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DISCOURSES

O N

VARIOUS SUBJECTS,

By the late Reverend

JOHN LELAND, D. D.

With a PREFACE, giving fome Ac- count of the Life, Character, and Writings of the AUTHOR.

IN FOUR VOLUMES,

THE FIRST VOLUME.

LONDON: Printed for W. Johnston, in Ludgate-Street^^

AND

J. DoDSLEY, in Pall-Malh

M Dec LXJX,

DISCOURSES

O N

VARIOUS SUBJECTS,

By the late Reverend

JOHN LELAND, D.D.

THE FIRST VOLUME,

LONDON:

J^rinted for W. Johnston, in Ludgate-Stnet ;

AND

J. DoDSLEY, in Pall-MalL

M DCC LXIX.

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PREFACE.

THE Rev. Dr. Leland was born at Wiggan in Lancajhire, the i8th of OBobery O. S. in the Year 1691. When he turned his Thoughts to the Place and Time of his Birth, he obferved there were two Things for which he had great Reafoo. to be thankful to Divine Providence. The one was his having been born in a Land of evangelical Light and Liberty.- — The other, his having been born of religious Parents. Though it be very true, what fome Perfons have obferved, that no Man fhall be faved or condemned merely for being born in fuch a Country, qr at fuch a Time, yet it cannot be denied, that there are fome Ages and Countries eminently diftinguiflied above others, and in which Perfons have much greater Advantages for knowing and pradlifmg their Duty, and for making a Progrefs in all thofe Accom - pliihments, that tend to the true Dignity and Perfection of the human Nature. And any one that believeth a Providence, which fuperintendeth the Affairs of Men, ought to look upon it as a happy Circumftance,^^^ when his Birth and Habitation have been fo ordered and difpofed, as to give him great a Advantage^

ii PREFACE.

Advantages for religious and moral Im- provements. He was therefore thankful to the Divine Providence, that he was born not among the wild Indians ; liot in the barba- rous and uncultivatea Nations, among w^hom the main Principles of what is called Natw rd Religion^ are in a great Meafure ex- tinguifhed, and where human Nature is funk into the loweft Degree of Meannefs and Ignorance ; nor yet in Countries groan- ing under Turkifi Oppreffion ; nor where the Chriftian Religion is debafed with Su- perftition and corrupt Mixtures, which have greatly obfcured and defaced its pri- mitive Purity, Simplicity, and Glory ; or where Papal T^yranny prevaileth, and where there is no Liberty allowed for an impartial Examination of the Scriptures, and keep- ing clofe to that facred Rule.

Had our Author been to choofe for him- felf in what Part of the World, in what Nation, in what Age, to come into Exift- ence, he could fcarce have defired any thing more favourable in thcfe Rcfpedls, than it pleafed God in his great Goodnefs to affign him . He thought he was born in one of the happieft Parts of the Earth, In a Country blefled with great Advantages, . and in one of the brighteft Periods that is to be met with in the whole Courfe of the Englifli Hiftory. For in no Age nor Coun- try was there ever a fuller Enjoyment of

Liberty,

PREFACE, iii

Liberty, a more glorious Light, greater Ad- vantages for Improvement, or better Op- portunities for making a free Inquiry into the Nature and Reafons of the Chriftian Religion, and profeffing it in its Purity, This, he thought, ought not to be pafled over wdth a flight Regard, but juflly called for the mo ft grateful Acknowledgments.

The other Thing he had to be peculiarly thankful for, in which he had an Advantage above many thoufands in the fame Age and Country, was his being born of religious Parents, Perfons of true Chriftian Simpli- city, and godly Sincerity.

To proceed from Parents diftinguiflied by the Splendor of their Titles, and Afflu- ence of their Fortunes and Circumftances, may indeed, in many Cafes, open a Way for making a Figure in the World, and be- ing extenfively ufeful in the Community. But it often bringeth great Temptations along with it, which few are able to refift or overcome. But to fpring from Parents of great Piety and Virtue, though of com- paratively mean outward Circumftances, is a real and mighty Advantage. And the Benefit arifing from their early good lii- ftru(ftions and good Examples, is fupericr to any Thing w^iich v/orldly Riches or Honours can furnifli : and to be in a preat Meafure exempted from thofe Temptations to which thefe Things generally expofe a 2 Men,

iv PREFACE.

Men, is often to be regarded as an happy Circumflance.

His Father was full of Zeal for God, very afliduous in the Exercifes of Piety and Devotion, in his Clofet and Family, as well as in attending on public Worfliip, and his whole Converfation was uniform and ex- emplary. His Circumftances in the World were fuch for fever al Years, that, though not opulent, he lived in very good Cre- dit, and was very adive in doing Good, according to his Ability. At length, by feveral Difappointments in his Affairs, and efpecially through his being involved by becoming Security for fome Friends, he v/as brought under fuch Difficulties, that he gave ail his Effeds into the Hands of his Creditors, and came over into Ireland, being obliged to leave his Wife and Chil- dren in her Father's Houfe at Wiggariy where fhe continued two Years till his Death. And then her Hufband having got into a Profped of being fettled in Bufinefs, flie came to Dublin with three Sons, of whom our Author was the fecond. It is natu- ral to fuppofe, that in his Circumftances he muft have fuffered much Diftrefs with a Wife, and three Children very young, in a ftrange Land, and known to very few. Bat he bore all v/ith great Chearfuinefs, and, diligent in his Buhnefs, had a fteady Dependence on Divine Providence. It was

ufual

PREFACE. V

ufual with him to rife up early to his Em- ployment : but he never did, under Pre- tence of Bufmefs, negleft his Devotions to God in his Clofet, or in his Family. He delighted to fpeak of religious Subjects, and he did it with fuch Warmth and Affection, as {hewed how nearly they touched his Heart : and what recommended his Dif- courfe was, that his whole Condud was agreeable to it. His Life was a conftant cfourfe of honeft Induftry, great Tempe- rance, Patience, Meeknefs, Delight in God, and cheerful Refignation to his Will. And his End was fuitable to fuch a Life, with- out any Cloud or uncomfortable Doubts and Fears. He triumphed over Death, with- out vain-glorious Boafting, but with a calm, fteady, well-grounded Hope of Glory, that raifed him above the Fears of Death, and gave him fome Foretaftes of Glory, before he entered into it.

Our Author's Mother was alfo one of great Piety as well as Knov^^edge, and of good natural Parts, excellent in the Oeco- nomy of her Children and Family, and very diligent and careful in all the Duties of a faithful Wife and affedlionate Mother. She died fome Years before her Hufband, and her End was alfo very comfortable and

edifvlng.

When he reflefted on the Character and

Condu(3L of his beloved Parents, '' How

a ^ " thank-

vi PREFACE.

<* thankful," faid he, " iliould I be to God, *' for the Benefit of their early good In- '* ftrudions, and ufeful Examples, and fer- " vent Prayers, in which refpecl I have ** had a mighty Advantage above many *^ thoufands, v^hofe outward Circumftances ^' were much more fplendid !'*

In the fixth Year of his Age, he was feized with the Small-pox, which proved of fo malignant a kind, that his Life was defpaired of. And when, contrary to all Expectation, he recovered from that Dif- order, he was found deprived of his Under- ftanding and Memory, the Ufe of which, it was much feared, would never have been reftored. This State of Stupidity continued for near twelve Months. His former Ideas feemed all quite expunged. And though before the Diftemper he had been taught to read, all was intirely forgotten, and he was obliged to begin with the Letters, as if he had never known them before. But though he could never recover the Remem- brance of what had happened to him before he was feized with that Diftemper, he dif- covered now a quick Apprehenfion, and ftrong Memory : and the Progrefs he made was taken fo much Notice of, that his Parents, by the Advice of Friends, re- folved to breed him to a learned Profeffion.

Accordingly he applied himfelf to School

Learning with remarkable Affiduity,in which

2 he

PREFACE. vu

he made a quick Progrefs ; as a!fo In a Courfe of Fhilofophy, under a celebrated Teacher at that Time. His unwearied Di- ligence, and great Proficiency in Learning, were much taken Notice of, and admired by all who knew him. After this he ap- plied himfelf to the Study of Hebrew and Divinity, under the Direftion of fome learn- ed and worthy Minifters, who greatly affift- ed him in his Studies : and, in due Time, being thoroughly fatisfied how well fur- jiiflied and prepared he was, encouraged him to enter into the Miniflry. And he fully anfwered the high Exped:ations which were formed of him. For he had not long appeared in that Charadter, till he came to be much efteemed, even by the moft difcerning Judges : and was invited to preach ftatedly to the Congregation of Pro- tejlaiit Dtffentersy then meeting in New-Rowy with a View to a further Settlement. His Sermons were fo acceptable, and his Beha- viour was (o becoming, that in a fliort Time he received from them a moft affecftionate and unanimous Call to be Joint-paflior with the Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Weld, and was fo- lemnly ordained the 1 3 th of December 1 7 1 6 . Before he took this Charad:er upon him, he applied himfelf in the moft ferious and deliberate Manner to confider the Nature and Duties of that facred Office ; even that of a Minifter and Paftor in the Church of a 4 Chrifty

viii P R E F A C E.

Chrift, a Prelbyter, or a Eiilicp ^ for it ap- peared to him, upon the moft ciccurate Ex- amination, that in the Times of the Apof- ries, thefe Names were ufed indifferently to fignify the fame Order of Church-Offi- cers ; though he was fenfible, that foon after there began to be a Diflinftion made between them.

And he looked on the facred Miniftry as a Station, not only of Honour, but of Labour -, that it is not an idle Life, to be fpent in Eafe and Indolence, but in active ufeful Service. That, as it is evident from many Paffages of the New Teftament, it is the Will of God and of our Lord Jefus Chrift, the great King and Head of his Church, that Chriftians fhould be formed into worfliipping Societies, for the Purpofes of his Religion, fo he hath appointed that there fhould be Perfons peculiarly fet apart to the Work of the Miniftry among them, whofe proper Office it fliould be to prefide in thofe facred Societies, to teach and in- ftruft, to exhort and admonifh the Chriftian People, to lead them in divine Worftiip, to adminifter facred Ordinances among them, and exercife a paftoral Care over them. That the great End of their Miniftry is, in general, this, to promote the Glory of God in the Salvation of Souls, and thereby advance the Interefts of Chrift's Kingdom : that to that End they are to labour in the

Word

PREFACE. Ix

Word and Do6lrine, to preach Repentance and Remiffion of Sins in the Name of Chrift, and to befeech Sinners to be recon- ciled unto God. That they are to pubHfh the glad Tidings of Salvation, to difplay the great and precious Promifes of the new Covenant, and its moft reafonable and gra- cious Terms, to fet their Duty before them in its juft Extent, and to enforce the Laws of the Gofpel, by its powerful and engag- ing Motives, and important Sanations : that they fliould take St. P<:?/// for their Model, who in the Account he gives of his own Miniftry, in his admirable Speech to the Elders of the Church of Ephefusy folemnly declares, and appeals to them for the Truth of it, that he had kept back notlmrg that was profitable unto them, but had fijewed theniy and taught them publicly ^ aitd fro?n Houfe to Houfe^ ^^filfj^^^g ^oth to the Jews, and alfo to the Greeks, Repentance towards God, and Faith tozvard our Lord Refits Chriji. Afts xx. 20, 21. He tells the C<?- rinthians, that he and the other Apoftles, preached Chrift crucified, and that he deter- mined not to know any thing amo?2g the?n,fave yefus Chrift, and him crucified. And elfe- where he declares, that \\q preached not him- felf, but Chrifi J ejus the Lord, He obferved, that from thefe and other Paffages to the fame Purpofe, we may fee, what ought to be the main Topics that Goipel Minifters

ihould

X PREFACE.

fliould infift upon in their preaching. They are to preach Chrift crucified, to teach whatfbever he hath commanded them, his Dodlrines and his Laws ; to explain facred Truth, and urge all religious and moral Duties in the Reference they bear to him, as the great Foundation and Center of our Religion as Chriftians.

He obferves, that as to the Manner of

their preaching, they " mufl not corrupt the

*^ Word of God, nor handle it deceitfully,

*' but as of Sincerity, but as of God, in

" the Sight of God, muft fpeak in Chrift.

** They muft fpeak as becometh the Ora-

*^ cles of God. In their Dodrine they

** muft ftiew Incorruptnefs and Gravity,

*' and found Speech that cannot be con-

*' demned. They muft be ¥/orkmcn that

** need not be afhamed, rightly dividing

** the Word of Truth. They muft not

** ufe flattering V/ords, nor feek Glory of

*' Men ; nor Excellency of Speech, entic-

'' ing Words of Man's Wifdom". They

muft faithfully warn the wicked of the

Evil of his Way, and muft fpeak the

Truth boldly, and rebuke with Authority.

But they ought to manage their Rebukes

with great Prudence and Meeknefs. They

are *' not to rebuke an Elder, but intreat

*' him as a Father, and the younger Men

*' as Brethren". They muft endeavour to

adapt their Difcourfes to the various Cafes

of

PREFACE. xi

of their Hearers, giving Milk to Babes, and Meat to ftronger Men ; ufing the moft indulgent Care, and being gentle among them, as a Nurfe cherifheth her Children. And in all this they ihould be diligent, ceafmg not to warn every one Night and Day, in the moft afFeftionate Manner. And the Motives they are ad:ed by fhould be fimple and pure. Knowing the Terrors of the Lord, they fliould perfuade Man. And the Love of Chrift ''fhould conftraia them. They fhould not feek to pleafe Men, but ftudy to approve themfelves in the Sight of God : And they fliould have the moft tender Regard to the Good of Souls. This ihould animate their Preaching, and their whole Condud:. St. Pai^/ frequently ex- prefTeth himfelf on this Subjefl: in the moft affeftionate Strains, as particularly in the firft Epiftle to the Thejjaloniansy the fecond and third Chapters throughout. How doth he exult and triumph in the Succefs of the Goipel, when the Chriftian Converts abounded in Faith and Love and the Fruits of Righteoufnefs ! And, on the contrary, how is he concerned and grieved when they did not anfwer his Defires and Ex- pectations ! He was ready to fpend, and to be fpent j nay he rejoiced to offer him- felf a Sacrifice for the Service of their Faith. Fhil, ii. 17.

That in order to fit them for the right

Dxf-

xii PREFACE.

Difcharge of their Duty, they ougbt to give heed to Reading, to Exhortation, to Dodlrine, to meditate on thefe Things, and give thetnfelves wholly to them, i I'm, iv. 13, 15. To ftudy the holy Scriptures, which are able to make us wife unto Salva- tign, and are profitable for Do6lrine, for Re- proof, for Corredlion, for Inftrudion in Righteoufnefs, to make the Man of God perfedl, and thoroughly furnifhed unto all good Works. z'Tim, in, 15, 16, 17. To mind the weightier Matters of Religion, avoid- ing " foolifh and unlearned Queftions*' which " gender Strifes/' 2 l^i?n, ii. 23.

As to their perfonal Qualifications. They muft be endued with a holy Fortitude to bear up under all the Difficulties they may be called to encounter with. *^ They ** muft be meek and humble, patient and ** forbearing; no Strikers nor Brawlers; *' not felf- willed, nor foon angry ; wot co- *' vetous, nor given to much Wine ; not *' proud, left they fall into the Condem- ** nation of the Devil : They muft be *^ condefcending towards all, ready to be- *' come all Things to all Men, as far as ** they lawfully can, that they may gain *' fome. They fhouid be hofpltable, fo- ** ber, modeft, grave; they ftiould be ho- *' ly, blamelefs, and without Ofl-ence; ** giving no Offence, that the Miniftry " be not blamed." Finally, they muft

be

PREFACE. xiii

be Examples to the Flock, In every ami- able Grace and Virtue, being *^ Examples " of the Believers in Word, in Converfa- *' tion, in Charity, in Spirit, in Faith, in " Purity."

Upon this View of the minifterial Of- fice, he obferves what a various and ex- tenfive, and what a difficult Work doth it appear to be; and that the Service is ren- dert'd more arduous, if we confider the Oppofition and Obftacles that faithful Minifters may expedt to meet with in the Difcharge of their Work. And thefe are of various Kinds, arifing from the Hatred and Obloquy, the Derifions and Reproach- es of the unbelieving and profane ; from the Pride, the Peevifhnefs, the Envy and Uncharitablenefs of many that profefs them- felves Friends to Religion ; from the mani- fold Temptations and Affaults of their fpiri- tual Enemies, and from their own Weaknef- fes and Infirmities, Appetites and Paffions.

Having thus deliberately and feriouf- ly confidered what the Work and Of- fice was to which he was called j he, in the next Place, fet himfelf to inquire, v/hat Rcafon he had to think himfelf diredled by Divine Providence to engage in it. •

And with regard to this, the follow- ing Confiderations, he faid, had great Weight with him.

'' Firft, It is the Will of our Lord Je-

'' fus

xiV PREFACE.

fus Chrift that there fhould be a Gofpel- miniftry continued in his Church to the End of the World. And this is of great Importance for keeping up the Knowledge and Praftice of Religion, for maintaining the Ufe and Exercife of divine Ordinances, for promoting the Converlion of Souls, and building them up through Faith and Holinefs unto Sal- vation and eternal Life. ** Secondly, The Way of fignifying his Will concerning the particular Perfons v^hom he defigns to the Work of the Miniftry, feems ordinarily to be this; The enduing them with fuch Qualijfi- cations and Difpoiitions, whereby they are fitted for the ufeful and acceptable Difcharge of that facred Office. The exciting in them Defires and Purpofes to devote themfelves to it, and determin- ing them to undertake it from good and upright Principles and Motives. The Judgment and Approbation of thofe who are themfelves Partakers of that Office, and who judge them, upon due Trial, to be well qualified, and fit to be folemnly

fet apart and ordained to it. Thefe

Things feem to be Sufficient Indications that it is agreeable to the Will of Chrifl, the great King and Head of his Church, that fuch Perfons fliould be admitted to the Chriftian Miniftry. — But if to this it be

*' added.

PREFACE. XV

*^* added, that any particular Chriftian So- *^ cicty invites and calls them to take the *' paftoral Care and Overfight of them, *' from a Perfuafion and Experience that *' this would tend to their fpiritual Edifi- *' cation and Benefit ; this feems to re- ** move all reafonable Doubts, and to be *' as full a Proof as can ordinarily be ex- '' peded.

*' Now to apply this to my own Cafe. ** God has been gracioufly pleafed to give *^ me fome Talents, which feem capable " of being improved to the Edification of *' his Church. He hath difpofed and in- *' clined my Heart to a Willingnefs to take " upon me the facred Miniftry, and that,. ■*' not from worldly carnal Ends and ^* Views, but from a fmcere Intention *' and Defire of employing the Talents *' he has given me in promoting the Sal- *' vation of Souls, and ferving the Inte- *' refts of Truth, Piety, and Righteouf-

'' nefs in the V/orld. Befides, If J

*^ confider the Courfe of Divine Provi- " dence towards me, my good Parents, " as far as in them lay, devoted me to the ** Miniftry from my yearly Youth. God " hath raifed me up Friends from Time *' to Time, who have given me coniider- *' able Helps and Encouragements to for- ■*^ ward me in my Studies.~And I have been encouraged by the Judgment aad

'' Appro-

<(

xvl PREFACE.

*' Approbation of feveral learned and pious? ** Minifters, who, after a diligent Courfe ** of Trials carried on for a confiderable *^ Time, judged me to be properly quali- *^ fied for that facred Office, and animat- *' ed me to undertake it. — And fince I ** have been licenfed to preach as a Can- *^ didate for the holy Ministry; my pub- *' lie Labours have met with a general *' Acceptance, and have, I truft, been *^ really ufefuL — Befides all which, I have *' had an unanimous and affedlionate Call *^ from a Society of Chriftian People, ** many of whom are remarkable for their *' Knowledge, as vv^ell as Piety, to take *' the paftoral Overfight of them.

" Upon ferioufly weighing all thefe " Things, I cannot but think I have a *' clear Call to the Work of the Mini- " ftry ; and I verily believe, that if I re- *' jefted it I fliould fin againft God, grieve *' many of his People, counteradt the " Defigns of Divine Providence towards " me, and alienate the Talents he has gi- ** ven me to other Purpofes than thofe for " which they feem to have been intended.

*' I defire therefore to accept and com- ** ply with this Call, and I would do it *' with the deeped Humility, under a ** Senfe of my own great Unworthinefs " and Infufficiency in myfelf ^ but, at the " fame Time, with the moft intire De-

*^ pendence

P R E F ACE, iVIi

^^ pendence upon God, and Affiance in *" him, to carry me through this great " Work, and to enlarge my Heart, aind ** ftrengthen my Hands^ that I may be ** ufeful and fuccefsful in it. And bleffed be his Name, that he is pleafed to ad- mit fuch an unworthy Creature as I am, to fo high, fo honourable an Em- ployment, which will lay me under an happy Neceffity of converling frequent- ly with him, and turning my Thoughts to Things of the greateft Excellency and Importance. And I look up unto thee,; ^' the God of all Grace> that thou wouldft ^' make me an able Minifter of the New *' Teftament : and fince I am fatisfied it ** is thy Will that I fhould undertake this ** Office^ here. Lord, I defire to do fo ; *' may it be the Language of my Soul^ ^' in Conformity to the Example of my *' bleffed Redeemer, I delight to do thy " Will, O my God. Oh that thy Law ** may be in my Heart, and thy Spirit ** the living reigning Principle there! *' Whatever I fhall at any Time be con- ** vinced will be moft to the Advance- *^ ment of thy Glory, and for the Good ** of thy Church, efpecially of that Flock " of thine which thou committeft to my ** Charge, I here covenant by thy Grace " to perform it according to my poor Abi- ** Hties, to feek out for acceptable Words [Vol. L] b '' to

xviii PREFACE.

to feed thy Sheep, to diftribute to thenr according to their various Cafes and NecefTities, not to make my minifterial Work a Thing by the bye, but to give myfelf wholly to it, to fpend and be fpent, and chearfully to employ what- ever Time, Talents, Faculties, and Ad- vantages I am poffeiTed of, for the Ho- nour of thy Name, and the Salvation of Souls.

