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 '{fat  ^Z^^^^^1^2^^^ 
 
SERMONS 
 
 Preached  upon 
 
 Several  Occafions : 
 
 (  Moft  of  them  ) 
 
 Before  the    Magistrates 
 
 and   Judges     in  the   North* 
 
 Eafi- Auditory  of  S.  Giles  %  Church 
 
 Edinburgh. 
 
 B  V 
 
 (  Then  )  Principal   of  the 
 College  of  Edinburgh. 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 Printcdforjofepb  Hindmarfb,  at  the  Golden 
 Ball over  againft  the  Royal  Exchange  in 
 Cornbil    MDCXCIH. 
 
To  my  Friends  and  Ac- 
 quaintances in  the  North- 
 EaftParifh  of  S.  Giles  in 
 
 Edinburgh,, 
 
 — 
 
 ■  •  •  ■  | 
 
 Mstb  Mnotmdand  tVell  Beloved, 
 
 £  I  had  any  other  defign  to 
 ferve  by  this  Addrefi  ,  than 
 what  was  in  my  view 
 when  I  preached  the  follow- 
 ing Sermons ,  I  would  perhaps  re- 
 commend them  to  the  favour  of 
 fbme  particular  Patron  ;  but  I  ra- 
 ther lay  hold  of  this  opportunity, 
 that  I  may  acknowedge  ( in  as  pub 
 
 1/ 
 A  2  lick 
 
TheEpi/tie 
 
 lick  a  manner  as  is  poflible  for  me  ) 
 the  many  kindneffes  that  I  received 
 amongft  you,  when  I  was  allowed 
 to  preach  the  Gofpel  in  my  Native 
 Country,  I  was  unanimoufly  and 
 cheerfully  nam'd  to  the  Govern- 
 ment of  the  College  of  Edinburgh, 
 without  my  knowledge  or  inter- 
 •sr.Tk.poki     by  the  *  Lord  <Provoft  and 
 
 was  Kjn-  r,         >       /       .  .  J 
 
 **4h  lown  Council.  I  retain  a  grateful 
 fenfe  of  it ;  And  this  is  the  princi- 
 pal reafon  why  thefe  Difcourfes  do 
 now  appear.  I  am  not  (b  extra- 
 vagantly foolifh  ,  as  to  think  that 
 the  prdfent  Age  needs  any  of  my 
 Compofures :  if  they  are  innocent 
 and  well  meant  ( though  attended 
 with  many  other  imperfe&ions ) 
 they  may  promote  good  thoughts 
 in  fome  who  heard  them  with  Pi- 
 ety and  Attention.  They  are  on- 
 ly calculated  for  their  Meridian. 
 Moft  men  have  different  Tafts  for 
 
 Books, 
 
Dedicatory. 
 
 Books ,  as  well  as  for  other  things* 
 and  what  is  fincerely  intended,  may 
 fometimp  be  read  with  greater 
 fuccefs  ,  than  more  accurate  Trea- 
 tiles. 
 
 The  World  is  very  Vain ,  and 
 changes  its  Faces  and  Figures  every 
 moment,  yet  true  Religion  is  inva- 
 riable., as  the  Author  of  it  -,  and 
 therefore  we  are  to  fteer  our  courfe 
 towards  Heaven  by  thofe  great 
 Truths  that  are  uniformly  received 
 ambngft  all  Chriftians  ;  and  to 
 take  heed,  that  we  do  not  feparate 
 from  the  Catholick  Church  of 
 Chrift,  her  ancient  Rules  and  Con- 
 ftitutions  by  which  flic  was  pre- 
 ferved  in  the  Primitive  Ages.  For 
 it  is  certain,  that  God  did  not  fuflfcr 
 the  Univerfal  Church  to  deviate 
 from  the  Apoftolical  Difcipline , 
 when  as  yet  [he  was  furniflied  with 
 
 no 
 
Tke  Spiftte 
 
 no  other  Weapons  to  pull  down 
 Idolatry  and  Superftition,  than  her 
 Unity,  Prayers  and  Univerfal  Cha- 
 rity. There  is  nothing  more  Oppot- 
 lite  to  Piety  and  Devotion,  than 
 Pride  and  Vanity  ;  and  to  defoife 
 the  Wifdom  of  all  our  PredcceiflbrSj 
 is,  not  only  arrogant, ; but  impious* 
 The  njukitude  and  variety  of  lata: 
 Se&aries  (efpecially  in  the  IJTe  of 
 {Britain)  have  advanced  Atheifm  to 
 a  prodigious  Impudence  j  and  it  is 
 impoffrble  to  recover  the  World 
 (  now  funk  in  folly  and  Irreligibn  ) 
 but  by  the  extraordinary  Zeal  of 
 good  Men.  The  decays  of  Piety 
 m  our  days  appear  openly  amongft 
 all  Ranks  and  Orders ;  and  this  mufl 
 be  imputed  in  a  great  part  to  that 
 Itch  after  Novelties ,  which  hath  h 
 fatally  overrun  thefe  Nations.  Am- 
 bition and  Faction,  hath  almofl:  re- 
 mov'd    the    diftjn&ion    between 
 
 things 
 
dedicatory. 
 
 things  Sacred  and  Prophane  •  yet  ic 
 is  certain,  that  the  wrath  of  man  wor- 
 Keth  not  the  righteoufnefs  of  God ;  and 
 thole  pretended  Reformations  that  are 
 managed  with  Noife  and  Tumult, 
 have  ordinarily  no  other  efFe<5ts,than 
 Sacrilege  and  Confufion.  We  are 
 very  apt  to  have  other  thoughts  o£ 
 God  and  of  our  (elves, when  we  ap- 
 proach the  Gates  of  Death  ,  from 
 thofe  which  we  have  entertained  in 
 the. days  of  health  and  profperity ; 
 and  if  then  we  have  the  lezftfenfc 
 of  the  World  to  come  5  we  cannot 
 but  diftinguifli  true  Zeal  to  advance 
 the  Power  of  Godlinefs,  from  the 
 infidious  arts  of  grafping  Earthly 
 Dominion  :  the  nrft  is  pure,  calm 
 and  humble,  merciful  and  compaf- 
 fionate ;  the  other  being  from  the 
 Earth  ,  is  agreeable  to  that  Spirit 
 that  prevails  in  the  World. 
 
 ( a )  Our 
 
The  Epiftle 
 
 Our  Saviour  founded  the  Church 
 a  diftind  Society  from  the  World, 
 and  therefore  armed  it  with  Spiri- 
 tual Laws  and  Cenfures,  that  fhe 
 might  be  preferved  by  thofe  Di- 
 vine Helps ,  though  all  Earthly 
 Powers  fliould  endeavour  to  crufli 
 her ;  and  experience  witnefles,  that 
 (lie  hath  been  more  Victorious  o- 
 ver  Lewdnefs  and  Infidelity,  by  her 
 Patience  and  Sufferings,  than  by  all 
 her  Secular  Intrigues  and  Political 
 Methods.  When  fhe  ftands  upon 
 the  immoveable  Pillars  of  her  firft 
 foundation,  her  outward  Splendor 
 may  be  eclipfed ,  but  her  inward 
 fttength  is  made  more  firm  and 
 lading  by  the  Counterbatteries  that 
 are  railed  againft  her  Peace  and 
 Profperity.  Truth  is  not  afhamed 
 and  therefore  it  is  Weaknefs  and 
 Pufillanimity  to  deny  it  in  the  face 
 
 of 
 
^Dedicatory. 
 
 of  Danger  and  Perfecution ;  efpeci- 
 ally  when  the  mod  Sacred  Founda- 
 tions are  daringly  invaded  and 
 trampled  upon  :  and  though  Ec- 
 clefiaftical  Politic  be  thought  now 
 a- days  as  mutable  as  are  the  incli- 
 nations of  the  people  ,  yet  they  who 
 confider  things  more  maturely  muft 
 fee  >  that  the  antient  Faith  cannot 
 be  preferved  amongft  men  ,  but  in 
 its  Original  Vehicles  of  Primitive 
 Order  and  Conftitution  ,•  and  when 
 the  Aportolical  Government  of  the 
 Church  is  overthrown,  a  multitude 
 of  Errors  and  Delufions  creep  into 
 the  World,  that  deftroy  the  inward 
 Power  of  Godlinefs,  as  well  as  the 
 outward  Beauty  of  Publick  Wor- 
 fliip. 
 
 I    a  m    heartily  lorry,  that  our 
 
 Country  fhould  be  the  Theatre  of 
 
 fo  many  Complaints  and  Difor- 
 
 (  a  %  )  ders, 
 
The  Epiftle 
 
 ders,  and  that  the  immediate  Ser- 
 vants of  the  Sanctuary  ,  both  Bi- 
 fliops  and  Presbyters  •,  fhould  be 
 run  down  with  Clamour  and  Vio- 
 lence ,  for  no  other  reafon  that  I 
 know  ,  but  becaufe  they  are  fepa- 
 rated  from  the  World  to  the  pecu- 
 liar Services  of  the  Living  God  : 
 notwithilanding of  all  this ,  we 
 ought  to  pojjefs  our  Sauls  in  Tati- 
 ence,  and  to  believe,  that  not  a  hair 
 of  our  head  falls  to  the  ground  with- 
 out our  heavenly  Father.  And  this 
 one  Truth  may  compofe  our  Spirits 
 againft  all  Storms  and  Difafters^and 
 teach  us  to  refign  our  felves  with- 
 out  ftruggling  to  the  difpofal  of 
 Heaven,  Wnen  we  are  fincerely 
 humbled  for  our  Sins  (  both  Nati- 
 onal and  Perfonai )  he  will  viftt  us 
 again  in  the  multitude  of  his  tender 
 Mercies  :  and  therefore  it  is  more 
 our   ducy   to  look  unto  him  that 
 
 fmites 
 
Dedicatory. 
 
 fmites  us,  than  complain  of  our 
 Oppreffors.  It  maybe;  that  they 
 themfelves  who  have  been  molt 
 adtive  in  our  Calamities ,  are  fbme- 
 what  feniible  of  their  Cruelty  ; 
 and  if  not ,  we  heartily  pray,  that 
 God  would  bring  into  the  way 
 of  Truth  all  fuch  as  have  erred  and 
 are  deceived.  The  prefent  Defla- 
 tions of  our  Church  may  be  palli- 
 ated with  many  little  Excufes ,  but 
 all  the  Rhetorical  Colours  imagina- 
 ble can  never  hide  the  Confe- 
 quences  of  (6  monftrous  a  Change. 
 
 When  we  are  (unrounded  with 
 Difficulties  on  the  right  and  left 
 hand  ,  we  muft  make  our  requeftf 
 known  unto  God  by  Trayer  ;  for  he  i$ 
 a  prefent  help  in  time  of  trouble.  We 
 may  meet  with  Croffes  from  the 
 fmalleft  things  and  occurrences  ; 
 and  perhaps  our  Afflictions  are  fre- 
 (a  ])  cjuemly 
 
The  Epiftle 
 
 quently  multiplied  ,  that  we  may 
 be  taught  to  run  unto  God,  who  can 
 either  mitigate  or  remove  them ,  or 
 by  them  exercife  our  Patience  and 
 Magnanimity.  God  knows  all 
 things,  but  he  feems  to  take  notice 
 more  particularly  of  fiich  things  as 
 we  fee!,  and  recommend  to  his  Infi- 
 nite Goodnefs  and  Companion ,  fo 
 willing  He  is  to  have  us  depend  on 
 Him  by  the  clofeft  adherence.       ^ 
 
 There  is  nothing  more  per- 
 nicious to  true  Chriftian  Pra&ice, 
 Mat.623.  than  wrong  Principles,  Take  heed 
 therefore  that  the  light  which  is  in  you 
 be  no  darknefs.  The  fear  of  God 
 makes  men  move  with  a  reafbna- 
 ble  Steadinefs  in  all  their  Actions  ; 
 and  nothing  elfe  yields  true  Peace  at 
 the  hour  of  Death ;  A  Confcience  void 
 of  offence  towards  God  and  towards 
 Men,  is  the  fureft  Anchor  againftall 
 
 our 
 
Dedicatory. 
 
 our  Fears  and  Conflicts.  God  con- 
 tinue his  Prefence  with  you  ,  that 
 you  may  ferioufly  lay  to  heart  the 
 only  One  thing  necejfary.  This  is  fin- 
 cerely  prayed  for  by 
 
 Much  Honoured  and  Well  Beloved, 
 
 Tour  affeffionate,  and 
 much  obliged  Friend 
 md  Servant, 
 
 A  l.   Monro, 
 
 (4    O  THE 
 
THE 
 
 Contents. 
 
 SERMON  I. 
 
 Plal.  cxxxix.  14, 15,  16, 17. 
 
 1 4  TT  Will  praife  thee>  for  I  am  fear- 
 
 1  /wi/y  W  wonderfully  made ; 
 marvellous  are  thy  works y  and  that 
 my  foul  knoweth  right  well. 
 
 1 5  My  fabftatKe  was  not  hid  from  thee> 
 when  1  was  made  infecrety  andcu- 
 rioupy  wrought  in  the  lowefi  farts  of 
 the  Earth. 
 
 \6  Thine 
 
The  Contents. 
 
 i  6  thine  eyes  did  fee  my  fubftance  yet 
 being  unperfett,  and  in  thy  hook  all 
 my  members  were  written ,  which  in 
 continuance  were  faJhionedy  when  as 
 yet  there  was  none  of  them. 
 
 1 7  How  precious  alfo  are  thy  thoughts 
 unto  me  y  QGodl  how  great  is  the 
 fum  of  them  I  Page  z 
 
 SERMONIL 
 
 t  Pet.  ii.  u.  Dearly  Beloved ,  1  be- 
 feech  you  as  fir  angers  and  pilgrims 
 abjiain  from  fie jhly  lufts  which  war 
 againft  the  Soul.  3  5 
 
 SERMON  III. 
 
 1  John  v.  4.  And  this  is  the  vi&ory 
 that  over  corned >  the  World,  even  our 
 Faith.  71 
 
 SERMON 
 
The  Contents. 
 SERMON  IV. 
 
 PhiL  iii.  1 4.  Jprefs  toward  the  Mark, 
 for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of 
 God  in  Chrifi  Jefus.  1 1 1 
 
 sermon  v. 
 
 z  Pet.  L  4.  Whereby  are  given  unto 
 us  exceeding  great  and  precious  pro- 
 mifes  5  that  by  thefe  you  might  be 
 partakers  of  the  divine  nature,  ha- 
 ving  efcaped  the  corruption  that  is 
 in  the  world  through  luft.         1 41 
 
 SERMON  VI. 
 
 Canticles  iv.  15.  A  Fountain  of  Gar- 
 dens, a  Well  of  Living  Waters,  and 
 Streams  from  Lebanon,  1  g  1 
 
 SERMON 
 
The  Contents. 
 SERMON  VII. 
 
 Rom.  xii.  i .  I  befeecb  you  there- 
 fore, Brethren  ,  by  the  mercies  of 
 God  ,  that  you  prefent  your  Bodies 
 a  living  facrifice ,  holy,  acceptable 
 unto  God,  which  is  your  reafonable 
 fervice.  227 
 
 SERMON  VIII. 
 
 John  xviii.  1 1.  Then  /aid  Jefus  un- 
 to Peter ,  rPut  up  thy  Sword  into 
 the  (heath ,  the  Cup  which  my  Fa- 
 ther hath  given  me ,  (hall  1  not 
 drink  i$  i  171 
 
 SERMON   IX. 
 
 1  Corvii.  3  j  4,  5.  And  1  was  with 
 you  inweaknefs,  and  in  fear ,  and 
 in  much  trembling. 
 
 Jnd 
 
The  Contents. 
 
 Andmyfpeech,  and  my  preaching  was 
 not  with  inticing  words  of  mans 
 wifdom>  hut  in  demonjiration  of  the 
 Spirit,  and  of  power. 
 
 That  your  faith  fhould  notftand  in  the 
 wifdom  of  men,  but  in  the  power  of 
 God.  30$ 
 
 sermon  x. 
 
 Mat.  v.  2  o.  For  I  fay  untoyou7  that 
 except  your  righteoufnefs  fhall  ex- 
 ceed the  righteoufnefs  of  the  Scribes 
 and  (pharijees  ,  ye  fhall  in  no  cafe 
 enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven* 
 
 m 
 
 SERMON  XL 
 
 A&s  ii.  1,2,5,4.  Aid  when  the  day 
 of  tPentecoft  was  fully  come ,  they 
 were  all  with  one  accord  in  one  place. 
 
 Aid 
 
The  Contents. 
 
 And  fuddenly  there  came  a  found  from 
 heaven ,  as  of  a  rufhlng  mighty  wind,, 
 and  it  filed  all  the  houfe  where  they 
 were  fitting. 
 
 And  there  appeared  unto  them  cloven 
 tongues,  like  as  of  fire ,  and  it  fat 
 upon  each  of  them. 
 
 And  they  were  all  filled  with  the  Holy 
 Ghoft,  andbegan  to  [peak  with  other 
 tongues  j  as  the  Spirit  gave  them  ut- 
 terance. 366 
 
 SERMON    XII. 
 
 PfaLxxvi.6.  I  will  wajb  mine  hands  in 
 innocence  ffo  will  I  compafs  thine 
 Altar,  0  Lord.     -  409 
 
 SERMON  XIII. 
 
 John  xi.  25.  Jefus  faid  ufito  her  ,  I 
 am  the  %efurreHion  and  the  Life ; 
 he  that  believeth  in  me  7  though  he 
 
 were 
 
The  Contents. 
 
 were  dead,  yet  [ball  fy  bw.  Com- 
 pared with  i  Cor.15.12,13,14. 
 Now,  if  Chrifi  be  preached,  that  he 
 rofe  from  the  dead ,  how  fay  fome 
 among  you,  that  there  is  no  refurre- 
 fiion  from  tlie  dead  ?  But  if  tlxre 
 be  no  refurreBion  of  the  dead ,  then 
 is  Chrift  not  rifen  ;  and  if  Chrifi 
 be  not  rifen,  then  is  our  preaching 
 vain,  and  your  faith  is  alfo  vain, 
 
 4JO 
 
 ERRATA 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 PAg.  6.  1. 14.  x.flruBure  :  p.  13. 1,  20;  t.jbttk 
 p.  19.  1.  6.  r.  can  :  p.  30.  1.8.  r.  employment 
 p.  31.  1.  3.  r.  «fo*£  :  p.  51.  1. 23.  r.  w/r  ;  p. 79. 1.  7. 
 r.  height:  p.  1 2 1. 1.  27.  r.  intentions :  p.  138.  L  13. 
 r-  etr».  p.  270.  1. 3.  dele  by:  p.  287. 1.  20,  r.Verres  ° 
 p.  319.  L 1.  v.  from.  < 
 
SERMON 
 
 O  N 
 
 Psalm  cxxxix.  U  14., 
 
 14.  /  will  praife  thee,  for  1  am  fear- 
 fully and  wonderfully  made ;  marve- 
 lous art  thy  works >  and  that  my  foul 
 knoweth  right  wdh 
 
 1 5.  My  fub fiance  was  not  hid  from  thee, 
 when  1  was  made  in  fecret ;  and  cu* 
 rioufly  wrought  in  the  lowefl  parts  of 
 the  Earth. 
 
 1 6.  Tlrine  eyes  did  fee  myfubjiance  yet 
 being  unperfeB,  and  in  thy  hook  all 
 my  members  were  written,  which  in 
 continuance  were  fajhioned,  when  a* 
 yet  there  was  none  of  them. 
 
 B  17. 
 
%  The  Firft  Sermon. 
 
 17.  How  preciom  alfo  are  thy  thoughts 
 unto  me,  0  God !  how  great  is  the 
 Jum  of  them. 
 
 1 
 
 \uUm''  *W  T  WaS  the  0b^ervation  o(r  a  karitd 
 Philofopber  and  a  great  Statefman 
 
 of  our  neighbour  Nation,  That  a 
 fuperficial  Infight  into  Nature  in- 
 clin'dmen  to  Athcijm  5  but  a  more  tho- 
 rough view  of  its  regular  Methods,  and 
 the  Caufes  of  things ,  did  neceflarily 
 lead  us  to  the  acknowledgment  of  the 
 Deity. 
 
 Hi s  Reafon  is  very  plain:  While  the 
 Mind  of  Man  looketh  upon  fecond  Cau- 
 fes fcattered  ,  it  may  fometimes  reft  in 
 them,  and  go  no  further ;  but  when  we 
 behold  the  Chain  of  them  confederate 
 and  link'd  together,  we  muft  needs  fly 
 to  Providence,  and  the  contrivance  of 
 infinite  Wifdom.  The  Impreflions  of 
 the  Divinity  upon  Nature,  are  fo  legible, 
 that  the  Apoflle  concludes  fuch  inexcu- 
 Rem.  1.  fable  who  do  not  acknowledge  them. 
 His  mod  glorious  Attributes  are ,  in  a 
 manner,  felt  in  the  \vorks  of  Creation, 
 even  his  eternal  Power  and  Godhead, 
 
 being 
 
The  Firft  Sermon.  2 
 
 being  clearly  feen  by  the  things  that  are 
 made. 
 
 THE   Pfalmifi  taught  this Philofophy 
 before  S.Paul  J  he  heavens  declare  the  glo-  p^  19t 
 ry  of  God,  the  firmament  Jheweth  his  han- 
 dy works  5  day  unto  day  uttereth  fpeech^ 
 and  night  unto  night  Jheweth  knowledge. 
 
 There  is  no  part  of  this  great  Fabrick 
 of  the  World,  which  doth  not  direct  us 
 to  a  Mojl  Mighty  Being,  by  whom  it  was 
 made.  But  above  all  the  reft,  the  Hea- 
 vens which  are  (0  vaftly  extended  (and 
 wherein  we  fee  fo  many  glorious  Bodies) 
 proclaim  aloud  the  Power,  Wifdom,  and 
 Skill  of  that  fupreme  Governor  arid  Ar- 
 clvte&or. 
 
 This  Confideration  tranfported  the 
 Pfalmifi  unto  the  moft  heavenly  Raptures 
 and  feraphick  Gratulations,  So  we  find 
 him  in  the  eighth  Pfalm.  When  Iconfider  Pfai.  8, 3. 
 thy  heavens  the  works  of  thy  fingers,  the 
 moon  and  flars  which  thou  haft  ordained, 
 &c.  i.  £.  When  I  look  up  to  that  celeftial 
 habitation,  and  con  fide  r  the  beauty  of  that 
 admirable  ftrutlure ;  how  richly  thou  haft 
 gilded  the  roofs  of  thy  outer  boufe,  with  the 
 tights  that  {hint  there  $  I  am  ft  ruck  down 
 B  %  with 
 
Deor. 
 
 4  The  Brfi  Sermon. 
 
 with  wonder,  1 know  not  what to  fay  $  that 
 thou  jhculdfl  floop  fo  low  as  to  take  notice 
 of  man,  or  the  higheft  amongft  the  fons  of 
 men,  who  dwell  inhoufes  of  clay,  whoje  foun- 
 dation is  in  the  dufl. 
 
 The  inconceivable  di-    .    *  H  r  *     Contemplation 
 
 fiance  between  original  IS  lO  JUit  and  \0  natural 
 Purity  and  Perfection  t0  tlie  Souls  of  Men,  that 
 and  humane  M^  ^    appearcd    frcqucmly    be_ 
 
 De  Nat.  yond  the  bounds  of  the  Church.  TuUy 
 argues  pertinently  from  this  Confidera- 
 tion,  that  it  were  the  grofieft  Stupidity, 
 the  moft  unaccountable  Folly,  the  mod 
 unreafonable  Madnefs,  to  admit,  that 
 we  our  felves  are  endued  with  a  Princi- 
 ple of  Wifdom  and  free  Election;  that 
 our  Aftions  are  managed  by  counfel 
 and  choice;  and  yet  think,  that  the  vafl 
 Machine  of  the  World,  the  Harmony  of 
 all  its  parts,  the  Beauty,  Order  and  Va- 
 riety of  all  its  wonderful  productions, 
 lhould  be  deftitute  of  fome  fupreme  and 
 infinitely  wife  Contriver  $  to  regulate  its 
 Motions  and  order  all  its  Revolutions. 
 And  this  may  be  difcovered  in  the  whole, 
 and  through  every  part  of  it :  the  divine 
 Providence  difplays  its  Artifice  m  the 
 works  of  Nature,  to  the  conviftion  of 
 
 the 
 
The  Firfi  Sermon.  y 
 
 the  moft  ftubborn,   and  the  obfervation 
 of  the  moft  ignorant. 
 
 Th  e  Liliies  of  the  field  do  exceed  the 
 glory  of  Solomon,  and  the  little  Flowers 
 that  we  overlook,  preach  the  unimitabie 
 Wifdom  of  their  Creator.  The  Beauty 
 of  Nature,  and  its  Produ&ions  infinitely 
 furpafTes  the  faint  Endeavours  of  human 
 Skill  and  Invention.  In  the  beft  polifh'd 
 Steel  wedifcern  remarkable  protuberan- 
 ces, but  when  we  view  the  works  of  Na- 
 ture, whether  by  our  eyes  immediately, 
 or  by  the  interpofal  of  iWicrofcopes,  we 
 are  forc'd  to  fay  with  the  Pfalmifl,  Alar- 
 vellous  are  thy  works ,  and  that  my  foul 
 kuoweth  right  well. 
 
 And  yet  no  part  of  the  vifible  frame 
 of  Nature  points  more  fignificantly  to  the 
 Deity  than  the  Body  of  Man,  which 
 made  the  devout  Pfalmifl  retire  into  him- 
 felf,  as  into  the  Abftraft  and  Epitome  of 
 the  World,  the  QuintefTence  of  the  Cre- 
 ation;  he  had  for  4  while  ranged  abroad, 
 his  thoughts  ran  ths  circuit  of  the  Hea- 
 vens, and  favv,  as  it  were,  the  Deity  tu- 
 ning the  Spheres,  ruling  the  Orbs,  or- 
 dering the  courfe  of  the  Sun :  when  he 
 a  W  B  j  per- 
 
7?;e  Firfi  Sermon. 
 
 perceived  that  fecret  and  univerfal  fpririg 
 of  Motion  (the  wheel  within  the  wheels) 
 his  unfathomable  Wifdom,  his  unlimited 
 Goodnefs,  his  irrefiftible  Power,  his  a- 
 dive  Providence,  his  unfearchable  Om 
 riifcience,  his  Eyes  that  pierce  to  the  fe- 
 Stets  that  are  buried  in  darknefs?  then 
 he  comes  home  fully  fatisfied,  fraughted, 
 as  it  were,  with  the  purchafe  of  his  En 
 quiry,  IwiSpraife  thee,  0  God,  &c. 
 
 Galen,  in  his  Book  Ve  Vfu  Part  turn, 
 ( which  fome  fay  he  wrote  in  a  kind  of 
 divine  Enthufiafm)  the  more  he  viewed 
 the  Skill  that  is  tranfparent  in  the  ftru- 
 fturel  of  human  bodies,  tihe  Wifdom  and 
 Art  that  fhines  in  the  formation  of  all  the 
 parts,  the  more  clearly  did  he  difcover  the 
 Author  of  Nature.  And  thohe  was  no 
 great  Friend  to  Religion,  yet  his  Philofo- 
 phy  conftrained  him  to  acknowledge,  that 
 there  was  fome  divine  Skill,  fome  invifi- 
 ble  Hand  that  guided  the  motions  of  Na- 
 ture and  prefided  over  all  its  aftings  ; 
 they  appear  to  be  ordered  fondere^  ntt- 
 tnero,  &  menfura ,  every  grain  weight 
 weighed  in  the  balance  of  infinite  Wif- 
 dom. 
 
 We 
 
The  Firft  Sermon.  7 
 
 We  cannot  look  abroad  either  below 
 or  above,  but  all  things  preach  the  One 
 Great  Numen7  whofc  Power  and  Prefence 
 runs  to  and  again,  without  whofe  Go- 
 vernment and  Condud,  the  Elements 
 would  break  their  mutual  league  and 
 correspondence  ,  they  would  quickly 
 jumble  themfelves  into  their  original 
 Chaos^  and  break  all  the  Laws  of  Order 
 and  Beauty, 
 
 ■  Th  i  s  is  the  voice  of  univerfal  Nature, 
 but  made  more  loud  and  audible  in 
 the  ftru&ure  of  Man's  Body.  So  one  of 
 the  Ancients  reafons  againft      _,'. '*-■*;  ... 
 
 .  T1       ,         '     9,.  N-in.  Foelix,  P.  mihi 
 
 that  acute  Heathen  Cecihm  3  lal  mhil  inUmine 
 after  he  had  confidered  the  membrorumquodwn& 
 Heavens  and  the  Earth,  the   T^At® 
 
 ,      r         or  r    %      ^t  decoris ;  C2  qitod  marts 
 
 the  tour  Sealons  of  the  Year,  mmm  eft  eudemfigma 
 
 the  Hills,   Valleys,  Trees  omnibus  Jed  ^damu- 
 
 Mountains,    the  Scars  and  g&ISSSSA 
 
 their  influence  ;  he  then,  as  verfi  videmur,  &  inter 
 
 it  were,    to  ftrengthen  his  {efinguiidijfimilesinve^ 
 
 a  •       1      1   r*     nimur. 
 
 Argument,  to  give  it  thelaft 
 ftroke,  that  he  might  force  his  Adver- 
 fary  to  yield,  confiders  the  flrudure  of 
 human  Bodies,  he  invites  him  to  admire 
 theftately  Houfe  that  God  built  for  the 
 B  4  Soul ; 
 
8  The  Firjl  Sermon. 
 
 Soul  5  the  five  Senfes  plac'd  in  the  higher 
 rooms  to  view  and  watch  over  the  con- 
 cerns of  the  body ,   his  Eye  full  of  Life 
 and  Majefty,  mod  ufeiul  and  yet  mod 
 beautiful,   his  ereflr  Countenance 5   the 
 convenient  habitation  of  his  Brain ;  his 
 Veins,  like  fo  many  channels,  wherein 
 the  Blood  regularly  circulates;  his  Nervs 
 and  Arteries ;  his  Stature,  Proportion, 
 and  Features;  his  Arms  and  Urnbs, 
 the  Diftance,  Ufe,  and  Situation  of  all 
 his  parts,  undeniably  prove  the  Wifdom 
 of  God,  that  difplays  it  felf  more  vi- 
 fibly  in  Man  than  any  where  elfe.     So 
 that  (as  that  excellent  Author  reafons) 
 'tis  hard  to  know,  whether  the  Ufe  or 
 Ornament  exceed  one  the  other :  but  to 
 be  fure,  both  are  undeniable  Monuments 
 of  infinite  Wifdom  and  Omnifcience. 
 
 It  was  then  a  blind  Fancy  in  Epicu- 
 rus and  his  Followers,  to  affirm,  That 
 there  was  no  defign  in  the  contrivance  of 
 Man's  Body.  As  if  fo  beautiful  a  Fa- 
 brick  had  been  rais'd  by  chance  j  as  if 
 the  Materials  had  leapt  together  without 
 counfel  or  forefight ;  as  if  they  had  ftar- 
 ted  into  this  order  without  the  direftion 
 of  fome  wife  and  powerful  Being;  as 
 
 if 
 
Tl?e  Firft  Sermon. 
 
 if  blind  Chance  (which  is  no  caufe  at 
 all)  had  been  the  Parent  of  froportion 
 and  Order.  But  TuSy  affirms,  There  is 
 nothing  fo  abfurd  but  fome  of  the  Philofo- 
 phers  did  own  and  defend  it.  I  leave  this 
 Contemplation,  and  let  us  fee  how  far 
 we  may  improve  the  Pfalrnifts  Philofo- 
 phj  for  the  Government  of  our  Lives.1 
 And 
 
 The  Text  offers  two  things  to  our 
 Confideration,  * 
 
 I.  The   Pfalmift's   Acknowledgment 
 and  Refolution. 
 
 II.  The  Foundation  and  Ground  of 
 his  Acknowledgment. 
 
 I  confider  the  laft  particular  in  the  firft 
 place  5  which,  tho  it  be  laft  in  the  order 
 of  the  Words,  is  yet  firftin  order  of  Na- 
 ture, I  mean  the  Ground  and  Foundati- 
 on  of  his  Acknowledgment, 
 
 Marvellous  are  thy  works,  and,  &a 
 
 GOD  placed  Man  among  his  fellow 
 Creatures,    as  Superintendent  of  the 
 
 lower 
 
ip  The  Firji  Sermon* 
 
 lower  WorJ,d ,  jHe  is  the  Image  of  God, 
 and  in  him  fome  rays  of  the  Divinity  ap- 
 pear, and  until  fuch  time  as  he  fell  from 
 his  Obedience  by  Folly  and  Preempti- 
 on, all  die  lower  Animals  did  acknow- 
 ledge i^m  astlfieir  Governour.  He  was 
 plac'd  upon  the  Theatre  of  the  World, 
 to  hold  intelligence  \Vjith  Heaven,  to  be 
 the  Mouth  and  publick  Orator  of  die 
 Creation ;  to  admire  the  works  of  God. 
 *  Anfl  ^  that  was  thus  taught  to  admire, 
 is  himfelf  one  of  the  greateft  Miracles  in 
 Nature.  But  let  us  improve  this  Theo- 
 ry to  4ire6fc  ourChriftian  Pra&ice  and 
 Morals,   And 
 
 Firfl,  ARE  our  Bodies  thus  curioufly 
 fram'd,  then  certainly  they  ought  not  to 
 be  abus'd  to  the  vileft  drudgeries  of  Sin. 
 Why  did  God  build  fuch  beautiful  Ta- 
 bernacles ij  Did  he  defign  this  (lately 
 Habitation  to  be  the  receptacle  of  ,wild 
 and  furious  Paflions,  and  unbridled  Ap- 
 petites? to  be  the  ,d  welling  houfe  of  un- 
 |  clean  Spirits  ?  Is  it  ufual  with  wife  and 
 confiderate  Men  to  beftow  fo  much  coil 
 and  pains  in  building  Houfes  for  keeping 
 tbe  filthieft  Creatures  *  JDo  Men  eredt 
 ftately  Palaces  for  d>emeaneft  ufes?  No 
 
 certainly 
 
Tlie  FirftSemm.  lY 
 
 certainly.  No  more  did  Cod  xfefigfl 
 -thac  our  Bodies  that  are  (o  wonderfully 
 made,  fhould  be  the  inflruments  of  w* 
 righteoufnefs.  To  this  purpofe  jfae  Apo- 
 file  exhorts,  Rom.  to.  v.  i.  Ibefeechyou 
 by  the  mercies  of  God ,  that  you  prefent 
 your  bodies  a  living  Sacrifice^  holy  and 
 accept  able  unto  God,  which  is  your  reajm- 
 ablefervice.  And  again,  i  Cor*  <5.  v.  i  J. 
 Know  ye  not  that  your  bodies  are  ihe-tyew-  * 
 iers  of  Chfiii?  How  clear  and  fojid  is 
 the  C^nique«ce,  it.  10.  Tou  are  b/ought 
 with  a  price,  wherefore  glorifie  God  in  your 
 bodies  and  hi  your  f fir  its  which  art  Gods* 
 It  was  on  this  Confiderauon  agaixa,  that 
 he  exhorts  the  Theffalwians,  i  Epi$;  4. 
 v.  4.  That  every  one  fhould  know  how  to  pof- 
 fefs  hkveffel  (dhe  Tafbernaole  where  the 
 Soul  dwells)  infanftifiaition  and  honour. 
 
 The  Nwnblese'fs  and  foengthofjthe 
 body  is  not  *o  be  proftituted  iCoSloatb, 
 Idlenefs  and  Luxury,  thofe  Vices  tibw^Dt 
 the  defign  of  God,  ccofs  the  purpofes  of 
 our  Creator,  'baffle  and  affroatitihekmd 
 nefe  of  our  great  Benefador.  Therefore 
 we  are  taught  by  the  curious  Fabrick  of 
 our  Bodies,  to  remember,  thatiGod 
 takes  fpecial  notice    how  we  employ 
 
 them. 
 
1  %  The  Firfi  Sermon. 
 
 them.  Tfal  49.  9.  Vnderftand,  0  ye 
 Irutifb  among  the  people  ,  and  ye  fools 
 when  will  ye  be  wife  \  he  that  planted  the 
 ear  fiall  he  not  hear,  and  he  that  formed 
 the  eye  Jh all  he  not  fee  ? 
 
 Let  me  add  to  this  that.God  is  to 
 be  worfliipped  with  the  Body  as  with 
 the  Mind  \  For  he  made  both,  redeem- 
 ed both,  and  will  glorifie  both.     Ineed 
 not  .prove  this,  it  were  a  reflection  oa 
 the  Gravity  of  my  Hearers  to  offer  at 
 any  proof  of  that  nature,      £ut  there 
 are  amongft  us  who  have  bkniihed  the 
 Worihip  of  the  Body  put  of  our  Chur- 
 ches; to  bow  their  knees,  or  to  (land 
 upright  at  ibme  of  the    more  folemn 
 pieces  of  Worihip,  is  thought  Supersti- 
 tion; and  they  meafure  the  Purity  of 
 Religion,  by  its  Rufticitics  and  Unde- 
 cencies,  and  think  that  they  are  never 
 got  far  enough  from  Rome,  unlefs  they 
 oppofeall  the  decent  Cuftoms  of  the  ci- 
 vilized World.     As  if  the  Eternal  Maje- 
 fty-of  Heaven,  were  to  be  approached 
 contrary  to  the  Cuftom  of  all  Nations, 
 the  Devotion  of  all  Churches,  and  the 
 common  Senfe  of  all  Mankind. 
 
 The 
 
The  Firfl  Sermon. 
 
 The  Devotion  of  fuch  refembles  the 
 Superftition  of  thofe  Pagans,  that  Strabo 
 mentions,  that  offered  none  of  the  Flejh  of 
 their  fact  i fie es  unto  their  Gods>  but  affirmed 
 that  the  Gods  were  contented  with  the  Blood 
 onlj/y  as  if  they  had  no  regard  to  the  Exter- 
 nals of  their  VVorfhip.  The  behaviour  of 
 fome  of  us,  in  the  time  of  God's  worfhip,  * 
 would  not  become  us  in  the  prefence  of 
 ourv  Governours.  But  cuftomary  and 
 universal  Faults  are  not  fo  eafily  reform- 
 ed, and  fome  of  them  ihe  more  they  are 
 reproved ,  the  more  incurable  they  be- 
 come. I  . 
 
 Secondly,  Is  the  Body  fo  curioufly 
 framed  ?  Is  this  brittle  and  mortal  Edifice 
 fo  artificially  reared  ?  Are  there  fuch 
 prints  of  the  Finger  of  God  on  this  Ta- 
 bernacle, even  whilft  we  are  here?  then 
 judge  what  it  will  be,  when  it  is  raifed 
 from  the  duft,  when  it  (hakes  of  the  « 
 difhonours  of  the  grave ,  and  appears 
 WTith  its  Robes  of  Light ;  when  this  un 
 wieldy  clog  of  Flefh  and  Blood  is  made 
 pure  and  aerial,  nimble  enough  to  vie  with 
 the  fwifceft  Angels  and  fly  with  eafe  in 
 the  regions  of  Glory  ;  when  we  (hall  be 
 
 1  a!! 
 
*4  The  Ftrft  Sermon, 
 
 all  Life,  Light,  Spirit,  and  Wing,  fel- 
 low-fharers  of  Angelical  Pleafure.  Now 
 the  earthly  Tabernacle  drag's  and  pulls 
 down  the  Soul  to  low  and  defpicable  En- 
 joyments;  then,  the  Body  is  mad<* 
 ftrong  and  refined,  to  comply  with  the 
 highett  Capacities  and  Inclinations  of  the 
 Mind. 
 
 We  fhall  mount  aloft  from  the  Earth 
 unto  the  Air,  \tfhcre  his  imperial  Throne 
 iserefted.  We  jhall  {bine  as  the  bright- 
 nefs  ef  the  firmament ,  and  as  thefiars  for 
 ever  and  ever  $  when  fae  ate  got  loofe 
 from  the  Prifons  of  the  Grave,  artd  the 
 Fetters  of  Corruption  knockt  off;  but 
 now  in  our  prefect  ftate,  how  hard  ii  i$ 
 for  us  to  raife  our  thoughts  to  the  Liber- 
 ties of  the  Sons  of  God  ! 
 
 When  we  have  our  feet  upon  the 
 top  of  Mount  Zicn ,  when  we  fee  the 
 Glories  and  Empires  of  this  little  Globe 
 below  us,  and  we  our  felves  beyeftid 
 Danger  and  Temptation,  far  above  its 
 frowns  and  flatteries. 
 
 How  will  our  Souls  be  tranfported 
 to  find  their  Garments  lighter?  andmir 
 
 felves 
 
the  Virft  Sermon.  tj 
 
 felves  encircled  in  the  arms  of  Divine 
 Love  ?  and  inftead  of  this  lampiftiClay, 
 this  load  that  damps  and  deprefles  our 
 Spirits,  the  weight  that  holds  them  in 
 fetters  and  captivity,  we  Jhall  then  k%Cor.$.i. 
 cloathedupen  with  our  houfe  which  is  from 
 heaven^  when  mortality  fh&U  hefwallowed 
 up  of  life^  and  the  fhackles  of  our  bon- 
 dage broken  to  pieces. 
 
 Th  £  very  thoughts  of  this  pure  and  W>fr 
 Angelick  ftate,  if  they  dwelt  ferioufly  m' 
 upon  ourfpirits,  might  crack  the  firings 
 that  tie  our  Souls  to  our  Bodies;  to 
 think  that  when  he  fhall  appear \  we  flail 
 le  like  him ,  for  we  jhall  fee  him  #s 
 he  is. 
 
 We  cannot  exprefs  the  glory  of  the 
 Body  after  the  Reftarre&ion  better,  than 
 in  the  language  of  the  Scriptures.  There  i  Cor.  15, 
 is  one  glory  of  the  fun ,  another  of  the  41- 
 moon,  and  another  glory  of  the  liars ; 
 fo  alfo  is  the  RefurreUion  of  the  dead, 
 it  is  fown  in  corruption ,  raifed  in  incor- 
 ruption  ;  'tis  fown  in  difhonoury  raifed  in 
 glory  5  'tis  fown  in  weaknefi,  raifed  in 
 power  ,  'tis  fown  a  natural  body ,  raifed 
 a  fpiritual  body.     Thus  we  are  told  by 
 
 the 
 
1 6  The  Fir  ft  Sermon* 
 
 the  fame  Apcflle  to  the  Philippians,  that 
 he  /hall  change  our  vile  hodies,  that  they 
 may  be  fafhioned  like  his  glorious  body,  by 
 the  power  whereby  he  is  able  to  fubdue 
 all  things  unto  himfelf  With  what  con- 
 fidence then  may  we  lay  them  down  in 
 their  grave,  fince  we  are  fure  to  receive 
 them  again  pure  and  incorruptible,  be- 
 yond the  Weaknefles  and  Indifpofitions 
 of  their  former  Captivity. 
 
