36 Of Gonflancy of the Profe/on of the True Religion. Vola. argues a diflruft of the Goodnefs ofour Caufe and Religion, to be afraid to hear what can be laid againft it ; as if Truth were fo weak, that in every Conflift it were in danger to be baffled, and run down, and go by the worft ; and as if the Reafòns, that could be brought againft it, were too hard for it, and not to be en- counter'd by thofe Forces which Truth has on its fide. We have that honeft Confidence of the goodnefs of our Caufe and Religion, that we do not fear what can be fail againft at ; and therefore we do not forbid our People to examine the Obje&ions of our Adverfaries, and to read the heft Books they can write againft it. But the Church of Rome are fo wife in their Generation, that they will not permit thofe of their Communion to hear or read what can be faid againft them : Nay, they will not permit the People the Ufe of the Holy Scriptures, which they, with us, acknowledge to be at leaft an Eílènti- al Part of the Rule of Faith. They tell their People, that after they are once of their Church and Religion, they ought not to hear, any Reafons againft it ; and though they be never fo ftrong, they ought not to entertain any doubt concern- ing it ; becaufe all doubting is a Temptation of the Devil, and a Mortal Sin. But furely that Church is not to be heard, which will not hear Reafon ; nor that Reli- gion to be much admired, which will not allow thofe that have once embrac'd it, to hear it ever after debated and examined. This is a very fufpicious Bufinefs, and argues, that either, they have not Truth on their fide ; or that Truth is a weak, and pitiful, and fneakingThing, and not able to make its party good againft Error. I fhould now have proceeded in . the Second place, to Phew Pofitively what is implied in holding fall the Profdion of our Faith without wavering; and theta to have confidered the Argument and Encouragement hereto, Becaufe be isfaith- fitl that promifed. But I (hail proceed no farther at this time. The Pond Sermon on this Text. S E R M O N V. Of Col-Abney in the Profefïion of the True Religion. H E B. X. 23. Let us hold f4 the Prbfejon of our Faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promifeil. j Have already made entrance into thefe Words, which I told you do contain in I them, Fief, An Exhortation to hold fazf the Profeon of our Faith without wavering. Secondly, An Argument or Encouragement thereto; becaufe he isfaithful that protiaifed. If we continue ftedfaft and faithful to God, we (hall find him faithful to us, in making good all the Promifes which he hathmade to us, whether of Aid and Support, or ofRecompence and Reward of our Fidelity to him. I have begun to handle the Firli part of the Text, viz. The Apoftle's Exhor- tation toChriftians to be conftant and fteady in their Religion : Let us holdfa/l the profelionof our Faith Without wavering. The Word aistxtai, which we render inithout wavering, li nifies inflexible and unmovable, not apt to waver and to be fhaken with ever wind of contrary Dotirine, nor by the Blafts and Storms of Per- fecution. And that we might the better comprehend the full and truemeaning of this Exhortation, I propounded to do thefe Two Things. I. To
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