Levett, Mayor. Jovis tertio die Octobr. 1700. annoque Regni Willielmi Tertii, Angl. etc. duodecimo.  
THIS Court doth desire Mr. Lardner to Print his Sermon, preached at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, on Sunday the Two and twentieth Day of September last, before the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of this City.  
Ashhurst.   

Of earnestly contending for the Faith.  
A SERMON Preached at the Cathedral Church of St. PAUL, BEFORE The Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR AND aldermans OF THE CITY of LONDON, On Sunday, Sept. the 22th.  
THERE Being that Day an Ordination By the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of LONDON.  
By JAMES LARDNER, M. A  
LONDON, Printed for B. Aylmer, at the Three Pigeons in Cornhill, 1700.   

To the Right Honourable Sir RICHARD LEVETT, Kt. LORD MAYOR; TO THE COURT of ALDERMEN; And the Right Worshipful Sr CHARLES DUNCOMB, AND Sr JEFFREY JEFFREYS, LATE SHERIFFS OF THE CITY of LONDON.  
Right Honourable and Worshipful;  
WHAT open Defiance hath of late been given to all the Sacred Mysteries of the Gospel, what barefaced Opposition hath been made to the Christian Faith, is well known, and is sadly Lamented by every serious and considerate Man. The labouring Press doth, almost every day, produce some sly Pamphlet or other; the design of which, is to Undermine our most Holy Religion, and Ridicule and Scoff at all the Professors of it: Nor do these things steal secretly into our Hands, or by their Privacy betray an inward Shame in the Author, but every Page doth publicly declare, that the Publisher of it is a professed Enemy to the Faith of Christ. The Opposition is made with so much Courage and Boldness, that a mere Stranger would hardly believe Christianity to be the Religion of our Country, or that the Gospel had the Protection of the Law to guard it. The design therefore of the following Discourse, is, to point out and discover some of these Adversaries, and by showing how dangerous they are, to raise our Spirits, and call up that Courage which so well becomes those, who ought to be the Assertors of it, and whose Duty it is to contend earnestly for the Faith. That God would please to assist and protect those who stand up vigorously in Defence of our most Holy Religion, and at last bring us all to an Unity in the Faith, is the hearty Prayer of,  
Right Honourable and Worshipful, Your most Obedient, and Most Humble Servant, James Lardner.   
Epist. of St. Judas, Ver. 3. latter part. — And exhort you, that ye should earnestly contend for the Faith, which was once delivered to the Saints. 
THAT ye should earnestly contend for the Faith! Can then that Gospel which was once delivered by the Prince of Peace meet with any so hardy and obstinate as to gainsay and oppose it? That Gospel, the very design of which, is to promote an universal Love and Charity; to join us all (as it were) into one common Household, one Family: That Gospel, which teaches me to look upon every Man as my Neighbour, my Friend, and my Brother; that obliges me to allow every Man a share in my Heart, and admit him as Partner in my Love and Affections: That Gospel, which is so well fitted for the Advancement of every Man's true Interest and Advantage, and which gives us a blessed Assurance, in consequence of our Obedience, of an immortal Crown of Glory hereafter. Can any one be so obstinately, so wilfully blind, as not to see those things which make for his eternal Peace, and not upon first sight close in with, and embrace ' 'em? 'Tis strange, that the effect of the Son of God's coming into the World, should be, 
St. Mat. 10.34.  not to send Peace, but a Sword; that the most tender and obliging offers, that even infinite Mercy did ever make, should prove the occasion of Strife and Contention, and set one Man at variance against another.  
Yet this is our case, and every one who is admitted within the Pale of the Christian Church, engages himself in a continual Warfare; he enters, and lists himself into the Service of him, who is described to us under the Character of the Captain of our Salvation, the Head of the Church, that Army of the living God; he obliges himself to wrestle, not only against Flesh and Blood, 
Eph. 6.12,  but against Principalities and Powers, against the Rulers of the Darkness of this World, against spiritual Wickednesses in high Places; and his Adversaries have so many ways to beset him, that he must be continually upon his Guard; and to secure his Innocence, take to him the whole Armour of God, 
13.  that he may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. The Christian Profession is represented to us as a State of Warfare; and a manly Courage, Resolution and Constancy, are qualifications which are necessary for every Professor to carry constantly about him; we are not, in the least, allowed to be Careless, Negligent and Supine, but are to sighed the good sight, to endure hardships, to be strong in the Lord, and earnestly to contend for that Faith, which was once delivered to the Saints.  
