j44 Of the Necefty ref good Works. expedience; and about fuch-things as are no more reafonable grounds of quarrels among Chrtftians, than the differences of Men's ftature and faces, would be a juft ground for Mankind to make War upon one another? Where is the Power of Religion, when the Peace and Unity of Chriftians is vio- lated upon thefe terms? It is a lign that the life and fubftance of Religion is little regarded by us, when Men can afford to imploy fo much zeal about thefe things. And that Men may be effeetually perfüaded to mind the fubftance of Religion more, let me delire them to imprint thefe three confìderations upon their minds. I. That the parts of Religion are fubordinate to one another, and are to be minded each in their due place. The Means of Religion are lefs worth than the End, and therefore deferve our regard chiefly in order to that. The Circumflances of Religion are lefs confiderable, than the Means and tenements of it, and there- fore are to be fubordinated to them. Faith is in order to the praílice of a good life, and lignifies nothing, unlefs it produces that. So that the tffue and upfhot of all, is a holy and virtuous life, To deny ungodlinefs and worldly lulls, and to live foberly, and righ.teoufly, and godly in this prefent world i to love Godand our neigh- bour; to deal juftly, and to be kind, and peaceable, and charitable towards all Men. II. Confider that Religion confifts in an entire and univerfal obedience to the Will of God, in a refped to all his commandments, and hating every evil way: Here the Power of Godlinefr confifts in being holy in all manner of`converfation. III. Confider that Religion chiefly refpetts God, and anotherWorld. A Form of Religion, if it were artificially contrived, might poffibly ferve to cheat Men, and be ufeful enough to all the interefts and advantages of this World. But we are to doall things in reference to God, who cannot be impofed upon with (hews and pretences; and with regard tó another World, where no Form of Religion will be current without the Power of it. Yea, and in 'reference to this World, if there be any advantage in feeming religious, certainly the belt way to feem to be fo, is to be fo indeed. SF;RMON CLIII. Of the Neceffity of Good Works. TI T.IILS. This is a faithful faying, and thefe things I will that thou affirm con- fantly, that they which have believed in God, might be careful to main- tain good works. Thefe things are good and profitable unto men. The .felt THIS Epiftle of St.PauitoTitus, whom he had made Bifhop of Crete, con- Sermon on tains díreftiotis how he ought to demean himfelf in that great charge. 'this Text. I. By appointing in every City Bifhops or Elders to teach and govern thefe that were already, or fhould afterwards by their means be converted to the Faith of Chrift high OOffic and to Menof very careful mAe choice unblam ble worthy and fit s, Chap. a. from verh5. to the end. s. By 2
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