Cif the Kingdom of God. I'9 either through weaknefs and miaake, or S E R M fraud and wickednefs, reprefented it quite VI, otherwife than the gofpel doth, and than it really is. If we fhould take our notions from the conaitutions, cuftoms, and prevailing opinions of fome churches and parties, we fhould take the religion of Chrift to be all form and thew, to confia in dark unintelligi- ble fpeculations, or in mere ceremonies and ritual fervices. My brethren, this account which the apoftle giveth of the kingdom of God, you may fafely make a teft whereby to try the truth, at leaft the importance, of doc- trines and ufages pretended to have a founda- tion in the gofpel, and judge what arefs is to be laid upon them. Do they tend to ad- vance righteoufnefs, the things that are pure, true, lovely, and honeft, or even have a ne- cetfary conneaion with them ? Do they efta- bli(h the peace of our minds, and our joy, on that foundation only ? Then certainly they are of God. Have they quite the con- trary tendency, to fap the foundation of mo- rality, to loofen the bonds of our duty, or to promife men peace in the way of negli- gence, carnal fecurity, and vice ? They are pernicious, no part of the religion of Chrift, but everfive of his kingdom. N 2 I would
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