Of a confcience void of Offence, 153 ligion and civil fociety. For as to religion, S E R M. he agreed with the Jews in worfhipping the VII. God of his and their fathers, and receiving without exception what they alfo profefs'd to be the rule of their faith, namely, all that is written in the law of Moles and the prophets : Particularly he hoped in God, which the Pharifees themfelves, his fierce accufers, alfo allowed, for a future refu rec- tion of the dead, as that which fhall com- plete the felicity of good men. What harm could poffibly accrue to the intereft and profèfion of true religion, where fuch prin- ciples were uniformly maintained ? Efpeci- ally if we add, what the apoftle afferts to have been the genuine effect of them upon his mind, and his converfation ; and herein do I exert fe myfelf to have always a confcience void of ofènce towards God and towards men. This is the true teft, by which our pretended zeal for religion, and belief of its doctrines, are to be tried and determined. Without it zeal is but a human, indeed a corrupt paß'ion : And faith, or profeflion, be it ever fo found, no better than infide- lity. But, he that fincerely exercifes him- felf herein, to have always a confcience void of ojènce, in effect the fame, that feareth God
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