perfuafion, which refulted from a view of the external evidence of a Supreme Being, was but an illustration of the vanity of human reafon, left to build its own fchemes, and to expofe its own futility. But, that any prefumptuous folly, or corrupt design, should dare to change the positive laws of acknowledged revelation, indicated the most prodigious excess of human depravity. While the glory of God's prefence was continued among the Ifraelites, and fucceffive 'prophets watched over the fidelity of the revelations which they had communicated, it was difficult, if not impoffible, for any falfification of the divine laws to pass undetected; and the reverence which the people invariably entertained for the facred writings, fecured their obfervance of the Mofaic precept, of not " adding unto the word, or of dimi"nishing from it *." The prophet, who uttered even the deceptions of his heart, was punished for the iniquity, to which he was acceffary ; and when the roll of God's wrath was burnt, by the daring impiety of the op Deut. chap. iv. ver. 2. Jofeph. cont. Apion. 1. i. + Ezek. ch. xiv. ver. 8, 9. preffor, preffor, whofe ears were offended at its threats, the delegated ministers of the Almighty were commanded to take again another roll, and to renew the denunciations of the divine refentment. Hence it was, that though "Ju"dea, the place of God's throne, and the place of the foles of his feet, where he "dwelt in the midst of the children of If66 rael," was "defiled by the carcafes of "their kings*, in their high places, and in "their fetting of their threshold by his thresh"old, and their pofts by his pofts," it was not till long after the facred line was closed, that we hear of the word of God being made of none effect, by the "tradition of "the Elders," and of " the teaching for doc"trines the commandments of men." The Hebrew Priesthood, fupported with ample and defined maintenance by the liberal provision of the law, had no interest to pervert its precepts, with design to profit by the delufion of their nation. The Scribes and the Pharifees, who laboured for pre-eminence by the affectation of fuperior fanctity, encum * Ezekiel, chap. xliii. ver. 7. Kings or Idols. See Levit. ch, xxvi. ver. 30. Jeremiah, chap. xvi. ver. 18. bered bered the external fervice enjoined by the written law with traditionary ceremonies and oral precept: folicitous to conceal the inward corruption of their heart, they impressed with the feal of fanctity the formal works of outward obfervance; interpreted the Scriptures by fallacious expofition; evaded its moral obligations by the pretence of facred restrictions, and distorted its doctrines in accommodation to worldly interest. Objects of Christ's keenest reproaches, they were expofed with detected pollution to the abhorrence of mankind, and stand recorded for a depravity, darkened with the deepest shades of hypocrify and guilt. Of the rejection of the Gospel by the unworthy, Christ foretold the certainty-of the corruption alfo of the righteous principleof the falfe teachers who fhould arise, with prophetic affurance he fpake. With precife declaration likewife did those whom he had inftructed foretel of the herefies which the flesh would generate *. With minute delineation did they describe the character of that "man of fin," or mystery of iniquity," * 1 Ccr. chap. xi. ver. 19. Gal. chap. v. ver. 20. chap. ii. ver. 1. 2 Pet. which which already worked in the time of the Apostles; prefigured as oppofing and exalting himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped *. In confidering the effect of those errors, which, though drawn from the fources of human invention, were permitted gradually to intermingle with the doctrines of Revelation, we perceive the most fatal completion of the divine predictions; and mark with regret the change of that law, which went forth with falutary publication to the world. That the stone, which many builders, to their own confufion, rejected, fhould become a rock of offence to thofe alfo who profeffed to raife their fabric on its foundations, is a fubject of fearful reflection. The imagination lingers on the theme with a forrow proportioned to the folly and perverfeness of mankind, anxious fully to ascertain the causes of a delufion fo injurious to the effential interefts of Christianity. The retrofpect of error is ferviceable, where it tends to vindicate the leffons of wisdom. The vicious inclinations of the human heart furnish the fure and unceafing incitements to evil, and the regulations concerted by experience fhould be refpected as bulwarks against their operation. Reason and reflection enrol their maxims with difficulty. Till propitious occafions confpire to favour their exhortations, they may repine. in filence, or utter their unheeded counfels. To undervalue their decrees, once confirmed, befpeaks infatuation, or a malignant purpose. In commendation of the most important measures which perhaps ever were adopted in conformity to the defign of religion, it is purpofed, in the Difcourfes which will be delivered under the prefent appointment, to describe the leading principles which were established by the Reformation in this country; calculated as they were to fecure the effential integrity of Christianity, by fhielding it from the baneful influence of those paffions, which ever will continue to breathe rebellious hoftility to its precepts. A difcuffion which will exhibit, in a connected view, the chief particulars deposed by Chrift as to the nature of his kingdom; the authority delegated to his Minifters; and the promises imparted with regard to the fuperintendance of his Church, may contribute to demonftrate the fidelity with which his reC vealed |