to Contiíbnig 1 n',0 iiebtniption. 377 The End is the character of its nature. Thewhole Chap. 19. contexture and harmony of its DoEtrines, Precepts, Promifes, Threatnings is for the exaltation ofGodli- nefs. The objets of' Faith revealed are not meetly fpeculative, to be conceived and believed only as true, or to begazed on in an Extaûe of Wonder, but are My- pries ofGodlinefs, that have apowerful influence upon pra&ice. The Defign ofGod inthe publication of them, is not only to enlighten the Mind, but to warm the Heart and purifie the AffeEtions. God difcovers his Nature that we imitateHim, and his Works that we may glorifie Him. All the Precepts of the Gofpel are toembrace Chrift by a lively Faith, to feek for R ighte- oufnefs and Holinefs inHim ; to live Godly, R ighte- oufly, and Soberly in this prefent world. When our Saviour was on the Earth, the End of his Sermons, as appears in the Gofpel,was to regulate the lives of Men, tocorreet their vicious Pallions rather than to explicate the greateft Myfteries. Other Religions oblige their Difciples either to fumeexternal aEtions that have no moral worth in them, fo that'ris impofiible for any one that is guided by Reafon to be taken withfuchvanities : Or they require things incommodious and burthenfome. The Priefts of Baal cut themfelves. And among the Chinefes, though in great reputationfor wifdom, their .Penitents expofe themfelves halfnaked to the injuries of the fharpeft Weather;with a doublecruelty andpleafure of the Devil, who makes them freez here, and expeets they fhould burn for ever hereafter. 'Tis not the molt aria obfervance offerious Trifles,nor fubmitting to ri- gorous Aufterities,that ennobles thehumane nature, and commends us toGod. Themolt zealous performers of things indifferent,& that chaflife themfelves with abloo- dy Difcipline,labour for nothing and may pafs to Hell throughPurgatory. But the ReligionofChrift reforms C c c the
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