Which was once delivered to the Saints; for there is no other Gospel now to be expected, no other Rule by which we are to square our Actions; we are not to look for any strange, new Light, nor for any other Methods of Salvation. 'Tis true, 
Heb. 10.1.  the Law was indeed a shadow of good things to come, but now, since the Substance of the Faith hath been once fully revealed to us, by that Gospel, which hath brought Life and Immortality to light, we are modestly and humbly to embrace it, and take it as the only Rule both of our Faith and Practice; and though we, 
Gal. 1.8.  or an Angel from Heaven, preach any other Gospel to you, than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  
It would (I presume) be altogether needless, to go about to prove, that by that Faith in the Text, which we are exhorted thus earnestly to contend for, is to be understood the Christian Religion in general, viz. all those Doctrines and Precepts, as well as Articles of Belief, contained in that Gospel which hath no less than the Son of God for its Author; for so is the word used Acts 6.7. 1 Tim. 4.1. and in several other places. The Faith of a Christian, is the Religion of a Christian; and to believe in Jesus, is to become his Disciple, and a Follower of his Doctrines; and, I doubt not, but that seeming difference between St. Paul and St. James, when one speaks of Justification by Faith alone, and the other asserts good Works to be necessary in order thereunto, may very easily be adjusted, by a serious application of Mind, and by considering the drift and design of each Apostle, in his several Epistle. So that all those Controversies, which have for a long time employed the Pens of several (I hope well-meaning) Men, may be easily reconciled, and made up; for a truly pious Christian Faith, will undoubtedly be productive of all those good Works, to the performance of which our most holy Profession obliges us. To proceed therefore further upon this Point, would be altogether needless; and I hearty wish it were as needless to enlarge upon those several Adversaries, who set themselves in opposition to, and are the professed Enemies of that Faith which was once delivered to the Saints. 
Ver. 4.   Men (as our Apostle speaks) who either turn the Grace of our God into Lasciviousness, or positively deny the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ, even who deny the Lord that bought ' 'em. 
2 Pet. 2.1.  But we are obliged to observe,  
First, That when the Apostle exhorts us, to contend earnestly for the Faith, there are necessarily employed some Persons who will be constantly gainsaying and opposing it, some Adversaries which we are to encounter and conflict withal: Which being considered, we shall be naturally led in the  
Second place to inquire how, and after what manner we are to deal with these Adversaries, and what peculiar Weapons we are to make use of, whilst we endeavour earnestly to contend for the Faith. And then, lest any one should be discouraged in the discharge of his Duty, by the greatness of the Work, or the many Difficulties which he is to encounter, it will be requisite in the  
Third place, to show what mighty Encouragements we have to persuade us to a constant perseverance in our Christian Warfare, what blessed Assistances are offered to us, and what glorious Rewards they shall be Crowned withal, who sight the good Fight, and do inviolably keep the Faith.  