 3oK$ .28.  The  hour  is  cowing  when  all  that  are  in 
 their  graves  {hall  hear  bis  voice,  we  may 
 triumphantly  apply  to  our  felves  that 
 place  in  the  book  of  Job,  19.  15.  / 
 know  that  my  redeemer  livethy  and  that 
 he  Jhall  ft  and  at  the  latter  day  upon  the 
 earth  ,  and  though  after  my  skin  worms 
 deftroy  this  body,  yet  in  my  flejh  Jhall  1 
 fee  God. 
 
 Thirdly ,  Are  our  Bodies  fuch  curi- 
 ous Representations  of  his  Wifdom  and 
 Skill  ?  then  we  fhould  treat  them  honou- 
 rably and  decently  after  the  Soul  is  de- 
 parted .  The  firft  Chriftians  had  a  great 
 care  that  the  pooreft  of  their  number 
 thould  be  handfomly  interr'd,  and  ma- 
 ny tim£s  did  they  drefs  the  bodies  of 
 
 the 
 
The  Br  ft  Sermon.  \y 
 
 themeaneft  Chriftians  with  coftly  Oint- 
 ments and  odoriferous  Spices  ;  that  they 
 might  do  honour  to  the  human  Nature, 
 and  teftifie  their  hope  of  the  Refurretli- 
 on  j  that  the  dear  Companions  of  tha 
 Soul  might  be  decently  treated ,  and 
 laid  in  their  graves  as  in  their  fafe  reposi- 
 tories, until  the  general  fummons  of  the 
 Arch- Angel  awakened  them. 
 
 Wh  e  n  their  Enemies  obferved  their 
 great  care  of  the  Bodies  of  iho  Martyrs, 
 (to  do  the  Chriftians  defpitej  they  burnt 
 "the  Bodies  of  their  dead,  and  fcatter'd 
 their  Aihes  in  the  Sea,  left  the  Chrifti- 
 ans might  have  the  fatisfa&ion  of  doing 
 the  common  offices  of  humanity  to  their 
 deccas'd  Relations.  Certainly  the  Bo- 
 dies of  the  dead  fhould  be  preferved 
 from  all  rude  Affronts  and  Difhonours, 
 and  Churchyards,  that  are  the  Semina- 
 ries of  the  Refurreftion ,  fhould  not  be 
 places  of  pafturage  for  all  kind  of  Ani- 
 mals. And  would  to  God  that  the  Lai- 
 ty only  were  to  be  blam'd  for  this  im- 
 pious Prophanation. 
 
 But  Fourthly,  Are  our  Bodies  focu- 
 rioufly    built  ?  Judge  what  the  Soul 
 
 G  fnuft 
 
1 8  The  Firjl  Sermon. 
 
 muft  be,  that  Lamp  of  Light,  that  Can- 
 dle of  the  Lord ,  the  invifible  Jewel 
 that's  laid  up  in  that  Cafement  $  'tis  no 
 lefs  than  the  Breath  of  God,  it  bears  the 
 Image  of  the  Deity  in  legible  Characters. 
 How  a&ive  and  indefatigable  is  it  in  the 
 thefearchof  Truth?  How  much  above 
 the  Enjoyments  of  Senfe,  and  feculent 
 Pleafores  of  the  Body  >  With  what  tran- 
 sport doth  it  embrace  Conclufions  drawn 
 from  their  Principles  ?  How  fond  is  it 
 of  its  own  Contemplations,  that  are 
 raifed  on  the  immoveable  Pillars  of  Rea- 
 ion* 
 
 How  fwiftsin  its  Thoughts?  How 
 eafily  does  it  fly  round  the  Earth,  climb 
 the  Heavens  and  view  the  Creation  ? 
 'Tis  a  divine  Spark  of  Light,  from  the 
 Father  of  Spirits,  that  glances  in  thofe 
 prifons  of  flelh  for  a  while ;  it's  true 
 Pleafures  are  pure  and  Angelical  3  it 
 graips  Truth  for  the  fake  of  Truth,  with 
 Order  and  Complacency,  and  makes  to  it 
 felf  Ladders  of  true  Confequences  from 
 the  vifible  Creatures ,  to  afcend  to 
 Heaven. 
 
 But  let  us  dwell  a  while  longeron 
 
 this 
 
77;e  Fir  (I  Sermon.  l9 
 
 this  Meditation.-  Dicr^Kkfumifli  our 
 Minds  with  fuch  noble  Powers  only  to 
 till  the  Ground,  and  makg  provifton  for 
 the  flefb  to  fulfil  the  Lujis  thereof?  No 
 certainly.  /This  vaft  and  capacious  Spi- 
 rit, that  &>*it  lodge  fo  many  Truths  to- 
 gether without  Confufion  or  Diforder, 
 was  defign'd  to  enjoy  God;  any  thing 
 elfe  falls  ihort  of  its  Height  and  Gran- 
 deur. 
 - 
 
 Whence  is  this  Appetite  of  Im< 
 mortality  that  we  feel  within  our  felves  ? 
 Is  it  altogether  in  vain  >  Did  God  place  it 
 within  our  Souls  purely  to  vex  us?  Was 
 there  nothing defign'd  to  fatisfie  it ?  Yes 
 certainly  5  elfe  Mankind  had  been  a 
 phantaftick  Impertinence  5  the  vaineft 
 and  the  fillieft  nothing  in  the  Creation. 
 For  if  in  this  life  only  we  had  hope,  we 
 were  of  all  men  the  mofl  miferalle 5  con- 
 fined to  the  Earth,  when  our  Souls  fly 
 far  beyond  it  5  and  immured  in  the  Walls 
 of  Fleih,  when  their  Capacities  difpofe 
 themfor  the  Life  and  Enjoyment  of  An- 
 gels. 
 
 All  the  reft  of  the  Creatures  have 
 
 Objetts  proper  for  their  Appetites ;  (hall 
 
 C  %  Man 
 
20  The  Fir  ft  Sermon. 
 
 Man  alone  have  Inclinations  beyond  the 
 Earth,  and  yet  die  like  the  Beafts  that 
 periili  >  Let  nofuch  thought  enter  6ur 
 Souls,  for  we  jhallfee  him  as  be  is. 
 
 Let  me  add  to  this,  If  the  Soul  be 
 fo  vivacious  in  its  Walls  of  Flefli,  when 
 'tis  chained  in  this  dark  Tabernacle,  that 
 (as  Qutniilian  obferves}  it  flies  in  a  trace 
 from  one  Objeft  to  another,  nothing  can 
 engrofs  its  power  and  ftrength :  how 
 large  and  comprehenfive  muft  it  be, 
 when  we  come  to  our  Countrey  above  5 
 when  we  are  united  to  the  original  Wif- 
 dom,  Light  and  Truth?  What  a  foolifh 
 violence  doe  we  offer  to  our  Souls, 
 when  we  bend  and  bow  them  tp  earthly 
 Enjoyments  ?  Why  did  we  not  rather  let 
 them  fly  to  the  place  of  their  reft  and 
 tranquility  ?  Their  natural  motion  is  to 
 wards  Heaven,  and  Chriftian  Religion 
 defigns  no  more  than  their  Primitive  Li- 
 berty. 
 
 When  We  would  perfuade  Men  to 
 be  religious,  we  need  not  borrow  our 
 Arguments  from  foreign  Topicks  5  let 
 them  only  look  inwards  5  let  them  view 
 the  frame  of  their  own  Souls,  their 
 /  Know- 
 
The  Ftrjl  Sermon.  %  i 
 
 Knowledge,  Will  and  Memory;  the  tin- 
 eafie  Refle&ions  of  their  Confciences 
 when  they  do  amifs ,  in  makes  them 
 rafte,  whether  they  will  or  not,  the 
 fears  of  an  impartial  Tribunal  ;  that 
 drags  them,  in  the  midft  of  their  Jolli- 
 ties, before  that  Judge  that  can  neither 
 be  deceived  nor  be  impofed  upon. 
 
 Hear,  then  the  calm  Reafonings  of 
 your  oWn  Spirits;  you  may  fhift  the 
 force  of  our  Arguments,  when  we  have 
 *  urged  theifa  with  all  Zeal  and  Sincerity  ; 
 but  you  tannot  hide  your  felves  from 
 that  invisible  Judge,  your  own  Souls. 
 
 It  were  Folly  in  the  higheft  dqgree, 
 to  feed  a  hungry  Stomach  with  wife  Say- 
 ings ,  excellent  Diagrams:  or  if  fuch 
 things  were  offered  for  the  cure  of  a 
 Man  in  a  raging  Fever  5  this  is  the  Folly 
 we  transcribe  when  we  endeavour  to  fa- 
 tisfie  our  Souls  with  any  thing  fhortof 
 God  himfelf ;  the  Satisfaction  and  Hap- 
 pin£fs  that- we  look  after  is  higher  than 
 the  Earth.  The  Earth  fays  it  is  not  m 
 me;  and  the  Sea  fays  it's  not  in  me 5, 
 and  the  Treafures  of  both  the  Indies 
 have  nothing  in  them  to  feed  the  ftrong 
 C  3  Defires 
 
22  77;e  Firjl  Sermon. 
 
 Defires  of  Immortality,  or  to  fiil  the  Ap- 
 petite of  Reafon. 
 
 But  Fifthly ,  Are  our  Souls  and  Bo- 
 dies fuch  Monuments  of  the  Divine 
 Wifdom  >  fliould  we  not  then  frequently 
 view  and  confider  our  own  Frame  and 
 Compofition.  Why  are  we  fuch  Stran- 
 gers to  our  felves?  When  the  Spirit  of 
 God  moved  upon  the  face  of  the  great 
 deep,  the  reft  of  the  Creatures  were  for- 
 med m  their  order,  as  they  were  com- 
 manded to  appear  $  by  his  word,  that 
 eommanded  things  which  are  not  as  if  they 
 were  5  they  were  inded  the  more  negli- 
 gent ftrokes  of  Omnipotence ;  but  Man 
 appears  by  his  deliberate  Method ,  and 
 fet  off  with  the  Characters  of  his  Image , 
 in  Wifdom,  Purity,  Liberty,  Immortali- 
 ty. What  Majefty  in  thefe  Words, 
 Come,  let  v*  make  Man  in  our  own  Image  ? 
 And  if  the  very  rubbifli  of  this  Edifice, 
 the  ruines  of  him  in  his  lapfed  Condition 
 be  fo  magnificent ;  what  was  he,  when 
 P/al.  g.  5.  hut  a  little  lower  than  the  Angels*  crown" 
 ed  with  glory  and  dignity  ?  Efpecially 
 when  we  remember  that  ftillheis  capa- 
 ble  of  fuch  Improvements.  Recover 
 him  by  Education  from  his  childifli  Va- 
 nities, 
 
The  Ftrfi  Sermon.  2  3 
 
 nicies,  from  his  untamed  Luft  and  Pafli- 
 ons,  furniih  him  with  Health,  Strength, 
 all  Wifdom  divine  and  humane*  inveft 
 him  with  publkk  Honour  and  Atten- 
 dance, and  then  he  is  but  fome  degrees 
 lelovo  the  Angels  of  God.  And  yet  all 
 this  is  but  a  (hadow  and  a  dream,  in 
 compare  with  what  Improvements  he  is 
 capable  of,  when  regenerate  to  the  Image 
 of  God,  and  the  hope  of  Glory. 
 
 Are  not  we  our  felves  then  worthy 
 of  our  molt  ferious  thoughts  ?  True  Re- 
 ligion teaches  a  Man  to  converfe -with 
 himfelf  in  the  nobleft  manner,  to  covet 
 the  higheft  Improvements  of  his  own 
 Nature  ,  to  obferve  his  own  Failings. 
 Seneca  tells  us  in  one  of  his  Epiftles,  that 
 it  was  his  cuftom  every  Night  when  the 
 candle  was  out,  calmly  to  examine  him- 
 felf, and  look  narrowly  into  the  Retire- 
 ments of  his  own  Confcience;  this,  of- 
 ten and  ferioufly  performed  ,  begat 
 Calmnefs  and  Serenity  in  his  Bofom, 
 which  he  compares  to  the  Regions  a- 
 bove  the  Moon  ,  where  there  are  no 
 Clouds .>  no  Vapours,  no  Exhalati- 
 ons. 
 
 C  4  But 
 
24  Ih  firft  Sermon. 
 
 But  a  wicked  Man  is  afraid  tt>  look 
 within  himfelf  5  the  violent  Earthquakes 
 arid  fhakings  of  his  Spirit,  make  thofe 
 Reflations  intolerable.  Did  we  thus 
 take  our  felves  more  accurately  to  task, 
 we  would  not  have  fo  much  fpare  time, 
 to  defcant  on  the  Aftions  of  others  ; 
 we  ftiould  be  more  merciful  in  our  Cen- 
 fures,  lefs  fevere  in  our  Refle&ions, 
 more  equitable  and  juft  in  all  our  Pro- 
 ceedings. When  Paufania*  the  Lacede- 
 monian defired  Simonides  the  Poet  to 
 beftow  fome  memorable  Saying  upon 
 him,  he  gave  him  this,  Remember  that 
 you  are  a  Man, 
 
 And  indeed  this  contained  a  Com- 
 pend  of  the  beft  Philofophy  $  did  we  re- 
 member that  we  are  the  Offspring  of 
 God,  could  we  proftitute  fo  noble  a  Na- 
 ture to  ferve  the  Devil  fi  could  we  debafe 
 our  felves  fo  far  as  to  truckle  under  the 
 Violence  and  Servitude  of  our  Paffions. 
 £•3.  off.  Tully  hath  an  admirable  Saying  to  this 
 purpofe  ;  Put  the  cafe,  faith  he,  that  we 
 fhould  carry  any  thing  fo  privately ,  as 
 that  neither  God  nor  man  fhould  difco- 
 ver  us,  yet  we  (hould  have  fuch  a  reve- 
 rence 
 
The  Fir  ft  Sermon.  25 
 
 rence  for  our  felves,  as  not  to  fuffer  any 
 thing  that  is  immodeft,  unjuft,  or  un- 
 clean to  efcape  us.  So  terrible  is  the 
 witnefs  of  Conference ,  and  fo  infallible 
 is  its  decifion,  in  the  great  branches  of 
 our  Duty. 
 
 Then  Sixthly,  Is  Man  fuch  a  curi. 
 ous  piece  of  workmanfhip  ?  he  muft  be 
 under  the  peculiar  Eye  of  Providence  ? 
 Thus  reafons  Sc.  Paul,  Doth  God  take 
 care  of  Oxen,  yes^  the  very  Law  9  thou 
 fbalt  not  fftu2zle  the  Ox  that  treadeth  out 
 the  corn ;  prove  fuificiently,  that  they 
 are  under  his  care,  and  the  eye  of  his 
 Providence. 
 
 But  the  care  that  is  extended  to 
 thofe  poor  Animals  that  feed  upon  hay 
 and  corn,  is  far  below  the  fpecial  care 
 that  he  hath  of  Mankind.  His  delight 
 is  with  the  Sons  ot  Men;  there  is  a  pecu- 
 liar eye  of  Favour  that  watches  over  the 
 human  Race,  and  yet  a  higher  degree  of 
 Love  and  Providence  over  good  and  holy 
 Men. 
 
 Pfal.  33.  13.    The  Lord  looketh  from 
 
 heaven, 
 
t6  The  Fir  ft  Sermon. 
 
 -.  "^  ., 
 
 heaven,  he  beholdeth  all  the  fins  of  men. 
 V,  14.  From  the  place  of  his  habitation  he 
 looketh  upon  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth. 
 V.  1 8.  Behold  the  eye  of  the  Lord  is  on 
 them  that  fear  him,  upon  them  that  hope 
 in  his  mercy.  Pfal,  34.  7.  The  Angel  of 
 the  Lord encampeth  round about  them  that 
 fear  hint,  and  delivereth  them.  •  \  But  his 
 Love  towards  Mankind  is  (b  ftrong,  that 
 m*  8.  it  cannot  fall  under  Words.  He  gave  us 
 his  Son  ,  and  if  he  gave  us  hk  Son,  how 
 /hall  he  not  with  him  aljo  give  us  all  things. 
 He  d'J  not  take  hold  of  the  nature  of  An\ 
 gels,  but  of  the  feed  of  Abraham.  It  wa$ 
 his  Love  to  us  that  engaged  him  to  take 
 upon  him  the  form  of  a  fervant,  and  hum- 
 ble himfelf  unto  death,  even  the  dfath  of 
 the^ofs. 
 
 Seventhly ,  I F  God  hath  put  fuch 
 Marks  of  Beauty  and  Honour  on  the 
 human  Nature,  Let  u*  love  one  another. 
 So  the  Apoflle  enjoins,  Honour  all  men; 
 Love  the  brotherhood.  There  is  fome- 
 thing  due  to  our  Nature,  under  the 
 cloud  of  the  meaneft  Circumftances :  As 
 the  Philofopher  alleged,  when  he  dif- 
 penfed  his  Alms  to  an  unworthy  Perfon, 
 Non  hmini  fed  humanitatL     Our  Love 
 
 mull 
 
The  Firft  Sermon.  %y 
 
 muft  refemblc  the  Benignity  of  God, 
 that  maketh  his  Sun  to  rife  on  the  evil 
 and  the  good,  and  fendeth  down  Rain  on 
 the  jufi  and  unjuji, 
 
 Love  is  the  life  of  Heaven,  whence 
 all  Bitternefs  and  Unkindnefs  is  baniflied 
 as  far  as  Hell  5  'cis  planted  in  our  Na- 
 ture, we  are  enclined  to  it  by  our  origi- 
 nal Constitution  5  it  is  the  Livery  of 
 the  Chriftian  Religion,  and  the  Badge 
 of  our  Profeffion.  The  Vices  oppofite 
 to  it  make  up  the  Devils  Nature  and  his 
 Torture  too  5  Anger,  Bitternefs,  Envy 
 and  Revenge,  create  thofe  Storms  that 
 continually  ruffle  the  compofure  of  our 
 Spirits ;  whereas  the  Pra&ice  of  Chri- 
 ftian Charity  hath  in  it  the  Fore-taftes 
 of  Heaven ,  and  the  Life  of  the  Blef 
 fed.    . 
 
 There  is  no  injury  done  to  us  can 
 loofe  us  from  this  Obligation ;  no  Error 
 in  Opinion  3  no  Enormity  in  Pra&ice;  no 
 Difafter  of  Fortune  ;  for  our  Brother  is  of 
 our  kind,  and  however  fullied  anddefac'r, 
 retains  ftill  the  Image  of  God.  The  more 
 frequently  we  confider  this,  the  more 
 we  are  obliged  to  the  Pfalmift's  refolution, 
 
 / 
 
\  8  7l?e  Firfi  Sermon. 
 
 1  will  praife  thee.  Which  leads  me  to 
 the  Second  Particular  that  I  mentioned, 
 viz.  The  PfalrxiJFs  Gratitude  and  Ac 
 knowledgmcnt. 
 
 Now  in  (peaking  to  this,  I  fhall  Firfi 
 Mention  fome  of  thofe  Inducements  that 
 oblige  us  to  it.  And  then  Secondly  prefs 
 the  Practice  of  it.  - 
 
 -  i.  GOD  is  tobepraifed,  becaufehe 
 is  the  only  Obje£t  of  Praife,  Love  and 
 Admiration  3  nothing  elfe  can  love  us  a- 
 gain  but  God,  or  fome  other  Creature 
 that  refemblesGod.  Therefore  St.  John 
 exhorts,  Love  nor  the  world,  neither  the 
 things  that  are  in  the^vorld,  if  any  man 
 love  the  world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is 
 not  in  him. 
 
 And  if  he  is  to  be  praifed  becaufe 
 of  the  Works  of  Nature,  how  much 
 more  becaufe  of  his  ineftimable  Love  in 
 the  Redemption  of  the  World  by  our 
 Lord  Jefus  Chrijl.  Let  the  pureft  Spi- 
 rits, in  their  Robes]  of  Light  and  Inno- 
 cence, admire  it,  and  veil  their  Faces 
 with  their  Wings,  and  (land  at  a  di- 
 ftance,  and  behold  what  manner  of  Love 
 
 this 
 
The  Firji  Sermon.  ip 
 
 this  isy  wherewith  the  Father  hath  loved 
 us,  that  we  Jhould  be  called  the  Sons  of 
 God.  If  we  cannot  fly  about  the  World 
 with  that  Swiftnefs  and  Rapidity  as  the 
 Angels  do  in  Heaven,  yet  what  hinders 
 our  Souls  to  center  themfelves  in  his 
 Love  by  the  moft  unquenchable  Ar- 
 dors, when  we  contemplate  his  Love  to 
 Mankind  manifefted  in  Jefus  Chrift  ? 
 
 i.  The  true  exercife  of  our  Reafoti 
 requires  it.     What  is  that  you  admire  ? 
 or  what  is  it  you  purfue?  The  Princi- 
 ples of  Reafon  are  everlafting,  and  they 
 are  never  fo  duly  placed  as  on  God ;  who 
 is  invar  iahle  and  without  fhadow  of  turn- 
 ing ;  for  the  world paffeth  away%  and  the 
 fafhion  thereof  doth  perijh :  but  a  Mind  re- 
 fined by  the  Principles  of  Chriflian  Philo- 
 fophy  endures  for  ever.     Do  but  call  to 
 mind,  as  M.  Antoninus  hath  it,  fuch   asc*/.*/* 
 have  been  in  eminent  Glory,  the  Hero's 
 and  Captains  of  former  Ages  ;  or  fuch 
 as  have   been  tumbled  down  by  Dif 
 grace,  or  run  down  with  Mifery ;  fuch 
 as  have  engaged  to  talk  of  all  Men  in 
 every  Condition  of  Life,  7rS  vtw  vnlvtcc 
 Ik&vol.     What's   become    of    all    thofe 
 things  now  ?    And  (hould   our  Reafon 
 
 fpend 
 
jo  7he  Erft  Sermon; 
 
 fpend  its  ftrength  in  the  chafe  of  fuch 
 Shadows,  it  cannot  be  duly  employed  in 
 fuch  transient  Vanities ;  had  we  but  a 
 view  of  the  Impertinencies  and  Vanities 
 that  pafs  in  one  City,  but  for  one  day, 
 how  vain  fhould  we  find  the  World  to 
 be! 
 
 3.  To  praife  God,  is  the  Enjoyment 
 of  Heaven.     The  vifion  of  God,  is  no- 
 thing but  the  Light  of  Reafoft  duly  fix'd 
 on  its  true  Objed,  and  advanc'd  to  its 
 true  Elevation,  when  the  Soul  is  dilated 
 and  enlarged,  and  expatiates  on  its  pro- 
 per Theme.     Have  you  feen  the  Cedars 
 or  the  Fir-trees,  that  rife  fo  high,  and 
 fpread  their  Branches  fo  wide,  from  a 
 little  Seed ;  juft  fo  is  the  Soul,  how  infi- 
 nitely beyond  its  prefent  felf  are  its  O- 
 ijok  3.1.  perations  then  found  to  be.     Beloved, 
 now  are  we  the  Sons  of  Gody  and  it  doth 
 not  yet  appear  what  we  /hall  be,  but  we 
 know  that  when  he  Jhall  appear  we  fhall  be 
 like  him  ,  for  we  fhall  fee  him  cu  he  is. 
 Thus  the  Inhabitants  of  Heaven  are  fre- 
 quently reprefented  in  the  book  of  the 
 Revelations,  c.4. 10,  u.  and  elfe where, 
 adoring  the  Excellencies  of  their  {great 
 Creator.     The  four  and  twenty  Elders  fall 
 
 down 
 
The  Firjl  Sermon.  5 1 
 
 down  before  him  that  fat  on  the  throne, 
 and  worfhipped  him  that  liveth  for  ever 
 and  ever,  and  c aft  their  crowns  before  the 
 throne,  faying,  thou  art  worthy^  0  Lord, 
 to  receive  glory,  honour,  and  power ,  for 
 thou  haft  created  all  things ,  and  for  thy 
 pleafure  they  are  and  were  created*  And 
 again,  chap*  5.UI3,  And  every  creature 
 which  u  in  heaven,  and  on  the  earth,  and 
 under  the  earth,  in  d  fitch  as  are  in  the 
 fea9  and  all  that  we  in  them,  heard  I 
 faying,  bleffing,  honour \  glory ,  and  power, 
 be  unto  him,  that  fitteth  on  the  throne, 
 and  unto  the  Lamb  for  ever. 
 
 4.  Tis  the  Voice  of  univerfal  Nature, 
 ride  Phi.  148. 
 
 5-.  This  is  it  that  keeps  us  fober 
 and  humble,  and  makes  us  refer  our 
 profperous  Succefles  to  their  true  Origi- 
 nal ;  and  by  this  frame  of  Spirit,  we  en- 
 gage the  divine  Aid,  we  are  apt  to  ido- 
 lize our  own  Strength  ,  Wifdom  ,  and 
 Contrivance,  when  any  thing  anfwers 
 ourExpe&ations;  we  are  ready  toere£fc 
 Statues' and  Memorials  to  our  own  Con- 
 duct, as  if  we  our  felves  had  brought 
 the  affair  to  its  defirable  period.     Thus 
 
 the 
 
gt  The  Fir  ft  Sermon. 
 
 the  ungrateful  Perfon  is  faid  by  the  ?rd~ 
 phet  Habbakuk,  c.  I.  16.  to  facrifice  to 
 his  net,  and  burn  incenfe  to  his  dray :  how 
 elegantly  does  the  Royal  Pjalmiji  trace 
 his  Mercies  to  their  true  Original  ?  how 
 pathetically  does  he  fummon  our 
 Thoughts  towards  Heaven  ? 
 
 Pfal.  44.  v.  3.  For  they  got  not  the  land 
 inpoffeffion  by  their  own  /word,  neither  did 
 their  own  arm  fave  them,  but  thy  right 
 handy  and  thine  arm,  and  the  light  of  thy 
 countenance,  v.  7.  /  will  not  trujl  in  my 
 bow>  neither  /hall  my  [word fave  me  3  in  God 
 we  boafl  all  the  day  long,  and  praife  thy 
 name  for  ever  and  ever.  This  Conclu- 
 fion  is  laid  down  by  Solomon  long  ago, 
 Ecclef.  9.  11.  The  race  is  not  to  the 
 fwift)  nor  the  battel  to  the  ftrong,  nor 
 bread  to  the  wife ,  nor  riches  to  men  of 
 under/landing,  nor  favour  to  men  of  skill. 
 
 JT  is  neither  the  Strength  of  thy  Bo- 
 dy, nor  the  Wifdom  of  thy  Mind,  nor 
 the  Favour  of  thy  Friends,  can  accom- 
 plifli  thy  bufinefs  without  the  Aids  of 
 divine  Providence;  how  chearfully  then 
 ihould  we  adore  and  acknowledge  this 
 Providence,  that  twifts  it  felf  with,  and 
 
 fecretly 
 
The  Fir  ft  Sermon*  22 
 
 fecretly  moves  the  moft  intricate  affairs, 
 Pfal.  1 1 5.  Not  unto  us  0  Lord  !  not  unto 
 us,  but  unto  thy  name  give  glory :  So  we 
 find  Job  elegantly  vindicate  himfelf,  that 
 he  did  not  put  his  confidence  in  any  thing 
 but  in  God  only.  Job  3  1 .  76,  2  7. 
 
 Pfal.  108.3,4.  Iwillpraife  thee  0  Lord  I 
 amidjl  the  people  ,  1  will  fing  unto  thee 
 among  the  Nations ;  for  thy  mercy  is  great 
 unto  the  heavens,  and  thy  faithfulnefs  un- 
 to the  clouds  ;  and  Pfal.  139.  17.  How 
 precious  alfo  are  thy  thoughts  unto  we,  O 
 God!  how  great  is  the  fum  of  them,  if  I 
 fhould  couvt  them  ,  they  are  moe  in  num- 
 ber, than  tfai  (and,  when  I  awake  I  am Jl  ill 
 with  thee.     But, 
 
 6.  This  is  the  only  Theme  which 
 cannot  be  exhaufted,Pfa!.i39.  Iflafcend 
 up  into  heaven,  thou  art  there,  &c.  Hea- 
 ven, Earth,  Sea,  and  Air ,  proclaim  his 
 infinite  Goodnefs ,  and  the  thought  of 
 every  thing  perlfties,  but  in  its  relation 
 to  God  :  for  if  you  view  it  under  any 
 other  relation,  it  is  but  vanity  and  vexa* 
 tion  of  Spirit,  and  hath  nor  folidity  e- 
 nough,  to  abide  the  porings  and  contem- 
 plations of  an  intelle&ual  Being. 
 
 D  What 
 
3  4  T^  fi^  Sermon. 
 
 What  employment  more  proper  for 
 .  us  ,  than  that  of  the  glorious  Hofts  of 
 heaven,  the  invincible  Legions  who  have 
 Crowns  on  their  heads ,  and  Palms  in 
 their  hands  ,  and  the  glorious  company 
 of  the  Apoftlcs,  the  goodly  fellowfhipof 
 the  Prophets ,  the  noble  Army  of  Mar- 
 tyrs, the  Seraphims,  and  theCherubims, 
 who  are  thus  employed  $  what  exercife 
 more  proper  for  us,  who  breath  for  hea- 
 ven, than  to  fay  with  the  Pfalwifl,  Pfal. 
 4  jr.  I  will  extol  thee  my  God,  OKing!  and 
 I  will  blefs  thy  name  for  ever  and  ever, 
 V.  2.  every  day  will  I  blefs  thee,  and  1  will 
 praife  thy  name  for  ever  and  ever ;  v.  3. 
 Great  is  the  Lord,  and  greatly  to  le  prat- 
 fed,  and  his  greatnefs  is  unfearchalle. 
 v.  4.  One  Generation  fhall  praife  thy  works 
 te  another. 
 
 To  God  the  Father,  Son,  and 
 1 7  $ ,  *     v.  •  Holy  Ghoft,  be  all  Praife, 
 
 and  Dominion  for  ever. 
 Amen. 
 
 i 
 
n 
 
 SERMON 
 
 O  N 
 
 iPet.  2.  v.  1 1. 
 
 Tfearly  Beloved,  Ibefeech  you  asftrari- 
 gers  and  pilgrims  abftain  from 
 flejbly  lufls  which  war  againft  the 
 Soul. 
 
 FROM  the  ninth  Verfe,  the  A- 
 poflle  fets  off  the  Dignity  of  the 
 Chriftian  State,  the  Honour  and 
 Prerogative  of  that  high  relati- 
 on :  Te  are  a  chojen  generation,  a  Royal 
 Triefthood^  an  holy  Nation,  a  peculiar  peo- 
 ple. They  were  thus  advanc'd ,  that 
 they  might  fhevo  forth  the  praifes  of  him 
 that  had  called  them,  out  of  darknefs,  into 
 D  2  -  his 
 
3  6  The  Second  Sermon. 
 
 his  marvellous  light.  They  could  not 
 but  with  the  higheft  contentment  and 
 joy,  call  to  mind,  the  difference  between 
 their  prefentand  their  former  condition. 
 
 It  is  upon  this  foundation,  that  S.  Pe- 
 ter makes  his  addrefs  with  fo  much  love 
 and  zeal,  that  he  may  provoke  them  to 
 a  life  pure  and  heavenly,  and  becoming 
 that  relation  into  which  they  were  late- 
 ly adopted. 
 
 In  the  Ferfe  that  I  have  read,  he  al- 
 ludes unto  the  Phrafe  that  he  made  ufe 
 of,  in  the  firft  Verfe  of  the  firft  Chapter 
 of  this  Epifile^  which  is  addrefs'd /<?  the 
 ftrangers  fcattered  throughout  Pontus  , 
 Galatia,  Cappadocia ,  A(ia  and  Bythinia, 
 remov'd  far  from  the  Country  and  Habi- 
 tation of  their  Anceftors.  It  was  eafie 
 for  them  (  from  the  confideration  of 
 their  Earthly  Pilgrimage  )  to  remember 
 that  they  were  not  only  ftrangers,  with 
 regard  to  that  Country ;  but  in  a  higher 
 fenfe,  ftrangers  upon  Earth,  a  people  di- 
 ftinguifhed  from  the  World.  And  not 
 only  fo,  but  quite  contrary  unto  it,  and 
 far  above  it  in  their  aims,  ftudies,  and 
 defires. 
 
 That 
 
The  Second  Sermon.  3  yr 
 
 Th  a  t  which  takes  up  the  thoughts, 
 the  talk  ,  and  the  admiration  of  Man- 
 kind, was  fo  little  valued  by  our  Savi- 
 our ,  that  when  he  cloth'd  himfelf  with 
 our  flefh,  he  drew  up  a  Syftem  of  Reli- 
 gion ,  that  ruin'd  the  <efteem  that  fuch 
 things  had  got  in  our  affeftions  ;  the 
 lufls  of  the  eys,  the  lujls  of  the  jiejh^  and 
 the  pride  of  lifer  did  in  a  manner,  com- 
 mand the  Adorations  oljew  and  Gent ?k. 
 He  ftript  thofe  Idols  of  that  meretri- 
 cious varnifh  and  paint ,  that  had  for  a 
 iong  time  inveigled  Mankind  ;  and  he 
 made  himfelf  of  no  reputation ,  that  he 
 might  trample  upon  human  glories,  and 
 raife  our  affedtions  to  that  honor  which 
 is  folid  and  durable.^  He  exemplify'd 
 his  Precepts  in  his  own  pra&ice  5  and 
 by  a  new  Philofophy  raifed  mens  Spirits 
 to  a  clear  fight  of  God  ,  to  a  juft  value 
 of  themfelves ;  and  confeguently,  to  the 
 higheft  contempt  of  the  World  ,  in  all 
 its  pomps  and  fantaftick  appearances. 
 
 The  Exhortation  that  I  have  read,  is 
 fo   eflential  to  the  Chriftian  Religion,^ 
 that  it  is  enforc'd  by  its  ftrongeft  argu-* 
 merits/  every  one  may  fee  it  to  be  the 
 qatural  refult  and  confequence  of  fuch 
 D  3  heavenly 
 
g  8  The  Second  Sermon] 
 
 heavenly  Premises,  that  we  flwuld  ahflain 
 from  fiefhly  lufts ;  becaufe  they  war  (  or 
 fee  themfelves  in  battel  array  )  againft 
 the  Soul. 
 
 By  Flejhly  Lufts, \  underftand,  thofc 
 paflions,  lufts,  and  defires,  that  unrcge- 
 nerate  men  do  purfue,  with  all  the 
 ftrength,  and  vigor  of  their  Soul ;  whe- 
 ther they  prdceed  from  covetoufnefs,am- 
 bition,  or  fenfuality.  And  though  I  un- 
 derftand the  words  in  this  extent  and 
 latitude  5  yet  I  defign  to  level  the  moft 
 part  of  my  Difcourfe  againft  fleflily  lufts 
 in  the  ftri&eft  fenfe ;  as  they  fignifie  all 
 manner  of  uncleannefs,  contrary  to  cha- 
 ftity.  General  Difcourfes  againft  vice, 
 are  feldom  fuccefsful  towards  the  reco- 
 very of  men  from  under  their  dominion: 
 and  therefore  when  we  aflault  the  body 
 of  death  ,  we  muft  level  our  ftrokes  a- 
 gainft  particular  limbs,  and  members, 
 as  the  fureft ,  and  the  fpeedieft  way  to 
 
 our  vi£torv. 
 
 «? 
 
 But  that  I  may  difcourfe  with  the 
 better  fucccfs,let  us  confider  Firft,  the  Ex- 
 hortation it  felf,  Alftain  from  fie fhly  lufts, 
 and  this  Exhonaticn  is  ftrengthen'd  with 
 
 a  two- 
 
The  Second  Sermon.  3  9 
 
 a  twofold  Argument 5  one  is  taken  from 
 the  oppofition  of  fuch  lulls  to  the  Soul  3 
 and  the  other  taken  from  our  prefent 
 (late,  condition,  and  relation  :  We  arc 
 but  pilgrims  and  ft  rangers. 
 
 Now  that  I  may  make  thofe  fiefhly 
 lufls  as  odious  to  the  Chriftian  eye ,  as 
 is  poffible  ;  I  will  in  the  firft  place  lay 
 before  you  fomc  coafiderations,  to  repre- 
 fent  them  in  their  true  and  proper  colors. 
 And  Secondly,  I  will  offer  thofe  Reme- 
 dies from  Reafon  and  the  holy  Scri- 
 ptures, by  which  we  may  be  defended  a- 
 gainft  their  aflaults. 
 
 Firft,  Do  but  confider  ]    that  thofe 
 fiefhly  lulls  are  direftly  oppofite  unto 
 the  Nature  ,  Spirit ,    and  Tendency  of 
 Chrillianity.    It  was  our  Saviours  great 
 defign,  when  he  took  upon  him  our  Na- 
 ture,   to  fortifie  our  Spirits  beyond  the 
 reach  of  bodily  impreffions ;  to  eftablifh 
 them  in  an  abfolute  Empire  and  jull  So- 
 vereignty over  the  Senfes ;  toSxalt  that 
 part  of  us,  that  is  divine  and  heavenly, 
 to  its  true  elevation ,    that  it  might  no ; 
 more  truckle  under  the  body ;   that  the! 
 (Qnks,  and  all  the  motions  that  we  feci 
 
 P  4  M 
 
40  Tl?e  Second  Sermon. 
 
 by  them,  might  be  kept  at  their  true  di- 
 ftance,  and  not  meddle  with  that  com- 
 mand and  authority  that  belongs  to  the 
 mind.  In  a  word,  that  our  Souls  might 
 be  adorn'd  with  their  true  Glory  and  Ma- 
 jefty.  When  we  are  thus  fet  at  liberty, 
 »hn  then,  and  not  till  then,  are  we  free  in- 
 deed ;  when  we  remember  the  value, 
 ftrength  ,  and  excellency  of  the  Soul, 
 which  ( though  it  be  united  to  the  Body, 
 and  .therefore  muftmind  the  concerns  of 
 the  Body,  with  great  care  and  tender- 
 nefs,  yet  3  it  more  vigoroufly  defires  to 
 be  united  unto  God.  It  may  fubfift 
 without  its  Union  to  the  Body  ,  but  it 
 cannot  be  happy,  unlefs  it  be  united  unto 
 God,  fo  that  this  Union  of  the  Soul  with 
 Godis  in  a  manner  folded  up  in  its  very 
 nature,  and  effence. 
 
 We  are  in  theftrifleft  fenfe  the  oft- 
 fpringofGod,  and  it  was  reafonable  for 
 us  to  expeft,  that  when  the  Son  of  God 
 did  appear  to  reform  Mankind,  he  fhouid 
 level  his  Direftions  and  Precepts  againft 
 diofe  vices  and  fins,  moft vigoroufly, that 
 did  fink  the  Soul  below  m  its  true  glory 
 and  dignity;  the  fins  that  took-  down  its 
 Plumes ,  by  which  it  mounted  the  hea- 
 vens, 
 
The  Second  Sermon.  41 
 
 vms,  but  now  was  become  fofc,  trifling, 
 and  degenerate.  And  becaufe  no  lufts 
 did  break  the  vigour  of  our  mind,  and 
 blunt  the  edge  of  our  Spirits,  and  wea- 
 ken  our  union  with  God,  more  than  flefh* 
 ly  lufts  in  the  ftrifteft  fenfe  ;  therefore 
 do  we  find  the  cautions  againft  thofe  fins 
 fo  frequent  in  the  NewTeftament,  with 
 this  aflurance,  that  he  that  is  in  Chriji 
 Jefus  hath  crucified  the  flefh  with  the  af- 
 fections and  lufls  thereof. 
 
 ;  The  Arguments  that  S.Paul  makes 
 ufe  of  againft  thofe  fins  are  heavenly  and 
 fublime.  1  Cor.  6. 19,20.  Know  ye  not 
 that  jour  body  is  the  t  em  fie  of  the  Holy 
 Ghofi ,  and  you  are  bought  with  a  price  ^ 
 therefore  glorifie  God,  in  your  bodies  and  in 
 your  fpiritS)  which  are  Gods,  Anfwera- 
 bly  to  this,  we  find  that  the  firfl  Chri, 
 ftians  X  notwithftanding  of  the  blacked 
 Calumnies  of  their  Pagap  adverfaries) 
 lived  the  life  of  Angels  in  earthly  Bo- 
 dies; their  Ciiaftity  w^s  fo  great  a  Jewel 
 in  their  eyes,  that  many  of  their  Chri- 
 ftian  Women  moft  cheerfully  refign'd 
 their  life,  rather  than  part  with  their  ho. 
 nour.  And  Tertu/liany  cowards  the  clofe 
 ©f  his  Apology  r/efolutdy  defjes.the  im- 
 pudence 
 
4?  ¥be  Second  Sermon. 
 
 pudence  of  the  Pagans :  for  they  them* 
 felves  did  acknowledg  the  purity  and 
 innocence  of  the  Chriftians  in  this  mat- 
 ter; becaufe  they  judg'd  it  a  more  into- 
 lerable punifhment  for  their  Women  to 
 be  condemned  to  the  Stewes,  than  to  fuf- 
 fer  Martyrdom*   How  many  of  the  Chri- 
 ftian  Wom$n  among  the  Romans,  when 
 the  Goths  and  Vandals  made  their  Irru- 
 ption into  Italy,  threw  themfelves  into 
 Tyler,  rather  than  be  expos'd  to  the  fa- 
 vage  Embraces  of  luft  and   difhonour  ? 
 The  Story  of  the  young  man  recorded 
 by  S.  Jerom  is  very  memorable,  who,feeI- 
 ing  himfelf  entangled  in  the  embraces  of 
 a  wanton  Strumpet,  did  bite  off  his  own 
 Tongue,  and  fpit  it  in  her  face,  left  the 
 ftrength   of  his  temptation  ^  and   the 
 weaknefs  of  humane  nature,  might  be- 
 tray him  into  Indecencies  unbecoming 
 his  holy  Profeffion.     We  fee  then,  it  is 
 moll  certain  and  clear,  that  flelhly  lulls 
 are  in  their  nature  and  tendency,  contra- 
 ry to  that  Religion,  which  our  Saviour 
 planted  ,    and  the  firft  Chriftians  em- 
 brac'd. 
 
