proper causes; but they were miraculously added to them by the fole virtue of the divine promise. It is true, they were fit and proper for the ends of their inftitution; to be types and shadows of better things to come; to preserve the people from idolatry, by allowing no intercourfe nor commerce with other nations. But, it is evident for that very reason as well as many more, that those ceremonies were neither calculated for eternity, nor modelled for mankind in common: fo that when the reafons of their fanction no longer continued; when the things they typically represented were come to pass; when the wall of partition was to be removed, and, according to the prophecies, all nations to be called to Chrift, and the ends of the earth to be his poffeffion; they must needs be antiquated and abolished, like fcaffolds that are removed when the buildings are finished; fince under that new state none of them had any further ufe, and several of them became impoffible to be observed. And, fo for the political inftitutions of Mofes, it is plain they were accommodated to the circumstances of affairs, and the neceffities of time and place; not absolutely the very beft, but the best that those ages of the world and the genius of that people would bear. As for inftance, the toleration of polygamy and caufelefs divorces; these

were indulged them, not as moft pleafing to

e

their lawgiver, but because of the hardness of their hearts, in the words of our Saviour; because they were too ftiff-necked and headftrong to admit of a fhorter bridle. These civil ordinances therefore, when better precepts were once proposed and accepted in their place, muft of neceffity drop and die of themselves, and become obfolete without any repeal juft as the temporary edicts in war, and the agreements of the cartel, do expire of their own accord, when the peace is concluded. But then the moral part of the law of Mofes, which is the fap and marrow, the foul and fubftance of the whole, that indeed is of eternal and univerfal obligation. But then who can say that this is abrogated and cancelled by Jefus ? So far from that, that every branch of it is ingrafted and incorporated into his Gospel. In this best of fenfes therefore the Mofaic law is confirmed and fulfilled by our Saviour. For morality is a thing immutable; and, unless human nature itself should be new moulded by our Maker, vice and virtue must be always what they have been. So foolish was the cavil of the Deifts against our Saviour's descent from heaven; because he gave no other lectures

• Matth. ix. 8.

of

of morals, than what nature and reafon had taught before. Nay, if he had taught us the reverse of thofe morals, this had been an objection indeed. But in that even the divinity of his doctrine moft eminently appears; that the finger of God upon the tables of our hearts, and the pens of the inspired writers in the volume of the Gospel, have prescribed us one and the fame leffon. As for us, whose employment it is to teach that leffon to others, let us but express it also in our own lives and converfations; let us but add that credit to our doctrine, that reputation to our profeffion fo may we expect to bring over all our adverfaries to the truth and power of religion; so may we expect, when we give the account of our talents, to be received with that blessed approbation, Well done, thou good and faithful fervant, enter thou into the joy of thy Mafter.

A

SERMON

UPON

POPERY,

PREACHED AT CAMBRIDGE,

November 5, 1715,

2 Cor. ii. 17.

For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of fincerity, but as of God, in the fight of God, Speak we in Chrift.

OUR text, as it exhibits to us two contrary characters, of many that corrupt the word of God, and of fome that handle it in fincerity, may fitly represent the two different views of the Church under Popery and the Reformation; and may furnish a proper discourse for the folemnity of this day: when we are met to commemorate the public deliverance from one of the most impious and bloody attempts, that even Popish pravity and corruption either contrived or favoured.