A sermon preached before the King & Queen at White-Hall on Christmas-Day, 1693 by the Right Reverend Father in God, Edward Lord Bishop of Worcester.
         Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.
      
       
         
           1694
        
      
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             A sermon preached before the King & Queen at White-Hall on Christmas-Day, 1693 by the Right Reverend Father in God, Edward Lord Bishop of Worcester.
             Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.
          
           [2], 33, [1] p.
           
             Printed by J.H. for Henry Mortlock ...,
             London :
             1694.
          
           
             "Published by Their Majesties special command."
             Advertisement: p. [1] at end.
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Bible. -- N.T. -- John III -- Sermons.
           Christmas sermons.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           SERMON
           Preached
           before
           the
           King
           &
           Queen
           AT
           WHITE-HALL
           ,
           ON
           Christmass-Day
           ,
           1693.
           
        
         
           By
           the
           Right
           Reverend
           Father
           in
           GOD
           ,
           EDWARD
           Lord
           Bishop
           of
           Worcester
           .
        
         
           
             Published
             by
             Their
             Majesties
             Special
             Command
             .
          
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             I.
             H.
          
           for
           
             Henry
             Mortlock
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Phoenix
           in
           S.
           
           Paul's
           Church-Yard
           ,
           1694.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           S.
           JOHN
           III.
           17
           .
           For
           God
           sent
           not
           his
           Son
           into
           the
           World
           to
           condemn
           the
           World
           ;
           but
           that
           the
           World
           through
           him
           might
           be
           saved
           .
        
         
           THese
           words
           are
           part
           of
           the
           Gospel
           written
           by
           S.
           John
           ,
           wherein
           he
           doth
           not
           only
           fill
           up
           the
           History
           of
           our
           Saviour
           with
           many
           Particular
           Discourses
           omitted
           by
           the
           other
           Evangelists
           ,
           but
           the
           Whole
           seems
           to
           be
           Penned
           in
           another
           Strain
           and
           with
           some
           different
           Purpose
           and
           Design
           .
           It
           's
           true
           ,
           that
           they
           all
           Agree
           in
           the
           same
           general
           End
           of
           Writing
           which
           S.
           John
           mentions
           ,
           
             viz.
             
             That
             we
             might
             believe
             that
             Jesus
             is
             the
             Christ
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             believing
             we
             might
             have
             life
             through
             his
             Name
          
           ;
           but
           they
           make
           Use
           of
           several
           Methods
           ,
           as
           most
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Circumstances
           of
           the
           Time
           and
           Place
           and
           Occasion
           of
           their
           Writing
           .
           S.
           Matthew
           wrote
           his
           Gospel
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           the
           Jews
           ;
           and
           therefore
           he
           begins
           with
           the
           Genealogy
           of
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           from
           Abraham
           ,
           and
           shews
           that
           the
           Prophecies
           were
           accomplished
           in
           him
           ,
           and
           how
           
             he
             came
             not
             to
             destroy
             the
             Law
             but
             to
             fulfill
             it
             ,
          
           and
           that
           his
           Miracles
           and
           Doctrine
           were
           sufficient
           to
           convince
           them
           that
           
           he
           was
           the
           promised
           Messias
           .
           S.
           Mark
           wrote
           only
           a
           Summary
           Account
           of
           the
           most
           material
           Passages
           relating
           to
           the
           Person
           and
           Doctrine
           of
           Christ
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           the
           Gentiles
           .
           S.
           Luke
           takes
           a
           larger
           Compass
           ,
           and
           puts
           things
           into
           an
           exacter
           order
           of
           Time
           ,
           as
           himself
           tells
           us
           ,
           
           and
           adds
           many
           Circumstances
           relating
           to
           the
           Birth
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           general
           Advantage
           to
           Mankind
           by
           his
           coming
           ;
           that
           he
           was
           to
           be
           
             a
             Light
             to
             lighten
             the
             Gentiles
             ,
          
           
           
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Glory
             of
             his
             people
             Israel
             .
          
           S.
           John
           succeeding
           the
           rest
           ,
           found
           two
           great
           things
           which
           gave
           him
           Occasion
           of
           Writing
           his
           Gospel
           ;
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           perverting
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Christ
           by
           the
           Ebionites
           and
           Cerinthians
           ,
           who
           pretended
           to
           give
           great
           Honour
           to
           Christ
           as
           an
           Excellent
           Person
           both
           for
           Wisdom
           and
           Holiness
           ,
           but
           yet
           so
           that
           he
           was
           but
           a
           
             meer
             Man
          
           ,
           to
           whom
           God
           ,
           upon
           his
           Baptism
           ,
           had
           given
           extraordinary
           Gifts
           and
           Assistances
           of
           his
           Holy
           Spirit
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           other
           was
           ,
           that
           the
           Gospel
           which
           was
           designed
           for
           the
           universal
           Good
           of
           the
           World
           met
           with
           such
           cold
           Reception
           and
           Entertainment
           from
           it
           .
           
             He
             was
             in
             the
             World
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             the
             World
             was
             made
             by
             him
             ,
             and
             the
             World
             knew
             him
             not
             .
             He
             came
             unto
             his
             own
             ,
             and
             his
             own
             received
             him
             not
             .
          
        
         
           What
           could
           be
           more
           uneasy
           to
           so
           true
           a
           lover
           of
           Christ
           as
           S.
           John
           was
           ,
           than
           that
           he
           lived
           to
           see
           
           his
           Doctrine
           perverted
           ,
           and
           his
           Design
           in
           so
           great
           a
           measure
           rendred
           ineffectual
           ?
           And
           therefore
           in
           the
           writing
           of
           this
           Gospel
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           He
           begins
           after
           another
           manner
           ;
           and
           in
           a
           very
           short
           ,
           significant
           and
           lofty
           style
           ,
           he
           sets
           forth
           his
           Eternal
           Being
           and
           Godhead
           .
           
             In
             the
             beginning
             was
             the
             Word
             ,
             and
             the
             Word
             was
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Word
             was
             God.
          
           And
           as
           the
           
             Eternal
             Power
             and
             Godhead
             were
             understood
             by
             the
             things
             that
             were
             made
             ,
          
           as
           S.
           Paul
           saith
           ,
           so
           he
           adds
           ,
           
           
             that
             all
             things
             were
             made
             by
             him
             ,
             and
             without
             him
             was
             not
             any
             thing
             made
             that
             was
             made
             .
          
           VVhich
           is
           as
           certain
           an
           Argument
           of
           the
           Divinity
           of
           Christ
           ,
           as
           there
           is
           of
           the
           Being
           of
           God
           from
           the
           Creation
           of
           the
           VVorld
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           As
           to
           the
           other
           Point
           ;
           it
           was
           indeed
           a
           sad
           and
           amazing
           Consideration
           ,
           that
           the
           wonderfull
           
             Love
             of
             God
             in
             sending
             his
             Son
             into
             the
             World
          
           should
           have
           so
           little
           Effect
           upon
           the
           Generality
           of
           those
           to
           whom
           he
           was
           sent
           and
           his
           Doctrine
           Preached
           ;
           but
           the
           Apostle
           contents
           himself
           with
           these
           two
           Accounts
           of
           it
           ;
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           it
           was
           far
           from
           being
           God's
           Intention
           or
           Design
           in
           sending
           his
           Son
           to
           make
           Mens
           Condition
           worse
           and
           more
           desperate
           ;
           
             For
             God
             sent
             not
             his
             Son
             into
             the
             World
             to
             condemn
             the
             World
             ,
             but
             that
             the
             World
             through
             him
             might
             be
             saved
             .
          
        
         
         
           2.
           
           But
           it
           might
           be
           presently
           objected
           ,
           That
           if
           this
           were
           God's
           Intention
           ,
           the
           World
           would
           not
           have
           receiv'd
           so
           little
           Benefit
           by
           it
           ,
           but
           according
           to
           the
           Terms
           of
           Salvation
           proposed
           by
           the
           Gospel
           so
           few
           will
           have
           advantage
           by
           it
           ;
           therefore
           the
           Evangelist
           adds
           ,
           that
           if
           Men
           did
           perish
           they
           must
           thank
           themselves
           for
           it
           ;
           
             For
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             Condemnation
             that
             light
             is
             come
             into
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             men
             loved
             darkness
             rather
             than
             light
             because
             their
             deeds
             were
             evil
             ,
          
           v.
           19.
           
        
         
           So
           that
           here
           are
           two
           things
           which
           deserve
           our
           Consideration
           .
        
         
           I.
           The
           wonderfull
           Condescension
           and
           gracious
           Intention
           of
           God
           
             in
             sending
             his
             Son
             into
             the
             World.
             
