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Show " ' [ 5 ] the Blood of Chrift ;-~-becaufe we can have no and recommended them to us by fuch new and additional Motives as never could have been Hopes of future Happinefs 'till we have HOpes of Pardon. And as Mankind are all Sinners, conceived or thought of, without the Light of fome Scheme of Reconciliation mull: firit take Revelation. Effect, before we can pretend to look up for Rewards, and enjoy the Profpeéts of immortal THUS therefore it appears, that the Chriflian Revelation is both a Rule of Life for this World, Glory. and Reconciliation is the only one which can and a Syf'tem of Reconciliation and Happinefs for the next. And the Words of the Text very give Satisfaction in this interefiing Point: Be- emphatically comprehend them both ;---Godli- caufe it exhibits the only ,Means whereby Sin. nefs is profitable unto all Things, having the Promife of the Life that now is, as well as that which is to come. - My chief Bulinefs at prefent {hall be, to confider Religion as a C/zriflz‘mz Rule of Living, and to obferve the Influence and Effect it was intended to have on all the Parts of human Conduct. As a Rule of Life,---it muff confift in the Now the Chrif'tian Plan of Redemption nets are alfured of Pardon -, nay it explains the Method how it comes to pafs that their im- perfect Services are entitled to the highel't Rewards. Therefore Godliizefs, or Religion in this Senfe, is peculiarly profitable, as doing that which no other Syf'lem can do, by opening to our View the Glories of an immortal State, and encouraging us to afpire after them with a rea- fonable and well~grounded Confidence of Suecefs. BUT Religion, confidered merely as a Rule of Life, has nothing in it, which is peculiarly Chrifiian :-- -My Meaning is, that it would have due Regulation of our Paflions and Enjoyments: or, in other Words, it mull direct, every Movement, Appetite, or Inclination, to a right End, and fuperintend the Gratification of our Dcfires, f0 as that they may never exceed their due Bounds. Human Nature is compofed of two dif'tinét Principles, Rmfmz and Inc/{marina 3 Rea- been incumbent on us to have performed the fame Duties, as far as we could have difcovcred them, tho' the Chrif'tian Revelation had never fon to direct and guide, and Inclination to im- been vouchfafed. But it mull be always 21C- When thefe two concur, then the Chril‘tian Rule knowledged, with great Thankfulnefs, that Di- is exemplified by a Chrillian Practice; but when vine Revelation has fiated and explained thefc Duties in the molt clear and forcing Manner, they differ, the Law in the Members Wars againfi the Law in the Mind, and brings the A 3 Slave ' ant-l pel and move us towards different Objects. ‘. - Mui‘ was, A 1319]! UK A iYMMV were "l"??? v A v [ 4 ] |