SER M. as they are determined to ftand by the ReIV. ligion of Nature, they are never likely to get

further than the State of the natural Man, or the Man of human Reason and worldly Wifdom; who, as St Paul tells us, receiveth not the Things of the Spirit of God, that is, doth not admit of Revelation, or the Mysteries of God, though they be discovered to him; as the best Interpreters understand it. They may much improve their Ways of thinking, and much enlarge and enrich their Schemes by studying the Christian Doctrines and Morals, yet they will be no nearer God than the most ignorant and barbarous of the Heathens; and how much farther off on Account of their fo much greater Lights and Advantages, God only knoweth.

In the mean Time it is obvious enough to observe, how very improper it is to call their Systems of Morals, the Religion of Nature; which if we wanted to know we should look for among the Americans, or other Heathens living yet in a State of Darkness and Ignorance; among whom we may fee Nature as it really is, with fuch a Religion as it will actually af ford. Whereas that which our new Rea

foners

IV.

foners present to us for the Religion of Nature, S ER M. is truly a quite different Thing, viz. What human Reafon with its utmost Improvements by Revelation can direct to be done, if human Nature were not, as it is, corrupted. But what are all the Prescriptions of an enlightened Understanding to a blind, perverse, and unconverted Will ? They only constitute a Theory of Religion for a natural Man, which it is utterly impoffible for a natural Man to put in Practice; which fufficiently fhews the Abfurdity of them.

I conclude with obferving what is chiefly to be remarked upon this Head, that we have great Reason to look upon the Devil as the principal Author of all those Attempts (however gravely and fpeciously carried on as upon a Foot of Reason and Morality) which are made on Purpofe to deftroy or invalidate the Influence and Credit of Revelation and Grace; efpecially where the Perfons themselves, who are the Inftruments in these Attempts, do not feem to be Slaves either to the World or the Flesh, or to be directly influenced by them. But it comes to the fame Thing if they be Slaves to their own Principles, that is, to fuch

SER M. Principles as are a Foundation for the Doctrines

IV.

of Devils.

'Tis then the old Serpent most shews his Skill, when he takes the Advantage of Mens crude Way of Thinking, and fubtly improves their Indigeftions of natural Notions and Truths into fuch maglinant and incurable Distempers. of their Minds, as make them check at all the wholsome Prescriptions which the great Phyfician of our Souls has been pleafed in Mercy to offer us to correct and help our natural Infirmities, and give us true Health and Salva

tion.

I shut up all with the Words of the Apostle. If our Gofpel be hid, it is hid to them that are loft, in whom the God of this World bath blinded the Minds of them that believe not, left the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should Shine forth unto them.

DISCOURSE II. Preached at the Com

mencement, 1729.

John vii. 17.

If any Man will do his Will, he fall know of the Doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I Speak of my

Self.

HA

AVING upon the two former Occa- S ER M. fions in this Place opened and ex

plained the meaning of thefe Words, I fhall now, to avoid all Repetition of the Proofs and Reasonings for the ascertaining that meaning, take a few Things for granted, and only make mention of them, as Points neceffary to be carried in the Mind, while I profecute the main Subject to a Conclufion.

1. That by the Word Doctrine in my Text, is meant the Gofpel, or the Will of God taught by our Saviour, as diftinguished from all other Notices or Revelations of God's Will to Mankind.

2. That

V.

I

2. That by knowing of the Doctrine is meant the believing or being convinced of the Truth and Divinity of the Gofpel, that it is from Heaven and infallible; or, in other Words, the admitting it as a divine Revelation.

3. That by God's Will in the former Part of the Verfe (which is mentioned as fomething diftinct from the Doctrine to be, believed) is to be understood all that Knowledge of God and Duty, which Men were premstructed in, or acquainted with, either by the Light of Nature, or through the Benefit of former Revelations, previous to our Saviour's Inftructions and Improvements in Religion.

4. That by doing God's Will, which is the Qualification required for the ready Admiffion of the Gospel, is meant the living agreeably to thofe prior Notices of him, and those Perfuafions concerning Religion and Morality, which obtained among Mankind before the perfect Knowledge of God's Will was introduced into the World by Jefus Chrift.

5. Laftly, By being willing to do this Will,

is meant a Difpofition of Mind to serve and please God, and preferve a religious Character according to that Proportion of Light and

Know