"By all the speeches of the babbling earth."

But how is she now become a harlot? How hath she departed from her Lord! How hath she denied him, and listened to the voice of strangers, both

I. In respect of Doctrine; and,

II. Of Practice.

I. In respect of Doctrine. 1. It cannot be said, that all our writers are setters forth of strange doctrines. There are those who expound the Oracles of God, by the same Spirit wherewith they are written: and who faithfully cleave to the solid foundation which our Church hath laid agreeable thereto; touching which we have his word, who cannot lie, "That the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." There are those also, (blessed be the Author of every good gift,) who, as wise master-builders, build thereon not hay or stubble, but gold and precious stones, but that charity which never faileth.

2. We have likewise cause to give thanks to the Father of Lights, for that he hath not left himself without witness, but that there are those who now preach the Gospel of Peace, the truth as it is in Jesus. But how few are these in comparison of those (xavorTIS) who adulterate the word of God! How little wholesome food have we for our souls, and what abundance of poison! How few are there that, either in writing or preaching, declare the genuine Gospel of Christ, in the simplicity and purity wherewith it is set forth in the venerable records of our own Church! And how are we enclosed on every side with those who, neither knowing the doctrines of our church, nor the Scriptures, nor the power of God, have found out to themselves inventions wherewith they constantly corrupt others also!

3. I speak not now of those (WENTOTOKOL TOU Eatava) firstborn of Satan, the Deists, Arians, or Socinians. These are too infamous among us, to do any great service to the cause of their Master. But what shall we say of those who are accounted the pillars of our Church, and champions of our faith; who indeed betray that Church, and sap the very foundations of the faith we are taught thereby ?

4. But how invidious a thing is it to show this? Who is sufficient to bear the weight of prejudice which must necessarily follow the very mention of such a charge against men of so established a character? Nay, and who have indeed, in many other respects, done great service to the Church of God? Yet must every faithful minister say, "God forbid that I should accept any man's person. I dare not give any man flattering titles, nor spare any that corrupt the Gospel. In so doing my Maker would soon take me away."

5. Let me, however, be as short as may be upon this head; and I will instance only in two or three men of renown, who have endeavoured to sap the very foundation of our church, by attacking its fundamental, and indeed the fundamental doctrine of all the Reformed Churches, viz. Justification by Faith alone.

One of these, and one of the highest station in our Church, hath written and printed before his death, several Sermons, expressly to prove, that not faith alone, but good works also, are necessary, inorder to justification. The unpleasing task of quoting particular passages out of them is superseded by the very title of them, which is this: "The necessity of Regeneration, (which he at large proves to imply holiness both of heart and life,) in order to Justification."* 6. It may appear strange to some, that an angel of the Church of God, (as the great Shepherd terms the overseers of it,) and one so highly esteemed both in our own and many other nations, should coolly and calmly thus speak. But, O! what is he in comparison with the great Bishop Bull! Who shall be able to stand, if this eminent scholar, Christian, and prelate, in his youth wrote and published to the world, and in his riper years defended the positions that follow?

"A man is said (eg egy dixaiovтai,) to be justified by works; because good works are the condition, according to the divine appointment, established in the Gospel Covenant, requisite and necessary to a man's justification; that is, to his obtaining remission of sins through Christ." Bulli Harm. Apost. p. 4.

A little after, being about to produce testimonies in proof of this proposition, he says: "The first class of these shall be those who speak of good works in a general sense, as the requisite and necessary condition of justification." Then follow certain texts of Scripture; after which he adds: "Who does not believe that in these scriptures there is an abundance of good works required, which if a man do not perform, he is altogether excluded from the hope of pardon, and remission of sins." Ibid. p. 6.

