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ON SEVERAL

SUBJECTS and OCCASIONS,

By the most Reverend

Dr. JOHN TILLOTSON,

LATE

Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.

VOLUME the SEVENTH.

TOR LIBR

STOR

LONDON:

Printed for C. HITCH and L. HAWES, J. HODGES, A. MILLAR,

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J. and R. TONSON, G. WOODFALL, J. RIVINGTON, J,
RIVINGTON and J. FLETCHER, J. WARD, R. BALDWIN,

W. JOHNSTON, S. CROWDER and H. WOODGATE, M. and
T. LONGMAN, P. DAVEY and B. LAW, A. and C. CORBET,
R, WARE, and M. COOPER. MDCC LVII.

1

SERMON CXI.

The danger of all known fin, both from the light of nature and revelation.

ROM. i. 18, 19.

For the wrath of GOD is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteoufnefs of men, who hold the truth in unrighteoufnefs; because that which may be known of GOD is manifeft in them, for God hath fhewed it unto them.

I

CXI.

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N the beginning of this chapter, the apoftle de- SER M. clares that he was particularly defigned and appointed by God to preach the gofpel to the The first world, and that he was not afhamed of his miniftry, this text. notwithstanding all the reproach and perfecution it was attended withal, and notwithstanding the flight and undervaluing opinion which the world had of the doctrine which he preached, it being "to the Jews a

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ftumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness;" for tho' this might reflect fome difparagement upon it in the esteem of fenfual and carnal men, yet to those who weighed things impartially, and confider'd the excellent end and defign of the chriftian doctrine, and the force and efficacy of it to that end, it will appear to be an inftrument admirably fitted by the wisdom of Gop, for the reformation and falvation of mankind.

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SERM.

CXI.

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And therefore he tells us, verfe 16. that how much foever it was defpifed by that ignorant and inconfiderate age, "he was not afhamed of the gofpel of CHRIST; because it is the power of GoD "unto falvation, to every one that believeth, to the Jew firft, and alfo to the Greek;" that is, the doctrine of the gospel fincerely believed and embraced, is a moft proper and powerful means, defigned by GoD for the falvation of mankind; not only of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles.

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The revelations which God had formerly made, were chiefly restrained to the jewish nation; but this great and last revelation of the gospel, was equally calculated for the benefit and advantage of all mankind. The gospel indeed was first preached to the Jews, and from thence publish'd to the whole world; and as this doctrine was defign'd for the general benefit of mankind, fo it was very likely to be effectual to that end, being an inftrument equally fitted for the falvation of the whole world, Gentiles as well as Jews; "it the power of GOD to falvation to every "one that believes, to the Jew first, and alfo to the "Greek."

And to fhew the efficacy of it, he inftanceth in two things, which render it fo powerful and effectual a means for the falvation of mankind.

First, because therein the grace and mercy of GoD in the juftification of a finner, and declaring him righteous is fo clearly revealed, ver. 17. "For therein "is the righteoufnefs of God revealed, from faith to

faith, as it is written, the just shall live by faith." This is very obfcurely expreft, but the meaning of this text will be very much cleared, by comparing it with another in the iiid chapter of this epiftle, ver.

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