the gofpel, confifts in our uniting in a confcientious endeavour to draw a corrupt age to the practice of godlinefs-keeping that which is committed to our trust, and avoiding profane, and vain babblings, and oppofitions of Science, falfely fo called; which too often spoil men through philoSophy, and vain deceit, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Chrift.

SERMON II.

On the Simplicity of the Gospel.

[Preached at Southampton, at the Vifitation of Dr. STURGES, Chancellor of the Diocefe.]

2 COR. XI. 3.

I FEAR, LEST BY ANY MEANS, AS THE SERPENT BEGUILED EVE THROUGH HIS SUBTILTY; SO YOUR MINDS SHOULD BE CORRUPTED FROM THE SIMPLICITY, THAT IS IN CHRIST.

ONE of the first objects of apoftolical fear

ΟΝ

in the matter of religious corruption, was Judaism. The earliest converts where Jews; and they could not at once be brought to acknow ledge the fimplicity that is in Christ. Deep prejudices had taken root: the authority of Mofes — their peculiar privileges -the grandeur of their temple -and fplendor of its worfhip, had gotten. poffeffion of their earliest conceptions; and had filled their minds with ideas, which were not eafily erased by the fimplicity of the gofpel.

But

But though Judaism was the primary object of the apoftle's fear, the paffage before us leads us to fuppofe, his apprehenfions had here taken another turn, and were rather directed to the temptations of the world. We may confider it indeed, if we please, as prophecy. It has certainly the most genuine mark of prophecy-it has been exactly fulfilled. The fimplicity of the gofpel, in its firft age, could not be more corrupted by Judaism, than it has been fince by a concurrence of other mifchievous causes.

In the following discourse, I fhall first touch upon a few of thofe caufes which have corrupted the fimplicity that is in Christ; and shall, Secondly, inquire, what part the ministers of the gospel should take in this matter. It is a subject neither new, nor curious. But if it be a common fubject, it is, at least, a very interesting one; and can neither be too often reviewed, nor to deeply impreffed.

I. To fee how the fimplicity that is in Chrift, hath been corrupted, it may be neceffary to inquire in what it confifts. But the apostle hath not defined it; and therefore we may fuppose, We are to gather a definition of it for ourselves.

Whoever

Whoever reads the holy fcriptures with the meek fpirit of a learner, will feel the meaning of the expreffion better than any logical diftinctions can explain it to him. He will feel the fimplicity that is in Chrift growing upon him more, as he becomes more intimately acquainted with the fcriptures; and by degrees taking poffeffion of his understanding and affections. he will feel a difpofition forming itself in his mind, free from the prejudices of any fect-yet indulgent to the opinions of all-open to conviction and above difingenuous cavil - zealous in fearching for truth-but gentle in maintaining it. He will feel that the fimplicity which is in Chrift will form his heart, as well as his opinions. He will not allow the precepts of religion to be refined by the gloffes of the worldnor accommodated to its fafhions-nor confidered as fpeculative points. His faith will be a directing principle; which raises him above the world-above its hopes-above its fears and forms him into a cheerful paffenger through this state of trial; animated only by thofe holy hopes, which the gospel inspires.

That there are now, and have been in all ages, many individuals, who may, in a certain

degree,