Having introduced some other things, he adds: "Besides faith, there is no one but may see, that repentance is required as necessary to justification. Now, repentance is not one work alone, but is, as it were, a collection of many others: for in its compass the following. works are comprehended:-1. Sorrow on account of sin. 2. Humiliation under the hand of God. 3. Hatred to sin. 4. Confession of sin. 5. Ardent supplication for the Divine Mercy. 6. The love of God. 7. Ceasing from sin. 8. Firm purpose of new obedience. 9. Restitution of ill-gotten goods. 10. Forgiving our neighbour his transgressions against us. 11. Works of beneficence or almsgiving. How much these things prevail to procure remission of sins from God, is sufficiently evident from Dan. iv. 24, where the Prophet gives this wholesome advice to Nebuchadnezzar, who was at that time cleaving to his sins: "Redeem† your sins by alms-giving, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor." Ib. p. 10.

7. To instance in one point more. All the Liturgy of the Church is full of petitions for that holiness without which, the Scripture every where declares, no man shall see the Lord. And these are all sum

* Tillotson's Sermons, Vol. I. &c.

t The Bishop translates p, peruk, with the Vulgate, redeem, or buy off: but the proper and literal meaning is break off. A. C.

med up in those comprehensive words which we are supposed to be so frequently repeating" Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name." It is evident, that in the last clause of this petition, all outward holiness is contained: neither can it be carried to a greater height, or expressed in stronger terms. And those words, "Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts," contain the negative branch of inward holiness: the height and depth of which is purity of heart, by the inspiration of God's Holy Spirit: the remaining words, "That we may perfectly love thee," contain the positive part of holiness: seeing this Love, which is the fulfilling of the Law, implies the whole mind that was in Christ.

8. But how does the general stream of Writers and Preachers (let me be excused the invidious task of instancing in particular persons) agree with this doctrine? Indeed, not at all. Very few can we find who simply and earnestly enforce it. But very many who write and preach as if Christian Holiness, or Religion, were a purely negative thing; as if, not to curse or swear, not to lie or slander, not to be a drunkard, a thief, or a whoremonger, not to speak or do evil, was religion enough to entitle a man to heaven! How many, if they go something farther than this, describe it only as an outward thing! As if it consisted chiefly, if not wholly, in doing good, (as it is called,) and using the means of grace! Or should they go a little further still, yet what do they add to this poor account of religion? Why, perhaps, that a man should be orthodox in his opinions, and have a zeal for the constitution in Church and State. And this is all! This is all the religion they can allow without degenerating into enthusiasm! So true it is, That the faith of a Devil and the life of a heathen, make up what most men call a good Christian!

9. But why should we seek further witnesses of this? Are there not many present here who are of the same opinion? Who believe that a good moral man and a good Christian mean the same thing? That a man need not trouble himself any further, if he only practises as much Christianity as was written over the Heathen Emperor's gate, "Do as thou wouldst be done unto." Especially if he be not an infidel or a heretic, but believes all that the Bible and the Church say is true.

10. I would not be understood, as if I despised these things, as if I undervalued right opinions, true morality, or a zealous regard for the constitution we have received from our fathers. Yet what are these things being alone? What will they profit us in that day? What will it avail to tell the Judge of All, "Lord, I was not as other men were; not unjust, not an adulterer, not a liar, not an immoral man." Yea, what will it avail, if we have done all good, as well as done no harm? If we have given all our goods to feed the poor, and have not Charity? How shall we then look on those who taught us to sleep on and take our rest, though the Love of the Father was not in us? Or who, teaching us to seek salvation by works, cut

us off from receiving that Faith freely, whereby alone the love of God could have been shed abroad in our hearts?

To these miserable corrupters of the gospel of Christ, and the poison they have spread abroad, is chiefly owing,

II. Secondly, That general corruption in practice as well as in doctrine. There is hardly to be found, (O tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon,) either the form of godliness, or the power! So is the faithful city become an harlot !

1. With grief of heart I speak it, and not with joy, that scarcely is the form of godliness seen among us. We are all indeed called to be Saints, and the very name of Christians means no less. But who has so much as the appearance? Take any one you meet: take a second, a third, a fourth, or the twentieth. Not one of them has even the appearance of a saint, any more than of an angel. Observe his look, his air, his gesture! Does it breathe nothing but God? Does it bespeak a temple of the Holy Ghost? Observe his conversation; not an hour only, but day by day. Can you gather from any outward sign, that God dwelleth in his heart? That this is an everlasting spirit, who is going to God? Would you imagine that the blood of Christ was shed for that soul, and had purchased everlasting salvation for it, and that God was now waiting till that salvation should be wrought out with fear and trembling?

