262 SERMONS upon Serm. 29. Nature M a molt worthy -and-" glorious manner. And for Precepts, Deut. 4. 8. What Nation is there fo great, that bath Statees and judgments fo Righteous, as all this Law, which l'have fit, before thee this day ? Where are there fuch Precepts ? where Ouch Pro- miles ? fuch a manïfeftanon of Happinefs ? fuch Purity ? There have been Corrup- tions in the beft`things to which Man ever put his Hand, mixtures of Falfhood and Folly ; but here all is Pure and Divine. Where are there fuch Comforts for atlli &ed Confciences ? Jer. 6.16. Stand ye in the Ways and fee, and ask for the old Paths, Where is the good Way ? and walk there si, and ye fsall find refi for your Souls. Mat. 1 i.28. Come onto me, all }e that are Weary and heavy laden, and ye fliaß find refi fr your Souls. Go and Purvey all the Religions in the World, whatever pretence they be of fee where you can find fuch Refl for your Souls, fuch Provifion for the Comfort and everlafting Happinefs of the Creature, fuch rich Encouragements for afili&ed Confeiences. That which all Religions aim at, is here only acçomplifhed. 4. Beg the Light of the Spirit. What will your Arguing" reprove ? David faith, Plat. 36.9. In thy Light we fliall fee Light ; We (hall never elfe have any certainty. i Cor. 2. t4: The natural Man receiveth "not the Things of the Spirit of God, for they are folifh- nefs unto him, neither can he know them, becaufe they are fpiritually difcerned. Verf 15. But he that k f iritual, judgeth all things. The Spirit in the Heart difcerns the Spirit in the Scriptures, as the Sun is leen by its own Light. 5.. Till you have Certainty by the Light of the Spirit, pra&ife what the Scripture enjoins upon thefe rational Inducements. John 7. 17. If any Man will do his Will, he fiat! know-of the Doarine, whether it be of God, or whether I freak of my. felf. You will fay, What is the meaning of this Promu e ? before doing the Will of God, we mutt of neceffity know it. Anfw. it is true, before you know it certainly. There are degrees of Knowledg ; Firfl, we know the Scriptures to be the Word of God by rational Inducements, and force foregoing, Light of the Spirit, as thole that are bred in the Church. They that wOuld know not to wrangle, but to pra&ife, (hall have new Light till they grow up to a greater Certainty. It concerneth chiefly weak and doubting Chrifians ; do that you. may believe, believe that you may do. They that let their Hearts to fear and obey him, fhull be clearly refolved of the Chriftian Faith. 21 fe 2. It teaclieth us thefe Duties. 1. To make the Word the Judg of all Controverfies. There God fpeaketh to us. A Father having many Children; while he lives, he governeth them himfelf, and need- eth no Will and Teftanieat ; but a little before he dieth, that his Children may not fall out, he calleth Witnefs, maketh his", Will. Volontatern foam de pea ore morituro transfert in tabular dio duratnras. If any Controverfy happen, Non itur ad Tumulum, fed quceritur Teflamentum, faith Optatus. In this Teftament he fpeaketh his Mind, as if he were alive. God taught by Oracle ; Chrift, when bodily prefent, taught his Dif- ciples by Word ; but his Will and Teftament is written. Ifa.8. 20. To the Law, and to the Teflimony : if they freak not according to this Word, it is becaofe there is no Light in them. a. Make it your Dire &ion, and confiant Rule. of Faith and Manners. All other Rules are uncertain, the Traditions and Opinions of Men. Pfal. 119. 152. Concern- ing thy Teflimonies I have known of old, that thou hafi founded them for ever. Among Men, ial blac ce urvís,imvet , faith Ar 1otle: what one Age counteth Juft and Good, a- nother counteth Vain and Frivolous; but God bath given us a titled Rule. Not Pro- vidence; it is to be obferved, but it doth not always fpeak by way of Approbation, nor point out the bell Way. Not impulle of. Spirit; this is CO be regarded with other Circumftances of a known Duty. Alls 17.16. His Spirit was furred in him,when he law the City wholly given to Idolatry. Ads 18. 5. Paul was prefd inSpirit, and teftifted to the "yews, that yefus'was Chrifi. Not Necefhity; Man never was neceffitated to fin. Da- vid's eating the Shew-Bread in neceffity,does not prove it. For Ceremonials mutt give place to Moral Duties. But now obferve the Word, as if God himfelffpake from Hea- ven, Gen. 3. 3. God bath fold, Te Thall not eat of it, neither fliall ye touch it, left ye die. What the Word faith, God faith; Pfal. ng. 105. Thy Word is a Light unto my Feet; and a Lamp unto my Paths. r SERM.
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