will oblige every rational Creature; but this is not the Obligation we are now speaking of. The Law of Mofes then cannot add to the Number of Revelations which create us any Difficulty in determining ourselves: For, let the Cafe happen as it will, we are free from the Law. But the Law affords even to us abundant Evidence for the Truth of the Gospel. The Proofs from Prophecy are as convincing to us as to the Jews: For it matters not whether we are under the Law, or not under the Law, fince Conviction in this Cafe arifes from another and different Principle. But I haften to a Conclufion.

Let us then confider briefly, what Alteration has happened fince the Coming of Chrift to disturb and unsettle our Judgments in this great Affair. A Man perhaps, who is a great Reader, may be able to produce many Inftances of Impoftors fince that Time, and imagine that they are all fo many dead Weights upon the Caufe of Revelation: But what is become of them, and their Doctrine? they are vanished, and their Place is not to be found. What Pretence is there then to fet up thefe Revelations? Is God grown fo weak and impotent, that we may fuppofe these to be his Revelations, and intended for

the

the Ufe of the World, had he not been baffled at first setting out? If God intends a Law for the Ufe of the World, he is obliged, if I may use the Expreffion, to publish the Law to the World: And thereföre Want of fuch Publication evidently fhews that God was not concerned in them, or at least did not intend that we should be concerned in them: And therefore 'tis abfurd to instance in fuch Pretences as Difficulties in our Way, which in truth are not in our Way at all.

And thus the Cafe of Revelation stood, and the Gospel had no Competitor, till the great and fuccessful Impoftor Mahomet arose: He indeed pretends a Commiffion to all the World, and found Means fufficiently to publish his Pretences: He afferts his Authority upon the Strength of Revelation, and endeavours to transfer the Advantages of the Gospel Evidence to himself, having that Pattern before him to copy after: And, should we say that the Alcoran was never promulged to us by Perfons duly commiffioned, it may be answered perhaps, that the Alcoran is as well published to us as the Gospel is to them; which has fome Appearance of an Anfwer, though the Fact is indeed otherwise;

for

for even the Alcoran owns Jefus for a true Prophet.

But with respect to this Inftance I perfuade myself it can be no very distracting Study to find Reasons to determine our Choice. Go to your Natural Religion: Lay before her Mahomet and his Difciples arrayed in Armour and in Blood, riding in Triumph over the Spoils of thousands and tens of thousands, who fell by his victorious Sword: Shew her the Cities which he fet in Flames, the Countries which he ravaged and destroyed, and the miferable Diftrefs of all the Inhabitants of the Earth. When fhe has viewed him in this Scene, carry her into his Retirements: Shew her the Prophet's Chamber, his Concubines and Wives; let her fee his Adultery, and hear him alledge Revelation and his divine Commiffion to juftify his Luft and his Oppreffion. When she is tired with this Profpect, then fhew her the bleffed Jefus, humble and meek, doing Good to all the Sons of Men, patiently inftructing both the Ignorant and the Perverfe. Let her fee him in his moft retired Privacies: Let her follow him to the Mount, and hear his Devotions and Supplications to God. Carry her to his Table to view his poor Fare, and hear his

heavenly

heavenly Discourse. Let her fee him injured, but not provoked: Let her attend him to the Tribunal, and confider the Patience with which he endured the Scoffs and Reproaches of his Enemies. Lead her to his Crofs; and let her view him in the Agony of Death, and hear his last Prayer for his Perfecutors: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!

When Natural Religion has viewed both, afk, Which is the Prophet of God? But her Answer we have already had; when she saw Part of this Scene thro' the Eyes of the Centurion who attended at the Crofs; by him she spoke, and faid, Truly this Man was the Son of God.

DISCOURSE