VI.

fo frequent now, as they were in the Times SERMON of the Apoftles. They might then be Neceffary to answer the Defign of the fpeedy Propagation of Chriftianity; and the Rapidity of the Progrefs which the Gofpel made upon its firft Entrance into the World, afforded, among many others, a ftrong Proof of its Divinity.- Befides, the Benefit of an early, Education in the Principles of the Chriftian Religion, and conftant Opportunities of attending on the Means of Grace, are Advantages which we enjoy, but they did not: And therefore it is, that the Business of Religion is now fuffered to be carried on by more gradual Advances in the Soul, and as it were Step by Step; whereas Numbers of them were usually profelyted to the Faith at one Time by a fingle Sermon: So that be Kingdom of God, or the Coming of the Son of Man in the Gofpel Difpenfation, might well be compared to Lightning, Matth. which cometh out of the Eaft, and shineth even unto the Weft; fo quickly did the Light of the glorious Gofpel of Chrift, coming from the Eastern, diffuse itself over the Western Parts of the World. But tho'

L 4

xxiv. 27.

VI.

SERMON it be confefied, that the Work of God is not ufually carried on now, with the fame Difpatch as formerly; yet to deny that there are any Inftances of fudden Conver fions, nay, to say that there are not many, is to contradict the Experience of Numbers, who have been awakened all at once by the Spirit of God under the Ministry of the Word, and ftirred up by a wonderful and inexplicable Influence on their Souls, to enquire, What they fhall do to be faved.

I know, that Experimental Religion has long been under much Difcredit with us: And I am forry for it; for it is, among others, a fad Argument of the great Decay of Godliness that is amongst us...

of

A great Part of Proteftants are become very Papifts, without knowing it; they are for going to Heaven in the Way of an outward Worship, and for facrificing to God of that which cofts them little or nothing. Forms and Ceremonies, and fome external Works, confift well enough with inward Impurity, and offer no Violence to corrupt Nature; and therefore they are well content to be Religious at

fo

VI.

fo cheap a Rate. But do not, my Bre- SERMON thren, thus deceive your own Souls; for. this is building a Tower which cannot reach unto Heaven, for its Foundation is in the Duft. If you would be in rea lity what you pretend to be, you must dig deeper, and lay the Foundation lower. The polluted Fountain must be cleanfed, and the deadly Waters thereof healed by the Salt of a true and anguifhing Repentance *. Neither will a Partial Reformation make us real Chriftians: This is only clopping off the Boughs and Branches from the Tree of Evil, which will fprout again the more: But we must lay the Axe to the Root of the Tree, and down with it even to the Ground: We muft repent and turn unto the Lord with deep Humiliation, that

I would by no Means be understood here, as limiting the Divine Being to any particular Method of Operation: For I am verily perfuaded, that there have been many Inftances of fincere Converfion, where the Anguifh of Repentance may have been fwallowed up immediately in a joyful Senfe of pardoning Grace; yet I believe, enough is generally, if not univerfally felt, to vindicate the Expreffion I have used. And I must feriously warn Perfons, who are moft ready to blame fuch Kind of Language, to take heed of encouraging the premature Joys of thofe who may prove no more than Stony Ground Hearers.

-

he

SERMON he may make us clean Hearts, and renew a VI. right Spirit within us.

Pfal.li.ro. But Sorrow and Sadness are Things fo

4.

contrary to the Bent of our Nature, and

lie fo cross to every Appetite and Inclina

tion of Flesh and Blood, that few People Matth. v. can bear to hear of Mourning and MortiRom. viii.fication in Religion. We are called the 13. Troublers of Ifrael, as Abab ftiled Elijab, Kings when we infift upon thefe Doctrines; or xviii. 17. else are reproached with bringing an evil

Col. iii. 5

Report upon the good Land, by giving fuch a difcouraging Reprefentation of it. But this we cannot help; for we must take Human Nature as we find it, and Religion as we find it; and be content with such Remedies for our Mifery, as Sin has made neceffary.

Had Man continued in his first Estate, and all the Sons and Daughters of Adam preferved their Innocence; in that Cafe, to talk of Sorrow would have been bringing ftrange Things to their Ears, for nothing but the Voice of Joy would have been known cxviii. 15 in the Dwellings of the Righteous.

Pfal.

But

this is not the Cafe with us now; for Sin has deeply infected our Nature: And Sin

10.

VI.

is the Parent of Sorrow, and Evangelical SERMON Sorrow a fovereign Means for its Cure. Say not then to us, Speak unto us smooth Ifai. xxx. Things, and preach them Smoothly: For we muft fuit our Difcourfes to your Needs, and not to your Likings; and therefore are frequently called upon in Duty to speak fharp Things, and to speak them sharply, if fo by any Means we may prick you to the Heart, and bring you to cry out, What shall we do to be faved?

But it may be asked here, Why God Almighty hath made the Burden of Sin fo heavy, and the Work of Converfion fo piercing to the Soul of the Penitent? I anfwer,

Firft, That he doth this in Grace and Goodness to divorce our Hearts from Sin; by giving us a feeling Sense of the Bitternefs and Evil that is in it. All the Arguments and Perfuafions in the World would be infufficient to prevail with us to forfake our finful Lufts and wicked Ways, if we were not to fmart for them; if we were not to be humbled under the Remembrance of them, and to be terrified at the Sight of that Defilement which they have brought

upon