588 The Excellency and Univerfality of Vol.II. Eáft to Weft in a moment ; fo theGofpel was propagated with incredible fwiftnefs, 'anddid in avery fhort fpace diffufe it felf over theWorld. Thus I might tell you, that in thefe and many more fuch pretty refpeds, the Do&rive of the Gofpel is call'd a light : but I do not love to hunt down a Metaphor ; for I know very well, that the Scripture (like other Authors) ufetha Metaphor only to onepurpofe at one time; and tho' many more fimilitudes mayby fancy be found out, it is certain, but one is intended ; which I take noticeof on purpofe to reprove the vanity and inju- dicioufnefs of chafingMetaphors farther than ever they were intended : foraMe-. taphor is commonly ufed to reprefentto ourminds the firft and molt obvious likenefs of things. Thus the Doctrine ofthe Gofpel is called light, in refpe&of the clear- nefs of its difcovery, it being one of the chiefandmolt obvious PropertiesofLight, to difcover and make vifible it felf, and other things. So the Apoftle tells us, Ephef. 5. i 3. But all things that are reproved, are made manifeit by the light: and in this refpe&, and no other, the Do&rine ofthe Gofpel is here called a light; becaufe it clearly difcovers to the world thofe things, which theywere either whol- ly ignorant or uncertain ofbefore ; and withal it carries its own Evidence along with it, andbath plain Characters ofits own Divinity upon it. And hereI might fhew at large thefe two things. Firfi, What Difcoveries the Doctrine of the Gofpel hath made to the world. Secondly, What Evidence it brings along with it of its own Divinity, that it i from God. Fir l, What Difcoveries the Doctrine of the Gofpel hath made to the world. It bath more clearly difcovered, I. The Natureof God, which is the great Foundation of Religion. 2. Our own finful and miferable State. 3. The way and means ofour Remedy and Recovery out of it. 4. Amore perfed and certain Law and Rule of Life. 5. A snore powerful Aíliftance, for the aid and encouragement of our Obe- dience. 6. And lafily, the Gofpel bath more clearly difcovered to us the eternal Re- wards and Punifhments of another world, which are the great Arguments toObe -. . See his dience and a holy Life. I shall go over thefe as briefly as I can, having elfewhere Gra e'sser- treated more largely on fome ofthem, mons pub- IOW ,I. In. the Doctrine of the Gofpel we have a clear Difcovery made to us of the. hifelf, Nature of God ; which is the great Foundation of all Religion. For fuch as mens vol. r. Notions andConceptions ofGod are, fuch will their religious Worfhip and Services sere,. S' of him be; either worthy of him, and becoming his great and glorious Majelty; or vain and fuperftitious, anfwerable to the Idol of their own Imagination : and fuch will be the a&ions of their lives ; for all Men make their God their Example, and efteem it an effential piece of Religion, to endeavour to be like him. Now the Gofpel gives usthe moll true and perfect Character of the Divine Nature, molt agreeable to Reafon , and the wifeft and belt Apprehenfions of Mankind, fuch a Character as is apt to beget inus the higheft love and reverence towards him , and to engage us to the Imitation of him by the conftant pra&ice ofholinefs and virtue, reprefenting him to us as molt amiable for his Goodnefs, and molt dreadful for his Power andjuftice, defcribing him to be a pure Spirit, which the Heathen did not generallybelieve ; and confequently to be worfhipped in fuch a manner, as is moll 'nimble to his fpiritualNature, concerning which thejews were infinitely miftaken: for God did not Command Sacrifices to the Jews, and all thofe external and trou- blefome Obfervances, becaufe they were molt agreeable to his own Nature; but becaufe of the groffnefs of their Apprehenfions, and the carnality and hardnefsof their hearts. God did not prefcribe this way ofWorlhip tothem, becaufe it was heft ; but becaufe the temper of thatpeople, which was fo very prone to Idolatry would admit ofno other. TheGofpel likewife difcovers to us more clearly the Goodnefs ofGod, and his, great Love to Mankind, one of thebelt and firongeft Motives inthe world to the love ofGod. The Heathen did generally dread God, and look upon him as fierce and revengful, and therefore they ftudied by allnieans to appeafe him, even byhu- q mane
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