*^ But confider, O my Soul, thou art entering on a difficult and troublefome Warfare, exped: that the Powers of Darknefs will fet themfelves in array againft thee ; expc6l to encounter with the Rage of a malignant Worlds to meet with Difcouragements from w^ithout and from within, from the Weaknefs and Inftability of thy own Heart, from^ open Enemies, and feeming Friends. Count upon grievous Trials, Reproaches, and even Perfecutions for the Sake of Chrift. For it may happen that all thefe fhall be thy Lot, as they have often been of his moft faithful Servants. Nor art thou to wonder if thou fareft not much better than thy Lord and Mafter was treated by the World, which he came to fave. If it be fo, Lord, I fubmit, I acquiefce. Give me but thy Strength and Grace. Be thou my Leader in this glorious Warfare, and I fliall be more

** thaa

PREFACE. XIX

^^ than a Conqueror. But without thee I ^' dare not engage in it. And I declare ** before Heaven and Earth, that I un- " dertake this Work only from a Profpedl " and Hope of thy divine Affiftance and '' Bleffing."

" I therefore applied myfelf to God by *' earnefl Prayer, ov^ning my utter Un- ** worthinefs, bewailing my manifold De- ** fefts, that in preaching his holy Word " hitherto, I have not found my Heart *^ affedted in a Manner fuitable to the in- *^ finite Importance of the Truths I have ** delivered in his Name, and as becometh *^ one who is pleading with immortal ** Souls about the Concerns of Eternity : ** That fo much Pride, Selfifhnefs, and a " vain Defire of Applaufe hath mixed it- " felf with my religious and minifterial ** Services. I prayed that God would give *' me thofe Gifts and Graces which are *^ fo neceffary to the right Difcharge of " this facred Fundlion; particularly, that *^ he would inflame my Soul with Love to him, and to the Lord Jefus Chrift, and with a well regulated Zeal for his Glo- ry, and the Interefts of his Kingdom ; that he would imprefs my Heart with a *^ deep Senfe of his all-feeing Eye, and a *' profound Reverence of his adorable ** Majefty ; that he would give me more ** melting Bowels, and a tender Commi- b 2 *' feration

€C

<i

XX PREFACE.

feration for precious Souls, thofc efpe-^ daily of the Flock committed to my Care^ that he would affedl my Heart with the great Truths I deliver to others, and enable me to ftudy, preach, and pray, as for Eternity ; that he would aflift me in ordering my Converfation aright, that I may guide others not on-^ ly by my Doftrine, but by my Example too, in all the Virtues of the Chriftiaa Life; and, finally, that he would clothe me with Humility, that amiable Gof- pel Grace, and enable me to put on that evangelical Charity, which is the Bond of Perfed:nefs." Such were the Workings of his Soul on this folemn Occafion ; and the Impref- fions that were made upon him were deep and lafting. For he engaged in the Work of the Miniftry, not with worldly Views, but from a fincere Defire to employ the Talents God had given him in promoting the Salvation of Souls, and ferving the Inte- refts of Truth and Liberty, Piety and Vir- tue in the World. With fuch animating Views he difcharged the Duties of his Charader as a Minifter of Chrijl, with la- borious Diligence and Fidelity. And by an indefatigable Application to Reading and Study, and the great Improvements he made in ail ufeful Knowledge and Litera- ture, which afterwards appeared in his

Writings

PREFACE. xxi

Writings on different Subjeds, he attained fo an high Reputation, not only among his own Friends and Hearers, but in the learned World, and among Perfons of all Denominations.

As a Preacher he was very acceptable : His Compofitions for the Pulpit were plain, corred:, and ufeful, equally fitted to convince the Underflanding and to affed: the Heart. He did not chufe to entertain his Hearers with vain Speculations, which only gender Strife : And when any con- troverted Dodlrines came in his Way, he treated them with great Modefty, Mode- ration, and Charity, as became one who was fenfible of the narrow Limits of hu- man Knowledge in this State of Darknefs and Imperfection. He thought, the clofer we keep to Scripture in fpeaking of the particular Dodlrines of Revelation, and the lefs we make Ufe of logical Terms and fiibtle Diftindions the better : and that fome Mens Prefumption in attempting to explain them, hath given the Adverfaries of Chriftianity an Advantage which they never would have had, if Divines had not gone beyond the Simplicity of the Gofpel. He not only thought and reaibned clear- ly on every Subject, but he had fo happy a Talent of arranging his Thoughts, and conveying his Sentiments to others in a Iptile manly and unaffedled, and ^t the b 3 fame

xxii PREFACE.

fame Time fo eafy and perfpicuous, and by the Help of a faithful Memory, ex- afbly delivered without any Ufe of Notes, that the meaneft, as well as the moft judi- cious of his Hearers, who gave proper At- tention, could hardly fail of being affeded and inftrufted : At leaft, one would natu- rally fuppofe this to be the Effedt, when the inoft important Truths were delivered in fo improving a Way by a Man of his Character, who had the Honour of God and the Redeemer, and the Interefts of fubftantial Religion and Virtue fo much at Heart ; and when every one muft fee, that what he faid affedied himfelf, and that he felt what he fpoke.

In the Year 173 1, he married Mrs. Ann Maquay^ Widow of the Reverend Mr. Thomas Maquay, who had been Minifter to the Congregation of Plunket-freet. Be- tween him and the Dodor there had been the greateft Intimacy, a Fellowfhip in their Studies, and a conftant Courfe of Friend- fliip for feveral Years. In the Sermon he printed on his greatly lamented Death he gives this general Account of him.

*^ He was born and bred in this City. ** Here he had his Education and Learn- " ing, and was an Exceptioa to that ge- " neral Rule, that a Prophet is without ** Honour in his own Country, He made "■A a quick Progrefs in Learning even in his , ^1 early

PREFACE. xxiii

**^. early Years. Then- I commenced my '* firfl: Acquaintance with him, never fmcc •'* interrupted by any Breach or Alienation *' of i\.fFed:ion to this Day. After having ^^ gone through our CourJTe of Philofophy ** together, v^e applied ourfelves jointly ** to the Study of Divinity, under the ^^ happy Care of the fame w^orthy Fathers

*' in the Miniftry. Under fuch Ad-

'* vantages, improved by his prompt na- ^* tural Parts and great Induftry, he came *^ out richly furniihed and adorned to the *' Work of the facred Miniftry. And *' fcarce had he entered on his public Mi- ** niftrations, w^hen you of this Congre- *^ gation caft your Eye upon him for a *' CoUegue to your late excellent Faftor, *^ the Reverend Mr. Alexander Sinclare.--^ ** All, hov^ever various in their Tempers ^' and Inclinations, centered and united in ** him; xnftrudted and affed:ed with his *' Preaching, edified by his Example, and

*^ engaged by his Converfation." And

after having enlarged on fome Particulars jponcerning him, he adds, " I hope I fhall *^ now be indulged a little, if I fpeak of '^ him under the amiable Charafter of a *^ Friend. He was of a fweet and peace- *^ ful Difpofition, lovely in his Temper, " agreeable in his Converfation 5 and they ^' muft be hard to pleafe indeed, that were ^* not won by his engaging Manner. There b 4. ** was

%xiv PREFACE.

^' was nothing In him of that Mcrofenefs ** or SuUennefs that has fometlmes cloud- ** ed the Excellencies of Perfons that have ^* been' otherwife very valuable ; but an *' open and free Behaviour, an habitual ^' Cheerfulnefs, the genuine Indication of *' an eafy and fprightly Mind. His Con- *' verfation was pleafant and facetious, *' but always within the Bounds of Decen- ^* cy and Innocence, without ever indulg- '^^ ing himfelf in any Freedoms unbecom- *' ing his Profeffion and Charadler. He ** had a Soul formed to Tendernefs and ** Sympathy. The Cafe of diftrefled Per- ** fons and Families was often obferved to ** make a very deep Impreffion upon his ** Spirit, and he was ever ready to com- *' fort and affift them according to the ut- " moft of his Ability." ' '

Dr. Leiand was fully fenfible of the Wif- dom of his Choice in the matrimonial State, as his Wife was a very agreeable Compani- on, of an excellent Temper, andoffmcere Piety ; and they proved mutual Helps and Comforts to one another. He had feveral Childrep by her, but they died when they were very young : and as his Wife had Chil- dren by her former Hufoand, he behaved with a moft tender, and not lefs than pa- rental Aftedion to them and their OS- ipring, treating them as if they had been |iis own, and with a m^oft folicitous At- tention

PREFACE

XXV

tention watched over and inftrucSled them, and trained them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord.

In the Year 1730, Dr. ^indal publiflied his laboured Performance, intitled, Chrtftl" anity as old as the Creation ; or the Go(pel a Republication of the Law of Nature. As this Book made a great Noife, feveral good Anfwers were given to it. But he thought more might jullly be faid to ex- pofe the fallacious Reafonings, the Con- tradictions and Malice of that dangerous Piece : And to ihew, that inftead of de- ferving the Applaufe which many had given it, he was a fubtle uncandid Writer, and his Performance full of Inconfiftencies and empty Sophifms, Ipecious perhaps at firfl View, but, when narrowly examined, very weak and trifling. This therefore engaged his Pen in a Caufe, in the De- fence of which he afterwards became fo eminent. It was not any vain Defire of Applaufe that put him upon it, but an ardent Zeal for the divine Glory, and an hearty Concern for the Honour and Inte- rell of Chriftianity amongfl us, which he w^s perfuaded is the Caufe of God ; and he thought, that if he could be any Way ufe- ful for vindicating the Honour of our Re- deemer, and of his glorious Gofpel, it was his Duty not to let his Talents lie negledt- fd, but to coafecrate them to God, and

the

XXVI P R E F A C E.

the Service of his Church : Accordingly in the Year I733> he publiflied tv/o large Volumes in 8vo, under the Title of Jin Ajifwer to a late Book intitled Chrijiianity as old as the Creation: This Work is much larger, and takes a wider Compafs than the other Anfwers, and carries in it full Proof of the Dodor's Learning and great Appli- cation. It is divided into two Parts. In the firft Part, which takes up the firiT; Volume, the Author's .Account of the Law of Nature is confidered, and his Scheme is fhewn to be inconfiftent with Reafon and with itfelf, and of ill Confequence to the Interefts of Virtue, and to the Good of Mankind. In the fecond Part, the Authority and Ufefulnefs of the Revelatiori contained in the facred Writings of the Old and New Teflament is afferted and vindicated againft the Objedions and Mif- reprefentations of this Writer. He has given a large Account of this Book, and of his own Anfwer, in the View of the Deiftical Writers *, which makes any far- ther Enlargement on it needlefs.

In the Year 1737 Dr. Morgan publiih* ed a Book witn a pompous Title, viz, Ihe Moral Philofopher 3 to which Dr. Le^ land returned an Anfwer in 8vo in 1739, intitled, 'The divine Authority of the Old and New Tejlament ajjertedy &c, againft the

* VoLI. p. 112, &c. ^ ,

unjufl

PREFACE. xxvii

unjuft Afperfions and falfe Reafonings of a Book intitled, T^he Moral Philojbpher. The Defign of which was to take a dif- tindt View of what Dr. Morgan had offer- ed, both againft Revelation in general, and againft the Holy Scriptures in particular.

The Author of the Moral Pbilofopher, who was a Writer of great Vivacity, did not continue long iilent : He publifhed a Defence of his former Book in what he called ThefecoJid Volume of the Moral Philo- Jbpher, or a faj^ther Vindication of Moral Truth and Reafon. This was chiefly de- figned againft Dr. Leland's Anfwer to him, in which he manifefts the greateft Effron- tery, and ufes very indecent Language. However, he publiihed a fecond Volume of The divine Authority of the Old and New Tejla?nent ajfertedy in Anfwer to the fecond Volume of the Moral Phiiofophery in 8vo, 1740. In this Reply every Thing is con- fidered, that had any Appearance of Argu- ment in this Book, and his unfair Mif- reprefentations, his unjuft Afperfions, and confident Attempts to impofe Falfhoods up- on his Readers, are deteded and expofed*. - In 1742 a remarkable Pamphlet ap- peared, which is called Chrijiianity not foufided on Argument, The Author of this Piece carried on his Defign againft the Chriftian Religion in a Manner fomewhat

» Deiflical Writers, Vol. L p. 131, &c.

different

xxviii PREFACE.

different from what others had done before him. Under fpecious Appearances of Zeal for Religion, and under the Cover of devout Exprefficns, he endeavoured to iliew that the Chriftian Faith hath no Foundation in Reafon, nor hath any Thing to fupport it but a wild and fenfelefs En- thuf]afm, deftiture of all Proof and Evi- dence. And if this could be made out, it would, no Doubt, anfwer the Intention he plainly had in View, the expofing the Chriftian Religion to the Derifion an4 Contempt of Mankind.

In Anfwer to which the Doctor wrote Remarks on a late Pamphlet intitled, Chrijii- anity not founded on Argume?it, contained in two Letters, which were publiihed fepar rately in 1744. The Defign of this An- fwer was not to enter upon a diftin<ft and particular Account of the Evidences, which are ufually produced in Proof of the Chrif- tian Revelation, which he had confidered largely on fome former Occafions ; but to reprefent in a clear and concife Manner, the Abfurdity and ill Tendency, as well as manifold Inconfiftencies of this Writers Scheme ; to give a plain Confutation of the principal Arguments from Scripture and Reafon by which he pretended to fupport it, and to deted and expofe his Fallacies and Mifreprefentations *.

* Deifl. Writers, Vol. I. p. 15 r, &c.

In

PREFACE. XXIX

In the Year 1753 the DocSor publiihed Reflections on the late Lord Boli?2gbroke^ Letters on the Study and Uie of Hlftory, efpecially fo far as they relate to Chriftia* nity and the Holy Scriptures -f. ^

Thus did this good Man moft labor;- oully exert himfelf in the Defence of our holy Religion. And being more and more fully perfuaded of the Truth and divine Original, as well as of the great Excellence and Importance of Chriftianity to the Vir- tue and Happinefs of Mankind, he pub- lifiied Anfwers to the feveral Authors, who with great Art and Induftry endea- voured to undermin^ it, and expofe it as an Impoilure. And his Anfwers are very highly and generally efteemed as among the bell Defences of Chriftianity. He was indeed a Mafter in this Controverfy ; and his Hiftory of it, ftiled, A View of the Deijiical Writers , that have appeared in Eng- land in the laji and prefent Century ', with Obfervations upon them^ andfome Account of the Anfwers which have been puhlijhed againjl them ; as we are well alTured it has been exceedingly ufeful, fo it will do lafting Ho- nour to his Name with all who have the Intereft of Religion truly at Heart. The third Edition of it, improved, was pub^ lifhed in two large Volumes 8vo, clofely printed, in the Year 1757. ^^ ^^^ Conclufion of the Preface he fays, *' It gives me fome

t Vol. II, p. 265, &c.

*^ Concern^

<c

xvl PREFACE.

** Approbation of feveral learned and plous^ ** Minifters, who, after a diligent Courfe *^ of Trials carried on for a confiderable *^ Time, judged me to be properly quali- *^ fied for that facred Office, and animat- *^ ed me to undertake it. — And fince I *^ have been licenfed to preach as a Can- didate for the holy Miniftry -, my pub- lic Labours have met v^ith a general *^ Acceptance, and have, I truft, been *' really ufeful. — Befides all which, I have *' had an unanimous and affedlionate Call *^ from a Society of Chriftian People, ** many of whom are remarkable for their *^ Knowledge, as v/ell as Piety, to take *' the paftoral Overfight of them.

" Upon ferioufly weighing all thefe " Things, I cannot but think I have a *' clear Call to the Work of the Mini- *' ftry 3 and I verily believe, that if I rc- *' jefted it I iliould fin againft God, grieve *' many of his People, counteract the *' Defigns of Divine Providence towards " me, and alienate the Talents he has gi- *' ven me to other Purpofes than thofe for " which they feem to have been intended. *^ I defire therefore to accept and com- ** ply with this Call, and I would do it *' with the deepeft Humility, under a *' Senfe of my own great Unworthinefs " and Infufficiency in myfelf ^ but, at the " fame Time, with the moil intire De-

<* pendence

PREFACE. jiv'd

^^ pendence upon God, and Affiance in *' him, to carry me through this great ** Work, and to enlarge my Heart, and '* ftrengthen my Hands^ that I may be ** ufeful and fuceefsful in it. And bleffed be his Name, that he is pleafed to ad- mit fuch an unworthy Creature as I am, to fo high, fo honourable an Em- ployment, which will lay me under an happy Neceffity of converfing frequent-^ ly with him, and turning my Thoughts to Things of the greateft Excellency and Importance. And I look up unto thee^ ** the God of all Grace, that thpu wouldft ^' make me an able Minifter of the New *' Teftament : and iince I am fatisfied it ^* is thy Will that I fhould undertake this ** Office^ here. Lord, I defire to do fo ; ** may it be the Language of my Soul^ ** in Conformity to the Example of my ** bleffed Redeemer, I delight to do thy " Will, O my God. Oh that thy Law ** may be in my Heart, and thy Spirit *^ the living reigning Principle there! *' Whatever I fhall at any Time be con- ** vinced will be moft to the Advance- " ment of thy Glory, and for the Good ** of thy Church, efpecially of that Flock ^* of thine which thou committeft to my *^ Charge, I here covenant by thy Grace " to perform it according to my poor Abi- ** lities, to feek out for acceptable Words [Vol. L] b '' to

xviii PREFACE.

** to feed thy Sheep, to diftribute to therif ** according to their various Cafes and ** NecefTities, not to make my minifterial *' Work a Thing by the bye, but to give; ** myfelf wholly to it, to fpend and be ** fpent, and chearfully to employ what- *^ ever Time, Talents, Faculties, and Ad- *' vantages I am polTeiTed of, for the Ho- *' nour of thy Name, and the Salvation of " Souls.

*' But confider, O my Soul, thou art *' entering on a difficult and troublefome ** Warfare, exped: that the Powers of *' Darknefs will fet themfelves in array ** againft thee ; expcdt to encounter with ** the Rage of a malignant Worlds to meet *' with Difcouragements from without *^ and from within, from the Weaknefe ** and Inftability of thy own Heart, from " open Enemies, and feeming Friends- *^ Count upon grievous Trials, Reproaches, " and even Perfecutions for the Sake of *^ Chrift. For it may happen that all thefe ** fhall be thy Lot, as they have often been *^ of his moil faithful Servants. Nor art ** thou to wonder if thou fareft not much ** better than thy Lord and Mafter was " treated by the World, which he came " to fave. If it be fo, Lord, I fubmit, *' I acquiefce. Give me but thy Strength ** and Grace. Be thou my Leader in this •* glorious Warfare, and I fliall be more

<* thaa

PREFACE. xlx

^^ than a Conqueror. But without thee I *^ dare not engage in it. And I declare ** before Heaven and Earth, that I un- " dertake this Work only from a Profped: *' and Hope of thy divine Affiftance and '' Bleffing."

" I therefore applied myfelf to God by " earneft Prayer, ov^ning my utter Un- *' worthinefs, bewailing my manifold De- ** fefts, that in preaching his holy Word " hitherto, I have not found my Heart ** afFedted in a Manner fuitable to the in- ** finite Importance of the Truths I have *^ delivered in his Name, and as becometh *^ one who is pleading with immortal " Souls about the Concerns of Eternity : ** That fo much Pride, Selfiflinefs, and a *^ vain Defire of Applaufe hath mixed it- ** felf with my religious and minifterial *^ Services. I prayed that God would give *^ me thofe Gifts and Graces which are *' fo neceffary to the right Difcharge of " this facred Function; particularly, that *^ he would inflame my Soul with Love to *' him, and to the Lord Jefus Chrift, and ** with a well regulated Zeal for his Glo- *' ry, and the Interefts of his Kingdom ; ^' that he would imprefs my Heart with a deep Senfe of his all-feeing Eye, and a profound Reverence of his adorable Majefty ; that he would give me more melting Bowels, and a tender Commi- b 2 ** feration

XX PREFACE.

feration for precious Souls, thofe efpe-* cially of the Flock committed to my Care; that he would affedl my Heart with the great Truths I deliver to others, and enable me to ftudy, preach, and pray, as for Eternity ; that he would aflift me in ordering my Converfation aright, that I may guide others not on^ ly by my Dodlrine, but by my Example too, in all the Virtues of the Chriftian Life; and, finally, that he would clothe me with Humility, that amiable Gof- pel Grace, and enable me to put on that evangelical Charity, which is the Bond of Perfeanefs." Such were the Workings of his Soul on this folemn Occafion ; and the Impref- fions that wxre made upon him were deep and lafting. For he engaged in the Work of the Miniftry, not with w^orldly Views, but from a fincere Defire to employ the Talents God had given him in promoting the Salvation of Souls, and ferving the Inte- refls of Truth and Liberty, Piety and Vir- tue in the World. With fuch animating Views he difcharged the Duties of his Charader as a Minifter of Cbrijl, wdth la- borious Diligence and Fidelity. And by an indefatigable Application to Reading and Study, and the great Improvements he made in ail ufeful Knowledge and Litera- ture, which afterwards appeared in his

Writings

PREFACE. xxi

Writings on different Subjects, he attained to an high Reputation, not only among his own Friends and Hearers, but in the learned World, and among Perfons of all Denominations.

