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SERM. felf; and the indifpenfable Obligation of the Practice of all the Duties commanded in it; much of this fatal Confequence of it might have been hindred; and very much of the Scandal redounding from it, have been prevented. But there hath ever been an Itch, in fome or other of Power and Authority, to alter the Terms of Love and Concord fettled by Chrift; by framing fome new Character, and fome frefh Note of Diftinction, among Chriftians: And this hath ever begot Oppofition; and Controverfies managed (on all fides) with Aggravations and Provocations; and this hath brought forth Variances, and Paffion, and Hatred, in the Breafts of those who are fure to be condemned by their own Law, for want of Love and Charity. And it ever fo happens, as it hath been manifefted by conftant Experience, that more Violence, (which hath now for many Ages paffed for Zeal, That more Violence, I fay,) is fhewn for thefe Additions, and for these leffer, and undetermined Matters, in which the Difference lies, than for the moft fundamental Points of Faith, or the most necessary Points of Practise. In the Practical Duties, efpecially, Men feem eafy enough: and would fain have it thought that the vileft, and most enormous Crimes are more tolerable in themfelves; and more inoffenfive and harmless to

public Society; than a Difference in the least SER M. of their Additions.

The greatest (I would to God I could fay the only) Instances of this, are to be seen where the Romish Religion is fpread. Afk one of that Religion, why so much Barbarity and Inhumanity is exercifed; and an eternal War fworn against fome fort of Chriftians? Why are they hated, tormented, banished, imprisoned, and put to Death? Do they not believe in God the Father Almighty, and in Jefus Chrift? Do they not profefs it to be their Faith, that there is but one God; that this God fent his Son Jefus Chrift into the World to fave Sinners; that He lived and died, and arofe again and afcended up into Heaven to this Purpose? And that He will come again to judge the World; and that there is a future State of Rewards and Punishments? Or, are they wicked and debauched, immoral and vicious to that degree, that you fear the Vengeance of Heaven will fall on you, if you do not shew your Deteftation of them? What Answer will you receive from him? There are few of them that would blush to tell you: (and yet who could do it without blushing?) “ These "are not the Things we fo much concern our"felves about. These Perfons you speak of, "believe all this and more; and their Converfa"tions may perhaps be regular and exact. But

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SERM.

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"this is not enough: They do not believe the II. Change of the Elements into Christ's natu

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ral Body and Blood in the Eucharift. They do not hold themselves obliged to be"lieve whatever the Church fhall recommend

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to them. They do not believe the Pope, "or General Councils, infallible. They hold

not the State of Purgatory. They will not "invoke Saints and Angels: Or pray for the "Dead. And therefore they are thus used." Now these, and the like, are their own Inventions, and Additions to the Law of Chrift: and yet thefe Articles are the Standard of their Love, or Hatred; and always determine their Behaviour to other Chriftians, whether it fhall be human or inhuman, civil or barbarous,

But we must not be fo partial to ourselves, as to confine this Obfervation to that Church; or to fuch Additions, or Points not effential, as have been determined by it. I fear, it will be found, that too many who profess to have reformed from that Church, ftill retain too much of the Spirit of it; and too often make their own Systems and Notions the Measure of their Affections; and confine their cordial Love, Wand Christian Charity, within the Bounds of their own Creed, or Manner of Worship. It is certainly true, that there have not been greater Hatreds, or more unchristian Malice, amongft Chriflians, than what have fprung

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from this Root: And therefore, this unhappy SER M. Confequence of Christianity must be charged, 11. in great Part, upon thofe Chriftians, who, not being content with the Simplicity of Chrif tianity, as they found it in the Gofpel, have been perpetually making Additions to it, according to their own various Opinions, or Defigns.

5. Fifthly, Another Confideration near akin to this, is, that this Unhappiness amongst Chriftians hath chiefly proceded from Men's mistaking the Nature, and main Design, of Christianity. Did Men but understand and confider that it was not the great Defign of the Christian Religion to make all the World of one Opinion, in Things of little Moment: but that it was reveled from Heaven, chiefly to restore the Worship of the one Supreme God, in Spirit and in Truth; and to teach Men to deny Ungodliness and worldly Lufts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this World; they could not act the Part, they fo often do. Did Men but confider, that the great Branch of Christian Duty, is Love, and Good-nature, and Humanity; and the distinguishing Mark of a Chriftian, an univerfal Charity; they could not but own that Jefus Chrift came to plant and propagate thefe in the World. And then, they would abhor the Thoughts of making any thing in his Inftitution, an En

SERM. gine of Strife, and Malice, and Inhumanity.

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Then, they would not think all Things law~~ful against those that differ from them; nor themselves obliged to crush and ruine them. Then, the Contention between Men of various Minds would not be, who fhould have the Power of oppreffing their Brethren: But the Contest would be, who fhould Love moft; and who should give the most expreffive Demonftrations of an unconfined Good-nature, and an unbounded Charity. But these, I fear, are but Dreams and Wishes !

It would found fomething ftrange to fay that the chief Defign of Chriftianity is too plain to be understood, and too evident to be feen And yet it is true, that the very Plainnefs of this makes it the lefs attended to. Such a Love there is in Men to fomething not fo eafy to be understood; nor of fuch Importance: and such a readiness to find out other Defigns of Chriflianity, more agreeable to their own worldly Projects!

Can any of all the fiery Zealots in the World fhew us any Defign more worthy of the Son of God's defcending from Heaven, than the planting of Love, and Peace, on Earth? more beneficial to the whole Race of Mankind; more for the Eafe and internal Quiet of our own Breafts; or a better Preparative for the calm and ferene Joys of Heaven; for the Fruition of that God who is Love, and of the Company

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