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manded you," &c. The poſitive inſtitutions of Chriſtianity, for all the clamour and noiſe that has been made about them by Infidels, are but few in number, and of eaſy obſervation; eſpecially when compared with the Ritual of the Jewiſh church, once of divine inſtitution, and which the Apoſtle Peter calls "a yoke that neither they nor their fathers were able to bear."
But then miniſters of the goſpel muſt preach the laws and commandments of Chriſt. Hence we find the great Apoſtle of the Gentiles, in his epiſtles, always ſubjoins unto the doctrines of free grace, (which he had a particular talent of diſplaying), the warmeſt exhortations to piety, holineſs and righteouſneſs in their ſeveral branches. For he well knew how prone corrupt nature is to divorce comfort from duty, and to turn the grace of God into wantonneſs.
The goſpel is "a doctrine according to godlineſs," It is a moſt holy goſpel; and where it appears, it teaches to deny ungodlineſs and worldly luſts, and to "live ſoberly, righteouſly and godly in this preſent world. Whatſoever things are true, whatſoever things are pure, whatſoever things are lovely, whatſoever things are of good report; if there, be my virtue, and if there be any praiſe." the goſpel of Chriſt commands us to "think on theſe things (i)[1]"
Therefore, when miniſters declaim againſt vice, either in general, or more particularly:—when they inculcate the duties of ſobriety, righteouſneſs and charity, the people muſt not call it legal preaching, or not preaching Chriſt; for he who preaches the laws of Chriſt, preaches Chriſt, as well as he who preaches the love of Chriſt. But, then faithful preachers of the goſpel, in urging duty and obedience upon the people, will be ſure to remind them of their utter inſufficiency of themſelves for ſo much as a good thought, and the neceſſity of an entire dependence upon the Spirit and grace of the Lord Jeſus, for aſſiſtance and acceptance in every good work. When theſe things are duly obſerved, duty cannot be too much urged, but the preſſing of duty without them a moſt criminal neglect of the grace of our Lord Je-
- ↑ (i) Titus iii. 11. 12. Phil. iv. 5.
B