As a Preacher he was very acceptable : His Compolitions for the Pulpit were plain, corred:, and ufeful, equally fitted to convince the Underflanding and to affe<fl the Heart. He did not chufe to entertain his Hearers with vain Speculations, which only gender Strife : And when any con- troverted Docflrines came in his Way, he treated them with great Modefty, Mode- ration, and Charity, as became one who was fenfible of the narrow Limits of hu- man Knowledge in this State of Darknefs and Imperfedlion. He thought, the clofer we keep to Scripture in fpeaking of the particular Dodlrines of Revelation, and the lefs we make Ufe of logical Terms and fiibtle Diftindlions the better: and that fome Mens Prefumption in attempting to explain them, hath given the Adverfaries of Chriftianity an Advantage which they never would have had, if Divines had not gone beyond the Simplicity of the Gofpel. He not only thought and reafoned clear- ly on every Subjedt, but he had fo happy a Talent of arranging his Thoughts, and conveying his Sentiments to others in a Ijtile manly and unaffeded, and ^t the b 3 fame

xxii PREFACE.

fame Time fo eafy and perfpicuous, and by the Help of a faithful Memory, ex- actly delivered without any Ufe of Notes, that the meaneft, as well as the moft judi- cious of his Hearers, who gave proper At- tention, could hardly fail of being affe(fted and inftruded : At leaft, one would natu- rally fuppofe this to be the Effedt, when the ^oft important Truths were delivered in fo improving a Way by a Man of his Character, who had the Honour of God and the Redeemer, and the Interefts of fubftantial Religion and Virtue fo much at Heart ; and when every one muft fee, that what he faid afFed:ed himfelf, and that he feU what he fpoke.

In the Year 1731, he married Mrs. ^nn Maquajy Widow of the Reverend Mr. Thomas Maquay, who had been Minifter to the Congregation of Plunket-flreet, Be- tween him and the Dodior there had been the greateft Intimacy, a Fellowfhip in their Studies, and a conftant Courfe of Friend- fliip for feveral Years. In the Sermon he printed on his greatly lamented Death he gives this general Account of him.

'^ He was born and bred in this City. *' Here he had his Education and Learn- *' ing, and was an Exceptioa to that ge- '' neral Rule, that a Prophet is without ** Honour in his own Country. He made ''a quick Progrefs in Learning even in his

^* early

PRE FACE. xxili

**^. early Years. Then- I commenced my ^' firll: Acquaintance with him, never fmcc '* interrupted by any Breach or Alienation '' of AfFedion to this Day. After having *' gone through our Courfe of Philofophy ** together, we applied ourfelves jointly *^ to the Study of Divinity, under the " happy Care of the fame worthy Fathers

*' in the Miniftry. Under fuch Ad-

** vantages, improved by his prompt na- ** tural Parts and great Induftry, he came *^ out richly furniihed and adorned to the ^' Work of the facred Miniftry. And *' fcarce had he entered on his public Mi- *' niftrations, when you of this Congre- *^ gation caft your Eye upon him for a ** Collegue to your late excellent Paftor, *' the Reverend Mr. Alexander Smclare, — *' All, however various in their Tempers ^' and Inclinations, centered and united in *' him; inftrudled and affeded with his *' Preaching, edified by his Example, and

*' engaged by his Converfation." And

after having enlarged on fome Particulars jponcerning him, he adds, '' I hope I fhall '' now be indulged a little, if I fpeak of ** him under the amiable Charader of a *' Friend. He was of a fweet and peace- ** ful Difpofition, lovely in his Temper, " agreeable in his Converfation ; and they *' muft be hard to pleafe indeed, that were *' not won by his engaging Manner. There b 4 ** was

Kxiv PREFACE.

^* was nothing in him of that Mprofenefs ** or Sullennefs that has fometimes cloud- " ed the Excellencies of Perfons that have f^ been' otherwife very valuable ; but an ^^ open and free Behaviour, an habitual ^* Cheerfulnefs, the genuine Indication of ^' an eafy and fprightly Mind. His Con- *' verfation was pleafant and facetious, *' but always within the Bounds of Decen- *^ cy and Innocence, without ever indulg- )^' ing himfelf in any Freedoms unbecom- *' ing his Profeffiort and Charadler. He ** had a Soul formed to Tendernefs and ** Sympathy. The Cafe of diflreffed Per- *' fons and Families was often obferved to ** make a very deep Impreffion upon his ^* Spirit, and he was ever ready to com- " fort and afiift them according to the ut- " moft of his Ability." ' '

Dr. Leiand was fully fenfible of the Wif- dom of his Choice in the matrimonial State, as his Wife was a very agreeable Compani- on, of an excellent Temper, andoffmcere Piety ; and they proved mutual Helps and Comforts to one another. He had feveral Childrep by her, but they died when they were very young : and as his Wife had Chil- dren by her former Hufoand, he behaved with a moft tender, and not lefs than pa- rental AfFedion to them and their Off- ipring, treating them as if they had been ^is ovv^n, and with a moft folicitous At- tention

PREFACE.

XXV

tention watched over and inftrudled them, and trained them up In the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord.

In the Year 1730, Dr. 'Ttndal publiQied his laboured Performance, intitled, CJprifti- antty as old as the Creation ; or the Gofpel a Republication of the Law of Nature. As this Book made a great Noife, feveral good Anfwers were given to it. But he thought more might jullly be faid to ex- pofe the fallacious Reafonings, the Con- tradidions and Malice of that dangerous Piece : And to ihew, that inftead of de- ferving the Applaufe which many had given it, he was a fubtle uncandid Writer, and his Performance full of Inconfiftencies and empty Sophiims, fpecious perhaps at firft View, but, when narrowly examined, very weak and trifling. This therefore engaged his Pen in a Caufe, in the De- fence of which he afterwards became fo eminent. It was not any vain Defire of Applaufe that put him upon it, but an ardent Zeal for the divine Glory, and an hearty Concern for the Honour and Inte- reft of Chriftianity amongfl us, which he w^s perfuaded is the Caufe of God ; and he thought, that if he could be any Way ufe- ful for vindicating the Honour of our Re- deemer, and of his glorious Gofpel, it was his Duty not to let his Talents lie negled- ^d, but to confecrate them to God, and

the

xxvi P R E F A C E.

the Service of his Church : Accordingly in the Year 1733, he publiflied tv/o large Volumes in 8vo, under the Title of An Aiifwer to a late Book intitled Chrijlianify as eld as the Creation. This Work is much larger, and takes a wider Compafs than the ether Anfwers, and carries in it full Proof of the Doctor's Learning and great Appli-^ cation. It is divided into two Parts. In the firft Part, which takes up the iirft Volume, the Author's .Account of the Law of Nature is conlidered, and his Scheme is fhewn to be inconfiftent with Reafon and with itfelf, and of ill Confequence to the Interefts of Virtue, and to the Good of Mankind. In the fecond Part, the Authority and Ufefulnefs of the Revelatioa contained in the facred Writings of the Old and New Teflament is afferted and vindicated againft the Objedlions and Mif- reprefentations of this Writer. He has given a large Account of this Book, and of his own Anfwer, in the View of the Deiflical Writers *, which makes any far- ther Enlargement on it needlefs.

In the Year 1737 Dr. Morgan publiih- ed a Book witn a pompous Title, viz* "Jbe Moral Philofopher 3 to which Dr. Le^ land returned an Anfwer in 8vo in 17^9, intitled, "The divine Authority of the Old and New Tejlafnent afferted, &c, againft the

* Vol. I. p. 112, &c.

unjufi

PREFACE. xxvii

unjuft Afperfions and falfe Reafonings of a Book intitled, T^he Moral Philojbpher. The Defign of which was to take a dif- tindt View of what Dr. Morgan had offer- ed, both againft Revelation in general, and againft the Holy Scriptures in particular.

The Author of the Moral Pbilofopher, who was a Writer of great Vivacity, did not continue long filent : He publifhed a Defence of his former Book in what he called Thefecond Volume of the Moral Philo- fopher, or a farther Vindication of Moral Truth and Reafon. This was chiefly de- figned againft Dr. Lelands, Anfwer to him, in which he manifeils the greateft Effron- tery, and ufes very indecent Language. However, he publiihed a fecond Volume of The divine Authority of the Old and New \tejlament afferted, in Anfwer to the fecond Volume of the Moral Phiiofopher, in 8vo, 1740. In this Reply every Thing is con- fidered, that had any Appearance of Argu- ment in this Book, and his unfair Mif- reprefentations, his unjuft Afperfions, and confident Attempts to impofe Falfhoods up- on his Readers, are deteded and expofed*. - In 1742 a remarkable Pamphlet ap- peared, which is called ChriJHanity not founded on Argument, The Author of this Piece carried on his Defign againfi: the Chriftian Religion in a Manner fomewhat

♦ Deifiical Writers, Vol. L p. 131, &c.

diiferent

xxviii PREFACE.

different from what others had done before him. Under fpecious Appearances of Zeal for Religion, and under the Cover of devout Exprefiicns, he endeavoured to ihew that the Chriftian Faith hath no Foundation in Reafon, nor hath any Thing to fupport it but a wild and fenfelefs En- thuiiafm, deftiture of all Proof and Evi- dence. And if this could be made out, it would, no Doubt, anfwer the Intention he plainly had in View, the expofmg the Chriftian Religion to the Derifion and Contempt of Mankind.

In Anfwer to which the Dod:or wrote Remarks on a late Pamphlet ijititledy Chrijii- anity not founded on Argument^ contained in two Letters, which were publiihed fepa- rately in 1744. The Defign of this An- fwer was not to enter upon a diftin<il and particular Account of the Evidences, which are ufually produced in Proof of the Chrif- tian Revelation, which he had confidered largely on fome former Occaiions ; but to represent in a clear and concife Manner, the Abfurdity and ill Tendency, as well as manifold Inconfiftencies of this Writers Scheme ; to give a plain Confutation of the principal Arguments from Scripture and Reafon by which he pretended to fupport it, and to deted: and expofe his Fallacies and Mifreprefentations ^.

* Deift. Writers, Vol. I. p. 151, &c.

In

P R E F A C E. xxlx

In the Year 1753 the Doftor pubUihed Refledtions on the late Lord Bolingirokes Letters on the Study and Ule of Hlflory, efpecially fo far as they relate to Chriflia* nity and the Holy Scriptures -f-. ^

Thus did this good Man moft labori* ouily exert himfelf in the Defence of our holy Religion. And being more and more fully perfuaded of the Truth and divine Original, as well as of the great Excellence and Importance of Chriftianity to the Vir- tue and Happinefs of Mankind, he pub- liflied Anfwers to the feveral Authors, who with great Art and Induftry endea- voured to undermine it, and expofe it as an Impofture. And his Anfwers are very highly and generally efteemed as among the bell Defences of Chriftianity. He was indeed a Mafter in this Controverfy ; and his Hiftory of it, ftiled, A View of the Deijiical Writers, that have appeared in Eng- land in the lajl and prefent Century ', with Obfervations upon them, andfo?ne Account of the Anfwers which have been piiblijhed againjl them ; as we are well affured it has been exceedingly ufeful, fo it will do lafting Ho^ nour to his Name with all who have the Intereft of Religion truly at Heart. The third Edition of it, improved, was pub* lifhed in two large Volumes 8vo, clofely printed, in the Year 1757. ^^ ^^^ Conclufion of the Preface he fays, *' It gives me fomo

t Vol. XL p, 265, Sic,

*^ Concern,

XXX PREFACE.

Concern, that this Work is become Co much larger than was at firft intended, which I am afraid will prove a Difad* vantage to it, and difguft or difcourage fome Readers. But 1 hope favourable Allowances will be made, confidering the Extent of the Defign, and the Variety of Matters here treated of. I believe it will appear, that there are few Objec- tions which have been advanced in this Controverfy, but what are taken Notice of in the following Work, and either fufficicntly obviated, or References are made to Books, where fuller Anfwers are to be found. May God in his holy Providence follow what is now publifhed with his Blefling, that it may prove of real Service to the important Intercfts of Religion among us ; to promote which, as far as my Ability reaches, I fhall ever account the greateft Happinefs of my Life. And it fhould be the Matter of our earneft Prayers to God, that all thofe who value themfelves upon the honour- able Name and Privileges of Chriftians, may join in united Efforts to fupport fo glorious a Caufe, in which the Pre- fervation and- Advancement of true Re- ligion and Virtue, the Peace and good Order of Society, and the prefent and eternal Happinefs of Individuals is fo nearly concerned.'*

Nor did he undergo this extraordinary

Labour

P R E F A C E. XXXI

Labour only in the Prime and Vigor of Life. His Zeal in the Caufe of Religion did not permit him to take Reft even when advanced to old Age. When he was pail: feventy he was feiz'ed with a violent Fever, from which none expedied his Recovery. Though he was thoroughly refigned to the Will of Heaven, yet he was not only fatis- fied but pleafed to have Life a little pro- longed, that he might put his finifhing Hand to a Work, which had coft him far more Labour and Pains than any of his former Writings, and which he hoped would be of Service to the World, as he intended it to be the laft in which he would engage. The Work foon after appeared to the World in two Volumes 4to, under the Title of 'The Advantage and NeceJJity of the Chrijiian Revelation, Jhewn from the State of Religion in the ancient Heathen World, efpecialiy with rejpedl to the Knowledge and Worjhip of the one true God -, a Rule of moral Duty ; and a State of future Rewards and Punijhments : to which is prefixed, a long preliminary Difcourfe on natural and revealed Religion. This indeed is an amazing Work coniidering his Age and Infirmities, as he had Recourfe to all that great Variety of Books, and generally in the Original, which are referred to in it. Nor did the Reception it met with in the World difappoint his Expedation. It has been lately reprinted in two large Volumes 8vo.

5 After

xxxii PREFACE.

After what has been faid, it need fcarcely be mentioned, that his many eminent Writ- ing§, and unwearied Labours to ferve the Chriflian Caufe, in an Age fo prone to Infidelity and Licentioufnefs, and profe- cuted often in ill Health, and, at beft, in a very infirm State of Body, procured him a great Name in the learned World, and uncommon Marks of Gencrofi ty and Refpe(ft from Perfons in the high eft Rank, in the eftablifhed Church, both here and in England.

Two of the Univerfities in Scotland alfo prefented him with Teftimonies of their o-reat Regard to his Merit, on account of his great Abilities, and ufeful Services to the Chriftian World : Glqfgow with his Deo-ree of Mafter of Arts, which was pre- paratory, according to the Rules of that College, to their conferring on him the Degree of Dodor of Divinity : which, in the mean Time, was fent to him in the moft refpeftful Manner by the Univerfity and King's College of AberdeeUy in the

Year 1739*

But it was not -only his great Learning, Abilities as a Writer, or his Miniftrations as a Chriftian Paftor, which attrad our high Efteem and warm Affedlion. Thefe were accompanied by an amiable Temper, and a moft exemplary Life. His natural Powers muft appear, from what hath been already faid, to be very good. He had a quick 2 Apprc*^

PREFACE, xxxiii

Apprehenfion, Vivacity of Thought, a folid Judgment, and a Memory that was really amazing ; fo that he was often called a walking Library, But his moral Charafter "Was truly lovely. As he entertained the liobleft Sentiments of the Deity and his Perfed:ions, his Providence and moral Ad- miniftration, fo his Piety and Devotion was liberal, rational, and manly, free from Su- pcrftition and Enthufiafm. A Zeal to pro- mote the Glory of God, and his Kingdom of Truth and Righteoufnefs in the World, feemed to be the governing Principle of his Life. He walked with God, and had pleafing Communion with him in facred Meditation, and the Exercife of Prayer and Praife. And he enjoyed with fuch Relifli that Delight, which is to be found in Fel- lowfhip with God, that he could from his own Feelings teftify, that the Ways of re- Jigious Wifdom are Ways of Pleafantnefs, and that the perifhing Pleafures of Senfe are not worthy to be compared to the pure and noble Joys of Religion and Virtue.

His Acquiefcence in and Refignation to the Will of his heavenly Father, was exer- cifed by many fevere Trials and Affiiilions, which he bore with an unrepining Sub- miffion, and truly Chriftian Patience and Fortitude. When he had an Account brought him of th© Failure of fome Per- fons, in whofe Hands the greateft Part of what Money he had was placed, he macje

[Vol. I.] c fuch

xxxlvr PREFACE.

luch Refledions as thefe, which fliewed the Temper of his own Mind, and which, I dare fay, will be agreeable to the Reader to have recited. ** 1 have had an Account *' of an Affair, by which I r.m like to be ** a great Lofer. It hath pleafed God to «' cut fliort my fmall Fortune, by one *^ Stroke after another, fo that I am de- ** prived of the greateft Part of my worldly " Subftance. What a poor Condition *' fhould I be in, if I had no higher or *' ftabler Portion ! I have had great Ex- *' perience in my own little Affairs of the '^ Vanity and Uncertainty of all worldly *' Goods, that they are fleeting and tranfi- *' tory Things. And if this do but make ** me more defirous, and earneftly induftri- " ous to fecure to myfelf a better, and a *' more enduring Subftance, I fhall then ** be a Gainer by the Lofs. As I believe ** that the Difappointments I have met ** with, are all under the wife Ordination " of Divine Providence, fo I am perfuaded " that it is for wife and righteous Ends '* that they have been permitted and or- " dained. I find it hard to fupprefs in- ** ward Uneafinefs, and anxious Cares, *' which are apt, on fuch Occafions, to " rife up in my Breafc. But bleffed be ** God, who hath given megreater Strength ** of Mind to bear up under fach outward ** Evils, than I have fometimes had, and '* hath, I hope, formed me to a Sub-

^' miffion

<«c

ic

PREFACE, XXXV

miffion to his Will, and aa Acquiefcence in his Difpofals. It is my earneft Defire, and fhall be my Endeavour, that no worldly Croiles ihall break the Harmony of my Spirit, or interrupt the Peace and good Order of my Soul, which were it to depend meerly on external Accidents and Circumll:ances, would be the mod precarious and uncertain Thing in the World. A Man's Life, that is, the Happinefs of his Life, doth not confifl in the Abundance that he poffeffeth. I fee many, who have a large Affluence of worldly Riches, who yet have fo many Things to render them uneafy, and have fo little Satisfacflion in the Frame and Temper of their Minds, that they deferve to be pitied rather than envied : nor would I, if it were left to my own

■ Choice, change Conditions with them,

■ even in this World. And, on the other

■ Hand, I fee many that are in poor Cir- cumftances who yet are eafy and con-

■ tented : and why may not I be fo too ?

• I have ftill fomething left, which though ' but little, is more than many others ' enjoy. I have not been afllided with ' pinching Penury and Want. I have ' ftiil enough to furnifli me with the Ne- ' ceiTaries and many of the Conveniences ' of Life. I have Peace and Satisfadion ' in my own Family. God hath reftored c 2 '' me

xxxvi PREFACE.

me to a greater Meafu re of Health than I had Reafon to expedt. And I am not without fome Degree of Reputation and Acceptance in the World. But, I hope, God hath done far more for me than this. That he hath bleffed me with fpiritual Bleffings, of an infinitely more glorious Nature than any worldly Ad- vantages whatfoever ; that he hath by his Spirit dravv-n my Heart to the fincere prevailing Love and Choice of him for my God, and hath given himfelf to me to be mine, my God, my Father, my Portion and Felicity, in a new and ever- lafting Covenant, and hath, I truft, raifed me to the lively Hope of a glorious Immortality. And if I have an Intereft in fuch Privileges and Benefits, and am made Partaker of fuch fublime Hopes, why fliould I fret and repine that I have but a fmall Portion of the Riches or Affluence of this prcfent World ? Lord, I would not prefcribe to thy Wifdom. If it feemeth fit to thee, that my Condition here on Earth fhould be but poor and mean, thy Will be done, I leave it to thee to order my outward Affairs and Circumftances according to thy own good Pleafure: But what I would mofl earneftly defire is, that whatever Station or Circumftances I am in, I may be enabled to ferve and glorify thee in c *' that

4C

PREFACE, xxxvii

that Station, and in thofe Circumftances. Let me but be an Inftrument for fhew- ing forth thy Praifes in the World, and promoting the Good of Mankind, as far as the Sphere of my AbiUty reacheth ; *^ let me but grow in the amiable Graces ** and Virtues of the Chriftian Life, and ** have an inward Peace of Confcience, ** and a Senfe of thy Love and Favour, and ** I (hall be comparatively little concerned *^ about my external Circumftances in this '* tranfitory World." In this manner did this pious Man fubmit to all the Appoint- ments of infinite Wifdom and Goodnelis in all the diftreffing Scenes of Life. In- deed the whole of his Temper and Condudl was regulated by the Principles of that Religion, which he fo well knew how to defend. And his ftrongeft Defire was to approve himfelf to his great Mafter and Lord.

In private Life he was moft regular and circumfped. Though he had a natural Warmth of Temper, yet, by maintaining a ftridt Difcipline over his PafRons, he never fuffered it to appear in any improper Condud: : and he was temperate in all Things.

In difcharging the Duties of focial Life,

5ill^ who had any Connexion or Intercourfc

with him, will bear Witnefs, how faithful

^nd upright his Behaviour was 5 how hu-

c 3 nianc

xxxviii PREFACE.

mane and compafTionate, how friendly and kind, how well difpofed to do Good, and to perform kind Offices to all, according to his Ability and Opportunity.

And in the nearer Relations of Life, how tender and affedlionate a Hufband, how loving a Brother and Uncle, how faithful a Guardian and Friend he was, they who flood in thefe Relations to him, have cor- dially acknowledged and will gratefully re- member.

