263 A RATIONAL DEFENCE OF THE 6O5PEL. [SEAM. X0. dal to the men of reasoning, so under this they become a scandal and reproach to those that are literally- called men of sense,. who are carnalized and immersed in sen- suality. They think it strange to forego the joys ofsense for the hopes of enjoying a happiness in a world they do not know when or where. But I need not stand long to answer this calumny ; for even some of the refined philosophers gave sufficient re- buke to this sensual temper : The very heathens could say enough to abate this censure, and to remove this oc- casion of shame, though the gospel of Christ does it in- fnitely better. Christianity does not abridge us of the common com- forts of flesh and blood, nor lay an unreasonable re- straint upon any natural appetite; but it teaches us to live likemen, arid not like brutes ; to regulate and manage our animal, nature with its desires and inclinations, so as to enjoy life in the most proper and becomingmanner; to eat and drink, and taste the bounties of providence, to the honour of our Creator, and to thebest interest of ofoursouls. But, suppose, we were forbid all the indulgence of our appetites, and the delights of sense, by the gospel ; surely those who knowwhat intellectual pleasures are, who can relish the joy that belongs to spirits, will not be much terrified with these objections, nor deride the faith of Christ, because it does not propose to them the reward of an earthly paradise. The rewards of the gos- pel are indeed spiritual till the resurrection, but those spiritual pleasures shall vastly Over- balance all that toil,. sorrow and suffering, we have passed through on earth, and all that self-denial which we have exercised. But when the body shall be raised again, our refined delights of all kinds shall be infinitely satisfying: We shall not say, that God has dealt our happiness to us with a nig- gardly hand, but that he has exceeded all his promises, when we shall come to taste the things God has prepared for us, which eye bath not seen, or ear heard of. IV. Another prejudice against the gospel is this; some persons charge it with much of enthusiasm ; 'and that the doctrine of the operations of the Spirit, and the expecta- tion of, his divine assistance to- instruct us in truth, to mortify sin in us, ançl to enable us to perform holy du
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