          
        
         
           II.
           The
           true
           Reason
           why
           so
           many
           Miscarry
           ,
           as
           to
           their
           Salvation
           notwithstanding
           ;
           viz.
           their
           own
           Wickedness
           and
           Folly.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           former
           of
           these
           ,
           is
           that
           ,
           which
           upon
           this
           Day
           we
           have
           particular
           Reason
           to
           take
           Notice
           of
           ;
           not
           in
           a
           slight
           superficial
           Manner
           ,
           (
           as
           though
           an
           Annual
           Commemoration
           of
           it
           were
           all
           that
           God
           expected
           from
           us
           ,
           )
           but
           our
           Minds
           and
           Souls
           ought
           to
           be
           possessed
           with
           a
           deep
           and
           humble
           Sense
           of
           so
           great
           ,
           so
           undeserved
           ,
           so
           astonishing
           a
           Condescension
           of
           God
           to
           Mankind
           .
           And
           the
           more
           we
           think
           and
           consider
           of
           it
           ,
           the
           more
           amazing
           and
           surprizing
           it
           must
           appear
           to
           us
           :
           For
           when
           the
           Psalmist
           thought
           but
           of
           God's
           Providence
           towards
           Mankind
           ,
           
           he
           could
           not
           but
           break
           out
           into
           that
           Expression
           ,
           
             Lord
             ,
             what
             is
             man
             ,
             that
             thou
             art
             mindfull
             of
             him
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             the
             son
             of
             man
             ,
             that
             thou
             so
             regardest
             him
             !
             What
             is
             man
          
           indeed
           !
           a
           Mass
           of
           Vanity
           and
           Disorder
           ;
           weak
           in
           his
           Judgment
           ,
           wilfull
           in
           his
           Passions
           ;
           uncertain
           in
           his
           best
           Resolutions
           ,
           violent
           in
           his
           worst
           Inclinations
           ;
           strangely
           bent
           upon
           what
           tends
           to
           his
           Ruin
           ,
           and
           hardly
           brought
           to
           understand
           and
           pursue
           his
           truest
           Interest
           !
           What
           is
           such
           a
           Creature
           as
           this
           ,
           that
           a
           God
           infinitely
           Wise
           and
           Powerfull
           ,
           far
           above
           our
           Thoughts
           as
           well
           as
           our
           Services
           ,
           should
           concern
           himself
           about
           the
           low
           and
           trifling
           Affairs
           of
           Mankind
           !
           But
           such
           is
           the
           Goodness
           and
           Condescension
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           he
           humbles
           himself
           so
           far
           ,
           as
           not
           only
           to
           behold
           ,
           but
           to
           Govern
           the
           Things
           that
           are
           done
           upon
           Earth
           .
        
         
           But
           
             what
             is
             Man
             that
             he
             should
             visit
             him
             !
          
           Not
           with
           the
           meer
           common
           Demonstrations
           of
           his
           Kindness
           ,
           which
           he
           affords
           to
           other
           Creatures
           ;
           but
           that
           when
           Mankind
           had
           so
           far
           degenerated
           and
           fallen
           off
           from
           God
           by
           their
           Sins
           ,
           that
           they
           deserved
           to
           be
           for
           ever
           cast
           off
           and
           forgotten
           by
           him
           ;
           that
           then
           God
           should
           visit
           him
           by
           
             sending
             his
             Son
             into
             the
             World
             that
             the
             World
             through
             him
             might
             be
             saved
          
           ;
           this
           is
           so
           far
           above
           our
           Imaginations
           as
           well
           as
           Deserts
           ,
           that
           it
           seems
           to
           be
           the
           most
           colourable
           Pretence
           for
           Infidelity
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           too
           great
           a
           thing
           for
           Mankind
           to
           believe
           .
        
         
         
           But
           I
           am
           sensible
           ,
           that
           in
           this
           Sceptical
           and
           Unbelieving
           Age
           ,
           there
           is
           such
           a
           Humour
           of
           Cavilling
           against
           Matters
           of
           Revelation
           ,
           especially
           this
           Fundamental
           Article
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           it
           would
           seem
           as
           if
           we
           were
           afraid
           to
           look
           their
           Objections
           in
           the
           Face
           ,
           if
           we
           take
           no
           Notice
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           on
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           to
           insist
           too
           much
           upon
           them
           ,
           were
           to
           make
           them
           appear
           much
           more
           considerable
           than
           they
           are
           .
           Therefore
           I
           shall
           pass
           over
           all
           the
           Trifling
           and
           Impertinent
           Talk
           of
           such
           Men
           (
           which
           is
           not
           whispered
           in
           Corners
           ,
           but
           I
           am
           afraid
           is
           become
           a
           Matter
           of
           too
           Common
           and
           Publick
           Discourse
           )
           and
           I
           shall
           single
           out
           that
           which
           seems
           to
           have
           the
           greatest
           Weight
           in
           it
           ;
           viz.
           Suppose
           God
           should
           have
           an
           Intention
           to
           offer
           Terms
           of
           Salvation
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           yet
           what
           need
           was
           there
           that
           
             the
             Son
             of
             God
          
           should
           
             come
             into
             the
             World
          
           for
           that
           End
           ?
           Had
           not
           God
           easier
           Methods
           of
           doing
           it
           than
           by
           the
           
             Incarnation
             and
             Crucifixion
             of
             his
             Son
             ?
          
           Is
           it
           not
           more
           Credible
           ,
           that
           God
           should
           forgive
           Sins
           without
           any
           Attonement
           ,
           than
           that
           he
           should
           
             send
             his
             Son
          
           to
           be
           a
           Sacrifice
           of
           Propitiation
           to
           himself
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           enough
           for
           us
           to
           believe
           all
           the
           Principles
           of
           Natural
           Religion
           to
           be
           true
           ;
           for
           we
           own
           a
           God
           ,
           and
           Providence
           ,
           and
           a
           Life
           to
           come
           ,
           and
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           of
           Mankind
           according
           to
           the
           Nature
           of
           their
           Actions
           ;
           but
           why
           should
           our
           Faith
           be
           
           cramp'd
           by
           such
           incredible
           Mysteries
           as
           these
           ,
           concerning
           
             the
             Son
             of
             God's
             coming
             into
             the
             World
          
           ;
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           as
           the
           Evangelists
           describe
           it
           :
           This
           is
           so
           far
           from
           being
           a
           Kindness
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           it
           makes
           the
           Condition
           of
           Salvation
           so
           much
           harder
           ,
           if
           we
           must
           believe
           things
           which
           seem
           so
           impossible
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           so
           hard
           to
           be
           reconciled
           to
           the
           
             Natural
             Principles
          
           of
           Reason
           and
           Religion
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           not
           dispute
           it
           with
           such
           Men
           whether
           these
           late
           Pretenders
           to
           
             Natural
             Religion
          
           have
           at
           the
           bottom
           any
           real
           kindness
           for
           the
           Principles
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           not
           ;
           I
           am
           willing
           to
           hope
           the
           best
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           is
           a
           meer
           Dissatisfaction
           in
           them
           as
           to
           our
           Revealed
           Religion
           ;
           and
           that
           this
           pretended
           Zeal
           for
           
             Natural
             Religion
          
           is
           little
           more
           than
           a
           meer
           Sham
           and
           Disguise
           to
           avoid
           a
           more
           odious
           Imputation
           .
           But
           let
           it
           be
           as
           great
           and
           real
           as
           they
           pretend
           ,
           what
           I
           at
           present
           undertake
           ,
           is
           to
           make
           it
           appear
           ,
           
             That
             none
             who
             do
             embrace
             the
             Principles
             of
             Natural
             Religion
             can
             have
             any
             Reason
             to
             reject
             the
             Christian
             ,
             even
             as
             to
             this
             Article
             of
             God's
             sending
             his
             Son
             into
             the
             World
             ,
          
           which
           they
           seem
           most
           to
           stumble
           at
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           not
           go
           about
           to
           shew
           ,
           how
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           not
           only
           Supposes
           ,
           but
           Improves
           ,
           Refines
           ,
           Establishes
           and
           Enforces
           the
           most
           noted
           and
           allowed
           Principles
           of
           Natural
           Religion
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Being
           of
           God
           and
           Providence
           ;
           the
           most
           Agreeable
           way
           
           of
           Worship
           ;
           the
           Nature
           and
           Kinds
           of
           Moral
           Duties
           ,
           the
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           of
           another
           World
           ,
           since
           no
           one
           of
           common
           Sense
           can
           deny
           that
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           is
           very
           Exact
           and
           Particular
           in
           these
           things
           above
           any
           other
           Institution
           in
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           And
           therefore
           I
           cannot
           ,
           but
           in
           passing
           ,
           take
           notice
           ,
           that
           I
           do
           not
           remember
           any
           one
           Institution
           in
           the
           World
           with
           respect
           to
           Religion
           ,
           except
           that
           which
           we
           have
           by
           Revelation
           ,
           which
           hath
           not
           some
           notorious
           Blunders
           in
           it
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Principles
           of
           Natural
           Religion
           and
           Vertue
           ;
           and
           therefore
           they
           have
           far
           less
           Reason
           to
           quarrel
           with
           Christianity
           than
           any
           other
           Religion
           (
           if
           their
           quarrel
           were
           not
           really
           against
           all
           ,
           as
           I
           fear
           it
           is
           ;
           )
           Let
           them
           look
           abroad
           over
           the
           unchristian
           World
           ;
           and
           they
           will
           find
           such
           foolish
           Notions
           ,
           such
           vain
           Superstitions
           ,
           such
           incoherent
           Fables
           ,
           such
           immoral
           Practices
           allowed
           by
           their
           several
           Religions
           ,
           as
           would
           make
           a
           considering
           Man
           wonder
           how
           the
           Notion
           of
           Religion
           could
           be
           so
           debased
           among
           Men.
           Let
           them
           look
           backward
           upon
           the
           Passages
           of
           elder
           Times
           ,
           and
           they
           shall
           find
           either
           they
           set
           up
           false
           Gods
           with
           the
           true
           ,
           or
           the
           false
           Worship
           of
           the
           true
           God
           ;
           or
           a
           Worship
           disagreeable
           to
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           by
           mean
           Representations
           ,
           or
           uncouth
           Sacrifices
           ,
           or
           impure
           Rites
           ;
           or
           else
           there
           were
           some
           horrible
           
