171

vert it, to make it fall in with our

corrupt opinions and prejudices. 169 2. That the paffages so perverted, were

such as were hard to be understood, and therefore not necessary to be understood.

170 And farther, were such as did not treat

of points indifferent, but of the greatest moment.

170 3. That this forced interpretation of ob

scure passages, was in opposition to

other plain evident ones. Those that wrest fcripture, with all these

aggravating circumstances, may juttly be said to wrelt them to their deftruction.

172 From the scriptures being turned to ill

purposes in the apostles days, we learn, not to wonder if they were so in aftertimes.

173 And if such unexceptionable interpreters

of their own writings could not secure thein from misrepresentation, the great expediency of an infallible judge is not so clear as is pretended.

174 From St. Peter's assertion we learn, that

we ought to bring with us a right intention of mind, when we read the holy fcriptures.

And

174

175

And an humble temper of mind, rightly

disposed and qualified to pursue that

intention.

To moderate our curiosity, by keeping

this maxim in mind, that there's no

place hard, which is needful to be un-

derstood by us.

176

Never to expound hard places of scripture

so as to oppose clear ones.

178

'If there is so much danger in perverting

obscure passages of fcripture, a higher

punishment is referved for those who

affront and ridicule it,

181

SERMON XI.

A Discourse on Religious Sincerity,

wherein the true Marks and Tests

of it are fully set forth.

2 COR. xiii. 5.

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the Faith;

prove your own selves.

Three ranks of men, into which thofe that

name the name of Christ may be divided,
viz. Such as are confirmed in wicked-
Dess; or such as are confirmed in virtue;
or the doubtful and wavering. 784

Tue

187

The exhortation of the text directed to the

latter of them. -

185

Some marks or tests proposed, by which

a man may try his own sincerity, viz.

lf his refolutions of obedience are uni-

versal and unlimited.

2. If an even tenor of goodness is visible

in his conduct.

189

3. If he is not content with any deter-

mined proportion of goodness, which

he has already attained, but aims at a

farther degree of proficiency in it. 189

4.

If he is as ready to exercife the secret

virtues of a Christian as the public

ones.

191

5. If he acts not on by-aims and private

interest, but upon a true zeal for the

honour of God, the interest of virtue,

and the good of mankind.

192

6. The doubts that good men entertain

concerning their own condition, are,

if they had but the heart to think

so, a sure reason why they should not

doubt of it.

194

7. A Taste and Relish for the Holy Scrip-

tures, a sure token by which the

experienced Psalmist teaches us to

know a good man.

195

A SER

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SE R

Μ ο Ν

Preached at

Westminster-Abbey,

November 2, 1718.
The Gospel openly published.

ACTS Xxvi. 26.
This Thing was not done in a Corner.

T might be hoped, that in a country, wherë

profeffed, but interwoven into the civil frame, and eftablished by a law, the truth of Christianity might, at all times, be taken for granted; and that the ministers of Christ might have nothing to do, but to build on that foundation, and be ever employed in exciting men to a practice suitable to their profeffion, and to "adorn the doctrine of

öf our God and Saviour in all things," Tit. ii. 110 But, alas! the frequent and daring attempts of infidelity, that interrupt us in our course, make it necessary for us to " lay again the foundation" VOL. III.

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