Serm. LXV. and his Religion confider'd. 469 3. The Divifions of Chrifiians are fo far from being anArgument againft Chri- ftianity, that on the contrary, they are an Argument that Men fhould embrace Chriftianity more heartily, and make more Confcience of obeying the Precepts of it. And if they did this, the greateft part of thole Contentions and unchari- table Animofities which are among themwould prefently ceafe. If the Chriftian Religion were truly entertained, and Men did ferioufly mind the Preceptsof it, and give up themfelves to the Obedience of its Laws, Differences would not be eafily commenced, nor fo vehemently profecuted, nor fo pertinacioufly continued in as they are. Men would not, upon every flight Reafon, and little Doubt and Scruple, rend and tear the Body of Chrift in pieces, and feparate them - felves from the Communion of the Church they live in, and in which they were baptized and received their Chriftianity. If Men ferioufly confider'd, and truly underftood what they do, when they divide the Church of Chrift upon little Scruples and Pretences, they would hard- ly be able to think themfelves Chriftians, whilft they continued in thefe unchri- ftian and uncharitable Pra&ices. If Men would but be, ordo what Chriftianity requires, there would be no occalion for this Obje&ion; and if Men will not, Chrittian Religion is not to be blamed for it, but thofe that a& fo contrary to the plain Preceptsand Dire&i- ons of it. I proceed to the Seventh and 141 Obje&ion, Thevicious and wicked Lives of a great part of the Profeffors of Chriftianity. . This is a heavy Obje&ion indeed, and fuch an one, that though we may juftlybe afhamed to own the Truth of it, yet can we not have the face to deny it. 'Tis fo fad a Truth, that it is enough to confound us, and to fill all our Faces withShame and Blufhing : But yet it is an Objection not fo ftrong againft Chriftianity, as it is thameful to Chrifliaps. And nötwith- ftanding the utmoft Force of it, we have no caufe to be afhamedof theGofpel of Chrift ; but the Gofpel of Chrift may juftly be afhamed of us. For whatever webe, The Goffel of Chrill is thepower of God unto Salvation. The Natural Ten- dency of it is to reform and fave Men, and the wrath of Godis therein revealed a- gainfi all Vngodlinefs and 7Jnrighteoufnefs of Men, however they may detain the Truths of God in Vnrighteoufnefs, and not fuller them to have their due and proper Influence upon their Hearts and Lives. But that I may give a more clear and particular Anfwer to it, I defiré you to attend to thefe following Confiderations. t. It cannot be denied, but that Chriftianity hash, had once very great and marvellous Effe&s upon the Hearts andLives of Men. And for this I appeal to the Livesand Manners of the Primitive .Chriftians, for which we have not only the Teftimonyof our own Books" and Writers, but evenof the Adverfaries of our Religion. What Reformation Chriftianity at firft wrdtght in the Manners of Men, we have clear and full Teftimony, from what the 'Apoftle wrotecon- cerning the feveral Churches,which they planted in feveral Parts of the World. What hearty Unity and Affe&ion there was among Chriftfans'; even to that Del gree, as tomake Men bring in their privateEftates and "Poffeffions for the common Support of their Brethren,' . wevmay read in the Hiftory of the Ailr of the,Apo- files. The City. of Corinth,, by the Account whichStrabo givesof it, was a 'very vicious and luxurious place, as molt in the-Worlds and "yet we fee by St.-Pad, what a ftrangeReformation theChriftian - Religion made in the Lives'and'M'an- nets of many of:them: i Cor. 6. g, ID, .14i Be not deceived; neither forisica- tors, nor adulterers, nor idolaters, nor effeminate, nor thieves, nor covetous, "'nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, !haltiisheelt the Kingdomof God. And loch were force of you 'Jut yearewaffled,' hut. ye are fanihifr'éd but yearé juflified, in the Name of the Lord jefes and by the Spirit of our God. And furely it is no (mall matter to reclaim Men from fuch a-profligate-courfeofLife. The Apoftle inftanceth in Crimes and Vices of the firft Rate, from which yet he tells us many were cleanfed and purified by the Name of the Lord`Jefus, and the Spirit of God; that is, by the Powerand Efficacy of the ChriÉtian Do&rine, together with the Go.operation of God's HolySpirit. After
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