           Flaws
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Common
           Principles
           of
           Morality
           ,
           as
           to
           Conjugal
           Society
           ,
           or
           the
           Rights
           of
           Property
           ,
           or
           the
           due
           Regard
           to
           the
           Preservation
           of
           Mankind
           ;
           or
           they
           give
           such
           a
           pitifull
           Representation
           of
           the
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           of
           another
           Life
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           a
           Mind
           to
           have
           them
           look'd
           on
           as
           Fables
           ,
           or
           despised
           as
           unworthy
           our
           regarding
           them
           above
           the
           present
           Pleasures
           of
           Life
           .
           But
           I
           dare
           challenge
           the
           most
           Cavilling
           Sceptick
           to
           find
           any
           just
           Fault
           with
           the
           Duties
           of
           Christianity
           ;
           For
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           required
           therein
           ,
           is
           Pure
           ,
           Holy
           ,
           Spiritual
           ,
           very
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           and
           the
           common
           Reason
           of
           Mankind
           .
           The
           Moral
           Precepts
           of
           it
           are
           clear
           ,
           weighty
           and
           comprehensive
           .
           And
           those
           who
           have
           delivered
           them
           to
           us
           ,
           neither
           commend
           any
           Vice
           ,
           nor
           sink
           the
           Reputation
           of
           any
           Vertue
           ;
           they
           never
           lessen
           our
           Duties
           to
           God
           ,
           or
           to
           one
           another
           ;
           all
           the
           just
           Complaint
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           Precepts
           are
           too
           strict
           and
           severe
           ,
           too
           good
           and
           too
           hard
           for
           Mankind
           to
           practise
           them
           .
           But
           is
           this
           an
           Objection
           against
           our
           Religion
           ,
           or
           against
           Mankind
           ?
           If
           they
           think
           that
           ,
           let
           our
           Religion
           require
           what
           it
           will
           ,
           the
           generality
           of
           the
           World
           will
           still
           live
           and
           act
           like
           Brutes
           ,
           and
           go
           against
           all
           Reason
           and
           Religion
           ;
           how
           can
           we
           help
           it
           ?
           But
           we
           hope
           the
           blame
           is
           not
           to
           be
           laid
           on
           Reason
           or
           Religion
           ,
           that
           so
           great
           a
           part
           of
           Mankind
           
           are
           either
           Fools
           or
           Mad-men
           ;
           
             i.
             e.
          
           either
           want
           Sense
           to
           understand
           their
           Duty
           ,
           or
           are
           resolved
           not
           to
           Practise
           it
           .
           Especially
           considering
           ,
           that
           the
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           of
           another
           Life
           ,
           are
           set
           forth
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           with
           that
           Clearness
           ,
           that
           Force
           ,
           that
           Authority
           ,
           that
           if
           any
           thing
           of
           that
           nature
           would
           work
           upon
           Mankind
           ,
           these
           must
           .
        
         
           But
           all
           these
           things
           I
           pass
           over
           ,
           and
           come
           to
           that
           which
           I
           proposed
           as
           my
           chief
           Design
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           prove
           ,
           
             That
             none
             who
             truly
             believe
             the
             Principles
             of
             Natural
             Religion
             ,
             can
             have
             any
             Reason
             to
             reject
             this
             Fundamental
             Article
             of
             it
             ,
             as
             to
             God's
             sending
             his
             Son
             into
             the
             World.
          
           And
           that
           upon
           two
           Accounts
           .
        
         
           I.
           That
           the
           Principles
           of
           
             Natural
             Religion
          
           make
           this
           Design
           appear
           very
           Credible
           ,
           or
           fit
           to
           be
           believed
           by
           Men
           of
           Sense
           and
           Understanding
           .
        
         
           II.
           That
           the
           Principles
           on
           which
           this
           Fundamental
           Article
           of
           our
           
             Revealed
             Religion
          
           stands
           ,
           afford
           sufficient
           Evidence
           to
           prove
           it
           True
           ;
           and
           therefore
           that
           we
           are
           bound
           to
           Believe
           it
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           former
           ,
           the
           Grounds
           or
           Principles
           which
           I
           go
           upon
           ,
           are
           these
           :
        
         
           I.
           
             That
             the
             great
             End
             of
             Christ's
             coming
             into
             the
             World
             ,
          
           viz.
           
             the
             Salvation
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             is
             most
             agreeable
             to
             the
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             of
             God.
          
           No
           one
           who
           believes
           a
           God
           ,
           can
           deny
           him
           to
           be
           of
           Infinite
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           ;
           for
           the
           very
           same
           Reasons
           
           which
           move
           Men
           to
           believe
           a
           God
           ,
           do
           convince
           them
           that
           he
           must
           be
           of
           Infinite
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           seeing
           the
           strongest
           Evidences
           to
           prove
           his
           Being
           are
           from
           the
           Instances
           of
           them
           in
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           These
           being
           then
           supposed
           ,
           as
           essential
           and
           inseparable
           Attributes
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ;
           we
           are
           to
           consider
           what
           End
           with
           Respect
           to
           Mankind
           is
           most
           agreeable
           to
           these
           to
           carry
           on
           ;
           and
           we
           must
           suppose
           Mankind
           to
           be
           made
           up
           of
           Soul
           and
           Body
           ,
           which
           are
           capable
           of
           Pleasures
           and
           Satisfaction
           ,
           both
           in
           this
           World
           and
           another
           :
           But
           our
           Souls
           are
           of
           an
           Immortal
           Nature
           ,
           that
           will
           subsist
           in
           Happiness
           or
           Misery
           after
           this
           Life
           ,
           otherwise
           the
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           of
           another
           World
           signify
           nothing
           ;
           the
           Question
           then
           is
           (
           if
           it
           can
           be
           made
           a
           Question
           )
           Whether
           it
           be
           more
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Infinite
           Goodness
           and
           Wisdom
           of
           God
           to
           provide
           for
           the
           Well-being
           of
           Mankind
           in
           such
           a
           low
           and
           gloomy
           a
           Region
           ,
           as
           this
           Earth
           is
           ,
           or
           to
           advance
           them
           into
           a
           far
           better
           Place
           ,
           and
           better
           Company
           ,
           and
           more
           noble
           and
           divine
           Delights
           ,
           and
           those
           not
           depending
           on
           a
           fading
           ,
           drooping
           ,
           dying
           Life
           ,
           but
           on
           the
           perpetual
           Enjoyment
           of
           a
           complete
           Happiness
           both
           of
           Soul
           and
           Body
           .
           No
           one
           that
           ever
           dares
           to
           think
           or
           consider
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           can
           believe
           there
           is
           any
           Comparison
           between
           them
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           Salvation
           tendred
           by
           
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           is
           the
           most
           agreeable
           End
           which
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           of
           God
           could
           carry
           on
           for
           the
           Benefit
           of
           Mankind
           .
        
         
           
             But
             why
             should
             Mankind
             flatter
             themselves
             with
             the
             Hopes
             or
             Expectation
             of
             a
             Happiness
             so
             far
             above
             what
             they
             can
             pretend
             to
             deserve
             ?
          
        
         
           There
           were
           some
           Grounds
           for
           such
           an
           Objection
           as
           this
           ;
           if
           we
           supposed
           the
           Rewards
           of
           another
           Life
           to
           come
           from
           any
           other
           Fountain
           than
           the
           Infinite
           Goodness
           of
           God
           towards
           those
           who
           sincerely
           love
           him
           and
           endeavour
           to
           please
           him
           ;
           although
           with
           many
           Failings
           and
           Imperfections
           .
           But
           this
           is
           the
           only
           Hypothesis
           ,
           which
           we
           maintain
           to
           be
           the
           Christian
           Doctrine
           :
           And
           what
           is
           there
           in
           it
           ,
           which
           is
           repugnant
           to
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           of
           God
           ?
           What
           was
           it
           but
           Infinite
           Goodness
           which
           gave
           a
           Being
           to
           the
           World
           at
           first
           ,
           and
           hath
           preserved
           it
           ever
           since
           ,
           and
           made
           it
           so
           usefull
           and
           beneficial
           to
           Mankind
           ?
           What
           is
           it
           ,
           but
           infinite
           Goodness
           that
           suffers
           us
           to
           live
           and
           enjoy
           so
           many
           Comforts
           of
           Life
           ,
           after
           so
           many
           great
           and
           continual
           Provocations
           ?
           If
           we
           were
           to
           argue
           from
           our
           Deserts
           ,
           it
           were
           impossible
           for
           us
           to
           justifie
           the
           wonderfull
           Patience
           and
           Long-suffering
           of
           God
           towards
           the
           sinfull
           Race
           of
           Mankind
           ;
           for
           we
           are
           certain
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           long
           since
           deserved
           to
           be
           cut
           off
           from
           the
           Face
           of
           the
           Earth
           ?
           If
           we
           consider
           
           the
           Justice
           and
           Holiness
           of
           God
           ,
           whereby
           he
           is
           daily
           provoked
           to
           punish
           Offenders
           ,
           and
           the
           Power
           he
           hath
           to
           execute
           his
           Justice
           in
           a
           Moment
           ,
           without
           any
           opposite
           Power
           to
           controll
           or
           resist
           him
           ;
           we
           have
           Reason
           to
           be
           astonished
           at
           the
           Wonderfull
           Patience
           and
           Forbearance
           of
           God
           ,
           of
           which
           we
           every
           day
           see
           so
           large
           Experience
           .
           But
           this
           is
           not
           all
           ;
           he
           doth
           not
           only
           suffer
           them
           to
           live
           ,
           but
           often
           makes
           their
           Condition
           easie
           and
           prosperous
           as
           to
           this
           World
           ,
           having
           Health
           ,
           Riches
           and
           Honour
           ,
           and
           the
           Hopes
           of
           their
           Posterity
           ,
           enjoying
           the
           same
           things
           after
           them
           .
           Now
           these
           to
           such
           ,
           who
           do
           not
           believe
           or
           value
           another
           Life
           ,
           are
           the
           greatest
           things
           God
           can
           do
           to
           their
           Satisfaction
           .
           But
           if
           they
           can
           allow
           so
           much
           Goodness
           in
           God
           towards
           those
           who
           continually
           offend
           him
           ;
           why
           should
           they
           question
           greater
           Instances
           of
           it
           towards
           those
           that
           endeavour
           to
           please
           him
           ?
           I
           do
           not
           mean
           as
           to
           this
           World
           ,
           but
           as
           to
           another
           which
           they
           value
           far
           before
           it
           ;
           for
           if
           they
           do
           not
           ,
           they
           have
           no
           reason
           to
           expect
           any
           Happiness
           in
           it
           :
           Why
           then
           should
           it
           be
           thought
           more
           unreasonable
           for
           God
           to
           bestow
           the
           Happiness
           of
           another
           Life
           ,
           on
           those
           who
           esteem
           and
           choose
           it
           ,
           than
           to
           give
           the
           good
           things
           of
           this
           Life
           to
           those
           who
           love
           and
           admire
           it
           ?
           I
           do
           not
           say
           ,
           the
           Wisdom
           is
           equal
           in
           the
           Choice
           ;
           but
           the
           Goodness
           of
           God
           is
           wonderfull
           
           in
           both
           .
           And
           there
           can
           be
           no
           imaginable
           Ground
           to
           suspect
           ,
           that
           God
           should
           be
           really
           less
           kind
           to
           those
           who
           love
           him
           best
           .
           It
           is
           a
           vain
           thing
           to
           talk
           of
           those
           
             being
             saved
             by
             Christ's
             coming
             into
             the
             World
             ,
          
           who
           do
           not
           heartily
           love
           God
           and
           keep
           his
           Commandments
           ;
           for
           the
           whole
           Design
           of
           the
           Gospel
           is
           to
           perswade
           us
           to
           one
           in
           order
           to
           the
           other
           ;
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           not
           a
           well-grounded
           Hope
           ,
           but
           a
           fond
           Imagination
           for
           any
           to
           expect
           Salvation
           by
           Christ
           on
           any
           other
           Terms
           .
           If
           we
           then
           take
           in
           the
           whole
           Hypothesis
           or
           true
           Scheme
           of
           Christianity
           together
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           other
           than
           that
           
