SERrT. XV.1 A RATIdNAL- DEFENCE Ofi,, THE GoSt'EE: 2f'i7 Why should that be esteemed impossible in the affairs of religion, which is evident and plainly practicable in the affairs of this world ? Again, they think it strange that our repentance should not be enough to obtain the pardon of past sins,- and our own obedience should not procure heaven for us, But 'are not traitors and robbers, and all notorious cri- minals punished in all governments, notwithstanding their repentances ? Can their sorrow for what is past, procure a pardon of their prince ? Who then would be punished ? And is man's government in punishing cri- minals, without a satisfaction, just and reasonable? Ard shall God's government be counted unreasonable ? Can future .obedience among men obtain forgiveness for past treason and rebellion? And why then should you think the great God is obliged to accept of,it? As for the resurfection of the -dead, though it was counted a strange thing among the heathens, when it was preached to them, yet in these latter days, since the knowledge of God and his glorious attributes has been so much increased, and the reason of men has freely ex- ercised itself 'upon things divine and human; the resur- rection is not counted any impossible- thing, nor the doctrine of it incredible. And I am verily persuaded if men, whom God has endued with large capacities and great skill in reasoning, would but' employ those talents to write a rational account of most of the doctrines of our Lord Jesus Christ, it might be- done with much glory and success. As for those few doctrines of christianity, which may at first appear less reasonable to men, their abundant . attestation from heaven demands our-belief. IIL' Another occasion 'of reproach is, that the gospel teaches mortification and self- denial in a very great de- gree; conflicting with our natural appetites, and fighting against our own flesh and blood : And all that it pro- mises is an unseen heaven, a future reward, a far dis- stant happiness in another country, which eye has not seen, nor ear heard of, nor the heart of man conceived. A mere spiritual pleasure, that is to be enjoyed by the mind, and -which the body shall not taste of, till per- -haps after a thousand_ years or more. Now, as under the former head, the doctrines of the gospel are a scan-
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