:

ON SEVERAL

SUBJECTS and OCCASIONS,

By the most Reverend

Dr. JOHN TILLOTSON,

Printed for C. HITCH and L. HAWES, J. HODGES, A. MILLAR,
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. WORE, and M. COOPER. MDCC LVII.

SERMON

CXIΙ.

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 unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God hath shewed it unto them.

I

CXI.

N the beginning of this chapter, the apostle de- SERM.
clares that he was particularly defigned and ap-
pointed by Gon to preach the gofpel to the The first

fermon on

world, and that he was not ashamed of his ministry, thi
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
ftumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness;"
for tho' this might reflect some difparagement upon
it in the esteem of sensual and carnal men, yet to
those who weighed things impartially, and confider'd
the excellent end and design of the christian doctrine,
and the force and efficacy of it to that end, it will
appear to be an instrument admirably fitted by the
wisdom of God, for the reformation and salvation
of mankind.

SERM.
CXI.

~~

And therefore he tells us, verse 16. that how much foever it was despised by that ignorant and inconfiderate age, " he was not ashamed of the gof

pel of CHRIST; because it is the power of GoD "unto salvation, to every one that believeth, to the

Jew first, and also to the Greek;" that is, the doctrine of the gospel sincerely believed and embraced, is a most proper and powerful means, defigned by God for the falvation of mankind; not only of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles.

The revelations which God had formerly made, were chiefly restrained to the jewish nation; but this great and laft 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 design'd for the general benefit of mankind, so 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 also to the "Greek."

And to shew the efficacy of it, he instanceth in two things, which render it so powerful and effectual a means for the falvation of mankind.

First, because therein the grace and mercy of GOD in the justification of a finner, and declaring him righteous is so clearly revealed, ver. 17. "For therein " is the righteousness of God revealed, from faith to " faith, as it is written, the just shall live by faith." This is very obscurely exprest, but the meaning of this text will be very much cleared, by comparing it with another in the iiid chapter of this epistle, ver.