             God
             sent
             his
             Son
             into
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             the
             World
             through
             him
             might
             be
             saved
          
           ;
           not
           by
           continuing
           in
           the
           sinfull
           Practises
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           
           which
           S.
           John
           calls
           
             the
             lust
             of
             the
             flesh
             ,
             and
             the
             lust
             of
             the
             eye
             ,
             and
             the
             Pride
             of
             Life
          
           ;
           but
           by
           subduing
           and
           mortifying
           all
           disorderly
           Passions
           do
           prepare
           themselves
           for
           a
           better
           State.
           Now
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           in
           our
           Minds
           a
           firm
           Perswasion
           of
           the
           infinite
           Goodness
           of
           God
           ,
           of
           which
           we
           are
           convinced
           by
           meer
           Natural
           Reason
           ;
           why
           should
           it
           be
           thought
           hard
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           God
           should
           take
           Care
           of
           so
           great
           and
           good
           an
           End
           ,
           as
           the
           Eternal
           Salvation
           of
           those
           who
           truly
           love
           and
           obey
           him
           .
        
         
           II.
           The
           next
           Principle
           agreeable
           to
           Natural
           Reason
           and
           Religion
           is
           ,
           
             That
             no
             such
             thing
             as
             Salvation
             or
             Happiness
             in
             a
             future
             State
             can
             be
             expected
             
             without
             the
             particular
             Favour
             of
             God.
          
           For
           ,
           all
           who
           do
           own
           Natural
           Religion
           ,
           must
           agree
           that
           the
           Soul
           of
           Man
           is
           an
           Immortal
           Thinking
           Being
           ;
           and
           therefore
           its
           Happiness
           must
           consist
           in
           such
           a
           sort
           of
           Thinking
           ,
           as
           carries
           the
           greatest
           Pleasure
           and
           Satisfaction
           along
           with
           it
           .
           Let
           us
           think
           with
           our selves
           what
           a
           Soul
           separate
           from
           the
           Body
           can
           do
           ,
           to
           make
           it self
           Happy
           :
           Here
           it
           was
           Intangled
           ,
           Corrupted
           ,
           and
           therefore
           apt
           to
           be
           deceived
           by
           the
           false
           Appearances
           of
           things
           ,
           which
           glide
           through
           the
           Senses
           and
           leave
           too
           lasting
           Impressions
           on
           the
           Mind
           ;
           and
           thereby
           it
           comes
           to
           mistake
           Shews
           for
           Substance
           and
           meer
           Colours
           for
           Realities
           .
           But
           this
           is
           a
           Mistake
           so
           common
           and
           so
           fatal
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           that
           very
           few
           are
           throughly
           undeceived
           in
           this
           World
           ;
           for
           one
           way
           or
           other
           they
           are
           apt
           to
           flatter
           themselves
           with
           some
           Pleasing
           Mistakes
           and
           Delightfull
           Errors
           of
           Life
           .
           But
           assoon
           as
           the
           Soul
           is
           dislodged
           from
           this
           cloudy
           Mansion
           in
           the
           Body
           ,
           all
           things
           will
           then
           appear
           ,
           not
           as
           by
           an
           uncertain
           Sky-light
           in
           a
           dark
           Room
           ,
           but
           in
           an
           open
           and
           distinct
           View
           ,
           and
           then
           it
           will
           be
           impossible
           to
           be
           any
           longer
           deceived
           by
           false
           Representations
           of
           Things
           .
           What
           then
           can
           be
           conceived
           sufficient
           to
           entertain
           and
           please
           the
           Mind
           ?
           Will
           it
           be
           the
           Reflection
           on
           the
           past
           Pleasures
           of
           the
           Body
           ?
           No
           certainly
           ;
           for
           those
           cannot
           bear
           a
           severe
           Reflection
           
           onw
           ;
           and
           the
           very
           thoughts
           of
           them
           make
           men's
           Minds
           very
           uneasie
           ;
           for
           the
           most
           tempting
           Pleasures
           of
           Sin
           leave
           no
           grateful
           Relish
           behind
           them
           .
           How
           then
           should
           the
           Mind
           bear
           up
           it self
           in
           another
           State
           ,
           when
           its
           Reflections
           must
           be
           far
           more
           constant
           and
           severe
           ?
           What
           then
           ?
           Can
           the
           Mind
           lay
           it self
           asleep
           ,
           and
           put
           it self
           into
           a
           State
           of
           Unthinking
           ?
           That
           were
           all
           one
           ,
           as
           a
           kind
           of
           self-Annihilation
           if
           it
           be
           of
           a
           Thinking
           Nature
           .
           There
           is
           a
           State
           of
           Unthinking
           in
           this
           VVorld
           ,
           which
           is
           too
           common
           ;
           when
           the
           Mind
           is
           as
           it
           were
           overlaid
           and
           stifled
           with
           Feathers
           ;
           I
           mean
           is
           so
           taken
           up
           with
           trifling
           and
           vain
           Imaginations
           ,
           as
           hardly
           give
           way
           to
           one
           serious
           Thought
           .
           But
           this
           is
           impossible
           in
           another
           State
           ;
           and
           therefore
           nothing
           but
           what
           will
           bear
           a
           most
           strict
           and
           severe
           Scrutiny
           can
           give
           any
           Support
           or
           Comfort
           to
           the
           Mind
           then
           .
           It
           must
           be
           true
           and
           real
           Good
           to
           create
           any
           Satisfaction
           ;
           It
           must
           be
           durable
           and
           lasting
           to
           keep
           it
           up
           ;
           It
           must
           be
           Compleat
           and
           Perfect
           to
           answer
           all
           the
           just
           and
           reasonable
           Desires
           of
           an
           Immortal
           Soul.
           And
           what
           can
           this
           be
           less
           than
           God
           himself
           ?
           And
           therefore
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           speaks
           most
           agreeably
           to
           Natural
           Reason
           ,
           when
           it
           still
           supposes
           the
           Happiness
           of
           another
           VVorld
           to
           consist
           in
           the
           Presence
           and
           Enjoyment
           of
           God.
           For
           those
           must
           have
           all
           that
           is
           desireable
           ,
           who
           enjoy
           the
           Favour
           
           of
           him
           who
           commands
           all
           things
           ,
           and
           knows
           how
           to
           suit
           them
           to
           the
           greatest
           Advantage
           to
           those
           to
           whom
           he
           designs
           to
           shew
           his
           Favour
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           Prospect
           of
           another
           State
           ,
           or
           of
           
             the
             Salvation
             of
             Mankind
             by
             Christ's
             coming
             into
             the
             World
             ,
          
           is
           that
           which
           lets
           us
           into
           another
           View
           of
           all
           that
           relates
           to
           the
           Son
           of
           God's
           coming
           into
           the
           VVorld
           :
           For
           if
           our
           Minds
           be
           possessed
           with
           great
           Apprehensions
           of
           the
           Power
           and
           Greatness
           of
           the
           VVorld
           ;
           all
           that
           the
           Gospel
           represents
           as
           to
           the
           manner
           of
           God's
           sending
           his
           Son
           into
           the
           VVorld
           ,
           his
           being
           born
           of
           an
           obscure
           Virgin
           ,
           being
           laid
           in
           the
           common
           Manger
           ,
           being
           bred
           up
           in
           a
           private
           Place
           ,
           having
           so
           mean
           Followers
           ,
           meeting
           with
           so
           cold
           a
           Reception
           from
           his
           own
           People
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           ,
           being
           exposed
           to
           an
           Ignominious
           Death
           by
           them
           ,
           looks
           very
           Reproachfull
           and
           Contemptible
           .
           But
           on
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           if
           we
           could
           raise
           our
           Minds
           to
           such
           Idea's
           of
           things
           here
           ,
           as
           the
           Glorious
           Spirits
           above
           have
           ;
           and
           see
           how
           all
           things
           are
           esteemed
           by
           them
           according
           to
           the
           Ends
           and
           Purposes
           they
           are
           designed
           for
           ,
           we
           should
           then
           perceive
           how
           admirably
           all
           these
           things
           were
           fitted
           for
           his
           great
           End
           ;
           which
           was
           to
           wean
           Mens
           Hearts
           from
           the
           Pomp
           and
           Vanities
           of
           this
           VVorld
           and
           to
           prepare
           them
           for
           a
           better
           ;
           and
           we
           should
           then
           have
           quite
           another
           Opinion
           of
           these
           things
           :
           For
           as
           there
           is
           a
           certain
           Greatness
           ,
           which
           
           is
           above
           all
           the
           formal
           Shews
           and
           affected
           Appearances
           of
           it
           ,
           so
           when
           a
           Great
           and
           Noble
           Design
           is
           to
           be
           carried
           on
           ,
           the
           true
           Measure
           of
           Decorum
           in
           that
           Case
           ,
           is
           that
           which
           is
           most
           serviceable
           to
           the
           principal
           End.
           If
           a
           great
           Person
           had
           a
           Design
           to
           rescue
           some
           near
           Relations
           out
           of
           Slavery
           ,
           he
           would
           never
           go
           with
           a
           splendid
           Equipage
           and
           a
           long
           Train
           of
           Attendance
           ,
           which
           would
           but
           make
           his
           Person
           more
           gazed
           at
           and
           his
           Design
           less
           Effectual
           .
           If
           he
           had
           intended
           to
           have
           rescued
           them
           by
           Force
           out
           of
           Captivity
           ,
           it
           had
           been
           necessary
           to
           have
           had
           Power
           and
           Strength
           proportionable
           to
           his
           Design
           ;
           but
           if
           it
           were
           only
           by
           Perswasion
           ,
           then
           he
           must
           accommodate
           himself
           to
           such
           Methods
           as
           were
           most
           likely
           to
           prevail
           .
        