First, We are obliged to observe, that when the Apostle exhorts us to contend earnestly for the Faith, there are necessarily implied some Persons who will be constantly gainsaying and opposing it; some Adversaries which we are to encounter, and conflict withal. A Consideration, as melancholy as 'tis serious, and every way as sad as it is true. To be either Persecuted, singled out for Destruction, or at least slighted, and laughed at, hath (in some measure) been the Portion of the true Professors of the Faith, in all Ages of the Church: And to be mocked at, and derided, seemed to make up part of the Character of a Believer in the Infancy of Christianity. Nay, we may go further, even to the Fountain Head, and we shall find that the very Author of our Faith himself, the Blessed Jesus, met with the same Usage: No sooner had he left that humble Retirement, in which he passed the first Thirty Years of his Life, to enter publicly upon his Prophetic Office, but that Divine Charmer, who so spoke, as never Man spoke, met with such as contradicted, and opposed him; the proud, haughty Pharisee thought himself too great to listen to the Doctrines of Meekness and Humility, and being big with an expectation of a glorious Messiah, a Temporal Prince, who should rescue their Nation from the Roman Yoke, could not discern a Deliverer, under the appearance of a Carpenter's Son, nor imagine it possible, that he should redeem Israel, whose Condition was so low, mean and despicable, that, (according to his own Expression) he had not where to lay his Head. The proud Insulter would not see the Finger of the Almighty in those daily Miracles which he wrought, nor confess him to be the Son of God with power, though the Glories of his Divinity were visibly displayed in all his wondrous Works: But still is the Holy Jesus scoffed at, and derided, and in an impudent manner taunted at, Is not this the Carpenter, the Son of Mary? And when they found that many of the People (convinced by his mighty Works) began to adhere to, and embrace his Doctrines, lest their beloved Moses should be brought into disrepute, they resolve to Persecute both him and them, and Lazarus was designed to be put to Death, because that by reason of him (i. e. his being miraculously raised from the dead) many of the Jews went away, 
John 12. 1●, 11.  and believed on Jesus. Nor did their Malice admit of any Abatement, till they had nailed him to the Cursed Tree, and see him there expire, and die; when his Doctrines, they thought, would have died with him, and the Faith of Jesus, they hoped, would have been heard of no more.  
And since his Usage was thus very hard and severe, it could not afterwards be expected that the Disciple should be above, 
Mat. 10.24.  or far better than his Master, nor the Servant above his Lord; and when the Apostles were sent out upon that weighty Business, viz. to publish the same Gospel which Jesus had Preached, 
Mat. 1●. 22.  no wonder if they should be hated of all Men for his name sake. And indeed thus it proved, for when the Christian Doctrine revived, and risen again with its Blessed Author, it no sooner made its public Appearance in the World, but it was as publicly contradicted and opposed. That Doctrine which was so repugnant to those Notions, and Prejudices which had been generally entertained, could not undoubtedly without a great deal of difficulty, make its way into the Hearts of Men, and be received as a Rule of Faith. That Doctrine, the embracing of which at that time, tended to the lessening men's secular Interest, and Advantage, would assuredly meet with a great many Enemies; and 'tis not much to be admired, if, not only the Ephesian Silversmiths should be against it, 
Acts 19  whose Craft was in danger to be ruined and set at nought, but every Man likewise elsewhere, whose Interest it threatened to diminish, would make a Party against it, and raise a Body of Adversaries to oppose it: And when the Rage of such a Man as Herod had urged him to kill James the Brother of John with the Sword, 
Acts 12 1, 2, 3.  it was easy to imagine, that he who loved popular Applause, and prided himself in the Acclamations of the Crowd, should (when he saw it pleased the Jews) proceed further, not only to take Peter also, but lay violent Hands upon all the Preachers of the Gospel, and vex the whole Church.  
I need not in this place, for I consider before whom I speak, I need not here proceed to the next Ages consequent to that of the Apostles, and lay before you a large Catalogue of that noble Army of Martyrs, who suffered for the sake of Christ, during those several Persecutions which successively raged, and laid waste the Church of God. I need not lay before you an account of those several Kings and Emperors, under whom the Faithful Servants of the Blessed Jesus chose rather to suffer Afflictions with the People of God, than deny their Master, and desert their Saviour; who were tortured, not accepting deliverance; who had Trials of cruel Mockings and Scourge, yea moreover of Bonds and Imprisonment, and yet amidst all their Troubles and Afflictions, showed themselves more than Conquerors through him that loved them.  
