286 A RATIONAL DEFENCE OF TAT GOSPEL.' [SAR:11. xvt. °fended, and depart from the faith which they once pro- fessed ; Mat. xiii. 20, .21. Thus it appears, that the gospel of Christ is never the worse in itself, nor does it deserve the less esteem in the world, notwithstanding such apostates as these, no more than seed-corn should be pronounced nought, because it does not bring forth a harvest in every soil. I have now finished the third general head of discourse which I proposed, and have shewn, whatsoever occa- sions of shame might be supposed to arise either from the doctrines of the gospel, or the professors of it, are unjustly charged as blemishes on the gospel; and 1 have given particular answers to both sorts of cavils, and de- feated the accusations. One word of advice to christians shall conclude the present discourse; and that is this. Since the gospel of Christ gives no just occasions of shame, you- that are professors of it should take heed that you do nothing to cast shame , on this gospel. Do not mingle the christian faith with doubtful notions ofyour own. Do notdefile your christian conversation with sinful practices. Do not make the lesser circum- stances and appendages of your religion the matter of loud contest, and a party strife ; for all these things ex- pose the gospel to shame; and may justly put its profes-. sors to the blush, in the face of the world, when theyare guilty ofthese practices. Let me insist a little upon eachof these. I. Do not mingle the christian faith .with doubtful notions and fancies of your own. The articles of our christianity, and the necessary truths of the gospel; are divine and glorious : Take heed you do not bring in . your peculiar sentiments and favourite opinions, which have no sufficient evidence from the word of God, and join them in the saine dignity with the articles of your faith; and. much less should you -dare to impose them upon the consciences of your fellow-christians. The gospel itself will suffer by it, and sink in the esteem of the world, when the divine doctrines of it are mingled with our weaknesses, and debased by the addition of our doubtful sentiments. 2. Defile-not your christian conversation with sinful practices. Indulge not. a conformity to this. present evil
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