The Nature, Procedure, Extent, Va- BX3 lue and Effects of a Rational Faith 045 12 In TWO SERMONS Preach'd before the UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, On March 11. and June 24. 1744. By WILLIAM DODWELL M. A. OXFORD, Printed for James Fletcher in the Turl; and 1 English Blackwell 10-18-45 53389 1 Pet. III. 15. Be ready always to give an Answer to Every Man that afketh You a Reason of the Hope that is in You. T HIS was the Direction of an Apostle, who well understood the Foundation of the Religion He was commissioned to preach; This the Method by which He proposed the Chriftian Faith should be received, diffused and continued in the World. The particular Arguments, with which They were to answer Enquirers, He had elsewhere instructed them in, and He here directs Them to fix Them deep in their Minds, that they might be able to apply them upon any sudden Demand, for the Justification of themselves and the Conversion of Others. Enquirers of all Sorts were naturally to be expected upon the Publication of a Religion, which prescribed such exalted Rules of Life, and enforced them with such exalted Motives. Some, for the Sake of the Hope that was in them, might be glad to fee so defireable a Scheme well founded, 1 1 [2] whilst Others would be industriously solicitous to disprove a System, which crossed their received Opinions, and forbad the Gratification of their beloved Lufts and Paffions. However whether They made the Enquiry of Envy and Strife, or of Good Will towards this Dispensation, whether They asked a Reason of their Hope, of Contention, not fincerely, fuppofing to confound their best Expectations, or of Love, knowing the comfortable Profpect which It afforded, The Disciples of this Religion were to be provided against all Demands however intended; They were to be prepared to offer fufficient Evidence for their Faith, for the Confutation of its Enemies, and the Satisfaction of Those, who were disposed to be its Friends. The peculiar Circumstances of their Situation made it necessary for Them to be well-grounded in the Faith, which they might probably be called on to support at the Expence of their Lives; and the great Importance of the Doctrine must incline Those, who fincerely believe it Themselves, to use all Endeavours to fatisfy Others of the Truth of it. -- And indeed had this Scheme been proposed in any other Light, had the First Preachers of our Religion placed it on any other than a Rational Foundation, the Philosophers had had had fufficient Matter of Triumph over a new Institution, which did not pretend to be founded on Argument, and there had been still the fame Room for the Ridicule of the Wits of the present Age; or rather It could never have continued for the Diversion of their Posterity, but must have funk deservedly under the Insult, Reproach and Contempt of those Times. But now in this Cafe Matter of Fact is an Argument of real Force. This Religion prospered against all opposition, and Those, who according to St Peter's Direction were prepared to give a Reason of the Hope that was in Them, did actually defend it with Success against Persecution and Misrepresentation: By Strength of Reasoning They filenced the Objections of Wit and Learning, and by the Integrity of their Lives and Conftancy of their Deaths offered an Argument superior to what any other Institution had ever offered. --- Yet Opposition has been made to this powerful Source of Light and Virtue in this very View of it, and Difficulties have been raised concerning the Nature, Procedure, Extent, Value and Effects of a Rational Faith, which it is of great Importance to examine and explain; for if our Religion be found defective in this Point, in vain shall We seek out for any other fuf A 2 |