DISCOURSE III.

PART III.

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HE Prejudices which Men are apt to conceive against the Gofpel, are of different Kinds, according to the different Views

under which they confider it. When they set themselves to examine the Pretenfions it has to be a divine Revelation, they stumble at the Meanness and Poverty of its Author; imagining that, if God were to send a Person into the World upon fo confiderable an Errand, he would clothe him with a Majesty becoming one immediately commiffioned by himself, and which might better fupport the great Undertaking: Or, if they confider the Gofpel as the Word of God, given to Men for their Instruction in VOL. I.

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all

all Things pertaining to the Service of God, they expect to find all their Doubts and Difficulties removed, which are any way related to the Cause of Religion; such, for Inftance, as relate to the Nature of the Soul, its Manner of fubfifting out of the Body, and to the Nature and Condition of the future State which we are bid to expect: And, not finding these Difficulties confidered and removed, they are apt to conclude that this Revelation has not all the Marks of Wisdom which are to be expected in one coming immediately from God.

Thefe Offences have been already confidered: But, as fome are offended at the Gospel for not clearing the Doubts and Difficulties which encumbered the Notions of Religion before, fo others take offence at the new Doctrines introduced into Religion by the Gospel, and complain of the Hardship put upon them in requiring them to believe Things which are not fuggested to them by natural Reason, nor are to be maintained by it. Even of our Saviour's Disciples we find many offended at his Doctrine, and complaining to each other, This is an hard Saying; who can hear it?

And fo far did

their Prejudice prevail, that they went back, and walked no more with him.

The Gospel, it is faid, contains many mysterious Truths: And what Purpose of Religion can be served by our receiving Articles of Faith which we do not understand? Shall we be the better Men for it? Will it make us more just, or holy, or beneficent to our Brethren? Will it promote the Honour of God to reprefent him as requiring fuch Conditions from us, the End or Ufe of which we cannot difcern? Or, will it recommend Religion to the World? Will Men be the more forward to fubmit, when they must first renounce their Senfe and Understanding, and cease to be rational, in order to be religious?

This is a very heavy Charge, and, were it as true as it is heavy, might poffibly shake the Foundations of the Gospel. But, to fet this Matter in a clear Light, I must defire you to obferve the different Notions which belong to the Word Mystery in the Ufe of the Gospel, and in vulgar Use among Men at this Time: And, by thus diftinguishing the Ufe or Senfe of the Word, it will appear,

First, That the Objection does not reach the Gospel Senfe or Use of the Word, nor can affect the Myfteries contained in the Gospel : And,

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Secondly, That the Use and Sense of the Word, which is liable to this Objection, does not any way belong to the Gospel; nor any such Mysteries in the Gofpel as may justify the Complaint made against

are there

them.

First then, If you look into the facred Writers, you will find, That the whole Defign of the Gospel, the Difpenfation of Providence in the Salvation of Mankind, is styled a Mystery; the hidden Wisdom of God, which was kept fecret fince the World began: A Mystery it is called, because it was kept fecret fince the World began, God not having opened or declared his gracious Purpofes before the Coming of Chrift. With respect to this Time of Secrecy and Silence the Gospel is called a Mystery; but, upon the Revelation of it by Chrift Jefus, it is no longer looked upon as a Mystery, but as the Manifeftation of God's Will and Goodnefs to Men. Thus you will find St. Paul fpeaking in the last of the Romans: The Mystery which was kept. fecret fince the World began, but now is made manifeft, and by the Scriptures of the Prophets, according to the Commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all Nations for the Obedience of Faith: That is, This great Work was a Mystery