'Twould be needless to carry your Eyes backward to those Times, when to embrace the Doctrine of our Lord, and to follow him was the sure and ready way to take up the Cross in a literal Sense, when he that would live the Life of a Christian, must expect to die the same Death with his Master: These things are sufficiently known, and evident to any Man who hath but looked into the History of the Church. It is very true, will some Men be apt to say, There is no doubt to be made, but the first Planters and Publishers of the Gospel met with very great Opposition, and both they and their Followers, in the first Ages of the Church, were very severely and cruelly handled; and their adhering to the Christian Religion did hourly expose them to the hazard of their Lives. But what then? We are now quiet, and at ease, and the Exhortation which the Apostle gives in the Text, to contend earnestly for the Faith, hath no place at all amongst us; the Christian Faith (say they) is now not only generally received, and the Gospel quietly enjoyed, but Kings themselves are become the Nursing Fathers of the Church, and Queens its Nursing Mothers: That Vine which God's own right Hand hath planted hath now taken Root, and filled the Land, and every one hath the Liberty, and the blessed Opportunities of setting under its Shadow with great delight.  
Is it so then? If the Amalekites, with all that belonged to 'em, be utterly destroyed, what means the bleating of the Sheep, and the lowing of the Oxen which we hear? If the Christian Profession be so quietly and securely settled, if that Faith which was once delivered to the Saints be so generally received and embraced, that the Professors of it have no occasion to strive and contend for it, what mean all our Sects and Divisions? What means that open, that barefaced opposition which is daily made? What should be the reason, that, instead of believing, and without Controversy assenting to the great Mysteries of Godliness, we meet with Men now adays who can in one breath reject all the Mysteries of the Gospel? And these Men, whose Unstandings are not looked upon as of a low, inconsiderable Size, but such as pretend to the most extraordinary Parts, the most refined and subtle Wits; such, as, if it be true that the Gnostics, (those Heretics who in the first Ages of Christianity infested the Church of God) had their Name given 'em from their pretensions to great and extraordinary Knowledge, may come under the same denomination with them. If Christianity be settled upon so sure a Foundation, how comes it to pass that these Men should not blush at what they do, especially if it be considered, that our most holy Faith being guarded and protected by the Circumvallation of humane Laws, those Men who in a Christian Country dare openly write against, and oppose the Christian Religion, are guilty of an instance of the highest Impudence to aggravate their Crime, and come into the number of those whom our Apostle here speaks of, who despise Dominion, and speak evil of Dignities.  
If the Faith of Christ, if his Gospel be so generally, so universally received amongst us, what mean all these late pretensions to new Light, and immediate Inspiration? What do they mean who go about to persuade the World, That all those Expressions of Scripture which relate to the Incarnation, the Birth, the Death, and Resurrection of the Blessed Jesus, are to be understood in a metaphorical and figurative Sense? Who instead of modestly and devoutly receiving the holy Scriptures as the only Rule both of their Faith and Practice, shall impiously, nay blasphemously, call it a dead Letter, by this means overthrowing the Authority of the whole written Word of God, perverting one of the great designs of our Saviour's coming into the World, and overturning the whole business of his Prophetic Office. For to what purpose should the Son of God take upon him our Nature, and come into the World to be our great Lawgiver, when he might through all succeeding Ages have instructed his People by the Voice of the Spirit within 'em: I say, to what purpose should he do this, if he did not design that the Gospel should be a standing, perpetual Rule to his Followers? if he did not intent that when this substance of the Faith was once delivered to the Saints, the Saints should not only thankfully embrace it, but most earnestly contend for it?  
If the Gospel be received, and its Doctrines so generally embraced, what mean all these Fruits of Unrighteousness, of which every day produces so plentiful an Harvest? Whence comes that Atheism and Infidelity which hath overspread so great a part of this Nation? Why are our Ears so ungratefully filled with Swearing and Cursing? Why is the sacred, the tremendous Name of God blasphemed? why are his Sabbaths unhallowed? why are the Festivals of the Church slighted and disregarded, and the most solemn Ordinances neglected and contemned, even by those very Men who at the same time call themselves by the name of Christ? Have we no Enemies to encounter? Is the Faith so securely settled, that we have no occasion to contend for it? Most assuredly when our Adversaries appear so open and barefaced on the one hand, and those who call themselves our Friends (but falsely so called) on the other hand, shall by their wicked Lives, their horrid and impious Practices, give occasion to the Enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. I say, whilst Matters stand thus, we have the highest reason to be upon our Guard, to be always in a readiness and a posture of defence, and whilst we fight in our Master's cause, 
1 Cor 16.13.  to quit ourselves like Men. Proceed we now in the  
Second place, to inquire how and after what manner we are to deal with these Adversaries, and what sort of Weapons we are to make use of, whilst we endeavour earnestly to contend for the Faith.  