In more extenfive Relations alfo, he was aduated by the fame Goodnefs of Heart, and Benevolence of Affecflion. The Wel- fare of his Country lay near his Heart, and whatever concerned its Intereft muchaf- fefled him. As he had enlarged Views of the higheft Concerns of Mankind, and of the Importance of Virtue and Religion to promote their Happinefs -, fo with an un- ceafing Affiduity, he was ever ready to do his utmoft in fo worthy a Caufe. The Sentiments and good Difpofitions of Hearty with relation to this Subjedl, are rnoft feel- ingly and pathetically expreifed in his Con- clufion of the Fiew of the principal T>eijlical Writers, &cc. which is an Addrefs to Dei/is, and profcjfid Chrijlians ; and in the Appen- dix to that Work, which contains Reflec- tions on the prefent State of Things in thefe Nations.

By a happy Fortitude and Firmnefs of

Minc^

PREFACE. XXXIX

Mind he was always the fame Man; and could not be diverted by any Solicitation to ad: contrary to the deliberate Senfe of his own Mind, and v4iat he regarded as his Duty. He was a Man of the greateft Mo- defty, and the ftrifteft Integrity, and knew not how to flatter or diffemble. At the fame Time he behaved with great Pru- dence and Difcretion, and took care not to give needlefs Offence to any. For one of his ftudious and retired Life, he had a great Knowledge of the World, which was ufe- ful to himfelf, and qualified him to give good Counfel to thofe that applied to him, in Cafes that were important and perplexed.

In fhort, his Heart was filled with Love to God, and Zeal for his Glory : and, in Conformity to the Charadler of our bleffed Saviour, he delighted to do the Will of his heavenly Father. -^And in his Behaviour to Men, he was meek and humble, candid and condefcending ; and aded under the Influence of that Charity "* wiicA fu£ereth long and is kind j which envieth not , which 'vaunteth not it/elf -y is not puffed up ; doth not behave it/elf unfeemly ; Jeeketh not her own ; is not eajily provoked *, thijiketh no Evil', rejoice th not in Iniquity y but rejoiceth in the Truth.

It is very remarkable, that though the Fever, before mentioned, left him ex-

* I Cor. xlil. 4, 5j 6.

c 4 tremely

xl PREFACE.

tremely weak, yet he not only recovered his former Strength, but felt an Eafe and Vigour, to which he had been a Stranger for many Years before ; going on in his public Miniftrations with greater Life and Spirit, which was obferved with Pleafure by all who attended on them : and he much fooner got over the Fatigue of public Ser- vice than formerly : fo that his Youth feemed, in a manner, to be req^wed. Such a Change was a kind of Miracle to him.

This improved State of Health continued till a few Months hefpre his Death, when he felt Symptoms which were thought the Prefages of a painful chronical Difeafe. Thefe Appearances, however, by fkilful Advice and proper Medicines, abated. And as he was advifed to walk as the prppereil: Exercife for him, he got Cold in a moift Day, which he neglected till it fixed in his Breaft, and raifed an Inflammation there. And then, notwithftanding all that Art and Tendernefs could do, the Diforder foon overpowered his weak and feeble Frame. But his intelledlual Powers were unim- paired and lively to the laft. He had the Sentence of Death in himfelf, and had no Notion that he could recover, though his Friends, when he got :.ny Eafe, flattered themfelves with the Hope of it. With a Head perfeftly clear, and a Mind quite eafy and compofed, he gave Direftions for what

he

PREFACE. xli

Jie thought proper to be done ; and fpent his Time in moft affedling Exhortations to thofe who were about him, and in adoring the Wifdom and Goodnefs of Divine Pro- vidence towards him. He faid, the Mer- cies he had received from God were more than could be numbered ; and though he had been exercifed with various AfHid:ions, he trufted, that in the Iffue they had proved real Bleffing% He difcovered great Humi- lity in acknowledging his manifold Infir- mities and Defecfls. " Whatever others *' may think of me, faid he, I, who have *^ Reafon to know myfelf beft, am fenfible *' I have made but a fmall Progrefs ia ** Righteoufnefs and true Holinefs, or even *' in Knowledge and Learning, in Compa- ^* rifon of what I might have done, if I *' had been more careful to make the beft " Ufe of my Time, and of the Means and ** Opportunities that have been put into ■ * my Hands." Thus lowly was this good Man ! And moft devoutly did he celebrate the Riches of divine Grace through 'Jefus Chriji. ** I give my dying Teftimony" faid he with a kind of Emotion, *^ to the ** Truth of Chriftianity. The precious *' Promifes of the Gofpel are my Support ** and Confolation. They alone yield true *' Satisfaction in a dying Hour. I am not '' afraid to die* The Gofpel of Chrift ^? hath raifed me above the Fear of Death :

" for

xlii PREFACE.

^* for I know that my Redeemer liveth ; " and that if this earthly Houfe of our Ta- - bernacle were diflblved, we have a Build- *' ing of God, an Houfe not made with ^* Hands, eternal in the Heavens."

A little before he died, he was raifed up, and with his own Hands took fome Re- frefhment, and lay down again compofed to reft : when in a few Minutes, without any Agony or Struggle, without S^gh or Groan, he quietly breathed his laft, and fell afleep in the Lord the i6th of "January 1766, and in the 75th Year of his Age.

The Goodnefs of Divine Providence is to be gratefully acknowledged for prolong- ing his valuable Life to fuch an advanced Age, which from the natural Weaknefs of his Conftitution, and frequent Returns of bodily Diforders there was little Pvcafon to hope.

This Reflexion, together with the pleaf- ing Circumftance, that he did not outlive himfelf, his Enjoyment, his CharavSter, or his Ufefulnefs, gives great Confolation. And blejjed are the dead mho die in the Lordy that they may rejl from their Labours, ana their Works do follow them. Let me die the Death of the righteous, and let my laji End be like his !

ISAAC V/ELD,

CON.

CONT ENTS

O F T H E

FIRST VOLUME,

DISCOURSE I, II, III.

The Being and Perfcftions of God proved from his Works.

Romans i. 20.

For the invijibk Things of him from the Cre-* ation of the World are clearly feen^ being underjiood by the Things that are made, iven his eternal Power and Godhead.

Page I.

The CONTENTS.

DISCOURSE IV, V.

On the Eternity of God.

Psalm xc. 2.

Before the Mountains were brought forth ^ or ever thou hadf formed the Earthy or the World y even from ever la/ling to everlajling thou art God. P. 77.

DISCOURSE VI, VIL

On ^e Omnlprefence of God,

Psalm cxxxix. 7> 8, 9, 10.

Whither Jhall I go from thy Spirit ? or whither Jhall I fee from thy Prefence? If I afcend up into Heaven^ thou art there : if Imah my Bed in Heli, behold ^ thou art there : if I take the Wings of the Morn- ings and dwell in the utter mojl Parts of the Sea i even there fhall thy Hand lead me^ and thy right Hand Jhall hold ine. P. 109*

The C O N T E N T S;

DISCOURSE VIII, IX.

On the Omnifcience of God.

Psalm cxxxIx. i. — 6.

O LorJy thou hafi Jearched me, and knonmi me. Thou knoweji my Down-fitting and mine Vp-rifing, thou underjlandefi my Thoughts afar off. Thou compaffefi my Pathr and my lying down^ and art ac-^ quaint ed with all my Ways. For there is not a Word in my To?2gue, but loy O Lord, thou knoweji it altogether. Thou haft be'- fet me behind and before^ and laid thine Hand upon me. Such Knowledge is too wonderful for me, it is high, I cannot attain unto it. P. i6i»

DISCOURSE X-

On the Holinefs of God.

Habak. i. 13.

Thou ^rt of purer Eyes than to behold Bvih and canft not look on Iniquity. ' P. 199,

The CONTENTS.

DISCOURSE XI, XII, XIII, XIV.

On the Goodnefs of God. I John iv. 8.

0 God is Love. P. 225*

DISCOURSE XV, XVI. On the Truth and Faithfulnefs of God,

Psalm cxvii. 2.

^he Truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praife ye the Lord. P. 283.

DISCOURSE XVII. On the Unchangcablenefs of God,

James i. 17.

Every good Gft^ and every perfeB Gift is from above y and comet h down from the Father of Lights, with "whom is no Vari- ablenefsy neither Shadow of Turnifig-

p. 325.

The CONTENTS.

DISCOURSE XVIIL On the Divine Happinefs.

I Tim. vL 15.

Who is the hlejjed and only Potentate^

the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords,

DISCOURSE XIX.

On the Divine Dominion. I Tim. vi. 15.

'Who is the bleffed and only Potentate,

the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

P. 361,

DISCOURSE XX, XXL

On doing all to the Glory of God*

I Cor. X. 31.

Whether therefore ye eat or drifik, or what-" foever ye do, do all to the Glory of God.

P. 379.

The C O N T £ M r

DISCOURSE XXII, XXIII,

On being Followers of God.

Ephesians v. I.

Be ye therefore Followers of Gody as dear Cbildren* P* 4x1,

The

l^he Bet7^g and PerfeEiions of God f roved from his Worh.

DISCOURSE I.

Romans i. 20.

For the invijibk Things of him from the Crea- tion of the World are clearly feen^ being un- derjlood by the Things that are made, eve?i his eternal Power and Godhead.

F'W^ HAT there is a God that made the World and all Things in it, and that he is pofleffed of all poffible Perfedions, is a Princi- ple that lieth at the Foundation of all Pve- ligion, and therefore it is of the higheil Importance to us, to endeavour to get our Minds well eftablifhed in the Belief of it. And thefe remarkable Words of the Apoftle [Vol. I.] B Paul,

2 DISCOURSE t

PauU direct us to that which hath been always accounted the ftrongeft Evidence of this great Truth, and which is at the fame Time th6 moft obvious to the com- mon Senfe and Reafon of Mankind. For, by confidering the Works of Nature in this vaft, beautiful,- and well-ordered Syftem of the Univerfe, wc are naturally led to acknowledge a fupreme, eternal, and ab- folutely perfedl Caufe and Author of all Things, infinitely powerful, wife, and good. This Argument hath been handled at large by many excellent Perfons, with great Strength of Reafon and Compafs of Learning. But I fhall Content myfelf with treating it in a plain and popular Way : And, firft, ihall lay before you as briefly and clearly as I can, the Proofs of the Ex- igence of God from the Works of Crea- tion : And then fhall proceed to take a fummary View of thofe Excellencies and Perfediions that eflentially belong to the great Author and Parent of the Univerfe, and which, though invifible to the bodily Eye, are underftood by the Things which he hath made.

I fliall confider the Proofs of the Exift- ence of God as manifefted from the Works of Creation. And that we may the better feel the Force of this Argument, let us take a Rife from our own Exiftencey

and

DISCOURSE I. 3

and then proceed to a general Survey of tlie feveral Parts of this vait itniverfal Syftem as far as they come within our Notice, and obferve how they all confpire to lead our Thoughts to a mod wife and power- ful Caufe and Author, which Vfe call God. There is nothing of which v/e are more certain than that we ourfelves have a Be- ing. And upon furveying our own Frame, we find, that even this Body of Flefli which we carry about with us^ beareth evident Marks of the moft wife Contri- vance. It confifleth of an amazing Variety of Parts, many of them exquifitely minute and fine, all difpofed in the propereft Situ- ation for Convenience, Utility, or Beauty, moft aptly correfponding to one another, and excellently fitted to their feveral Ends and Ufes. When we obferve the admira- ble Provifion that is made for the Circu- lation of the Blood, for receiving and di- gefting the Food, and diftributing proper Nourifhment through the Body, as well as for ejecting and difcharging what is fu- perfluous ; the curious Stru(5ture of the Organs, which are defigned for carrying on the feveral Motions vital or fpontaneous, or that minifter to the Senfes of feeing, hearing, fmelling, &c. or which contri- bute to the Ufe of Speech, which is of fuch vaft Advantage in human Life ; v/hcn we B 2 Confider

4 DISCOURSE I.

confider thefe Things, together with the Dignity of the human Form and Afped:, we can fcarce help breaking forth into that rapturous Strain of the devout Pfal- mift, / wi/I praife thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Pfal. cxxxix. 14. There appeareth a Wifdom in all this that is perfedlly aftonifhing. After the diligent Enquiries of the mofl fagacious Anatomifls for a long Succeffion of Ages, there are ftill many Things in the human Body that are not yet fully difcovered, and the more we know of them, the greater Matter we find for our Admiration.

But ftill more wonderful is the human Mind, or that noble Principle in us diftindt from this corruptible Flefli, which is the Subjed: of the amazing Powers of Under- ftanding. Will, Imagination, Memory, and of moral Qualities and AfFe(flions. We plainly find that we are capable of taking in numberlefs Ideas of Things, not only fenfible and corporeal, but fpiritual and invifible. Vv^e are capable of con- templating the Beauty, Order, and Har- mony of the Univerfe, and of afcending in our Thoughts above this Earth, and the Things of this prefent vifible World, to the abfolutely perlecft Being, who is un- feen to an Eye of Senfe, and is infinite and eternal. We are capable of refleding and

comparing

DISCOURSE I. 5

comparing Things, of reafoning and judg- ing, of looking back upon the paft, of beholding Things prefent, and looking forward to the future. We are confcious to ourfelves that we are moral Agents ; that we have a Power of willing, and chooiing, and of determining our own Acflions, and paffing a Judgment upon them ; and that we ^ have an inward Senfe of the moral Differences of Things, and of what is beautiful and deformed in Affedllons and Adlions, and which, where it is not de- praved by corrupt Habits and Prejudices, carrieth us to approve and admire the Things that are juft, and pure, and ho- neft, and lovely, and virtuous, and praife- worthy, and to difapprove and condemn the contrary; and, in a Word, that we are endued with Faculties which, if duly improved, are capable of fublime Attain- ments in Knowledge and Virtue.

We farther find, that this noble think- ing Subftance is very clofely united to the Body in this prefent State, in a Manner which we are not able to explain, and this Union is governed by certain Lav/s, and confined within certain Bounds and Li- mits, it extendeth to fuch a Degree and no farther, by virtue of which there is a wonderful Conned:ion eftablifl^>ed between certain Motions and Imprellions on the B 3 Body,

6 DISCOURSE I,

Body, and certain Senfations and AfFeftions in the Soul, and the Senfes are adjufted and difpofed in fuch a Manner as is mofl proper for the Ufe and Convenience of hu- man Life. Man, conlidered in this View, is one of the moft admirable Compofi- tions in all Nature, nearly allied to the fpiritual and material World, and having both united in himfelf.

A frefh Scene of Wonders openeth to us, when we farther confider the Care that is taken for continuing the human Species, the remarkable Diftin6lion between the Sexes, and their mutual Propenfions, and the admirable Provifion that is made for nourifhing and bringing up their Offspring. To which may be added, the kind and fo- cial Affections implanted in the human Heart, which tend to bind Men to one another, and ihew that they are naturally defigned and formed for Society, and for all the Offices of mutual Affiftance and Benevolence,

Whilft upon confidering thefe Things we are filled with Aftonifliment at our own Frame, we cannot but be fenfible that it is in no Senfe owing to ourfelves, fmce we did not bring ourfelves into Be- ring. Nor was it owing to the Power and Skill of our Parents. They knew as little as we do how the curious Fa-

^ brie

DISCOURSE r. 7

bric of our Bodies was formed and fafhi- oned, and the feveral Parts of which it confifteth difpofed in fo excellent an Order. Much lefs were they the Authors and Contrivers of the Mind with its noble Faculties and Powers ; nor did they ap- point and eftablifh the Laws of Union be- tween both. They themfelves came alfo into Being the fame Way that we did, and their Bodies and Souls were formed and united in the fame Manner, without their having any Part in it, or knowing how it was done. And the fame Thing muft be faid of their Parents, and fo on to the iirft Progenitors of the human Race, for to the lirfl; Progenitors we muft come at laft, and they no more than their Dependants were the proper Authors or Contrivers of their own Frame. Nor could it be ori- ginally owing to a blind Chance or Ne- ceflity. For what greater Abfurdity can there poffibly be, than to fuppofe that an unintelligent Chance or Neceffity could be able to produce thinking intelligent Be- ings ? We muft therefore rife in our Thoughts to a moft wife as well as power- ful Agent or Caufe, who contrived the admirable human Frame, in which there are fuch evident Marks of Wifdom and Defign, who gave Exiftence to the firft Parents of Mankind, from whom the reft B 4 have

8 DISCOURSE I.

have proceeded, and who ftill prefideth over the Produdion of this Race of Beings, according to the Laws and Order which he himfelf hath eftabHfhed.

Again, If we carry our Views to the Brute Animals, we fee all around us a Va- riety of Beings that have Life and Senfa- tion as well as we, but which plainly ap- pear to be of an inferior Kind, not furnilli-- ed with fuch noble intellectual Faculties, nor proper Subjefts of moral Government, yet all of them endued with admirable Powers and Appetites, whereby they are enabled to diflinguifh what is good and ufeful to them from what is hurtful and prejudicial, and are ftrongly and fteadily inclined to purfue the one and to avoid the other. Lnnumerably various as they are, there is proper Food provided for each of them, for receiving and digefting of which, the Fabric of their Body and Dif- pofition of its Parts, is wonderfully difpof- ed. To vAich may be added, the ftro ng Inclinations v/hereby they are carried to Dropagate their feveral Species, the Ap- paratus of Parts fitted for it, and the wife and powerful Inftln^ts whereby they are urged and diredled to nourlih and provide for their Young, and to take the propereft Meafures for that Purpofe, and eicercife a tender Care over them, whilfl: thev ft^nd

iiv

DISCOURSE I. 9

in need of that Care, and till they are able to fliift for themfelves. Who can without Wonder take a View of the num- berlefs Tribes of Infeds and Reptiles, four-footed Beafts, and flying Fowl, each of them provided with proper Organs and Inftruments exactly alike in all the Indi^ viduals of the fame Species, which are wonderfully adapted to their feveral Mo- tions, and to that Kind of Life for which they are plainly defigned ? many of them of a furprifmg Small nefs, and yet in that fmall Bulk furniihed with an amazing Multiplicity of Parts moft nicely and cu- rioufly contrived. Others of them to be admired for their Largenefs and Strength, fome for their Agility and Swiftnefs, fome for the Beauty of their Colours, or for the Finenefs and comely Proportion of their Shapes ; others for their Boldnefs and Courage, or for their Sagacity and Cun- ning, All of them fubfervient to Man, and contributing to his Pleafure, IJ{q, and Entertainment, in fuch various Ways, that there could fcarce be any tolerable living for us on Earth v/ithout them. It is ma- nifeft that they did not make themfelves, nor did Man make them for his own Conve- nience, nor could they be the Effeds of any blind undefigning Nature, but muft Qvve their Exiftence to a fuperior intellin

gem

lo DISCOURSE I.

gent Caufe. For if thofe Engines that are the EfFedls of human Art and Contri- vance, plainly fhew Wifdom and adlive Intelligence in the Caufe that produced them; how much more muft this be ac- knowledged concerning the Brute Animals, the Mechanifm of whofe Bodies is incom- parably more curious than any Engines that were ever invented by Man, and who are endued with the wonderful Pov/ers of Life, Self-motion, and Senfation, together with various Inftindls, entirely diftindl from, and vaftly fuperior to all the Powers of Mechanifm, and the utmoft Efforts of hu- man Art or Skill. They muft therefore have proceeded from a Power and Wif- dom that exceedeth our Comprehenfion% And upon comparing them with Man, to whom they are fubordinate, and whom they refemble in what regardeth the fenfi- tive Life, we are led to conclude that the fame moil v/ife and powerful Being that made Man, did alfo make thefe inferior Animals, and gave them their feveral Povv^ers and Inllincfls, whereby they are fitted for the Enjoyment of that Life which Vvas defigned them, and for being ufeful to Man, who is fitted by his Rea- fon for exercifing a Dominion over them, and was evidently intended to be the prin- cipal Inhabitant of this lower World.