 But  Secondly, LtKT  usjremember,  that 
 thefe  flelhly   lulls  are  fcverely  punilh'd 
 
 both 
 
The  Second  Sermon.  4 1 
 
 both  here  and  hereafter.  We  are  told 
 by  Solomon ,  Prov.  6.  26.  that  by  means 
 of  a  whorijh  woman,  a  man  is  brought  unto 
 a  piece  of  bread.  And  the  Parable  of  the 
 Prodigal,  in  the  fifteenth  of  S.  Luke,  re- 
 prefents  the  miferable  eftate  of  fuch  with 
 great  advantage  ;  the  fufferings  that 
 thofe  lulls  expofe  men  to  are  not  con- 
 fin'd  to  pne  fingle  capacity  ■>  but  they 
 fpread  their  Poifon  not  only  through  the 
 body,  reaching  fometimes  even  beyond 
 the  bones,  into  the  marrow  ;  but  aifo 
 through  all  thefufFering  capacities  of  hu- 
 man nature  s  health,  fortune,  life.,  and 
 reputation  are  the  ordinary  Sacrifices 
 that  are  brought  to  the  Altars  of  this 
 unclean  Devil.  Solomon  again  tells  us, 
 Prov.  66.  33.  That  a  wound  and  dijhonour 
 is  his  reward,  and  his  reproach  fhall  not 
 be  wiped  away.  Have  you  fometimes 
 obferved  the  macerated  Skeletons  of  Luft 
 worn  in  the  Devils  warfare,  bearing  the 
 difhonourable  marks  of  their  Matters 
 fervice,  fometimes  m  their  foreheads, 
 tq  fuch  a  degree  of  infamy,  that  hardly 
 one  would  think ,  that  Mankind  could 
 be  made  fo  miferable  ?  And  though  thofe 
 Trophies  of  Mifery  have  frequently  been 
 difplayed ,  to  the  fcandal  of  Religion, 
 
 dif- 
 
44  The  Sicond  Sermon. 
 
 difgrace  of  human  nature ,  and  the  ter- 
 rour  of  allSpeftatorSj  yet  fo  inconfide- 
 rate  are  the  moft  part  of  Mankind,  and 
 fo  ftupifying  is  the  Enchantment ,  that 
 it  requires  a  heavenly  frame,  and  a  bold 
 Refolution,to  fubdue  thofe  imperious  and 
 ftubborn  lufts. 
 
 How  many  did  God  remarkably  pu- 
 ni(h  for  this  fin  ?  Numb.  25.  Zimri  and 
 Coz>bie  were  (lain  in  the  very  aft,  and 
 four  and  twenty  thoufand  of  the  Children 
 of  Ifrael  fell  for  their  unlawful  mixture 
 with  ftrange Women.  And  though  God  had 
 left  thofe  filthy  Creatures  without  Pu- 
 nifliment ,  yet  the  fin  carries  corruption 
 in  its  Nature  5  for  he  that  foweth  to  the 
 flejh,  /hall  of  the  flejh  reap  corruption ,  in 
 the  moft  literal  fenfe.  Add  to  all  thi>,the 
 flames  of  unquenchable  fire,  that  are  pre- 
 pared for  the  Sons  of  Lufi:  and  Wanton- 
 nefs  in  the  other  World.  They  may 
 poflibly  efcape  the  notice  and  obferva- 
 tion  of  earthly  Judges  ;  but  when  the 
 hidden  things  of  diflionefly  are  brought 
 to  lighr,  then  Heb.  13.4.  God  will  judge 
 whoremongers  and  adulterers. 
 
 Thirdly, 
 
The  Second  Sermon.  4* 
 
 Thirdly,  Consider  ,that  thofe  who 
 give  way  to  this  kind  of  fenfuality,  arc 
 become  ftupid  and  irrecoverable  ,  Prov. 
 23.  27.  A  whore  h  a  dsep  ditch ,  and 
 a  ft  range  woman  is  a  narrow  pit*  Such 
 as  are  immerft  in  and  deluded  with  this 
 enchantment,  may  be  compar'd  unto  the 
 Companions  of  Vlyffes ,  who  could  not 
 be  brought  back  to  their  Ships  ,  but  by 
 Whips  and  Rods ,  when  once  intoxica- 
 ted with  the  juice  of  that  Herb  amongft 
 the  Lotophagi.  We  are  told  by  Solomon^ 
 Prov.  27.  22.  That  though  you  fhould 
 hray  a  fool  in  a  Morter,  yet  will  not  his 
 folly  depart  from  him.  So  appofite  is  the 
 ftmilitude  that  he  makes  ufe  of,  to  ex* 
 prefs  the  folly  and  fottifhnefs  of  the 
 Man,  that  is  entangled  by  the  artifice 
 and  infinuations  of  a  Whore,  Prov.  7.22.  , 
 He  goeth  after  her  >  as  an  Ox  goeth  to 
 the  flaughter;  the  one  fees  not  his  dan- 
 ger, no  more  than  the  other,  and  as  a  fool 
 to  the  correction  of  the  flocks.  Such  is  his 
 ftupidity  ,  he  marches  faft  forward  un- 
 to the  fatal  period  of  irrecoverable  Im- 
 penitence, whence  there  is  no  returning, 
 Matth.  12. 43,  When  the  unclean  J pir it  is 
 gone  out  of  a  Man ,    he  walketh  through 
 
 dry 
 
46  T/;e  Second  Sermon] 
 
 dry  places  feeking  reft  ,  and  finding 
 none^  &c.  The  Devil  hath  the  chara&er 
 of  the  unclean  Spirit  faftned  upon  him 
 by  fpecial  propriety.  I  might  add  to 
 this,  that  though  by  our  Nature,  we  are 
 a  little  lower  than  the  Angels ,  fet  over 
 the  inferiour  Creatures  j  yet  thofe  flefh- 
 ly  lulls  do  fink  us  below  the  beads  that 
 perilh. 
 
 |  B  u  t  in  the  fecond  place,  I  promifed 
 
 from  the  Holy  Sctipcures  to  offer  thofe 
 Remedies  that  are  mod  effe&ual  to  re- 
 ilrain ,  and  cure  thofe  vicious  Inclinati- 
 ons.    And, 
 
 i.  Let  us  maintain  a  lively  fenfeof 
 Gods  univerfal  prcfence,  to  whofe  eyes 
 all  things  are  naked  and  open  :  for  the 
 night ,  and  the  light,  are  both  alike  to 
 him.  Did  we  dwell  on  the  thoughts  of 
 his  Nature  with  ftedfaftnefs  and  reve- 
 rence,  how  eafily  would  thefe  Meditati- 
 ons quench  and  diflipate  the  fiery  darts 
 of  the  Devil  >  Did  we  keep  the  eye  of 
 our  Soul  fixt  on  his  Purity,  thofe  impure 
 Spirits  durft  not  lodg  within  our  bo- 
 foms.  'Twas  this  that  kept  the  modeft 
 and  generous  Soul  of  Jofeph  free  and  un- 
 tainted, 
 
The  Second  Sermon.  7? 
 
 tainted.  Gen. j9. 9.    amidft  the  careiTes 
 Woman0"3"0"5  °f  *" imperious  wil™& 
 
 This  fenfe  of  his  prefence,  is  lit*  i-h- 
 Angel,  «taewith.Ldng^JiS^ 
 ded  Parad.fe.  Our  hearts  thcrcbyfc 
 come  (what  Solomon  fays  of  the  cZcT), 
 
 fountain  fealed.    This  is  it  thlt  banHhet 
 
 ful  fancies  from  the  mind,  Prov.4.  »» 
 Keep  thy  heart  with  all  diligence,  for  out 
 
 i:\Tct '??,*&*«&£.' 
 
 the  Cup  and  Platter,  that  the  outfide  ,f 
 them  may  be  dean  alfo.  If  this  fire  he 
 -tfinother'dandquench'dwUhb,^. 
 
 ul  £k  T  UEon  a11  occa^ns,  unto 
 unhandfom  fignifications  of  thatdiftem- 
 Per  that  the  Soul  is  fick  of.     Therefore 
 
 fe  rKmaLattain  a  ^fcuhne  and  a 
 fohd  habit  of  Spirit  proof  againft  thofe 
 
 lv  Soa TnSi  th"  flMke  and  difturb  fil! 
 jy  iouls  :    Let  us  maintain  a  conftant 
 
 2£v?fiJon   ?  heaven;   Let  us  dwd 
 w«th  God  until  we  feel  him ,  and  the 
 
 SffiL°^"sMrftyandPow«.^P 
 
 Falling  all  inordinate  motions  within 
 
48  7fo  Second  Sermon. 
 
 us.  By  this  our  Souls  are  taught  to  fly 
 aloft  above  thofe  feculent  Exhalations, 
 that  blindfold  the  more  unwary  and  va- 
 grant Spirits. 
 
 And  next  to  this,  let  me  2.advife 
 the  keeping  a  ftritt  guard  over  our  fenfes. 
 It  was  the  refolution  oijob,  He  made  a 
 Covenant  with  his  eyes  ;  and  the  Prayer 
 of  David,  Pfal,  II9-37.  J  urn  away  my 
 eyes  from  beholding  vanity.  And  our  Sa- 
 viour infinuates  how  foon  the  Soul  is 
 fired  by  thofe  windows.  Add  to  this, 
 that  we  (hould  be  careful  of  our  compa- 
 ny. Can  a  man  (faith  Solomon)  carry 
 fire  in  hishcfom  ,  and  not  be  burnt  £  We 
 are  to  fliun  the  Difcourfes  and  filthy 
 Communications  of  men  of  corrupt 
 minds.  It  was  generoufly  done  of  Ale- 
 xander the  Great,  to  reje£t  the  overture 
 madeto  him  by  fome  of  his  Flatterers  of 
 Vifiting  the  Wife  and  Daughters  of  Da- 
 rius when  taken  Captive  in  the  War,  be- 
 caiife  fo  much  commended  for  their  ex- 
 quifite  Beauty  :  He  faid,  it  was  very  un- 
 becoming, and  difgraceful,  that  he,  fo  fa- 
 mous a  Conqueror,  who  had  overcome 
 fo  many  men ,  fhould  expofe  himfetf  to 
 the  hazard  of  being  overcome  by  Wa* 
 
 men. 
 
 . 
 
The  Second  Sermon.  4£ 
 
 mien.  In  this  he  was  truly  more  trium- 
 phant than  in  all  his  Victories  befides: 
 and  Solomon  proves,  that  he  that  over- 
 comes himfelf  is  more  generoufly  victo- 
 rious, than  he  that  taketh  a  City ;  the 
 Conqueft  of  the  one  lies  much  in  the 
 Valour  of  Souldiers,  Condufl:  of  Cap- 
 tains, Strength  of  Armies ;  and  all  thele 
 things  may  be  in  the  pofleflion  of  one  re-; 
 markable  for  Vice  and  Folly:  but  the 
 Viftory  over  a  Man  himfelf,  proceeds 
 certainly  from  his  more  divine  half,  gain- 
 ing ground  of  his  earthly  and  fenfual 
 part.  Here  then  lies  the  true  Excellency 
 of  our  Nature,  that  we  ase  recovered 
 from  under  the  Dominion  of  Senfuality, 
 to  that  Soveraignty  over  the  Senfes* 
 which  is  the  Birth-right  of  the  Soul. 
 
 3.  The  mod  appofite Remedy  that 
 we  can  advife  men  to,  for  the  reltrainc 
 of  flefhly  Lufts ,  is  Fafiing  and  Prayer. 
 And  to  tell  freely  what  I  think  in  this 
 matter ,  moft  of  all  the  carnal  Vices  ow 
 their  beginning  and  growth  to  the  neg- 
 lect of  this  Duty  of/^/«g;which  I  cannot 
 fo  properly  call  a  particular  Duty,  as  a 
 fafe  and  fure  Antidote  againft  all  Vice, 
 sfpecially  when  it  is  attended  with/fr- 
 E  vent 
 
50  The  Second  Sermon. 
 
 vent  Prayer  and  Devotion.  Our  Saviour 
 fecms  to  join  them  both  together  in 
 S.Matthew  26.  41.  Watch  and Pray^t hat 
 ye  enter  not  into  temptation.  And  'tis 
 mod  certain  that  a  full  Belly  is  not  pro- 
 per for  Watching,  and  as  improper  for 
 fervent  Prayer.  This  is  acknowledged 
 by  the  light  of  Nature  5  the  Pagans  at 
 all  times  when  any  thing  extraordinary 
 threatened  their  Peace  and  Happinefs 
 betook  them  to  Falling  and  Pray- 
 er 5  fo  fevere  was  the  Faft  enjoin'd  by  the 
 King  of  Nineve.  And  therefore  our  Sa- 
 viour made  Fading  no  new  Precept  of  his 
 Religion ,  but  only  gives  Directions  a- 
 boutit$  that  the  performance  of  it  may 
 bekeptfafe  from  Hypocrifie,  Oftentati- 
 on,  and  Superflition.  AH  Philofophers 
 that  endeavoured  to  advance  Morality 
 to  any  degree  of  Reputation,  judg'd  it 
 very  worthy  of  their  Praftice ;  not  only 
 for  the  Sobriety  of  the  Mind,  but  alio 
 for  the  Health  of  the  Body  ;  even  Epicu- 
 rus himfclf  had  his  falling  days.  Tho 
 we  had  not  immortal  Souls  to  favef  tho 
 we  had  not  the  View  of  fo  glorious  a 
 Crown  and  Prize ;  yet  when  we  remem- 
 ber how  many  are  the  Errors  of  our  daily 
 Co nver fation  *  how  apt  we  are  to  mif. 
 
 carry 
 
The  Second  Sermon.  *  i 
 
 carry  in  the  conduft  of  our  ordinary  fru, 
 finefs ;  and  how  fond  we  are  of  our  Mirth, 
 Friends,  and  our  ordinary  Delights,  and 
 how  readily  our  mod  accurate  Reafon- 
 ings  may  deceive  us  5  how  quickly  our 
 Tongues  pour  out  thofe  things  that  are 
 diihonourable  to  God  ,  hurtful  to  our 
 Neighbours  ,  naufeous  to  our  Friends, 
 and  difgraceful  to  the  Chriftian  Religi- 
 on }  I  fliould  think  that  we  have  more 
 than  ordinary  Inducements  to  oblige  us 
 to  fet  apart  fome  Portions  of  our  time 
 to  converfe  with  God,  and  with  our  own 
 Souls.  That  we  who  fee  Motes  in  our 
 Neighbours  eyes,  may  at  laft  pull  out 
 the  beam  out  of  our  own. 
 
 When  we  read  of  the  drift  Diet  of 
 the  Apoftles,  to  which  they  were  tied  by 
 the  common  Law  of  Chriftianity,  and 
 withal  remember  their  ordinary  Enter- 
 tainment from  the  World ;  a  Catalogue 
 whereof  we  have  in  2  Cor.  6.  v.  4,  5,  6, 
 7.  In  all  things  approving  your  f elves  as 
 the  minifters  of  God,  in  much  patience, 
 ■  afflictions  ,  in  neceffities  ,  in  diftreffes , 
 in  JlripeS)  inimprifonments,  in  tumults, 
 in  labour s,  in  watching?,  in  fa/lings.  I 
 fay,  when  we  call  to  mind,  that  this  was 
 E  3  their 
 
5 1  Tl?e  Second  Sermon. 
 
 their  entertainment ,  one  would  think* 
 there  needed  no  more  to  keep  their 
 flefli  within  bounds,  and  under  the  per- 
 fect command  of  Religion.  And  yet  wc 
 find,  that  the  fame  Apoftle  laft  cited,  did 
 ufe  voluntary  chaftifements  and  reftraints 
 towards  himfelf,  that  he  might  be  whol- 
 ly difengaged  from  all  flefhly  felicitati- 
 ons, I  Cor.  9.  26, 27.  1  therefore  fo  run, 
 .not  as  uncertainly  ,  fo  fight  I  not  as  one 
 that  beateth  the  air,  but  I  keep  under  my 
 lody  ,  and  bring  it  unto  fubjcCiion  ,  left 
 that  by  any  weans  when  I  have  preached 
 to  others ,  1  my  felf  fhould  be  a  caft 
 away. 
 
 And  ic  is  mod  certain,  the  reafon 
 why  we  are  not  fo  (uccefsful  in  our  refo- 
 lutions  againft  vice  and  folly,  is  that,  we 
 are  not  fo  particular  in  our  choice  of 
 particular  means  and  methods  againft 
 particular  fins.  When  we  heat  the  air 
 -  (in  the  language  of  the  Apoftle )y  and 
 never  aim  our  ftrokes  at  particular  fins ; 
 we  hover  ,  and  are  bewilder'd  in  the 
 midft  of  many  indefinite  projects  and 
 fancies  3  if  we  refoiutely  fight  againft  the 
 body  of  death,  we  muft  wound  it  in 
 fome  particular  limb,  before  the  ftrength 
 
 of 
 
Tlie  Second  Sermon. 
 
 of  the  whole  be  taken  down.  And 
 therefore  1  would  heartily  advife  all  fe- 
 rious  men,  in  their  retirements  to  finglc 
 out  fome  particular  fin,  to  which  they 
 find  themfelves  more  inciin'd,for  the.  ob- 
 ject of  their  fpeciai  refifb.ice.  And  this 
 method  hath  this  advantage  alio,  that  not 
 one  fin  falls,  without  ciw  ruin  of  many 
 others ,  to  which  it  is  nearly  related. 
 And  to  clofe  this  advice  in  one  word, 
 young  and  robuft  people,  that  are  health- 
 ful and  vigoi  ous,whcre  there  is  no  danger 
 or  ficknefs,  infirmity,  or  old  age,  fhould 
 frequently  fall  and  pray,that  they  may  be 
 ftrengthened  againft  temptations ,  that 
 their  Spirits  being  recollected,  they  may 
 with  greater  fecurity  venture  abroad 
 in  the  midft  and  hurry  of  fecular  in- 
 cumbrances. 
 
 S  o  far  have  I  difcours'd  againfl  Fleih- 
 Iy  Lufts,  in  their  reftrain'd  fignification, 
 as  they  proceed  from  wantonnefs,  and 
 lafcivioufnefs.  But  I  fee  no  neceffity 
 why  we  may  not  under ftand  the  Ffejhly 
 Lufis  in  this  place,  in  their  full  extent, 
 as  they  fignifie  all  thofe  unruly  paffions, 
 anddefires,  that  a£t  the  unregenerate 
 part  of  Mankind ,  and  drive  them  for- 
 E  3  ward 
 
 n 
 
54 
 
 Tin  Second  Sermon. 
 
 ward  upon  innumerable  Precipices  of  er- 
 ror, folly  and  mifchief;  all  c5f  them  re 
 duc'd  by  S.  John  to  three  heads,  the  lufts 
 of  the  flefh,  the  hft  of  the  eye ,  and  the 
 pride  of  life.  All  thofe  gilded  nothings, 
 and  hurtful  Idols,  that  Mankind  gaze 
 upon  with  fo  much  dotage  and  fondnefs, 
 all  of  them,  whether  fingly  confidered, 
 or  in  the  bulk,  are  contrary  to  the  Na- 
 ture and  Genius  of  Chriftianity,  incon- 
 fiflent  with  true  peace  and  tranquility  of 
 mind  ,  and  wholly  fee  againft  the  wel- 
 fare of  our  Souls.  We  have  a  Catalogue 
 of  them  in  the  Epiftle  to  the  Galatians, 
 Chap.  j.  v.  19.  In  which  Catalogue, 
 the  Lufts  of  the  Flefh  f  ftri&ly  fo  called, 
 are  placed  in  the  front ,  Now  the  works 
 of  the  flefh  are  manifeft*  which  are  thefe, 
 Adultery,  Fornication,  Vncleannefs,  Lafci- 
 njicufnefs,  Idolatry,  Witchcraft ,  Hatred, 
 Variance^  Emulations,  Wrath,  Strife,  Se- 
 ditions, Here  fie  s.  V.  21.  Envyings^Mur- 
 thers,  Drunkennefs,  Revelling* ,  and  fuch 
 like ,  of  the  which  I  tell  you  lefore,  as  / 
 have  alfo  told  you  in  times  paji,  that  they 
 which  do  fuch  things  3  fhall  not  inherit 
 the  kingdom  of  God. 
 
 The 
 
The  Secmid  Sermon.  j  c 
 
 TH  E  Apoftle  then  bids  us  alfiainfrom 
 thofe  Lufts,  that  are  fo  dire&iy  oppofice 
 in  their  nature  and  tendencies  to  the 
 beauty  and  juftintereltof  our  Souls. 
 
 An  d  this  leads  me  to  the  fecond  Par- 
 ticular, that  I  defign  to  fpeak  to,  and 
 that  is,  the  Apoftle's  firft  argument  againft 
 thofe  Flefhly  Lufls^  taken  from  their  op- 
 pofition  to  the  Sou!.     They  are  drawn 
 up  in  battel  array  againft  the  natural 
 life,  as  well  as  the  mind.     And  that  I 
 may  make  this  apparent  in  a  few  words : 
 'Tis  eafie  to  obferve,  that  they  war  a- 
 gainft  the  Soul,  in  its  pureft  and  higheft 
 excellencies  $    and  though  they  cannot 
 commit  adireftrape  and  violence  upon 
 its  Spiritual  Nature,  yet  do  they  com- 
 bine all  their  force  and  firength,  to  en- 
 tice and  allure  it,  unto  unworthy  com- 
 pliances.    And  this  is  fo  much  likely  to 
 fuccced,  in  that  we  are  placed  in  the  con- 
 fines of  Heaven  and  Earth.     Our  Souls 
 hang  between  the  pleafures  of  the  Bo- 
 dy, and  its  own  Speculations  5  and  thefe 
 objefts  that  our  Bodies  feel ,  make  fuch 
 imprcfiions  upon  us  by  their  neighbour 
 hood,   that  it  is  with  great  difficulty, 
 E  4  chat 
 
e  £  The  Second  Sermon. 
 
 that  the  Soul  is  vi&orious  over  their 
 importunity,and  frequent  aflaults.  Now 
 all  the  prejudice  that  the  Soul  can  fuf- 
 fer3  may  be  reduc  d  to  thefe  three  Heads. 
 
 i.  It  may  be  fullied  in  its  natural  per- 
 fections and  operations. 
 
 %.  In  its  moral  endowments  and  ac- 
 compliflinients. 
 
 3.  It  may  be  depriv'd  of  its  fuperna- 
 tural  rewards,  and  carnal  Lufls  do  war  a- 
 gainft  the  Soul  in  all  thefe  regards. 
 
 1.  I  Say,  they  war  againft  it  inks 
 natural  perfections  and  excellencies. 
 Now  the  true  perfe&ion  of  the  Soul,  is, 
 to  be  united  unto  God.  This  is  its  na- 
 tural element  ,  the  contemplation  of 
 truth,  is  its  true  and  proper  employ- 
 ment; and  if  by  the  enchantment  of  our 
 Senfes  ,  we  have  forgot  our  felves , 
 yet,  the  accufations  of  our  Confciences, 
 the  pricking  ,  reproofs  and  regrets  of 
 our  mind  ,  amidft  the  noife,  and  hur- 
 ry of  external  avocations,  fuiEcient- 
 ly  inform  us ,  that  our  Souls  are  vio- 
 lated againft  their  original  tendency, 
 when  they   are  made  to  vyorfhip   the 
 
 Cre- 
 
The  Second  Sermon.  57 
 
 Creature  initead  of  the  Creator.  We 
 were  originally  defign'd  to  yjew  the 
 Creation,  but  not  to  reft  upon  it,  not  to 
 dwell  in  its  embraces }  but  To  far  tocon- 
 fider  it,  that  by  thofe  Ladders  we  might 
 climb  unto  the  Author  of  our  Being, 
 
 Hear,  then  the  reafonings  of  our 
 own  mind.  How  have  we  enflaved  them, 
 to,  thofe  mean  and  abjedt  drudgeries  that 
 are  unworthy  of  their  Nature  andOri> 
 ginal?    Now  thofe  Spirits  that  are  Si- 
 fters to  Cherubims  and  Seraphims ,  by 
 complying  too  much  with  their  Senfes, 
 are  become  feeble,  flat  and  unweildy,  for 
 their  more  genuine  and  fpiritual  operati- 
 ons.     Had  we  nothing  elfe  to  do,  but 
 to  make  provifeon  for  the  Flejh  ,  and  ful- 
 fil the  Lujls  thereof,  we  needed  not  fuch 
 Souls ,    as  how  we  are  furnifhed  with. 
 Souls  that  can  grafp  fo  many  truths  to- 
 gether ,  and  lodge  them  without  confu^ 
 fion,  or  diforder  ;   that  fearch  into  the 
 Secrets  of  Nature,    and  feel  pleafures 
 wherein  the  Body  can  have  no    fhare. 
 Why  ought  we  to  have  fuch  intelleftual 
 furniture,  if  we  had  nothing  elfe  to  do, 
 but  to  move  above   the  furface  of  the 
 ground  for  fome  few  Months,  or  Years, 
 
 and 
 
j  8  *    The  Second  Sermon. 
 
 and  then  lye  down  in  eternal  filence,  in 
 the  cold  embraces  of  the  jGrave  ?  'Tis  in- 
 confident  with  the  Goodnefs  and  Wifdom 
 of  God,  to  make  fo  noble  a  Creature,and 
 alfign  him  no  higher  end,  than  what  may 
 be  attaind  with  greater  advantages,  by 
 the  Beads  that  perifli.  But  thofe  carnal 
 Jufts,  do  not  only  weaken  and  blunt  the 
 edge  and  vigor  of  our  Spirits  ,  in  their 
 natural  perfe&ions. 
 
 But  2.  They  do  fully,  darken,  and 
 defile  them  in  their  moral  endowments. 
 See  with  what  folemnity  and  magnifi- 
 cence the  Hiftory  of  our  Creation  is  in- 
 troduce, Gen.  i.  Let  us  make  man  in  our 
 Image.  'Twas  a  defign  truly  becoming 
 theMajefty  of  God,  to  repair  the  brea- 
 ches made  in  this  Image.  We  arc  fallen 
 from  our  Original  Life  and  Purity ,  that 
 beauty  and  light,  that  adorn'd  our  Na- 
 ture, is  become  almoft  deformity,  and 
 darkhefs  $  and  fo  incurable  is  this  bruife 
 and  wound,  that  all  the  Rules  of  human 
 Philofophy ,  cannot  remove  the  diftem- 
 per.  God  was  manifefted  in  our  fiejl),  that 
 he  might  heal  our  Nature  ,  and  reft  ore  his 
 own  Image  upon  our  Souls  :  he  awakens  us 
 to  fix  our  eye  on  this  >  as  our  higheft 
 
 honour, 
 
The  Second  Sermon.  jy 
 
 honour,  to  be  renewed  again  to  the  Image 
 ef  him  that  created  us.  And  when  he 
 difparages  the  things  that  chiefly  take 
 up  the  thoughts  of  Mankind  ,  and  en- 
 deavours ro  remove  our  miftakes  con- 
 cerning them,  he  does  it  by  this  ponde- 
 rous motive ,  that  ye  may  be  like  your  Mattk 
 Father  which  is  in  heaven.  To  be  like 
 God,  is  the  higheft  beauty,  andthemoft 
 glorious  ornament  of  rational  Souls. 
 The  Image  of  God  confifts  in  light,  pow- 
 er, Jove, univerfal  benevolence,unconfin'd 
 Goodnefs,  Charity,  Patience,  Greatnefs 
 of  Spirit.  Now  where  thofe  Graces  are, 
 there  heaven  is  begun  ,  and  the  Soul  is 
 madeftrong,  and  impregnated  with  di- 
 vine force,  is  more  than  Conqueror  through 
 Jefus  Chrifl  that  loved  us. 
 
 We  have  heard  the  Catalogue  of  the 
 Works  of  the  Fie fh,  out  of  theEpiflle  to 
 the  Galatians  ;  Let  us  view  next  the 
 Fruits  of  the  Spirit,  that  are  reckoned, 
 v.  22.  Love,  joy,  peacei  longfuffering,  gen  Galat.jo 
 tlenejs,  goodnefs,  faith ,  meeknefs^  tempe- 
 rance\  againfi  fuch  there  is  no  Law,  When 
 we  confront  the  one  with  the  other,  the 
 Fruits  of  the  Spirit  with  the  Lufts  of  the 
 Flefli,  there  is  no  doubt  to  be  made,  but 
 
 that 
 
60  Tlie  Second  Sermon. 
 
 that  by  the  Lift ,  our  Souls  are  much 
 fullied  and  defiled  in  their  morai  en- 
 dowments. 
 
 3.  Those  Flefhly  Lufts  rob  us  of  our 
 fupernatural  rewards,  not  only  by  their 
 merit ,  but  by  their  natural  caufality  : 
 they  indifpofe  us  for  that  place  and  em- 
 ployment, where  nothing  enters  that  is 
 impure.  Let  us  then  awake,  and  ask  our 
 felves,  if  no  confederation,  no  argument, 
 be  ftrong  enough ,  or  great  enough,  to 
 ftartle  us  out  of  our  flecp  and  lethargy  ? 
 Mud  thofe  Souls  of  ours  that  have  been 
 made  toferve  God,  and  to*converfe  with 
 him  in  the  nobleft  manner,  be  fuffered  to 
 grovel  in  the  duft,  to  look  no  higher  than 
 the  entertainments  of  Goats,N  and  Swine, 
 and  Worms  ?  O  !  what  an  indignity  is 
 this  to  our  Nature  i  what  a  reproach  to 
 our  Manhood !  what  a  diflionour  to  the 
 Author  of  our  Being!  how  difgraceful  is 
 it  to  be  accus'd  of  fuch  follies,  ( as  the 
 moft  part  <3f  Mankind  are  engaged  in  ) 
 before  the  Throne  of  God  ! 
 
 Th  ere   is   a  fecond  Argument  to 
 alienate  our  affeftions  from  flejhly  lujls ; 
 and  that  is  taken  from  the  confide  ra- 
 tion 
 
The  Second  Sermon.  6 1 
 
 lion  of  our  ftatc  and  condition ,  We  are 
 Pilgrims  and  Strangers  :  Men  cut  off  by 
 their  Religion,  from  the  Earth,  whofe 
 aims  and  defigns  ,  are  for  another  King- 
 dom ,  and  a  life  more  pure  and  immo- 
 vable ,  more  fixe  and  ferene.  p  We  are 
 told  by  the  Author  to  the  Hebrews,  that 
 here  we  have  no  continuing  City. 
 
 That  I  may  make  this  a  little  more 
 clear,  let  us  enquire,  in  what  fenfe  Chri- 
 (bans  are  faid  to  be  Strangers  upon  Earth: 
 and  Secondly,  What  improvement  we  are 
 to  make  of  it. 
 
 i.  They  are  ftrangers  in  their  lan- 
 guage. It  is  the  mod  infallible  chara&er 
 of  %  ftranger ;  fo  the  Maid  that  accus'd 
 S.  Peter  ^  Ihe  thought,  fhewas  veryfure 
 he  was  a  GaUilean.  The  Chriftian  breaths 
 in  a  heavenly  airs  his  heart  (  and  con- 
 fluently  his  tongue )  is  perfum'd  with 
 the  odors  of  heaven.  S.James  exhorts 
 us,  Chap.  2.  v.  12.  So /peak  ye ,  and  fo 
 do  ,  as  they  that  fliall  be  judged  ly  the 
 Law  of  Liberty  :  And  the  fame  S.  James 
 in  Chap,  i,  x.%6.  aflures  us,  That  if  any 
 man  feem  to  be  religious,  and  bridlethnot 
 his  tongue ,   he  deceiveth  his  own  heart, 
 
6i  Ihe  Second  Sermon. 
 
 his  Religion  is  vain.  And  again,  He 
 that  offendeth  not  in  word  ,  is  a  perfeft 
 Man. 
 
 Th  e  faults  of  the  tongue  arc  innu- 
 merable 5  that  glibe,  flippery,and  nimble 
 Member,  that  is  certainly  the  glory  of 
 our  Nature ,  is  frequently  abus  a  to  the 
 dilhonour  of  God.  S.James,  Chap.  3. 
 excellently  paints  its  unrulinefc  and  ex- 
 travagance, V.  6.  And  the  tongue  is  a  firey 
 >  a  world  of  iniquity  ,  fo  is  the  tongue  a« 
 mongfl  our  members ,  that  it  fetteth  the 
 courfe  of  nature  on  fire,  and  it  is  fet  on 
 fire  of  hell.  We  are  exhorted  by  the 
 ApofllC)  to  have  our  Jpeech  feafonedwith 
 [alt ,  that  ive  may  know  how  to  anfwer  e- 
 very  man,  with  Chriftian  difcretion,  mode- 
 fly  and  charity,  free  of  all  filthinefs,  er- 
 ror ,  levity ,  /lander,  detraction ,  or  evil 
 furmifings.  Let  us  by  our  tongues  dis- 
 cover the  language  of  our  Country ,  of 
 that  heavenly  Jerufalem  that  is  above, 
 where  the  tongues  of  the  Inhabitants  are 
 wholly  taken  up  in  the  praifes  and  ac- 
 knowledgments of  the  Divine  Good- 
 nefs. 
 
 a.  The? 
 
The  Second  Sermon.  6$ 
 
 2.  They  are  ftrangers  with  regard 
 to  their  Laws,  Matth.  5w.uk.  Love  your 
 enemies  ,  do  good  to  them  that  hate  you, 
 pray  for  them  that  defpitejully  ufe  you, 
 llefs  them  that  curfe  you.  Can  there  be 
 any  thing  devis'd  or  thought  of,  that  runs 
 more  dire&ly  oppofite  to  the  Spirit  and 
 Genius  that  prevails  in  the  World  >  the 
 treachery,  rapine,  revenge,  fraud,  and 
 ambition,  that  fill  all  places  with  noife 
 and  tumult  >  They  that  fight  under  the 
 Worlds  ftandard  ,  look  upon  thofe  pure 
 Laws  of  Chriftian  innocence,  humility 
 and  patience ,  as  the  Romantic  follies  of 
 imagination.  Their  luft,  revenge  and 
 paflion  give  them  Laws  3  they  difdain 
 to  (loop  to  thofe  Laws  that  are  fo  dif- 
 ferent from  the  Statutes  of  the  Kingdom 
 of  darknefs  :  and  therefore  the  ferious 
 Chriftian  is  judg'd  a  fool  by  the  World, 
 when  this  undefiTd  Religion  becomes  the 
 rule  of  his  a&ions.  Our  Saviour  in  the 
 forming  of  his  Laws,  had  an  eye  to  lef- 
 fen  and  difparage  all  thofe  things  that 
 the  World  moft  admires  ;  prefent  and 
 fliarp  revenge  fatisfies  the  carnal  man  to 
 the  higheft  degree ;  and  nothing  fo  pre- 
 cious, and  gallant  ip  his  eyes.    But  the 
 
 Chriftian 
 
64  The  Second  Sermon. 
 
 Chriftian  Religion  reftrains  the  very  firft 
 motions  towards  anger ,  it  ftifles  thofe 
 flames,  before  they  break  out  into  ma- 
 lice, paffion  and  revenge.     In  a  word,  it 
 was  the  defign  of  our  Saviour  ,  to  ftrip 
 *    the  World  bare  of  that    painted  glory, 
 which  it  had  from  our  deluded  imagina- 
 tions.     He  came  to  re&ifie  our  judg- 
 ments, and  inform  us ,  that  to  make  us 
 meet  partakers    of    the   inheritance    of 
 the  Saints  in  light  ;    we  mud  be  rul'd 
 by  other  Laws,    than  the  Laws  and 
 Threatnings  of   this  World.        When 
 fuch  as  were  left  of  the  Race  of  David 
 C  relations  of  our  Saviour)  were  brought 
 before  Domitian  the  Emperour ,  becaufe 
 of  his  Jealoufie,  left  any  of  them  fhould 
 afpire  to  the  Crown  ,     they  told  him 
 plainly,  that  our  Saviour  was  a  King,  but 
 his  Kingdom  was  not  of  this  World;  and 
 forthemfelves,all  the  pofleffions  they  had, 
 was  a  few  Acres,  out  of  which  they  paid 
 a  good  Tribute  to  him ,  and  maintain  d 
 themfelves  with  the  reft  ,  through  their 
 hard  labour,  and  great  temperance.    The 
 Laws  then,  and  the  defigns  and  aims  of 
 this  Kingdom  ,    are  different   from  the 
 Laws,  the  Principles,  and  the  Maxims,  by 
 which  worldly  men  are  govern  d. 
 
 3.Wfc 
 
The  Second  Sermon.  6$ 
 
 3.  We,  know  they  are  ftrangers,  by 
 their  entertainment  from  the  World.  The 
 World  does  not  treat  and  entertain  thofe 
 ftrangers,  with  that  kindnefs  and  famili- 
 arity, they  (hew  to  their  own  Children. 
 When  the  Samaritans  perceiv'd,  that  our 
 Saviours  face  was  toward  Jerufalemt 
 they  perfecuted  him  with  all  the  expref- 
 fions  of  rudcnefs  and  difdain.  We  mult 
 not  think ,  that  the  World  fhould  carefs 
 and  flatter  us,  if  we  are  the  followers  of 
 Jefus  ;  for  the  Kingdom  and  Inheri- 
 tance thatfupport  us,  are  of  an  invifible 
 Nature.  And  our  Saviour  told  fo  much 
 plainly  to  his  Difciples ,  when  he  was  a- 
 bouc  to  leave  them,  John  1 5. 18,  19.  If 
 the  World  bate  you,  ye  know  that  it  hated 
 me  before  it  hated  you  ,  //  ye  were  of  the 
 World t  the  World  would  love  his  own,  hut 
 lecaufe  ye  are  not  of  the  World  f  but  I 
 have  chofen  you  out  of  the  Worlds  there- 
 fore the  World  hateth  you.  And  again, 
 Fear  not,  for  I  have  overcome  the  World. 
 
 4.  We  know  ftrangers  by  their  beha- 
 viour, by  their  way  of  living  and  con- 
 vention, If  they  differ  in  their  habit, 
 their  air,  their  manner  of  life  ,  we  find 
 
 F  that 
 
66  The  Second  Sermon. 
 
 that  they  are  perfons  of  another  Climate. 
 This  is  vifibleintheChriftians,  though 
 they  live  in  the  World,  yet  they  are  not 
 of  the  World  ;  they  are  govern'd  by  the 
 Laws  of  another  Kingdom.  We  are  told 
 by  the  Ancients^  that  the  Fagans  brought 
 this  accufation  againft  the  Chri/iians,  that 
 they  difter'd  in  their  Laws,  and  way  of 
 living,  from  all  Nations  under  Heaven. 
 Thus  the  Apoftle  exhorts  ,  Phil.  x.  15. 
 That  ye  may  be  blamelefs ,  and  harmle[s% 
 the  fons  of  God  without  rebuke ,  in  the  g 
 midfl  of  a  crooked  and  perverje  Nation, 
 among  whom  ye  (hine  as  Ughtj  in  the 
 World.  And  the  Apojlle  Peter  exhorts 
 them  by  their  heavenly  converfation  ,  to 
 put  tojilence  the  ignorance  offcolifb  men. 
 The  light  and  beauty  of  Chriftianity,  is 
 a  conftant  reproach  to  the  Atheifm  and 
 Irreligion  of  the  World  5  there  is  fo 
 much  of  true  Majefty,  and  Innocence,  to 
 be  feen  in  their  behaviour,  they  wear 
 his  Livery  in  defiance  of  all  oppofuion, 
 they  are  known  to  be  of  another  King- 
 dom. 
 
 5*.  Th  £  y  are  Pilgrims  and  Strangers 
 by  their  motion,  flight,  and  journey  from 
 the  World  5  their  reft,  and  habitatioh  is 
 
 not 
 
Tloe  Second  Sermon.  fy 
 
 not  here  ;  they  are  on  wing  to  their 
 Country,  which  is  above ;  their  defigns 
 and  thoughts  are  there  5  their  biafs,  ten- 
 dencies and  breathings  lead  thither  5 
 they  vilifie  all  the  glory,  pomp  and  mag- 
 nificence of  this  vain  World  ;  and  the 
 Idols  that  the  moft  part  of  Mankind 
 worlhip,  are  no  more  in  their  efteenij 
 than  the  toys  and  rattles  of  our  Child- 
 hood. The  Children  of  this  Wodd 
 dwell  here  with  pleafure,  the  thoughts 
 of  their  removal  are  grievous  and  bit- 
 ter 5  but  we  muft  have  the  other  World 
 constantly  in  our  view,  and  by  that  pro- 
 fpeft,  order  and  direcl:  the  whole  courfe 
 of  our  actions.  And  it  is  eafie  to  improve 
 this  truth  to  our  fpiritual  advantage. 
 And, 
 
 1*  Are  we  ftrangers  upon  Earth}  then 
 let  us  frequently  think  upon  our  Coun- 
 trey,  whilit  we  are  almoft  frozen  here, 
 in  the  regions  of  the  fliadow  of  death. 
 Tis  comfortable  to  look  above ,  where 
 it  is  a  perpetual  Sun-fhirte.  This  lower 
 Country  is  overcaft  with  clouds,  and  va* 
 pours,  and  thick  darknefs  ;  round  about 
 us  we  hear  nothing  but  fcrieches ,  groans 
 and  complaints :  and  though  we  had  no 
 F  3  fliare 
 
6i  The  Second  Sermon. 
 
 {hare  in  thofe  infelicities,  yet  itisuneafie 
 to  any  man,  that  is  not  utterly  void  of 
 pity  and  compaflion ,  to  behold  the  la- 
 mentable miferies  of  others. 
 
 Oh  !   when  fhall  we  be  above  this 
 hurry  and  noife,  this  diforder  and  vexa- 
 tion ?  Can  there  be  any  Cordial  fo  ftrong 
 tofupport  us,as  the  thoughts  of  thofe  ma- 
 ny Manfions  that  are  in  our  Fathers  houfe? 
 Pfal.  119.  Let  us  with  the  Pfalmift,  Take  his  $ta> 
 Vm  34'       tutes  to  he  our  fongs  in  the  houfe  of  our 
 pilgrimage.      When  we  think    of  our 
 Country  above,  wefigh^  as  the  Babylonian 
 Pfal.  137.  Captives ,   upon  the  banks   of  Euphrates^ 
 and  hang  our  Harps  upon  the  Willows  ; 
 fince  we  are   not  at  liberty  to  fing  the 
 Songs  ofZion,  with  thatharmony  and  de- 
 light we  aim  at. 
 