         
           The
           great
           End
           of
           the
           coming
           of
           Christ
           was
           to
           deliver
           the
           Souls
           of
           Men
           from
           a
           much
           worse
           Captivity
           ,
           viz.
           of
           their
           own
           Sinfull
           Passions
           and
           the
           Devil's
           Tyranny
           by
           their
           means
           ;
           but
           he
           did
           not
           come
           in
           a
           way
           of
           Violence
           to
           break
           open
           the
           Prison-doors
           and
           in
           an
           instant
           to
           knock
           off
           their
           Fetters
           and
           bid
           them
           be
           free
           ;
           but
           he
           makes
           use
           of
           all
           the
           gentle
           and
           effectual
           methods
           of
           Perswasion
           ,
           not
           only
           by
           his
           Words
           but
           by
           his
           own
           Example
           ;
           that
           they
           might
           learn
           by
           him
           to
           despise
           this
           World
           ,
           who
           had
           so
           little
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           prepare
           for
           that
           from
           whence
           he
           came
           ,
           where
           their
           Happiness
           should
           be
           unconceivable
           and
           without
           End.
           
        
         
         
           III.
           The
           Third
           Principle
           is
           ,
           
             That
             no
             such
             Particular
             Favour
             of
             God
             is
             to
             be
             expected
             ,
             as
             long
             as
             his
             Displeasure
             is
             so
             just
             against
             Mankind
             for
             Sin
             ,
             and
             no
             effectual
             Means
             used
             to
             remove
             it
             .
          
           The
           truth
           is
           ,
           the
           whole
           Scheme
           of
           the
           Gospel
           turns
           upon
           this
           Point
           ,
           whether
           God
           be
           really
           displeased
           with
           Mankind
           for
           their
           Sins
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           need
           a
           Reconciliation
           :
           For
           ,
           if
           all
           that
           the
           Scripture
           so
           often
           expresses
           concerning
           the
           
             Wrath
             and
             Displeasure
             of
             God
          
           against
           Mankind
           for
           Sin
           ,
           be
           only
           Figurative
           and
           Hyperbolical
           Expressions
           ,
           then
           the
           whole
           Design
           of
           the
           Gospel
           must
           be
           given
           up
           as
           a
           meer
           Scheme
           ;
           for
           ,
           if
           God
           be
           not
           really
           displeased
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           need
           of
           Reconciliation
           ;
           if
           no
           need
           of
           that
           ,
           then
           there
           can
           be
           no
           need
           of
           Christ's
           coming
           to
           reconcile
           us
           to
           God
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           did
           not
           come
           for
           that
           End
           ,
           we
           have
           no
           Reason
           to
           believe
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           which
           affirms
           it
           over
           and
           over
           .
           And
           I
           do
           not
           think
           any
           stronger
           Argument
           can
           be
           brought
           to
           prove
           a
           thing
           ,
           than
           that
           the
           most
           Emphatical
           Expressions
           are
           so
           often
           applied
           to
           that
           purpose
           ,
           by
           such
           Persons
           who
           used
           all
           Sincerity
           and
           Plainness
           .
           So
           that
           this
           matter
           as
           to
           the
           Scripture
           is
           clear
           ,
           if
           any
           thing
           can
           be
           made
           so
           ;
           and
           if
           nothing
           can
           ,
           I
           cannot
           see
           how
           it
           is
           possible
           to
           have
           a
           written
           Rule
           of
           Faith
           ;
           since
           all
           Writings
           are
           capable
           by
           Ambiguity
           of
           Words
           and
           Phrases
           ,
           by
           the
           different
           Use
           of
           Particles
           and
           Transposition
           
           of
           Letters
           and
           Syllables
           ,
           of
           very
           different
           Interpretations
           .
        
         
           But
           this
           is
           not
           my
           present
           Business
           ,
           which
           is
           rather
           to
           consider
           the
           Natural
           Sense
           and
           Reason
           of
           Mankind
           as
           to
           this
           matter
           .
           We
           cannot
           in
           Reason
           suppose
           any
           such
           Passion
           in
           an
           Infinitely
           Perfect
           Being
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           we
           call
           
             Wrath
             and
             Anger
          
           in
           Men.
           For
           that
           is
           a
           violent
           Perturbation
           arising
           from
           Surprise
           and
           Indignation
           ;
           but
           there
           can
           be
           no
           Disorder
           or
           Surprise
           in
           a
           Being
           of
           Infinite
           Wisdom
           .
           Therefore
           
             Wrath
             in
             God
          
           must
           suppose
           two
           Things
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           A
           just
           Cause
           of
           Displeasure
           given
           by
           us
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Such
           a
           Just
           Displeasure
           following
           upon
           it
           as
           will
           End
           in
           the
           severe
           Punishment
           of
           Offenders
           if
           it
           be
           not
           removed
           .
        
         
           Now
           ,
           whether
           there
           be
           a
           just
           Cause
           of
           Displeasure
           or
           not
           ,
           must
           depend
           upon
           the
           Natural
           Differences
           of
           Good
           and
           Evil.
           And
           it
           is
           impossible
           that
           any
           one
           who
           exercises
           his
           Reason
           ,
           can
           judge
           amiss
           in
           this
           Matter
           .
           Not
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           Differences
           of
           Good
           and
           Evil
           are
           equally
           clear
           ,
           for
           all
           Propositions
           in
           Mathematicks
           are
           not
           so
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           sufficient
           to
           our
           Purpose
           ,
           that
           the
           general
           Principles
           are
           so
           ;
           and
           the
           greater
           Instances
           ;
           so
           that
           no
           Man
           can
           think
           that
           he
           Acts
           as
           much
           according
           to
           Reaso
           in
           one
           as
           the
           other
           .
           And
           ,
           can
           any
           one
           of
           common
           Sense
           imagine
           God
           to
           be
           as
           well
           pleased
           with
           
           him
           who
           blasphemes
           his
           Name
           ,
           and
           despises
           his
           Service
           ,
           and
           hates
           Religion
           ,
           as
           with
           one
           that
           Fears
           and
           Honours
           him
           ,
           and
           endeavours
           to
           Please
           him
           ?
           Can
           he
           be
           as
           well
           pleased
           with
           him
           ,
           that
           assassines
           his
           Parents
           ,
           as
           with
           him
           that
           obeys
           them
           ?
           With
           him
           that
           robs
           and
           defrauds
           his
           Neighbour
           ,
           as
           with
           him
           that
           relieves
           him
           in
           his
           Necessities
           ?
           With
           him
           who
           subdues
           his
           disorderly
           Passions
           ,
           as
           with
           him
           that
           gives
           way
           to
           them
           ?
           With
           him
           who
           is
           Cruel
           ,
           Inhuman
           and
           Perfidious
           ,
           as
           with
           him
           that
           is
           Faithfull
           and
           Just
           and
           Compassionate
           ?
           These
           are
           but
           some
           of
           the
           Instances
           of
           the
           Differences
           of
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           but
           they
           are
           so
           plain
           and
           notorious
           ,
           that
           a
           man
           must
           renounce
           the
           common
           Principles
           of
           Humanity
           ,
           who
           doth
           not
           own
           them
           .
           And
           to
           say
           there
           are
           no
           such
           Differences
           ,
           because
           there
           have
           been
           Mistakes
           and
           Disputes
           about
           some
           things
           accounted
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           is
           as
           Absurd
           ,
           as
           to
           say
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           Difference
           between
           Day
           and
           Night
           ,
           because
           in
           the
           Twilight
           it
           is
           hard
           to
           distinguish
           them
           .
           But
           if
           there
           be
           such
           a
           real
           Difference
           in
           the
           Nature
           of
           Human
           Actions
           ,
           and
           God
           be
           a
           strict
           Observer
           of
           them
           ,
           he
           being
           a
           God
           of
           Infinite
           Holiness
           and
           Justice
           ,
           cannot
           but
           be
           offended
           with
           Mankind's
           wilfull
           Omission
           of
           what
           they
           know
           to
           be
           Good
           ,
           and
           Commission
           of
           what
           they
           know
           to
           be
           Evil.
           