From

DISCOURSE I. II

From Man and the Brute Animals let us turn our Views to this Earth which we inhabit ; and here we find we are placed in a World amply furnifhed for the Suf- tenance and Entertainment of the various Kinds of living Creatures that dwell upon it, and efpecially for the Ufe and Delight of Mankind. Its Surface is generally overfpread with an agreeable Verdure, and diverfified with Hills and Vallies, Moun- tains and Plains, Fields, Woods, and Groves, Rivers and Fountains, which are in their feveral Ways of manifold Ufe, as well as contribute to the Beauty and Variety of Profpeil. Its Bowels are flored with vaft Magazines of Metals, Stones, and Minerals, of great Advantage to the Service of human Life, and capable of be- ing employed to a thoufand Ufes. But efpecially it fhould fill us with Aftonifh- ment to furvey the unfpeakable Variety of Plants, Trees, Flowers, and Grain, arifing in numberlefs beautiful Forms out of the dark Bofom of the Earth, to which they adhere by their Roots, and from whicla they derive their Nouriihment, all fpring- ing up from their feveral Seeds, according to conftant and fettled Laws, which they themfelves know nothing of, and which yet they invariably purfue. They are not endued like the Animals with Perception

and

12 DISCOURSE I.

and Senfation, and yet have an inferior Kind of Life whereby they vegetate and grovi^, and rife up through a gradual and orderly Progreffion into Maturity. No- thing can be more admirable than the great Variety of Veflels with which they are furniflied, the Contrivance of which is inimitably curious, and which are all fo wonderfully fimilar in all the fame Species>^ that no i\rt, no Power or Skill of Man is able to effed: the like. Their Vegeta- tion, their Growth, their Produ(ftions of Leaves, Bloflbms, Buds, Fruits, &c. at*e all conducfted by the wifefl: Rules, and kindly contrived for the Ufe of the living Creatures that dwell upon the Earth, for Food and Medicine, for Covert, Shade, and Pleafure. Grafs groweth for the Cat- tky and Herb, or Grain, for the Service of Many as the Pfalmift fpeaks, Pfal. civ. 14. The former fliooteth up in vaft Quantities all over the Earth of its own accord, and without Cultivation, becaufe defigned to be Food for the Brute Creatures, who cannot cultivate the Ground; the latter furnifheth an agreeable and nourifhing Food for Man, but then it is fo ordered, that it is not ordinarily produced or fitted for his Ufe without Care and Pains in cultivating the Ground, for which he is v/ell qualified, jhough the Brutes. are not. Nor hath the

Earth 4

DISCOURSE I. 13

Earth after fo long a Succeffion of Ages loft its Fertility. There is Provifion mads for conftantly repairing and renewing it, and even the Corruption of thofe Bodies that lie and rot upon its Surface, is by a remarkable Contrivance made to contribute to this Purpofe. It were Madnefs to fuppofe that all this is properly and ori- ginally owing to the Earth itfelf, which is a dull heavy Mafs of fenfelefs Matter, in- 'capable in itfelf of doing or contriving any Thing, or that it is by an undefigning Chance that it emitteth fuch a Variety of Produdions, in fuch a regular Way, and ac- cording to fixed Laws. Thefe are evident- ly the Appointments of a moft wife A- gent, who, as he made Man, and the fe- veral Kinds of Brute Animals, did alfo contrive the curious Mechanifm of Plants, and did form the Earth, and difpofe it in- to the Order in which we now behold it, and hath liberally furniflied it with every Thing that might render it a commodious Habitation for the Creatures that live upon it. All thefe Things are fo excel- lently adapted to one another, and have fuch a mutual Relation and Dependence, as plainly fhew them to be the Work and Contrivance of one v.dfe and beneficent Author and Difpofer.

While

14 DISCOURSE L

While we are furveying this Earth, ano- ther amazing Scene openeth to our View, the great and wide Sea, that huge Col- ledion of Waters, which, by a wonderful Provifion, is every where impregnated with vaft Quantities of Salt, and is fubjedied to a regular Ebbing and Flowing, whereby it is kept in conflant Motion, and is pre- ferved from ftagnating afid putrefying," which might be of the wofft Confequence* This, as well as the Land, is ftored with a nuriiberlefs Variety of living Creatures, many of them of huge Bulk and Strength, all of them wonderful in their feveral Forms, and framed in fuch a Manner, and their Organs fo difpofed, as plainly fhews that they are originally fitted and defigned to live in the watry Element, which is mortal to other earthly Crea- tures* Thefe, as well as the Land Ani- mals, are of Ufe to Mankind. Befides which, the Sea itfelf is of great Advantage to us, not only as it ferveth for maintain- ing an Intercourfe between the moft dif- tant Nations, but as it is the great Fund of Vapours, which are continually exhaled by the Heat of the Sun in vaft Quantities from its Surface, and being freed from their Salts in a Manner which we are not able to explain, are raifed up into the Airy from whence they defcend upon the

Earth,

DISCOURSE i. ij

Earth, fertilizing and moiftenlng It, and furnifliing Drink to living Creatures, as well as conftant Supplies to Fountains and Rivers w^hich again run into the Sea- Thus there is a perpetual Circulation of Waters from the Earth to the Ocean, from the Ocean to the Earth again ; by which conftant and regular Circulation, both the Sea and Rivers are preferved, and fuch a Proportion is maintained between them^ that neither the one nor the other, in a long Courfc of Ages, is confiderably either increafed or diminiflied.

And here the fame R.efledions recur that were made on the other Parts of this Globe. All this plainly pointeth to one original Caufe of great Wifdom as well as Power, who made th€ Earth with the fe- veral Kinds of Plants and Animals upon it, and did alfo form the Sea, and ftored it with innumerable living Creatures both fmall and great. To him it is owing that the Water, though lighter than the Earth, is not fpread all over it like the Air, which would prove deftrudlive both to Plants and the greater Part of Animals, but hath proper Receptacles provided for it, where it is laid up as in Store-houfes, and is conveyed by innumerable Canals throueh the Earth in fuch a Manner as may render it of the greateft Ufe. And 3 the

i6 DISCOURSE i.

the Shores, with the Sand lodged there irt inconceivable Quantities, are fo difpofed as to form a Kind of natural Dike, the moft effectual that can be to reprefs the Fury of the boifterous Ocean, fo that though the Waters thereof tofs themfehes, yet can they not prevail -y though they roar^ yet can they not pafs over if, Jer. v. 22.

From the Earth and Sea let us afcend in our Thoughts to the Air which encom- pafleth this Globe, and hath a manifejft Relation to it. And here we behold new Marks of the mofl: wife and aftoni(hing Contrivance, though after all our Refearches it is but little that we underftand of the Nature of that wonderful Fluid which we call Air, yet its great Ufe and abfolute Neceffity to the Subfiftence of Man, and of all other Animals upon Earth, is obvious to the moft fuperficial Enquirer. It is the vital Element in which v/e breathe, and without Vv'hich we can fcarce live a Mo- ment y and it is neceffary not only to the Life of Animals, but to the Vegetation of Plants, and produceth numberlefs fur- prifing Effects upon all earthly Bodies. And is it poffible here not to acknowledge a moft wife prefiding Mind, who hath fo conftituted the Air, that though it hath in it a Mixture of a ftrange Variety of In- gredients, yet it ordinarily retaineth that

Quality

DISCOURSE I. 17

Quality which rendereth it fo ufeful and heceffary to Life, and who hath caufed it to be ftretched forth over the whole Earth and Sea, as being of univerfal Advantage, and hath furnifhed all Animals, and even Plants, with curious Veffels moft exquifite- ly contrived for this very Purpofe, that they may receive the Air, and have the Benefit of it ? The Air contributeth not only to our Life and Health, but in num- berlefs Inftances to our Convenience and Pleafure. It refrefheth us by its balmy In- fluence, and is the great Means of con- veying Sounds, not only the Sound of Words whereby Converfation is maintain- ed among Men, but all the pleafmg Airs of Mufic and Harmony to the Ear, which is accordingly provided with Organs ad- mirably fitted to receive them.

The Air may alfo be confidered in an- other View, as the Region of Vapours and Meteors. There is the balancing of the Clouds, which are wonderfully fofpended in the Air, and form a fair and ample Ca- nopy over our Heads, and at proper Sea- fons are diflblved, not breaking at once up- on us in mighty Spouts and Torrents, which would be of very bad Confequence, but defcending upon the Earth in Drops of Rain or Dew. There are the Trea- fures of Snow and Hail, and there the

[Vol- L] C Light-

i8 DISCOURSE I.

Lightnings blaze, and the Thunders roar, which are of Ufe to purify the Air, as well as to ftrike aftonifhed Mortals with a re- ligious Awe of the above Power and Ma- jefty. There the Winds are formed which are fo neceflary to waft the Clouds and Vapours to the moft diftant Parts, to fan and clear the Air, and to fcatter and dif- pel noxious Streams, as well as for carry- ing on Navigation and Commerce, and for a thoufand other Ufes. From the dread- ful EfFeifts which thefe Things fometimes produce, we may judge what a miferable Cafe we (hould be in, if they were left to a blind and giddy Chance. But it is our Comfort to think they are under a moft wife and powerful Diredlor, who at firft formed and appointed, and ftill governeth the Meteors and the vaft Army of Va- pours floating in the Air, and regulateth them by fuch Laws, and in fuch a Man- ner, that they are fometimes made Ufe of by him for executing his righteous Judg- ments, fo upon the whole they are great- ly beneficial to the Earth and to Man- kind. How (hould we admire and adore him, who, according to the beautiful Lan- guage of holy Writ, maketh fmall the Drops of Watery which the Clouds dropy and dijiil upon Man abundantly, whogheth Snow like V/ooU and fcattereth the hoar Fro/i like

JJJ^es',

15 ISC OUR SE I. 19

Ajhes ; who weigheth the Winds ^ and hrijig- 'eih them forth out df his Treafuries ; who thunder eth mdrvelloujly with his Voice 'y and, with regard to many other Appearances in thofe airy Regions, doeth great things which we cannot comprehend !

And now upon this fhort and general Survey of bur Globe, in v/hich there are fo many Things that fhew the moft ad- mirable Contrivance, we are almoft irrelifti- bly led to acknowledge a moft wife and mighty Intelligence, that formed Man, the Brute Animals, the Earth, the Sea, the Air, fb wonderfully correfponding to one ahother, and all concurring to make up one habitable Globe : Nor could any one of them be wanting without great Detriment afid Prejudice to the whole.

And yet our Reflections muft not ftop here. It is evident that what we have been coniidering is but Part of a larger Syftem, to which it hath a manifeft Rela- tion. This Earth of ours, with its fur- rounding Atmofphere, is but an inconfide- rable Point compared with this vaft and ipacious Univerfe, beyond Imagination great and magnificent. On every Side of us we behold a wide and glorious Ex- panfe, an,d in it many fhining Orbs, ef- |>ecia}ly that glorious Body the Sun, which enlighteneth, warmeth, and animateth our C 2 World,

20 DISCOURSE I.

World, and without whofe chearing Influ- ences and Rays, Life, Vegetation, and Motion, would foon be extinguifhcd in all Animals and Plants, and this whole Earth and Sea become one ufelefs Lump of con- gealed Matter. Who can without Afto- nifhment confider the Light, which is of a Nature fo inimitably fine and fubtile, fo adlive and penetrating ? It {hooteth down from the Sun to the Earth, an immenfe Diftance, w^ith a Swiftnefs exceeding all hu- man Imagination, and is capable of num- berlefs Reflections and Refradtions, per- formed according to certain fixed Laws, whereby all the Beauties of Colours, and a Variety of the moft pleafing and tranf- porting Scenes are prefented to our Eyes, which are accordingly moft exquifitely contrived and formed for receiving them. It is manifeft that the Light is made for the Eye, and the Eye for Light, the one of thefe would be ufelefs without the other, and both are to be afcribed to the fame wife and powerful Caufe and Author.

It is wifely ordered that the Earth and San are placed in fo commodious a Situa- tion towards one another, neither too near, nor too remote, and the annual and diurnal Motions fo regulated, as to produce the f^rateful Viciflitudes of Day and Night, and the ftated orderly Returns of the Sea-

fons.

DISCOURSE I. 21

fons, both for our Ufe and for our Plea- fure.

It is alfo a wife and kind Provifion, that the Moon is appointed to perform its monthly Courfe round the Earth in fuch a Manner as to yield to us a comfortable and refrefhing Light in the Abfence of the Sun, which Light it deriveth from that glorious Luminary, and reflefteth to our Earth. It corred:eth the cold Damps of the Night, and hath a great Influence on the Tides, and on the Bodies of Animals and Plants.

The other Planets alfo perform their fe- veral Courfes at proper Diftances from the Earth and Sun, according to an eftablifhed Rule and Order, from which they have not deviated through fo long a Succeffion of Ages. And now it ncedeth but little Re- flediion to convince us that thefe heaven- ly Bodies, the Sun, Moon, and Planets, did not form themfelves, or affign to them- felves the Stations they hold in the Uni- verfe, or the Courfes they purfue. Nor could the wonderful Compofition of thofe huge Orbs, the nice Adjuftment of their Motions and Diflances, their mutual Re- lations and Dependencies, the amazing Conftancy and Regularity of their Cour- fes, and the wife and fteady Laws by which they are governed, any Deviation C 3 from

22 DISCOURSE L

from which would foon bring the whole Syftem into Confufion, be poffibly the Efr fedts of a blind Chance, or of any unintel- ligent undeligning Caufe. We are apt to admire an artificial Sphere in which are reprefented, though in a very imperfedl Manner, the regular Motions of the Sun and Planets, and their Situation with re- fpedl to one another, as a curious Piece of Art which fheweth a great deal of Skill and Contrivance. But how infinitely doth this fall fhort of the Wifdom as well as Power that was requifite to form thefe ftupendous Bodies, to difpofe them in their proper Situations, to appoint them their fe- veral Courfes, and to preferve and main- tain them in that juft and beautiful Order, which is moft for the Advantage and Harmony of the whole ! Upon confidering all this, we are led by the cleareft Princi- ples of Rcafon to conclude, that as well the Sun and planetary Orbs, as the Earth, Sea, concur to make one great Syftem, of which this Globe of ours is but a Part, owe their Exlftence and Prefervation to one and the fame moft wife, powerful, and beneficent Author. And if we far-r ther confider the Comets which now and then appear with their blazing Train, whofe Courfes, though feemingly irregular, and different from thpfe of qther Planets, 2 yet

DISCOURSE I. 23

yet according to the moft accurate Obfer- vations are all governed by fixed Laws, and efpecially if we raife our Views to the in- numerable fixed Stars, removed from us at a Diftance which exceedeth all human Computation, each of them acknowledged by all that confider thefe Things with Attention to be huge Orbs of Light, Bo- dies of prodigious Magnitude and Splen- dor, and probably fo many Suns, attended with furrounding Planets, this openeth a new Scene of Wonders ftill more grand and aftonifhing than what we have been now confidering. Our Minds are fwal- lowed up in the boundlefs Extent of the Works of Nature. And what a vaft Idea muft this give us of the Greatnefs of the Univerfe, much more of the Power, Ma- jefty, and Wifdom of the glorious Au-* thor, by whofe Word the Heavens were made^ and all the Hojl of them by the Breath of his Mouth !

Thus it appeareth, that whitherfoever we turn our Eyes we meet with vifible illuf- trious Proofs and Evidences of a Deity. I have confidered thefe Things only in a ge- neral Way, without entering into the Depths of Philofophyj but a more diftincft and accurate Inipeftion of them would reveal innumerable new Wonders to convince and aftpnifh us. And yet even this flight and C 4 general

24. DISCOURSE L

general View ftrikes the Mind with great Force. All Nature prqclaimeth through all its Works with a Voice intelligible to all Mankind who will duly attend to it, that there is a God. Every where may we obferve the plaineft Marks and Cha- rafters of Wifdom and Contrivance; and fince Matter is in itfelf incapable of Under- ftanding and Defign, and therefore can have no Wifdom of its own to order and diredt itj this is a demonftrative Proof that thefe Things mull: have been eifedled by the Wifdom and Power of another Agent, dillind: from Matter, and vaftly fuperior to it. And indeed one would think it fcarce poffible for any Man to confider this vail iftupendous Frame fo admirably contrived in all its Parts, and which is preferved and governed by fuch wife and conftant Laws, together with the innumerably va- rious Beings it containeth, with all their Faculties and Powers, Capacities and In- ftinds; I fay, one would think it fcarce poffible for any Man to confider all this with x\ttention, and not believe it to be the Work of a moft wife as well as almighty Author. To afcribe all this beautiful and well-ordered Univerfe, and all the Orders pf Beings in it, many of which are endu- ed with Knowledg!^ and Intelligence, to a giddy thoughtlefs Chance, and lucky Jum- ble

DISCOURSE I. 2|

ble of Atoms, or to a blind unintelli- gent Nature or Neceffity, Words which, as they are ufed in this Cafe, are with- out Senfe and Meaning, and really lig- nify nothing at all, rather than to a wife and underftanding Mind, is abfurd to a Degree of Extravagance. A Man of plain found Senfe, who hath not his Head turned with a falfe and vain Philofophy, would be apt to think that it could never have entered into the Heart of any Pcrfon whatfoever to have imagined fuch a Thing. Efpecially fince that Man would be looked upon as fcarce in his Senfes, that upon beholding and exa- mining a well-built Houfe, a curious Watch, a well-written Book, or any ad- mired Piece of Mechanifm made by hu- man Art, fliould ferioufly and in good earneft attribute it not to the Skill and Contrivance of any Man, or any other in- telligent Agent, but to an undefigning Chance or fenfelefs Neceffity.

Juftly therefore doth the Pfalmift pro- nounce him a Fool that hath faid in his Hearty There is no God. Pfal. xiv. i. And the Apoftle here reprefenteth thofe that do not acknowledge and adore God and his Perfedions, which are clearly feen from the Creation of the World, being underftood by the Things that are made,

as

2.6 DISCOURSE I.

as abfolutely without Excufe. Rom. L 20. Nor do the feeming Irregularities in fome Parts of the Univerfe in the leaft weaken the Argument or Evidence. For fince we find innumerable Things that plainly argue a Wifdom and Skill infinitely fiiperior to ours, we ought to make the fame Suppo- fition concerning thofe Things, the De- fign or Ufe of which we do not at prefent fee. It is certainly highly rational and be- coming the Modefty of fuch fhort-fighted Creatures as we are, to attribute any De- feats or Irregularities we may imagine we obferve in any Part of the Work of God in this vaft Univerfe, to the narrow Com- prehenfiou of our own Underftandings, which we cannot but be confcious of in a thoufand Inftances. How many Things were found fault with by the Epicureans and other ancient atheiftical Philofophers in the Frame of the World, that upon the further Improvements which have been made in the Knowledge of Nature in thefe latter Ages, have appeared to be contriv- ed with admirable Wifdon> ! And we may iuftly conclude, that other Things, which now v^e cannot precifely affign a Reafon of, would appear to be very wifely order- ed, if we had a juft Comprehenfion of the whole, and faw all Things in their mu- tual Connexion and Harmony. As to the

Diforders

DISCOURSE I. 27

Piforders of the moral World, no Argu- ment can be properly drawn from thence againft the Exiftenceand Perfeftions of fhe iuprerne Being, fmce they only arife frbm the Abufe that reafonable Creatures make of the excellent Faculties with which they are ;<endued, and of the Liberty that belongeth to them as moral Agents. And if wc regard this prefent Life as a State of Trial, and take a future World into the Ac- count, there is great Reafon to apprehend that when the whole moral Syftem is compleated, all the Difficulties which now puzzle us fliall be adjufled and cleared, and the Wifdom and RIghteoufnefs of God be made illuftrioufly manifeft, even in thofe Things that now have the moil dif- (Couraging Appearance.

I ihall conclude this Difcourfe with that noble Addrefs to God, Neh. ix. 5. 6. Blejfed be thy glorious Namey which is exalted above all BleJJing and Praife ! ThoUy even thou, art Lord alone, thou haji made Heaven, the Heaven of Heavens with all their Hojl, the Earth and all Things that are therein, the Sea and all that is therein, and thou pre- Jerveji them all, and the Hoji of Heaven worjhifpeth thee f

%h

The Being and PerfeSiions of God proved from his Works.

DISCOURSE II.

Romans i. 20.

For the invifible Things of him from the Crea^ tion of the World are clearly feen^ being underjlood by the Things that are made^ even his eternal Power and Godhead.

IN my former Difcourfe on thefe Words I laid before you the Proofs of the Ex- iftence of God from the Confideration of his wonderful Works. Taking a Rife from our own Bodies and Souls, we took a general Survey of this vaft, beautiful, and well-ordered Univerfe, the Earth, the Sea, the Air, the heavenly Orbs, the Sun, the Moon, and Stars, and it appeared that they all uniformly concur to lead our Minds to the Acknowledgment of one fupreme intelligent Caufe and Author.

But it is not fufficient to believe that, there is a God, if we do not en- deavour to get our Hearts filled with juft ,

5 and

3o DISCOURSE li.

and worthy Sentiments of his infinite Ex- cellencies. And the fame Arguments that lead us to acknowledge his Exifterice, do' equally lead us to acknowledge that this great Author of the Univerfe muft be pof- feifed of all poffible Perfe(flions. There is no Conclufion more obvious than this, that he that hiih fpread fiich an Abun- dance of Glory through his Works in this World, which he hath created, muft have an unbounded Fulnefs of Excellency and Perfedlion in himfelf. And this is what the Apoftle here fignifieth, by declaring,' ;t/M^ the invijible Things of God from the Creation of the World are clearly feeuy being underjlood by the Things that are made. The invifible Things of God, is his infinite Ef- fence and Perfeftions which are not the Objecfls of our Sight, or of any of our Sen- fes. And accordingly he adds, even his eter- nal Power and Godhead, He exprefsly men- tioneth his eternal Powery and under the Word Godhead may be comprehended hi? other divine Perfedlions, and as the Refult of all, his fupreme incomparable Majefty,- Glory, and Dominion.

It is no Objedtion againft this,- that the divine Effence and Perfedllons are not vi- fible to the bodily Eye. This only fliew- eth that he is a Spirit, not Matter or Body, which he muft be, if we could fee him with our Eyes. But his Being and Perfec- tions

DISCOURSE II. 3r

tions are neverthelefs real for his belftg in- vifible. Though they are not fccn with an Eye of Senfe, yet they are difcernable to the Eye of the Mind, ieing underjiood by the Thmgs that are made, i. e. by the Effedts in the Works of Creation. And nothing can yield a nobler or more ufeful Subjedt for cur Contemplations. I fliall therefore proceed to take a fummary View of thofe Perfections which eflentially be^ long to the fupreme original Caufe and Author of all Things. And fuch a fhort and general Coniideration of them may be of great Advantage, that by placing them together in a clofe and comprehen- five View, their mutual Connection and Harmony may more convincingly appear. And firfl. The firft Thing I would ob- ferve is, that this great original Caufe of all Things, the God that made the World, and all that in it is, exifted neceffarily from everlafting. This is plainly fignifieci here when the Apoftle fpeaketh of his eter- nal Power and Godhead^ as being underjiood by the Things that are made. For eternal Power and Godhead neceffarily fuppoie eternal Exiftence. That fomething muft have exifted from everlafting, is as certain as it is that any Thing now exifteth, be- caufe otherwife, nothing could ever have come into Being. And indeed none ever was fo abfurd as to deny that fomething

muft

c2 DISCOURSE n.

