Sermons on Various Important Subjects | Page 9

simple method is unworthy of God, and,
not likely to be from him.
If we consider the nature and design of Christianity, such objections
will have little weight. It is not the design of heaven to compel men to
obey the gospel, or to drive them to an unwilling submission to Christ.
If an exhibition of gospel truth and beauty, and the consequences of
receiving or rejecting its overtures, are discarded; if men refuse, by
these means to be persuaded, they are left, and the consequences follow.
To People of sober sense, this method appears rational. It is not

probable that those who are not thus prevailed with to embrace the
gospel, would in any other way be made Christians indeed. People who
are frightened into religion seldom persevere. Neither do those whose
passions are so inflamed that they appear, for a time, in ecstasies. When
their passions subside, they grow cool, and their religion dies. If the
great truths of religion, laid before men, as was done by Christ and his
apostles, do not avail to render them rationally and sincerely religious,
little value is to be put on those heats of imagination, which produce
temporary raptures, and set some on fire in religion. Such ardent love
doth not abide; it soon cools, and commonly leaves those who had been
the subjects of it no better than it found them, and but too often much
worse.
But while some object to the simplicity of the gospel, and to the plain
language and address of the primitive ministry, others are offended at
the mysteries in the Christian system. Who can understand some things
contained in what is called a revelation? And what valuable ends can be
answered by a revelation which is unintelligible? say these objectors.
But, those points in the Christian scheme which are too deep for human
comprehension, do not relate to practice. All required, in relation to
them, is an assent to their truth, on the credit of God's word. This is
neither difficult nor unreasonable.
Perhaps with only human powers, it may be impossible to comprehend
those subjects which are left mysterious in divine revelation; but are
they incredible if God hath declared them? Few would be the articles of
our creed, did we admit the belief of nothing which we do not
understand. We carry mysteries in ourselves. We are compounded of
soul and body, but who explain the connexion; tell us the essence of
either the one or the other, or define the principles on which the soul
commands the body? We are lost in ourselves, and in all the objects
which surround us.
Whatever God hath declared, we are bound to believe because he hath
declared it; and whatever he hath enjoined, we are bound to do because
he hath enjoined it, though the reasons of his injunctions may not be
revealed. God is under no obligations to explain matters to us. "God is

greater than man. Why dost thou strive with him? He giveth not
account of his matters."
Others object because the Gospel is not sent to all nations. That God
should be supposed to communicate to some, and not to others they
allege to be unreasonable and sufficient to destroy its credit; especially,
as the book which claims to be a revelation teacheth that "there it no
respect of persons with God."
That God makes his creatures to differ respecting talents and
advantages, is a truth not to be denied. Those who on this account,
object to the truth of the gospel, will not deny it. If God makes
differences respecting every thing else, why not respecting religion?
Where is the injustice or impropriety of trying some with gospel
advantages; others only with the light of nature? If requirements vary
with betrustments, none have reason to complain; and that this is the
case is plainly the language of revelation.*
With equal reason might the hand of God in creation be denied,
because different grades are found among creatures, and some have
greatly the advantage over others; and in providence because its
distributions are unequal. That these inequalities are observable, and
that they are the work of God, will be acknowledged by all who believe
the being of a God, and his providential government. If any are
disposed to call these in question, we turn from them. To reason with
them would be in vain. "That which may be known of God is manifest
in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of
him, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood
by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so
that they are without excuse."
*Vid. Discourse on Romans, ii,11.
A scoffing age may cry out against Christianity. To some