2. Should it be said, Why, what signifies the form of godliness? We readily answer, Nothing, if it be alone. But the absence of the form signifies much. It infallibly proves the absence of the power. For though the form may be without the power, yet the power cannot be without the form. Outward religion cannot be where inward is not but if there is none without, there can be none within.

3. But it may be said, We have public prayers, both morning and evening, in all our Colleges. It is true, and it were to be wished that all the members thereof, more especially the elder, those of note and character, would, by constantly attending them, show how sensible they are of the invaluable privilege. But have all who attend them the form of godliness? Before those solemn addresses to God begin, does the behaviour of all who are present show, that they know before whom they stand? What impression appears to be left on their minds when those holy offices are ended? And even during their continuance; can it be reasonably inferred from the tenor of their outward behaviour, that their hearts are earnestly fixed on Him who standeth in the midst of them? I much fear, were a heathen, who understood not our tongue, to come into one of these our assemblies, he would suspect nothing less, than that we were pouring out our hearts before the Majesty of heaven and earth. What then shall we say, if indeed God is not mocked; but what a man soweth, that also shall he reap?

4. On Sundays, however, say some, it cannot be denied that we have the form of godliness, having sermons preached both morning and afternoon, over and above the morning and evening service.

But do we keep the rest of the sabbath-day holy? Is there no needless visiting upon it? No trifling? No impertinence of conversation? Do neither you yourself do any unnecessary work upon it, nor suffer others, over whom you have any power, to break the laws of God and man herein? If you do, even in this you have nothing whereof to boast. But herein also you are guilty before God.

5. But if we have the form of godliness on one day in a week, is there not on other days what is quite contrary thereto? Are not the best of our conversing hours spent in foolish talking and jesting, which are not convenient? Nay, perhaps, in wanton talking too, such as modest ears could not bear? Are there not many among us found to eat and drink with the drunken? And if so, what marvel is it that our profaneness should also go up into the heavens, and our oaths and curses into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth?

6. And even as to the hours assigned for study, are they generally spent to any better purpose? Not if they are employed in reading (as is too common) plays, novels, or idle tales, which naturally tend to increase our inbred corruption, and heat the furnace of our unholy desires, seven times hotter than it was before! How little preferable is the laborious idleness of those who spend day after day in gaming or diversions, vilely casting away that time, the value of which they cannot know, till they are passed through it into eternity!

7. Know ye not then so much as this, you that are called moral men, that all idleness is immorality? That there is no grosser dishonesty than sloth? That every voluntary blockhead is a knave. He defrauds his benefactors, his parents, and the world, and robs both God and his own soul. Yet how many of these are among us! How many lazy drones, as if only, Fruges consumere nati! Born to eat up the produce of the soil. How many whose ignorance is not owing to incapacity, but to mere laziness! How few, (let it not seem immodest that even such an one as I should touch on that tender point,) of the vast number who have it in their power, are truly learned men! Not to speak of the other Eastern tongues, who is there that can be said to understand Hebrew? Might I not say, or even Greek? A little of Homer, or Xenophon, we may still remember: but how few can readily read or understand so much as a page of Clemens Alexandrinus, Chrysostom, or Ephrem Syrus? And as to philosophy, (not to mention mathematics, or the abstruser branches of it,) how few do we find who have laid the foundation, who are masters even of logic? Who thoroughly understand so much as the rules of syllogizing? The very doctrine of the moods and figures? O what is so scarce as learning, save religion?

8. And indeed learning will be seldom found without religion, for temporal views, as experience shows, will very rarely suffice, to carry any one through the labour required to be a thorough scholar. Can it then be dissembled, that there is too often a defect in those to whom the care of youth is intrusted? Is that solemn direction sufficiently considered: (Statut. p. 7:) Let the tutor diligently instruct