nefs and integrity as himself and his Apostles undeniably appear to have been, fhould either make or advance a lie, is to fuppofe one of these two things; either that God Almighty fhould be affifting in fetting up the Devil's kingdom, or that Satan fhould join a helping hand to pull down his own.

CHA P. X.

The Advantages of Revelation above natural Light, or any System of the Law of Nature.

'A'

Ltho' we have just reason to prefer revelation before the bare light of nature, as may eafily appear from what has been hitherto obferv'd, and from a great deal more that might be added upon fo copious a. fubject; yet I would not have any thing I have faid mifconftrued, as if it were spoken in derogation to natural religion. For I readily acknowledge, that all revelation fuppofes the truth of the principles of natural re-. ligion, and nothing is to be received as fuch, which evidently contradicts or overthrows thofe principles. So we are to look upon natural religion,

as

as the foundation, and revelation as the fuperftructure, that which adds the last and finishing stroke to the whole work.

And in my judgment this one confideration is fufficient to recommend the Scripture Revelation to every impartial reader, viz. That it not only fuppofes and builds upon the receiv'd principles of natural religion, concerning the being and providence of God, and the rewards and punishments of a future ftate, but likewise improves, and enforces them, by placing them in a better light, and giving us greater evidence for them, than bare reafon could fuggeft.

But alas! there are too many nowa-days that fancy God might have fav'd all this trouble, that revelation is a clog to religion instead of a help They are of opinion that the law of nature is a fufficient rule for practice, and the intimations of another life; and the general notices of God's mercy, which reason offers to us,

are

are as good a fecurity for men's falvation as they need defire. Thus do ungrateful men requite God for his mercies; and this is all the return they think fit to make to him for thofe wonderful expreffions of his love, in fending his Son into the world, that we might live thro' him.

To convince men of their folly, as well as their ingratitude, I fhall briefly confider the great advantages of revelation above the bare light of nature, or any fyftem of natural religion; and that upon three ac

counts.

1. Becaufe revelation explains our duty more fully and diftinctly.

2. It enforces it by a more commanding authority.

3. The arguments it makes use of to that purpose, are more powerful and perfuafive; and likewife more popular and better fuited to common capa

cities.

1. Revelation explains our duty more fully and diftinctly; i. e. it gives

us

us a more diftinct account of the feveral branches of our duty, and explains the due extent of each particular branch.

There is no queftion but the laws of nature are God's laws, who is the author of nature, and that their obligation is enforc'd upon men by natural fanctions; but yet the authority of each particular branch of them is not fo clear and indifputable, as to be obvious to every capacity. And this uncertainty gives a pretence to men to judge for themfelves, how far the obligation of natural duty extends, and no doubt but they will find out fome favourable exception for their own darling lufts and vices. Upon this account, confidering the great degeneracy of the world, the law of nature is too uncertain a rule for men to fquare their lives by. And indeed here lies that mystery of iniquity, which is now working under the pretence of Deifm, or the maintaining natural religion in oppofition

to