Gospel revelation, and mistaken in others, as we are all unavoidably ignorant of, and mistaken in many things; yet this cannot hap"pen in those things that are necessary to your acceptance with God. For our Saviour here assures you, that whilst you have these dispositions to God and goodness, "you shall not only be able to judge concerning a divine revelation, but also to discern and understand all its essential articles." Without which, indeed, we cannot be said to know it at all-" He shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."

No one, therefore, with these dispositions to do the will of God, needs ever to be under any apprehensions that he can err in err in any points that are essential, and necessary to his final salvation.

And, indeed, besides our Saviour's declaration before us, our natural conclusions concerning the divine wisdom and goodness, will not allow us to think otherwise of him. For a disposition uniformly prompting men to do the will of God, as far as they know it, comprises in it all those virtuous qualities that we can conceive capable of recommending us to

his favour; and it would be to think unworthily of him, that he should make it depend on any other condition.

So that our preservation from dangerous errors does not depend on infallibility in ourselves or others: but on each person's sincerity and integrity before God; of which a man may have sufficient assurance, without deep great genius, or knowledge of any kind.

Therefore, a man needs not go to the learned and dignified teachers of this or that church, who take upon them to prescribe to others, to know whether he is of the right faith, and in a state of salvation. For they (whatever they may pretend and decree concerning others, with whom they have nothing to do in this respect, to dictate to them) cannot determine it for him: it can only be decided in his own breast, by the testimony that he finds there to the honesty of his heart, and the innocency of his life, and sincere endeavours to come at the truth for himself.

V.

Lastly, We here learn that the evidence of the Gospel is not calculated to subdue and overcome the obstinacy of worldly men, who are void of all love of God and goodness; but is intended,

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intended, and fully sufficient, to open and enlighten the minds of the sincere and well-disposed. These will be satisfied with its evidences, and receive it gladly.

It was with an eye to both these characters, that our Lord uttered that thanksgiving to God, who had instructed him in the methods that he had appointed for the salvation of men, and had made him the happy instrument of forwarding them; (Luke x. 21.) "In that hour, Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said; I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that although thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, thou hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight."

And the most cursory reader of our Lord's discourses must have observed, that his answers to his adversaries were sometimes intended, rather to pose and silence, than to inform them; as he knew that it would be in vain to attempt to teach them, whilst their tempers were so malignant and unchanged.

Hence it is, that in his parable of the Sower, where he treats of the different dispositions of his hearers, and of mankind; he declares, that none but upright virtuous men would

think well of, and embrace the Gospel (Luke viii. 15.) "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."

These are they whom he describes as "His sheep (John x.) who hear his voice, and willingly follow him.” And in another place, (John vi. 44.) he calls them such as were "drawn by the Father;" not drawn by any particular sensible impulse upon their minds; but persons piously and virtuously disposed, are in the Scripture language "drawn by the Father," as all good dispositions come to us by the providence and appointment of our heavenly Father.

To draw to a conclusion.

This virtuous disposition also will not only lead men to embrace the Gospel, but to make progressive advances thereby, in every thing holy and good.

We see, in their worldly affairs, to what great skill in any particular profession men can atcain, where they have a disposition, a liking for it; because they are continually employing their thoughts that way, and exercising themselves about it.

And where a love of virtue and a zeal for God and his creatures' happiness meet, shall they not be able, through the powerful motives of the Gospel, to surmount every difficulty which may obstruct their way! They will carry men, as they carried the holy Jesus and his first followers in great numbers, and some few at least in every age, to become burning and shining lights in the world, by their unblamable life and unwearied labours to do good, and to be instrumental in spreading the truth far and near; to draw mankind out of the abyss of vice, ignorance, and base selfishness in which they lay involv ed, and must necessarily be miserable; and bring them to the light of life, and enable them to recover and to make advances in the divine love, and the most active benevolence for their fellow-creatures; in which consist the highest perfection and most supreme felicity. Thus we behold how excellent such poor mortals as we are capable of becoming by an adherence to the precepts of Jesus, and the doctrine of God delivered by him.

Unto God be glory in the highest for ever!

PRAYER.