SEEM. XVI.] A RATIONAL DEFENCE OF THE GOSPEL. 273 that you may see his power and his glory in his own sanc- tuary, and that you may, from your own experience, be able to say, that the gospel is too great, too glorious, too divine a thing in its doctrines and worship, and in all its institutions, for you ever to be ashamed of. It has now, for sixteen ages, endured the test of the wit, and the rase of earth and hell, and it shall stand in power and glory, till the heavens be no more. HYMN FOR SERMONXV. A RATIONAL DEFENCE OF THE GOSPEL. COMMON SHALL atheists dare insult the cross, Of our Redeemer God? Shall infidels reproach his laws, Or trample onhis blood ? What if he chose mysterious ways, To cleanse us from our faults ? May not the works ofsov'reign grace Transcend our feeble thoughts ! What if his gospel bids us fight With flesh, and self, and sin ? The prize is most divinely bright, Which we are call'd towin. METRE. What if the foolish and the poor, His glorious grace partake ? This but confirms his truth the'niore, For so the prophets spake. Do some that own his sacred name, Indulge their souls in sin? Jesus should never bear the blame, His laws are pure and clean. Then let our faith grow firm and strong Our lips profess his word ; Nor blush, nor fear to walk among The men that love the Lord. SERMON XVI. A RATIONAL DEFENCE OF THE GOSPEL: OR, COURAGE IN PROFESSING CHRISTIANITY. non. i. 16. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. THE SECOND PART. THERE are many in the world who call themselves christians, and boast in the name; yet if you .ask them what the gospel of Christ is, they are either struck into confusion and silence, or they give such an awkward and impertinent answer, as sufficiently discovers they VOL. I. T
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