;>

muft have exifted from all Eternity. The Atheift is forced to acknowledge this whe- ther he will or no, and being unwilling to own an eternal wife intelligent Caufe, moft abfurdly afcribeth Eternity to dull fenfelefs Matter. But if Matter alone were eternal, how could Life, or Intelli- gence, or aftive Power have ever come into Being ? Or how could Matter, or that Suppofition be fubjedt to fo many Changes and Alterations as we fee it is, iince, if it exifted neceifarily and independently, it cannot be conceived that any Thing could make an Impreffion upon it, fo as to move or alter it ? There muft in that Cafe have been from everlafting, and fo fhould have continued to everlafting, the fame unvaried State or Appearance of Things, without Motion or Life, Senfation or Intelligence, none of which originally belong to Mat- ter. But this is contrary to undeniable Fadt and Experience. In all Things that come under our Notice we may obferve convincing Proofs of their having had a Beginning of their Exiftence. With re- gard to ourfelves, we are confcious that it is but a few Years fince we came into Being. The fame muft be faid of the whole Race of Mankind, which it is de- monftrable could not have been from ever- lafting upon this Earth ; and there are ma- ny Things which plainly fhew that they

are

DISCOURSE II. 23

are comparatively but of a late Original. The Earth itfelf, the Sea, the Air, bear upon them Chafafters of Mutability and Imperfeftion, which make it evident that they did not exift of themfelves from ever-*" lafting. And the fame Thing may be juft- ly concluded concerning the glorious Bodies that perform their Courfes and Revolutions in the vaft Spaces around Us. But when we rife beyond thefe Things to the great Author of the Univerfe, as we muft ac- knowledge that he had an Exiftence before any Part of this vifible World, which is his Contrivance and Workmanfliip, fo we are naturally led to conclude, that he never had any Beginning of his Being. Let us purfue our Thoughts never fo far through the Series of fubordinate fecond Caufes, we muft unavoidably come at length to fome- thing which was itfelf uncaufed, and muft^ therefore have been felf-exiftent, or have exifted neceffarily from everlafting. And this Neceffity of Exiftence, as it cannot be owing to any external Caufe, muft have its Reafon and Ground in the Nature of the Thing itfelf. It can therefore be ow- ing to Nothing but to the peculiar Excel- lency and Perfed:ion of its own Effence, which is fuch that it is not poffible that it ftiould ever have either a Beginning or an End of its Exiftence. And whatfoever is thus felf-exiftent, or exifteth neceifarily of [Vol. I.] D itfelf.

34 DISCOURSE IL

itfelf, niuft be Independent and felf-fuffici- ent. As it was not beholden to any other for its Being or Perfedions, fo there is no other on whom it can be fuppofed in any Cafe to depend. It fubfifteth wholly and only of itfelf, and ftandeth not in Need of foreign Affiftance or Support. And for the fame Reafon that it is felf-fufficlent and independent, it is unchangeable too. That which exifteth neceflarily from ever- lafting cannot reafonably be fuppofed to be liable to Alteration or Change, iince it is neither obnoxious to the Power or Influ- ence of any external Caufe, nor can have any internal Weaknefs or Principle of Change in itfelf, and therefore muft con- tinue to everlafting, the fame that it was from everlafting.

It may be farther added, that to be felf- exiftent includeth abfolute Perfection in its Idea. All derivative Beings are limit- ed in one refped; or other, and the Reafon is plain, becaufe they owe their Exift- ence, and their Perfedions, their Nature and Properties, to a fuperior Caufe. But that Being which exifteth neceffarily and of itfelf, cannot be limited. For it hath nothing to reftrain or limit it from with- out, fince it hath no fuperior Caufe to determine it to any particular Portion or Quantity of Being or Excellence, nor

hath

DISCOURSE II. 35

hath it any Reftrldion or Limitation ariling from within, or from its own Nature, fmce its exifling necefTarily could be only owing to the abiblute and unparalleled Excellency of its own Nature. And what imagina- ble Reafon can be given why the necefTa- rily exiftent Being, that hath nothing to fet Bounds to it, fhould have fome Per- fedions and not all?

And now it appeareth what an eminent and glorious Prerogative this of eternal and neceffary Exiftence is, and that there muft needs be an infinite and unconceiva- ble Difference between a Being to which this Privilege belongeth, and a Being that hath nothing of itfelf, but deriveth all that it is and hath from the Will and Power of another. We fhould therefore, in the inward Eftimation of our Minds, pat an immenfe Difference between the eternal and neceffarily exiftent Jehovah, and all other Beings whatfoever; acknow- ledge his unequalled Glory and Majefty, that he is, and there is none other befides him. He is the to ov, as one of the moft eminent of the ancient Philofophers call- ed him, the Being, by Way of Eminency, that "which is or exijlethy viz. neceffarily of himfelf. Whereas other Things have on- ly a precarious contingent Being, and therefore, in Comparifon of God," they D 2 can

36 D I S C O U R S E 11.

can fcarce be faid to be at alL What the Prophet faith concerning all the Na- tions of the Earth, may be faid concerning the whole Compafs of created Beings, that in the Sight of God, and as compared with him they are as Nothings yea even lefs than Nothing, and Vanity , as it is moft emphati- cally exprefled, Ifa. xl. 17. How juftly is he therefore the Objed of our profound- eft Reverence ! When we fet ourfelves to contemplate him, we foon find our Thoughts fwallowed up in a bottomlefs Abyfs, which no created Underftanding can found or fathom. This may teach us what an humble Modefty becometh us in our En- quiries concerning the Deity. How foon are we loft in the amazing Depths of Eternity and Self-exlftence ! How can temporary, fuccelTive, contingent Beings, that are but of Yefterday, form a juft and adequate Notion of that infinite, eternal, and unchangeable Being, who always ex- ifteth necefl'arily of himfelf, by the fingu- lar Prerogative of his own moft perfed: Nature. It is ufeful for us frequently to turn our Thoughts this Way, the better to aff'ecSt our Hearts with a Senfe of the infinite Diftance between him and us. We fliould be even as nothing in our ov/n Eyes, and ftiould fink into the very Duft before him with the moft awful and

proftrate

DISCOURSE II. 37

proflratc Veneration. His Eternity and ^elf-exiftence, (vv^hich includeth, as hath been fhewn, Self-fufficiency, Independen- cy, and Immutability,) lieth at the Foun- dation of all his other Attributes, and giv- eth them infinite Force, Hence the Apof- tle fpeaketh here of his eternal Power and Godhead. His Power, his Wifdom, his Goodnefs, all his Perfed:ions, in a Word, his Godhead is eternal. And this rendereth him the proper Objeft both of our humbleft Adoration, and of our ftea- dy Truft and Dependence.

And accordingly the holy Scriptures In this, at well as other Inftances, tfeach u$ to form the mod worthy Conceptions of the fupreme Being. He is there reprefent- ed as deicribing himfelf by that glorious Charader, / am, and / am that I am-, which is generally and juftly fuppofed to have a particular Reference to his neceffary eternal Exiflence and Unchangeablenefs. Exod. ili. 14, God [aid unto Mofesy I am that lam: And he faid, 'Thus jh alt thou fay unto the Children of Ifrael, I am hathfejit me unto you. The Septuagint render it, * I

* am he that is, or exifteth.* And again in the latter Part of the'Verfe, * He that is

* hath fent me unto you.' The fame Thing is generally fuppofed to be fignified by the facred Name Jehovah y God's moil glorious

D 3 and

38 DISCOURSE II.

peculiar Title= That fublime Paflage in the Prayer of Mofes giveth a noble Idea of God's Eternity and Immutability. Before the Mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadji formed the Earth and the World ^y even from everlafting to ever lofting thou art God. Pfal. xc. 2. To the fame Purpofe that admirable Addrefs of the Pfalmift, Pfal. cii. 25, 26, 27. Of old hafl thou laid the Foundation of the Eaj'th, and the Hea- vens are the Work of thine Hands. I' hey JJjall perijhy but thou JJoalt endure-, yea, all of them JJjall wax old as a Garment -, as a Vef ture fhait thou change them, and they Jlo all be cha?2ged. But thou art the fame, ajid thy Tears fiall have no End. He is defcribed^ Rev, i. 4, under the Character of him which is, and which was, and which is to come -, as com- prehending all the Differences of Time in his own permanent and boundlefs Dura- tion. We are taught to afcribe Glory to hirn, as the King eternal, hmnortal, invifi-. ble. I Tim. i. 17. Yea, we are told, that: he only haih Immortality, i Tim. vi. 16. /. e. he only hath it originally and neceffari- ly, and independently in himfelf, fo that it is impoffible for him ever not to have been, or ever to ceafe to be, which cannot be faid of any other Being whatfoever. And it is declared, that with him is no Variahlenefs, neither Shadow of Turni?ig. Jam. i. 17.

2dly,

DISCOURSE ir. 39

Secondly, Another Thing that we are to beheve concerning God the great Author of the Univerfe, is, that he is immenfe and omniprefent. Indeed this feemeth to have an infeparable Connection with Eter- nity and neceflary Exiftence, For, as hath been ah*eady obferved, that which exifteth neceffarily of itfelf, and hath no Dependence on any external Caufe, cannot have any Bounds' or Limits of its Effence. It may therefore be juftly argued, that by the fame Neceffity by which God exifteth any where, he exifteth every where; and as there is no Time in which he doth not exift, fo there is no Space in which he is not prefent. But that which giveth us the moft fatisfying Convi6lion and Aflurance of the Immenfity of the divine Effence, and tendeth to imprefs our Minds with the moft affeding Senfe of it, is the amaz- ing Greatnefs of the vaft Univerfe which he hath made. The unlimited Amplitude of his Effence, as well as the Extent of his Power, may be fairly concluded from the Creation of the World. Hence St. Paul, in his admirable Difcourfe to the AthenianSy reprefenteth it as a Truth obvious to the comm.on Senfe of Mankind, that God that made the World, and all Things that are therein, — is not far from eve7y one $j us-^for in him we live, and move, and D 4 havi

40 D I S C O U R S E II.

have our Bemg, Adls xvii. 24, 27, 28, There cannot be a more natural Thought than this. If the World which"we behold be of fuch a wonderful Extent, fo that we are not able to affign its Bounds, how great and immenfe muft that glorious Being be who at fifft made, and who ftill pre-? ferveth and uphpldeth this univerfal Syf-r tern ! It is not reafonable to fuppofe, that any Corner of the Creation is deititute of the Prefence of the great Author of it, who keepeth together the whole ftu^ pendous Frame, and whofe Influence ex- tendeth to every Part of it. What we commonly call the Courfe of Nature, is, in Reality, owing to the conftant Influence of the Almighty, ading upon this won- derful Syftem, and upon all the Parts of Matter, according to a fettled Order which his own Wifdom hath eflabhflied. And fmce he operateth every where, he muft be prefent every where. And indeed a Senfe of this feemeth to be fo natural to the human Mind, that it is no eafy Thing to fhake it off. Not to produce the Teftir monies of the heft of the ancient heathen Philofophers, who were very ex:prefs in their Acknowledgments to this Purpofe, the Prayers that are offered, the Oaths for Confirmation, and for putting an End tQ Strife, fo ufual among all Nations, and

all

DISCOURSE II. 41

dl the Ads of religious Homage and De- votion, proceed upon this Principle, that the Deity is prefent with us, and obferv- eth every Thing that paffeth. And the maintaining a conftant Senfe of this upon our Minds, is of very great Importance for influencing and governing our w^hole Temper and Condud:. It hath a mani- ,feft Tendency to engage us to exercife a continual Watchfulnefs, and to do every Thing WQ do as in his Sight, and v^ith a Regard to his Prefence and Approbation. To confider that God is ever prefent, yieldeth great Comfort and Encourage- pient to good Men, and is one of the moft effedtual Checks and Reilraints to Vice and V/ickednefs.

Accordingly this Attribute of the di-- vine Immenfity and Omniprefence is ad- mirably defcribed in the facred Writings. Whither fiall 1 go from thy Spirit^ faith the devout Pfalmift, and whither Jlmll IJJee from thy Prefence? If I afcend up into Heaven thou art there -y and if I make my Bed in Helly behold, thou art there. If I take the JVings qf the Morningy and dzve/l in the uttermoji Part^ of the Sea, even there Jhall thy Hand lead me, and thy right Hajzd JImII hold me. Pfal. cxxxix. 7, 8, 9, 10. Solomon^ in his excellent Addrefs to God at the Dedication pf the Temple, cxprefTeth himfelf thus.

Behold,

42 DISCOURSE IL

Beholdy the Heav'eny and Heaven of Hea- vens cannot contain thee, but much lefs this Houfe which 1 have builded? i Kings viii.

* ^7. God is introduced as declaring con- cerning himfelf. Am I a God at Hand, a^nd not a God afar eff? Can any hide himfelf in

Jecret F laces, that IJldould not fee him ? D@ not I fill Heaven and Earth ? Jer. xxiii. 23, 24.

Thirdly, Another Thing included in the. Idea of God is that he is almighty. This may be juftly argued from his being the eternal and felf-exiftent Being ; for as fuch he muft neceffarily have an independent abfolute Fulnefs of Life, and adive Power or Energy, originally'and eflentially in him- felf, without any Thing to bound and limit it ', whereas, Power cannot but be limited in all derivative Beings. But the moft obvious and irrefiflible Demonftration of God's Omnipotency is that which arlfeth from the Confideration of his having created this vaft Svftem of the Univerfe. Hence the Apoftle here fpeaking of the invifible Things of God, which are un- derftood by the Things that are made, particularly mentions his eternal Power. It is natural for every Man to conclude that the Author of this ftupendous Frame, and of all the Orders of Beings contained in it, muft certainly be almighty. What

an

DISCOURSE II, 43

an amazing Power muft he be poffeffed of, who at firft formed and ftill fuftaineth this huge terreftrial Globe, the Earth, the Sea, and all Things that are therein ! But how much greater an Idea muft it give us of his Power, if we confider him as having made Heaven, the Heaven of Heavens, with all their Hoft, the Sun, Moon, and Planets, with all the Conftella- tions of fixed Stars, and all the Beings of whatfoever Kind that dwell in thofe vaft Regions, the Extent of which tranfcend- eth all human Imagination ! The creating all Things out of Nothing, i. e, giving Being to thofe Things that had no Exift- ence before, though it doth not imply a Contradi(ftion, and therefore cannot be proved to be impoffible, yet is certainly the nobleft Exertion of Omnipotency that can be conceived. And the Scripture, to heighten our Ideas of the divine Power, reprefenteth God as having done this with a wonderful Facility. By the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made, ajid all the Hoft of them by the Breath of his Mouthy Pfal. xxxiii. 6. He only faid. Let there be Light y and there was Light. Gen. i. 3. And fo with regard to the other Parts of the Creation, he jpake^ and it was done. Pfal. xxxiii. 9. Juflly therefore it is declar- ed, that with God all Ihiitgs are pojjijbk.

Matt.

44 DISCOURSE 11.

Matt. xix. 26. He can do every Thing that is the Objedl of Power, every Thing but what includeth a Repugnancy in its Power, or would fuppofe an Imperfedlion in the Agent. And indeed, what can be impof- fible to him that created the World ? Beholdy faith the Prophet, thou hafi made the Heavens and the Earth by thy great Power and fir etch ed-oiit Arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee. Jer. xxxii. 17. If all the Power and Strength of Men and Angels, and of all the Orders of Be- ings throughout the Univerfe, were col- leSed into one, what a mighty and ftu- pendous Power muft that be ! And it is all derived from God, and is indeed but a fmall Part of the Fulnefs of Power that is in him. Once hath God fpoken^ faith the Pfalmift, twice have I heard this, that Power helongeth unto God, Pfal. Ixii. 11. /. e. It belongeth to him, and to him alone, originally, effentially, independently, in all its unlimited Extent, and without the leaft Mixture of Weaknefs^^ fome Degree of which there is in all created Beings. Juftly therefore is he frequently defcribed to us in Scripture under the Charader of the Lord God Almighty. And it is abfo- lutely neceflary to a Life of Religion, that we fliould have a Senfe of this glorious Attribute deeply impreifed upon our Mind^.

TherQ

DISCOURSE ir. 45

There is nothing that hath a greater Ten- dency to create in us a facred Awe of the divine Majefty, a Dread of expofing our- felves to his Difpleafure, and an eameft Deiire to fecure an Interefl in his Favour, and alfo to beget in us a firm and fteady Confidence in him, amidft the greateft Dangers and Difficulties. How comfort- ing is it to be perfuaded, that what he hath pro??ufed he is able alfo to perform. Rom, iv. 21. and that, as St. Paul nobly and emphatically exprelfeth it, he is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ajk or think. Eph. iii. 20, A wonderful PafTage, whereby it is fignified, that the Power of God far tranfcendeth not only all Expreffion, but even our lighteft Con- ceptions, the utmoft Flight of the moft unbounded Imagination !

Fourthly, Infinite Knowledge or Omni- prefence is another of the divine Attri- butes which Reafon teacheth us to afcribe to God, the great Author and Lord of the Univerfe. That Knowledge is a Perfedtion, and the Want of it a Defed, and that Be- ings which have Intelligence are of a more noble and excellent Kind than thofe that are deftitute of it, will not be denied. And therefore it were tiic greateft Abfurdity to fuppofe the mofl perfe(5l and excellent of all Beings, the fiill; original Caufe and Au- thor

46 DISCOURSE 11.

thor of all, to be without Knowledge and Underftanding. And if there be Intelli- gence at all in the felf-exiftent Being, it muft be infinite Intelligence. And the Proofs of this arc as plainly deducibla from the Works which he hath made, as thofe of his almighty Pow^er. For not only do we every where in this vaft uni- versal Frame, meet with manifeft Evi- dences of an Underftanding that filleth us with Admiration and Aftoniihment, but many of the Beings which he hath cre- ated are themfelves endued with Knowledge and Underftanding. And whence could intelligent Beings proceed but from an in- telligent Caufe ? If the firft Caufe and Au- thor of all had not Intelligence, it is not poffible to conceive how there could ever be fuch a Thing as Intelligence in any derivative dependent Being. The Reafon- ipg of the Pfalmift is obvious, and invin- cibly ftrong and cogent. He that teacheth Man Knowledge y Jhall not he know ? Pfal. xciv. lo. We are confcious to ourfelves that we are knowing Beings. We are as fure of this as we are of our Exiftence. The fame we conclude concerning all other Men, in whom we fee plain Marks of Knowledge and Underftanding. Many of the human Race have attained to high Degrees of Science, And it pannot be de- nied.

DISCOURSE IL 47

nied, that the human Mind is capable of taking in a much larger Compafs of Know- ledge than any one Man here on Earth was ever poffeffed of. And all the Know- ledge that ever was or can be , found in any Man is but a Ray from the Father of Lights, the fupreme Intelligence. And mull: not he who is the Author and Foun- tain of Reafon and Underftanding to all other Beings, who made us and all the Orders of intelligent Creatures throughout this vaft Univerfe, many of them of amaz- ing Capacities for Knowledge, and proba- bly much fuperior to the moft knowing among Men, have an inexhaufted Fund of ' Knowledge in himfelf ? and that free from all the Imperfections which attend it in us, or in any created Beings ? His Knowledge is not acquired by a laborious Search and Deduction, inferring one Thing from ano- ther, but is intuitive and immediate, cer- tain and infalUble, incapable of Error or Miftake, and univerfal in its Extent. His Knowledge therefore muft be Omnifcience, He knoweth himfelf his own infinite Ef- fence and Perfecflions, the whole Extent of his Power, and all the Councils and Purpofes of his Will. And he knoweth the whole Compafs of the Creation, 'this vaft Uni- verfe, and all the Beings it containeth, of every Order and Degree, all their ElTen-

ces

48 DISCOURSE II.

ces. Properties, Capacities, and Powers/ all of which were made and contrived by him, with all the various Ways in which thofe Faculties and Powers will operate in any Circ^mftance of Things, and all the Relations and Refpedls they bear to one another and to the whole. And confequfently he muft needs know all Things ; all Things pofiible, all Things actual, all Things future; yea even thofe Futurities that appear to be moft contin- gent, and to depend on the free Dctermi-' nation of moral voluntary Agents. For to fubftradl from the divine Fore-know-^ ledge the free Adions of the numberlefs moral Agents throughout the Univerfe, and confequently the Events which depend upon them, and the many Things that come to pafs in the natural World through the Intervention of the voluntary Actions of free Agents, to fuppofe that thefe are not foreknown by him at all, or not with Certainty, would be to bring his Know- ledge under great Limitations and Re- flraints. He might in that Cafe be mif- taken in the Defigns and Schemes he had formed, and be furprifed with Events which he did not forefee, and might li- terally be fubjedl to repent, v^hich is un- worthy of God, and fcarce confident with his infinite Perfeftion. Nor is our not

being.

