A sermon on Acts xxviii, 22 showing, that the Christian religion is not a…A sermon on Acts xxviii, 22 shewing, that the Christian religion is not a…

2. The Immoralities of those who profess Christianity turn much more to the reproach of that Holy Religion; when those that are called Christians, are griping and covetous, and greedy of the World, when they are false and deceitful, and unjust in their Dealings, sour and morose, and unnatural to their Relations, turbulent and unquiet in Societies, when they are froward and passionate, proud and haughty, hard-hearted and oppressive, loose and intemperate. When they are found guilty of Lying and Cheating, Drunkenness or Uncleanness. When it appears that they keep up some secret Haunts of Sin, under the cloak and covert of a specious Profession, when they that profess the Christian Faith lick up the vomit of Heathen, and allow themselves in those things that are contrary to the Light and Law even of Natural Religion. This is that which opens the mouths of the Adversaries to speak reproachfully of that Religion, the Profession of which is made to consist with such vile Practises, which cannot possibly consist with the Power of it. This makes People ready to say as that Mahometan Prince did, when the Christians had broke their League with him, O Jesus, are these thy Christians? Or as the complaint was upon ⟨p. 43⟩another occasion, Aut hoc non Evangelium, aut hi non Evangelici, Either this is not Gospel, or these are not to be called Professors of the Gospel. If Ministers give offence in any thing, not they only, but their Ministry will be blamed. Nay,¹ if Servants, Christians of the lowest rank and figure, if they be unfaithful, and disobedient to the Government they are under,² the Name of God, and his Doctrine, is likely to be blasphemed. Let us therefore who profess Relation to the Eternal God, and Dependence upon the Blessed Jesus, and a Regard to the Holy Scriptures, as we tender the Reputation of our Religion,³ walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing. Let us Order our Conversation so in every thing, as that we may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour. ⁴While we are called by so good a Name, let us not dare to do an ill thing. The Disciples of Christ are as a City upon a Hill,