discontent. Hear him pouring forth his pharisaical ejaculations on his journey, or in the streets. Hear him boasting of extraordinary communications with the GOD of all knowledge, and at the same time offending against the common rules of his own native language, and the plainer dictates of commonsense. Hear him arrogantly thanking his GOD, that he is not as other men are; and, with more than papal uncharitableness, very liberally allotting the portion of the damned, to every christian whom he, partial judge, deems less perfect than himself— to every christian who is walking on in the paths of duty with sober vigilance, aspiring to perfection by progressive attainments, and seriously endeavouring, through a rational faith in his redeemer, to make his calling and election sure.

There have been no sects in the christian world, however absurd, which have not endeavoured to support their opinions by arguments drawn from Scripture, misinterpreted or misapplied.

We had a melancholy instance of this in our own country, in the last century, when the church of Christ, as well as the government, during that period of national confusion, was torn

asunder into various sects and factions; when some men pretended to have Scripture precepts, parables, or prophecies to plead, in favour of the most impious absurdities that falsehood could advance. The same spirit which prevailed amongst the fanatics, seems to have gone forth among these modern enthusiasts. Faith, the distinguishing characteristic of a christian, is defined by them not as a rational assent of the understanding, to truths which are established by indisputable authority, but as a violent persuasion of mind, that they are instantaneously become the children of GOD that the whole score of their sins is for ever blotted out, without the payment of one tear of repentance. Pleasing doctrine this to the fears and passions of mankind! promising fair to gain proselytes of the vicious and impenitent.

Pardons and indulgences are the great support of papal power;- but these modern empirics in religion have improved upon the scheme, pretending to have discovered an infallible nostrum for all incurables; such as will preserve them for ever. And notwithstanding we have instances of notorious offenders among the warmest advocates for

sinless perfection,

the charm continues

powerful. - Did these visionary notions of an heated imagination tend only to amuse the fancy, they might be treated with contempt; --but when they depreciate all moral attainments; - when the suggestions of a frantic brain are blasphemously ascribed to the holy spirit of GOD;- when faith and divine love are placed in opposition to practical virtues, they then become the objects of aversion. In one sense, indeed, many of these deluded people demand our tenderest compassion, whose disorder is in the head rather than in the heart; and who call for the aid of a physician who can cure the distempered state of the body, rather than one who may soothe the anxieties of the mind.

Indeed, in many cases, they seem so much above the skill of either, that unless GOD in his mercy rebuke this spirit of enthusiasm, which is gone out amongst us, no one can pretend to say how far it may go, or what mischiefs it may do in these kingdoms. - Already it has taught us much blasphemous language;

and, if it goes on, by the samples given us in their journals, will fill us with as many legendary accounts of visions and revelations,

as we have formerly had from the church of Rome. And for any security we have against

it, — when time shall serve, it may as effectually convert the professors of it, even into popery itself, consistent with their own principles; for they have nothing more to do than to say, that the spirit which inspired them, has signified, that the pope is inspired as well as they, and consequently is infallible. After which I cannot see how they can possibly refrain going to mass, consistent with their own principles.

Thus much for these two opposite errors ;the examination of which has taken up so much time, that I have little left to add, but to beg of GOD, by the assistance of his holy spirit, to preserve us equally from both extremes, and enable us to form such right and worthy apprehensions of our holy religion, that it may never suffer, through the coolness of our conceptions of it, on one hand, -or the immoderate heat of them, on the other;- but that we may at all times see it, as it is, and as it was designed by its blessed Founder, as the most rational, sober, and consistent institution that could have been given to the sons of men. Now to GOD, &c.

SERMON XXXIX

ETERNAL ADVANTAGES OF RELIGION

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. — Fear GOD, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. ECCLESIASTES xii. 13.

TH

HE wise man, in the beginning of this book, had proposed it as a grand query to be discussed,-To find out what was good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heavens, all the days of their lives: That is, what was the fittest employment, and the chief and proper business, which they should apply themselves to in this world. And here, in the text, after a fair discussion of the question, he asserts it to be the business of religion, the fearing GOD, and keeping his commandments. This was the conclusion of the whole matter, and the natural result of all his debates and inquiries. And I am persuaded, the more observations we make upon the short life of man, the more we experience, - and the longer trials we have of the