 Tis  (aid  of  Cain,  that  he  built  a  City 
 when  he  went  from  the  pre  fence  of God \  he 
 meant  (  as  one  gloffeth  it )  to  fix  his 
 refidence  here.  But  Abraham,  Jfaac  and 
 Jacob,  went  from  place  to  place,  and  dwelt 
 in  Tents  9  and  faw  the  promt fes  afar  off, 
 
 Heb.  11  ^  confeffed  that  they  were  but  Pilgrims 
 and  Strangers  upon  Earth.  Wo  is  me  (faith 
 
 J* £  ,xo*  the  Pfalmift  )   that  I  fojourn  in  Mefech, 
 
 and 
 
The  Second  Sermon.  6y 
 
 and  dwell  in  the  Tents  of  Kedar.  How 
 frequently  fhould  we  mount  aloft  in  our 
 thoughts  and  meditations  ?  Such  fre- 
 quent flights  from  the  Earth,  would  fe- 
 cure  us  againftthe  flatteries  of  feniuali- 
 ty  ;  nay,  they  provoke  us  to  the  mod 
 vigorous  endeavors  after  the  happinels  of 
 another  life.  They  teach  us  to  de'pife 
 this  World  with  all  its  pageantry  and  va- 
 nity 5  and  with  magnanimity  to  bear  all 
 the  erodes  incident  to  this  ftate.  They 
 quiet  our  foiicitudes ,  and  raife  our  de- 
 (igns ,  to  the  mod  noble  and  generous 
 undertakings.  They  flilour  hearts  with 
 joy  and  peace,  in  believing  ;  and  amidil: 
 all  our  anxieties  and  fears ,  teach  us  to 
 pojjefs  our  Souls  in  Patience. 
 
 2.  If  we  are  ft  rangers  here,  we  ought 
 to  ftudy  the  difpofitions  that  prepare  us 
 for  the  happinefs  referved  for  us.  That- 
 Kingdom  above  is  govern'd  by  other 
 Laws,  and  the  inhabitants  of  that  place 
 are  at  liberty  (rom  their  fins,their  fetters 
 are  knocked  off,  and  they  wear  Crowns 
 and  Diadems,  more  bright,  than  that  of 
 the  mightieft  oppreflbrs.  'Tis  our  bufi- 
 nefs  to  enquire,  how  near  we  are  to  that 
 blefled  temper  of  love  and  tranquillity, 
 F  3  that 
 
70  Tlie  Second  Sermon. 
 
 that  prevail  in  the  Regions  of  Light, 
 The  general  notion  of  happinefs  is  plea- 
 fant  to  our  imaginations  ,  but  that  life 
 and  immortality  ,  which  is  promis'd  in 
 theGofpel,  cannot  be  poflefs'd  ,  but  by 
 fuch  ,  whofe  Souls  arc  of  a  piece  with 
 it  fclf. 
 
 3.  Since  we  are  ftrangers ,  we  mud 
 patiently  bear  the  uneafinefs  of  our  pre 
 fcnt  condition.  We  ir.uft  with  zeal  and 
 courage  undergo  the  rougheft  accidents 
 of  this  Life.  We  are  not  to  be  carefs'd 
 with  the  delights  and  pleafures  of  this 
 World  5  tve  mufl  fight  Manfully  under  the 
 Crcfs  of  thrift.  We  are  not  to  meddle 
 with  the  affairs  of  the  World  with  that 
 concern  and  application  of  mind  ,  that 
 the  Natives  do :  for  we  are  ftrangers ;  and 
 it  is  the  higheft  impertinence  for  fuch  to 
 engage  too  far  in  other  mens  bufinefs.  Let 
 us  not  be  ftartled  too  much  with  the  vari- 
 ety of  events  here  below.  Let  us  re- 
 main unfolicitous  and  fixt  in  our  choice : 
 for,  the  Skreen  is  ihortly  to  be  drawn, 
 and  we  (hall  have  a  full  view  of  thofe 
 intricate  Methods  of  the  Divine  Provi- 
 dence ,  that  now  perplex  our  enquiries. 
 We  fhall  have  our  feet   upon  Mount 
 
 Zion, 
 
The  Second  Sermon.  7  \ 
 
 Zion,  and  from  thence  look  down  with 
 joy,  that  we  have  fo  happily  efcaped  the 
 toffingsof  this  tempeftuous  Sea. 
 
 To  God  the  Father,  Son  and 
 Holy  Ghoflf  be  all  Praife9 
 Tower  and  Dominion,  for 
 ever.     Amen. 
 
 F  4 
 
a 
 
 SERMON 
 
 O   N 
 
 i  John,  Ch.v.  V.4. 
 
 An d  this  is  the  viElory  that  overcometh 
 the  World,  even  our  Faith. 
 
 TO  prepare  my  way  to  the 
 Text  ,  I  need  not  acquaint 
 you  with  the  general  fcope 
 and  defign  of  this  Epiftle,  that 
 all  along  breaths  the  Air  of  Peace  and 
 Love,  aftrain  of  mildnefsand  fweetnefs, 
 that  appear'd  in  all  the  Apoftles ;  parti- 
 cularly in  S.Jotw,  who  was  allowed  a 
 more  familiar  converfe  with  our  Saviour, 
 than  the  reft  of  the  Difciples. 
 
 From 
 
^4  Tbe  Third  Sermon. 
 
 From  the  beginning  of  this  Chapter, 
 we  find  him  defcribing  the  force  and 
 a&ivity  of  the  Divine  Nature,  by  which 
 we  are  enliven'd  to  higher  aftions  than 
 what  our  Nature  produces :  for  the  Di- 
 vine Nature  being  the  life  communicated 
 from,  and  by  God,raifes  the  Soul  beyond 
 its  natural  felf,  and  ftrengthens  us  to  do 
 all  things  through  Chrifl  that  loved  us. 
 
 We  are  taught  by  the  Divine  Nature 
 •  immediately  to  place  our  higheft  affe- 
 ctions on  God  ,  and  this  love  naturally 
 teacheth  us  obedience  to  his  commands : 
 'Tis  in  vain  to  call  him  Lord,  and  not  to 
 do  the  things  he  commands  5  fuch  is  the 
 force  of  this  Divine  Love  ,  //  overcomes 
 the  World.  This  life  to  which  we  are 
 begotten  by  the  Mimjiry  and  Incarnation 
 of  our  Saviour ',  is  fo  oppofite  to  the  cor- 
 rupt pra&ices,  maxims,  and  defigns,  by 
 which  this  World  is  governd,  that  it 
 proclaims  open  war  againft  it  :  and 
 though  he  that  is  in  us  (  in  the  language 
 of  S.  John )  he  ftronger  than  he  that  is 
 in  the  World ;  yet  die  World  flands  up- 
 on fuch  advantages  againft  us,  our  in- 
 cumbrances and  weaknefles  hang  fo  clofe 
 
 to 
 
Tlx  Third  Sermon.  7  j 
 
 to  us,  we  are  furroundea  on  all  hands 
 with  fo  many  troubles  and  difficulties  in 
 our  way  to  heaven  ,  that  before  we 
 overcome,  we  muft  grapple  with  our  ene- 
 mies, and  bear  up  with  Chriftian  Courage 
 and  Magnanimity. 
 
 Th  i  s  date  of  Warfare  is  the  Scene  of 
 our  tryal  and  preparation,  we  are  Can- 
 didates for  a  Crown  of  Glory,  and  it  is 
 unreafonable  that  we  fhould  expeft  it, 
 until  firft  we  have  given  proof  of  thp 
 Greatnefs  and  Vivacity  of  our  Souls. 
 
 OuR  Saviour  cloath'd  himfelf  with 
 Flefh  and  Blood  ,  that  he  might  teach 
 us,  who  are  lodged  in  Tabernacles  of 
 Flefh ,  to  manage  our  weapons  againft 
 our  enemies :  and  this  fpiritual  skill  and 
 conduit,  is  vifibly  feen  in  our  conqueft 
 and  triumph  over  the  World ,  and  ail  its 
 flatteries  and  engines.  This  leads  me 
 direftly  to  a  more  particular  view  of  the 
 words  that  I  have  read.  And  by  the 
 Worlds  I  underftand  nothing  e]fe ,  than 
 that  Spirit  of  Folly  and  Wkkednefs^  that 
 prevails  amongjl  Mankind.  Which  our 
 Saviour  oppofes  by  his  Go/pel  And  here 
 I  take  three  particulars  to  consideration. 
 
 Firft,     ' 
 
J  6  The  Third  Sermon. 
 
 Firft,The  great  oppofition  maintained  by 
 the  World  againft  Chrift  and  his  Difci- 
 ples.  Secondly,  The  poflibility  of  our 
 vi&ory  and  triumph,  Thirdly,  The 
 mean  by  which  this  is  accompli(hed,even 
 our  Faith. 
 
 A  s  to  the  Firft,  That  the  World  doth 
 moft  defpitefully  and  violently  oppofe 
 the  defign  and  tendencies  of  Chriftiani- 
 ty.  Our  Saviour  did  acquaint  his  Difct- 
 ples  with  it,  when  he  was  to  leave  the 
 World.  John  15. 19.  If  ye  were  of  the 
 World  ,  the  World  would  love  his  own, 
 lut  lecaufe  ye  are  not  of  the  World,  but  I 
 have  chofen  you  out  of  the  World ,  there- 
 fore the  World  hateth  you. 
 
 But  that  I  may  give  you  a  clear 
 profped  of  the  oppofitioa  between  the 
 Spirit  of  the  World >  and  the  Spirit  of 
 Chriftianity,  let  us.  Firft,  Confider  the 
 Laws  and  Maxims  by  which  the  World 
 is  govern'd  contrary  to  the  rules  of  our 
 Saviour.  Secondly,  The  things  that  the 
 World  moft  admires . ,  loves  and  pre- 
 fcrvs.  Thirdly,  The  rewards  it  offers 
 to  its  friends  and  votaries.  Fourthly,  The 
 manner  by  which  it  afts  its  malice  againft 
 
 Chrift, 
 
The  Third  Sermon.  yy 
 
 Chrift,  and  his  Difciples :  and  when  we 
 have  fhortly  viewed  thefe  particulars, 
 we  (ball  clearly  fee  the  fierce  oppofition 
 againft  Chrift,  againft  the  Chriftian  Re- 
 ligion, againft  the  whole  Oeconomy  of 
 his  Kingdom  and  Laws. 
 
 A  s  to  the  firfi  of  thefe ,  Are  not  the 
 Maxims  by  which  the  World  and  its  af- 
 fairs are  governed,  moft  oppofite  to,  and 
 different  from  the  Laws  of  our  Saviour  ? 
 We  are  told  by  him  ,  that,  the  Children 
 of  this  world  are  wifer  in  their  own  gene- 
 ration, than  the  children  of  light  :  They 
 are  afted  by  principles  of  defign,  fubtil- 
 ty  and  artifice  3  the  other  is  afted  by  a 
 principle  of  truth,  integrity  and  fimpli- 
 city :  The  one  is  adted  by  fraud,  cun- 
 ning and  avarice  $  the  other  by  purity, 
 innocence  ,  felf  denial  ,  patience  and 
 charity. 
 
 The  World  applauds,  and  raifes  on 
 the  wings  of  fame,  the  man  of  bufinefs,     . 
 might  and  dexterity,  in  managing  and 
 canvaffing  the  labyrinths  and  intrigues 
 of  affairs. 
 
 But 
 
78  The  third  Sermon. 
 
 Bu  t  by  the  Laws  of  our  Religion  , 
 we  are  taughc  to  defpife  the  World,  and 
 *  all  its  trifling  interefts  and  pleafures  ; 
 and  to  confider  the  Wifdom  of  the 
 World,  as  the  greateft  impertinence  and 
 folly.  By  this  I  do  not  mean  its  Politi- 
 cal Conftitutions,  by  which  its  madnefs 
 is  reftrained  ,  but  I  mean  its  ordinary 
 praftices. 
 
 Wt  are  invited  to  other  treafures  far 
 above  the  gilded  nothings  that  this 
 World  admires*  O!  how  empty  is  it's 
 pageantry,  when  the  varnilh  drops  off) 
 when  it  appears  naked  to  the  eye  of 
 Reafon  and  Faith  ! 
 
 So  much  the  World  and  the  genius 
 of  it,  teachech  men  to  value  themlelvs, 
 to  defpife  others ,  to  be  revengeful ,  to 
 climb  as  high  as  is  poffible ;  they  endea- 
 vour to  attradt  the  eyes  and  admiration 
 6f  all  men ,  to  fatisfie  their  paflion  to 
 the  full,  to  gather  together  all  the  trea- 
 fures of  Nature,  and  dwell  fecurely  in 
 its  embraces.  But  the  Chriftian  Reli- 
 gion teacheth  us  to  fee  the  vanity  ot  all 
 thofe  contrivances  ,   the  folly  of  their 
 
 i>&fliofis,< 
 
The  Third  Sermon.  7<j 
 
 paflions ,    the  emptinefs   of  their  fatis- 
 tattion. 
 
 We  are  taught  by  it,  to  go  to  Hea- 
 ven ,    through  the  tempefts  and  ftorms 
 of  this  World  with  a  low  Sail;  to  prefer 
 others  to  our  felves,  to  be  patient  under 
 reproofs,    to  be  humble  in  the  highcft  of 
 our  prosperity,  to  be  denyed  to  the  flat- 
 teries of  Senfe ;  to  be  unconcerned  and 
 unfolicitous  for  {inure  events,   cafting 
 our  felves  with  the  whole  weight  of  our 
 faith  and  hope,  upon  the  care,  wifdom   . 
 and  love  of  God.     We  are  taught  by  ir, 
 to  cut  offour  right  hands,  and  pull  out 
 our  right  eyes,  to  blefs  them  that  curfe 
 us,  and  to  do  good  to  them  that  defpite- 
 fully  ufe  us :  In  a  word,  itranverfes  and 
 overturns    the   whole  fabrick    or    the 
 Worlds  Politicks ,   it  runs  crofs  to  all 
 its  corrupt  defigns,   and  to  the  end  we 
 may  become  wife  unto  falvation  ;    we 
 muft  be  efteemed  fools  in  the  account  of 
 the  World :  and  therefore  our  Saviour 
 frequently  told  his  Difciples,  that  His 
 Kingdom  was  not  of  this  world ,    that  it 
 was  governd  by ,  and  eftablilhed  upon 
 other  Laws  and  Conftitutions.      Now 
 when  we  but  fhortly  refleft   upon  the 
 
 different 
 
8o  The  Third  Sermon. 
 
 different  Laws  andConftitutions,wefce 
 clearly  the  opposition  betwixt  Chrift 
 and  the  World ,  the  one  earthly  ,  the 
 other  heavenly. 
 
 Secondly,  This  oppofition  appears, 
 if  we  will  confider  the  things  that  the 
 World  moft  admires,  loves  and  pre- 
 ferves.  We  are  exhorted  by  S.  John  * 
 I  Ep.ch.  a.  v.  i  y.  Love  not  the  world,  nor 
 the  things  that  are  in  the  world,  for  all 
 that  is  in  the  world ,  the  Lufl  of  the 
 Eyes,  the  Lufl  of  the  Fie  fa  and  the  Pride 
 of  Life, 
 
 The  Lufl  of  the  Eyes,  tempts  our 
 Covetoufnefs  :  the  Lufts  of  the  Flejh , 
 fet  on  fire  thofe  appetites  that  deferve 
 that  name  in  the  flri&eft  notion  oi  the 
 phrafe.  The  Pride  of  Life,  are  honors, 
 preferments  and  glories,  that  men  pur- 
 iue  with  (o  much  concern  and  eager- 
 nefs.    But, 
 
 How  poor  and  defpicable  are  thefe 
 things  to  the  enlightned  eye  of  a  Chri- 
 ftian ,  that  fees  by  the  eye  of  Faith  > 
 How  thin  are  they !  how  unworthy  of 
 our  choice  !    how  difproportionate  to  the 
 
 Soul 
 
The  Tlrird  Sermon.  81 
 
 Soul  of  Man !  how  feculent  and  paultry 
 are  the  pleafures  of  Senfe,  attended  with 
 fo  much  toil  in  the  purchafe,  vanity  in 
 their  enjoyment ,  uncertainty  in  their 
 continuance  !  And  if  the  World  had 
 nothing  elfe  to  make  ir  vain  beyond  all 
 expreffion,  but  this  one  thing,  that  thofe 
 who  have  admired  it  mod  5  and  fought 
 thofe  fatisfa&ions  from  it  ,  have  been 
 forced  at  length  to  acknowledge,  that 
 there  was  nothing  in  it ,  but  vexation  of 
 Spirit.  This,  I  fay,  might  convince  us, 
 that  the  things  the  World  moft  ad- 
 mires ,  are  very  unfuitable  to  the  Soul 
 of  Man. 
 
 B  u  T  inftead  of  fuch  things*  the  Chri 
 ftian  Religion  offers  to  our  view  and 
 choice,  the  pure  and  mafculine  pleafures 
 of  Devotion  ,  the  favour  of  God ,  the 
 peace  and  tranquillity  of  our  Confci- 
 ences ,  the  viftory  and  dominion  over 
 our  lufts  and  paffions  $  and  thofe  riches 
 that  are  at  Gods  right  hand  in  the 
 Heavens. 
 
 The  chad  and  folid  fatisfa&ion  of  ha- 
 ving overcome  our  vices,    brings  more 
 true  honour,  than  the  atchievments  that 
 G  are 
 
8  z  The  Third  Sermon. 
 
 fortioreftwQ  proclaimed  by  the  loudeft  fame; 
 ^uamqui'Tis  more  glorious  to  overcome  evil  ha- 
 fortijjima  bits,  and  inveterate  difeafesof  the  mind, 
 ™cit.      than  to  furprize,  or  take  by  open  force  a 
 
 ffKW'"City. 
 
 I N  a  word ,  let  us  but  remember 
 what  are  the  conquefts  ,  glories,  and 
 triumphs,  that  are  expofed  to  our  view 
 by  the  Chriftian  Religion,  and  we lhali 
 find  that  they  move  in  a  far  higher 
 Sphere ,  than  the  little  things  that  take 
 up  the  time,  talk,  bufmefs  and  thoughts 
 of  worldly  men. 
 
 The    voluptuous    Man  facrifices  his 
 
 Soul  to  the  appetites  of  the  flefh ,  as  if 
 
 it  had  been  given  him  to  make  provifion 
 
 for  the  luft  thereof.     The  rich  Mifer 
 
 pierces  himfelf  through  with  fo  many 
 
 cares  and  fears ,    left  his  Angels  Ihould 
 
 take  wings  to  themfelves  and  flyT    The 
 
 Ambitious  is  filled  with  a  Phantom  of  ho- 
 
 z/S /?  nour*  which  he  hath  painted  in  his  own 
 
 fmj  fancy,  that  he  forgets  hisfleep  ,  and  all 
 
 ^u^c*"       things  elfe  3  to  place  himfelf  where  he 
 
 would  be. 
 
 But 
 
The  Third  Sermon.  8  j 
 
 But  the  Chriftian  Religion  teacheth 
 us,  not  only  to  negleft  ,  but  defpife  fuch 
 fantaflic  apparitions,  fuch  dreams,  fuch 
 nothings,  that  the  blind  World  adores 
 with  fo  much  pageantry  and  folly.  We 
 are  taught  by  it,  to  recoiled  our  felves 
 from  this  hurry  and  madnefs,  to  (trip 
 thofe  things  naked  of  their  borrowed 
 luftre ,  to  pierce  into  their  very  eflence, 
 and  feel  that  we  are  not  made  for  fuch 
 mean  things  ,  as  human  fancy  and  opi- 
 nion, hath  magnified  beyond  their  true 
 fize,*  when  we  come  up  clofe  to  them* 
 and  confider  them,  then  their  paint,  falls 
 off^  and  we  muft  acknowledge  that  we 
 were  fools  to  the  greateft  degree. 
 
 So  intangled  are  the  Labyrinths  of 
 the  World ,  which  made  Aaguftus  Cejar 
 wifli  fo  frequently  for  his  retreat ,  and 
 ended  many  of  his  Difcourfes  to  the  Se- 
 nate, with  the  pleafant  hope  of  his  re- 
 tirement, that  now  bore  up  his  Spirit  un- 
 der the  load  of  fo  many  affairs.  He 
 had  fo  many  Armies  at  his  command,  the 
 Roman  Empire  to  maintain  them,  he  en? 
 joyed  the  applaufe  of  the  Wifeft  Senate* 
 G  %  yec 
 
84  The  Third  Sermon. 
 
 yet  how  did  he  figh  after  the  advantages 
 of  enjoying  himfelf. 
 
 We  are  in  the  trueft  fenfe  the  off 
 fpring  of  God  ,  why  then  fhould  our  at 
 fcftions  be  mean?  Whyfliould  we  fo 
 much  admire  what  is  defpicable  j?  for 
 the  world  paffeth  away  ,  and  the  fafhion 
 thereof  :  but  our  Spirits  and  thoughts 
 run  parallel  with  eternity ;  nothing  lefs 
 can  fatisfie  the  immortal  Spirit  of  Man. 
 
 Therefore  are  we  exhorted  fo 
 frequently  in  the  New  Teftament ,  to 
 Coloff.3.1  place  our  affections  on  things  alove  , 
 and  not  on  the  things  of  the  Earth  ;  to 
 remember,  that  here  we  have  no  continu- 
 ing City  5  that  here  we  are  Pilgrims  and 
 Strangers  $  that,  when  this  tabernacle  is 
 Iroken  down ,  we  have  a  houfe  with  God, 
 not  made  with  hands ,  eternal  in  the  he  a- 
 vens.-  Thefe,  and  fuch  treafures,  are  the 
 things  that  we  are  taught  to  admire,  by 
 our  Religion  :  thefe  are  the  things  we  are 
 commanded  to  purfue,  fince  we  are  Heirs 
 and  Co-heirs  with  Chrift. 
 
 He  holds  forth  to  us  a  Crown  of 
 immortal  happinefs,  that  the  fight  of  it 
 
 might 
 
The  Third  Sermon.  8  5 
 
 might  provoke  us  to  the  moft  heroick 
 efforts  of  virtue,  piety,  felf-denyal,  mor- 
 tification, patience  and'  humility.  Now 
 it  is  moft  evident,  that  the  World,  and 
 the  Spirit  of  Chriftianity,  purfueand  ad- 
 mire things  of  a  different  nature.  But 
 this  opposition  will  more  fully  appear,  if 
 we  confider, 
 
 Thirdly,  The  rewards  by  which  the 
 World  allures  to  its  friend fhip,  and  thofe 
 propofed  by  our  Saviour ;  what  do  men 
 expcft  from  the  World ,  when  they  have 
 fold  themfelves  to  ferve  it ,  when  they 
 have  facrificed  their  time  and  ftrength  to 
 court  its  honours,  and  follow  its  genius? 
 Such  as  have?proftituted  their  very  Souls 
 to  comply  with  its  folly  and  wickednefe, 
 how  miferable  is  their  gain  >  or  rather 
 how  infinite  is  their  lofs  ?  how  empha* 
 tick  is  the  Interrogation  of  our  Jfeviour, 
 What-  hath  a  man  gained,  when  he  hath 
 left  his  own  Soul  )  We  find  the  World 
 cannot  relieve  a  Man,  when  he  hath  moft 
 need  of  help  and  confolation. 
 
 Let  him  but  put  the  friendfliip  of 
 
 the  World  totheTeft,  when  he  groans 
 
 under  the  terror  of  Conference,  or  when 
 
 G  3  his 
 
$6  The  Tlnrd  Sermon. 
 
 bis  Soul  is  ready  to  leave  his  body  5  and 
 then  let  him  fincerely  declare  ,  what 
 weak  and  brittle  reeds  thefe  things  are, 
 that  he  moft  admired  ,  to  fupport  him 
 againft  his  own  fears. 
 
 Were  we  fo  wife,  as  in  our  fancy 
 to  go  down  into  the  Grave  before  we 
 are  carried  thither,  to  converfe  with  the 
 dead  that  are  gone  before  us  ,  to  live  a 
 while  under  ground,  to  wrap  our  (elves 
 in  our  Winding-flieets  ,  and  then  from 
 that  place  of  filence  and  darknefs  ,  to 
 view  the  things  that  keep  the  Men  of  the 
 World  fo  much  in  agitation. 
 
 Would  not  we  be  aftonifhed  to  fee 
 Men  made  after  the  Image  of  God  ,  fo 
 much  enflaved  to  thofe  Idols  of  fancy  , 
 to  thofe  fliadows  that  vanifli  fo  quickly, 
 to  fuch  trifles  that  are  the  objeft  of 
 child ifh  appetites.  Did  we  but  call 
 to  mind  the  prefent  regrets  and  tortures 
 of  the  damned  ?  Were  we  allowed  to  fee 
 Dives  turned  down  from  his  fumptuous 
 Table,  his  (lately  Palace  ,  his  numerous 
 attendants ,  and  fine  linnen  ,  into  the 
 fcorching  flames  of  Hell?  And  on  the 
 other  fide ,  could  we  fee  the  Martyrs, 
 
 that 
 
The  Third  Sermon.  87 
 
 that  have  gone  through  the  flames  of 
 perfections  and  didders  ,  now  feated 
 above  malice  and  mifery,in  the  Regions 
 of  peace  and  love  ?  Might  we  from 
 thence  clearly  fee  the  irreconcilable  op- 
 pofition  between  Chrift  and  the  World 
 in  their  rewards. 
 
 But  Fourthly ,  This  appears  in  the 
 manner  by  which  the  World  a£ts  its  ma- 
 lice againft  Chrift  and  his  Difciples. 
 f  1.)  It  ads  this  malice  by  (lander 
 and  calumny  :  Our  Saviour  told  his  Di- 
 fciples, that  reproach  and  infamy  muji 
 needs  be  their  patrimony  ,  if  they  zea- 
 loufly  adhered  to  the  dothine  and  difci* 
 pline  of  the  Crcfs  :  nay,  'tis  made  (o  ef- 
 fential  toChrirfianity,  that  to  be  reproa- 
 ched for  the  name  of  Jefas,  makes  up  one 
 of  its  great  Beatitudes  ;  j,  Blejfed  are  you  Mat  5 1  * 
 when  all  men  fpeak  all  manner  of  evil  a 
 gainft  you  jalfly  for  my  fake:  He  tells 
 them  plainly  in  another  place,  that  they 
 ought  not  to  be  difcouraged  with  the  ca- 
 lumnies and  reproaches  of  the  world:  for 
 if  they  call  the  Mafter  of  the  houfe  Beel- 
 zebub, the  difciples  fbould  not  think  them- 
 felves  above  their  Mafter. 
 
 G  4  There 
 
8  8  Tl?e  Third  Sermon. 
 
 There  is  nothing  in  humanNature 
 more  tender  and  delicate,  than  the  fenfe 
 of  honour :  God  hath  planted  it  in  our 
 Nature,to  be  a  fpur  to  virtuous  and  great 
 atchievments.  The  firft  Chriftians  did 
 facrifice  even  this  to  the  love  of  J  ejus ; 
 So  S.  Paul  tells  us,  that  the  Apoflles  were 
 wade  the  off-fccuring  of  all  things  :  and 
 our  Saviour  intimates  inS.  Matthew^that 
 it  was  impoffible  for  Chrifl  and  his  doftrine 
 to  appear ,  but  he  mufl  needs  meet  with 
 flanders,  libels  and  reproaches. 
 
 John  the  Baptifl  came  neither  eating 
 nor  drinking ,  and  yet  he  is  f aid  to  have 
 a  Devil.  Our  Saviour  came  eating  and 
 drinking,  went  to  their  feafts  and  enter- 
 tainments, to  teach  them  that  are  en- 
 gaged in  fuch  meetings ,  the  higheft  in- 
 nocence and  purity,  jet  he  is  represented 
 a  friend  of  publicans  and  finners. 
 
 The  Spirit  of  die  World  is  fo  per- 
 verfe  and  humourfom,  that  it  finds  faults 
 with  the  Chriftians  at  every  turn ,  for 
 every  thing  that  affronts  their  wicked- 
 nefs. 
 
 We 
 
The  Third  Sermon.  89 
 
 We  are  to  perfift  as  S.  Peter  exhorts, 
 hi  well  doing  ,  and  by  it  to  put  to  fiknce 
 the  ignorance  of  foolifh  men.  Let  us  live 
 Jike  the  Difciples  of  Jefus ,  leaving  our 
 reputation,  and  what  elfe  is  dear  to  us, 
 to  his  difpofal :  for  we  (hall  one  day  be 
 vindicated  from  the  foolilh  and  imperti- 
 nent cenfures  of  Men  ,  in  the  view 
 of  Angels  ,  and  Companies  of  jufl 
 Men  made  perfeft.  The  hope  of 
 this  bore  up  the  Spirit  of  S.  Paul,  as  an 
 invincible  Rockagainfl:  the  mod  violent 
 ftorms.  Rom.  8.  33,  34.  Who  Jhall  lay 
 any  thing  to  the  charge  of  Gods  elecl,  it  is 
 Chrifl  that  dyed,  yea  rather  that  is  r'tfen 
 again  from  the  dead, 
 
 SeconMy^Tn  E  World  manifefts  its  ha- 
 tred, by  violent  perfections  of  the  per- 
 fons  and  intereflsof  the  Chriftians.  Did 
 not  the  whole  World  arm  it  felf  with 
 rage  and  indignation  againft  the  light  of 
 the  Gofpel,  when  it  began  firft  to  fhine$ 
 and  the  Noble  Army  of  Martyrs  forced 
 their  way  to  Heaven ,  by  patience  and 
 invincible  magnanimity.  How  undaun- 
 ted and  fearlefs  did  they  ftandout  againfi: 
 the  powers  of  darknefs,  even  when  they 
 appeared  above  ground,  in  their  blacked 
 
 and 
 
$>o  The  Third  Sermon. 
 
 and  mod  terrible  drefs.  They  withftood 
 their  fury  like  (o  many  Walls  of  Brafs, 
 rejifting  unto  blood  9  and  ft  riving  again/} 
 Sin.  How  inveterate  is  the  malice  of  the 
 Serpent,  againft  the  feed  of  the  Woman  ? 
 The  Spirit  of  Perfection  fmoaks  from 
 the  bottomlefs  pit  :  and  our  Saviour 
 told  his  Difciples  no  lefs  than  that  they 
 were  to  he  driven  from  their  Synagogues  y 
 that  they  were  to  be  brought  before  Judges ; 
 that  they  Jhould  be  hated  of  all  men 
 for  his  fake.  And  this  is  not  fo  peculiar 
 to  the  firfl:  Ages  of  Chriftianity,  but  that 
 all  good  men  have  their  fhare  of  it  in  all 
 Ages.  For  S.  Paul  tells  us9  that  they 
 mud  fuffer  perfection.  But  this  is  not 
 the  only  way  that  the  World  difcovers 
 its  oppofition  to  Chriftianity.     But, 
 
 Thirdly $Y  its  Tcntations,by  its  foft  & 
 fly  infinuations,  by  which  frequently  it 
 trips  up  the  heels  of  thegreateft  Saints; 
 it  lays  (hares  for  us  in  every  circumftancc 
 of  our  life :  what  it  cannot  do  by  open 
 force  ,  it  rentures  to  compafs  by  fubtil- 
 ty  and  artifice.  The  World  is  one  great 
 Trap,  and  how  great  a  Miracle  is  it,  that 
 we  fhould  efcape  the  flatteries  and  al- 
 lurements of  it  ?  Since  its  moft  plaufible 
 
 offers 
 
The  Third  Semon.  yi 
 
 offers  beat  conftantly  upon  our  Senfcs, 
 and  we  lye  open  to  all  its  aflaults  on  all 
 quarters  5  we  are  fo  near  a  kin  to  th6 
 Earth  ,  that  it  makes  eafily  impreffions 
 on  us  :  unlefs  we  are  aflured  of  the  vi- 
 ctory ,  how  could  we  encounter  fo  for- 
 midable an  enemy,  fuch  Armies  of  Ten- 
 tations  on  the  right  and  left  hand. 
 
 We  had  need  to  liften  to  the  Apoftlds 
 exhortation,  Let  him  that  ftandeth^  take 
 heed  left  he  fall.  Our  ground  is  fo  flip- 
 pery ,  our  weaknefTes  fo  many  ,  our 
 ftrength  fo  fmall ,  our  enemies  fo  a&ive 
 and  malicious ,  and  the  infinuations  of 
 Senfefo  deceitful.  From  what  is  faid,we 
 (hall  clearly  fee  the  oppofition  between 
 the  World,  and  the  Spirit  of  Chriftiani- 
 ty  5  and  therefore  let  us  fhortly  improve 
 this  Meditation  for  our  pra&ice. 
 
 Firft,  Are  they  fo  oppofite  one  to 
 the  other?  then  let  us  not  love  the  world, 
 Rom.  12.  2.  Be  not  conformed  to  this 
 world,  but  le  ye  transformed  in  the  Spi- 
 rit of  your  mind.  Let  us  not  be  mould* 
 ed  into  the  frame  and  fafhion  of  this 
 World  ;  but  let  us  remember,  we  have  a 
 more  heavenly  calling;  higher  nature,  a 
 
 more 
 
p  2  77;e  Tlnrd  Sermon] 
 
 more  Seraphick  Difcipline  5  in  a  word, 
 we  are  to  fteer  our  eourfe  againft  the 
 tyde,  and  current  of  the  wicked  pra- 
 ctices of  this  World  5  for  even  in  this 
 fenfe  the  kingdom  of  heaven  fuffereth  vi- 
 olence, and  the  violent  take  it  by  force. 
 
 Secondly,  Are  they  fo  opppfite  the 
 one  to  the  other  >  Let  us  remember,  that 
 no  tnan  can  ferve  two  Majlers  5  you  can- 
 not ferve  God  and  Mammon :  If  you  are 
 the  fervants  of  Chrift,  you  muft  renounce 
 the  World  3  for  it  is  a  part  of  our  Ba- 
 ptifmal  Engagement  to  do  fo  5  Where  the 
 heart  is^  there  the  treafure  is  alfo  :  if  it 
 be  glued  to  the  World ,  you  mud  bid 
 farewel  to  that  inheritance  incorruptible, 
 undefiled,  eternal  in  the  heavens^ 
 
 Thirdly,  I  s  the  World  fo  oppofite  to 
 the  defignsof  our  Religion  ?  Let  us  fly 
 beyond  it  in  our  thoughts  and  medita- 
 tions: Let  us  frequently  fteal  out  of  the 
 noife  and  hurry  of  its  incumbrances  and 
 confufions,  and  dwell  in  thofe  Regions, 
 where  there  is  nothing  but  peace  and 
 harmony  ,  where  the  Celeftial  Choiri- 
 flters  tune  their  Harps ,  and  run  divisi- 
 ons in  the  joyful  Praifesof  their  Maker; 
 
 and 
 
TheThird  Sermon.  p  { 
 
 and  to  be  fure  nothing  *  hath  a  greater 
 tendency  to  make  us  victorious  over  the 
 World ,  than  the  frequent  flights  from 
 its  noife  and  cares* 
 
 And  this  leads  me  to  the  Second  Par- 
 ticular that  I  defign  to  fpeak  to ,  which 
 is,  That  the  Saints  (hall  certainly  over- 
 come the  World,  notwithftandingof  its 
 bitternefs  and  oppofitions  againft  them  ; 
 and  this  I  will  make  good  ,  if  we  consi- 
 der, (  i.  )  ThePromjfe  of  God  for  our 
 conduft  and  dire&jon.  (z.  )  The  Vi- 
 ctory and  Triumph  of  Jefus  Chrift ,  as 
 our  Head  and  Mediator.  (  3. )  The 
 Strength  and  Energy  of  the  Divine 
 Nature. 
 
 (1.)  The  Promife  of  God  for  our 
 
 Conduft  and  Afliftance.  Hehathfaid,/ 
 will  never  leave  thee  nor  for  fake  thee.  We  j|e^; 
 may  fay  of  this  Conflict  with  the  World, 
 as  the  Royal  Pfalmijl  faid  of  his  frequent 
 Combats  with  his  enemies ,  'tis  he  that  pfai.144.1 
 teacheth  my  fingers  to  fight ;  and  without 
 doubt  the  Divine  Wifdom  is  apparent  in 
 our  Oonqueft  over  the  World  3  elfe  how 
 could  poor  Creatures  (all  made  up  of 
 error,  darknefs  and  precipitance  )  ven- 
 ture 
 
Iht  Ibird  Sermon: 
 cure  onTentations  of  all  forts  without 
 his  fpecial  Conduft  and  Prefence  ?   How 
 quietly  doth  the  Pfalmifl  rejoice  in  the 
 Meditation  of  his  fatherly  Care  and  Af- 
 fiftance.    He  maketh  me  to  lye  down  in 
 ereen  paflures,   he  lea Jet h  we  befide  the 
 quiet  waters,  he  reftoreh  my  Soul,  he  gut- 
 deth  me  in  the  paths  of  righteoujitejs  for 
 his  names  fake,  thy  rod  and  thy  flaff  they 
 comfort  me.     'tis  through  God  alone  we 
 fball  do  valiantly. 
 
 the  weapons  of  our  warfare  are  mighty 
 through  him  5  he  not  only  treads  Satan 
 under  our  feet,  but  the  World  alfo  , 
 which  is  the  Devils  great  Confederate 
 againft  the  Saints. 
 
 f  2. )  We  are  afilued  of  the  Victory, 
 through  the   Triumph  and  Victory  of 
 Whs  Chrift.     He  hath  bidden  us  himfelt 
 ie  of  good  Cheer ,  for  he  hath  overcome 
 the  World.     He  is  the  Lyon  of  the  Tribe 
 of  ludah  ;  he  marcheth  upon  the  Head 
 of  his  Difciples  with  difplayed  Banners 
 againft  the  Legions  of  Darknefs  ;  the 
 World,  Hell  and  the  Grave,  are  hauled 
 at  the  Wheels  of  his  triumphant  Cha- 
 riot.   Therefore  the  Author  of  the  h- 
 piftlc  to  the  Hebrews ,  bids  us  conftder 
 
The  Third  Sermon.  y  j 
 
 the  cloud  of  witnetfes ,  but  moft  of  all 
 Jefus  Chrift  himfelf  the  Author  and  Ft- 
 nifher  of  our  Faith.  When  we  are  like 
 to  faint,  when  our  fears  grow  thick  and 
 dark ,  then  confider  the  Captain  of  our 
 Salvation,  who  hath  already  broke  the 
 force  of  our  enemies,  and  is  fet  down  on 
 the  right  hand  of  the  Throne  of  God  j  and 
 there  employes  his  Power  in  Heaven  and 
 Earth,  for  the  condud,  fafety  and  fuc- 
 cefe  of  his  followers.  Let  us  believe 
 with  the  Apoftle  S.  Paul,  that  we/haS  be 
 able  to  do  all  things  through  Chrifi  that 
 ftrengthens  us. 
 
 (  3. )  We  are  afliired  of  the  Viftory, 
 by  the  Strength  and  Energy  of  the  Di- 
 vine Nature.     So  we  are   told  in   the 
 Text,  that ,  that  which  is  born  of  God, 
 overcometh  the  World :   and  in  Chap.  4. 
 He  that  is  in  us,  is  flronger  than  he  that 
 is  in  the  World.     If  we  were  to  grapple 
 with  the  World  by  equal  ftrength  ,  we  fi«  Dm 
 could  not  promife  to  our  felves  the  Vi-  in  nobis 
 dory  ,  but  we  are  partakers  of  theDi-  agiunte 
 vine  Nature ,   we  are  carried  above  our  "^'illo, 
 (elves.     God  is  in  us    in  a  truer   and 
 higher  fenfe,  than  the  Poet  meant  «it. 
 
 The 
 
96  1)?e  7hird  Sermon. 
 
 The  Divine  Nature  is  full  of  Life 
 and  Power  ,  it  grows  unto  perfection, 
 unto  the  Jlature  of  a  per  ft  ft  Man  in  Chriji 
 5fa/#J,until  it  lodge  us  at  laft  in  the  bofom 
 of  God.  'Tis  a  Coal  from  the  Altar  that 
 inflames  the  -Soul  ,  and  confumes  the 
 Body  of  Death  to  nothing.  What  is  not 
 the  Chriftian  Religion  able  to  do  in  con* 
 jun&ion  with  Omnipotence  * 
 
 This  is  it  that  wrought  fuch  incre- 
 dible Changes  in  the  World  ,  and  if  o- 
 thers  have  been  fo  fuccefsful  and  victo- 
 rious in  their  Conflifts  with  the  World,  \ 
 why  ought  we  to  defpair  >  Had  not  the 
 Luminaries  of  the  Church,  the  fame  flelh 
 to  mortifie  ?  the  fame  paffions  to  over- 
 come ?  the  fame  World  to  contend 
 with?  and  if  they  overcame  the  World, 
 why  may  not  we  be  vi&orious  alfo  } 
 
 But  let  us  improve  this Meditatioi 
 for  our  pra&ice.  If  we  are  thusaflurec 
 of  the  Viftory ,  if  we  do  not  wilfully 
 defert  our  Stations,  then  let  us  not  be 
 difcouraged  with  the  Terrors  of  the 
 World ;  nor  with  thofe  imaginary  diffi. 
 culries,  by  which  Men  frequently  fright 
 
 them 
 
The  Third  Sermon.  yp 
 
 chemfclvcs  from  their  duty*  But  in  the 
 midft  of  our  fears  and  obje&ions ,  let  us 
 ftrengthen  our  felves  in  God,  and  debate 
 the  matter  with  our  own  Confciences  in  ^  % 
 the  Language  of  the  Pfalmifl  5  Why  art  Pfelm  $& 
 thou  cajl  down,  0  my  Soul!  hope  in  God : 
 remember,  and  call  to  mind  the  Viftory 
 that  Men  of  like  Paffions  have  attained, 
 why  do  you  thus  fit  down  hanging  your 
 head,  as  if  the  World  were  invincible  ? 
 
 Why  do  we  fufler  our  felves  Co 
 tamely  to  be  carried  down  the  Stream  ? 
 Let  us  bear  up  againftit,  and  remember 
 that  we  have  to  do  with  a  broken  and 
 conquered  Enemy  5  and  if  we  do  not 
 fliamefully  yield,  God  will  (land  by  us, 
 at  our  right  hand  ,  and  make  Vs  more 
 than  Conquerors,  through  Jefus  Chrift.  h 
 is  unbecoming  the  Goodnefs  of  God  to 
 leave  us,  when  we  are  engaged  with  fuch 
 formidable  Enemies.  If  he  he  for  Vs+ 
 who  can  be  againft  Vs  ? 
 
 Here  we  are  hut  Pilgrims  and  Stran- 
 gers ,  and  fince  we  have  renounced  the 
 World  fofolemnly,why  do  we  look  back 
 upon  it  with  fo  much  fondnefs  and  de- 
 light? why  are  we  diffident  of  the  Vi- 
 ctory ?  For  the  Captain  of  our  Salvation 
 H  looks 
 
^S  The  Tlnrd  Sermon. 
 
 looks  on,  and  differs  us  to  be  furrounded 
 with  Tentarions,thac  he  may  make  proof 
 of  our  Courage,Conftancy,  FidelityXoy- 
 a  alty  and  Patience  :  God  looks  on  the 
 /  •  Confli&s  of  his  people  with  delight; 
 and  by  their  tryals  and  hard  encounters, 
 he  fortifies  their  Souls  for  Immortality , 
 which  is  the  prize. 
 
