the custom of the jurifdiction,) to preach before his brethren on a public occafion, and he knows but of one individual, among his hearers, who affected to have forgotten the subject of the controverfy. The writer fcruples not to declare, that his convictions have not been unattended with facrifices of worldly interest and profit. Herein, however, he makes not his boaft, but offers this circumftance only as an evidence of his earnest defire to profefs and preach Chrift in all fincerity and truth; and wherever that appears, the fcoffs and fneers of bigotted and jealous malevolence will have no other effect with ferious and confiderate men, than to produce a deteftation of the profligacy of that fpirit, which can treat a fubject of the first importance to religion with fo indecent a levity.

If it fhould be faid, or fuggefted, by any one, that after the late agitation of the queftion in public controversy, and a folemn appeal to the legislature, the fubject had lain dormant, and fhould not be revived without good reafon; be that good reason, the great importance of it. To fay that the policy of A 4

the

the times makes fuch revival unfeafonable, would be saying, that there are seasons when the advancement of the kingdom of Christ fhould be poftponed to the interests of the kingdoms of this world. If the subject should be thought to be exhausted, the answer is, that 'till the relief folicited is granted, the subject can never be exhaufted, especially as it is fo well known that oppreffions and impofitions of all kinds grow ftill more grievous by repetition and continuance, and this, fome certain appearances give us apprehenfions, may be unhappily the cafe in this, as it has been in other inftances.

It becomes us, however, to form better hopes of thofe from whom only relief is to be had; but whatever may be the event, the preacher pledges himself, never to with-hold his mite towards the accomplishment of what is fo devoutly to be wished by all honest and confcientious men. And though‹ after the

way which fome call herefy, he may worthip the God of his fathers,' he is only answerable to almighty God for his faith, and trufts that none of his errors will be

found

found to be taken up without examination, or maintained without conviction. And for the reft, it may fuffice if he declares his full belief in the revelation of Jefus, and in the catholic principle of unlimited charity :wishing to fhew himself,

Gentlemen,

on all occafions,

your brother and fervant in Chrift,

June 2, 1777.

JOHN DISNEY.

SERMON I

THE RIGHT OF PRIVATE JUDGMENT.

ROMANS XIV. 5.

LET EVERY MAN BE FULLY PERSUADED IN HIS
OWN MIND.

WE here read the great apoftolic rule or direction of candor and charity in our fentiments ; and the foundation of mutual meeknefs and moderation towards each other, in respect of the differences and disagreements in our religious opinions, which is thus introduced, "Him that is weak in "the faith receive, but not to doubtful difputations. For one believeth that he "may eat all things: another who is weak, "eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth, despise him that eateth not: and let not " him which eateth not, judge him that

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"eateth :