thought too severe a reproof, since so little is done. But if the gospel had its proper influence upon the Christian world in general, as it is the centre of trade and the seat of learning, a very few ages, in all probability, would settle Christianity in every country, without miraculous assistances. For scarce anything else, I am persuaded, would be wanting to effect this, but laying it before men in its divine simplicity, together with an exemplification of it in the lives of Christian nations. "The unlearned and unbelievers, falling down on their faces, would worship God, and report that God is in us of a truth," 1 Cor. xiv. 24, 26.
SERMON II.
PREACHED BEFORE THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD MAYOR, THE COURT OF ALDERMEN, THE SHERIFFS, AND THE GOVERNORS OF THE SEVERAL HOSPITALS OF THE CITY OF LONDON,
At the Parish Church of St. Bridget,
On Monday in Easter-Week, 1740.
The constitution of things being such, that the labour of one man, or the united labour of several, is sufficient to procure more necessaries than he or they stand in need of, which it may be supposed was in some degree the case even in the first ages; this immediately gave room for riches to arise in the world, and for men's acquiring them by honest means—by diligence, frugality, and prudent management. Thus some would very soon acquire greater plenty of necessaries than they had occasion for, and others,
