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bad Men fuggested them; and the Reasonings of all, that would reason, confirm'd thefe Apprehenfions. So that when they are revealed, one would think there could be no Objection. The Evidence I have here infifted upon, is what arises from the Nature and Neceffity of things. The particular Circumstances of a Judgment to come, which Revelation has given us, as far as we have now enquired into them, appear not only reasonable, but abfolutely neceffary. Now where a thing was so agreeable to the natural Notions and Expectations of Mankind, before it was reveal'd, and after its Revelation appears in all its Parts and Branches so strictly reasonable and neceffary; They who reject it, must not be directed by Reason, but by Darkness, and a refolute Love of and Adherence to it. The Perplexities on their Side are endless; all is Darknefs; there is no other Refort, or K 4 Shel

Shelter. On the other fide the Light fhines, all Difficulties are removed, feeming Contrarieties reconcil'd, and Wisdom, Goodness and Justice established for ever.

The other Application I have to make is such as may influence our Practice. The natural and internal Evidences of a future Judgment revealed, before we come to consider its external and adventitious Evidences, are fuch, as no impartial Reafoner can refift. Now the Matter of it is of fo fupreme an Importance, that not to admit it, as our first Principle or Motive of Action, must be Madness. Was it barely doubtful, every wife Man would choose the fafeft Side: But, as it is evident, to difregard it, is to disregard our highest poffible Concern. We must all appear before the Fudgment-Seat of Chrift, none shall be exempt. The Secrets of all Hearts fhall be disclosed, no Arti

fice, no Subtilty will avail, no Power can rescue us, no Covering hide us. Our Confederates together with our own Hearts will witness against us. Our present Glories will be our Shame. There is no need of many Words upon this Occafion, the plain Importance of the Thing it felf is fufficient to make us very careful in our Conduct, which is to come before fo awful a Tribunal. But at last what is this Conduct? There is nothing required of us, if attended to, but what our Reason must approve as most excellent, and our Affections embrace as most conducive to our Happiness, even in this Life. The whole is, the Love of God, and of our Neighbour, to do unto others, as we would they fhould do unto us; which we cannot contradict in our Manners, without offending our Consciences, and generally counter-acting our own Intereft, And the Pleafures, we propofe to our

felves in the Neglect and Breach of these Duties, are so infignificant and unworthy, that they will bear no Examination with regard to their ordinary Confequences in this Life, much less to their future and eternal Confe quences. For what is a Man profited if he shall gain the whole World, and lofe his own Soul? Or what shall a Man give in Exchange for his Soul? •

Mat. xvi. 26.

DISCOURSE VII.

The Reasonablenefs and Efficacy of Prayer.

PHIL, iv. 6.

Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by Prayer and Supplication with Thanksgiving, let your Requests be made known unto God.

RAYER and Thanksgiving to God, have been the principal Branches of all Religions in all Ages and Nations of the World. How much foever Mankind have differ'd in their Conceptions of the Divine Being, and

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