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SERMON XI.

Christian Converfation.

PHILIP. I. 27.

Only let your Converfation be as it becometh the Gospel of Chrift.

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N the context St. Paul lays before the Philippians fome observations,

relating to Himself and his Ministry in the Propagation of the Gofpel: And in the words of the Text, he turns the Prospect upon a Point more nearly concerning Them and the Bleffed effects of the Gospel upon them; leading off their Minds, from the Thoughts of Himself, into the confideration of their own Duty, under an Exhortation fo very Full, though very Short, that whofoever shall diligent

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ly attend to and Faithfully observe it, will effectually adorn and Finish the Character of a Chriftian: Only let your Converfation be, as it becometh the Gospel of Chrift. In difcourfing on these words I fhall

I. First, Endeavour to fhew, what is to be understood by Converfation becoming the Gospel of Chrift; And

II. Secondly, I fhall propofe fome Directions to be obferved, as Means of accomplishing fuch a Conversation.

I. I fhall endeavour to fhew, what is to be understood by Conversation becoming the Gospel of Chrift. And in order thereunto, it should be observed that, in Holy Scripture, the Christian Society is fometimes styled a City,* and a Kingdom; And the Members of this Society, or, the Subjects of Chrift's Spiritual Kingdom are styled Fellow Citizens with the Saints. Agreeably to this Allusion, the Original word (Toileσe) which we tranflate, let your Conversation be, is a Metaphorical expreffion, taken from the

Hebr. xii. 22. † Colof. i. 13. ‡ Eph. ii. 19.

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State and Condition of Citizens, or, Members of a Civil Community, denoting a Behaviour fuitable to all the Laws and Customs of the City, or Community, to which they belong. And therefore, according to the juft meaning of the expreffion in the Text, Conversation becoming the Gospel of Chrift does not relate to our Words and Actions only, (as the Translation may seem to import) but fignifies our Conformity to all the Laws and Injunctions affigned in the Gofpel; or a faithful Discharge of all the Duties incumbent upon us, as We are Subjects of Chrift's Kingdom, and Therefore obliged to conduct our felves according to the Rules of Polity established in that Kingdom, the positive Inftitutions of the Gofpel.

Since then the Gofpel gives Laws to our Souls, as well as to our Bodies, and as plainly requires us to Believe the Truths therein Revealed, as to Obey the rules of Practice therein prescribed; And fince Converfation becoming the Gospel of Chrift does, according to the juft Interpretation of the expreffion, fignify our Conformi

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ty to all the Laws given in the Gospel; Hence it follows, that fuch a Converfation implies in it these two general Heads of Chriftian Duty, Faith and 0bedience. And 'tis obfervable, that in the Distribution of Religion into these two general Heads of it, Obedience is to be understood as relating purely to Practice; for, otherwife, the Distinction would not ftand good, because Faith it felf, as I fhall have further occafion to obferve, Below, may justly be ftyled Obedience, as Obedience, in it's Abstracted and Extenfive fignification, denotes the Obfervance of any Command whatfoever.

ift, The First thing incumbent upon us, is Faith, or, a firm and ftedfast Belief of the Truths revealed in the Göfpel. For thus we are taught by our Blessed Saviour, in the firft Demand which he made upon Mankind, at his entrance upon his Prophetical Office: * The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye, and Believe the Gofpel. And the Indifpen

* Mark. i. 15.

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able obligations of Faith are again very clearly and Emphatically reprefented in our Lord's Commiffion given tô the Apostles: * Go ye into all the World, and preach the Gospel to every Creature. He that believeth and is baptized fhall be faved; but he that believeth not, shall be damned. In which, and many other Texts, though Trust, or Hope, or other Christian Virtues may be implied in Faith; yet, without all doubt, the Act of Believing, or the Affent of the Understanding is Pofitively Injoyned, and that as the Fundamental Duty, in the Profeffion of the Gospel.

But ftill, plain as this Law of Faith is; multitudes of Impious, or Self-conceited, or, Mistaken men do notoriously break through the Obligation of it. And Those, who are Disobedient to it, are ever straining their Thoughts, as other Tranfgreffours are wont to do, in palliating their Guilt under various Excufes and Pretences.

Sometimes they are found labouring to

* Mark xvi. 15, 16.

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