 I  T  was  the  glimmering  of  this  Medi- 
 tation ,  made  fo  many  of  the  antient 
 Maxim,  philcfophers  think ,  that  a  Man  without 
 fuffering,  was  without  reputation  :  for 
 honour,  by  the  efteem  and  vote  of  all 
 Mankind,  belongs  to  them  that  have  dif- 
 fered, and  driven  relblutely  in  the  midft 
 of  all  difafters  againft  Vice  and  its  infi- 
 nuations-  To  this  purpofe  Seneca  in  his 
 Book  de  Providential  fays  ,  That  a  Man 
 hearing  up  refclutely  againft  dij advanta- 
 ges and  difafters  ^  was  a  fpeclacle  worthy 
 Jupiter  himfelf  to  look  on. 
 
 Since  then  we  are  furniflied  with 
 bccterPrinciples,and  a  clearer  Light?let  us 
 under  the  Conduit  of  our  High  Prieft% 
 iace  all  Tentadons  ,  and  keep  our  consci- 
 ence s  void  of  offence  towards  God,  and  to- 
 wards Men  ;  for  the  things  that  are  ter- 
 rible 
 
77;e  TlrirdSermofi. 
 
 rible  to  Mans  eyes,  are  but  Scare  Crows 
 and  Apparitions  to  the  eyes  of  Faith. 
 
 And  this  leads  me  to  the  third  and 
 lafl  Particular ,  that  is,  The  Mean  by 
 which  this  Victory  is  obtained ,  the  A- 
 poftle  faith,  Faith  is  our  ViBory* 
 
 The  Figure  is  obvious  enough ; 
 .this  is  the  Mean  and  Weapon,  by  whi€h 
 we  trample  underfoot  the  World,  and 
 all  its  glittering  vanities,  and  foar  above 
 it.  We  are  by  our  Laws  Citizens  of  afic- 
 ther  Kingdom  3  we  are  neither  intangkd 
 with  its  fnares ,  nor  blinded  with  its 
 foolifli  hopes,  nor  govern'd  by  its  perni- 
 cious Maxims ,  nor  dazled  with  its  falfe 
 lights  ;  while  we  keep  our  eyes  open 
 to  the  light  of  Faich,  and  the  Glories 
 that  our  Jefus  hath  manifefted  to  us  in 
 the  Gofpel ,  then  we  grow  too  big  for 
 this  World  ,  and  the  fight  of  that  Inhe- 
 ritance, enlarges  our  Souls,  and  the  Earth 
 becomes  contemptible  in  our  eyes. 
 
 Bu  t  that  I  may  make  this  the  more 
 clear,  I  fhall  endeavour  to  give  light  un- 
 to it,  by  the  Nature  and  Excellency  of 
 Faith  it  felf ,  which  when  we  have  con- 
 H  2.  fidered^ 
 
 99 
 
too  The  Third  Sermon] 
 
 fidered ,  this  Conqueft  will  appear  to  be 
 the  moft  neceflary  refult  of  Faith. 
 
 And  (i.)  Confider,  that  by  Faith 
 we  are  furnifhed  with  new  Principles,  we 
 have  a  Spirit  giv'n  us  ftronger  than  the 
 World,  oppofite  to  ir,  far  above  it ;  this 
 is  frequently  aflerted  by  S.  John  in  the 
 fameEpiflle  >  That  which  is  horn  cfGod, 
 overccmeth  the  World,  The  Soul  once 
 touched  with  the  Spirit  and  Love  of 
 God  f  becomes  nimble  and  a&ive  in  his 
 fervice  ,  and  able  to  break  through  the 
 blackeft  Clouds  of  oppofition :  what  is 
 it  can  damp  the  Soul  once  fired  with  the 
 Love  of  God  >  Did  not  the  Courage  of 
 the  firfl:  Chriftians  amaze  the  Heathen 
 World,  when  they  faw  them  part  with. 
 x  every  thing  for  Immortality  ? 
 
 But  when  we  call  to  mind,  that  the 
 Divine  Nature  is  the  Seed  of  God,  we 
 inuft  remember,  that  chis  Seed  mud 
 grow  up  to  perfection  ,  that  it  cannot  be 
 choaked  nor  opprefled. 
 
 I T  is  by  Faith,  that  we  are  made  the 
 Sons  of  God  ;  and  the  ancient  Poets 
 feem  to  have  a  Notion  of  this  ,   when 
 
 they 
 
The  Ibird  Sermon.  I  o  i 
 
 they  made  their  Heroes ,  and  fuch  as 
 were  famous  for  difficult  enterprizes , 
 the  off  fpring  of  the  Gods  ;  the  fancy 
 may  be  thus  far  allowed  ,  That  every 
 good  gift  and  perfett  donation  is  from 
 above  :  and  whatever  is  great  and  gene- 
 rous is  brought  to  perfe&ion  in  the 
 ftrength  of  God.  Chriftianity  makes  a 
 thorough  Change  in  the  Souls  of  Men, 
 we  are  partakers  of  fuch  a  Nature ,  as 
 loofes  us  from  the  fetters  of  our  former  t 
 prejudices  and  errors,  and  makes  us  run 
 contrary  to  our  mod  hereditary  and  pre^ 
 vailing  lufts;  this  Change  is  a  mighty  Ar- 
 gument for  the  Divinity  of  our  Religion. 
 
 ORIGEN  again/1  C  ELS  US  glories 
 in  this  Argument,  That  by  the  Do&rine 
 of  Faith,  the  fierce  and  barbarous  Scythi- 
 ans became  mild ,  peaceable  and  calm. 
 That  the  foft  and  delicate  Per/ians^  be- 
 came  chaft,  fober  and  religious.  Thar 
 the  Proud  and  Imperious  Romans ,  made 
 their  Eagles  fit  down  under  the  Crofs  of 
 Chrifl.  That  the  Grecians^  famous  for 
 their  Eloquence  and  Philofophy,  defpis'd  all 
 their  Curiofities,  and  embraced  the  hum- 
 ble Do&rine  of  the  crucified  Jefus.  This 
 Change  had  been  impoffible ,  unlefs  it 
 H  3  had 
 
l  o  z  Tl?e  Third  Sermon. 
 
 had  been  begun-,  and  advanced  by  the 
 Infinite  Power  of  God. 
 
 Such  is  the  Strength  of  Faith  that 
 fo  powerfully  difarms  us  of  our  Lufts 
 and  Paffions,  and  makes  us  vye  with  the 
 Angels  themfelves  in  the  fwiftnefs  and 
 alacrity  of  our  obedience:  by  this  it  is 
 we  fnap  aflunder  the  Cords^  and  Bands 
 that  held  us  faft  in  the  Embraces  ot  the 
 World. 
 
 But  (i.)Bv  Faith  we  are  not  only 
 endued  with  the  Divine  Nature,  butalfo 
 we  have  the  true  Notions  of  God  and  of 
 our  fclves ;  the  ftrength  of  the  World 
 did  much  eonfift  in  our  ignorance.  One 
 great  reafon  why  the  Heathen  World  was 
 funk  in  folly  &  wickednefs,was  this,tlfey 
 had  loft  the  true  knowledge  of  God; 
 and  the  Fables  of  the  Poets  were  the  Sy- 
 ilem  of  their  Divinity  }  and  thofe  Foets 
 did  reprefent  their  Deities  as  Adtors 
 of  all  the  Follies  and  Vilianies  that  Hu- 
 man Nature  is  capable  of  :  then  there 
 was  no  proper  reflraint  in  their  Religi- 
 on, to  divert  them  from  Vice,  fince  the 
 very  Gods  they  adored,  loved  and  pra- 
 ftis'd  if  :    Might  not  they  infer  reafona- 
 
 bly8 
 
Tlie  Third  Sermon.  103 
 
 bly,  that  the  greatefl:  finncrs  might  dwell 
 with  thofeCWj;  and  that  there  was  not 
 fuch  diftance  arid  hatred ,  betwixt  Sin 
 and  the  Divine  Nature. 
 
 But  our  Religion  teacheth  us,  that 
 he  is  of  purer  eyes,  than  that  he  can  be- 
 hold iniquity^    that  nothing  unclean  Jh all 
 enter  the  New  Jerufa/em  5    that  without  Heb.  12. 
 holinefs  ,  it  is  impvffible  to  fee  God ';  that  l3' 
 the  pure  in  heart  are  only  capable  of  that  Mat.  5.  8, 
 Vifton  ;  that  holinefs  is  not  only  our 
 duty  ,    but  a   main  ingredient  of  our 
 happinefs. 
 
 That  which  I  defign  by  this;  is, 
 That  we  could  not  overcome  the  World, 
 unlefs  we  had  clear  Notions  of  the  Di- 
 vinity 3  and  therefore  we  are  frequently 
 told*  that  the  only  begotten  Son  did  re- 
 veal the  Father  unto  us  5  and  the  illumi- 
 nations of  the  Prophets  themfelves  came 
 from  him  who  is  the  Eternal  Koy©+  that 
 enlighteneth  evzry  man  that  cometh  into 
 the  World. 
 
 The  Gofpel  manifcfts  the  eternal  di- 
 
 ftance  betwixt  God  and  Sin  ,  he  is  Life, 
 
 Power  and.Wifdom,  Greatnefs  and  Om- 
 
 H  4  nifcience; 
 
l 04  Tloe  Tl?ird  Sermon. 
 
 nifcience ;  and  Sin  in  its  very  nature,  is 
 darknefs,  mifery,  confufion  and  imperfe- 
 ction 5  then  our  Faith  teacheth  us  to 
 reafon  againft  the  World,  from  the  Di- 
 vine Nature ,  as  well  as  from  the  Di- 
 vine Authority;  and  having  by  it  got  a 
 ail  clear  profpeft  of  God  ,  our  felves,  and 
 the  immortality  of  our  Spirits  ;  what  i^ 
 it  that  the  World  can  offer  to  out  choice, 
 but  what  we  defpife  in  our  efteem  ? 
 
 (3.  )  Faith  gives  us  a  perfeft 
 account  of  the  vanity  of  the  World,  its 
 emptinefe  and  weaknefs ;  it  teaches  us  to 
 come  near  it,  and  feel  it.  You  fee  the 
 things  that  the  World  moil  admires  , 
 have  not  their  value  from  their  own  in- 
 rrinfick  w<5rth  and  folidity,  but  from  the 
 fancy  and  opinion  of  men.  Is  it  not 
 then  (ad,  that  we  fliould  be  fo  eafily  de- 
 ceived with  fliadows  and  images  of hap- 
 pinefs  >  Thofe  Nations  that  have  great 
 ftore  of  Silver  and  Gold ,  admire  our 
 Glades  and  Toyes,  more  than  their  own 
 Treafures.  It  is  not  real  worth  ,  but 
 fancy,  that  makes  us  idolize  the  World. 
 
 But  as  I  have  hinted  before,  how 
 ftfelefs  is  the  World  to  a  Man  that  be- 
 gins to  feel  the  weight  of  Gods  indig- 
 nation, 
 
Tf?e  Tlrird  Sermon.  i  o  J 
 
 nation,  and  the  flames  of  his  wrath  al- 
 ready kindled  inhisConfcience?  Let  the 
 Man  thus  tortured ,  confult  the  skilful 
 Phyficians ;  let  him  call  about  him  his 
 great  and  potent  friends  ,  his  numerous 
 and  fplendid  family,  his  fervants  and  at- 
 tendants, and  withal  fuppofe  him  in  the 
 efteem  and  love  of  all  his  acquaintance, 
 and  let  the  World  fmile  on  him  with  all 
 its  flatteries  and  car efles,  yet  nothing  can 
 give  him  the  lead  eafe. 
 
 He  groans  under  the  fmart  of  his  in- 
 vifible  wounds,  his  Soul  is  inflamed  with 
 bitter  reflections  ,  and  all  the  art  and 
 skill  of  the  Apothecary  cannot  give  him 
 one  quiet  and  calm  thought :  how  thin 
 and  coarfe  are  all  the  Medicaments  that 
 the  World  offers  us,  when  we  mod  need 
 relief?  how  powerful  are  the  enchant- 
 ments of  the  World,  that  we  fhould  lean 
 upon  it,  when  our  Faith  hath  difcove- 
 red  unto  us ,  how  vain  a  thing  it  is  >. 
 What  can  it  do  at  the  hour  of  death , 
 when  we  go  to  a  Country  where  all 
 its  friend fhip  is  rejefted  ?  In  our  grea- 
 teft  flrefles  we  ordinarily  fly  to  thofe 
 ftrong-holds ,  that  we  judge  the  fecu- 
 reft  places  ,    now  a  man  cannot  be  in 
 
 harder 
 
i  o6  Tf?e  Third  Sermon. 
 
 harder  Circumftances,  than  when  he  is 
 tolled  between  time  and  eternity,  ready 
 to  take  his  flight  into  another  World  3 
 how  vain  doth  the  World  then  appear  to 
 him  ?  when  his  Confcience  begins  to 
 waken,  and  its  accufations  can  no  longer 
 be  fliifted.  This  I  think  fufficiently 
 proves  the  Vanity  of  the  World,  and  the 
 knowledge  of  this  we  have  by  Faith, 
 and  therefore  Faith  is  ourvittory  by  which 
 we  overcome  the  World. 
 
 But  (4.)  We  overcome  the  World 
 by  Faith,  becaufe  it  gives  a  fair  profpeft 
 of  another  Kingdom.  It  is  this  that 
 lifts  our  affeftions  above  this  prefent 
 World ;  we  begin  to  defpife  all  its  of- 
 fers,  when  we  know  we  are  heirs  of  God, 
 and  co  heirs  with  Chrift  Jefiu.  If  wc 
 were  furpriz'd  with  being  chofen  into 
 the  Roman  Empire,  how  little  would  we 
 value  our  former  defig/is  and  proje&s  ? 
 The  Chriftians  look  down  upon  the 
 World ,  with  a  heavenly  Magnanimity, 
 as  a  thing  below  them  ;  for  they  fix 
 their  habitation  above  the  Clouds,  where 
 no  Vapour  can  afcend  to  difturb  the 
 Air. 
 
 The 
 
The  Third  Sermon.  1 07 
 
 The  Contemplations  of  God,  and 
 of  that  Pure  and  Angelical  Life,  makes  us 
 quite  leave  the  body,  and  fallen  our  eyes 
 on  that  Celeftial  Inheritance,  where  the 
 Stars  of  Light  mutually  glance  Light  to 
 one  another ,  and  are  all  of  them  en- 
 lightened and  warmed  by  that  Original 
 Light,  that  dwells  himfelf  in  light  inac- 
 cejjible.     . 
 
 So  S.  Paul  tells  the  Corinthians,  2  Ep, 
 c.  4.  V.  5.  While  we  look  not  at  the  things 
 that  are  feen  ,    but  at  the  things  which 
 are  not  feen ;  for  the  things  that  are  feen, 
 are  temporary ,  but  the  things  that  are  not 
 feen,  are  eternal.     To  this  purpofe  the 
 nth  of  the  Hebrews  isfpent,  Abraham 
 faw  the  Promife  afar  off,  the  Patriarchs 
 confefled  themfelves  Pilgrims  and  Stran- 
 gers on  the  Earth.     S  Stephen  faw  the  Adh. 
 heavens  opened  $    how  little  did  he  value 
 the  Mutinies  and  Cruelties  of  his  Coun- 
 try-men  ? 
 
 Moses  ("Heb.  11.24.)  defpifed  the 
 Court  of  Pharaoh^  and  the  pleasures  of  fin 
 for  a  Jeafon,  becaufe  he  had  an  eye  to  the 
 recompence  of  reward.  There  was  nothing 
 
 charming 
 
1 08  the  Third  Sermon. 
 
 charming  or  defirable,  in  all  the  glory  of 
 Mgyft,  when  he  faw  the  invifible  Crown 
 of  Glory :  How  could  one  bred  in  the 
 Court  of  Pharaoh ,  and  in  all  the  Wifdom 
 of  the  /Egyptians,  amidft  the  pleafures 
 and  divertifements  of  the  Court ,  refufe 
 the  Government  and  Sovereignty  of  fo 
 vaft  an  Empire  >  The  World  could  not 
 fee  into  the  reafonof  it ;  they  could  not 
 but  conclude  him  a  fool  by  their  Ma- 
 xims :  but  Faith  gave  him  a  view  of  a 
 Kingdom ,  above  the  moft  radiant  Dia- 
 dems ,  and  the  brighteft  Thrones  on 
 Earth,  and  a  Vi&ory  more  noble,  than 
 the  Conqueft  of  fo  many  Provinces. 
 Othegreatnefs  and  divine  force  of  thofe 
 mighty  Souls,  whofe  appetites  and  de- 
 fires  are  enlarged  by  Faith !  The  World 
 cannot  fill  their  thoughts  ;  and  therefore 
 they  by  Faith  overcame  it ,  and  all  its 
 terrors  and  flatteries  ,  as  the  Martyrs 
 mention'd  in  the  Book  of  the  Maccabees, 
 waiting  for  a  better  refurreftion. 
 
 See  into  what  an  holy  Agony  S.Paul 
 did  put  himfelf,  when  the  heavenly 
 Crown  was  in  his  view.  Phil.  3.  v.  14. 
 1 Prefs  toward  the  mark,  for  the  prize  of 
 the  high  calling  of  God  in  Chrifl  Jefus  :  I 
 
 fee 
 
The  Third  Sermon.  lop 
 
 fee  the  Crowns  which  are  prepared  for 
 the  viftorious  ,  for  the  unwearied  and 
 refolute  Difciples  of  the  Crofs:  when  I 
 bend  my  Soul  to  its  full  force  and  acti- 
 vity, to  lay  hold  on  eternal  life ;  fuch  a 
 fight  cannot  but  overcome  the  World ; 
 and  fuch  a  fight  is  only  had  by  Faith. 
 
 But  for  improvement  of  all  thefe 
 thoughts ,  Let  us  remember ,  that  the 
 World  can  never  be  to  us  a  quiet  habitati- 
 on,fince  the  oppofition  betv/een  it  &  our 
 Religion,  is  endlefs  and  incurable :  when 
 we  have  Overcome  one  difficulty,  we  muft 
 look  for  another :  here  we  are  like  the 
 lfraelites  in  theWildernefs,  tofled  from 
 one  hardfhip  to  another  :  though  the 
 World  Ihould  promife  us  fair,  yet  its 
 promifes  are  deceitful ,  and  its  friend- 
 fhip  is  a  violation  of  our  obedience  to 
 our  Saviour* 
 
 Let  us  therefore  gird  our  loins,  and 
 watch  againft  its  fubtilties  and  fnares,  as 
 they  that  wait  for  the  return  of  their 
 Mafter  :  if  we  intermit  but  for  a  little 
 while,  we  lofemore  ground,  than  we  are 
 able  to  recover  for  many  days.  Let  us 
 not  therefore  be  flothful  and  negligent 
 
 left 
 
1 1  o  The  Third  Sermon. 
 
 left  our  Mafter  fliould  furprize  us  , 
 and  we  be  found  unprepared  to  make 
 our  accounts :  Let  the  World  feel  that 
 we  are  Chriftians  ;  and  confequently , 
 not  only  taught  to  defpife  it,  but  enabled 
 to  overcome  it  5  that  when  we  leave  it, 
 we  may  come  off  the  Field  with  the  ap- 
 plaufe  of  our  Mafter  ,  and  fo  with  joy 
 and  confidence,  we  may  give  up  our 
 Souls  to  his  hands,  as  unto  the  hands  of 
 our  moft  faithful  Creator. 
 
 To  God  the  Father •>  Son^and 
 Holy  Ghoft,  be  all  Power, 
 Praife  and  Dominion  ,. 
 World  without  end. 
 Amen.   . 
 
Ill 
 
 SERMON 
 
 O  N 
 
 Philip,  iii.  14.. 
 
 lprefs  toward  the  Mark  y  for  thepri^e 
 of  the  high  calling  of  God  in  thrift 
 Jefus. 
 
 IT  is  ufual  with  moft  Hearers,  when 
 the  Text  is  plain ,  when  there  is 
 nothing  in  it  to  invite  their  Curio- 
 fity ,  nothing  beyond  the  common 
 ancTgreat  Truths  of  Chriftianity  5  then, 
 to  unbend  their  attenrion.  As  if  the 
 fubftantial  Truths  of  our  Religion  ,  that 
 in  their  Nature,  Scope  and  Tendency,  are 
 defign'd  to  beget,  preferve  and  maintain, 
 the  life,  vigor  and  devotion  of  our  Souls, 
 
 were 
 
1 1 1  The  Fourth  Sermon] 
 
 were  only  to  be  preach'd  to  the  Pagans 
 and  Infidels.  But  this  Difeafe  of  the 
 Mind  ,  is  as  dangerous  ,  as  common  : 
 therefore  my  defign  from  thefe  words , 
 is  to  leave  upon  your  Memories  a  com- 
 mon Truth,  acknowledg'd  by  all,and  con- 
 sidered and  digefted  by  very  few. 
 
 And  as  the  Truth  contain'd  under 
 thefe  words,  is  obvious  and  plain  3  fo 
 are  all  the  Allufions  and  Metaphors,  un- 
 der which  it  is  deliver'd  ,  very  familiar 
 and  eafie.  Thofe  publick  Games  of 
 Greece,  mention'd  almofl;  by  all  Authors, 
 do  natu.ally  reprefent  the  fervour ,  acti- 
 vity and  zeal  of  Chriftian  Life ,  fre- 
 quently compar'd  in  the  Scriptures  to  a 
 Race.  And  therefore  all  Interpreters  do 
 *  agree,  that  thefe  Verfes  are  Agoniftical, 
 and  that  they  carry  in  them  an  immedi- 
 ate relation  to  thofe  Games ;  in  which, 
 publick  applaufe,  generofity,  courage  and 
 emulation,  prompted  the  Competitors, 
 to  the  mod  accurate  care,  caution  and 
 a&ivity. 
 
 When  we  remember  what  an  Age 
 we  live  in,  how  far  Athei[m>  Lukewarm- 
 uejs  and  Stupidity   hath  eaten  out  the 
 
 vigour 
 
The  Fourth  Sermon.  1 1  y 
 
 vigour^and  zeal  of  Primitive  Devotion  5 
 ihould  we  not  caft  back  our  eyes  on 
 thofe  glorious  Combatants  of  the  firft 
 Age,  whofe  examples  are  able ,  cy.en  at 
 this  diftance,  to  put  fome  Life  and  Spirit 
 unto  us. 
 
 Th  1  $  being  the  defign,  and  the  Text 
 being  plain(wichout  changing  the  natural 
 Pofition  of  the  Words),  three  things  offer 
 themfelves  to  our  consideration  :  1.  The 
 Vigour,  ftrength  a*nd  a&ivity  of  the  Apo- 
 ftles  motion.2.Theftraightand  unbyafs'd 
 Line  in  which  he  moved.  3.  The  end, 
 fcope  and  prize  he  had  ia  his  views  and 
 that  is ,  the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of 
 God  in  Chrifl  Jefus.  In  one  word,  the 
 Reward  of  Chriftianity.  Of  thefe  in 
 order ; 
 
 1.  G  o  D  is  to  be  ferv'd  now  under  the 
 New  Teftament,  with  a  holy  awe,  fear, 
 care  and  diligence.  Though  this  be  ac- 
 knowledge by  all ,  yet  how  few  are 
 there,  that  digeft  the  Principles  upon 
 which  it  is  founded ,  and  by  which  ie 
 may  be  rivetted  into  their  Souls. 
 
 I    SHAlh 
 
1 1 4  The  Fourth  Sermon. 
 
 I  shall  endeavour  then  to  provoke 
 you  to  this  extraordinary  Care,  by  fuch 
 Arguments,  as  do  equally  enforce  it; 
 and  chaftifethe  Lukewarmnefsand  Care- 
 "  lefnefs ,  Inconfideration  and  deteftable 
 Neutrality  of  the  prefent  Age.  And 
 this  will  appear  neceflary,  if  we  confider, 
 i.  Either  the  Nature  of  God.  2.  The 
 Spirituality  and  extent  of  his  Law.  j.The 
 Vivacity  and  Strength  of  our  own  Souls. 
 Or,  4.  The  Pra&ice  ot  the  beft  of  Men. 
 5.  The  Oppofition  that  we  meet  with  in 
 our  Chriftian  Courfe.  6.  The  Mifcar- 
 riages  of  the  former  part  of  our  Life. 
 7.  The  peculiar  Obligations  of  Chriftia- 
 nity  ;  T7*.  that  we  are  bought  by  the  blood 
 of  Jefus.  8.  Confider  the  miferable 
 Toil  and  Slavery  of  a  Life  of  Sin.  And 
 then  we  cannot  but  acknowledge,  that 
 hitherto  we  have  little  confidered  our 
 Chriftianity. 
 
 1.  I  Sa  y,  Let  us  confider  the  Nature 
 of  that  God  whom  we  ferve. 
 » 
 
 Nothing  purifies  and  enlarges 
 the  Mind  more ,  than  the  true  account 
 of  the  Divine  Nature,      And  therefore 
 
 our 
 
The  Fourth  Sermon.  1 1  j 
 
 our  Saviour  when  he  came  to  accomplifh 
 the  great  Reformation  ,  did  in  the  firffc 
 place  cftablifh  the  true  Notion  of  Al- 
 mighty God  ,  and  reveal  the  Father  un- 
 to us.  No  wonder  then,  if  the  Heathen 
 World  was  miferably  funk  and  buried  inr 
 their  Lufts  and  Impieties ;  when  the  ve- 
 ry Hiftory  of  their  Gods,  and  the  Fables 
 of  their  Poets,  did  reprefent  them  under 
 the  Tyranny  of  their  Paflion,  Luft,  Jea- 
 loufie,  Rapine  and  Revenge, afting  all  the 
 Extravagancies  that  make  our  Nature 
 miferable  and  infamous.  How  could  they 
 think  it  tyit  honourable,  to  be  like  their 
 Gods  ?  could  they  be  indue'd  to  reform 
 what  was  heroically  virtuous. 
 
 But  blefled  be  God  ,  we  have  no 
 fuch  fubterfuge  and  pretence  for  our 
 wickednefs.  God  hath  manifested  hint- 
 felf  clearly  unto  us ;  we  have  fuch  Noti- 
 ons of  the  Deity,  as  are  adequate  to  the 
 Reafon  and  Spirituality  of  our  Souls  fix'd 
 in  the  Gofpel. 
 
 The  Holy  Scriptures  every   where 
 reprefent  him  as  the  firft  Original  and 
 Self  fufficient  Being  ,    at  an  eternal  di- 
 stance from  all  weaknefs ,    mixture  , 
 I  2  change 
 
1 1 6  The  Fourth  Sermon. 
 
 change,  cr  compofuion  5  the  only  Cen- 
 ter of  all  Life,  Power,  Goodnefs  and  Om- 
 nifcience. 
 
 Will  you  confider  his  Power,  See 
 how  elegantly  the  Prophet  Ifaiab  con- 
 futes, from  his  Power,  the  folly  of  Ido- 
 [fa.40.13.  latry.  The  Nations  are  as  a  drop  of  a 
 tucket ,  they  are  counted  as  the  f mall  duft 
 of  the  ballance  :  He  taketh  up  the  IJles  as 
 a  very  little  thing ;  aU  Nations  are  as 
 nothings  and  they  are  lefs  than  nothing 
 y-  22-  and  vanity.  It  h  he  that  fitteth  on  the 
 circle  of  the  Earth  ,  and  the  inhabitants 
 thereof  are  as  grafs  hoppers,  he  flretches  out 
 the  heavens  as  a  Curtain^  andfpreads  them 
 cut  as  a  Tent  to  dwell  in. 
 
 The  Armies  of  Heaven  wait  his 
 call;  the  brighteft  Seraphims  ftand  rea- 
 dy to  fly  his  errands  up  and  down  the 
 v.  18.  Creation  ;  to  whom  then  will  ye  liken 
 God,  what  likenefs  will  ye  compare  him  to. 
 When  we  think  of  his  Power  ,  the  very 
 firft  thoughts  of  it  {hould  allay  the  pride 
 and  fwellings  of  Vanity.  How  foon 
 Were  the  paffionate  complaints  of  Job  run 
 down  with  the  mention  of  his  ineffable 
 Power,  and  his  heart  ftruck  with  Silence 
 and  Reverence  ?  If 
 
-  The  Fourth  Sermon.  1 1 7 
 
 If  you  confider  his  Wifdom.  OLord^  Pf.  r-44; 
 how  manifold  are  thy  works  $    In  wifdom 
 haft  thou  made  them  all;  the  Earth  is  full 
 of  thy  Riches.      The  Lord  of  Hofls   is Ifa.2S.29. 
 wonderful  in  Council  ,    and  excellent   in 
 working.     Great  in  Council^  and  mighty  in  Jer.39,19. 
 work s,  who  from  the  darkeft  Labyrinths 
 and  Intricacies  of  Providence,  makes  the 
 event  beautiful  and  comely. 
 
 If  you  confider  his  Goodnefs,  it  en- 
 dures for  ever :  He  is  the  Center  and  the 
 Fountain  of  it.  It  his  Juftice,  it  is  invi. 
 olable  ,  The  Scepter  of  his  Kingdom  is  a 
 Scepter  of  Righteoujnefs,  If  his  Holinefs, 
 He  is  of  purer  eyes ,  than  to  behold  ini- 
 quity. If  his  Knowledge  and  Omnifci- 
 encc9He  is  light  it  felf;  and  dwells  in 
 light  inaccejjihle,  and  with  him  is  no  dark- 
 nefs  at  all. 
 
 L  E  t  us  then  but  a  little  more  feri- 
 oufly  refledt  upon  the  Nature  of  God, 
 and  warm  our  Soul  at  this  fire.  Let  us 
 ask,  Is  this  God,  whofe  Majefly  fills  the 
 Heavens  and  the  Earth,  to  be  indeed  ap- 
 proach'd  with  flat  and  tepid  Devotions  ? 
 Did  the  Heathens  vvorfhip  their  Idols 
 I  3  witli 
 
Ti  8  The  Fourth  Sermon.  - 
 
 with  fo  much  Lukewarmnefs  as  is  too 
 too  vifible  among  the  Chriftians  >  Nay, 
 but  their  facrifices,  profhations,  vain  re- 
 petitions, their  fuperftitious  Pageantry 
 and  Ceremonies  requir'd  a  great  deal  of 
 attention  and  application. 
 
 \j^  The  very  Devils  if  they  were  wor- 
 /l  fvy^^  <  /hipped,  would  not  be  fatisfied  with  the 
 £t&**^  s     carelefs  behaviour  of  the  Chriftians    in 
 
 J.-/U 
 
 /v  <  our  days  3  and  (hall  we  approach  the 
 Invifible  Immortal  God,  with  lefs  regard, 
 than  the  Pagans  did  their  dumb  idols? 
 Our  God  is  a  Spirit  (faith  our  Saviour*) 
 and  mujl  le  voorjhipped  in  Spirit  and  in 
 Truth.  And  if  you  would  allow  me  to 
 fpeak  a  little  more  plainly,  nothing  cafts 
 greater  contempt  upon  the  God  that  we 
 adore ,  or  the  Religion  that  we  efpoufe, 
 than  the  manner  of  our  Worfhip.  When 
 we  approach  our  Patrons  and  Benefa&ors 
 on  Earth,  we  meet  their  fmiles  with  the 
 JowePi  fubmiflions,  and  acknowledge- 
 ments. But  when  we  come  unto  the 
 A/ltar,  we  offer  the  blind  and  the  lame  in 
 
 Mai  r.  8.  the  language  of  the  Prophet,  Offer  it  now 
 unto  thy  Governour ,  faith  the  Prophet. 
 The  Living  God  muftbe  wor (hipped  with 
 life,  and  fery'd  with  vigour,  and  ado^d 
 
 with 
 
The  Fourth  Sermon.  1 1 9 
 
 with  devotion.  He  is  all  Perfed~Hon,and 
 cannot  be  ferv'd  with  the  cold  and  faint 
 te(Tays,  of  half  conviction,  and  lame  con- 
 fideration.  I  ask  then,  when  we  dwell 
 on  the  Nature  of  God  ,  whether  or  no 
 the  whole  Soul  ought  to  be  employed 
 in  his  Worfhip  and  Service. 
 
 But  had  we  to  do  with  fuch  a  Dei- 
 ty as  the  Epicureans  fancied,  one  that  had 
 eternally  locked  up  himfelf  within  the 
 Imperial  Heavens  :  If  our  actions  and 
 affairs  came  not  at  all  under  his  cogni- 
 sance, then  we  might  approach  him 
 with  that  remifsnefs  ,  coldnefs  and  un- 
 concerriednefs,  that  is  vifible  in  our  ad- 
 drefles.  But  our  God  is  all  pure  Life, 
 intent  upon  the  Government  of  the 
 World  ;  all  things  are  open  and  naked 
 he j ore  him,  with  whom  we  have  to  do.  His 
 eyes  pierce  into  the  Secrets  that  are  bu- 
 ried in  darknefs.  He  look'd  down  to  fee  pfai.  I39j 
 if  any  did  Jeek  after  God.  He  humbles 
 himfelf  to  heboid  the  things  that  are  done 
 in  Heaven  and  in  Earth.  \  There  pafles 
 nothing  unobferved;  Whether  /hall  I  fly 
 from  his  prefence  ?  If  we  afcend  into  the 
 Heavens^  he  is  there  in  his  Majefly  and 
 Tower ,  and  his  glorious  Troops  attend 
 I  4  *        his 
 
no 
 
 The  Fourth  Sermon. 
 
 Ephef.  hill  pleafure.  He  worketh  all  things  af~ 
 ter  the  Council  of  his  own  Will     Whatfo- 
 
 S&3'  ever  the  Lord  pleafed ,  that  did  he  both 
 in  heaven  and  in  earth,  in  the  fea  , 
 and  in  all  deep  places.  The  moft  ca- 
 fual  and  apparently  fortuitous  a&ions  are 
 ordered  by  his  Wifdom.  Nothing  fo 
 little,  but  it  falls  under  his  care :  He  is 
 not  a  little  Prince,  confin'd  to  the  Hills 
 ahd  Mountains  y  as  the  Aramites  pro- 
 fanely imagin'd ;  but  the  valleys  alfo  are 
 his.  The  young  Lions  roar  ,  and  Jeek 
 their  meat  from  Qod^  the  Lillies  of  the 
 field  are  adorned ;  not  a  Sparrow  falls  to 
 the  ground  without  your  Father ;  jour  ve- 
 ry hairs  are  all  numbered.    But, 
 
 x,  L  e  t  me  prefs  this  from  the  Na- 
 ture of  his  Law  $  the  fum  whereof  ob- 
 liges us  to  love  the  Lord  our  God,  with 
 all  our  heart,  with  all  oar  foul,  with  all 
 our  ftrength,  and  our  neighbour  as  our 
 felves.  The  Laws  of  Men  reftraia  our 
 hands  ,  and  determine  our  outward  mo- 
 tions: but  the  Laws  of  God  fet  bounds 
 to  our  very  thoughts,  He  that  gave 
 Man  underftanding  ,  fees  the  very  firft 
 rifmgs  of  our  inventions  3  and  there  is 
 nothing  appears  irregular  without ,  but 
 
 what 
 
TUn  Fourth  Sermon.  i  n 
 
 what  was  formed  within :  for  out  of  the  Matth. 
 heart  proceed  murders ,  adulteries,  &c. 
 And  therefore  the  Divine  Law  reaches 
 the  infide,  as  well  as  the  outfide  5  it 
 makes  a  very  cxa&Anatomyof  the  whole 
 Soul,  and  opens  up  our  hearts  unto  our 
 felves,  and  difcovers  what  we  knew  not 
 before ,  and  yet  now  we  know  to  be  ex- 
 aftly  true.  The  moft  intricate  cafes  are 
 comprehended  under  its  rules  and  dire- 
 ctions 5  if  the  grofler  ads  of  impiety  and 
 wickednefs  were  only  forbidden  ,  and 
 our  Souls  were  left  at  liberty  to  entertain 
 mifchievous  defigns  within  ,  then  we 
 fhould  want  the  moft  effe&ual  mean  to 
 heal  the  diftemper  of  our  Nature.  But 
 he  that  perfe&ly  knows  what  is  in  Man, 
 the  whole  frame  of  his  Soul,  the  contri- 
 vance ,  firft  rifings  ,  manifold  circum- 
 ftances  and  defign  of  all  his  a&ions,  hath 
 encircled  him  with  fuch  a  perfeft  Law  $ 
 a  Law  that  divides  between  the  Soul 
 and  the  Spirit,  and  is  a  difcerner  of  the 
 thoughts  of  the  heart. 
 
 This  Rule  is  fo  exaft  and  authori- 
 tative,  that  it  reaches  all  the  windings, 
 and  the  turnings  ol  the  Soul ;   the  moft 
 artificial  excufes  cannot  hide  our  inven- 
 tions 
 
i  %  i  Doe  Fourth  Sermon. 
 
 tions  from  that  piercing  Light  that  fhines 
 in  it ;  it  enters  into  the  clofeft  retire- 
 ments, and  fees  into  the  fecret  imagina- 
 tions. Its  authority  fits  fo  clofe  to  the 
 mind  of  Man  ,  that  it  can  no  more 
 fhake  its  force  ,  than  diveft  it  felf  of  its 
 own  Nature. 
 
 And  this  effe&ually  proveth  a  Su- 
 preme Dominion  of  our  Law  giver,  this 
 invifible  Authority  of  him  who  fees  our 
 hearts ,  and  hath  armed  our  Confciences 
 with  light  and  power  fufficient  toaccufe 
 us,  and  to  chaftife  us  with  its  fharp  re* 
 proofs,  for  our  inward  failings,  as  well  as 
 for  our  outward  mifcarriages. 
 
 A  N  D  if  the  Divine  Law  that  is  fold- 
 ed up  in  the  very  conftitution  of  the 
 Soul,  be  fo  powerful  and  piercing ;  God 
 cannot  but  abhor  thofe  fervices  and  com- 
 plemental  fubmiflions  of  fuch  as  approach 
 him  with  their  lips  ,  but  leave  their 
 hearts  behind  them  5  especially  when  we 
 confider  under  the  New  Teftament,  how 
 clearly  the  Law  of  Nature  was  explain'd 
 and  improv'd  beyond  the  Standard  of 
 Mofes  ,  by  our  Lor  J  and  Saviour ,  its 
 high  and  generous  Principles  by  which 
 
 we 
 
The  Fourth  Sermon.  i  %  i 
 
 we  are  a&ed  beyond  the  common  level 
 of  Mankind,  and  rais'd  to  a  participation 
 of  the  Divine  Nature.  This  is  it  that 
 enters  the  Soul  with  its  divine  power 
 and  efficacy,  and  (hikes  down  its  pride 
 under  tfye  Authority  of  God  and  Chrift. 
 It  leads  every  thought  captive  to  its  oh- 
 dience  9  we  are  more  than  Conquerours% 
 through  Jefus  Chrift  that  loved  us  i  So  far 
 from  being  captive  to  the  Law  of  Sjn, 
 that  we  can  do  all  things  through  Chrift 
 that  firengthens  us.  The  Difciples  of 
 MofesLaw,  did  vindicate  themfelves  to 
 the  people,  that  they  had  not  taken  ei- 
 ther Ox  or  Afs  by  violence  or  oppreffion ; 
 but  S.  /Wprotefts,  he  did  not  fo  much 
 as  covet  any  mans  /fiver  or  gold. 
 
 When  we  then  fufficiently  digeft 
 this  Meditation  of  the  Perfeftion  of  his 
 Law ,  we  muft  remember,  he  is  not  to 
 be  ferved  in  a  trifling,  indifferent  man- 
 ner ;  but  we  muft  meditate  in  his  Law 
 night  and  day.  So  the  Pfalmijl>  O  howp^i  t*L 
 love  1  thy  Law ,  it  is  my  meditation  night  Pfal. 
 and  day,  fweeter  than  the  honey  and  ihe 
 honeycomb.  Thofe  teftimonies  were  more 
 delicious  unto  him*  than  all  the  pleafures 
 of  Gold  and  Silver  :  In  the  glafs  of  this 
 
 Law* 
 
1 24  Ike  Fourth  Sermon^ 
 
 Law,  he  fa w  all  theblemiihes  of  his  Soul, 
 and  then  he  was  tranfported  with  the 
 beauty  and  purity  of  it.     The  Law  of  the 
 
 a1'19*   Lord  is  perfeS. 
 
 3.  I  urge  this  Truth  from  the  Na- 
 ture and  confideration  of  our  own  Souls, 
 their  force  and  a&ivity.  How  curious 
 is  it  in  its  enquiries  ?  how  fond  of  its 
 contemplations  >  Its  pleafures  arc  refin'd, 
 pure  and  Angelical ;  how  fwift  in  its 
 thoughts  from  Eaft  to  Weft  ?  it  flies 
 through  theEarth,it  makes  to  it  felf  Lad- 
 ders of  the  vifible  Creatures  to  climb 
 to  Heaven ,  that  it  may  fee  the  face  of 
 God. 
 
 Now  if  it  dwell  with  fo  much  vi- 
 gour and  complacency  on  lefler  obje&s, 
 how  vigoroufly  ftiould  it  adore  God  him- 
 felf,  the  firfl:  and  original  beauty  ? 
 
 Di  d  God  furnifh  our  Minds  with  fuch 
 noble  Powers,  only  to  till  the  ground,  or 
 make  provifion  for  the  Flefh,  and  beftow 
 fome  tranfient  thoughts  on  his  fervice 
 and  obedience  ?  No  certainly.  This 
 Soul  of  ours  that  can  grafp  fo  many 
 Truths,  and  lodge  them  together  without 
 
 con* 
 
The  Fourth  Sermon.  u  y 
 
 confufioa,  that  is  all  Life  and  Motion, 
 mud  beftow  its  nobleft  and  ftrongeft  de* 
 fires  on  God ;  there  needed  not  fuch  in- 
 telle&ual  furniture  to  feed  our  bellies, 
 and  feaft  our  fenfes.  The  Bead  enjoys 
 thofe  objefts  more  feelingly ,  and  with 
 greater  fatisfa&ion,  they  want  the  un- 
 eafie  alarms  of  Gonfcience ,  to  awaken 
 them  to  higher  things  ,  therefore  they 
 enjoy  them  without  difturbance  and  in- 
 terruption. But,  Poor  Man,  when  he  for* 
 gets  himfelf ,  and  hearkens  to  the  en- 
 chantments and  flatteries  of  Senfe  ,  can- 
 not fo  far  unite  with  thofe  defpicable 
 things ,  but  that  ftill  the  regrets  and 
 uneafie  refleftions  of  his  mind  call  him 
 higher,  and  reproach  him  when  he  for- 
 gets his  parentage  and  original. 
 
