The Gospel openly Published.

3

A

SERMON

Preached at

Westminster - Abbey,

I

Νου. 1. 1718.

ACTS xxvi. 26.

This Thing was not done in a Corner.

T might be hoped, that, in a Country, where the Religion of Chrift is not only publickly profeffed, but interwoven into the Civil Frame, and establifhed by a Law, the Truth of ChriftiB 2

anity

SERM.

I.

SERM. anity might at all times be taken for I granted; and that the Minifters of Chrift might have nothing to do, but to build on that Foundation, and be ever employed in exciting Men to a Practice fuitable Tit.io to their Profeffion, and to Adorn the Doctrine of our God and Saviour in all things. But (alas!) the Frequent and Daring Attempts of Infidelity interrupt us in our Course, make it neceffary for Heb. vi. us to lay again the Foundation, (as the Apostle speaks) and to apologize for Christianity, just as if it were now in its Infant State, and newly fetting forth in the World.

1.

God forgive Them who put us upon this Unwelcome Task! In the mean time, We, I'm fure, were not to be forgiven, fhould we appear lefs folicitous to Support and Vindicate that Faith, into which we were Baptized, and to the Preaching of which we are peculiarly dedicated, than fome Men are to Undermine and Deftroy it. And of All the Circumftances which add a particular Strength to the Evidence given for the Truth of the

Gospel,

I.

27

Gospel, there is none more advantageous SERM. to it, than the Confideration of that Fair, Open and Illuftrious Manner, wherein it' was proved, and propagated, by Chrift and his Apostles. There was no Affectation of Privacy in what they faid, or did; their Doctrines were preached, and their Miracles wrought in broad Day-light, and in the Face of the World; in the most frequented Places, before thousands,and ten thousands of Witnesses: This thing, says St. Paul, (in his Admirable Apology before Agrippa and Feftus) was not done in a Corner.

I fhall briefly open and illuftrate this Truth, in order to (what I chiefly intend) the drawing from thence fome Useful Obfervations and Improvements, which it will naturally afford us.

I. When our Saviour began to publishi the Gospel of his Kingdom, he did not, as Deceivers use to do, vent his new Doctrines, or pretend to perform his Wonders (the Evidence of his Divine Miffion) in Places where there was no body fit to