An Enquiry into the Competency of the Light of Nature, to ascertain the Duties of Reli- gion; or whether a more express Revelation The Poffibility of a Revelation; and the Cha- racteristic marks neceffary to illuftrate it: An Enquiry into the general Scope and Tenor of the Scriptures of the New Teftament, THE Ground and Credibility OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION. SERMON I. PROV. iii. 13, &c. Happy is the man, that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding : for the merchandise of it is better than the merchandife of filver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things thou canft defire, are not to be compared with her. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them, that lay hold on her. THE original word, in this SERMON place rendered, wisdom, is, in the first chapter of this book of Proverbs, used in I. SERMON the plural number : which, according to I. the Hebrew idiom, is sometimes substituted for a fuperlative degree. Wisdom crieth without; or, literally tranflated, wifdoms: the word n there denoting the highest and most excellent wisdom; the wisdom of religion: which is indeed fo far the highest point of wisdom; that, though its roots be fixed on earth, its branches reach to heaven: it hath the promise both of this world, and that which is to come. "Tis the fame kind of wisdom, that is described in my text; and in this fenfe the word is frequently used, both in this book of Proverbs, and Ecclefiaftes. The description is highly luxuriant; and were it as true, as it is rich and elegant, one might conceive it of fuch efficacy to captivate mankind; that no attention would be witheld, no exertions fpared, to conciliate an ample plenary poffeffion of her: at least that no wishes would prevail, no endeavours be exerted, to banish fuch a religion from the earth. But I. But with what religion will this en- SERMON gaging imagery comport? Not with the religion of nature; for in different ages, and different countries, the religion of nature hath deviated into the groffeft errors. It taught the Perfian, to pay his adoration to the fun; and fome parts of India, to worship the tremendous power of darkness and evil. It directed the Egyptian, to fall down and humble himself to the reptile, and the plant; and impelled mankind to fuperftitions, often as immoral, as the rites themselves were ridiculous and vain. Whether the Theology of Greece and Rome were founded in political artifice, or in the flights of poetical imagination, the defcription before us can not apply to that religion : for it boasted not a single character of wifdom, purity, or fatisfaction. Nor doth it aptly fuit the imperfect, incompleat religion of the Jews. Burthened with a yoke of ceremonies, which, fays the apostle, neither we, nor our fathers were able to bear; by a rigid obfervance . |