 I F  we  then  in  fome  meafure  under- 
 ftand  our  felves ,  know  but  the  frame 
 and  conftitution  of  our  own  Soul,  ob- 
 ferve  its  motions  and  a&ivity  ;  if  we 
 feel  the  manner  of  its  operations  and 
 refleftions ,  its  afpiring  ftrength  and  vi- 
 vacity 5  wemuft  conclude,  that  God  did 
 not  give  us  this  Soul,  to  ferve  him  negli- 
 gently and  carelefly  ,  but  to  beftow  up- 
 on him  our  higheft  adoration,  our  moft 
 
 profound 
 
n6  The  Fourth  Sermon. 
 
 profound  fubmiflions ,  our  decpefi;  ac- 
 knowledgments, our  moft  joyful  thankf- 
 givings  :  Nay,  never  to  reft  fatisfied  with 
 our  felves,  until  we  attain  to  that  habi- 
 tual delight  in  his  Worlhip ,  that  the 
 Angels  have  in  Heaven,  who  wait  with 
 their  Wings  ftretch'd,  ready  to  fly  when 
 he  commands. 
 
 Ou  k  Souls  are  fo  near  a  kin  to  thofe 
 bright  favourites  of  Heaven,that  though 
 we  cannot  run  fo  nimbly,  yet  ought  we 
 to  come  as  near  to  them  as  may  be. 
 Though  their  prefent  pofture  hath  fet 
 them  incomparably  beyond  us  ,  yet  we 
 feel  that  our  Souls  claim  their  kindred, 
 and  acquaintance.  'lis  true,  our  incum- 
 brances are  many ,  but  frequently  may 
 we  gain  ground,  and  let  our  Souls  know 
 their  heavenly  nature  and  a&ivity  9  that 
 they  needed  not  beopprefs'd  with  the 
 ^weight  of  the  Body  ,  nor  confin'd  to 
 -  thofe  Walls  of  Flefli ,  but  that  at  fome 
 time  or  other,  nay,  frequently,  we  may 
 eonverfc  with  God  himfelf. 
 
 Did  we  feel  the  honour  and  fatisfa- 
 &ion  of  thofe  flights  to  Heaven ;  how 
 they  fortjfie  the  mind  >  how  much  they 
 
 kfTett 
 
The  Fourth  Sermon.  yty 
 
 leflen  the  World  ;  how  much  they  efta- 
 blilh  the  Soul  in  its  choice ;  how  they 
 advance  our  Viftory  5  and  confirm  our 
 hopes  :  We  would  grow  more  bold  in 
 repelling  temptations  5  more  ardent  in 
 our  prayers  5  more  watchful  upon  our 
 guard  3  nay,  more  than  Conquer  our  s% 
 through  Jefus  Chrijl  that  loved  us.  Let 
 us  remember  then,  that  whether  we  con- 
 fider  God,  or  his  Law  -,  or  our  own 
 Souls.  We  muft  ferve  him  with  zeal 
 and  devotion  ,  with  our  ftrength  and 
 affection.  No  man  can  ferve  two  Mafiers. 
 
 4.  L  et  me  urge  this,  from  the  Pra- 
 ctice of  the  beft  of  Men.      The  zeal  ofvCA.6^; 
 thy  houfe    (  faith  the  Pfalmifi  J    hath 
 eaten  me  up.     Thy  Tejl monies  have  I  ta-  pfaj.  iI?i 
 ken  as  an  heritage  for  ever ;  for  they  are  Ul- 
 the  rejoicing  of  my  he  Art.     I  have  Jworn, 
 and  I  will  perform  it,  that  I  will  keep  thy 
 righteous  judgment  si     Hove  thy  command pfal. 
 ments  above  gold ,  yea,  above  fine  gold.y'll7' 
 Rivers  of  waters  run  down  mine  eyes,  be- 
 caufe   men    keep  not  thy  Law.     O  how 
 love   I   thy    Law  !    It  is  my   medita- 
 tion   all   the   day  ;     at   midnight    will 
 I  rife   to    give  thanks  unto  thee  ,    be- 
 caufe  of  thy  righteous  judgments.     Nay, 
 
 tne 
 
1 2  8  7be  Fourth  Sermon; 
 
 the  whole  Book  of  Pfalms  is  one  conti- 
 nued proof  of  his  zeal  and  fervour ,  and 
 h  is  fpent  in  the  admiration  of  all  his 
 glorious  Attributes.  And  this  is  fo 
 much  the  more  confiderable,  that  he  *as 
 a  Prime  of  much  bufinefs,  and  had  many 
 affairs  of  peace  and  war  to  difturb  his 
 thoughts  5  neither  the  crowd  of  people , 
 nor  the  toil  of  War,  nor  the  Government 
 of  his  Forces ,  nor  the  innumerable  af- 
 fairs ,  wherein  Kings  are  neceffarily  en- 
 gag'd,  could  make  him  forget  his  God.    As 
 
 pfal.40.1.^  Hart  panteth  after  the  water  brooks 9 
 fo  panteth  my  foul  after  the  living  God. 
 One  day  in  thy  houfe,  is  better  than  a  thou- 
 fand  elfewhere.  Hence  thofe  frequent 
 appeals  to  the  Omnifcience  of  God,  that 
 he  preferrd  his  worfhip  and  honour ,  be- 
 
 J>fal.4.  fore  his  chief e (I  joy.  Let  others  rejoice 
 in  their  corn  and  wine ^  but  Lord  light  tip* 
 on  us  the  light  of  thy  countenance. 
 
 From  David ,  I  may  go  to  Daniel 
 the  chief  Minifter  of  State  to  a  vaft  Em- 
 pire. He  was  not  diverted  from  his  De- 
 votion, neither  by  the  allurements  of  the 
 Court,  nor  the  malice  of  his  enemies,  \ 
 nor  the  avocations  of  bufinefs,  nor  the  I 
 threatnings  of  the  King ,  nor  the  terrors  I 
 
 of 
 
The  Fourth  Sermon]  12^ 
 
 of  the  Lyons  ,  buc  three  times  a  day, 
 his  windows  being  open,  he  fet  his  face 
 toward  Jerufalem  and  prayed. 
 
 From  Daniel  to  Mofes.  He  refused 
 to  be  call' d  the  Son  of  Pharaoh's  daughter  \ 
 he  chofe  rather  to  foffer  affli&ion  with  the 
 people  of  God ,  than  to  enjoy  the  pleafures 
 of  fin  for  a  Jeafon;  he  efleemed  the  re- 
 proach of  Chrifl  greater  riches  than  the 
 treafures  of  Egypt.  And  that  whole 
 Chapter  is  but  a  Catalogue  of  thofe 
 Worthies  who  ferved  God  with  zeal  and 
 vigour,  with  triumph,  and  courage,  and 
 refolution ,  that  became  the  heirs  of  an 
 invifible  recompence.  The  fame  Author 
 in  the  fixth  Chapter  exhorts  us  ,  not  to 
 be  flothful ,  but  followers  of  them ,  who 
 through  Faith  and  Patience  inherit  thi 
 prontTfes. 
 
 Now  if  we  leave  them  under  the 
 Old  Tejlament ,  and  confider  the  pra&ice 
 of  the  firft  Chriftians ;  how  remarkable 
 their  zeal,  how  charitable,  how  devour, 
 how  indefatigable  in  all  exercifes  of  Pi- 
 ety and  Devotion  5  how  ready  to  ex- 
 pofc  their  greateft  and  moft  valuable 
 concerns,  to  all  hazards,  for  the  defence 
 
v  I  o  Tl?e  Fourth  Sermm. 
 
 of  the  Gofpel  ?  How  little  did  they  va- 
 lue their  Lives  ?  how  ambitious  of  Mar- 
 tyrdom ?  Nay,  when  the  Blood  of  Jefus 
 was  but  lately  fhed,  it  was  fo  warm  up* 
 on  their  hearts,  that  it  kindled  a  fire  of 
 zeal,  that  no  fuffejjings  was  able  to 
 quench ;  fo  heroick  was  their  courage, 
 fo  unwearied  in  their  patience  ,  fo 
 conftant  in  all  Chriftian  performances. 
 2  Cor.  6.  J.  But  in  all  things  approving 
 our  f elves  as  the  Minifters  oj  Godwin  much 
 patience,  in  affliclions,  in  necej/ities,  in  di- 
 ftreffes,  in  ft  ripe  s ,  in  imprijonment^  in 
 tumult s9  in  la hours ,  in  watchings,  in  f  aft- 
 ings,  by  purenefs,  by  knowledge,  ly  long- 
 fafferings%  by  kindnefs,  by  the  Holy  Ghoft, 
 by  love  unfeigned.  And  not  only  the 
 Apoftles,  of  whom  principally  the  for- 
 mer Text  may  be  meant,  but  their  Pro- 
 felytes  alfo  to  Chriftianity,  became  fuch 
 eminent  inftances  of  the  moft  heroick 
 virtue,  even  the  weakeft  and  moft  igno- 
 rant, did  eclipfe  the  fame  of  the  greateft 
 Fhilofophers.  And  we  need  not  dwell 
 any  longer  on  this  Confideration  ;  we 
 may  take  it  for  granted,  that  the  pra&ice 
 of  the  bed  of  men  recommends  the 
 moft  ardent  and  vigorous  zeal. 
 
 But 
 
The  Fourth  Sermon.  1 5 i 
 
 But  5.  Let  us  confiderthe  oppofi- 
 tion  that  we   meet  with.     The  World 
 arms  it  felf  againft  us  by  its  pra&ices, 
 and  tentations.    We  are  furrounded  on 
 the  right,  and  on  the  left  hand  with  ene- 
 mies 5   the  whole  Scene  oi  our  Life  is  a 
 Warfare ;  we  are  no  fooner  baptiz'd,than 
 we  are  lifted  under  our  Saviour's  Ban- 
 ners, to  wreftle  with  all  difficulties ;  and 
 nothing    that    is  truly   good    can  be 
 brought  to  perfe&ion ,     without  ftrug- 
 ling  and  oppofition.      Hence  fo  many 
 Exhortations ,  that  prefuppofe  our  dan- 
 ger and  militant  ftate.     Watch  and  pray  : 
 Work   oat  your  falvation  with  fear    and 
 trembling.      Be  fober,  be  vigilant  5    for  *  Cor.i& 
 your   adverfary    the  Devil  goeth  about.  I3* 
 Watch  ye ,  ft  an  d  f aft  in  the  faith  ;     quit 
 you  like  wen,    be  ftrong.      Put  on  theEph6.it. 
 whole  armour  of  God ,  for  we  wre(ile  not 
 againft  flefh  and  bloody  but  againft  princi- 
 palities and  powers ,  againft  the  rulers  of 
 darknefs  in  this  world. 
 
 When  our  frailties  and  weakneffes 
 
 are  fo  many,  when  our  corruptions  are 
 
 fo  ftrong,  our  circumftances  fo  intricate, 
 
 K  a  our 
 
i  j  z  The  fourth  Sermon] 
 
 our  tentations  difguis'd  under  variety  of 
 appearances  ;  our  enemies  numerous  , 
 fubcile  and  unwearied  5  when  we  row 
 againft  the  ftream  and  current  of  infe- 
 riour  appetites ;  judge  whether  we  fhould 
 Eccl  o  obey  the  advice  of  Solomon  %  Whatfoever 
 '  thy  h&nd  findeth  to  do ,  do  it  voith  all  thy 
 wight^  for  there  is  no  work ,  nor  know- 
 ledge, nor  wifdom,  nor  device  in  the  grave 
 . .  whither  thou  goeft.  Work  to  day ,  for  the 
 night  cometh  on  ,  wherein  no  man  (hall  be 
 able  to  work.  Nay,  the  very  Graces  of 
 the  Holy  Ghoft  fuppofe  the  oppofition 
 that  we  are  to  meet  with ;  meeknefs,  pa- 
 tience, long  -differing/  humility,  refigna- 
 tion,  forgiving  of  injuries,  do  in  a  pe- 
 culiar manner  make  up  the  image  ofje- 
 Jus  Chrift.  The  very  nature  of  thofe 
 Graces  ,  is  to  fmooth  over ,  and  bear 
 with  die  more  harfli  and  unpleafant  cir- 
 cumftances  of  our  life,  and  do  fuppofe 
 the  mod  iervent  and  zealous,  the  moft 
 refolute  and  generous  temper  of  Soul  to 
 be  necefTary. 
 
 But  6.  The  former  mifcarriages  of 
 our  life  fhould  alarm  us  to  repentance, 
 care  and  caution  for  the  time  to  come. 
 
 Strive 
 
m  The  Fourth  Sermon.  133 
 
 Strive  to  enter  in  at  the  fir  ait  gate  ,  to 
 prefs  toward  the  mark ,  for  the  prize  of  the 
 high  calling  of  God.  How  happy  a  thing 
 would  it  be,  if  we  ferved  God  with  fo 
 much  cheerfulnefs  and  alacrity ,  as  wc 
 ferved  Satan,  and  our  felves !  Formerly 
 we  went  forward  to  Hell  in  a  full  carere, 
 like  the  fwift  Dromedary,  or  an  untam'd 
 Heifer ,  or  like  the  Horfe  that  rufheth 
 into  the  Battel  3  or  like  the  wild  Oftrich, 
 to  whom  God  gave  no  Wifdom,  We 
 took  complacency  to  be  carried  down 
 the  ftream  with  rapid  violence  and  fury ; 
 filch  the  Apoftle  to  Titus  defcribes  the 
 former  and  unconverted  ftate  of  the  rege- 
 nerate to  have  been  3  For  we  our  felves 
 alfo  were  fometimesfoolifh,  difoledient,de- Tlt-  3  * 
 ceived,  ferving  divers  lufls  and  pleafures^ 
 hateful^  and  hating  one  another. 
 
 As  Men  of  robuft  and  healthful  con- 
 ftitutions  ,  when  they  recover  out  of  a 
 Fever  3  Nature  in  them  very  quickly 
 fortifies  it  felf  againft  the  next  invafion. 
 Thus  when  the  Grace  and  Love  of  Je- 
 fas  enters  our  hearts,  and  batters  down 
 pride  and  felf- will  3  whenChrift  by  his 
 viftorious  and  ftrong  hand,  hath  bound 
 
 Kj  the     f 
 
134  ^e  Fourth  Sermon. 
 
 the  ftrong  Man  3  then  the  Divine  Nature 
 erects  its  beautiful  Trophies  upon  the 
 ruine  of  the  old  Man :  and  the  regenerate 
 is  revenged  upon  himfelf,    for  having 
 
 2  Cor.  7.  abus'd  fo  good,  and  (o  gracious,  and  fo 
 
 Xu        bountiful  a  Redeemer. 
 
 But  7.  Add  to  all  this,  the  peculiar 
 obligations  of  Chriftianity.  We  are 
 bought  voith  the  Hood  of  Jefus,  we  are  not 
 our  own, we  are  hough  t  with  a  price:  there- 
 fore let  us  furrender  our  felves  entirely 
 unto  him,  that  gave  himfelf  for  us. 
 
 8.  The  Slavery  that  they  undergo, 
 who  ferve  fin,  fliould  add  force  to  this 
 Confideration.  The  fervice  of  fin  ex- 
 haufts  the  Spirits  ,  and  wearies  the  {in- 
 ner even  to  defpair  and  damnation ;  on 
 the  contrary  ,  the  way  of  virtue  is 
 fmooth,   regular,    even   and  pleafant : 
 
 Proverbs ""  ^er  wa)es  are  wajes  of  pleafantnefs,  and 
 all  her  paths  are  peace.  Vice  is  rugged  and 
 intricate,    full  of  labyrinths  and  turn- 
 Jeremiah,  ings  ;  and  the  wicked  weary  themfelves 
 to  commit  iniquity. 
 
The  Fourth  Sermon.  i  j  $ 
 
 IThink,  any  one  of  thofe  Confide- 
 rations  may  ftartle  us  out  of  our  fecu- 
 rity  ,    and  awaken  us  to  lay  hold  upon 
 eternal  life,  to  go  forward  without  we  a* 
 rinefs ,   in  the  race  that  is  fet  before  us. 
 No  man  having  put  his  hand  to  the  plough,  Luke  9. 
 and  looking  back,  is  fit  for  the  kingdom  of  6l' 
 God.     Know  ye  not ,    that  they  which  run  t  c0r.  9. 
 in  a  race  ,  run  all,  but  one  obtaineth  the  *4« 
 prize. 
 
 But  I haften  to  the  fecond Particu- 
 lar ;  and  that  is ,  the  regular  Method  of 
 his  Zeal  and  Devotion.  He  prefs'd  to- 
 ward the  mark  ;  in  the  way  marked  out 
 by  the  Matter  of  the  Game.  There  are 
 very  many  zealous  enough ,  but  their 
 zeal  is  blind, turbulent  and  factious:  the 
 Chriftian  zeal  afts  ftrongly ,  but  pru- 
 dently; difcreetly  and  humbly  3  and  in 
 fubordination  to  them  whomGod  hath  fee 
 over  us.  In  the  fire  of  Hell,  there  is 
 heat,  without  light  ;  and  the  fury  of 
 zealots  refembles  it  much ;  or  rather  is 
 the  beginning  of  it.  We  are  not  only 
 to  be  a£tive  in  our  Chriftian  courfe  : 
 but  we  are  to  order  our  Motion,  by  the 
 Rules  of  our  Inftitution. 
 
 K  4  It 
 
u  6  The  Fourth  Sermon. 
 
 I T  is  not  enough  to  runftrongly  and 
 fwiftly  for  carrying  the  prize }  but  one 
 muft  alfo  run  within  his  Circle  and 
 Sphere,  elfeby  the  Laws  of  the  Game  he 
 falls  fhort. 
 
 M  y  meaning  is  ,  when  we  run  to- 
 ward the  Mark  in  the  Chriftian  courfe, 
 we  muft  aft  in  all  our  performances, 
 like  the  Difciples  of  that  Inftitution,  and 
 like  the  Spirit  of  Chrifltanity,  and  though 
 we  come  fliort  of  perfeftion,  yet  our  ha- 
 bitual byafs  being  the  Love  of  Jefus>  we 
 move  toward  the  Mart  »  and  in  our 
 way  though  clogged  with  many  infir- 
 mities. 
 
 No  w  this  Genius  and  Spirit  of  Chri- 
 fiianity,  difcovers  it  felf,  I. By  the  fim- 
 plicity  of  our  intentions.  Matth.  6.  ai. 
 The  light  of  the  body  is  the  eye,  if  there- 
 fore  thine  eye  he  fingle  ,  thy  whole  body 
 fiall  be  full  of  light.  By  the  fingle  eye, 
 in  the  judgment  of  moft,  is  meant,  the 
 fingle  and  habitual  defign  and  refolu- 
 tion  of  advancing  the  glory  of  God  : 
 v/hcn  this  runs  through  all  our  aftions 
 
 (fup- 
 
the  Fourth  Sermon.  157 
 
 (  fuppofe  the  matter  of  them  good  and 
 allowable)  though  they  be  deprefc'dby 
 many  imperfeft  adherences,  yet  we  are 
 fure  of  acceptance  :  for  God  loves  to 
 take  up  his  refidence  with  men  of  fingle 
 and  fincere  intentions. 
 
 2.  This  is  known  by  our  difengage- 
 ment  from  the  World  :  the  Genius  of 
 our  Religion  is  dated  againft  it,  and  all 
 its  raoft  ordinary  practices,  fraud,  diffi- 
 mulation,  vain  glory ,  the  fatisfaflion  of 
 any  of  our  appetites ,  againft  the  Rules 
 ofJefusChrift,  is  of  the  World,  and  con* 
 tradi&s  the  Spirit  of  Jeftts  :  for  by  it  1  John  2. 
 we  are  infpired  to  contemn  it,and  defpife 
 
 all  its  trifling  enjoyments,  and  to  fquare 
 all  our  a£Hons,  with  an  eye  to  immorta- 
 lity and  eternity.  Love  not  the  World, 
 neither  the  things  that  are  in  the  World* 
 
 3.  This  Spirit  is  known  by  the  Do* 
 minion  over  our  Paflions ,  and  the  vi- 
 ctory we  have  over  tentations.  The  paffi- 
 pns  in  the  Soul  have  their  true  ufe  ( grief, 
 fear,  joy  and  anger )  when  they  come, 
 and  go  at  the  command  of  Reafon.  They 
 
 arc 
 
j  3  8  7be  Fourth  Sermon. 
 
 are  not  to  be  extirpated  as  the  Stoicks 
 vainly  pretended  ,  but  they  are  to  be 
 kept  in  awe,  and  within  their  bounds, 
 as  the  paffions  in  the  hlejfed  Jefus  were. 
 Now  if  we  move  thus  in  our  Chriflian 
 Race,  we  move  ftreight  toward  the 
 Mark,  and  in  the  way  that  our  Lord 
 Jefus  marked  for  us  :  and  this  will  un- 
 doubtedly carry  us  to  the  prize  propos'd 
 by  our  Saviour ;  which  is  the  third  Parti- 
 cular I  was  to  (peak  to. 
 
 Thirdly,  Th  e  Prize  of  the  High  Cal- 
 ling, ms  Jvoc  %}Jiov@4 '  Dum  in  fullimi 
 federunt  Brahgutai&s  the  Learned  Grotius 
 hath  it  ,  thofe  publick  Judges  of  the 
 Game ,  gave  the  fignal  from  on  high, 
 to  alarm  the  Competitors  to  make  them- 
 felves  ready.  And  the  Son  of  God 
 came  down  from  Heaven,  and  reveal'd 
 Immortality  as  the  Prize;  and  he  alarms 
 the  World  by  the  Gofpel,  to  defpife  the 
 prefent  Scene  of  things ,  and  to  carry 
 their  thoughts  beyond  this  little  Globe, 
 to  that  life  that  is  pure,  durable,  and  in 
 the  prefence  of  God  for  ever  5  this  is  (o 
 ftrong,  that  nothing  but  Inconfideration 
 makes  men  neglect  it  O  Eternity !  O  E- 
 
 ternity ! 
 
77;e  Fourth  Sermon.  139 
 
 ternity !  who  can  comprehend  it  ?   who 
 can  without  madnefs  forget  it  ?   and  re- 
 membringit,  who  can  but  defpife  all Colofl^.i 
 things  in  comparifon  with  it  f 
 
 To  God  the  Father >  Son  and 
 Holy  Ghofti  le  all  Power 
 andGloryfor  ever.  Amen. 
 
SI 
 
 SERMON 
 
 O   N 
 
 zVkr.  i.  ch.  i.  v.  4. 
 
 Whereby  are  given  unto  us  exceeding 
 great  and  precious  promifes  ;  that 
 by  thefe  you  might  be  partakers  of 
 the  divine  nature,  having  efcaped  the 
 corruption  that  is  in  the  world 
 through  lufi. 
 
 Vid.Grotl 
 
 IT  is  not  my  prefent  defign  to  arpufe 
 you,  with  any  Enquiry  about  the 
 Author  of  this  Epiftle,  whether  he  ^aiwr, 
 was  S.Peter  the  Apoftle\  or  S.  Si* qu*  £c* 
 meoH,x\\Q  immediate  Succeflbr  of  S.  James  ™rJ™sJ 
 Btjbop  of  Jerufalem,  as  is  mod  probable.  pp% 
 
 My 
 
J4i  the  Fifth  Sermon. 
 
 My  J?ufinefs  is  rather  to  invite  your  at- 
 tention to  the  important  Truths  that 
 are  containd  inthisVerfe;  which  need 
 but  little  explication,  when  we  look  back 
 into  the  former.  For  the  Glory  and 
 Power  of  God  appear'd  fo  confpicuous 
 in  the  Miniftry  of  our  Saviour ,  that  In- 
 fidelity becomes  inexcufable;  and  it  is 
 by  that  Glory  and  Power,  that  the  great 
 and  precious  Promiles  of  the  Gofpel  are 
 given  unto  us. 
 
 When  the  Gofpel  was  to  be  efta- 
 bliih'd,  and  the  Kingdom  ofparknefs  to 
 be  pull'd  down,  there   was  a  neceffity 
 that  the  arm  of  God  Ihould  appear  bare 
 in  the  defence  of  the  firft,  that  he  might 
 confound  the  arts  and  delufuuis  of  the 
 other.     The  Author  puts  the  believing 
 Jews  in   mind  of  this  demonftration  in 
 the  Verfe  preceeding  the  Text :  for  the 
 GofpeJ  appear'd   in  its  beginnings ,  full 
 of  glory  and  power.      And  afterwards 
 he  argues ,    that  the  teftimony  of  the 
 Apoftles  could   not  be  reje&ed   ;     for 
 they  were  eye-witnefles  of  his  Majefty. 
 They  did  not  follow  cunningly  devisd  fa- 
 Iks  5    they  were  moft  unlikely  of  all 
 men  to  impofe  upon  the  World,  being 
 
 deftitute 
 
The  Fifth  Sermon]  145 
 
 deftitute  of  that  artifice  and  fubtilty  that 
 recommend  fecular  interefts  and  contri- 
 vances. And  therefore  the  Ghriftians 
 might  without  any  fcruple  or  fear,  re- 
 ceive  the  Gofpel  ,  as  the  undoubted 
 Truth  of  God  ;  the  infallible  Method 
 of  his  Wifdom  for  the  recovery  of  {Man- 
 kind. 
 
 Th  &  Text  is  the  abftradt:  of  the  whole 
 Gofpel,  having  couch'd  in  it  the  Hiftory 
 of  our  Mifery  and  Recovery ;  and  the 
 method  whereby  this  wonderful  con- 
 trivance was  accomplifh'd.  In  fpeaking 
 to  it,  I  fum  up  all  I  have  to  fay  in  thefe 
 four  Particulars. 
 
 i.That  there  is  a  Corruption  in  the 
 
 World. 
 
 2.  That  this  Corruption  may  be 
 efcaped. 
 
 3.  Th  A  t  we  efcape  this  Corruption, 
 by  the  great  and  precious  Promifes  of 
 the  Gofpel. 
 
 4.  Th  a  t  the  Defign  and  Tendency  of 
 the  Promifes,  is  to  make  us  partakers  of 
 the  Divine  Nature.  1.  I 
 
1 44  37*  Ftwrf/;  Sermon. 
 
 i.  There  is  a  Corruption  in  the 
 World.  We  have  the  Teftimony  of 
 *  Epift.  S.  y^«  to  this  great  Truth,  that  the  whole 
 "J°  n*  world  lyes  in  wickcdnefs  :  and  this  is  very 
 evident,  if  we  confider,  i.Theoppofi- 
 tion  and  flrugglings  that  we  feci  within 
 our  felves,  before  we  are  illuminated  by 
 the  Gofpel.  2.  The  flow  progrefs  of 
 Grace  after  we  are  illuminated.  And 
 3.  The  Relapfes  of  the  beft  of  Men  into 
 their  former  faults  and  failings. 
 
 1.  I  say,  Do  but  confider  the  ftrug- 
 lings  of  our  Reafon  againft  our  Corrupts 
 ons,  before  we  are  acquainted  with  the 
 Gofpel.  And  this  proves  fufficiently, 
 that  we  have  an  unhappy  byafs  in  our 
 Nature ,  to  oppofe  the  Dictates  of  Rea- 
 fon ,  as  well  as  Revelation.  We  are 
 made  up  of  Body  and  Spirit  5  there  is  a 
 Law  in  the  Members ,  bringing  into  Ca- 
 ptivity the  Law  of  the  Mind;  eroding  its 
 counfels  and  dejigns ;  bowing  and  bend- 
 ing its  mod  heroick  refolutions ;  what  a 
 load  do  we  feel,  when  we  would  fly  to- 
 wards Heaven?  Ourfenfual  inclinations 
 and  propenfions  baffle  and  affront  the 
 Sovereignty  of  the  Mind.      And    the 
 
 School* 
 
The  Fifth  Sermon.  147 
 
 Schools  of  all    the  Pagan  Philofopkers  \ 
 feemto  reafon  from  this  Truth,  as  from 
 the   univerfal   experience   of  Mankind. 
 We  teel  fuch  inteftine  commotions  be- 
 tween our  Reafon  and  our  lower  Appe- 
 tites,   that  the  one  is  run  down  againft 
 its  natural  tendencies  $    opprefled  and 
 buried  under  the  drudgeries  of  the  Bo- 
 dy :   So  chat  we  cannot  but  fee  and  feel 
 the  decayes  of  our  firft  Beauty,  the  la- 
 mentable ruins  of  our  original    frame. 
 And  this  needs  neither  proof  nor  illu- 
 flration,  to  any  that  is  fo  far  acquainted 
 with  himfelf ,   as  to  reflect  on  his  own 
 ads  and  inward  motions.      How  fre- 
 quently is  he  hurried  to  follow  the  im- 
 portunity of  his  Senfes  againft  the  clear- 
 eft  light  of  his  Soul  >  How  often  baffled 
 in  hisbeft  thoughts,  by  their  unreafona- 
 ble  clamour  and  noife  >    In  one  word, 
 when  we  would  prove  that  there  is  a  cor- 
 ruption in  the  World  ,  we  need  no  more 
 than  bid  men  of  ingenuity  and  confide-  1 
 ration  look   within   chemfelves  5    and 
 they  muft  acknowledge  the  great  difor- 
 der  that  attends  on  moft  of  their  acti- 
 ons, and  that  it  proceeds  from  fomc  un- 
 happy principle   of  Corruption  ,     that 
 maintains  a   conftant  War  againft  the 
 L  Spirit. 
 
146  The  Fifth  Sermon. 
 
 Spirit.  What  God  made ,  was  beauti- 
 ful and  harmonious;  the  Soul  of  Man, 
 as  well  as  his  Countenance  ,  looked  to- 
 wards Heaven  ;  his  lower  faculties  were 
 then  calm  and  obedient.  But  when  we 
 view  him  in  his  prefent  condition ,  we 
 feel  that  he  is  miserable ;  and  his  great- 
 eft  infelicity  is,  that  he  knows  not  (  of 
 himfcif )  where  to  find  his  remedy. 
 
 2,  This  is  clear,  if  we  confiderthe 
 flow  progrefs  of  Grace,  after  we  are  ac 
 quainted  with  the  Gofpel.  This  cor- 
 ruption is  fo  inveterate  and  fo  deeply 
 rooted  ,  that  even  when  we  are  refcu'd 
 from  its  tyranny ,  it  yet  molefts  our 
 peace  ,  and  difturbs  our  quiet.  We 
 mufl:  fight  after  we  are  in  pofleffion  of 
 Canaan ,  as  well  as  when  we  ftruggled 
 with  our  enemies  in  the  Wilckmefs. 
 My  meaning  is ,  that  the  Canaamte  is 
 ftill  in  the  Land  j  and  the  moft  fignal 
 Vi&ory  leaves  feme  remains  of  the  Ene- 
 my ,  though  fcatter5d  and  broken ,  yet 
 they  are  very  troublefome  and  un- 
 cafie. 
 
 Such  is  the  ftrength  and  enchant- 
 ment of  tcntations ,  fuch  the  fubtilty  of 
 
 our 
 
Tlx  Fifth  Sermon.  \  47 
 
 our  enemies  ,  the  infirmity  of  our  Na- 
 ture, and  the  foft  infinuations  of  Senfe, 
 that  unlefs  we  keep  the  ftrifteft  watch, 
 we  lofemore  ground  in  a  moment,  than 
 we  are  able  to  recover  in  a  confiderable 
 time.  And  though  we  feel  our  felves 
 fometimes  full  of  lite  and  alacrity,  to  rim 
 the  race  that's  fet  before  us  3  yet,  in  an 
 inftant  fuch  wearinefs  creeps  over  all  our 
 faculties,  that  we  grow  lumpifh  and  hea- 
 vy, cold  and  unattive  as  the  Earth.  So 
 difficult  a  thing  it  is  to  climb  up  the 
 Hill,  to  row  againft  the  ftream,to  change 
 -the  oldcuftoms  of  our  Nature;  to  pull 
 up  inveterate  habits,  and  to  crucijie  the 
 fiejh,  with  the  ajfetlions  and  Ujls  thereof. 
 
 S  o  backward  are  we  to  receive  the 
 impreflions  of  the  Gofpel,  that  when  our 
 Souls  are  form'd  into  the  Image  cf  Jefus 
 Chrift,  we  again  look  back  unto  Egypt. 
 God  is  provoked  every  moment  to  de- 
 fert  us  s  his  Graces  are  not  improved, 
 his  Spirit  is  refilled,  his  love  defpifed ; 
 fo  flowly  goes  our  Vi&ory  forward  ,  af- 
 ter full  and  plain  Convictions,  the  mod 
 folemn  Vows,and  deliberate  Refolutions. 
 If  the  Light  of  the  Gofpel,  in  conjunction 
 with,  and  fuperadded  to  our  Rcafon, 
 L  %  conquers 
 
i 4  8  T7;e  K/t  h  Sermon. 
 
 conquers  our  Corruption  fo  flowly  $  we 
 muft  conclude  ,  that  it  is  very  deeply 
 rooted  inourNatures  efpecially  when 
 we  confider, 
 
 3.  The  relapfes  of  the  beft  of  Men 
 into  their  former  follies.  Nothing  proves 
 more  the  weaknefs  of  Humane  Nature, 
 than  the  remarkable  failings  of  Wife  and 
 Religious  Men.  And  ic  is  obfervable , 
 that  the  Divine  Providence  hath  fome- 
 times  permitted  the  moft  eminent  Saints 
 to  fall  into  the  very  fins  that  they  moft 
 abhorr'd,  and  were  moft  oppofite  unto 
 their  habitual  refolutions.  What  more 
 inconfiftent  with  the  generous  and  war* 
 like  Spirit  of  David ,  than  by  treachery 
 and  bafenefs  to  expofe  his  faithful  Ser- 
 vant Vriah  to  unavoidable  mine  and  de- 
 ftruftion  ?  What  more  unagreeable  to 
 the  Wifdom  of  Solomon  ,  than  to  profti- 
 tute  his  Royal  Authority  to  the  humors 
 and  fancies  of  fo  many  Women  ?  Was 
 there  any  thing  more  unlike  the  zeal 
 and  courage  of  S.  Peter  ,  than  to  be  fo 
 foon  frighted  at  the  Challenge  of  a  poor 
 Maid  ?  If  we  are  kept  from  the  moft 
 notorious  Crimes,  we  fhould  wholly 
 impute  it  to  the  Grace  and  Favour  of 
 God.  The 
 
The  Fifth  Sermon,  l^p 
 
 The  danger  and  prevailing  force,  the 
 univerfality  and  pertinacious  obftinacy 
 of  this  Corruption  ,  cannot  be  better  ex- 
 prefs'd,  than  in  the  Language  of  the  Ho* 
 \y  Scriptures.  *  We  are  tranfigrefforsfrom  *  ifa.  48. 
 the  womb;  +  fbapen  in  iniquity ,  and  con-  *•*- 
 ceived  in  fin.  *  Branches  of  the  Wild*^^] 
 Olive.  f  Naturally  dead  in  trejpajfes 
 and  fins.  *  Born  only  of  the  Fle(h.  Sin  t  Eph.2.  r . 
 is  prefient  with  us,  and  doth  fo  eafily  le- 
 ft t  us.  We  are  become  Jervants  unto 
 fin  5  and  in  the  Apoftle's  phrafe,  brought 
 into  bondage.  And  this  is  the  reafon 
 why  molt  men  are  paft  all  feeling ;  their 
 Confidences  being  feared  with  a  hot  iron  ; 
 they  are  deaf  unto  the  fuggeftions  of 
 the  Spirit ;  fecure  againft  all  the  Threats 
 of  the  Law  5  they  are  not  wrought  up- 
 on either  by  hopes  or  fears  5  and  in  a 
 word,  they  ftand  out  againfl:  the  variety 
 of  Gods  methods. 
 
 ,  Wh  e  n  we  reflett  upon  the  former 
 Truth  with  attention  }  It  teaches  us  hu- 
 mility. For  if  this  Corruption  be  fo  in-J°b  '* -1* 
 feftious,  fo  pertinacious,  and  fo  difficult- 
 ly cur'd  ;  may  not  wc  infer  with  Eli- 
 phaz  thp  Temanite  ,  What  is  man  that  he 
 L  j  Should 
 
150  Tl?e  Fifth  Sermm. 
 
 fhould  be  clean  ?  and  he  which  is  horn  of 
 a  Woman  ,  that  he  fhould  be  right ebus  £ 
 *•  i5«  Behold  he  putteth  no  trufl  in  his  Saints, 
 yea  ,  the  heavens  are  not  clean  in  his 
 fight  ,  how  much  more  abominable  and 
 filthy  is  man,  which  drinketh  iniquity  like 
 ivater. 
 
 When  we  remember  that  we  have 
 been  made  a  little  lower  than  the  An- 
 gels9  crowned  with  glory  and  dignity  ,  yet 
 now  fali'n  in  a  manner  below  the  Beads 
 that  perifh  ;  that  cur  underftandings  are 
 darknedwith  ignorance  and  error;  and; 
 our  Souls  become  the  habitations  of  ma- 
 ny paffions;  ought  not  this  confideration 
 alone,  to  take  down  our  pride  and  va- 
 nity >  There  is  not  a  more  compendi- 
 /  ous  method  to  attain  true  humility,  than 
 J  to  be  acquainted  with  thy  felf  5  the  di- 
 feafes  of  our  Body  are  fo  many  ,  that 
 Phyficians  have  not  names  for  them  5 
 and  the  weaknefles  of  our  Mind  are  ma- 
 ny more.  So  many  are  the  toffings  and 
 contradi&ions  of  our  though^,  the  mul- 
 tiplicity of  our  fancies  ;  the  rovings  and 
 variety  of  our  imaginations,  that"  in  a 
 minute  we"  may  learn,  that  evety  man  at 
 his  lejl  eftate  is  altogether  vanity: 
 
 Can 
 
The  Fifth  Sermon.  1  5  1 
 
 C  a  N  there  be  then  any  enquiry  more 
 feafonable  and  more  profitable,  than  to 
 ask,  if  this  Corruption  may  be  efcaped  ? 
 And  this  leads  me  to  the  fecond  Par- 
 ticular that  I  promis'd  to  fpeak  to  3  and 
 that  is, 
 
 2.  That  this  Corruption  may  be 
 efcaped.  And  this  I  (hall  endeavour  to 
 make  clear,  from  thefe  three  Confidera- 
 tions.  1 .  The  Remorfe  of  our  own  Con- 
 fciences.  2.  The  Pleadings  and  Expo- 
 ftulations  of  God  himfelf  m  the  Holy 
 Scriptures.  3.  The  Strength,  Nature 
 and  Efficacy  of  Spiritual  Ailiftances  of- 
 fered in  the  Gofpel. 
 
 1.  I  say,  Confider  the  Remorfe  of 
 Confcience.    S.  Paul  is  witnefs,  that  the 
 very  Heathens  had  it,  when  they  tranf- 
 grefs'd  the  Laws  of  Nature,  the  Soul  did 
 punifh  it  felf  by  remorfe  and  bitter  refle- 
 ctions 3  and  when  they  were  innocent, 
 there  innocence  was   an  invifible  fup- 
 port  againft  all  Calumnies  and  Reproa- 
 ches.    Their  thoughts  did  both  accufe  Rom.  1 
 and  excufe.      I  would    gladly  know  , 
 I  whence  the  uneafinefs  of  a  Man's  mind, 
 I  upon  the  wilful  violation  of  God's  Law 
 L  4  arifes  ? 
 
1 5  2  The  Fifth  Sermon. 
 
 i  arifes  ?    The  fevcre  regrets  and  piercing 
 thoughts,  wherewith  the  Soul  ladies  her 
 /  felf,   if  there  were  no  other  Argument 
 :.   to  prove  the  whole  of  Natural  Religion, 
 f  this  remorfe    alone    mull  neceflarily  in- 
 fer, and  defend  all  its  Principles.  '   Do 
 wre  ufe  to  blame  our  felves,  becaufe  we 
 do  not  fly  with   Wings  ,     becaufe  we 
 cannot  meafure  the  Heavens,  drain  the 
 Seas  ,  or  remove  Mountains  >    No  cer- 
 tainly. 
 
 Th  e  remorfe  of  Confcience  feeds  it 
 felf  with  this  thought  alone  ,  that  the 
 evil  which  we  have  committed,  might 
 have  been  avoided.  And  if  there  be  no 
 ground  for  any  fuch  thought,  there  is 
 no  more  place  for  any  degrees  of  this 
 remorfe  of  Confcience.  Liften  then  to 
 the  fuggeflions  of  thy  own  mind,and  you 
 (hall  immediately  feel,  that  you  might 
 have  done  otherwife  }  that  you  might 
 have  followed  that  which  is  jufl:  and 
 right ,  and  have  avoided  that  very  fin, 
 for  which  thou  art  fo  feverely  chaftis'd 
 and  laih'd  by  thy  Conference :  elfe  whence 
 is  this  lharp  and  p?ercing  torture  of  thy 
 mind ,  upon  the  commiflion  of  wilful 
 and  deliberate  fins  ? 
 
 Epi- 
 
The  Fifth  Sermon.  1 5  5 
 
 E  P  i  c  T  E  T  u  s  his  Philofopky  may  be 
 reduc'd  to  thefe  two.  1.  To  order  pru- 
 dently  the  things  that  fall  within  our, 
 power.  2.  To  differ  cheerfully  that 
 which  we  cannot  poffibly  avoid.  And 
 the  Light  of  Nature  could  not  poflibly 
 prefcribe  a  more  excellent  method  to  at- 
 tain true  tranquillity  of  Spirit.  When 
 thou  art  then  moft  impartial  in  the  fur- 
 vey  of  chy  Confcience,  tell  me  fincerely, 
 whom  do  you  blame?  and  if  you  blame 
 your  felf ,  then  is  it  purely  upon  this 
 account :  becaufe  you  might  have  re- 
 formed the  faults  and  omiffions  that  are 
 then  under  confederation. 
 
 2.  This  Truth  appears  from  the 
 pathetick  expoftulacions  of  God  in  the 
 Holy  Scriptures.  He  as  it  were  comes 
 down  from  his  Throne  of  Majefly  ,  and 
 ftoopsto  reafon  the  cafe  with  incorri- 
 gible Tinners.  He  pleads  with  them 
 from  acknowledge  Principles  of  Reafon, 
 as  if  he  flood  upon  even  ground;  not 
 to  upbraid  them  with  their  weakneffes, 
 but  to  provoke  their  ingenuity  ;  to 
 work  upon  all  their  Paffions ;  to  affauic 
 their  Souls  on  all  quarcers  3    to  fee  if 
 
 they 
 
154  ^  fifth  Sermon: 
 
 Ifa.  1. 1 8,  they  will  repent  and  be  reclaim'd.  Come 
 now  and  let  us  reafon  together  f  faith  the 
 Lord)  though  your  fins  be  as  fear  let,  they 
 Jhall  belts  white  as  [novo  5  though  they  be 
 red  like  crimfon ,  they  jhall  be  as  wooll. 
 
