1 DISCOURSE III. A Fondness for worldly Efteem a great Hindrance to religious Truths. JOHN V. 44. How can ye believe, who receive Ho- E may obferve that our Lord believe in, and follow him; but as ticular ticular Hindrances, and draws from them Perfonal Directions. There were doubtlefs in that Age Perfons under all forts of Indifpofitions and ill Habits in regard to religious Truths, and as these came in our Lord's way, they give him a handle of applying himfelf in a proper and fuitable manner to them. So that befides general and comprehenfive Rules of Behaviour, fuch as, Deny your felves, repent and believe the Gospel, and the like, we may find particular and fpecial Inftructions, adapted to thofe many Inventions, which Men have fought out unto themfelves; We may hear our Lord speaking to the prefent State of our own Souls, and in whatsoever way of Wickedness our Feet have wandered, our infallible Guide points out to us, a fhort and fure Way of our Return into the Paths of our Duty and Happinefs. The Scripture therefore may very reasonably bear this Teftimony of it felf, that it is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, for Inftruction in Righteoufnefs, that the Man of God may be perfect, and throughly furnished unto every good Work. So indeed is the manifold Wifdom of God exprefs'd, fo modelled and varied in the Scriptures, that, like the flaming Sword, it turns every way to keep the Way of the Tree of Life. It applies it felf to every Age and Condition, every Difpofition and Capacity, every Want and Exigence, and draws us with all the Cords of a Man. The Words of my Text are one of these particular Inftructions addrefs'd to those who receive Honour one of another, intimating, First, That whilst they continue in that Practice, it is very difficult for them to believe in Chrift. And Secondly, That in order to believe in Chrift we fhould not seek the the Praises of Men, but that Honour which comes from God only. Firft, The Words of my Text intimate to us, that whilft we receive Honour one of another, it will be very difficult for us to believe in Chrift. We are not more fenfible of our Being, than we are of a Principle implanted in us to preserve it; and that this Principle does not prompt us barely to continue our Exiftence, but to extend and enlarge, and make it as happy and comfortable as we can. We cannot conceive it poffible for the Almighty to bring a rational Being into Existence, without making this Principle or Inclination a Part of his Conftitution. From a Confcioufuefs of our own Powers and Perfections must arife a Complacency in them, and Defire to improve them: Perfections without Confciousness, and ConsciousE 4 nefs nefs without Complacency would be imparted in vain. From this Love of our Being and the Perfection of it we naturally defire all thofe inward Qualifications and outward Conveniences, which we think may best preserve, improve and render our Existence happy. As we are focial Creatures, and receive much Good or Evil under that Relation, fo we naturally avoid all the Evils and purfue all the Happiness which we apprehend in Society. Now the Love and Good-will, the Praise and Admiration of the Society around us, do so evidently and powerfully contribute to the Prefervation, Grandeur and Happiness of our Natures, that the Man who does not perceive, and is not influenced by the Fitnefs and Suitableness of these things, to answer thefe ends, must be the. most dull and stupid Creature in the World; There is not a more strict Re |