tAILT tt. SERMON II. 15 be said to be á true believer in Christ, and to have the work of faith in sinceritywrought inhis heart. , Other religionshave professed an aversion to some sins, but indulged others. Some make cruelty a part of their duty, and require the saérificing of mankind to appease the anger of their' gods ; a bloody and impious practice, as well as avain and fruit- less one! Some forbid murder, but 'allow and encourage variety of uncleanness, and make that a part of their worship. Other professions have forbid wanton practices, and commended chas- tity; but they indulge resentment and revenge, as a necessary part of the character of a warrior, or a great man. Carnal and sensual lusts have been opposedand hated by some of the old philosophers, but spiritual iniquitieshave hereby been promoted. Pride has hereby been wonderfully increased, and none of them can excuse themselves from those sins which makemenvery like Satan, although theyare freed fromthe brutalityof sensuallusts. But the business of the gospel of Christ is to keep men from com- mitting any kindof sins whatsoever. Other religions have changed one lust for another; but the religion of Christ forbids all manner of iniquity, and changes the whole nature into holiness. Christianity refines the soul in all the powers of it, and inclines us to the duties both of the first and second table; it writes the law of God in the heart, and brings the soul to a sweet compliance therewith. All the affec- (ions are renewed; all Old things are done away, and all things Are become new; he that is in Christ is a new creature; he has Crucified theflesh, with its affections and lusts ; 2 Cor. v. 17. Gal. v. 24. Surely there is a spirit and power that accompanies the reli- gion of our Lord Jesus, such as other religions know not; and this was manifest abundantly in the primitive christians, when those wretches were converted, whose names were once written in that black catalogue that the apostle speaks of; 1 Cor. vi. 9. when theyby the light of the gospel, were purified, were purged from their defilements, and were made new creatures. The apostle could appeal to the Corinthian church, and say, so vile and filthy were some of you, but ye are washed,. but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God; 1 Cor. vi. 11. Not in the names of other Gods, and other religions, but in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God, Philosophy was raised to a great height in the city of Corinth ; it was almost enough for a man to be accounted learned, to have been in that city, and to have known a little of the customs of it; yet all their learning was not sufficient to reform them, for they were a profligate and lewd people still. But the religion of our Lord Jesus Christ
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