taken up in providing the Neceffaries of SERM. Life, to be at Leisure to confider long VIII. Confequences, and weigh Arguments. Or had they Opportunities for such a Search, yet have they not the Abilities requifite to pursue it. To them, therefore, fome plainer, and more fenfible Proof must be addreffed; fomewhat that lies level to their Capacities, and of which they understand the Force at the firft Propofal: And such a fort of Argument is That, which is drawn from Miracles. There is no Man of fo rude and unpolished a Mind, no Man so stupid and infenfible, but can carry his Reasoning thus far; That, whoever does fuch things, as he could not do, unless God were with him, if at the fame time he affirms, that he received fuch and fuch Doctrines from God, we ought to believe him. There is no Subtlety, no Reach of Thought requifite, to make this Reflection; and this fingle Reflection is fufficient to make a Man a Chriftian. Whereas, if the World must have been convinced of old, as the Men who doubt SERM. doubt of every thing, and disbelieve eVIII. very thing, expect we fhould convince them now, by ftri&t Demonftrations, and long intricate Reasonings; it is certain, that the greatest Part of Mankind had lain under an inevitable Neceffity of continuing Infidels: We fee then, that the Foundation of God ftandeth fure, that the Proof of the Christian Faith by Miracles is found and fatisfactory. Let us adhere to it steadily, and devoutly adore the Divine Wildom and Goodness, which contrived it for our Sakes! Let us not be moved by the little Cavils, and Exceptions, with which perverse and unreasonable Men are used to encounter it; but let us remember, that, in this State of Imperfection, there is fcarce any Truth fo bright and clear, but that an Industrious Stirrer up of Doubts may do fomewhat towards clouding and darkning it. Let us not fit in the Seat, nor ftand in the Way, nor walk in the Council of these Ungodly, who ftudiously undermine Principles, and delight to affront the Common Common Senfe of Mankind! who fet SERM VIIL up for a Repute by disbelieving every thing, and are refolved to pay a Regard to nothing but their own deep Penetration and Prudence. Let us preferve ourfelves free from that sort of Caution and Reserve, which, left it fhould be impofed upon by false Motives of Credibility, will close with None; and for very Fear of being deceived, takes the unavoidable Way towards being deceived, by equally fufpe&ting every thing! God defend us from fuch a kind of Warinefs as this! and grant, that we may foolishly entertain fome Falfhood together with Truth, rather than be Wife to that Degree, as to esteem every thing a Falfhood; that we may be weak cnough to believe feveral Doctrines in Religion, that are Erroneous and Vain, rather than be fo backward and hardy as to believe nothing at all. For certainly, as downright Credulity and Weakness has much the Advantage of Infidelity, with regard to the Eafe and Peace of Mind it affords us in This World, SERM. World, fo is it more likely, if it errs,' VIII. to be overlooked and pardoned by God in Another: I had rather be the most eafy, tame and refigned Believer, in the moft Gross and Imposing Church in the World, (I mean that of Rome) than One of those Great and Philosophical Minds, who ftand upon their Terms with God, and ftudy to hold out as long as they can, against the Doctrines of the Gofpel, and the Arguments that are brought to prove them. To that God, who alone doth wondrous Things, and is alone able to bring fome proud Reafoners to acknowledge, that he has done them, be ascribed all Honour, Praise and Power, now and for ever! THE |