And here be pleased, in the first place, to give me leave to look back a little upon the first Ages of the Church, those dismal Times of Heat and Persecution, and see how the Professors of Christianity then contended; for though (blessed be our most merciful and indulgent God) we do at present enjoy a great measure of Peace and Tranquillity, though our Church Doors are now always open, and the pious Votary hath a ready admission to the Throne of Grace; yet who knows what severe Judgements and Calamities, our many crying Sins may provoke the just Governor of the World to bring upon us; and should we ever be in their Condition we are to follow their Example, and contend for the Faith, as they did; look back upon the first Martyrs and Confessors, and in perilous Times you shall find them, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 earnestly striving and contending for the Faith, in the utmost stretch of the words, resolved to hold it fast, and keep it inviolable even to the end. 'Tis very plain that the Apostle here, as likewise St. Paul in several of his Epistles, alludes to those ancient Games, and Exercises in use amongst the Greeks, and particularly here to that of running a Race, wherein the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the Reward of the Conqueror was set at the end, over the Goal; and the pious suffering Christian may here be considered at the approaches of the last solemn hour, pressing forward toward the prize of his high Calling, come (as it were) within fight of the Goal, fully resolved (notwithstanding the Conflicts and Fatigues which he undergoes) not to slack his pace, or be diverted by any thing that may court him in his way. He presses forward, and endeavours to grasp that Crown of Glory which stands in view, though tortured will not accept of Deliverance, nor quit his Master's Service to gain inglorious Ease: He relies upon the sure word of Promise, 
Job 27.5.  and till he die will not remove his Innocence and Integrity from him. And should it please God to draw a Cloud of Persecution over his Church again, it is our Duty (I say) to follow the steps of those pious Confessors, to maintain our Innocence even to the Death, to strive earnestly for the Faith; and whilst we keep our Eye upon the promised Reward, the unspeakable Glories of the other Life, to possess our Souls in Patience, to be easy, and contented too, through much tribulation to enter into the Kingdom of God. A truly pious and courageous Christian, who is strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, will consider, that though he be cruelly used, yet 'tis for the sake of his Master, and thinks it but reasonable to lay down his Life for his sake, who died for him, he will not value the troubles or inconveniences of the Wilderness, so long as Canaan, the Land flowing with Milk and Honey, stands in view at his Journey's end. But then,  
Secondly, Let us see how we are to deal with, and contend with those other Adversaries which we have been speaking of, in Times less perilous, and hard; and here we may consider ourselves, either,  
First, As private Men, of ordinary Capacities, and endued with a moderate share of Understanding: Or,  
Secondly, As Persons peculiarly set apart for the Service of God, endued with more than ordinary Abilities, and whole business consequently it is to stand up vigorously for the Cause of God and Religion: Or,  
Thirdly, As Magistrates, God's Vicegerents upon Earth, to whom is entrusted the Management of the Sword of Justice.  
First, Consider we how we are to deal and contend with the Enemies of the Faith of Christ, supposing ourselves private Men, of very ordinary Capacities, and endued with but a moderate share of Understanding.  
Now here we are to consider ourselves as such, whose Conversation (generally speaking) lies among Men of the same Rank and Size with ourselves, but yet by reason of the number of those with whom we converse, we must have to do with Men of different Principles, and different Lives. Take we therefore care to be diligent, and frequent in reading the Holy Scriptures, consulting the Oracles of God, and by this means furnishing ourselves with all saving Knowledge, and enriching our Souls with that Wisdom which is from above; and if any thing of difficulty doth occur, any thing too knotty for us to resolve, our most holy Church hath provided us Spiritual Teachers, who are of Abilities to inform and direct us, and to whom in these Cases we are obliged to repair: By this means we shall arm and secure ourselves from that Poison, which doth often insensibly steal into us from a mixed Conversation; evermore observing that we put in practice what we read, and take care that our Conversation be such as becomes the Gospel of Christ, that by a truly pious exemplary Life, we endeavour to adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things: Thus shall we influence not only our Children, and Servants, and those who belong to our Family, but probably bring others over by our good Example; thus shall we increase our Numbers, and double our Forces against our Adversaries, whilst we take care by a constant perseverance in Holiness to perform all those necessary Duties, which are made the indispensable Conditions of our Salvation, whilst we let others see that we really are what we outwardly pretend to, viz. the Servants and Disciples of the Holy and Immaculate Jesus; this, I say, will be a means to increase our numbers, and consequently lessen and weaken the contrary Party, by bringing Deserters over to our side.  