        
         
         
           But
           here
           we
           must
           distingush
           between
           God's
           Displeasure
           against
           the
           Actions
           and
           against
           the
           Persons
           who
           commit
           them
           .
           The
           former
           is
           a
           Necessary
           Consequent
           upon
           the
           Evil
           of
           Sin
           and
           can
           never
           be
           removed
           ,
           for
           God
           is
           irreconcileable
           to
           Sin.
           But
           those
           who
           commit
           Sin
           are
           his
           Creatures
           ;
           and
           therefore
           Capable
           of
           Mercy
           and
           Forgiveness
           .
           There
           is
           always
           a
           Desert
           of
           Punishment
           following
           upon
           Sin
           ;
           but
           there
           is
           no
           inseparable
           Connection
           between
           the
           Sin
           and
           the
           Punishment
           ;
           for
           the
           great
           and
           wise
           Governor
           of
           the
           VVorld
           acts
           not
           by
           Necessity
           of
           Nature
           in
           punishing
           Sinners
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           Methods
           of
           VVisdom
           and
           Justice
           .
           And
           if
           the
           saving
           of
           Sinners
           upon
           their
           Repentance
           can
           be
           made
           agreeable
           to
           these
           ,
           such
           is
           the
           Mercy
           and
           Goodness
           of
           God
           to
           his
           Creatures
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           great
           Reason
           to
           hope
           for
           a
           Reconciliation
           .
           For
           ,
           although
           God
           be
           displeased
           ,
           he
           is
           not
           implacable
           ;
           although
           he
           be
           justly
           provoked
           to
           punish
           Sinners
           ,
           yet
           there
           is
           no
           Absolute
           Necessity
           that
           he
           should
           ;
           nor
           any
           irreversible
           Decree
           that
           he
           will
           do
           it
           ;
           and
           therefore
           notwithstanding
           this
           Displeasure
           of
           God
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           way
           still
           left
           open
           for
           Reconciliation
           ,
           which
           leads
           to
           the
           next
           .
        
         
           IV.
           The
           Fourth
           Principle
           is
           ,
           
             That
             if
             God
             be
             thus
             displeased
             with
             the
             Sins
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             and
             yet
             there
             is
             a
             Possibility
             of
             Reconciliation
             between
             God
             and
             them
             ,
             
             He
             alone
             is
             the
             most
             proper
             and
             competent
             Judge
             ,
             on
             what
             Terms
             this
             Reconciliation
             may
             be
             obtained
             .
          
           For
           being
           both
           the
           Offended
           Party
           and
           the
           Supreme
           Governor
           ,
           he
           hath
           the
           sole
           Right
           on
           both
           Accounts
           of
           fixing
           those
           Terms
           and
           Conditions
           ,
           upon
           which
           he
           will
           forgive
           Sins
           ,
           and
           receive
           the
           Offenders
           into
           Favour
           .
           It
           is
           a
           vain
           thing
           for
           any
           to
           argue
           from
           one
           Attribute
           of
           God
           against
           another
           .
           Some
           are
           apt
           to
           flatter
           themselves
           that
           God
           will
           easily
           forgive
           Sins
           ,
           because
           he
           is
           Mercifull
           ,
           but
           they
           ought
           to
           consider
           that
           he
           is
           Just
           and
           Holy
           as
           well
           as
           Mercifull
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           as
           much
           ground
           to
           fear
           that
           he
           will
           not
           forgive
           because
           he
           is
           Just
           ;
           as
           there
           can
           be
           to
           hope
           that
           he
           will
           because
           he
           is
           Mercifull
           .
           And
           thus
           it
           is
           impossible
           for
           a
           considering
           Man
           to
           satisfie
           his
           own
           Mind
           as
           to
           God's
           forgiving
           his
           Sins
           ;
           unless
           he
           be
           some
           way
           assured
           from
           himself
           that
           he
           will
           do
           it
           .
           And
           therefore
           a
           particular
           Revelation
           in
           this
           case
           must
           be
           made
           ,
           if
           God
           designs
           to
           bring
           Men
           to
           Repentance
           by
           the
           Hopes
           of
           Forgiveness
           .
           But
           meer
           Repentance
           can
           never
           make
           any
           satisfaction
           to
           God
           for
           the
           Breach
           of
           his
           Laws
           .
           Suppose
           a
           Sinner
           comes
           to
           himself
           and
           is
           heartily
           sorry
           that
           he
           hath
           Offended
           God
           so
           many
           ways
           ,
           and
           with
           such
           aggravating
           Circumstances
           as
           he
           hath
           done
           ;
           and
           now
           resolves
           in
           the
           Anguish
           of
           his
           Soul
           never
           more
           to
           return
           to
           the
           Practice
           of
           them
           ;
           This
           no
           
           doubt
           ,
           is
           far
           more
           pleasing
           to
           God
           ,
           than
           going
           on
           to
           offend
           still
           ;
           but
           all
           this
           is
           no
           more
           than
           a
           man
           in
           justice
           to
           God
           and
           to
           himself
           is
           bound
           to
           doe
           ;
           for
           he
           is
           bound
           to
           vindicate
           the
           Honour
           of
           God's
           Laws
           ,
           and
           to
           condemn
           himself
           for
           his
           own
           Folly
           ,
           and
           to
           return
           no
           more
           to
           the
           Practice
           of
           it
           .
           But
           what
           Amends
           is
           made
           by
           all
           this
           ,
           for
           the
           infinite
           Dishonour
           which
           hath
           been
           done
           to
           God
           and
           his
           Laws
           by
           the
           Violation
           of
           them
           ?
           The
           Courts
           of
           Justice
           among
           Men
           take
           no
           Notice
           of
           the
           Malefactors
           Repentance
           ;
           however
           he
           be
           affected
           ,
           the
           Law
           must
           be
           observed
           ,
           and
           Offenders
           punished
           .
           How
           then
           can
           any
           persons
           be
           assured
           from
           meer
           Natural
           Reason
           ,
           that
           God
           will
           not
           be
           as
           tender
           of
           the
           Honour
           and
           Justice
           of
           his
           Laws
           ,
           as
           Mankind
           are
           allowed
           to
           be
           without
           any
           imputation
           of
           Cruelty
           or
           Injustice
           ?
        
         
           If
           God
           should
           be
           exact
           in
           punishing
           Offenders
           ,
           who
           could
           complain
           ?
           For
           who
           can
           plead
           Not-Guilty
           before
           his
           Maker
           ?
           And
           when
           a
           man
           's
           own
           Conscience
           condemns
           him
           that
           he
           hath
           deserved
           Punishment
           ,
           what
           reason
           can
           he
           have
           from
           himself
           not
           to
           expect
           it
           ?
           And
           if
           he
           doth
           justly
           expect
           to
           be
           punished
           ,
           what
           reason
           can
           he
           have
           to
           hope
           for
           Forgiveness
           ?
           Since
           he
           knows
           that
           he
           deserves
           to
           be
           punished
           ,
           and
           therefore
           can
           never
           deserve
           to
           be
           Forgiven
           .
           It
           must
           be
           therefore
           a
           Free
           Act
           of
           
           Grace
           and
           Mercy
           in
           God
           to
           forgive
           even
           Penitent
           Sinners
           ;
           and
           upon
           what
           Terms
           and
           in
           what
           Manner
           he
           will
           do
           it
           depends
           wholly
           upon
           his
           own
           Good
           Will.
           He
           may
           forgive
           Sins
           if
           he
           pleases
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           agreeable
           to
           his
           Nature
           to
           do
           it
           ,
           if
           Sinners
           do
           Repent
           and
           Forsake
           their
           Sins
           ;
           but
           whether
           God
           hath
           actually
           made
           known
           to
           us
           the
           Way
           of
           Reconciliation
           cannot
           be
           known
           by
           any
           Principles
           of
           Nature
           ;
           because
           it
           is
           a
           matter
           of
           Fact
           and
           must
           have
           such
           Proof
           as
           a
           thing
           of
           that
           Nature
           is
           capable
           of
           .
        
         
           II.
           Having
           thus
           shewed
           ,
           how
           strongly
           the
           Principles
           of
           Natural
           Religion
           do
           make
           way
           for
           entertaining
           this
           point
           of
           the
           Christian
           Doctrine
           ,
           as
           to
           
             God's
             sending
             his
             Son
             into
             the
             World
          
           in
           order
           to
           our
           Reconciliation
           with
           him
           and
           our
           Salvation
           by
           him
           ;
           it
           remains
           now
           to
           shew
           how
           justly
           God
           doth
           require
           the
           Belief
           of
           it
           from
           us
           as
           True
           ;
           for
           the
           next
           words
           tell
           us
           ,
           
             That
             he
             that
             believeth
             on
             him
             is
             not
             condemned
             ;
             but
             he
             that
             believeth
             not
             is
             condemned
             already
             ,
             because
             he
             hath
             not
             believed
             in
             the
             name
             of
             the
             only
             begotten
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
          
           v.
           18.
           
        
         
           This
           ,
           some
           may
           say
           ,
           is
           very
           hard
           Doctrine
           ;
           for
           they
           believe
           as
           much
           as
           they
           can
           ;
           and
           if
           they
           can
           believe
           no
           more
           it
           is
           no
           fault
           ;
           for
           no
           man
           can
           be
           bound
           to
           believe
           more
           than
           he
           can
           .
           I
           do
           not
           question
           but
           Nicodemus
           (
           to
           whom
           these
           words
           
           are
           generally
           supposed
           to
           be
           spoken
           by
           our
           Saviour
           )
           thought
           he
           had
           gone
           a
           great
           way
           ,
           when
           he
           used
           those
           words
           to
           Christ
           ,
           v.
           2.
           
           
             Rabbi
             we
             know
             that
             thou
             art
             a
             Teacher
             come
             from
             God
             ,
             for
             no
             man
             can
             do
             these
             Miracles
             that
             thou
             dost
             except
             God
             be
             with
             him
             .
             i.
             e.
          
           He
           was
           willing
           to
           believe
           him
           some
           great
           Prophet
           whom
           God
           had
           sent
           ;
           and
           this
           was
           a
           fair
           step
           for
           
             a
             Ruler
             among
             the
             Jews
          
           ,
           who
           were
           generally
           very
           unreasonable
           Unbelievers
           .
           But
           Christ
           tells
           him
           plainly
           this
           would
           not
           do
           ;
           for
           unless
           he
           believed
           him
           to
           be
           
             the
             only
             begotten
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
          
           he
           could
           not
           be
           saved
           .
           And
           this
           is
           the
           great
           Point
           ,
           
             That
             God
             so
             loved
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             he
             gave
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son
             ,
             that
             whosoever
             believeth
             in
             him
             should
             not
             perish
             but
             have
             everlasting
             life
             ,
          
           v.
           16.
           
