SERMON X. The principal properties of the Divine Benevolence. PSALM CXXXVI. I. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endur- SERMON XI. Of Moral Evil, and that the permiffion of it is confiftent with the Di- JAMES I. 13, 14. Let no man fay when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither temp- teth he any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his SERMON XII. The Objection of the Abun- dance of Moral Evil farther urged and SERMON XIII. Natural Evil, and the pu- HEB. xii. 10. For they verily for a few days chaftened us after their own plea- fure; but he for our profit, that we might SERMON XVII. The Evidences for a future MARK X. 17. And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and afked him, Good Mafter, what shall I do that I may inherit SERMON XXI. Chrift the beft Guide to JOHN vi. 68, 69. Then Simon Peter an- fwered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou haft the words of eternal life. And we believe, and are fure, that thou art the Chrift, the Son of the living God. SERMON XXII. The fame fubject. 536 Note, Sermon XX is printed XXII. SER- SERMON I The Divine Goodness explained. PSALM CXlV. 9. The Lord is good to all, and his tender mer cies are over all his works. T HAT Jehovah, who created us and all beings, is good or benevolent in the highest degree, is the dictate of Nature, of Reafon, and of Scripture. That God is good is the earliest fentiment of nature concerning him, and prevails in the breafts of thofe, who have not taken the pains to reafon out the divine perfections, or diligently to trace his kindnefs in it's numerous effects. Their fenfe of the amiablenefs of this difpofition, and their approbation of themfelves when they feel it prevailing, determine them without hefitation to afcribe the nobleft dégrees of this quality to that Being, whom all believe the most perfect. Reafon alfo clearly difcerning, after an exact inquiry, B THE PREFACE. ORTHY conceptions, and a firm W and habitual perfuafion of the Di vine Benevolence, being of high importance to the credit, pleasure, and practice of religion; it is greatly to be defired that thefe fhould become univerfal. The writers who have treated this fubject in the most judicious manner, have aimed more at the fatisfaction of the thoughtful and ftudious, than the inftruction and conviction of the main Body of Christians, who yet are equally interested in this important doctrine. They have also omitted a distinct and animating reprefentation of the practical Confequences. The Author of the following difcourfes hath therefore endeavoured to fet the evidences of this great doctrine in a Light easy to the understandings of the generality, ftill preferv A 2 ing |