Secondly, Consider we how we are to deal with our Adversaries, and contend for the Faith, supposing ourselves Persons peculiarly set apart for the Service of God, furnished with more than ordinary Abilities, and whole business it is to stand up for the Cause of God and Religion.  
Whose Business I say it is; it is our Calling, our Profession; the promoting the Honour of God, and the Interest of Religion, is the one great Work which is to take up all our Care, and be the Subject of our constant Endeavours.  
First then let us see in the General, how we are to contend with those who practically deny the Faith, and live in constant opposition to those Laws which the Son of God hath been pleased to prescribe: These Men are to be sharply dealt with, and we are to show 'em the Terrors of the Lord, and not any way desist from our Duty, though it must be confessed, that to reclaim a stubborn and obdurate World, is a Work which is attended with a great deal of Difficulty and Hardship. To tell a Man of his Faults, and discover to him his Miscarriages doth very often prove an unthankful Office; to lay open his Follies, and at the same time rebuke him sharply for 'em too, may very likely make him uneasy; 'tis like touching a Man to the quick, and probing a Wound to the very bottom: But what then? why should the Skilful Chirurgeon be concerned, or dismayed at the uneasiness of the Patient, when he is sure that what he doth is out of an honest design, and that he acts only in order to a Cure? And why should the Ministers of the Word be frighted from their Duty, because the peevish World are uneasy when they tell 'em the Truth, so long as they are satisfied in their Consciences that they act upon a good Principle, and endeavour as much as in them lies to promote the Eternal Interest, Health and Salvation of Mankind. 'Tis our Duty to be bold and daring in a good Work, and not sneakingly stifle a Reproof, when it may be seasonably given, out of a fear to displease another, and put him out of Temper, when at the same time we are assured that 'tis our Duty to Rebuke him sharply?  
Secondly, As we are thus to reprove, and rebuke with all Authority in our Exhortations, so are we likewise to do it in our Practice, and let others see that we are ashamed of all those abominable Practices which they every day repeat. We are to show the World that our Faith is a practical one, continually producing the Fruits of Righteousness, and discovering itself in all holy Conversation and Godliness; that our chief Endeavour is to be like our great High Priest, Holy, Harmless, Undefiled; that our main design is to shine like so many Lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse Generation, and to keep ourselves unspotted from the World. This is an effectual, convincing way of Preaching, when we not only instruct others how they ought to walk, but visibly set a Copy before their Eyes for them to Transcribe; and who knows but many of those Men may be won over by a good Example, whom a positive Precept will not work upon. What a mighty Force! what an almost  bias doth a good Example lay upon the Minds and Actions of others! This carries not only Light, but Heat with it too; for a truly pious Zeal for God and Religion will kindly dispense its warmth to all that come within reach of it. But then,  
Thirdly, To be more particular, there is another sort of Adversaries, who are not content to be wicked in their Practices, but are (if I may so speak) debauched in their Faith, and Principles: And with these Men they are particularly concerned to deal, whom the Holy Ghost hath made Overseers of that Flock, which the Son of God hath purchased with his own Blood: They are timely to forewarn those who are committed to their Charge, of these sorts of ungodly Men, who by false Glosses, and forced Interpretations of the Text, wrist the Scriptures to their own and others Destruction: For these Men are not satisfied in being deceived themselves, but have the boldness to spread their Errors, openly proclaim defiance to all the Mysteries of the Gospel, publicly oppose that Faith, which was once delivered to the Saints; and by publishing their Notions to the World, slily insinuate, that they have reason on their side: Thus whilst by cunning Craftiness they lie in wait to deceive, they catch the ignorant and unstable, who are convinced often by a show of Argument, and have not Genius enough to distinguish between a colour of Reason, and a Demonstration. These are Wolves, which in considerable numbers have lately crept into the Flock, and are indeed Enemies of a very dangerous kind; and therefore it behoves us