Page images
PDF
EPUB

as the strongest appeal, and most unchange able motive that can govern our actions at all times. However, as every good argument on the fide of religion fhould in proper times be made use of,—it is fit fometimes to examine this, by proving virtue is not even destitute of a present reward,—but carries in her hand a fufficient recompence for all the self-denials she may occafion :-she is pleasant in the way, -as well as in the end;-her ways being ways of pleasantnefs, and all her paths peace.But it is her greatest and most distinguished glory, that the befriends us hereafter, and brings peace at the last;—and this is a portion fhe can never be difinherited of,-which may God of his mercy grant us all, for the fake of Jefus Chrift.

SERMON II.

Our Converfation in Heaven.

C

[19]

SERMON

T

II.

PHILIPPIANS iii, 20. ift Part.

For our converfation is in heaven.

HESE words are the conclufion of the

account which St. Paul renders of himfelf, to justify that particular part of his conduct and proceeding,-his leaving fo ftrangely, and deferting his Jewish rites and ceremonies, to which he was known to have been formerly fo much attached, and in defence of which he had been fo warmly and fo remarkably engaged. This, as it had been matter of provocation against him amongst his own countrymen the Jews, fo was it no lefs an occafion of furprize to the Gentiles ;-that a person of his great character, intereft and reputation,one who was defcended from a tribe of Ifrael, deeply skilled in the profeffions, and zealous in the obfervances of the traiteft fect of that

religion; who had their tenets inftilled into him from his tender years, under the inftitution of the ablest masters;-a Pharisee himfelf, the son of a Pharifee, and brought up at the feet of Gamaliel,-one that was fo deeply interested, and an acceffary in the perfecution of another religion, just then newly come up; a religion to which his whole fect, as well as himself, had been always the bitterest and most inveterate enemies, and were constantly upbraided as fuch, by the first founder of it; that a perfon fo befet, and hem'd in with interests and prejudices on all fides, should after all turn profelyte to the very religion he had hated;—a religion too, under the most univerfal contempt of any then in the world,

-

-the chief leaders of it men of the loweft birth and education, without any advantages of parts or learning, or other endowments to recommend them :-that he fhould quit and abandon all his former privileges, to become merely a fellow-labourer with thefe,-that he fhould give up the reputation he had acquired amongst his brethren by the ftudy and labours of a whole life;-that he fhould give up his friends, his relations and family, from whom

« PreviousContinue »