SERMON XLV. 33 4. The light of nature teaches us, that though God is the absolute and natural Lord of all things that he has made ; yet " he is pleased to deal with his rational creatures in a way of mo- ral government, that he rules them by a law, and will some time or other reward them in equity according to their works.',' The conscience which he hath formed in man, may discover to him so much of the natural law and will of his God, as a righteous Go- vernor of the world, ifit be properly and wisely employed : Rom. ii. 14, 15. The Gentiles which have not the written law which the Jews enjoyed, yet they do by nature the things contained . in the law that is, they are inwardly excited to do them ; these having not the law, are a law to themselves, which skew the work of the law written in their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and . their thoughts themean while accusing, or else excusing them. This lawwritten in their hearts, and which they may find out by a diligent use of their reason, not only teaches them that adoration and worship, prayer and praise are duties which they owe to God ; but it instructs them also to distinguish between vice and virtue, good and evil, as it relates to their neighbours and themselves. It shews them the difference between sobriety and intemperance, between kindness aad malice, between honestyand knavery, truth and falsehood ; and it teaches them also to expect some vengeance to fall upon transgressors. Sò Acts xxviii. 4. Surely this man is a murderer, said the barbarous inhabitants of Melita concerning St. Paul, when a viper fastened on his hand; and though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance Both not suffer him to live. Reason and consciencemight teach mankind, that since God has given them an understanding and freedom of will to chose or refuse good or evil, he will certainly call them to account for their behaviour; and will take some opportunity to judge, re- ward and punish according to their conduct in the present state: In their own consciences there is a kind of tribunal erected be- fore-hand, their concience excusing or accusing them, as a sort of warning, an emblem and forerunner of divine judgment. 5. The light of nature teaches us further, that God is an universal Benefactor to mankind, even above and beyond their deserts, and notwithstanding all their provocations. Thewords of my text declare, that though they walked in their own idola- trous ways, yet God left them not without witness of his goodness, giving themfruitful seasons, andfilling their hearts withfood and gladness. Their own consciences tell them they have sinned, and forfeited all favours from heaven ; but their very senses assure them, that God does not presently insist upon the forfeiture, nor seize away their blessings ; but that he waits long, and heaps the VOL. 11. (r
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