 Jer.  2.  5-  Thus  faith  the  Lord,  What  iniquity  have 
 your  fathers  found  in  me  ,  that  they  are 
 gone  fat  from  me,  and  have  walked  after 
 vanity ,   and  are   become   vain  $    And 
 
 v.io,u.-  again,  Pafs  over  the  Ifles  ofChittim,  and 
 fee,  and  fend  unto  Kedar,  and  confider  di> 
 ligently  ;  and  fee  if  there  be  fuch  a 
 thing  }  Hath  a  Nation  changed  their  Gods, 
 which  are  yet  no  Gods  £  But  my  people 
 have  changed  their  glory  ,  for  that  which 
 doth  not  profit.  Be  aftonifbed  0  ye  he  a- 
 vens,  at  this  !  and  be  horribly  afraid. 
 And  again,  Hear  now,  0  houfe  of  Jfrael  ! 
 
 Ezek.i  .  afe  mt  my  wayS  equal  ^  are  n0f  y0ur  ways 
 
 unequal.  Sometimes  he  courts  their  Paf- 
 fions,  by  the  moft  powerful  Charms  all 
 crowded  together ,  in  a  drain  of  pity, 
 condefcenfion  and  fever ity.  Wo  unto  thee 
 Jer.13.27. 0  Jerufaleml  when  wilt  thou  be  made 
 clean,  when  Jhall  it  once  be  ?  And  our 
 Saviour  in  the  Gofpel,  thus  aflaults  them 
 when  they  were  upon  the  precipice  of 
 ruine.  0  Jernfalem,  JerufaJem,  how  often 
 would  I  have  gathered  thee,  as  a  Hen  ga- 
 
 thereth 
 
ThtEftb  Sermon.  155 
 
 thereth  her  Chickens  under  her  wings,  hut 
 ye  would  wt.  -  And  again  ,  Ton  will  not 
 come  unto  me  (faith  our  Saviour)  that 
 you  might  have  life. 
 
 From  all  thefe  reafonmgs  put  toge- 
 ther ,  we  fee  that  God  condefcends  to 
 plead  with  us  from  our  own  Convi&i- 
 ons  ;  and  indeed  if  our  Souls  were  not 
 acceffible  to  Arguments  and  Reafonings, 
 the  Stones  might  be  as  wifely  addrefs'd 
 to ,  as  we  could  be  reafon'd  unto  refor- 
 mation. 
 
 Th  e  poffibility  of  this  change  and 
 efcapefrom  theCorruptions  of  the  World, 
 appears  3.  From  the  flrength  and  effica- 
 cy of  that  Grace  which  is  offer  *d  in  the 
 Gofpel.  We  need  no  other  proof  of  the 
 poffibility  of  fuch  a  Reformatio  as  wc 
 plead  for,  than  the  Victory  and  Succefs 
 of  Chriftianity  over  Vice  and  Corrupti- 
 on ,  amongft  them  who  have  cordially 
 embraced  it.  This  was  the  Argument 
 that  the  firft  Apologifts  for  our  Religion 
 made  ufe  of ,  to  prove  its  Divinity. 
 Such  a  Wonderful  change  could  not  be 
 wrought  in  its  Profely res,  without  a  hea- 
 venly Po\ver ;  and  if  io  many  have  beeti 
 
 actually 
 
15  6  The  Fifth  Sermon. 
 
 a&ually  changed ,  then  ic  is  modeft  to 
 infer,  that  our  reformation  is  poflible. 
 
 When  we  remember  the  biafs  of 
 our  inclinations,  how  contradi&ory  they 
 are  to  the  defigns  of  the  Gofpel ,  how 
 qdverfe  to  purity ,  fimplicity  and  felf- 
 denyal  5  it  can  be  nothing  lefe  than  a 
 Miracle ,  to  pull  down  Jirong  holds  ,  and 
 lofty  imaginations ,  and  to  lead  every 
 thought  captive  to  the  obedience  ofChrifl, 
 to  take  up  our  Crofs  and  follow  him  3  this 
 is  the  triumph  of  the  Gofpel.  And  if 
 the  Grace  of  God  did  not  aflift  us,  how 
 is  it  conceivable,  that  fuch  weak  and 
 feeble  Creatures,  fliould  grapple  with  fo 
 many  difficulties ,  and  at  laft  overcome 
 them  >  That  the  Change  we  plead  for  is 
 poflible,  even  from  under  the  power  of 
 the  moft  inveterate  habits  and  thegrofleft 
 fins,  is  further  clear  from  1  Cor.  6.9, 
 10, 1 1.  Know  ye  not>  that  the  unrighteous 
 /hall  not  inherit  the  Kingdom  of  God  *  Be 
 not  deceived,  neither  Fornicators,  nor  /do- 
 latersy  nor  Adulterers^  nor  effeminate,  nor 
 ahufers  of  themfelves  with  mankind,  nor 
 thieves,  nor  covetous  ,  nor  drunkards f  nor 
 revilers  ,  nor  extortioners  ,  /hall  inherit 
 \he  Kingdom  of  God.     And  fuch  were  fome 
 
 »f 
 
The  Fifth  Sermon.  Y  j^ 
 
 of  you  ,  but  ye  are  wa/hed,  but  ye  are 
 Janftified,  but  ye  are  juftifed  in  the  name 
 of  the  Lor dj ejus >  and  by  the  Spirit  tf  our 
 God. 
 
 From  what' I  have  faid,  it  is  very 
 evident,  that  no  man  ought  to  plead  for 
 his  impenitence ,  as  if  he  were  irrecove- 
 rably chain'd  up  under  the  power  of  his 
 fins  and  evil  habits.  God  pleads  with 
 him,and  his  own  Confcience  expoftulates, 
 and  the  experience  of  all  fober  men, 
 baffle  his  pretences  5  for  no  man  isfo  fa- 
 tally ty'd  to  mifery  and  corruption,  but 
 that  he  may  break  his  bonds  ,  and  efcape 
 the  corruption  that  is  in  the  World  through 
 Ittft.  To  day  then  ,  let  me  exhort  you, 
 //  you  will  hear  his  voice  ,  harden  -not 
 your  hearts ,  break  up  the  Prifon  doors  ; 
 the  Grace  of  the  Gofpel  is  mighty  and 
 powerful ;  you  cannot  be  captive  againft 
 your  wills  5  this  corruption  that  prevails 
 in  the  World  may  be  efcaped  and  over- 
 come. Do  not  fright  your  felves  out  of 
 your  duty,  by  vain  apparitions,  fcare- 
 crows  and  counterfeit  apologies,  fiich  as 
 the  flothful  man  in  the  Proverbs  is  faid  to 
 ufe  ;  There  is  a  Lyon  without,  I  fhall  be 
 flain  in  the  ftreets.     All  fuch  excufes 
 
 are 
 
i)^  The  Fifth  Sermon. 
 
 are  vain  and  impertinent;  whether  they 
 are  taken  i.From  the  difficulty  of  re- 
 moving old  habits:  or,  z.  From  the  va- 
 riety oi our  worldly  incumbrances;  or, 
 3.  From  the  multitude  and  ftrength  of 
 temptations  :  or,  4.  From  the  feverities 
 of  Chriftian  Religion. 
 
 i,  The  excufes  taken  from  the  diffi- 
 culty of  old  habits.  The  incorrigible 
 finner  will  plead,  that  the  Ethiopian  can- 
 not change  his  skin^  nor  the  Leopard  his 
 fpotSy  nor  they  that  are  accuftomed  to  do 
 evil,  ever  learn  to  do  voclL 
 
 Vid.  Qtig.  Th  U  S  Celfus  againft  Origen  feems  to 
 com.  dip  cjeny  t|ie  poilibility  of  any  iuch  reforma- 
 ticn5  as  the  Chriftian  Religion  requires: 
 becaufe  cuftomary  fins  become  a  fecond 
 Nature,  that  no  punifliments  can  re- 
 form or  change  ;  yet  (  faith  Origen ) 
 herein  Celfus  not  only  contradiftstheChri- 
 (lians ,  but  all  other,  who  own  any  gene- 
 nerous  principles  of  Philofophy.  And 
 there  Origen  gives  inflances  in  their  own 
 Heroes ,  and  fuch  as  were  admir'd  for 
 Vertue  among  the  Heathens  ,  that  out 
 recovery  from  Vice  was  very  prafticable ; 
 and  though  it  be  difficult  in  the  begin- 
 ning 1 
 
The  Fifth  Sermon.  I  j  p 
 
 ning  to  eradicate  oKi  habits,  yet  when 
 the  firft  aflaults  are  over  (  if  we  vigo- 
 roufly  proiecute  fo  excellent  a  defign )  it 
 becomes  pleafant  and  delightful.   Herein 
 appeared  the  pewer  of  the  Gofpel ,  that 
 it  made  men  exemplary  in  thefe  very 
 Graces  that  were  moft  oppofite  to  their 
 former  biafs.     Thus  the  firft  Apologifts 
 plead  ,  in  behalf  of  Chriftian  Religion  : 
 Let  us  fee  (  faith  Latlantius  )   the  moft 
 proud)  and  he  will  become  humble  5    the 
 moft  covetous,  liberal  5    the  moft  fierce  and 
 cruel,  tame  and  meek  like  a  Lamb.     And 
 is  it  poffible,  that  fuch  a  change  can  be 
 wrought,  but  by  a  fupernatural  Caufe  5 
 by  light ,  and  motives  far  beyond  our 
 former  principles?  If  we  act  by  world- 
 ly Maxims,  we  muft  be  confln'd  in  our 
 thoughts  to  the  lower  Regions  5    but 
 when  the  day-fpring  from  on  high  vifits 
 us  5  the  jSoul  feels  within  her  felf  new 
 powers  and  faculties,  which  earthly  mo- 
 tives could  not  put  in  motion.     There- 
 fore though   evil  habits  could  not  be 
 throughly  reformed  by  the  faint  and  pu- 
 sillanimous attempts  of  the  Pagan  Philo* 
 fophers  5  yet  the  moft  inveterate  cuftoms 
 and  wicked  practices  could  not  refill 
 the  light  of  the  Gofpel.     When  we  plead 
 
 that 
 
)  60  The  Fifth  Sermon. 
 
 that  we  cannot  do  otherwife  than  \vc  do, 
 it  is  not  our  Reafon  that  fpeaks,  but  our 
 lazinefs,  our  idlenefs  and  fenfuality  :  for 
 all  wife  men ,  and  the  ftarkeft  fools,  in 
 their  lucid  intervals  thought  otherwife, 
 elfe  there  is  no  diftinftion  between  choice 
 and  blind  fate  3  between  Men  and  Beads ; 
 between  Reafon  and  Mechanifm  ;  be- 
 tween Intellect  and  Matter.  If  you  then 
 perfift  in  thisobftinate  foolery,  that  you 
 Cannot  be  reform'd  from  your  vicious 
 converfation,  your  reafonings  defign  to 
 prove  no  more,  than  that  you  have  no 
 excellency  above  the  Beafts  that  perifli ; 
 and  by  fuch  arguings  you  take  the  near- 
 eft  methods  to  refemble  them  in  the 
 ftrifteft  fenfe. 
 
 a.  S  o  m  E  plead  the  incumbrances  of 
 the  World.  And  it  is  certain  that  mod 
 men  endeavour  to  excufe  themfelvesby 
 fuch  Arguments.  The  vanity  and  em- 
 ptinefs  of  this  excufe  is  reprefented  by 
 our  Saviour,  One  went  to  his  Farm,  ano- 
 Mat 22.  yther  to  his  Merchandife ,  and  alledg'd, 
 they  could  not  come.  But  this  is  the 
 higheft  contempt  of  the  Wifdom  of  God, 
 as  if  there  could  be  any  bufinefs  of  fo 
 great  importance ,  as  the  faving  of  our 
 
 Souls. 
 
the  Fifth  Sermon.  \6\ 
 
 Souls.      And  befides,  to  prove  the  im- 
 pertinence of  this  excufe,  I  can  inftance 
 Men  of  Royal  Quality  and  vaft  incum- 
 brances, who  amidft  all  their  divertife- 
 ments  and  avocations,  found  leifure  for 
 their  devotion ,    and  the  Worfliip  of 
 God.     Mofes  was  a  great  Captain  ,    a 
 great  Prince,  and  a  great  Politician  5  yet 
 his  hands  were  lifted  up  to  Heaven  in 
 Prayer,  when  others  muft  needs  fupporc 
 him.     Job  was  very  illuftrious  among 
 the  Arabians,  and  yet  under  a  deluge  of 
 Calamities,  and  the  continual  repinings 
 of. his  Wife,     he  pteach'd  refignarion. 
 David  was  a  Warlike  Prince ,    yet  the 
 melodious  Strains  of  his  Harp  were  as 
 Devout  as  Poetical.     Solomon  a  King,  the 
 greateft  and  wifefl  that  ever  fat  upon 
 the  Throne  of  Judab ,  when  he  enter'd 
 upon  the  Government,  in  the  firfl  place, 
 fell  down  before  God,  and  begged  Wif- 
 dom,  to  order  and  conduct  fo  numerous  a 
 People.      Daniel  is  entrufted  with  the 
 affairs  of  fo  many  Provinces  ,   yet  he 
 prayed  thrice   a   day  towards  Jerufalem. 
 The  Eunuch  whom  Philip  baptiz'd,  read 
 the  Prophecies  of  Ifaiah  jn  his  Chariot* 
 when  he  was  upon  his  Journey. 
 
 M  L£X 
 
\6i  The  Fifth  Sermon. 
 
 Let  us  not  then  plead  the  incum- 
 brances of  the  World  :  for  they  that 
 moft  converfe  with  God,  are  taught  even 
 to  difpatch  their  worldly  affairs  with 
 greater  difcretion  than  their  neighbours ; 
 becaufe  no  part  of  their  time  is  fpent  im- 
 pertinently.   * 
 
 3.  Some  plead  the  ftrength  and  im- 
 petuous  violence  of  temptations.  It 
 mufl  be  confefs'd ,  that  the  obje&s  of 
 Senfe  do  ftrongly  allure  and  flatter  the 
 mind  to  unworthy  compliances ;  and 
 that  they  entice  us  conftantly  to  bodily 
 pleafures  5  yet  if  it  be  uneafie  to  over- 
 come fuch  infinuations,  let  the  very  dif- 
 ficulty provoke  our  courage  5  for  the 
 moft  glorious  enterprifes  are  atcheiv'd 
 by  patience  and  fortitude.  And  if  the 
 prize  of  honour  were  not  encompafs'd 
 with  Thorns  and  Briarsf  it  might  fall  to 
 the  fhare  of  every  defpicable  Wretch ; 
 whereas  indeed,  honour  crowns  the  He- 
 roes, and  fuch  as  refolutely  face  the  ene- 
 my. Was  ic  fleep,  foftnefs,  eafe  and 
 luxury  ,  that  firft  diftinguifh'd  the  No- 
 bles from  their  inferiours  ?  No.  It  was 
 magnanimity,  valour,  courage,  fidelity 
 
 and 
 
The  Fifth  Sermon.  1 63 
 
 and  patience,  that  rais'd  them  above  their 
 neighbours.     And   if  fuch   a  tranfienc 
 thing  as  the  favour  of  a  King ,  and  the 
 Haf anna's  of  the  Croud,  cannot  be  juftly 
 obtain'd,  but  by  toil  and  labour  ;  how 
 is  it  poflible  ,  that  we  can  think  to  gain 
 immortal  honours ,  (  without  wreftling 
 and  ftruggling  ?    God  hath  placed  us  on  < 
 this  Theatre  to  aft  our  part ,  to  try  our  f 
 patience  and  our  fidelity  5   and  with  tf  j 
 defign  co  trample  upon  the  World  by  his 
 Grace  in  us ,   that  we  may  he  more  than  \ 
 Conquerours  through  Chrifl  that  loved  us.     ' 
 
 The  tentations  from  the  World  are 
 indeed  very  terrible,  the  Lttfts  of  the 
 Flefh,  the  Lujis  of  the  Eye,  and  the  Pride 
 of  Life.  But  may  not  all  thefe  be  con- 
 quered by  Faith,  and  the  Spirit  of  Chri- 
 ftianity  ?  their  ftrength  ( if  we  approach 
 them  clofely  )  is  not  fo  formidable.  5Tis 
 true,  they  appear  invincible  to  the  (oft 
 and  delicate,  but  they  have  no  relifli  to 
 the  Sourtiluminated  with  the  knowledge 
 of  Chrift.  The  eye  of  Faith  difcovers 
 their  emptinefs,  they  are  but  (badows 
 and  appearances  of  things  ,  attended  in 
 their  mod  flattering  drefs,  with  vanity 
 and  vexation  of  Spirit.  Let  us  awake 
 M  *  thef»y 
 
\  64  Tf?e  Fifth  Sermon. 
 
 then,  and  fee  what  is  it,that  thus  inchants 
 us  into  folly  and  fin.  What  are  thofe 
 pleafures  that  we  doat  fo  much  upon,  if 
 once  compar'd  to  the  pure  rivers  of  plea- 
 fure  that  are  at  his  right  ban  J. 
 
 4.  Some  plead  the  feverity  of  Chri- 
 ftianity  ,  to  excufe  them  from  the  pra- 
 £Hce  of  it.  The  Precepts  of  humility, 
 meeknefs  and  felf-denyal  are  intolerable 
 to  fuch  :  but  I  muft  tell  them,  that  fuch 
 Precepts  appear  only  terrible  to  Gran- 
 gers, and  fuch  as  have  no  mind  to  come 
 under  any  yoke  or  difcipline  at  all.  The 
 experience  of  the  bed  men  puts  it  be- 
 yond all  debate,  that  there  is  no  reft  or 
 tranquillity  of  Spirit,  but  in  the  praftice 
 of  fuch  Commandments.     Nay,the  plea- 
 
 Pfalm.  fures  that  attend  a  pious  life,  are  pure 
 and  unmixt  5    they  are  fweeter  than  the 
 
 Pfalm.  honey  or  the  honey  comb.  With  what 
 tranfports  and  exftatic  elevations  did 
 the  Ffalmift  long  .  to  appear  in  the  place 
 of  God's  preface  $  09when.Jball  I  come 
 and  appear  before  God  !  We  are  not  ac- 
 quainted with  theravifliing  fatisfa&ions 
 of  Religion ,  becaufe  we  keep  at  a  di- 
 flance ;  and  therefore  we  are  terrified  by 
 our  firft  confli&s ,  but  if  we  ftruggled 
 
 vigo- 
 
The  Fifth  Sermon.  i<$j 
 
 vigoroufly  until  the  noifomc  rubbifh  of 
 our  corruptions  were  remov'd,  then  our 
 Souls  might  become  a  clean  habitation 
 for  the  Spirit  of  God  ;  and  where  the 
 Spirit  of  God  dwells,  there  is  alfo  peace* 
 light  and  tranquillity ;  joy  unfpeakable 
 and  full  of  glory.  What  an  impregnable 
 Garrifon  againlt  calumny  and  difafter,  is 
 a  Conference  void  of  offence  towards  God, 
 and  towards  man  I  How  vain  is  it  to  en- 
 deavour the  painting  of  it  by  rhetorical 
 colours  !  Words  cannot  reach  it,the  bold 
 Metaphors  of  Poets  are  faint  in  compa- 
 rifon  of  it.  It  receives  comforts  imme- 
 diately from  the  hand  of  God ,  and  fuch 
 as  cannot  be  taken  away  from  us  ;  fo 
 ftrong  are  the  pleafures  that  do  attend 
 the  practice  of  true  Religion. 
 
 Why  then  are  we  frighted  with 
 Mormos  and  apparitions  of  our  own  in- 
 vention >  Let  us  believe  our  Saviour, 
 who  hath  exprefly  told  us,  that  his  yoke 
 is  eafie  ,  and  his  burden  is  light.  The 
 more  we  plead  in  favour  of  our  bondage, 
 the  more  entangled  we  are  by  our  cor- 
 ruption, and  the  more  mifcrable  is  our 
 condition.  This  Corruption  may  be 
 efcaped  and  reformed ,  and  whatever  is 
 M  3  ufuaUy 
 
1 6 6  The  Fifth  Sermw. 
 
 ufually  pleaded  in  its  defence,  is  vain  and 
 unreasonable.  Let  me  ask  then ,  how 
 this  Contagion ,  that  has  (o  univerfally 
 over-run  Mankind,  may  be  cured  ?  And 
 the  Text  makes  aniwer  to  this,  that  this 
 Corruption  is  cfcaped  by  the  great,  and 
 the  precious  promifes. 
 
 And  this  leads  me  to  the  third  Par- 
 ticular, that  I  am  oblig'd  to  fpeak  to. 
 The  Gofpei  in  it  felf  is  the  great  and  laft 
 Engine  of  God's  Goodncfs  and  Wifdom, 
 for  the  recovery  of  the  World  $  and  the 
 Promifes  of  the  Gofpei  are  the  Wheels 
 upon  which  it  moves.     So  much  Spirit 
 and  Life  did  go  alongft  with  the  firft 
 preaching  of  the  Gofpei ,  that  it  (hook 
 the  Pillars  of  the  Kingdom  of  Darknefs, 
 •    threw  open  the  Prifons  of  Satan,  and 
 loos'd  whole  Societies  of  Men  from  their 
 Ads  16.  bondage.     The  Apoftles  did  open  their 
 eyes  ,    and  turn  them  from  darknefs  to 
 light,  and  from    the  power  of  Satan  unto 
 ■Cod*     The  Promifes  of  the  "Gofpei  are 
 the  counterpoifc  that  God  hath  laid  in 
 the  other  Scale  againft  fin.  He  principally 
 defigns  to  deliver  from  fin,  and  from  the 
 Love  of  the  World,  becaufe  it  leads  un- 
 to fin  3    and  the  Promifes  of  the   Go- 
 
 fpel 
 
The  Fifth  Sermon,  1 67 
 
 fpel  have  a  peculiar  energy  to  fave  us 
 from  the  one  ,    and  to  deter    us  from 
 the  other.      If  we    believ'd   the    Pro- 
 mifes  of  the  Gofpel ,  without  fear  and 
 hypocrifie,  we  would  immediately  turn 
 our  backs  upon  our  fins,  efpecially  when 
 we  remember,  that  thefe  very  Promifes 
 are  environed  about  with  the  mod  terri- 
 ble denunciations  of  the  wrath  of  God 
 againft  the  difobedienr.     The  Lord  Jefus  2  ThefT  rB 
 Chrijl  Jball  be  revealed  from  heaven  with  7>  8. 
 his  mighty  Angels  in  flaming  fire  ,  taking 
 vengeance  on  them  that  know  not  God,  and 
 that  obey  not  the  Gojpel  of  our  Lord  Je- 
 fus Chrijl*      Can  there  be  any  thing  fo 
 powerful  to  alienate  our  affe&ions  from 
 the  World,  as  the  Promifes  of  the  Go- 
 fpel ?   How  far   was  the  glory  of  th^Hcb.  n. 
 Court  of  Egypt  below  the  Spirit  of  Mo- 
 fes,  when  he  faw  him  that  is  invijible,  and 
 had  refpeft  unto  the  repompence  of  reward? 
 We  are  cxprefly  told  by  S.John,  that  //>j0hn2,» 
 any  man  love  this  world,  the  love  of  the  14. 
 Father^  is  not  in  him.     And  again,  that 
 the  friendjhip  of  this  world  ,    is  enmity 
 with  God.     And  S.  Paul  tells  us,  that  thecololT  3. 
 Chriftians  mufl  not  fet  their  affettions  on 
 the  things  on  Earth,  for  tlreir  life  is  hid 
 with  God  in  Chrijl, 
 
 M  4  The 
 
i  6  8  Tl?e  Ftfth  Sermon. 
 
 Th  E  brightnefs  of  our  Inheritance  ob- 
 i  John  2.  fcures  the  glory  of  the  World.  This  is 
 the  promife  that  he  hath  promifed#s,eter- 
 ijoh.  i-z.nal  life.  And  now  are  we  the  Jons  ofGod^ 
 and  it  doth  not  yet  appear  what  we  /hall be  ; 
 but  this  we  know,  that  when  he /hall  ap- 
 pear, we  Jhall  he  like  him^for  ive  /hall fee 
 him  as  he  is.  Did  we  weigh  the  Gofpel 
 Promifes  as  they  deferve,  and  chink  of 
 them  With  love  and  application,  how 
 powerful  are  they  to  difengage  us  from 
 the  entanglements  of  this  prefent  life, 
 and  to  promote  the  reformation  that  the 
 G  ofpel  enjoins. 
 
 i.  Let  us  heartily  believe  the  Pro- 
 mifes, Eternity  ferioufly  and  frequent- 
 ly pondered,  exhaufts  all  our  ftrength 
 and  all  oar  thoughts.  It  fortifies  our 
 Souls  againftthe  flatteries  of  the  World, 
 and  alienates  our  affefrions  from  the 
 Heb.  i  r.  Earth.  The  Patriarchs  faw  the  promifes 
 *3»  afar  off,  and  embraced  them,  and  confef- 
 
 led,  that  they  were  but  ftrangers  and'  pH- 
 ■  grims  upon  the  earth.  And  if  the  dark 
 view  that  the  Patriarchs  had  was  fo 
 mighty  to  fupport  their  Spirits  under 
 the  old  Oeconomy,  what  may  not  we 
 
 do. 
 
The  Fifth  Sermon.  "i  69 
 
 do,  who  are  animated  by  the  clear  and 
 glorious  Promifes  of  the  Gofpel  ? 
 
 2.  Let  us  lean  on  thefe  Promifes  in 
 our  moft  difficult  circumftances.  For  2Cor.  4. 
 which  caufe  we  faint  not,  hut  though  our  16,17,18- 
 outward  ntan  perifh,  jet  the  inward  man 
 is  renewed  day  hy  day.  For  our  light  af~ 
 fliclion,  which  is  hut  for  a  moment ,  work- 
 eth  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eter* 
 nal  weight  of  glory.  While  we  look  not  at 
 the  things  which  are  feen,  but  at  the  things 
 Which  are  not  feen  5  for  the  things  which 
 arefeen^are  temporal ;  hut  the  things  which 
 are  not  feen,  are  eternal.  We  rejoyce 
 '(fays  the  fame  Apoftle)  in  our  tribulations* 
 Patience  under  fufferings,  is  the  peculiar 
 ornament  of  our  Sa viours  Difciples ;  for 
 they  only  have  the  fureft  Antidote  a- 
 gainft  defpondency.  TheDevil,thatcan 
 transform  himfelf  into  an  Angel  of  Light, 
 cannot  counterfeit  Chriftian  Meeknefs 
 and  Patience.  It  is  no  ftupidity,  but  a 
 rational  fubmiffion  to  the  Will  of  our 
 Father ;  they  that  are  Martyrs  for  the 
 World,  or  their  own  Pride,  may  for  a 
 while  put  on  a  refolute  fullennefs :  but 
 true  Chriftian  calmnefs  and  magnanimi- 
 ty 
 
\yo  the  Fifth  Sermon. 
 
 ty  fprings  from  the  hope  of  glory  ,  and 
 the  Spirit  of  Jefus. 
 
 aCor.7.1.      J.  Having  thefe  promifes  (faith    the 
 
 Apoftle  )  let  us  cleanfe  our  [elves  from  all 
 
 filthinejs  9   lot b  of  "the,  Flefh  and  of  the 
 
 «       Spirit,  perfecting  holinefs  in  the  fear  of 
 
 God,    'lis  certain,  tjiat  every  man  that 
 
 1  Joh.3. 3.  hath  this  hope  in  hirn  ,  purifieth  himfelf 
 even  as  he  is  pure.  If  we  are  Candidates 
 for  eternal  life,  our  Souls  muft  be  puri- 
 
 Matth.  5.  fied  from  Vice,  for  the  pure  in  heart  only 
 (hall  fee  God. 
 
 Heb.4.1.     ^  Let  ut  therefore  fear  5  left  the  pro 
 mife  being  left  iu  of  entring  into  his  reft, 
 any  of  you  fhould  feem  to  come  fhort    of 
 it.'     The  Israelites   in   the  Wildernefs 
 
 pfal  106  camc  ^lort  °^t^1€  Promifes  made  to  them 
 ix^&cby  their ficklenefs  and inconftancy.  Their 
 Hofeah.  goodnefs  was  like  the  early  dew  (  as  the 
 Prophet  fpeaks  )  5  and  by  their  cowar- 
 dice they  were  afraid  of  the  Children  of 
 Anak,  partly  by  their  unbelief ,  they 
 would  not  believe  Mofes  ,  nor  the  faith- 
 ful Spies.  And  this  is  eafily  applicable 
 to  our  cafe ;  for  there  is  no  way  to  be 
 faved,  but  to  believe  the  Promifes,  to 
 
 break 
 
Tl?e  Fifth  Sermon.  \y\ 
 
 break  through  all  obftacles,  to  fight  the 
 good  fight  of  Faith  ,  and  to  lay  hold  of 
 eternal  life. 
 
 j.  Let  us  ponder,  and  confider  the 
 excellencies  of  thefe  Promifes.  I  ihall 
 name  but  the  two  Epithets  beftow'd  up- 
 on them  in  the  Text.  i.  They  are 
 Great.     2.  They  are  Precious.  I  fay, 
 
 1.  They  are  Great:  and  that  in  three 
 regards.      1.  With  regard  to  their  Au- 
 thor, the  only  begotten  Son  of  God,  'whom 
 all  the  Angels  worfhip  and  adore.     He  is 
 the  hrightnefs   of  his  Fathers  glory ,  and 
 *the  exprcfs  image  of  his  p erf  on ,  and  up- 
 holds all  things  by  the  word  of  his  power.  Heb.  r.  3. 
 This  one  confideration  is  enough  to  o 
 veravve  the  boldeft  finner,  and  it  is  fre- 
 quently taken  notice  of,  to  magnifie  the 
 Gofpel ,   and  to  recommend  to  us  the 
 Precepts  of  our  Saviour,  that  he  was  in  the  Phil.  2.  69 
 form  of  God,  and  thought   it  no  robbery  7>8* 
 to  be  equal  with  God,  but  made  him f elf  of 
 no  reputation,   &c.      Shall  we  contemn 
 the  Promifes  made  by  the  Son  of  God  ? 
 God  fent  his  Son  to  give  the  Jews  the 
 laft,  and  moft  undenyable  proof  of  his 
 Love  and  Wifdom  :   Certainly  they  nv//Matth. 
 
 reve- 
 
l  7  i  The  Fifth  Sermon. 
 
 reverence  my  Son.    Thus  reafons  the  Au: 
 Hebi  2. 3.  thor  t0  che  Hebrews^  Howfhall  we  efcape 
 if  we  neglecl  fo  great  falvation,  which  at 
 the  firff  began  to  be  fpoken  by  the  Lord, 
 and  was  confirmed  unto  us  by  them  that 
 heard  him?    And  again.  He  that  defpi- 
 Heb.  10.  fed  Mvfes  Law  died  without  mercy  under 
 1  * 19'     two  or  three  Witneffes  3    of  how  much  fo- 
 rer  punifhment ,  fuppofe  ye ,  /hall  he  be 
 thought  worthy  ,   who  hath  trodden  under 
 foot  the  Son  of  God ,  and  hath  counted  the 
 blood  of  the  Covenant ,  wherewith  he  was 
 fanclified,  an  unholy  thing,  and  hath  done 
 defpite  unto  the  Spirit  of  Grace.    Againft 
 whom  does  the  incorrigible  finner  fport 
 himfelf  ?  againft  the  Son  of  God,  and  the* 
 cleareft  proofs  of  his  love.    For  herein  is 
 love,  not  that  we  loved  him  ,  but  that  he 
 loved  us,  and  gave  his  Son  to  be  a  propiti- 
 ation for  our  fins. 
 
 z.  The  Promifes  are  Great  in  their 
 intrinfic  value.  I  mean  not  only  the 
 Promife  of  eternal  life,  but  all  the  other 
 Promifes  that  are  of  a  relative  and  fub- 
 ordinate Nature,  the  Graces  of  the  Spi- 
 rit, the  remiffion  of  our  fins ,  the  peace 
 of  our  Confciences ,  thefe  are  things  to 
 be  valued  above  Gold  and  Silver.    Wif 
 
 dom 
 
The  Fifth  Sermon.  1 7  j 
 
 dom  is  preferred  above  the  choicefi  Ru* 
 lies ;  the  Gold  of  Ophir  is  not  to  be  com* 
 paid  unto  her.  Therefore  the  Graces  of 
 the  Spirit  are  compar'd  unto  the  moft 
 coftly  things  ;  /  counfel  thee  to  buy  tf/Rev.liS. 
 me  Gold  tried  in  the  fire,  that  thou  may  eft 
 be  rich  5  and  white  rayment ,  that  thou 
 mayefl  be  cloatked  ,  and  the  (hame  of  thy 
 nakednefs  do  not  appear 0  and  anoint  thine 
 eyes  with  eye-falve  3  that  thou  mayefl 
 fee. 
 
 3.  The  Promifes  are  Great  in  their  ten- 
 dency and  defign,  to  recover  the  World 
 funk  into  Corruption ;  to  overthrow  the 
 Worfliip  of  Devils  ,  to  enlighten  the 
 .World,  to  take  down  the  Kingdom  of 
 Darknefe,  and  to  advance  the  Image  of 
 God  upon  the  Souls  of  Men  5  were  de- 
 figns  becoming  the  Goodnefs  and  Maje- 
 fly  of  the  Son  of  God.  But  of  this  I 
 fliall  have  occafion  to  fpeak  under  the 
 fourth  Particular.  And  therefore  I  con- 
 sider the  fecond  Epithet  beftowed  upon 
 the  Promifes.  They  are  not  only  Great, 
 but, 
 
 2.  Precious.     And  that  in  re- 
 gard of  their  1.  Price.      2.  Certainty. 
 
 3.  Du- 
 
1 74  The  ty&  Sermon. 
 
 3.  Durablencfs.  1.  In  regard  of  their 
 1  Pet.  1.  Price.  S.  Peter  informs  us,  thatutf  are 
 l8#  not  redeemed  with  corruptible  things,  as 
 
 filver  and  gold ',  from  our  vain  converfa- 
 tion,  but  with  the  precious  blood  of  Chrifl, 
 as  of  a  Lamb  without  fpot  or  blemi/h. 
 There  is  no  Religion  wants  its  Sacrifice, 
 and  this  is  the  Myfterious  Sacrifice  of 
 our  Religion  ;  the  blood  that  fpeaketh 
 better  things  than  the  blood  of  Abel$ 
 that  powerful  Atonement,  that  fo  fuc- 
 cefsfully  pleads  for  pity  and  compaflion 
 in  the  ears  of  God  3  the  Sacrifice  under 
 whofe  interceffion  we  come  with  bold- 
 nefs  to  the  Throne  of  Grace  5  the  Sacri- 
 fice that  laid  afide  all  the  Mofaick  Obla- 
 tions; the  Sacrifice  that  was  typified- 
 by  all  the  former ,  and  was  more  acce- 
 ptable unto  God,  than  the  Cat t el  upon  a 
 thoufand  hills.  This  is  the  Sacrifice  that 
 the  Prophets  foretold,  and  the  Apoftles 
 preach'd,  and  upon  which  we  muft  lean 
 at  the  hour  of  death.  Nature  teacheth 
 us  to  fly  to  the  flrongeft  refuge,  when  we 
 are  reduc'd  to  the  faddeft  extremities. 
 And  therefore  do  we  grafp  the  Merit  of 
 his  Sacrifice,  in  our  laft  Conflicts  and  ago- 
 nies ;  for  he  is  the  Lamb  of  Sad,  that 
 taketh  away  the  fins  ef  the  world.    This 
 
 is 
 
Tlx  Fifth  Sermon]  %jrf 
 
 is  the  Sacrifice,  that  bears  the  weight  of 
 all  their  fins  who  are  penitent.      So  rea- 
 fons  the  Divide  Author  co  the  Hebrews ; 
 for  if  the  bkod  of  Bulls  and  of  Goats  >  and 
 afhes  cf  an  Heifer  ffrinkling  the  unclean^  Hcb.^rj; 
 fanttifieth  to  the  purifying  of  the  Flefh »;14' 
 how  much  more  fhall  the  Hood  of  Chrifi, 
 who    through    the  eternal    Spirit  offered 
 ,  hiwfelf  without  fpot  to  God ,    purge  your 
 Confcience  from  dead  works  to  ferve  the 
 Irving  God. 
 
 T*t  e  y  that  allow  him  no  more,  than 
 to  be  a  refolute  Martyr  for  the  Truth  ; 
 who  rob  us  of  the  comforts  of  his  Sa- 
 crifice and  Propitiarion  3  take  away  the 
 great  pillar  of  our  hope  at  the  hour  of 
 death  $  they  would  reform  us  unto  a 
 gentile  kind  of  Paganifm,  though  there 
 be  no  error  more  plainly  oppofite  to  the 
 Scriptures  than  theirs.  For  the  Notion 
 of  a  piacular  Sacrifice,  and  the  penal 
 fubfticution  of  it  in  the  room  of  the  cri- 
 minal, was  reeeiv'd  amongft  all  Nations  3 
 and  the  Scripture  makes  ufe  of  the  fame 
 words  that  are  ufed  by  other  Authors, 
 to  exprefs  a  proper  atonement ,  when 
 they  fpeak  of  the  Sacrifice  of  our  blef 
 fed  Saviour. 
 
 When 
 
5  j  6  The  Fifth  Sermon] 
 
 When  weconfiderthis,  it  may  con- 
 firm pur  hope  ,  and  withal  put  us  in 
 mind,  how  fearful  a  thing  it  is  to  trample 
 upon  the  blood  of  the  Son  of  God^  for  be- 
 ing redeem  d  by  his  blood,  we  are  no  more 
 our  own. 
 
 2.  The  Promifcs  are  precious,  be- 
 caufe  of  their  certainty.  The  frame  of 
 Nature  may  fooner  be  diflblv'd,  the  pil: 
 lars  of  the  Creation  may  fhake  and 
 crumble  into  their  firftdiibrder ,  rather 
 than  that  his  Word  fliould  fail ;  for  he  is 
 
 h^i^^everlafting  truth,  and  he  cannot  lye.  Thus 
 
 faith  the  Lord,  which  giveth  the  Sun  for 
 
 a  light  by  day,  and  the  Ordinances  of  the 
 
 Moon  ,    and  of  the  Stars  for  a  light  by 
 
 night ,  which  divideth  the  Sea9  when  the 
 
 waves  thereof  roar,  the  Lord  of  Hofls  is 
 
 his  Name.      If  thofe  Ordinances   depart 
 
 from  before  me ,  faith  the  Lord,  then  the 
 
 feed  of  Ifrael  alfo  {ball  ceafe  from  being 
 
 a  Nation  before  me  for  ever.     Thefe  Pro* 
 
 mifes  are  made  to  the  Spiritual  feed  of 
 
 Rom.  9.  the  true  Ifraelites  ;  as  is  proved  by 
 S.  Paul.  And  therefore  to  remove  all 
 our  doubts  and  diffidence,  all  our  di- 
 ftruft  and  hefitation  >  they  are  confirmed 
 
 by 
 
Tie  Fifth  Sermon.  \?j 
 
 by  his  Oath  3  Wherein  God  willing  more  Heb.  6. 
 abundantly  to  /hew  unto  the  heirs  of  pro-17 >l*>19' 
 wife,  the  immutability  of  his  Counfel,  con- 
 firmed it  by  an  Oath.  That  by  two  immu- 
 table things y  in  which  it  was  impojfible  for 
 God  to  lye^  we  might  have  aflrong  confo- 
 I  at  ion  t  who  have  fled  for  refuge  to  lay 
 hold  upon  the  hope  fet  before  us. 
 
 3.  T  H  £  Promifes  are  precious  ,  in 
 regard  of  their  durablenefs,  I  mean  that 
 the  things  promifed  are  eternal.  There 
 is  nothing  liable  to  decay,  that  can  give 
 true  repofe  to  the  Spirit  of  a  Man ;  the 
 Chriftian  Religion  fettles  the  frame,  and 
 fatisfies  the  enquiries  of  our  Souls ,  by 
 bringing  life  and  immortality  to  light. 
 Nothing  elfe  can  fatisfie  the  vaft  capaci- 
 ties of  the  mind  of  Man.  The  endlefs 
 duration  of  our  happinefs  is  exprefs'd 
 in  the  Scriptures  ,  by  full  and  plain 
 phrafes.  And  this  is  the  promije  that 
 he  hath  promifed  us  ,  even  eternal  life.  ^ohn  2* 
 And  again,  in  the  Gofpel  of  S.  John,  He 
 that  keepeth  my  fayings ,  fhali  never  fee  l  Pet* r; 
 death.  And  S.  Feter  allures  us,that  we  are  3)  4l 
 bigot  ten  again  unto  a  lively  hope  by  the  re- 
 fur  region  ofjefus  Chrijl  from  the  dead:  To 
 an  inheritance  incorruptible,  jwdefiled,  and 
 N  that 
 
j>8  The  Fifth  Sermon. 
 
 that  fadeth  not  away,  referved  in  heaven 
 for  you.  And  can  there  be  any  thing, 
 that  fo  adequately  fatisfies  the  bound- 
 lefs  defires,  and  intellectual  appetites  of 
 a  reafonable  Creature,as  an  eternal  weight 
 of  glory.  O  Eternity!  who  can  forget 
 Thee,  that  remembers  himfelf,  and  the 
 frame  of  his  Nature?  Whocari  contemn 
 eternal  things,  that  thinks  that  he  him- 
 felf i*  any  thing  more  excellent  than  the 
 Beafts  that  perilh  >  Have  we  naturally 
 fuch  ftrong  inclinations  to  immortality, 
 and  can  we  defpife  the  Gofpel  that  pre- 
 pares and  trims  our  Souls  for  life  eter- 
 nal ?  Who  can  reified  on  the  variety  and 
 Spirituality  of  his  own  thoughts  ,  and 
 yet  conclude ,  that  he  was  made  to 
 make  provificn  for  the  fiejh,  to  fulfil  the 
 lujls  thereof?  Let  no  fuch  thoughts  dwell 
 within  thee,  but  rather  look  at  the  things 
 2Cor.5.r.  which  are  not  feen.  For  we  know,  that  if 
 our  earthly  houfe  of  this  tabernacle  were 
 dijjolved,  we  have  a  building  of  God%  an 
 houfe  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the 
 heavens.  And  now  when  we  look  upon 
 whole  Gofpel,  its  entire  frame  and  defign 
 we  may  fafely  fay  of  it,as  the  Apoftle  fays 
 of  irsPromifes,  that  it  is  Great  and  Pre- 
 cious in  all  its  lineaments  and  features. 
 
 Efpecially 
 
The  Fifth  Sermon.  1 79 
 
 Efpecially  when  we  confider  the  great 
 defign  that  is  carried  on  by  the  Gofpel, 
 and  that  is  nothing  Iefs ,  than  to  make 
 us  partakers  of  the  Divine  Nature.  And 
 this  leads  me  to  the  fourth  Particular, 
 that  I  promis'd  to  fpeak  to :  viz. 
 
