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been taught, in effect, that we must SERM. become brutes, and renounce our under- VI. Standings, in order to be religious; and that we must throw off humanity, all regard to the immutable differences of things, and the moral perfections of our maker, in order to ferve him acceptably.

In like manner, tho' the exercise of free enquiry in matters of religion has been grossly and fhamefully abused, we ought not, upon this account, to entertain the worse opinion of the principle it felf, because it is, indeed, the chief glory of our nature, and the very end for which we were endued with reafon. For if the great Creator had defigned that we fhould fubmit implicitly to established opinions, without examining and judging for ourselves, reafon must not only be impertinent and useless, but an abfurdity and a contradiction; fince if we make any use of this faculty, and follow its most plain and natural directions, we can't fuffer ourselves to be thus impofAgain, freedom of thought, and VOL. I.

ed on.

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an

SERM. an honeft impartial examination into VI. the nature and evidence of religious prin

ciples, is abfolutely effential to a rational faith For there can no more be true faith without evidence, than there can without ideas; or in other words, men deferve no more to be commended for believing an intelligible propofition they know not why, than they do for believing what they know nothing at all of; from whence it follows, that this liberty of judging for themselves is one of the most facred and unalienable rights To this we may add,

of mankind.

that the exercise of it, in the utmost latitude of rational enquiry, without any corrupt prejudice to biafs and mislead the understanding, any undue reverence of human authority, or attachment to party schemes, and indeed being influenced by nothing but plain reafon and fcripture, is the only way in which truth can revive; whereas without it, men muft neceffarily continue in their errors and vices, and there will not be fo much. as a poffibility of a reformation. Ac

cordingly,

cordingly, in proportion as it has pre-SERM. vail'd, it has been of vaft fervice to the VI. cause of Christianity, by representing its doctrines in a more confiftent view, and establishing its authority upon the strongest and most unexceptionable evidence. And withal 'tis a principle the most honourable that can be to our holy religion, defcribing it as recommending to men, with an openness and frankness peculiar to truth, the ufe and improvement of their rational faculties; and not only inviting to, but encouraging the utmoft freedom of debate; because, it has a good foundation to support it, it can ftand the test of fober and impartial reafon, and receive no real injury by all the fkill and fophiftry of its oppofers. But what a difagreeable and unworthy notion does it give of Christianity, to reprefent it as raising its triumphs upon the ruins of our rational nature, and placing the fubftance of religion in enthufiafm and implicit faith; and, consequently, as setting itself upon a level with impoftures and falfe religions, which will not bear the light, and therefore always

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SERM. ways fhelter themselves under the covert VI. of ignorance and darkness.

Since then this principle is the fupreme prerogative of our intelligent being, effential to all rational religion, and, in a peculiar manner, honourable and advantageous to the Chriftian; let us, notwithstanding accidental abuses (to which the best things are liable) conftantly affert and vindicate it. And let us be fure ever to remember, that tho' we are called to liberty, both these rules have the fame foundation in reafon, and are of equal authority in the Chriftian revelation, Stand faft in the liberty wherewith Chrift hath made you free; but use not your liberty for an occafion to the flesh.

SER

SERMON VII.

Of Mysteries.

DEUTER. xxix. 29.

The fecret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are reveal'd belong unto us, and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

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N the beginning of this chap- SERM. ter, Mofes exhorts the Ifrae- VII. lites to be faithful to God,

and conftant in their obedi

ence to his law, as the way to engage

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the

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