DISCOURSE IL 49

being able to account how God doth ' foreknow thefe Things, a juft or fnfficierit Objedion againft it, fince it is unreafona- ble to expedt that we fliould be able to explain or to conceive all the Ways which an infinite Underftanding hath of know- ing Things. Even Men may in many Cafes forefee how other Men, who are free Agents, will determine themfelves. And if any wife Man had a perfect Know- ledge of another Man's Temper, Humour, prevailing Appetites and Inclinations, of all his Interefts and Connedlions, and of all attending Circumftances in any given Cafe, he might form a very probable Judgment, which would feldom fail, how that Man would ad: in fuch an Inftance. And it is but reafonable to conclude, that God, to whom every particular Perfon,and all Things relat- ing to him, are perfectly foreknown, is able to forefee, not only by probable Conjec- ture, but with abfolute Certainty, how every particular Perfon will ad: and de- termine himielf. And accordingly, God's Fore-knowledge of the free Adions of Men, and of the Events belonging to them, hath been generally believed and ac- knowledged in all Ages. It were eafy to produce remarkable Teftimonies to thi$ Purpofe from heathen Writers, and even from, feme of the moft celebrated ancient [Vol, I.] E Philp-

50 DI&XOURSE IL

Fhilofophers. And it feems to be clearfy affertcd in the holy Scriptures. It is there reprefented as the proper Charafter of the Deity. Hence that Challenge to the heathen Idols, Let them Jhew the former Things, (i. e, before they come to pafs) that we may conjider them, and know the lat- ter End of them, or declare lis Tubings for to come. Shew the Tbmgs that are to come hereafter, that we may hiow that ye are Gods. Ifa. xli. 22,. 23. By the Things that are to come are plainly to be under- flood, not merely Things that depend upon neceffary Caufes, but upon the Will and Determination of free Agents, and the Revolutions of human Affairs. And it is plainly intimated, that it is the Preroga- tive of God to know fuch future Events^ and of him only. And therefore he ex- prefsly attributeth this Knowledge to him- felf, after denying it to all others. / am^ God, and there is none like me, declaring the End from the Beginning, and from ancient Times the Things that are 7iot yet done, fay- ing. My Counfel foall fland, and I will do all 7ny Pleafure. Ifa. xlvi. 9, 10. And accor-' dingly there are many clear and exprefs- Predidions recorded in Scripture concern- ing Events that appear to have depended as much as any Events whatfoever upon the free Aftions of Men, and even their evil

Adions^

DISCOURSE 11. 5t

Adlions, to which they were in no wife neceffitated, but did them fredy. And not Only this, but in every other Inftance, the Perfe^^lion and vaft Extent of the divine knowledge is excellently reprefeated and defcrlbed in the facred Writings. It is de- clared that his JJnderJianding is infinite. Pfal. cxlvii. 5. that there is no fearching of his Undcrfianding. Ifa. xl. 28. that known unto him are all his Works fro?n the Beginning of the World, Ads xv. 18* that there is not any Creature that is not manifejl in his Sight, but all Things are naked a?id opened unto the Eyes of him with *whom "^joe have to do, Heb. iv. 13. Parti- cularly it is there frequently obferved that he knoweth all the Actions of Men, their Words, and even their Hearts and mod fecret Thoughts, which is a Confideratiort of the highefl Moment in Religion, and than which nothing can have a greater In- fluence to engage us to exercife a conflant Care over our inward Frame and out outward Pradtice. Remarkable to this Purpofe is that noble FaiTage of the Pfalmift, PfaL cxxxix. I — 4. O Lordy thou hafifearched me, and known me, Thou knoweji my Down-, fitting and 7nine Up-ri/ing, thou und^rjland^ eji 7ny Thoughts afar off. Thou ccmpajfeji' my Path, and my lying down, and art ac- quainted with all my Ways. For there is not a E 2 Word

5^ DISCOURSE 11.

fForJ m my Tongue, but loy 0 Lord, thou know e ft it altogether^

Fifthly, In a near Connedlion with his- infinite Knowledge, is his Wifdom ; and this alfo may be clearly feen and under- ftood by the Things that are made. Wif- dom, in the general Notion of it, proper- ly confifteth in propofing the moft ex- cellent Ends, and purfuing them by the fitteft Means. It comprehendeth large and extenfive Views, a clear Difcernment of the mutual Relations of Things, of Order, Beauty, and Harmony, and is that whereby every Thing is contrived and done in the beft and propereft Manner. Among Men there may be, and often is. Knowledge without Wifdom ; but Knowledge, con- fidered in the moft perfcft Degree, as it is in God, is really infeparable from Wifdom. As he muft needs know in every Inftance what is beft and fitteft, and can have no Appetite or Intereft to divert him from it, fo among all the pof- fible Schemes of Things, he always chuf- eth and executeth that which is, all Things confidered, the beft and moft worthy, of himfelf, and becoming his own glorious Perfedlions, and moft for the univerfal Good. His Wifdom is not acquired by Obfervation and Experience like ours, nor is it capable of gradual Improvement, but

is

DISCOURSE 11. 53

IS eflential to him, and abfolutely perfe6l. It taketh in the whole Compafs of Things, and extendeth to all Times and Ages, and therefore formeth its Defigns upon the moft comprehenfive and unerring Views, and can never take wrong Meafures. And the Evidences of this Wifdom are very confpi- cuous in his wonderful Works. Even the leaft, the moft inconfiderable of them, the Formation of the fmalleft In fed:, dif- cover Skill and Contrivance far furpafl- ing that of any Man, or of all the Men upon Earth. But if we had a diftind: View of this capacious Syftem, the Laws by which it is governed, the apt Difpoli- tion of its Parts, and their mutual Rela- tions and Subferviencies, the Uniformity and Regularity of Defign, which is carried on amidft the greateft Variety, from whence refulteth a wonderful Beauty and Harmony in the Conftitution of Things ; how ihould we be filled with Admiration of the manifold Wifdom of God ! Many, for knowing a lit- tle of thefe Things (for it is but a fmal! Part of them that we can now pretend to know after all our Enquiries) have been honour- ed with the glorious Name of Philofophers or Lovers of Wifdom, and been admired as Perfons of an extenfive Genius. And how unconceivable then muft that Wifdora be which contrived and formed the whole E 3 Frame

54 DISCOURSE II.

Frame of Nature, and hath difpofed all Things in ilich excellent Order in Num^ ber, Weight, and Meafure ; furely the Author of all thefe Things inuft be as wife as he is powerful, wonderful in Coiinjelj, and excellent in Working. Ifa. xxviii. 29. What Reafonhave we to cry out with the Pfalmift, O hordy how manifold are thy Works I In Wifdom hcifl thoi4 made them alL Pfal. civ. 24. But the nobleft Exercife and Difplay of his Wifdom is in the Formation of in- tellecflual Beings, m.oral Agents, and in his governing them, according to their Natures, without infringing their effential Freedom^ ftill carrying on and accomplidiing his own excellent Deligns, bringing Good out of Evil, and Order out of Confufion, and ordering and over-ruling Things for the beft upon the whole. And if in the Works of Creation, and in the Difpen- fations of Divine Providence, there are fe- veral Things, the Reafons and Ends of which we cannot at prefent account for, it is but juft to attribute this to the Dark- nefs and Narrownefs of nar Minds, which are not able to take in the entire Connec- tion and Harmony of Things; whereas., he who feeth the whole at once, mull, in every poffible Circumflance, know what is propere/l: and befr.

DISCOURSE II. 55

So tranfcendently great is the Wifdom of God, that when compared with it, that of the moft excellent of created Beings may be accounted Folly. Hence it is faid that he chargeth his Angels with Folly, 'Job iv. 1 8. And he is repfefented in Scripture under the Charadler of the only wife God, as if none could be properly accounted wife and knowing but God only, and Glory is afcribed to him on that Account. Tl? God only wife^ be Glory through J ejus Chrijl for ever. Rom. xvi. 27. And again. Now unto the King eternal^ imrnortal, invifible^ the only wife God, be Honour ajid Glory, for ever '.and ever. Amen, i Tim. i. 17. This his Wifdom layeth a folid Foundation for Trufl and Confidence in him, and for com.mitting ourfelves and all our Ways to his Direction and Difpofal. The Wifdom of God, taken in the moft extenfive View, comprehendeth all his moral Perfedlions under it, and direcleth them in their Exer- cife. And thefe his moral Attributes are what I propofe to conlider in my next Dif- courfe.

E 4. T:he

T^he Being and PerfeBions of God proved from his Works.

DISCOURSE III.

Romans i. 20.

For the invifible Things of htm from the Crea- tion of the World are clearly feen^ being tinderjiood by the Things that are made, even his eternal Power and Godhead y fo that they are without Excufe^

HAVING confidered the Exiftence of God as demonftrated from his wonderful Works, and alio taken a fummary View of fome of thofe divine Perfed:ions and Attributes which effentially belong to the great Creator and Governor of the World, particularly his Eternity and ne- ^eflary Exiftence, from whence it follows

tl^^at

58 DISCOURSE III.

that he muft be felf-fufficlent, independent, and unchangeable, his Immenfity and Om- Diprefence, his almighty Power, his infi- nite Knowledge and Wifdom ; let us now proceed briefly to confider thofe which are ufually called his moral Attributes, and which are abfolutely necelTary to be be- lieved -and known by us, as without a Senfe of them there can be no fuch Thing as Religion. And thele alfo may be juftly regarded as effentially included in that Godhead, and in thole invifible Things of God, which the x^poflle here tells us are underftood by the Things which are made. They are thofe of the divine Attributes that we find it leaft difficult 60 apprehend, fmce we may trace the P^efemblances of them in our own Natures, which may aj£ift us to form fome Notion of them,, as they are in God in the higheft poffible Deo-ree of Eminency. For it is a Princi- ple of the cleareft Evidence, that what- ever Excellencies are to be found in any derivative dependent Being, are all fummed up in the fapreme univerfal Caufe from whom they are derived, and that in an infinitely higher Degree of Perfedion, and without thofe Limitations and Defed:s with which they are attended in the Crea- ture.

And

DISCOURSE IIL 59

And in confidering the moral Attributes of God, one of the firft that prefenteth itlelf to our Minds, is his infinite Goodnefs. This feemeth to be naturally included in the Idea of an infinitely perfed Body. It may eafily be fuppofed, that a finite Being, who is not felf-fufficient, who may want, or think he wanteth, fjmething to com- plete his Happinefs which others are poiTefffed of, may have narrov/er Views to his own private Interefts or Appetites, and confequently m.ay be malevolent, envious, and revengeful, which is the Reverfe of true Goodnefs. But that the infinite and all-fufficient Being, who hath no Superior, no Equal or Competitor^ and v/ho is in- capable of having the leaft Addition made to his ovm Perfedion and Happinefs; that he iliould be capable of Envy, Ma- lice, narrow felfifii Afredions, or malig- nant Difpofitions, is abfolutely unconceiv-: able. But though God's Goodnefs may, according to this Way of Reafoning, be plainly inferred from the infinite and ab- folute Perfedion of his Nature, as that may be argued from his Eternity and in^ dependent neceimry Exigence; yet the moll: obvious and convincing Proof of his Goodnefs, is that which arifeth from the Difcoveries of it that are every v/here obr fervable in his w^onderful Works. The

Creation,

6o DISCOURSE III.

Creation of the World is a manifeft Proof of his Goodnefs; fince it is hard to con- ceive what could move the felf-fufficient Jehovah to create this great Syftem of the Univerfe, and fo many different Orders of Beings in it, but the diffufive Benignity of his Nature, which caufeth him to delight in communicating Happinefs, and in dif- tributing freely out of his boundlefs Ful- nefs. The flighteft Obfervation may con- vince us, that this Globe of ours, which is that Part of the Creation which we are beft acquainted with, (and we may juftly conclude the fame concerning all the other Parts of this vaft Univerfe) is full of the Goodnefs of the Lord. It is furnifhed with an ample Variety of Things, proper for the Ufe and Entertainment of the Creatures that live upon it, and efpecially of Mankind. God hath fo conflituted our Natures, as to make us capable of taking in Pleafures of feveral Kinds, fenfitive, intelledual, and moral. Thefe laft are of a far higher and nobler Nature than the former, and have the greateft Influence on our Happinefs. But even fenfitive Enjoy- ments, if duly regulated, contribute not a little to the Satisfaftion of human Life; as we are furniflied with various fenfitivQ Organs and Appetites, and capable of ex- citing in us the moft agreeable Senfations.

And

DISCOURSE III. 6r

And though we mayreafonablyfuppofe, that m the prefent degenerate State of Mankind many Things are ordered for our Correc- tion and Punifliment, and as Marks of the

vrftill •?^''^""r^"^."^^- °"^ Sins, yet ftill It cannot be denied, that we are

furrounded with a Profufion of Benefit? Abundant Provifion is made, not oZf'' our Neceffity, but for our Ddight. Lt where may we behold the mol iJluftrSZ Evidence of the Goodnefs and Ben^S of the great Author of Nature. For how can he but be good, from whom defceS! eth every good and perfeft Gift, and who communicateth Life and Happinefs to numberiefs Orders of Beings, acford W o their various Natures and Capacities ? Even among Men, degenerate as they now are we may obferve admirable Inftances of ev- tenfive Charity and Benevolence, which carrieth them to deliglu in Aewing £- cy, and in doing Good to all around them as far as they have Ability and Qpportu-' nity And thofe are jndly efteem^Ke moft valuable and lovely of the human Race, in whom thefe good and kind Af- feftions moft abound and prevail And from thefe Difences of Goodnef in cta^ tures like ourfelves, we fhould afcend in

imperfea Refemblances of his original

uncreated

62 DISCOURSE III.

uncreated Goodnefs. We may reafonabfy conclude that this benevolent Difpofitiori,' which is fo amiable and praife-vvorthy id the Creatures, is to be found in the high- eft Degree of Eminency in the great Pa- tent of the Univerfe, who hath implant- ed thofe kind Affections in our Hearts, and hath given us a ftrong Senfe of the Beauty and LoveUnefs of fuch a Temper and Conduft. The Goodnefs that is in the beil: of Men is imperfetl:, it is in Dan- ger of being over-ruled or reftrained by irregular felfifh Appetites and Painons and private Interefts. But God's Benevolence is boundlefs as his Being, extending its In- fluence to every Part of this wide Uni- verfe. To him (as was before hinted) are" no irregular Appetites, no narrow felfifli Affedlions or Interefts to limit or over- rule the perfe6l Benignity of his Nature,- If therefore we often behold with Admira-^ tion the lovely Traces of Benevolence> which may be obferved in human Charac- ters, though attended with manifold De- fecfls, how amiable and admirable is the' great, unlimited, underived Source of Goodnefs and Happinefs ? This Goodnefs of God may be conlidered in various Views^ according to the various Waya in which it is exercifed. It comprehendeth his free and diffufive Benignity tov/ards all hi&

Creatures,

DISCOURSE III. 63

Creatures, his Mercy towards the mifera- ble, his Patience and Long-fufFering to- wards the guilty, in deferring and mode- rating the Punifliment they had incurred, and his Difpolition to pardon thofe of tiiem that are proper Objects of Forgivenefs, and as far as is confident with the great Ends of his Government. For it muft be confidered that his Goodnefs, as to its Exercife, is always under the Direction of infinite Wifdom, and is exercifed towards Particulars in a regular Subferviency to the univerfal Good, which is what the fu- prem.e Goodnefs as well as Vv^ifdom, will always have principally in View. And there is none of the divine Attributes more frequently celebrated in the facred Writ- ings than his Goodnefs. It is there de- clared, that the Lord is good to alh and his tender Mercies are over all his Works, Plal.- €xlv. 9. that he is full of Compaffion, and gracious y long-fufferingy and abundant in Good?2efs and Truth, Exod. xxxiv. 6. and that he delight eth in Mercy, aMicah. vii. 18, We are called upon to give Thajiks unto the Lordy for he is good ; J or his Mercy endur- §th for ever. Plal. cxxxvi, i. Pie is de-* fcril3ed to lie under that amiable Charadter, that God is Love, i John iv. 8. Not onlv kind and loving, but infinite Love and Goodnefs itfelf His Goodnefs is repre- 2 fen ted

64 DISCOURSE IIL

fented to us in the Scripture as appeair-^ ing in the Benefits of a common boundlefe Providence, in that he caufeth his Sun to fhine and his Rain to defcend, and doeth Good even to the unthankful and the evil, filling Mens Hearts with Food and Glad- nefs. But efpecially, the moft marvellous Scene of divine Love and Grace is there opened to us as fhining forth in all its Riches and Glory in the Methods of our Redemption througn his well-beloved Son "jefus Chriji our Lord. Him God hath ient into the World to feek and to fave that which was lojly to inftrud: us by his Doc- trine, to guide us by his Example, and to make Atonement for our Sins by his Suf- ferings and Death : i^ud through him he hath condefcended to enter into a gracious Covenant with us, in which he hath pro- mi fed to pardon all our Iniquities upon our returning to him by a humble Faith and fincere Repentance, to grant us the Affiftances of his Holy Spirit, and to admit us to all the Privileges of his Children, and to crown our fincere, though imperfedl Obedience, with a glorious Reiurred:ion and eternal Life in his immediate blifsful Prefence and Kingdom above. There he will bellow on us a Happinefs far tran- fcending all that wx are able to exprefs, or even to conceive.

With

DISCOURSE IIL 6^

With regard to the other moral Attri- butes of God, his impartial Juflice and Righteoufnefs, his fteady and invariable Faithfulnefs and Truth, and, that which comprehendeth all the reft under it, his HoHnefs, thefe are alfo included in the Idea of the abfolutely perfed: Being, the great Author and Parent of the Univerfe. To him it is originally owing, that there is an inward Senfe of the Worth and Ex- cellency of thefe Things deeply fixed in the human Heart. As far as we act under the Influence of fuch Difpofitions, we feel an inward Complacency, and have the peaceful Teftimony and Approbation of our own Minds, as acffcing up to the true Dignity of the reafonable Nature. And on the other Hand, v/e have a deep Con- viction of the Bafenefs, the Evil, and De- formity, of a contrary Temper and Con- du6t> When we are confcious of it in our- felves, it layeth the Foundation of in- ward Satisfad:ion and Remorfe; and we can fcarce help difapp roving it wherever we obferve it in others. We naturally efteem a Man of generous Probity, one that walk-^ etb uprightly, and worketh Kighteoufnefs^ and jpcaketh the 'Truth in his Heart, and who will not upon any Confideration be prevailed with to do a bafe, a falfe and unjiift Thing, But efpeciallv wp are apt [Vol. I.] F ' to

66 DISCOURSE III.

to have a high Efteem and Admiration for a virtuous and juft Prince or Magiflrate, that hath a fteady uniform Regard to im- partial PJghteoufnefs and Equity in all hl^ Adminiftrations, and who ilieweth a noble Deteftation of all Injuftice and Faiiliood, Vice and Wickednefs. And, on the other Hand, if we obferve a Man that hath no Regard to Truth and Honour, that is falfe and unjuft, vicious and impure, fuch a Charadl'er naturally begetteth in us Abhor- rence or Contempt; and the more exalted fuch a Perfon is in his Station or Power, the more the Odioufnefs, the Malignity and Deformity of his Charader and Con- duft, and the evil and pernicious Injfluence of it appeareth.

Now can it be thought that the great Author of our Beings would have implant- ed fuch a Senfe of the Beauty and Excel- lency of Juftice, Truth, and Righteoufnefs, in our Nature, and which can fcarce ever be utterly erafed, if he himfelf were not holy, juft, and righteous ? Or would he have implanted in us fuch a ftrong and indelible Senfe of the Evil and Deformity of Vice, Injuftice, and Falfhood, whereby we are almoft invariably carried in our calm Tlioughts to difapprove and condemn it in ourfelves and others, if he himfelf had not a fixed Averfion to that which

is

DISCOURSE III. 67

is unjuft, falfe, and unrighteous ? If the greater Degree there is of real Worth and Excellency in any Man, the greater Love and Regard he hath to that which is jufl, and true, and pure, and virtuous, and praife-worthy, and the greater Abhorrence of the contrary ; then certainly God, the fu~ preme Caufe, from v^hom is derived what- foever is excellent in Men, or any created Beings, mufl have an infinitely greater Love to Righteoufnefs, Truth, Purity, and Virtue, and an infinitely greater Deteflation of all moral Evil. As his Under/landing and Wifdom is infinite, fo he cannot but have a moft juft and perfect Difcernment of the moral Differences of Things, and of whatfoever is agreeable or difagreeable to the eternal Rules of Order. He at once feeth and knoweth in every Inftance what is fit for him to do, and what is proper to be done by his Creatures in all their various Relations towards him, and tovvards one another. He can never poffi- bly miftake the amiable and praife-wor- thy, for the irregular, foul, and odious, or put Wrong for Right, or Right for Wrong, Falfhood for Truth, or Truth for Falfliood. And agreeable to the pure and perfedl Light of his Mind, is the Redlitude of his Will, whereby he is eter- nally and invariably determined to w^ill F 2 and

68 DISCOURSE III.

and to do that which appeareth to his unerring Underftanding to be good and right, and hath a fteady Averfion to whatfoever is unjuft, foul, and diforderly, repugnant to the Reafon of Things, and to the pure and bright Ideas of his infi- nite Mind, He can have nothing to turn him aiide from an inviolable Regard to the facred Rules of Juftice and Equity, no falfe Judgment to miflead him, no irregular Appetites and Paffions to corrupt and pervert him, no private Interefts to bribe him, nothing to hope or ta fear from the Favour or Difpleafure of any Being whatfoever.