           Not
           ,
           as
           though
           meer
           Believing
           this
           were
           sufficient
           (
           for
           this
           carries
           a
           great
           many
           other
           things
           along
           with
           it
           )
           but
           that
           since
           God
           had
           sent
           
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           into
           the
           World
           upon
           such
           a
           Message
           ,
           he
           did
           expect
           that
           he
           should
           be
           received
           and
           entertained
           as
           such
           upon
           their
           utmost
           peril
           .
        
         
           But
           can
           we
           believe
           farther
           than
           we
           have
           Reason
           to
           believe
           ?
           No
           ;
           God
           doth
           not
           expect
           it
           from
           us
           ,
           provided
           that
           with
           sincere
           and
           impartial
           Minds
           we
           set
           our selves
           to
           consider
           and
           weigh
           the
           Evidence
           and
           with
           great
           Humility
           beg
           the
           Assistance
           of
           Divine
           Grace
           ,
           without
           which
           God
           may
           justly
           leave
           us
           to
           our
           Unbelief
           .
        
         
         
           It
           would
           be
           too
           large
           a
           Subject
           now
           to
           lay
           open
           the
           several
           Arguments
           to
           prove
           that
           it
           is
           as
           evident
           ,
           as
           a
           matter
           of
           Fact
           can
           be
           made
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           
             God
             did
             send
             his
             Son
             that
             the
             World
             through
             him
             might
             be
             saved
          
           ;
           Therefore
           I
           shall
           only
           mention
           these
           two
           things
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           if
           the
           Matters
           of
           Fact
           are
           true
           concerning
           the
           History
           of
           
             Christ's
             Coming
          
           ,
           as
           related
           by
           the
           Evangelists
           ,
           there
           can
           be
           no
           Reason
           to
           doubt
           his
           being
           
             the
             Son
             of
             God.
          
           For
           he
           that
           was
           the
           most
           Exact
           Pattern
           of
           Humility
           and
           Self-denial
           ,
           not
           only
           frequently
           assumes
           this
           Title
           to
           himself
           ,
           and
           his
           most
           intimate
           Disciples
           affirm
           it
           of
           him
           ;
           but
           God
           himself
           gave
           the
           most
           ample
           and
           convincing
           Testimony
           to
           it
           ;
           by
           his
           miraculous
           Birth
           ;
           and
           a
           Voice
           from
           Heaven
           to
           that
           purpose
           at
           his
           Baptism
           ;
           by
           a
           long
           Train
           and
           Series
           of
           Publick
           and
           Usefull
           Miracles
           to
           attest
           the
           Truth
           of
           his
           Doctrine
           ;
           by
           his
           Resurrection
           from
           the
           Dead
           and
           Ascension
           into
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           wonderfull
           Effusion
           of
           the
           H.
           Ghost
           ,
           with
           the
           strange
           Effects
           which
           followed
           it
           ;
           so
           that
           no
           one
           who
           doth
           believe
           these
           things
           to
           be
           true
           can
           have
           any
           ground
           to
           say
           that
           he
           cannot
           believe
           Christ
           to
           be
           the
           Son
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           if
           these
           Matters
           of
           Fact
           are
           not
           to
           be
           believed
           as
           True
           we
           cannot
           be
           bound
           to
           believe
           any
           thing
           but
           what
           we
           see
           our selves
           .
           For
           the
           distance
           
           of
           Time
           and
           Place
           are
           equal
           in
           this
           Case
           ;
           and
           no
           other
           Matters
           of
           Fact
           are
           so
           well
           Attesten
           as
           these
           are
           .
           And
           so
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           saith
           of
           Christ's
           Resurrection
           ,
           
             If
             he
             be
             not
             risen
             our
             Faith
             is
             vain
          
           ;
           so
           in
           this
           case
           I
           say
           if
           there
           be
           not
           Reason
           to
           believe
           these
           things
           
             All
             Faith
             is
             vain
          
           .
           For
           no
           other
           Matters
           of
           Fact
           ,
           which
           we
           should
           be
           accounted
           Fools
           for
           not
           believing
           ,
           have
           had
           such
           a
           sort
           of
           Testimony
           which
           these
           have
           had
           .
           For
           these
           things
           were
           not
           conveyed
           by
           a
           silent
           Tradition
           for
           some
           time
           till
           the
           Chief
           Parties
           were
           dead
           who
           could
           either
           Prove
           or
           Disprove
           them
           ;
           but
           they
           were
           Publick
           and
           Exposed
           to
           all
           manner
           of
           Examination
           ;
           They
           were
           not
           deliver'd
           by
           one
           or
           two
           ,
           who
           were
           trusted
           with
           a
           Secret
           ,
           but
           openly
           avowed
           by
           a
           great
           number
           of
           Competent
           Witnesses
           ,
           who
           were
           present
           ;
           and
           none
           of
           them
           could
           be
           brought
           by
           the
           greatest
           Sufferings
           to
           deny
           ,
           or
           falsify
           ,
           or
           conceal
           any
           part
           of
           their
           Evidence
           ;
           that
           when
           these
           things
           had
           been
           thus
           delivered
           by
           those
           who
           saw
           them
           ,
           who
           were
           most
           remarkable
           for
           their
           Innocency
           and
           Integrity
           ,
           in
           the
           next
           Ages
           they
           were
           examined
           and
           enquired
           into
           by
           Men
           of
           Sagacity
           and
           Learning
           ,
           who
           upon
           the
           strictest
           Search
           found
           no
           reason
           to
           suspect
           their
           Testimony
           ;
           and
           therefore
           heartily
           embraced
           and
           defended
           the
           Christian
           Faith.
           And
           from
           thence
           they
           have
           been
           conveyed
           down
           to
           us
           ;
           
           not
           by
           an
           uncertain
           Oral
           Tradition
           ,
           which
           can
           hardly
           hold
           the
           same
           from
           one
           end
           of
           the
           Town
           to
           another
           ;
           but
           by
           unquestionable
           Writings
           ;
           of
           such
           Authority
           ,
           that
           the
           Christians
           would
           rather
           dye
           than
           deliver
           up
           their
           Books
           .
           And
           in
           these
           are
           all
           those
           Circumstances
           contained
           ,
           which
           we
           are
           bound
           to
           believe
           as
           Christians
           ;
           among
           which
           this
           is
           one
           of
           the
           Chief
           ,
           
             that
             God
             sent
             his
             Son
             into
             the
             World
             for
             the
             Salvation
             of
             Mankind
             .
          
        
         
           To
           summ
           up
           all
           ;
           I
           desire
           those
           who
           after
           all
           this
           pretend
           that
           they
           are
           willing
           to
           believe
           as
           much
           as
           they
           can
           ,
           and
           those
           who
           are
           liable
           to
           any
           Suggestions
           of
           Infidelity
           ,
           to
           consider
           seriously
           with
           themselves
           ,
           whether
           there
           can
           be
           a
           greater
           and
           more
           noble
           Design
           ,
           more
           becoming
           the
           Wisdom
           ,
           Power
           and
           Goodness
           of
           God
           to
           carry
           on
           ,
           than
           that
           of
           rescuing
           Mankind
           out
           of
           a
           miserable
           State
           ,
           and
           putting
           them
           into
           a
           certain
           way
           of
           Eternal
           Happiness
           ?
           Whether
           such
           a
           Design
           must
           not
           be
           discovered
           in
           some
           particular
           Age
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           Circumstances
           relating
           to
           it
           ?
           Whether
           that
           Age
           were
           not
           the
           fittest
           of
           all
           others
           ,
           wherein
           the
           most
           remarkable
           Prophecies
           were
           to
           be
           accomplished
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Coming
           of
           the
           Messias
           ,
           while
           the
           second
           Temple
           was
           standing
           ?
           Whether
           the
           Difficulties
           as
           to
           Human
           Testimonies
           be
           not
           equal
           to
           all
           Ages
           and
           Things
           ?
           Whether
           because
           it
           is
           possible
           for
           all
           men
           to
           deceive
           ,
           
           it
           be
           reasonable
           to
           infer
           that
           all
           men
           are
           deceived
           ;
           and
           that
           there
           is
           nothing
           but
           Illusion
           and
           Imposture
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           and
           that
           all
           men
           lye
           and
           deceive
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           Lying
           and
           Deceiving
           ?
           But
           if
           there
           be
           a
           Difference
           to
           be
           made
           between
           Men
           and
           between
           Testimonies
           ;
           then
           we
           are
           to
           examine
           the
           different
           Characters
           of
           Truth
           and
           Falshood
           and
           give
           our
           Assent
           according
           to
           them
           .
           And
           if
           after
           the
           severest
           Examination
           we
           do
           not
           find
           sufficient
           Reason
           to
           believe
           
             that
             God
             sent
             his
             Son
             into
             the
             World
             for
             the
             Salvation
             of
             Mankind
             ,
          
           upon
           such
           Testimonies
           as
           are
           given
           of
           it
           ,
           we
           must
           conclude
           all
           Mankind
           to
           be
           made
           up
           of
           Fraud
           and
           Imposture
           ;
           and
           that
           there
           is
           no
           such
           thing
           as
           Sincerity
           and
           Honesty
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           or
           that
           if
           there
           be
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           possible
           for
           others
           to
           discern
           it
           .
           Which
           are
           such
           fatal
           Reproaches
           upon
           Human
           Nature
           ,
           that
           no
           one
           who
           pretends
           to
           any
           Regard
           to
           it
           can
           be
           guilty
           of
           .
           For
           if
           they
           be
           universally
           true
           ,
           they
           must
           condemn
           themselves
           ;
           if
           not
           ,
           we
           must
           see
           some
           very
           particular
           Reason
           why
           we
           should
           not
           rather
           think
           them
           deceived
           ,
           than
           fix
           such
           an
           Indelible
           Blot
           upon
           the
           Reputation
           of
           Mankind
           .
           And
           surely
           it
           is
           a
           great
           Advantage
           to
           the
           Truth
           of
           Religion
           to
           find
           ,
           that
           it
           cannot
           be
           overthrown
           but
           by
           such
           Methods
           ,
           as
           equally
           overturn
           all
           Truth
           and
           Certainty
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Faith
           of
           Christianity
           stands
           not
           only
           upon
           the
           
           same
           Bottom
           with
           the
           common
           Faith
           of
           Mankind
           .
           But
           if
           we
           reject
           such
           Assurance
           as
           is
           offer'd
           us
           for
           the
           Faith
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           our
           Infidelity
           cannot
           be
           the
           effect
           of
           Reason
           and
           Argument
           ,
           but
           of
           a
           causeless
           Suspicion
           and
           unreasonable
           Mistrust
           of
           the
           best
           Part
           of
           Mankind
           .
           Who
           have
           most
           firmly
           believed
           the
           Truth
           of
           these
           things
           and
           have
           led
           the
           most
           Holy
           and
           Exemplary
           Lives
           in
           Hopes
           of
           a
           Blessed
           Immortality
           .
           And
           if
           the
           Testimony
           of
           any
           Persons
           deserves
           to
           be
           taken
           before
           others
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           of
           such
           who
           could
           have
           no
           Design
           upon
           this
           World
           but
           were
           resolved
           by
           Faith
           and
           Patience
           to
           prepare
           for
           a
           Better
           .
        
