282 SEVENTH SERMON people of God ; namely, that it was altogether right, and the way which God required them to walk in, whatever judgment carnal and corrupt minds might pass upon it. Now the doctrine of God's judgments, precepts, and promises, are said to be right divers ways. 1. In regard of their equity and reasonableness, there is nothing more profoundly and exactly rational than true religion ; and therefore conversion is called by our Saviour conviction. There is a power in the word of God to stop the mouths and dispel the cavil - lations of all contradictors ; so that they shall not be able to resist, or speak against the truth that is taught, John xvi. 8. Tit. i. 9, 10. Acts vi. 10. Matt. xxii. 34. And the apostle calleth his ministry a declaration and a manifestation of the truth of God unto the consciences of men, 1 Cor. ii. 4. 2 Cor. iv. 2. and Apollos is said mightily to have convinced the Jews, showing or demonstrating by the scripture that Jesus was Christ, Acts xviii. 28. therefore the apostle calleth the devoting of ourselves unto God, a reason- able service, Rom. xii. 1. and those that obey not the word, are called unreasonable and absurd men, that have not wisdom to discern the truth and equity of the ways of God, 2 Thess. iii. 2. What can be more reasonable, than that he who made all things for him- self, should be served by the creatures which he made ? That we should live unto him who gave us our being ? That the Supreme should be obeyed, the infallible truth believed ? That he who can destroy, should be feared ? That he who doth reward should be loved and trusted in ? That absolute justice should vindicate itself against presumptuous disobedience; and absolute goodness, extend mercy unto whom it pleaseth ? It is no marvel that the Holy Spirit doth
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