Abernathy - Houston-Packer Collection BX9178.A33 S4 1748 v.4

Of Cbri/lian Liberty. ios in thofe things ferveth Chrifl, is acceptable to S E R M. God, and approved of men. The end of the 117. gofpel inftitution, is to inftru& men how they may obtain the divine acceptance, and to be the foundation of a religious fociety. Now to thefe ends nothing more is neceffary than the great fubftantials of religion, uni- verfal righteoufnefs, and peace, and fpiritual joy, arifing from them ; for he that in thofe things ferveth Chrift, fulfilleth the defign of chriftianity, is intitled to the favour of God, and approved by men, to be received by chri- ftians into all the intimacies of their religi- ous fellowfhip, without fubmitting to any other impofition. It followeth, that chriftians can be under no human appointment whatever, in matters purely of religion and confcience ; and this allo is one part of the liberty wherewith Chrift bath made them free. There never was, nor ever will be, a more plaufible ap- pearance of reafon for ufing, or requiring to be ufed, any external obfervances not infti- tuted by Jefus Chrift, than for fome at leaft of the Jewifh ceremonies, which, befides their being inftruf1ive emblems of moral purity, and probably fo originally intended, had once the fan Lion of divine authority, a ftrong argument of their innocence, and be- ing

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