The Evidences of Christianity Briefly Stated and the New Testament Proved to Be Genuine. In Three Judicious and Excellent Sermons.

WHEN we are addressing ourselves to an audience of professing Christians, I think, we may reasonably take it for granted, in the main course of our ministry, that they believe the truth of the Gospel, and may argue with them on that supposition. To be ever laying the foundation, would be the part of an unwise builder, and be greatly detrimental to your edification and comfort, and, I may add, to our own. Nevertheless, Christians, we do not desire, that you should take it merely upon our word, that your religion is divine, and your Scriptures inspired. We desire, that your faith, as well as your worship, should be a reasonable service [51] ; and wish, that, in this respect, all the Lord's people were as prophets [52] ; that as every Christian is, in his sphere, set for the defence of the Gospel [53] , each might, in some measure, be able to assert its truth, and, if possible, to convince gainsayers [54] . Therefore, as we arc often hinting at the chief arguments, on which this sacred cause is established, established, I trust, so firmly, that the gates of hell shall never prevail against it [55] ; so, I thought, it might be agreeable and useful, on this occasion, to state them a little more largely, in their proper connexion and mutual dependence. And I chose rather to do it, as these sermons are especially intended for young people, who, in an age in which infidelity so much abounds, can hardly expect to pass through the world, if they, are called to converse much in it, without some attacks on their faith; which may be very dangerous, if they are not provided with some armour of proof against them. It is, indeed, (as I before observed,) above all things to be desired, that the heart may be established with grace [56] ; for we are then most secure from the danger of forgetting God's precepts [57] , when they have been the blessed means of quickening us to a divine life. Yet, as other arguments have their use, and, in some degree, their necessity too, I shall go on briefly to propose them.