This moral Excellency of the divine Nature as comprehending his Purity and Holinefs, his Righteoufnefs and Juftice, his Faithfulnefs and Truth, is often infift- ed upon in the facred Writings, as being very neceflary to be known and conlider- ed by us. It is there declared that God is the Rock, his Work is perfeB^ and all his Ways are judgment ; a God of 'Truths and ^without Iniquity -, jujl and right is he. Deut. xxxii. 4. that the Lord is upright ^ and there is no Vnrighteoiijncfs in him, Pfal. xcii. I r. that the 'Truth of the Lord endureth for ever ; and that it is i??2poJJible for God to lie. Pial. cxvii. 2. Heb. vi. 18. that he Is of purer Ryes than to behold Evily and

cannot

DISCOURSE III. 69

cannot look at Iniquity : i. e, cannot look up- on it without Deteftation and Abhorrence. Habbak. i. 13. The heavenly Hofts are reprefented as celebrating him under this Character, Holy^ holy, holy is the Lord of Hojis, Ifa. vi. 3. And this is the Subjed: of that noble and triumphant Song, Rev. XV. 3, 4. Great a?2d marvellous are thy Works, Lord God almighty ; jujl and true are thy Ways, O thou King of Saints, Who would not fear tbee, and glorify thy Name ? For thou only art holy. He alone is originally, eter- nally, and unchangeably holy. The Ho- linefs and Righteoufnefs of God fliineth forth to us in the Precepts of his w^ritten Law, Vv'hich are holy, juft, and good, and is brightly exemplified in the Life and Charadler of Jefus Chriji, his well-beloved Son, the living Image of the invifible Dei- ty here below, who was full of Grace and Truth, perfedly holy, harmlefs, undefiled, and who did no Sin, neither was Guile foujid in his Mouth By looking to him, and obferving his Temper and Condudl, we may behold the moil lovely Reprefen- tation of the Holinefs, and Truth, and Purity, as well as of the Goodnefs and Mercy of God. So that under the Gof- pel we have peculiar Advantages for know- ing and contemplating the amiable moral Excellencies of the Deity, which are now F 3 difplayed

yo DISCOURSE III.

difplayed to us in the moil convincing and aftedting Light.

It mufi be acknowledged indeed, that there are fome Things in the prefent Courfe of the divine Difpenfations, which we find hard to reconcile to our Notions of the perfed: Righteoufnefs and Equity of the Supreme Being. God's Judgments are reprefented in fome Inftances as un- fearcbabk, and his Ways paft finding out. But flili we are affured, that though Clouds and Darknefs are round about him^ yet Righteoujnefs and judgment are the Habita- tion ^ or EllabU/liment, of his I'hrone. Pfal. xcvii. 2. Righteous is the Lord in all his Ways, and holy in all his Works, Pfal. cxlv. 17. And fo undoubtedly it fhall appear at the great Day of final Retributions, and the Revelation of the righteous Judgment of God, Vv^hen the whole wonderful Scheme of the divine Adminiftrations tov/ards Mankind fliall be brought into a clear and open View, of which we now have very imperfect Apprehenfions, and fhall all ap- pear to have been moft v/ifely andjuflly ordered.

Thus have I endeavoured to kt before you in a fhort and plain View the princi- pal Attributes and Perfedions which Rea- fon as well as Scripture teacheth us to afcribe unto God. As it appeareth by the

cleareft

DISCOURSE in. 71

cleareft and moft convincing Evidence, that there muft be a fupreme Caufe and Author of the Univerfe, (o alfo that he muft be poffeffed of infinite Perfection ; that he muft have exifted neceflarily from everlafting, and fliall exift to everlafting, and is felf-fufficient, independent, and un- changeable; that he is every where pre- fent without any Bounds or Limits of his Effence ; that he is of almighty Power, of unfearchable Wifdom and Knowledge, of the moft extenfive Goodnefs and Benigni- ty, of perfedt Holinefs, Righteoufnefs, and Truth. All this is included in that great and fundamental Article of all Religion, that God is. And the Importance and Neceffity of believing this, is evident to every confidering Mind. Without Faith it is impojjibk to pleafe God ; for he that co??i- eth to God, muft believe that he is, and that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently feek him. Heb. xi. 6. This plainly lieth at the Foundation of all that religious Worfliip and Obedience which good Men in all Ages have rendered to the Supreme Be- ing; and when duly impreffed upon the Mind, and frequently confidered, can fcarce fail to have an advantageous Influ- ence upon the whole Temper and Prac- tice. And all the Wickednefs and Dif- orders among Mankind are owing to the F 4 Want

71 DISCOURSE III.

Want of a hearty Belief and Senfe of a prefent Deity. The Fool hath J aid in his Hearty 'I'here is no God. And then it immi- diately follows. They are corrupt, they have done abominable Works, &c. Pfal. xiv. 1,2. The TranfgreJJion of the Wicked faith 'within my Heart, that there is no Fear of God be- fore his Eyes: /. e. His Tranfgreflion con- vinceth me of it, becaufe otherwife he would not dare fo freely and boldly to go on in his iinful Courfes. Pfal. xxxvi. i. There are few indeed, if any, that will openly profefs to difoelieve a Deity. But manv there are who have not a real tho- rough Perfuafion of this Principle fixed in their Hearts, or do not confider it, and purfue it to its juft Confequences. If they profefs to beUeve a God, they in effedt banifli him from their Minds. God is net in all their Thoughts, as the Pfalmift fpeaks, FfaL x. 4. He is to them as if he were not. And what a ftrange Depravity of Heart doth this argue ! How inexcufable muft it be to live in an habitual Forget- fulnefs of God, when we cannot look abroad into the World about us, nor look inwardly into our own Frame, but the illufirious Evidences of a Deity offer themfelves to our View ! Let us carefully guard againft fuch a Temper and Condud; and not only labour to get our Minds

v/roughl

DISCOURSE III. 73

wrought to a full and flrong Perfuafion of the Exiftence of God, but frequently realize him to our Minds in his incompa- rable Excellencies and Perfedions, and endeavour to get thofe AfFedlions and Dif- pofitions in Exercife, which the firm Be- lief and frequent Confideration of the Ex- eftence and Perfedlions of God hath a manifeft Tendency to excite and ftrength- en in our Souls.

More particularly, firft, we fhould love him with all our Hearts, v/ho is the beft of Beings, the Fountain of all Perfec- tion, who hath every Thing that is excel- lent, amiable, and glorious, united in him- fclf in the higheft poffible Degree, and without the leail Dcfedl, and who is con- tinually doing Good, and is ever ready to communicate of his Fulnefs. Efpecially when we confider the numberlefs Bene- fits he hath poured forth upon the human Race in their prefent degenerate State, and the aftoniihing Difplays of his rich Grace and Mercy in the Methods of our Re-^ demption and Salvation by Jefiis Chnji -^ fhould not all this engage us to love him above all ? And where this is the prevail- ing Difpoiition, it will purify our Souls from every bafe vile Affection; it will caufe us to delight ourfelves in him, and %o make it our earneil and continual Care

and

74 DISCOURSE III.

and Endeavour to pleafe and ferve him, and to do thofe Things which he v/ill ac- cept and approve.

Secondly, We ought alfo to fear him with the profoundeft Reverence, and dread his Difpleafure above all Things. Who is there that is to be feared by us in Comparifon of that moft glorious Being, whofe almighty Power no Creature can refifl, whofe incomparable Juftice can never be bribed and perverted, whofe fpotlefs Purity and Holinefs caufeth him to hate Sin with a perfect Hatred, from whofe Prefence no Man can flee, and on whom wx abfolutely and every Moment depend ? And the natural Effecft of this re- ligious Fear of God, joined with a fuper- lative Love towards him, iliould be to en- gage us to yield an abfolute unreferved Sub- jedion to his Authority and Laws,^ and an entire Refignation to his Will in all Things. Thirdly, A hearty Belief in God, and in his incomparable Perfedlions, fliould alfo lay a Foundation for a fteady Truft and Confidence in him. With what a firm Reliance, even under the moft difcou- ' raging Difficulties, (hould we commit our- felves to him in wxll-doing, who hath an infinite Power to proted and defend us, Wifdom to diredl and guide us, Goodnefs to pity and provide for us, and who is

every

DISCOURSE III. 75

every Way qualified to be an all-fufficient Portion for us, to make us completely and eternally happy ?

This leads me to add, fourthly, that we muft worlliip him in Spirit and in Truth with a pure Adoration. To him we fhould, from fincere and devout Minds, render that religious Homage v/hich is juftly due from reafonable Creatures to the Supreme Be- ing, their great Creator, Preferver, and Be- nefa(flor. O comCy let us "worfhip and how dowriy let us kneel before the Lord our Ma- ker. Pfal. xcv. 6. To him, in Teftimony of our continual Dependence, we ought to offer up our humble Prayers and Suppli- cations for all the good Things we ftand in need of, and our grateful Acknowledg- ments and Thankfgivings for all the Mer- cies we enjoy ; and we muft, as far as in us lieth, celebrate his tranfcendent Excel- lencies and Perfections, in folemn Ad:s of Praife, which is one of the nobleft Exer- cifes in which we can be engaged.

Finally, we fhould be earneftly defirous to honour him in the World in the general Courfe of our Pracftice, doing every Thing we do in a Subordination to his Glory, and fetting this before us, as our fupreme governing End. And v/e fhould afpire to refemble him as far as he is imitable by inch Creatures as we are, in his admirable

moral

76 DISCOURSE III.

moral Excellencies, his Wifdom, Good- jiefs, Holinefs, - Juftice, and Truth. To refemble him in thefe is the higheft Glo- ry and Felicity of our Nature, and the greater Advances we make in fuch a Con- formity to the Deity, the more will he delight in us, and the more meet ftiall we be rendered for that bleffed State, where we hope fo to behold his Face in Righte- oufnefs, as to be perfectly fatisfied with his Likenefs.

On

On the Eternity cf God.

DISCOURSE IV.

Psalm xc. 2.

Before the Mountains were brought forth^ or ever thou hadjl formed the Earth, or the World, even from everlafing to everlafl-^ ing thou art God,

IT is of high Importance to us, to en- deavour to get our Minds habitually fill- ed and pofleffed with juft and exalted Sen- timents of the Supreme Being. For thefe have a natural Tendency to produce in us devout Aftedions and Difpofitions towards him, and thereby lay a Foundation for a holy and virtuous Pradlice. Some of the divine Attributes, efpecially his amiable

moral 4

78 DISCOURSE IV.

moral Excellencies, are of fuch a Nature, that they are propofed to us as the Objedls of our Iinitation ; and to afpire to a Con- formity to him in them, as far as we are capable of attaining to it, is our Privilege and Glory as v^^ell as Duty. But there are others of the divine Attributes with regard to which he is not fo properly to be imitated as adored. Such is the Eter- nity of God, which, if rightly confidered, tendeth to fill our Minds with the pro- founded Veneration of ,the Deity, and is capable of being improved to the moft ex- cellent Purpofes of Religion. This is what I propofe now to confider. And a hum- ble Modefty becometh us when treating on this glorious Subjed:, left w^e darken Counfel by Words without K?iow!edge, If we fet ourfelves ferioufly to contemplate it, our Thoughts are foon fwallowed up in a vaft and unfearchable Abyfs. Some- thing however we may ufefully offer con- cerning it, following the Light which the Scripture affordeth us, and which is per- fecftly agreeable to the founded Reafon.

By the Eternity of God we are to un- derftand the Duration of the divine Exift- ence; and as his Being is infinite and boundlefs, fo is the Duration of it infinite too. There are various Ways of Expref- fion made ufe of in Scripture to help us in

5 o^^

DISCOURSE IV. 79

our Conceptions concerning it. Though after all, the fublimeft Conceptions we can form, and the nobleft Expreflions that Language can afford, muft needs fall vaftly ihort, and muft terminate in a profound and awful Admiration.

There is fcarce any Paffage in the facred Writings in which the Eternity of God is defcribed in a fublimer Manner than in that w^hich I have chofen for the Subjed: of this Difcourfe. Mofes, as appeareth from the Title, was the Penman of this Pfalm. And he begins his Meditations on the Shortnefs and Uncertainty of human Life, which is what he principally infifteth up- on, with the Contemplation of God's Eternity, which he thus admirably defcrib- eth. Before the Mountains were brought forth y or ever thou hadji formed the Earthy or the World, eveji fro?n everlaftijig to ever- la/ii?2g thou art God, We are wont to di- vide Eternity in our Thoughts into that which is paft, and which was without Beginning, and that which is to com^, and which (hall never have an End. Neither the one nor the other of thefe is to be fully comprehended by any finite Under- ftanding. But . in whichfoever of thefe Views w^e confider it, whether we look back to the eternal Duration which pafTed before we ourfelves, or the World had an

Exiftence,

So DISCOURSE IV.

Exiftence, or look forward to the vaft un- limited Duration which is yet to come ; God equally iilleth and poffeffeth it alL From everlajling to everlajling thou art God,

It is to fignify God's Eternity that he is introduced as declaring concerning him- felf ; Before me there was no God for me d^ neither jhall there be after me^ Ifa. xliii. lo. And again, / am the fir Jl, and I am the lafi, and befides me there is no God, Ifa. xliv. 6. He is the firft original Caufe of all ; from him all other Beings derive their Exift- ence, and on him they abfolutely depend ; and therefore he alone is properly and 0:^^^- tially God.

Another Manner of Expreffion which is made ufe of in Scripture in Condefcen- fion to our Capacities, to defcribe God's Eternity, is, that he is reprefented under the Character of him which isy and which was 9 and which is to come. Rev. i. 8. iv. 8. All Duration, according to our Manner of conceiving it, is reducible to thefe Threcy the paft, the prefent, and the future, or that which was, that which now is, and that which {hall be. And God equally comprehendeth all thefe, without Variation or Change, in his own infinite and bound-* lefs Duration. Juftly therefore is he call- ed the everlajling God, the King eternal.

DISCOURSE IV. 8i

the living God*, i. e. he that livethfor ever and ever. Rev. iv. 9. This is w^hat he aflert- eth concerning himfelf with great Solemni- ty, as it were caUing his own Deity to witnefs, / lift up my Hand to Heaven^ and fay, I live for ever. Deut. xxxii. 40.

The Eternity of God is one Thing ef- pecially intended in that myfterious Charac- ter, I am that I am. It denoteth his per- manent, ftable, immutable Exiftence, that he always neceiTarily is, and hath an ab- folute Fulnefs of Being eternally and in- dependently in himfelf. The fame Thing, by the Acknowledgment of the moft learned Critics, is fignified by the Name Jehovah, by which he is fo frequently defcribed In Scripture, and which might properly enough be rendered, * the eternal*, as it is in fome Verfions.

Upon confidering and comparing the feveral Reprefentations made to us in Scripture of the Eternity of God -, we may obferve the following Things concerning it.

Firfl, It fignifies, that he never had a Beginning of his Being or Exiftence. This is neceiTarily included in the Notion of a proper Eternity. It is a Duration without Beginning ; and fuch moft certainly is the Duration of the bleffed God. This is what the Pfalmift here intendeth by fay-

[VoL. I.] G ing

82 DISCOURSE IV.

ing, from everlajling — thou art God. He exifted from all Eternity by the glorious Neceffity of his own moft perfed: Nature, which is fuch, that it was abfolutely im~ poflible for him ever not to have been, and confequently it was impoffible for him ever to begin to be. This is the pe- culiar noble Prerogative of the fupreme felf-exiftent Jehovah. There was a Time when this whole wonderful Syftem of created Things began to be: But from everlafting, from the Beginning, ere ever the Earth was, when as yet there was no Creature formed, the eternal God did exift, infinitely happy in himfelf, and in the Fulnefs of his own Perfedlion. The Space of Time which hath run out fince the Creation may appear a long Time to us, and fo it really is, if we compare it with the fliort Duration of human Life, or confi- der the great Variety of Events which have happened in it. How many fuccef- five Generations of Men have, in that Time, afted their Parts on this various and ample Theatre ! And yet, what is the Duration of the whole Frame of Hea- ven and Earth compared with that of the infinite God ? If we look back to the Be* ginning of the World, we may compute by Days and Years ; but if we look into the immenfe Duration before it. Days and

Years

DISCOURSE IV. 83

Years are loft, and we have no Meafure to adjuft it by. Let us fuppofe ourfelves removed to the Diftance of infinite Ages before the World w^as formed, when we have carried our Thoughts as far back as the Power of Numbers can go, we fliall ftill be no nearer a Beginning of the divine Exiftence than we were at firft. In this amazing Contemplation we foon lofe our- felves, and are overwhelmed with Afto- nifhment.

Secondly, When God is faid to be eter- nal, as it fignifieth that he never had a Beginning, fo alfo that he fhall never have an End. This is no lefs neceffarily in- cluded in the Notion of Eternity than the former, and it doth no lefs certainly and evidently belong to the Supreme Being. Hence, in the Language of the Pfalmift, he is not only from everlafiing, but to everlajiingy God, Reafon aflureth us, that that which had no Beginning cannot pofiibly have an End. For that which is without Beginning, oweth not its Ex- iftence to the Efficiency of any external Caufe, but hath the Reafon of its Exift- ence within itfelf, in the incomprehenfi-- ble Perfe(5tion of its own Nature ; and that which thus neceflarily exifteth, by the fame Neceffity muft exift always. What- foever hath an End of its Being, it muft G 2 either

84 DISCOURSE IV.

either be owing to an inward Weaknefs and Imperfection in itfelf, or to the Vio- lence of fome external Caufe; neither of which can, without the higheft Abfurdity, be fuppofed of the abfolutely perfeift, the independent, the omnipotent 'Jehovah, The vaft Fabrick of this vifible material Syftem, however ilable it appeareth to be, may be diffolved and fall to Ruin, but God can never fail or decay. This is elegant- ly and nobly exprefled by the Pfalmift, Pfal. cii. 25, 26, 27. Of old haft thou laid the Foundations of the Earthy and the Hea- n)ens are the Work of thine Hands. They fiall perijhy but thou .JJoalt endure -y yea all of them jhall iva:^ old like a Garment ; as a Vefture fbak thou change them, and they JIj all 'he changed: But thou art the fame, and thy Tears jhall have no End. Hence God is called immortal. He is the King eternaU inimortaU invifibk, i Tim. i. 17. ' Yea it is faid, that he only hath Lnmortality. I Tim. vi. 16. /. e. He only hath it origi- nally and abfolutely in himfelf, all others have it of and from him. Angels, and the Souls of Men, are immortal; but then this is only by his Donation and Grant, not by a Necellity of Nature; 'tis becaufe it is the Vv^ili and Appointment of God that they fhould be fo, who continually uphgldeth them in Being, and is a Foun- ' tain

DISCOURSE IV. 85

tain of Life to them, and could, if he fo pleafed, foon put an End to their Exiftence. But God is effential, felf- originate Life; he hath Life neceffarily and independently in himfelf, and therefore it is in the Nature of the Thing abfo- lutely impoffible that he fhould ever ceafe to be. The Eternity of God, con- fidered in this View, is no lefs aflonifhini^ and incomprehenfible than in the fomier*". Let us carry our Views forward, and com- pute Millions of Milhons of Ages, till our Minds are wearied with the Computation, and then let us begin again where we left off, and add Millions of Millions more, and continue thus adding for ever, we iliall never be able to meafure out that Eternity which is to come, no more than we are able to meafure that Eternity v/hich is pajft 'y we iliall be as far from reaching to the End of the one, as from arriving at the Beginning of the other.

Thirdly, Another thing to be obferved with refped to God's Eternity, is, that there is no proper Succeffion in his Being or -Du- ration, as there is in ours. We are fuc- ceffive, becaufe we are but temporary Beings ^ our Duration is computed by Moments, Days, and Years 5 but his Duration is like himfelf, ftable and permanent, God ex- ifteth in a different Manner from us, in a G 3 Manner

86 DISCOURSE IV.

Manner which we are not able diftinMy to conceive; and to which the Meafures of our temporary traniient Duration can- not be properly applied : We exifl by Par- cels, and in fucceffive Moments ; we partly exifted Yefterday, partly do exift To-day, and partly fhall exift To-morrow. But he ever iilleth the whole boundlefs Duration, and is completely adequate to it; hence he is faid to inhabit Eternity^ If. Ivii. 1 5. And in- deed, it is he that by exifting always con- ftitutes Eternity; which, properly fpeaking, is nothing elfe but the Duration of his in- finite Being. He equally enjoyeth it all, and hath the full entire PoiTeffion of a moft perfect and endlefs Life. He was never younger,- and never fhall be older than he always is ; it cannot be faid that he is older now, than he was before the Creation of the World, notwithftanding the many Ages which have paffed fince : For thefe Terms of older and younger, may be applied to Creatures that are in a continual Succeffion, but not to that moft ftable and unchange- able Being. He is indeed in Scripture called the Antient of Days, and Years are fometimes afcribed to him; but we are not to take thefe Things ftricSly and literally. This manner of Expreffion is fometimes made ufe of in a Way of Accommodation to ourWeaknefs, becaufewecan really form no

Conception

DISCOURSE IV. 87

Conception of any Duration, but what is to be computed by Days and Years like our own ; but it is moft proper to fay of God in all the various Points of Duration, He is. This is fignified by that moft venerable Charafter which he appropriateth to him- felf, and which hath been already men- tioned, / am that 1 am ; or, as the Septua- gint renders it, * I am he that is/ And in the Words of the Text, it is not merely faid. Thou waft God from everlafting, and thou ftialt be God to everlafting, but from everlajiing to everlajiing thou art God, Such a manner of fpeaking would feem very harfti and abfurd if applied to any finite fucceflive Being, but is very pro- per when applied to the ftable, unfucceffive Duration of the eternal God.

I fhould now come to v/hat I principally intended in the Choice of this Subjedt, and that is, to make fome ufeful Refledions upon it. I cannot infift particularly at prefent upon them-, but Ihall content my- felf with this general Obfervation : That we may hence fee' how unable we are to comprehend God \ and what Modefty and Humility becometh us in all our Refearches and Enquiries into his adorable Nature, and into his divine Counfels. I know nothing more proper to humble the Pride of hu- man Reafon, and give a Check to that G 4 Prefumption

88 DISCOURSE IV.

Prefumption which pretendeth to grafp In- finity itfelf, than feriouily to contemplate the Eternity of God. Nothing