Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

the feveral Parts of the wide extended Roman Empire, contributed to fpread the Knowledge of Religion, which had been in a great Measure loft among, the Nations. And finally, the whole Frame of the Jewish Oeconomy was defigned to prepare the Way for the Chriftian Difpenfation, which was the most admirable Scheme of Divine Providence for recovering Mankind from the amazing Corruption into which they were fallen, to the Knowledge, Obedience, and pure Adoration of the Deity, and to the Love and Practice of Holiness and Virtue. God, in his great Love to Mankind, sent his own Son into the World, a Person of unparalleled Dignity and Excellence, to bring a more clear and full Discovery of his divine Will and Counfels for our Salvation, and a more perfect Syftem of pure Morals than ever had been made known to Mankind before; to exhibit a bright Example of universal Goodness and Purity for our Imitation; to make Atonement for our Sins by his Sufferings and Death; and to give the fulleft Affurances of a blessed Immortality, and a vifible Pledge of it by his own Refurrection from the Dead. This whole Dispensation exhibiteth the most glorious Displays of God's marvellous Grace and Goodness towards Mankind, and at the fame Time of his perfect Holiness and

Purity,

rity, and is most excellently fitted to promote real Piety, and the Practice of univerfal Righteousness. We have there the moft admirable Directions, the most powerful Motives, the most effectual Helps and Encouragements to a holy Life. This was made known to the World at a Time when it was most wanted, and when Idolatry and Corruption of all Kinds had arrived to the greatest Height; and in Circumstances that feemed best fitted for the universal Diffufion and Propagation of it. For it made its firft Appearance in the Roman Empire, which had brought a great Part of the then known World under its Dominion. And it was introduced in a Manner that was very proper for engaging the Attention and Admiration of Mankind, as being attended with the moft illuftrious Proofs and Evidences of a divine Power, Prefence, and Glory. This Religion hath spread very far, and if Chriftians had been as careful both to preferve it in its Purity, and to propagate and recommend it by their Inftructions and Example, as they are bound by the strongest Obligations to be, it would have been probably before now diffused through the Earth. And from the Jewish and Chriftian Revelation is derived whatever of Good there is in Mohometanifm, which hath been over-ruled

by

[ocr errors]

by Divine Providence for freeing fome Nations from grofs Pagan Idolatry.

Thus it appeareth, that God hath in the Courfe of his Providence done a great deal for preferving and promoting the Knowledge and Practice of Religion and Virtue among Men, and for recovering it when it was in a great Meafure loft. And this should fill our Hearts with a grateful Senfe of his infinite Goodnefs as well as Purity, and of his Concern for human Happiness. How many Ways hath he striven with the Perverfeness of Men! Of this the Scripture giveth us a noble and affecting View, where we have the best Account of the various Difpenfations of God towards Mankind. And what farther extraordinary Means it may please God to make Ufe of for dif fufing and establishing true Religion in the World, we cannot tell; but fomething of this Kind we are taught to expect by feveral Paffages of Scripture, which feem to refer to a future more general Converfion of the Jews to the Christian Faith, and the bringing in the Fulness of the Gentiles. And whenever this fhall happen, it will disclose a surprising Scene that will fill us with a pleasing Astonishment, and tend mightily to illustrate the Glory of Divine Providence. In the mean

time let us be thankful to God for the Advantages we enjoy for religious and moral Improvement, and be careful to make a proper Ufe of them, and to answer the End for which they are given us, by denying Ungodlinefs and worldly Lufts, and living foberly, righteously, and godly, in this present World.

Con

Concerning God's Providential Government, as refpecting large Communities.

DISCOURSE VIII.

T

PSALM Xxii. 28.

He is the Governor among the Nations.

HE univerfal Administration of Divine Providence, as extending to the whole Creation, furnisheth a noble Subject for our Thoughts, But that which is of nearest Concernment to us is God's providential Government as exercised towards Mankind. Some general Confiderations were offered concerning it in our laft Difcourfe. Let us now proceed to confider it more diftinctly, as extending both to Communities, and to particular Perfons, to the Hearts and Thoughts of VOL. I. L

all

« AnteriorContinuar »