3 18 The Foundation of S E R M. whole of our being, and to a length of du- XIII. ration beyond what the jealous felf -con- ' demning mind can imagine. Now, feeing God, as the governor of mankind, bath given them a law (he was written it in their hearts, and at fundry times, and in divers manners revealed his will to them) we juftly infer from his moral perfections, that he will judge them according to that law, re- warding the obedient, and punifhing the difobedient. But the queftion is, whether there be any rule whereby we may judge beforehand what fentence we are to expect ? And if there be any fuch rule, and a poffibi- lity of arriving at certainty in this judgment concerning ourfelves, here is the proper fub- ject of our moft folicitous inquiry. Who would not employ all the powers of his mind in a matter of fuch concernment, poft- poning all other affairs as trifles in compari- fon ? Who would not apply himfelf with the greateft earneftnefs to the trial of this one point, if it is to be known, what fen - tence he is to expect from the righteous and moft awful tribunal of God, and upon what terms he is with the judge of the world ? What inward confidence and fecurity of mind, what comfortable enjoyment even of his prefent exiftence mutt the man poffefs, who
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