The doctrines of grace cannot be more abused, than the mercy of God is; nor afford a sweeter handle for licentiousness: yet no horrid outcry is raised at this abuse. Many mind it not: and others pass it softly over, without saying, it is wrong. But sure God's honor is as much concerned in this abuse, as in the other. And since men can bear to have the mercy of God abused, but take a violent offence when the doctrines of grace are perverted, this shews that the mere abuse of these doctrines is not the chief ground of the world's outcry. The doctrines themselves are hateful, because they batter human pride, undermine all human merit, lay the human worm in the dust, and give the glory of salvation wholly unto God. Nature cannot bear this; she would not have salvation as a lost, but as a decent sinner: nor become an heir of glory by a mere election of God and faith in Jesus, but by some noble plea of merit; nor would she walk in duty's path, through the Holy Spirit's aid, but by her own gouty ankles. With some reluctance she endures to go snacks with Jesus, but will never bear to be wholly saved by grace, it is so pitiful a way, so much beneath her dignity! What? If she is become a captive, satan's captive, as she was once an empress, she will wear a crown, not through another's generous purchase, but by her own exploits, and decent share of merit.

It is not possible to preach the doctrines of grace, nor even to profess them, without the world's indignation and censure. If every preacher was a Timothy, and all professors were Nathaniels, still the world would hold them in abhorrence, think them satan's troops, and call them wolves in sheep's cloathing.

Q

Paul affirms that himself and his fellow labourers were slandered as licentious men, who said "Let us do evil, that good may come." And Peter intimates, that all the christians were spoken against as evil doers. Now, Sir,if the preachers, in the purest age of the church, were slandered as licentious men; and professors were reviled as a race of evil-doers; it is no marvel, that the slander rolls along through all succee ding ages.

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And what could give occasion to this slander? Not the evil conduct of the first preachers and professors, but their offensive doctrines, which made old nature rage. Preachers said, and converts did profess, that men are justified by faith, without the deeds of the law; chosen of God before the foundation of the world; called by grace; kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation; and saved not according to their own works but according to God's purpose and grace."

Such preaching, though attended with much practical instruction, appeared to the heathen intolerable. Loose as the gentiles were, they could loathe a christian for his supposed evil principles; and did condemn them all, apostles and their flocks, as the filth of the world, and the offscouring of all things.

And if this was the case in the purest age; what else can be expected in succeeding ages? But you say, we sojourn in a baptized country. True the country swarms with baptized rakes, baptized worldlinge, and baptized infidels. A watery profession, without the Spirit's baptism, will never wash the heart from -pride, and subdue it to the gospel doctrines; and legal righteousness will set the heart still more against

them. No one can truly bear the doctrines, till he cannot bear himself.

Jesus Christ invites them, that are weary of them selves, and laden with their guilt and sinful nature. Only such received him in Judea, and only such receive him any where. These are prepared for his gospel; they know what poverty of spirit means, and feel that brokenness of heart, which God delighteth in, and where he only dwells.

These are the gospel subjects! but alas! how few! And where must we find them, in leather or prunello, in camblet or in sarcenet? They are a little flock indeed, who have been taught to say with Job, and say with deep compunction, "We abhor ourselves." Yet Job was called a perfect man, by one who knew what is in man: but Job wanted breaking down, before he could truly say 66 Behold, I am vile." And when the furnace had well melted him, disclosed his dross and made him loathsome to himself, then the work was done. The furnace cooled presently; his sorrow fled away; and peace and plenty smiled on him.

The doctrines of grace are utterly repugnant to the pride of human nature; yet none forsake the doctrines, who have gained a clear sight of them. They are abused by some, as every good thing is, but are abandoned by none. Errorists, who have received a ray of gospel light, desert their ranks frequently but a Calvinist will never leave his standard; he dies at the foot of his colours. A clear sight of grace is so exceeding glorious, it keeps the heart steady to the doctrines.

Perhaps you think, a Calvinist maintains his ground because it is bestrewed with roses, and suits licentious

purposes. But, Sir, this calumny has grown exceed ing stale. It was broached first in Paul's day, and poured on him liberally, and sprinkled on his hearors and it has begrimmed his followers in all succeeding ages. If the slander attaches to us, it cleaves to Paul abundantly, for he first broached this offensive vessel which makes the human bosom rave with indignation.

These doctrines suit a contrite spirit ; and are drank not as a Circe's bowl, to intoxicate the mind; but as a grace cup to cheer the heart, and keep it steady under trials. They do not prove a monster's den, as you suppose, where all are eaten up, who enter in; but a banquet house, where pilgrims find such sweet repast, they have no will to leave it.

If I seem tedious on this article, the misguided zeal of some, I hope, well minded people, has constrained me; who have taken most outrageous pains to blacken Calvinism. Whatever ridicule a sparkling fancy could suggest, whatever filth or ordure could be raked together, has been cast upon it. The looseness of a few is charged on all the rest; and a devil's coat is put upon a Calvinist, like some condemned heretic; and in this flaming raiment he is held aloft, as an horrid bugbear, to frighten simple hearted people.

Well, but Doctor, one thing somewhat gravels me, that these doctrines will not relish with the present age, though they are established. The law, the homilies, the articles, the prayer-book, all afford protection to them, and yet they cannot stand: pray, what makes them prove so rickety?

Sir, your question may be answered by another.

Can any good thing keep its head above water in the present age? If the doctrines of grace are rejected i is not the word of God despised too, and the house of God deserted, and the name of God blasphemed every where? The Bible, like an old almanack, is either cast out of doors, or cast upon a solitary shelf, to be buried there in dust, and covered with a winding sheet, weaved by a spider. How should the doctrines keep upon their feet when the Bible which contains them, is fallen upon the ground?

Unless a spirit of grace is poured out upon a land, the doctrines of grace cannot be heartily received, because they fight with every dictate of depraved nature. The first lesson to be learned in Christ's school, is, deny thyself, every thing that belongs to self; not self-pleasing only, and self-interest, but all self-sufficiency, self-will, self-potence and self-righteousness; and these are heavy crosses to be taken up.

The law was established with divine solemnity a mong the Israelites, yet they were evermore deserting this establishment, and warping to idolatry, And how were they reclaimed? By a `prophet's mouth, you say True. But a prophet's mere preaching could no more reclaim the people than a prophet's dancing. God gave a promise to his prophet. "I will pour upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and supplication," and so the work was done. Where the spirit of grace fell, a change was wrought.

Even so it fares with the gospel, which can no more be kept on foot, than the law was, without a supernatural power. Men, will desert the doctrines and the precepts of the gospel, for these go hand in hand; nor can human establishments prevent it. EsQ' *