admit of any Doubt; and carries in it a Reflection, fo much to the disadvantage of Religion, that, could it possibly be conceal'd, I should think my self oblig'd to pass it over in Silence. How must it efflict good Men, to confider, that our unbappy Disputes, about Rights and Privileges, should spread themselves into Points, of a Foreign Nature, and of the most Sacred Importance; and be perfu'd to the very Horns of the Altar, without any regard to the Interests of our Common Chriftianity! What! can we not differ about Adjournments, without differing also about the Evidences of a Future State; and managing our Contests on that Head, in fuch a manner, as even to take part with, and make Sport for Unbelievers? Are these the blessed Effects of that Moderation and Temper, of which we have beard so much in some Men's Writings, and seen so little in their Practices? How long shall the best Words in the World be thus perverfly applied to the worst Purpofes; and made use of to cover, and advance Designs, widely distant from our specious Pretenfions! Can we look upon it, as one Instance of that most amiable Virtue, To stand by cool and unconcern'd for the great Truths of Religion? neither to defend them our Selves, nor yet suffer them to be defended by Others ? and, when we chance to spy an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of our Brethren, to be so far from avenging the Wrong, as to encourage and affift the Doer of it? What is this, but to imitate the wicked Policy of our worst Enemy, which we have so often complain'd of? For bow Eloquent have some Men been in their Inves tives against a Neighbouring Prince (the subject of their Panegyricks on some other Occafions) for making Scandalous Leagues with Mahometans, and attacking Christians in Conjunction with the great Enemies o Christendom? Christendome? And is 'Their Conduct less liable to Reproach, who are not asham'd to espouse the Cause even of Infidelity it self, rather than miss an Opportunity of expreffing their Resentments against Men they di not like, and of keeping up their Little Party-Interefts, and Quarrels ? When Popery was at our Doors in a late Reign; did we take This way of keeping it out? And are Atheism and Deism less dreadful in themselves? or are We now in less Danger of being o verrun with them? In God's Name, if we cannot agree in other things, let us unite at least in an equal Zeal for those Capital Doctrines, which we all equally embrace, and are alike concern'd to maintain: Nor let our Personal Views, and Prejudices (if we will not be persuaded to part with them) ever lead us to do any thing, that may expose Religion it self to the Laughter and Scorn of Profane Men, who shoot out the Lip, and shake the Head, saying, Aha! So we would have it. THE OTHE CONTENTS : SERM. VI. A Difcourse occafioned by the Ecclef. vii. 2. It is better to go to the House of Mourning, than to go to the House of SERM. VII. The Wisdom of Providence manifested in the Revolutions of Govern ment.. Ezek. xxxvii. 3. And he said unto me, Son SERM. VIII. The Duty of Publick Intercef- 1 T dtar p.266 SERM. IX. The Rule of Doing as we would p. 266 SERM. X. Of Religious Retirement. P.301 SERM. XI. A ftanding Revelation the best St. Luke xvi. 31. If they hear not Mofes and the Prophets, neither will they be perswaded, though one rose from the Dead. P-327 SERM. XII. A Sermon preach'd at the Funeral of Mr. Thomas Bennet. 1 Cor. XV. 19. If in this Life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all Men most miserable. p.365 SERM. XIII. A Sermon Preach'd at the Election of the Lord-Mayor. Job xxix. 14. I put on Righteousness, and it clothed me; my Judgment was as a Robe and a Diadem. P. 401 SERM. XIV. A Sermon Preach'd before the Lord-Mayor, on a Day of Publick Humiliation. Pfal. xxx. 6, 7, 8. In my Prosperity I faid, I shall never be moved: Lord, by thy favour Thou hast made my Mountain to stand Strong. Thou didst hide thy Face, and I was troubled, I cryed unto Thee, O Lord, and unto the Lord I made my Supplication. P. 429 P ERRATA. REF. p. xxiv. at the bottom, lin, 1. for μηδημία το |