Serm. CXLIV. acanAdvocatefor Gbrij, 29i Senfe (as Miracles do) cannot be a competent Argument, to prove that which is contrary to Senfe ? for that which makes me fure of the Miracle which fhould prove this Do&rine, does at the fame time make me equally fure that this Do&rine is not true. If there were no other Evidence, that Tranfubftantiation is no part of the ChriftianDo&rine; this to a wife Man would befufficient, thatwhat proves the one overthrows the other ; and that Miracles, which are certainly the bell, and higheft external proof of Chriftianity, are the worft proof in theWorld of Tranfubftantiation, unlefs a Man can renounce his Senfes, at the fame time that he relies upon them; for a Man cannot believe a Miracle, without relying upon his Senfes, nor Tranfubftantiation, without renouncing them : And never were any two things fo ill coupled together, as theDoariae ofChriftianity, and that of Tran- fubftantiation, becaufe they draw feveral ways, and are ready to ftrangle one ano- ther. Themain Evidence and Confirmation of the Chriftian Do&rine, which is Miracles, is refolved into the. Certainty and Teftimony of our Senfes; but this Evidence is clear and point blank againft Tranfubftantiation. II. TheConfideration of what bath been faid, convinceth Menof the great fin of Infidelity, and the Unreafonablenefs of it, after fo clear Convidion and Demonfirati- on as God hath given to the Worldofthe Truthof Chriftianity. That theGofpel was planted and propagated in the World in fowonderful a manner, and prevailed, notwithftanding all the oppofition that was made againft it: The remarkable and terrible- Deftruftion of Jerufalem, according to our Saviour's Predi&ion : The feveral attempts of rebuilding the Temple, particularly byJulian the Apoflate, iii defpite to Chriftianity, and to confute our Saviour's Predi&ion, fo remarkably fru- firated, and refitted from Heaven, by Fire flaming out of the Foundation, and confuming theWorkmen, fo that they were forced to defift; and this recorded by a Heathen Hiftorian Ammianus Marcellinue. The Difperfion of the Jewifh Nation, and their continuingfor fo many Ages, feparate and diftin& from all other People, for a ftanding accomplifhment of our Saviour's Prophecy, and a Teftimony to all Ages, of the Truth of Chriftianity. Thefe, with many more Arguments I might mention, are a clear Evidence to any one that does not obftinately wink and fiut his Eyes againft the Light, that the Do&rine of Chriftianity came from God. III. They who believe the Gofpel, are inexcufable if they do not obey it, and live according to it. This is the great end of all the Miracles which God hath wrought for theConfirmation ofChriftianity; that by the belief ofthe Gofpel, Men might be brought to the obedience of Faith, and live conformably to the Precepts of that holy Religion, which the Son of God, by fo many Miracles, hath planted and preferved in theWorld. The Infidelityof Men, will be a heavy charge upon them, at the Judgment of the great Day, and God will condemn them for it: But we that profefs to believe the Gofpel, and live contrary to it, (hall not only be condemned by the Judgment of God, but by the Sentence of our own Confcien- ces. Our Profeffion to believe theGofpel, will be an Aggravation of our Difobe- dience to it, and every Article of our Creed will be a fore Charge againft us; and that Faith, which was ordained to juftify us, will be our great Condemnation at the great Day. Therefore, as the Apoftle to the Hebrews argues, We ought to give the more ear- nefl heed to the things whichwe have heard, left at any time we fall away, either by Infidelity or Impiety of Life; for if the wordfpoken by Angels was faff, that is, if Difobedience to the Law of Mofes was fo feverely punifhed, andevery tranfgregion and difobedience received a full recompence of reward : How (hall we efcape, if we neglectfo great falvation, which was at frft fpoken by the Lord, and was confirmed afterwards by them that, heard him! God alfo bearing them witnefs, both with fgns and wonders, and withdiversmiracles, andgifts of theHoly Ghof!? For, if we fin wilfully, after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there re- mains no more facrifce for fin, but a certain fearful.looking for ofjudgment, and fiery indignation, which (hall devour the adverfüries. He that defpifed Mofes, died without Mercy, under two or three witneffes. Ofhowmuchforer punifhment _hall we be thought worthy, if we treadunder fluor the Son of God; and count the Blood ofthe Covenant, whereby we are fanflified, an unholy thing, and offer defpite to the P p a fpirit
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