earnestly to contend, and as publicly oppose, and confute their Errors as they dare to Print 'em: To discover the Trick, and Sophistry which they use in the Management of their Arguments, not suffer them by any false Interpolations to add to, nor by any false Pretensions from the Authority of this, or that ancient Copy to diminish from the Text. We are to take care that they do not impose upon the World by any false Citations out of the Primitive Fathers, or by misquoting any other ancient Authors, and so make the World believe, that the Doctrine of the Church in former times was consonant to what they teach. This is our Business, this aught to be the Fruit, and result of that studious sedentary Life, to which we are designed. By this means we shall not only be able to confute those Heresies which at present infest the Church, but prudently provide against any that may be broached hereafter. This, I say, is our Business, thus are we to contend earnestly for the Faith; and give me leave to add, that we are under one of the strictest Obligations imaginable so to do, no less than a solemn Vow and Promise before God, in the Presence of some one, or other, of the Reverend Fathers of the Church at our solemn Ordination; they who are admitted to the lowest Degree of the Ministry to the Office of Deacons, do promise, 
Office for the Ordaining of Deacons.  That they will apply all their Diligence to frame their own Lives, and the Lives of their Families according to the Doctrine of Christ, and make both themselves and them wholesome Examples of the Flock of Christ. And when afterwards they are advanced to the Dignity of the Priesthood, they engage themselves to be ready with all faithful Diligence, 
Ordination of Priests.  to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange Doctrines which are contrary to the Word of God. But,  
Thirdly, How those that are Magistrates are to contend for the Faith; how they to whom the Sword of Justice is entrusted, are to deal with these Adversaries of God and Religion, the Time will not admit me to enlarge upon, but give me leave to say thus much, That they are obliged to take care that they bear not the Sword in vain. There are some sort of Weeds springing up even in the Garden of the Lord, the Church of Christ, which cannot be cut down, or at least not totally rooted out, without the assistance of the Civil Power, and therefore it is to be hoped (especially considering before whom I speak) that whenever such assistance shall be desired it will be as readily granted. There are a sort of bold, obstinate Wretches who seem to have made a Covenant with Sin and Death, who are Reprobate concerning the Faith, who are positively resolved to shut their Ears against all Advice that may be offered, who will not give themselves leisure to reflect, nor are ever cool enough for a serious, Morning Thought, these must be given over to the Management of the Civil Power; and as on the one hand, in the Administration of Justice and Discipline, we are not altogether to forget Mercy; so on the other side, when we are inclined to be favourable, we must take care to be so favourable as not to be too remiss.  
And now having already said thus much, I have prevented myself from enlarging upon the Third Head, viz. to show what mighty Encouragements we have to persuade us to a constant Perseverance in our Christian Warfare, what blessed Assistances are offered to us, and what glorious Rewards we shall be Crowned withal, if we fight the good Fight, and do inviolably keep the Faith. But no one surely can doubt, but that God who in the performance of all our Religious Duties hath promised us the blessed Assistances of his most Holy Spirit, who hath promised that in all our Afflictions, and Temptations, his Grace shall be sufficient for us, will likewise more particularly assist, and support us whilst we are fight the Lord's Battles, and courageously standing up for his Cause. And as we are assured that none of all our Labours shall be in vain in the Lord, so undoubtedly the brightest Coronets of Glory shall be reserved for them, who after a mighty conflict with all their potent Adversaries come off Glorious and Triumphant. To him th●t overcometh (saith the Blessed Jesus) will I grant to sit with me in my Throne, even as I overcame, and am set down with my Father in his Throne Amen. Hallelujah.  
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to preserve you faultless before the Presence of his Glory, with exceeding Joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be Glory and Majesty, Dominion and Power, both now and for ever.  
Amen.  
FINIS.