27o Sincere Obedience the heft Preparation. SERM. tribution of that happinefs is, and all the X. knowledge, and whatever elfe is requifite to `"v"jit, on what terms is it to be communicated One would naturally apprehend it fhould be on the terms of our exerting our powers in the belt manner we can to pleafe him, that is, by the practice of virtue or doing his will. This is the doctrine of the text. But the pretence of infallibility and human authority in the matters of faith and confcience, fets the whole affair on a quite different foot. It puts our religion and falvation into the hands of weak and finful mortals, and the whole virtue of Chriftianity intitling fanners to eter- nal life, mull confift in a fervile fubmifiion to their decrees. Let plain reafon judge whe- ther this be a dotrine of God, or whether men teaching it fpeak of themfelves. This pretence naturally produces the effe&s which experience fhows us it has produced where it is claimed. It eftablifhes profound igno- rance, turns religion into fuperftition, fills the hearts of men with pride, blind zeal and un- charitablenefs, and is followed with tyranny and perfecution. And in proportion where - ever there is any claim of human authority in the affairs of religion and confcience, it has the fame tendency. Perhaps, fome may imagine
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