         
           To
           Conclude
           .
           For
           us
           who
           believe
           and
           own
           the
           Truth
           of
           this
           great
           and
           fundamental
           Article
           of
           the
           Christian
           Faith
           ,
           we
           have
           something
           else
           to
           do
           than
           meerly
           to
           Vindicate
           and
           Assert
           it
           .
           This
           at
           some
           times
           is
           more
           necessary
           than
           at
           others
           ;
           and
           I
           heartily
           wish
           this
           were
           none
           of
           them
           .
           I
           am
           willing
           to
           hope
           the
           best
           of
           all
           who
           in
           such
           an
           Age
           of
           Infidelity
           have
           the
           Courage
           and
           Zeal
           to
           own
           the
           Faith
           of
           this
           Day
           ;
           
             viz.
             That
             God
             sent
             his
             Son
             into
             the
             World
             in
             order
             to
             the
             making
             us
             for
             ever
             Happy
             .
          
           And
           I
           hope
           none
           who
           profess
           themselves
           Christians
           this
           Day
           will
           ever
           be
           discouraged
           by
           the
           Mocks
           and
           Flouts
           of
           Infidels
           so
           as
           to
           let
           go
           the
           Anchor
           of
           
           their
           Hope
           ,
           or
           mistrust
           the
           Foundation
           of
           their
           Faith.
           It
           is
           as
           great
           a
           piece
           of
           Wisdom
           to
           know
           when
           to
           Believe
           ,
           as
           when
           not
           to
           Believe
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           as
           certain
           an
           Argument
           of
           a
           Weak
           Mind
           to
           be
           always
           Doubting
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           over-forward
           in
           Believing
           :
           For
           the
           Soil
           must
           be
           very
           bad
           that
           can
           bear
           no
           Foundation
           .
           But
           withall
           let
           us
           not
           flatter
           our selves
           only
           that
           we
           have
           a
           better
           Faith
           than
           others
           .
           For
           how
           miserable
           will
           our
           Case
           be
           ,
           if
           we
           have
           nothing
           but
           a
           Superficial
           Faith
           ;
           and
           a
           sort
           of
           Anniversary
           Devotion
           .
           We
           can
           never
           thank
           God
           too
           much
           for
           the
           Blessing
           of
           this
           Day
           ;
           but
           God
           expects
           something
           more
           from
           us
           ,
           than
           meerly
           the
           giving
           him
           Solemn
           Thanks
           once
           a
           Year
           for
           
             Sending
             his
             Son
             into
             the
             World.
          
           We
           must
           endeavour
           to
           answer
           the
           End
           of
           God's
           sending
           him
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
             to
             save
             us
          
           first
           
             from
             our
             Sins
          
           ,
           and
           then
           
             from
             the
             wrath
             to
             come
          
           .
           This
           is
           the
           Method
           which
           God
           himself
           hath
           appointed
           ,
           not
           barely
           from
           his
           own
           Will
           and
           Pleasure
           ,
           but
           from
           the
           necessary
           Order
           and
           Reason
           of
           Things
           .
           For
           ,
           otherwise
           a
           Man
           might
           be
           Rewarded
           for
           doing
           amiss
           ,
           and
           Punished
           for
           performing
           his
           Duty
           .
           If
           we
           therefore
           ever
           hope
           for
           any
           Benefit
           by
           this
           coming
           of
           Christ
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           we
           must
           apply
           our
           Minds
           to
           consider
           seriously
           on
           what
           Conditions
           we
           may
           reasonably
           hope
           for
           Salvation
           by
           him
           .
           Can
           they
           think
           that
           Christ
           came
           
           to
           so
           little
           purpose
           as
           to
           save
           Men
           in
           their
           Sins
           ?
           If
           that
           were
           to
           be
           hoped
           ,
           there
           had
           been
           no
           need
           of
           his
           Coming
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           a
           hard
           Work
           indeed
           to
           save
           us
           from
           them
           .
           The
           Guilt
           must
           be
           expiated
           ,
           and
           the
           Power
           subdued
           ;
           the
           former
           Christ
           hath
           done
           ;
           but
           he
           expects
           ,
           and
           with
           great
           Reason
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           
             deny
             ungodly
             and
             worldly
             Lusts
             ,
             and
             work
             out
             our
             own
             Salvation
             with
             Fear
             and
             Trembling
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           Lately
           Printed
           for
           
             Henry
             Mortlock
          
           at
           the
           Phoenix
           in
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Church-Yard
           .
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           before
           the
           Queen
           at
           
             White-hall
             Feb.
          
           22.
           1688
           
           /
           9.
           upon
           1
           Pet.
           4.18
           .
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           before
           the
           King
           and
           Queen
           at
           
             White-hall
             ,
             March
          
           23.
           1689
           
           /
           90.
           upon
           Ecclesiastes
           11.9
           .
        
         
           
             Christian
             Magnanimity
          
           :
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           in
           the
           Cathedral-Church
           at
           Worcester
           ,
           at
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Assizes
           ,
           Sept.
           21.
           1690.
           upon
           2
           Tim.
           1.7
           .
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           before
           the
           Queen
           at
           
             White-hall
             ,
             March
          
           1.
           1690
           /
           1
           on
           Luke
           6.46
           .
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           before
           the
           Queen
           at
           
             White-hall
             ,
             March
          
           13.
           1691
           
           /
           2.
           upon
           Rom.
           8.6
           .
        
         
           
             The
             Mysteries
             of
             the
             Christian
             Faith
             Vindicated
             ,
          
           in
           a
           Sermon
           preached
           at
           St.
           
             Lawrence-Iewry
             ,
             London
             ,
             April
          
           7.
           1691.
           upon
           1
           Tim.
           1.15
           .
        
         
           All
           Six
           by
           the
           Right
           Reverend
           Father
           in
           God
           ,
           Edward
           Lord
           Bishop
           of
           Worcester
           .
        
         
           The
           Bishop
           of
           
           Worcester's
           Charge
           to
           the
           Clergy
           of
           his
           Diocese
           ,
           in
           his
           Primary
           Visitation
           ,
           begun
           at
           
             Worcester
             ,
             Sept.
          
           11.
           1690.
           
        
         
           The
           Unreasonableness
           of
           a
           Separation
           from
           the
           New
           Bishops
           :
           Or
           a
           Treatise
           out
           of
           Ecclesiastical
           History
           .
           Shewing
           ,
           That
           although
           a
           Bishop
           was
           unjustly
           deprived
           ,
           neither
           He
           nor
           the
           Church
           ever
           made
           a
           Separation
           ,
           if
           the
           Successor
           was
           not
           a
           Heretick
           .
           Translated
           out
           of
           an
           ancient
           Greek
           Manuscript
           in
           the
           Publick
           Library
           at
           Oxford
           .
        
         
           The
           Case
           of
           Sees
           Vacant
           ,
           by
           an
           Unjust
           or
           Uncanonical
           Deprivation
           ,
           stated
           :
           in
           Reply
           to
           a
           Treatise
           ,
           entituled
           ,
           
             A
             Vindication
             of
             the
             Deprived
             Bishops
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           Together
           with
           the
           several
           Pamphlets
           lately
           published
           as
           Answers
           to
           the
           Baroccian
           Treatise
           :
           both
           by
           
             Humphrey
             Hody
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           Fellow
           of
           
           Wadham-College
           in
           Oxford
           .
        
         
           The
           Folly
           and
           Unreasonableness
           of
           Atheism
           demonstrated
           ,
           from
           the
           Advantage
           and
           Pleasure
           of
           a
           Religious
           Life
           ;
           The
           Faculties
           of
           Human
           Souls
           ;
           The
           Structure
           of
           Animate
           Bodies
           ,
           and
           the
           Origin
           and
           Frame
           of
           the
           World
           :
           in
           Eight
           Sermons
           ,
           preached
           at
           the
           Lecture
           founded
           by
           the
           Honourable
           
             Robert
             Boyle
          
           
             Esq
          
           in
           the
           First
           Year
           1692.
           by
           
             Richard
             Bentley
          
           ,
           M.
           A.
           Chaplain
           to
           the
           Right
           Reverend
           Father
           in
           God
           ,
           Edward
           Lord
           Bishop
           of
           Worcester
           .
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A61625-e140
           
             ch
             .
             20.31
             .
          
           
             ch
             .
             1.3
             .
          
           
             2.32
             .
          
           
             ch
             .
             1.11.12
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             1.20
             ver
             .
             3.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             8.4.144.3
             .
          
           
             ●
             Joh.
             1.16
             .