 4,  The  Scope  of  the  Gofpel  and  its 
 Promifes,toreftorethe  Image  of  God  on 
 the  Souls  of  men,  to  repair  the  breaches 
 and  decays  of  Humane  Nature;  to  make 
 him  look  up  again  to  Heaven,with  brisk- 
 nefs  and  innocence ,  as  he  did  when  he 
 was  newly  form'd  by  the  finger  of  God ; 
 toreftore  life  unto  the  degenerate  World, 
 not  that  animal  and  feculent  life  that 
 opprefles  the  Divine  Nature ,  but  a  life 
 of  true  Reafon,  united  to  God,  and  fit- 
 ted for  the  Society  of  Angels;  to  make 
 Man  as  near  unto  God,  as  Humane  Na- 
 ture could  allow  s  and  all  Mankind  who 
 allow  themfelves  the  exercife  of  their 
 Reafon,  muft  acknowledge  at  firft  view, 
 that  this  is  the  top  of  Humane  Glory, 
 the  heighth  of  true  felicity,  the  elevation 
 of  Reafon  to  its  nobleft  exercife  and  ob- 
 ject to  be  made  like  unto  God. 
 
 N  2  The 
 
1 8  o  %be  Fifth  Sermon. 
 
 Th  e  Eternal  Son  of  God  became  Man, 
 that    he  might  heal   the 
 
 ~Hieroci.  ru  %mimy*  bruifes  and  wounds,  that 
 }ta*mi  fHh  1%  *)Mr  we  received  by  the  firft  A- 
 0f*ff»eedrwtau.  Adam,      lo  as  many  as  re- 
 
 ceived  him ,   to  them  gave 
 
 J6tui.iz.ks  power  to  become  the  Sons  of  God ,  even 
 
 vtr.  13.  to  them  that  believe  on  his  Name.  Which 
 
 were  born  not  of  blood,  nor  of  the  Will  of 
 
 the  Flejh,  nor  of  the  Will  of  Man,  but  of 
 
 ijoh.  3.i.(W.     Behold^  what  manner  of  Love  the 
 
 Father  hath  bejlcwed  on  us,  that  wefhould 
 
 he  called  the  Sons  of  God.     We  muft  be 
 
 new  moulded   into  the  Image   of  our 
 
 Maker ;  we  muft  live  no  more  unto  fin, 
 
 but  unto  God  :   we  muft  be  adted  by 
 
 higher  Motives  and  Principles,  than  the 
 
 Life  of  Nature  :    We   muft  fteer  our 
 
 courfe  towards  Heaven  by  other  Engines, 
 
 than  fuch  as  let  the  World  in  motion. 
 
 And  fo  much  is  imply'd  in  that  faying 
 
 Matth.  10.  of  our  Saviour,  He  that  loveth  Father  or 
 
 37-  Mother  more  than  me,  is  not  worthy  of 
 
 fne ;    and  he  that  loveth  Son  or  Daughter 
 
 v.  38.  wore  than  me ,  is  not  worthy  of  me.     And 
 
 he  that  taketh  not  his  Crofs,  and  foil oweth 
 
 after  me,  is  not  worthy  of  me. 
 
 To 
 
The  Fifth  Sermon.  1 8 1 
 
 -.» 
 
 To  make  this  a  little  more  clear ,  I 
 (hall  enquire  into  two  things:  i.  Why 
 there  muft  be  fuch  a  thorough  change  of 
 our  Nature  ?  z.  Whereim  do  the  Cha- 
 racters of  the  Divine  Nature  plainly 
 
 appear. 
 
 ■a- 
 
 i.  There  muft  be  fuch  a  thorough 
 change  of  our  Nature.  Whether  we 
 confider,  i.  The  plain  account  pi  Scri- 
 pture. Or,  2.  The  Notions  we  have  of 
 the  Deity.  Or,  3.  The  Corruption  of 
 our  Nature  ,  and  its  diftance  from 
 Heaven. 
 
 1.  Do   but  confider  the  plain  account 
 of  Scripture.     Without  Holinefs  it  is  im-  Heb  u'Jl 
 pofftble  to  fee  God.     He  that  is  in  Chr/fl, H' 
 hath  crucified  the  flejlo  with   the  affelli- 
 ons  and  lujls  thereof.     He  that  hath  this  1  joh.3.3. 
 hope,  purifieth  himfelf  even  as  he  is  pure. 
 God  hath  declared  in  innumerable  places 
 of  Scripture  ,  that  there  is  no  accefs  to 
 his  favour,but  by  an  entire  reformation  5 
 his  eyes  penetrate  to  the  Center  of  our 
 Spirits  ;    all  things  are  naked  and  open 
 before  him.      Though  the  Gofpel  hath 
 the  Nature  of  a  Covenant,  it  is  no  lefs 
 N  3  the 
 
x  8  z  The  Fifth  Sermon. 
 
 the  tranfcript  of  his  Nature  ,  than  his 
 Royal  Editt :  Holinefs  is  as  much  our 
 happinefs,  as  our  duty;  and  no  arts,  no 
 fhifts ,  can  preferve  the  favour  of  God 
 and  our  fins  together.  How  ftrangely 
 prefumptuous  muft  they  be,  who  think 
 to  compound  with  the  Almighty  ,  and 
 venture  to  bring  ( inftead  of  a  true  heart, 
 -fincere  love,  and  filial  fimplicity)  Sa- 
 crifices ,  Oblations  and  Perfumes.      To 
 
 If*  g.  ii-  what  purpofe  is  the  multitude  of  your  fa- 
 crifces  unto-  me  ,  faith  the  Lord ;  lam 
 full  of  the  burnt  offerings  of  Rams  ,  and 
 the  fat  of  fed  Beajls  ,  and  I  delight  not 
 in  the  blood  of  Bullocks,  or  of  Lambs,  or 
 v.  *7*  of  He  Goats.  Learn  to  do  we U>  fee k  judge- 
 ment, relieve  the  oppreffed,  judge  the  Fa* 
 iherlefs,  plead  for  thelVidotv.  The  New 
 and  the  Old  Teftament ,  the  Patriarchal, 
 as  well  as  the  Mofaic  Difpenfation  ,  the 
 Pagan  as  well  as  the  Chri/lian;    all  of 
 
 james.  them  acknowledge ,  that  this  is  pure, 
 andundefiled  Religion;  becaufe  it  is  agree- 
 able to  the  Nature  ,  as  well  as  the  Au- 
 thority of  God  3  for  he  hath  no  pleafure 
 at  all  in  the  death  of  a  finner.  And 
 therefore  we  are  plainly  told  by  the  Pro- 
 ,  phets  and  the  Apoftlcs  ,  that  nothing 
 ihorc  of  true  integrity  can  pleafe  Gq4, 
 
 and 
 
The  Fifth  Sermon.  1 8  3 
 
 and  that  this    is    his   delight.      Have 
 I  any  pleafure   at    all  that  the  Wicked^i^  18; 
 fhould  dye \  faith  the  Lord  God ,  and  not21' 
 that  he  fhould  return  from  his  ways  and 
 live  ?    Confider  that  remarkable  adver- 
 tifement  of  the  Prophet  Micah  5  He  hath 
 /hewed  thee,  0  man,  what  is,  good  5    ^^Mic.  6.  3. 
 what  doth  the  Lord  require  of  thee ,    lut 
 to  do  juflly ,  and  to  love  mercy  ,    and  to 
 walk  humbly  with  thy  God.      Therefore 
 we  are  commanded  by  the  Eaptifl  ,  to 
 bring  forth  fruits   meet  for  repentanceM^  3-  &• 
 It  is  not  every  one  that  faith  Lord,  Lor d9Mat7,n> 
 fhall  enter  into  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven ; 
 lut  he  that  doth  the  Will  of  my  Father 
 which  is  in  Heaven.     The  conclufion  of 
 all  this,  is  no  other,  than  that  every  oneiYim.  2. 
 that  nameth  the  name  of  Jejus  trutft  de- l9' 
 part  from  all  iniquity.     Our  Religion  is 
 very  pure ,  and  it  is  the  laft  revelation 
 of  his  Will,  that  God  vouchfafes  to  Man- 
 kind.    And  therefore  it  bears  the  near- 
 eft  refemblance  of  the  Divine  Nature, 
 and  is  perfe&ive  of  ours  ;    and  the  Di- 
 fciples  of  this  Religion  muft  not  think 
 to  recommend    themfelves  to  God  or 
 Mankind  ,  by  artificial  knacks  of  hypo- 
 crifie,  disfigured  faces,   and  Pharifaical 
 Prayers  ;  but  rather  by  ardent  zeal,  un- 
 N  4  affeftcd 
 
184  Tl?e  Fifth  Sermon. 
 
 affe&ed  fimplicity  ,  the  moft  generous 
 charity,  fincere  mortification,  and  a  Will 
 refign'd  to  his  Infinite  Wifdom. 
 
 x;  Let  us  fuppofe,    that   the  Scri- 
 ptures did  not  fo  peremptorily  inculcate 
 the  neceflity  of  this  change,    yet   the 
 Notions  that  we  have  of  God  ,  confirm 
 this  truth  ,   that  nothing  ftiort  of  true 
 Piety,can  recommend  us  unto  Him;  that 
 in  order  to  our  Salvation  ,  we  muft  be 
 partakers  of  the  Divine  Nature.     Is  he 
 fuch  an  cafie  Majefty  ,  that  he  may  be 
 put  off  with  multitude  of  Sacrifices,  coft- 
 ly  Oblation?  and  outward  Solemnities  of 
 Religion  ?   Can  he  be  diverted  from  the 
 execution  of  his  Juftice  by  complemen- 
 tal  Addrefles  >    Pray  what  do  we  take 
 ljim  to  be  ?  Is  he  fond  of  Trifles  and 
 Ceremonies  ?   To  imagine  that  fighs  and 
 |f tears,   and  melancholy  reflexions  will 
 propitiate  the  Deity,  charges  him  with 
 feverity  and  cruelty ;  as  if  he  took  plea- 
 sure in  the  calamities  and  Sufferings  of 
 Vid  Ak-  *1IS  Creatures.     Whereas  nothing  is  in- 
 bialput.  tended  ,    but  our  true  reformation  and 
 I    freedom  from  fin.     We  are  to  remember, 
 I    that  Innocence,  Purity ,  Ingenuity  and 
 Simplicity,    Heavenly  mindednefs   and 
 
 Cha- 
 
The  Fifth  Sermon.  185 
 
 Charity ,    are  the  Sacrifices  moft  agree- 
 able to  the  Deity. 
 
 2.  Such  is  the  diftance  of  our  Na- 
 ture from  Heaven,  and  the  employment   / 
 of  that  State,  that  we  muft  do  violence 
 to  our  corrupt  inclinations  ,  before  we 
 can  a&  our  part,  among  the  Spirits  of  juft 
 men  made  perfect  ;    we  muft  become  meet 
 partakers  of  the  inheritance  of  the  Saints 
 in  light.     Sin  ( though  pardoned  )  yet 
 if  it  is  not  extirpated,  muft  fink  us  unto 
 Hell.     It  is  in  its  nature  moft  oppofite 
 unto  God,  /.  e.  to  his  Wifdom,  Goodnefs 
 and  Power  :   becaufe  it  carries  along  with 
 it  all  the  lineaments  of  bafenefs,  weak- 
 nefs  and  malice*    This  fhould  make  us 
 hate  all  thofe  Principles  in  Religion,  that 
 make  the  way  I  road ,  that  our  Saviour  'fcrfu.eA, 
 hath  pronounced  ftrait.    All  thofe  Do- 
 ftrines  and  Opinions  that  feem  to  pro- 
 mote licentioufnefs ,  folly  and  wicked- 
 nefs  ;    if  the  light   that    is    in  thee  be  Matthew. 
 dark  nefs,  how  great  is  that  darfyefs  $  but 
 when  corrupt  Nature,  and  corrupt  Prin. 
 ciples  are  combine!  together  ,    there  is 
 no  hope  of  our  recovery ;   and  we  are 
 carried  headlong  into  all  folly  and  tni- 
 fery. 
 
 2.  Let 
 
1 86  The  Fifth  Sermon. 
 
 2.  Let  us  enquire  wherein  the  Cha- 
 racters of  the  Divine  Nature  appear. 
 God  is  the  fir  ft  and  original  beauty ;  and 
 true  Religion  is  but  aTranfcript  of  his 
 Nature.     And, 
 
 i.  It  carries  the  Lineaments  of  his 
 
 Power  and  Viftory.     True  Religion  is 
 
 Pfal.i8.    a  Confederacy  with  the  Almighty.     We 
 
 1,2#        can  do    all  things    through  Chrifl    that 
 
 ftrengtheneth  us.     The  Lord  k  my  ftrength 
 
 (  faith  David  )  my  rock  and  my  fortrefs, 
 
 my  deliverer ,   my  God ,   in  whom  I  will 
 
 trull :  My  buckler,  the  horn  of  my  falva* 
 
 tion,  and  my  high  tower.     His  Power  is 
 
 vifible  in  our  conquefts  over  fin  $    we 
 
 muft  prove  our  felves  to  be  the  Sons  of 
 
 God,  by  our  triumphs  and  viftoriesover 
 
 the  World :  becaufe  he  that  is  in  us,  is 
 
 greater  than  he  that  is  in  the  World. 
 
 The  ravilhing  beauty  of  the  Divine 
 
 Nature ,  Ihines  in  the  conventions  of 
 
 the  righteous.      For    all  round  about 
 
 them  fee  their  good  works  y   and  glorifie 
 
 i  Phil.  2.  ^eir  father  which  is  in  heaven.      They 
 
 15.  are   blamelefs  and  harmlefs  without    re- 
 
 luke-, 
 
The  Fifth  Sermon.  \  %y 
 
 buke9  in  the  midfl  of  a  crooked  and  per- 
 verfe  Nation. 
 
 Th  e  Puricy  of  the  Divine  Nature  is 
 copied  in  the  life  of  a  Chriftian :  pure 
 and  undefil'd  Religion  flies  from  all  fil- 
 thinefs  and  hypocrifie »  by  a  divine  in- 
 ftinft  and  fenfation.  The  Scripture  feems 
 to  fearch  for  all  Metaphors ,  to  reprefent 
 unto  us  the  filthinefs  of  fin.  f  The  t  Rom.  3: 
 Rottennefs  of  the  Grave ,  the  *  Vomit  of}** 
 Dogs,  the  Poyfon  of  Vipers,  the  Filthinefs  %0t 
 of  Swine,  are  fome  of  the  exprefiionsthat 
 point  unto  us  the  odious  Nature  of  fin. 
 But  God  is  of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold 
 iniquity.  And  the  Wifdom  that  is  from 
 above,  is  firfl  pure,  then  peaceable,  gen- 
 tle, and  eafie  to  be  in  treated,  full  of  mer- 
 cy, and  good  fruits  ,  without  partiality, 
 and  without  hypocrifie. 
 
 Th  e  Wifdom  of  God  is  no  Icfs  feen 
 in  the  lives  of  good^men.  True  Reli- 
 gion is  the  knowledge  of  the  mod  ex- 
 cellent Truths,  the  contemplation  of  the 
 mod  glorious  obje&s  ,  and  the  practice 
 of  fuch  duties  as  are  mod  ferviceable  to 
 our  happinefs.  The  fear  of  the  Lord  is 
 the  beginning  of  Wifdom.     The  children 
 
i88  The  Fifth  Sermon, 
 
 of  this  World  are  faid  to  be  wifer  in  their 
 own  generation  ,  than  the  Children  of 
 Light ;  /.  e.  they  are  more  skilful  to  ma. 
 nage  worldly  affairs.  But  in  the  true 
 cftimate  of  things ,  they  are  fools  in  the 
 ftri&eft  fenfe.  The  truly  Religious ,  is 
 the  only  Wife  Man  ;  he  alone  improves 
 his  Reafon  to  the  beft  advantage :  for  he 
 looks  to  things  future,  as  well  as  to  the 
 things  prefent ;  he  prefers  great  things  to 
 fmall  things  ,  and  chutes  the  fitteft 
 Means  to  attain  his  ends ;  this  is  to 
 ie  wife  unto  falvation. 
 
 We  are  taught  by  the  Chriftian  Re- 
 ligion to  imitate  the  Divine  Goodnefs, 
 his  unenvious  Bounty,  his  unconftrain'd 
 Matth.  5.  Liberality.  Love  your  enemies  5  blefs 
 44>45>4&  them  that  curfe  you,  do  good  to  them  that 
 hate  you  3  and  pray  for  them  which  de- 
 fpitefully  ufe  you  and  perfecute  you ;  that 
 you  may  be  the  Children  of  your  Father 
 which  is  in  Heaven  :  for  he  maketh  his 
 Sun  to  rife  on  the  evil,  and  on  the  good ; 
 and  fendeth  rain  on  the  jufl  and  unjuft. 
 
 Greatness  of  Spirit  is  a  brandi 
 of  the  Divine  Nature  $  and  the  Chri- 
 ftian is  great  i  1  his  Vi&ories,  Expe&a- 
 
 tions 
 
The  Fifth  Sermon.  \  89 
 
 tions  and  Behaviour ;  nothing  mean  and 
 fordid,  in  the  behaviour  of  the  true  Sons 
 of  God  :  they  are  heirs  of  God ,  and  co- 
 heirs with  Chrift,  and  therefore  mufl  needs 
 have  the  world  under  their  feet. 
 
 « 
 From  what  I  have  laid ,    we  may 
 
 eafily  learn  ,  That  there  is  nothing  fo 
 amiable  as  true  Religion.  Nothing  elfe 
 refembles  the  Divine  Nature,  He  that  is  1  j0hn; 
 lorn  of  God,  committeth  no  fin  ;  he  that 
 commit teth  fin  is  of  the  Devil ;  and  the 
 SonofGodwasmanifefied,  that  he  might 
 deflroy  the  works  of  the  DeviL  The 
 Text  that  I  have  hitherto  difcours'd  of, 
 is  the  abridgement  of  the  Gofpel.  Let  us 
 remember  our  miferable  condition  by 
 Nature,  and  enquire  what  effectual  re- 
 medies there  may  be  to  knock  off  our 
 fetters,  to  procure  unto  us  the  Liberty 
 of  the  Sons  of  God,  to  reftore  us  to  his 
 Image  ,  and  how  glorious  our  Victory 
 muft  make  us,  when  we  are  made  par- 
 takers of  the  Divine  Natures  when  we 
 live  in  a  purer  Air ,  and  feed  our  Souls 
 with  the  profpeft  of  Immortality  5  when 
 we  arc  got  above  the  Enchantments  of 
 Senfe  5  when  by  our  comfortable  expe- 
 rience we  tafte  and  fee  that  God  is  good; 
 
 and 
 
ipo  Tl?e  Fifth  Sermon. 
 
 and  in  the  meditation  of  fuch  things, 
 let  us  commit  our  fouls  unto  him,  as  into 
 the  hands  of  a  faithful  Creator. 
 
 To  God  the  Father,  Son  and 
 Holy  Ghoft  ,  he  all  Glory  %  . 
 Power  and  Dominion,  for 
 ever.    Amen. 
 
Ifl 
 
 ■        -     ■  ■  .  -  ■  -— — 
 
 .  ,1.         II  
 
 ■■ 
 A 
 
 SERMON 
 
 Preach'd  before  the 
 
 Bilhop  and  Synod 
 
 April     1 6 8 7.  in  S.  Cjiles's 
 Church  Edinburgh : 
 
 O  N 
 
 Canticles  iv.   V.  15. 
 
 J  Fountain  of  Gardens,  a  Well  of  Li- 
 ving Waters ,  and  Streams  from 
 Lebanon. 
 
 TH  E    Song  of  Solomon,  that  is, 
 the  moft  Elegant  and  Divine 
 Compofure  of  all  his  Poems, 
 the  Song  of  Songs,  by  an  ufual 
 Hebraifm,  the  moft  Excellent  and  Sera- 
 
 phick 
 
1J)2 
 
 7be  Sixth  Sermon: 
 
 phick  Poem  of  all  that  Solomon  ever 
 wrote,  and  deferves  to  be  (6  called  3  as 
 Grotius  hath  itf  ol  mult  as  elegant  i  as  qua 
 in  a  Hum  fermonem  tranflata  non  idem  fa: 
 pimt ,  they  are  like  Aromatick  Spirits 
 that  cannot  fo  eafily  be  conveyed  from 
 one  veflel  to  another. 
 
 'Ti  s  in  its  kind  a  Dramatic  Fctm, 
 full  of  art  and  delicious  harmony,  that 
 under  the  Chaft  and  Sacred  Metaphor  of 
 Marriage ,  fets  off  the  Love  of  Chrift  to 
 his  Churchy  m  the  moft  ravifliing  {trains 
 and  flourishes.  And  this  is  laid  down 
 as  the  firft  foundation  of  expounding 
 this  Book,  by  the  beft  Interpreters  both 
 Antient  and  Modern  :  and  the  Jews 
 themfelves  moft  unanimoufly  conclude, 
 that  it  hafti  an  immediate  reference  to 
 the  glories  and  felicities  of  the  Mejftas ; 
 and  this  Metaphor  of  Marriage,  to  ex- 
 prefs  the  Myjiical  Vnion  ofCbrifi  to  his 
 Church ,  is  frequent  in  the  Writings  of 
 the  Prophets.  Hofea  2.  19.  I  will  he- 
 troth  thee  unto  me  for  ever  ,  yea,  I  will 
 hetroth  thee  unto  me  in  righteoufnefs  and 
 in  judgment.  And  it  is  no  lefs  ufual  to  the 
 Apoftles ,  when  we  look  into  the  New 
 Teftament,  Ephef.  5.  and  32.    This  is  a 
 
 great 
 
The  Sixth  Sermon.  1 9  5 
 
 great  Myfterie  t  but  I  f peak  concerning 
 Chrifl  and  his  Church.  2  Cor.  11.  and  2, 
 /  have  efpou/ed  you  to  one  husband ',  that 
 I  may  prefent  you  as  a  chaft  Virgin  td 
 Chrifl.  Revel.  19.  7.  and  9.  For  the 
 marriage  of  the  Lamb  is  come  ,  and  his 
 Wife  hath  made  her  felf  ready  ,  and  to 
 her  was  granted,  that  jhefhouldle  arrayed 
 in  fine  linnen,  clean  and  white  :  for  the 
 fine  linnen  is  the  righteoufnefs  of  the 
 Saints. 
 
 -  Now  when  we  apply  to  the  Church 
 the  Chara&ers  of  Beauty,  and  the  Paflt- 
 ons  of  Sacred  Love,  that  are  fcattered 
 up  and  down  through  this  Book  ,  we 
 but  follow  and  trace  the  footfteps  of  the 
 Prophets  and  the  Apoflles.  S.Bernard 
 in  his  firft  Sermon  on  the  Canticles,  gives 
 this  Epitome  of  the  Works  of  Solomon, 
 that  are  extant.  In  the  Book  of  the  Pro- 
 verbs ,  fuperfluous  [elf  love  is  banifheds, 
 in  the  Book  of  Ecclefiaftes,  the  vain  love 
 of  the  World  is  rejetled :  but,  in  Cantico 
 Cetnticorum  pr^fcrilitur  caftus  Amor  Dei  $ 
 the  whole  Book  being  nothing  e!fe,  but 
 the  ftrongeft  efforts  of  the  Divine  Love 
 to  be  united  in  the  deleft  Bonds  to 
 Chrift  out  Head. 
 
 0  ■  Ane* 
 
i  p4  Th*  Sixth  Sermon. 
 
 And  this  Chapter  out  of  which  I 
 have  read  this  Verfe,  breaths  the  fame 
 air,  and  is  wholly  taken  up,  in  com- 
 mending the  incomparable  Beauty  of  the 
 Spoufe.  Behold  thou  art  fair  my  Love>lehold 
 thou  art  fair  :  u  e.  thou  art  fair  beyond 
 thought  or  expreflion.  And  again,  thou 
 art  ail  fair  my  Love,  there  is  no  fpot  in 
 thee.  The  fifteenth  Verfe  is  but  the  re- 
 petition  of,  or  a  further  Paraphrafe  upon, 
 the  twelfth  A  Garden  inclofed  is  my  Si- 
 fter\  a  Spring  fhut  up,  a  Fountain  ft  ale  ds> 
 and  here,  a  Fountain  of  Gardens  ,  a  Well 
 of LivingWaters  ,  and  Streams  jrom  Le- 
 banon. How  fitly  this  gradation  of  Epi- 
 thets becomes  the  Church,  Ilhali  endea- 
 vour to  explain  as  I  go  forward. 
 
 Dilherus.'  Fens  Hcrtorum ,  qui  mult  is  lor  t  is  ri- 
 gandk  fufficiat.  And  by  thofe  Waters, 
 we  are  to  underfland,  the  pure  and  hea- 
 venly Do&rine  of  the  Church,  that  wa- 
 ters the  withered  and  parch'd  Inhabi- 
 tants of  the  Earth  with  its  ftreams,  with- 
 out which  they  had  been  long  e're  now 
 burnt  up  with  the  fire  of  Gods  wrath  and 
 indignation.  *Tis  ufual  with  the  Pro- 
 phets to  exprefs  the  heavenly  Oracles, 
 
 under 
 
The  Sixth  Sermon.  i  <p  j 
 
 under  the  Notion  of  Dew,  and  Rain,  and 
 Living  Waters.  Deut.32.  &  2.  My  Dd- 
 Urine  {hall  drop  as  the  Rain  ,  myjpeech 
 /hall  diflil  as  the  Dew,  as  thefmall  Rain 
 upon  the  tender  Herb,  and  as  the  Show- 
 ers upon  the  Grajs.  and  our  Saviour  him- 
 felf  in  his  Conference  with  the  Woman  of 
 Samaria,  tells ,  that  the  Waters  that  he 
 [hall  give ,  jpall  be  in  him  to  whom  they 
 are  given,  a  Well  of  Waters,  fpringing  up 
 unto  eternal  life.  The  higheft  pitch  of 
 temporal  prosperity  is  expreflcd  in  Holy 
 Scriptures  by  Dew.  God  give  thee  of  the  ifa,  35.  6. 
 Dew  of  Heaven,  and  Fatnefs  of  the  Earth. Gen-  27- 
 And  Pfal.  13  3.  and  3.  David  compareth  HoVeV^V 
 the  Unity  of  Brethren  dwelling  together 
 in  love,  to  the  Dew  of  Hermon,  and  that 
 which  dejcended  on  the  Mountains  cfSion. 
 as  a  token  t hat  there  the  Lord  command- 
 ed his  bleffwg  $  and  Prev.  10.  ©*  1 2.  the 
 Kings  favour  is  likened  to  Dew  on  the 
 Grafs. 
 
 Since  then,  what  is  mod  excel- 
 lent and  defireable ,  is  exprefled  by  it, 
 and  that  in  the  Old  and  New  Teflament, 
 the  Sacred  Oracles  are  particularly  figni- 
 fied  by  Streams  and  Living  Waters ,  we 
 offer  no  violence  to  the  Je  w'tfh  Idiom,  and 
 Q  7  Pre- 
 
i  $6  Tin  Sixth  Sermon. 
 
 Prophetical  Phrafe  ,  when  we  expound 
 this  Verfe,  and  its  parallel  places,  of  the 
 Church  under  the  Meffias  ,  efpecially  dif- 
 fufing  the  ftreams  of  their  heavenly  Co- 
 racles over  the  habitable  World,  and  con- 
 verting men  from  darknefs  to  light,  and 
 from  the  power  of  Satan ,  to  the  living 
 'God.  In  fpeaking  to  thefe  words,  I  fhall 
 confine  my  felf  to  three  particulars,  fol- 
 lowing the  natural  order  and  pofition 
 of  the  Words  and  Metaphors  as  they  lye 
 before  us. 
 
 Firfl,  We  have  the  ufe  of  thofe  Wa- 
 ters ;  a  Fountain  of  Gardens. 
 
 Secondly,  Th  e  Purity  of  them9aWell 
 
 of  Living  Waters.  ♦ 
 
 Thirdly,  The  fir  ft  Rife  and  Origine 
 of  thefe  Waters  ,  they  are  Streams  from 
 
 Lebanon. 
 
 j  Firfl ,  I  Say,  We  have  the  ufe  of 
 thofe  Waters,  Pons  hortorum,  a  Fountain 
 of  Gardens  ,  fa  conveniently  fituated  in 
 the  middle,  that  by  its  Conduits  and  Ca- 
 nals, it  may  water  and  refrefh  the  neigh- 
 bouring Gardens.      The  Church   looks 
 
 with 
 
The  Sixth  Sermon.  l  py 
 
 with  tendernefs  and  compaflion,  on  the 
 righc,  and  on  the  left  hand  3  as  our  Sa- 
 viour looked  upon  Jerufalem  before  her 
 approaching  ruine,  and  fays  in  his  very 
 words  ,  How  often  would  I  have  gathe- 
 red you  i  She  wifely  and  difcreetly  diftri- 
 butes  the  Waters  ot  Life  to  the  neceffities 
 of  all ;  the  contrite  and  humble,^  raifes 
 from  the  duft,by  confolations  and  the  pre- 
 cious Promifes ;  the  incorrigible  and  flub- 
 born  ,  She  calls  down  by  Thunder  and 
 Lightning,  by  words  of  terror  and  in- 
 dignation. She  comforts  the  fearful , 
 warns  the  flothful,  and  applies  her  felfto 
 the  fpiritual  neceffities  of  all.  For  her 
 weapons  are  not  carnal,  hut  mighty  through 
 6od9  for  pulling  down  Jlrong  holds  ,  and 
 lofty  imaginations,  and  leading  our  thoughts 
 captive  to  the  obedience  ofjefus. 
 
 I  W  o  u  L  d  not  pafs  over  this  firft  Me- 
 taphor tranfiently,  but  let  us  examine  its 
 defign ,  and  we  fhall  find  it  may  natu- 
 rally imply,  either  Firft,  The  Beauty  of 
 its  Situation  ;  or,  Secondly,  The  abun- 
 dance of  its  Furniture  5  or,  Thirdly,The 
 Strength  of  its  Inclofure  ;  or,  Fourth- 
 ly, The  Propriety  of  its  Owner.  Tis 
 tons  ftgnatHs,  a  Fountain  fealed,  the  chajf 
 O  }  Spouje 
 
i  p  8  The  Sixth  Sermon. 
 
 Spoufe  ofJeJusChrift)  married  and [ealed 
 ly  his  Spirit. 
 
 Firft,  I  Say,  this  Metaphor  implies, 
 the  Beauty  oi  its  Situation,  fo  plac'd,that 
 it  might  water  the  neighbouring  Gar- 
 dens and  Inclofures  ,  that  the  Rivulets 
 derived  thence,  might  moiften  andfru- 
 £lifie  all  quarters  of  its  dependance.  Our 
 Saviour  fays  to  his  Apoftles,  you  are  the 
 Light  of  the  World  >  and  a  City  Jet  upon 
 an  hill  cannot  he  hid.  Ifa.  J .  I.  The 
 Church  is  faid  to  be  aVineyardon  a  very 
 fruitful  Hill i)  and  this  is  the  Hill  (faith 
 the  Ffalmifi )  Pfal.  68.  16.  which  God  de- 
 fir  eth  to  dwell  in,  yea,  the  Lord  will  dwell 
 in  it  for  ever.  They  then  that  are  fee 
 on  the  Towers  of  Sion,  muftlook  on  all 
 hands  co^efend  the  place  from  the  af- 
 faults  of  the  enemy.  The  Church  to  the 
 Earth,  is  like  the  Sun  in  the  Firmament, 
 though  fometimes  darkned  with  Va- 
 pours, Clouds  and  Exhalations ;  yet  its 
 Beams  break  through  the  thick  dark- 
 nefs ,  and  illuminates  South  and  North, 
 Eaft  and  Weft.  Our  Religion  is  light, 
 and  nothing  more  evident  and  plain, than 
 the  light  3  and  though  we  cannot  give 
 perhaps  a   Metaphyfical  account  of  its 
 
 nature, 
 
The  Sixth  Sermon.  1  pp 
 
 nature,  yet  wc  all  know  what  it  is }  we 
 feel  the  Warmth  and  Beauty  of  it :  we 
 are  not  then  to  make  thisDoftrine  ob- 
 fcure  orabftrufe  with  human  inventions, 
 or  Comments  and  Glofles  fuperinduced 
 by  Fancy,  Vanities,  or  worldly  Defigns, 
 nor  are  we  to  keep  it  up  from  People,but 
 to  let  the  Streams  of  thofe  Waters  run 
 fo  fcafonably  and  plentifully,  for  the 
 edification  of  all  our  Matters  houfhold. 
 The  Doflrrine  is  in  it  felf  plain,  We  need 
 not  fay  ,  Who  Jball  afcend  into  the  Hea-  , 
 vens  to  bring  it  down,  or  defc end  into  the  Romans, 
 Depth,  to  bring  it  from  thence ;  for  it  is 
 near  thee,  and  in  thy  mouth  ? 
 
 B  V  the  Fountain  then  ,  I  underftand 
 the  Organic  Church  ,  plac'd  as  it  were  in 
 the  midft  of  the  World ,  and  fct  upon  a 
 Hill.  And  fince  we  are  advane'd  to 
 this  height ,  we  muft  breath  in  a  purer 
 Air ,  than  the  feculent  Vapours  of  the 
 lower  Regions.  Our  Souls  muft  fly 
 higher,  and  mount  nearer  the  Sun,  than 
 the  Birds  of  darknefs  and  Senfualicy. 
 We  are  obliged  to  converfe  with  the 
 reft  of  Mankind ,  as  the  Meffengers  of 
 God,  who  defign  to  gain  them  from  their 
 fin  and  danger,  that  when  the  great 
 Q  4  Shephqrd 
 
%  oo  Tl?e  Sixth  Sermon. 
 
 Shepherd  comes ,  we  may  be  found  ha- 
 ving our  loins  girt  ,  each  at  his  own 
 Poft  moving  in  his  own  Sphere,  and  then 
 fhall  we  appear  as  Workmen  that  need 
 not  be  aQiamed ,  as  neither  having  vio- 
 lated nor  betrayed  that  Sacred  Depojltum 
 committed  to  our  care. 
 
 Secondly,  Th  i  5  Metaphor  implies  the 
 abundance  of  its  furniture  ;  there  is  in 
 this  Fountain  of  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
 Scaturigo  perennis  aquarum.  Mat. I  J.  52. 
 The  Scribe  inftrucled  unto  the  Kingdom  of 
 Heaven ,  Iringeth  forth  out  of  his  trea- 
 fure  things  new  and  old.  When  our  Sa- 
 viour defign'd  to  propagate  his  Church 
 among  the  Gentiles,  he  opened  the  Store- 
 hoqfes  of  Heaven  upon  the  day  of  Pente- 
 cofiy  by  which  the  Apojlles  were  infla- 
 med with  Divine  Eloquence  and  Zeal, 
 to  aflert  and  defend  the  Myfteries  of  the 
 Kingdom  of  Heaven.  1  Cor.  ri.  7,  8, 
 9, 10,  11.  To  one  is  given  ly  the  Spirit 
 theWordofWifdom,  to  another  the  Word 
 of  Knowledge  ly  the  fame  Spirit ,  to  ano- 
 ther Faith  by  the  fame  Spirit ,  to  another 
 she  Gifts  of  healing  ly  the  fame  Spirit. 
 
 When 
 
The  Sixth  Sermon,  20 1 
 
 When    we  confider  the  Neceffities 
 of  the  Church ,   thofe  Gifts  mud  needs 
 be  multiplibd  in  proportion  to  the  fpiri- 
 tual    Difeafes  and  Exigencies   of  Mens 
 Souls ;  the  firft  Ages  of  the  Church  requi* 
 red  the  miraculous  Gift  of  Languages, 
 Miracles  and  Healings  :  and  the  latter 
 Ages,  no  lefs  Devotion,  Care  and  Humi- 
 lity, the  Gifts  that  are  proper  for  edifi- 
 cation and  eftablifhment  of  the  People  in 
 their  mofl  holy  Faith. 
 
 When  to  this  we  add,  the  Nature 
 of  our  heavenly  employment.  It  is  not 
 a  little  trifling  Skill ,  that  qualifies  Men 
 for  this  undertaking :  Our  Fun&ion  is 
 converfantin  the  higheft  My  fteries,  and 
 fuch  as  are  of  the  higheft  confequence^ 
 does  it  not  require  the  beft  of  Moral 
 Preparations ,  the  ftrongeft  intellectual 
 Furniture ,  all  the  Accomplifhments  of 
 Nature,  Grace  and  Education  J 
 
 We  muft  form  the  Minds  of  Men  un- 
 to a  higher  Difcipline  ,  than  Humane 
 Arts  and  Sciences ;  we  muft  leave  no 
 Scone  unturned  to  reform  the  World,  we 
 muft  dig  hard  in  the  Spiritual  Mines  of 
 
 the 
 
i  o  i  The  Sixth  Sermon: 
 
 the  Holy  Scriptures  for  knowledge,  as 
 for  Silver ,  and  fear ch  for  her,  as  for  hid 
 treafures.  \ 
 
 How  delicate  and  curious  apiece  of 
 work  it  is ,  to  frame  the  Souls  of  Men 
 into  right  Principles,  folid  and  clear  No- 
 tions, to  recover  them  from  darknefs  to 
 light,  to  be  imployed  in  watching  over 
 the  Church ,  that  God  bought  with  his 
 own  blood,  how  noble  an  employment 
 is  this  ?  The  Son  of  God  incarnate  was 
 the  firft  of  our  Order,  the  Founder  of 
 our  Society.  When  we  confider  how 
 various  are  the  Spiritual  neceffities  of 
 the  Chucch,  the  ignorances,  miftakes  and 
 negligences  of  the  People,  the  Arts,  So- 
 phiftry  and  Wiles  of  the  Devil ,  nothing 
 but  an  inexhauftible  Fountain,  can  fup- 
 ply  its  wants. 
 
 And  therefore  the  People  fhould 
 confider  our  Chara&er  as  the  molt  dif- 
 ficult and  moft  Sacred ,  it  requires  the 
 clofeft  application  of  Mind,  the  moft  ac- 
 curate Meditation  ,  the  moft  indefatiga- 
 ble Attendance,  toinftruflrthe  ignorant, 
 to  convert  the  finner,  to  fettle  the  doubt- 
 ful, to  confirm  the  wavering ,  to  roufe 
 
 up 
 
The  Sixth  Sermon.  %o\ 
 
 tip  the  negligent,  to  awaken  the  impeni- 
 tent, to  open  to  all  men  the  Do&rine  of 
 Chriftianity  5  and  in  a  word,  to  leadour 
 People  by  Vertue,  Patience  and  Piety, 
 through  the  intricate  Stages  of  this  trou- 
 blefome  life ,  till  they  are  put  beyond 
 danger  and  tentation. 
 
 On  e  thus  engaged ,  had  need  to  be 
 furniihed  with  a  grave,  ferious  and  (tea 
 dy  temper  of  mind.  Who  can  think  him* 
 fdf  Sufficient  for  thefe  things  f  Would 
 not  he  need  to  have  the  illumination  of 
 an  Angel ,  the  companion  of  a  Father* 
 Would  not  he  need  the  Wifdom,  Conftan- 
 cy,  Refolution  and  Courage  of  the  grca- 
 teftSoul,  whom  no  Storm,  noTempeft, 
 mud  drive  from  the  Helm. 
 
 Our  Saviour  forefeeing  what  Com- 
 binations would  mufter  againft  the 
 Church,  what  Legions  of  darknefs  would 
 endeavour  to  fhake  its  Faith,  anddifturb 
 its  Unity  ,  did  furnifh  his  peculiar  Ser- 
 vants, that  wore  his  Livery,  with  fuch 
 Gifts  and  Graces  as  might  defend  the 
 Churchy  propagate  the  Faith,  and  repel 
 the  force  of  Errors  to  the  end  of  the 
 Worldo     When  he  afcended  up  on  high, 
 
 he 
 
1 04  The  Sixth  Sermon. 
 
 he  led  Captivity  captive ,  and  gave  gifts 
 unto  men.     He  made  the  illiterate  Galli- 
 leans  baffle  the  Infidelity  of  the  Jews , 
 confound  the  Philofophy  of  the  Atheni- 
 ans, and  expofe  the  Worlhip  of  Demons. 
 The  Donatives  that  hefcatteredamongft 
 his  followers,  overcame  the  little  Reafo- 
 nings  andSophiftry  of  Carnal  Wifdom, 
 and  made  both  Jew  and  Gentile  ftoop  to 
 receive  the  Yoke  of  the  Crucified  Meffias. 
 The  Prophecy  of  Joel  was  fulfilled,  and 
 his  Spirit  powred  out  on  all  flefli,  in  fuch 
 plentiful  efFufions,   that  it  broke  down 
 all  oppofition,  it  carried  all  before  it, 
 and  defied  all  obftacles  that  were  inven- 
 ted by  human  Counfel ;  and  though  this 
 be  meant  in  its  moft  eminent  fenfe  of 
 the  Apoftolical  Age,  yet  the  fame  Spirit 
 fupplies  the  Church  in  all  Ages  out  of  the 
 feme  fulnefs.     But, 
 
 Thirdly,  I N  this  Metaphor  is  implied 
 the  ftrength  of  its  Inclofure.  The  Church 
 is  a  Society  formed  and  combined  by 
 Spiritual  Laws  and  Ligaments  :  for  Jeru* 
 falem  is  a  City  that  is  compatt  together. 
 Pfal.  121.  Accordingly  the  ffalmifi 
 prays  ,  Peace  be  within  thy  Walls  9  and 
 Prof  perky  within    thy   Palaces.       The 
 
 Church 
 
The  Sixth  Sermon.  2  o  j 
 
 Church  is  a  foreignColony  ,a  Kingdom  not 
 of  this  World, fortified  with  SpiritualPow- 
 er,  Laws  and  Arguments,  to  overawe  the 
 Confciences  of  Men,  to  reclaim  theflub- 
 born  ,  to  eftablifh  the  Authority  of  Je- 
 fuf,  by  the  Promifes  and  Threatnings  of 
 an  Invifible  Kingdom :  for  his  Kingdom 
 is  not  of  this  World,  it  forms  no  defigns 
 againft  the  Temporalities  of  Princes  ,  it 
 gives  no  difturbance  to  their  Pofleffions  5 
 ir  lives  in  the  profoundeft  peace ,  and 
 the  moft  abfolute  tranquillity. 
 
 And  until Eafe,  Luxury, Riches  and 
 Idlenefs  had  debauch'd  the  Morals  and 
 Intelle&uals  of  the  Weftern  Church,  there 
 was  no  difturbance  given  to  the  Powers 
 of  the  Earth  3  the  Church  indeed  is  a  So- 
 ciety ,  but  a  Society  whofe  Laws,  Ma- 
 xims and  Methods  are  wholly  different 
 from  Secular  Policy.  The  Nature  and 
 Genius  of  our  Religion  abftra&s  Mens 
 Minds  from  the  World,  and  the  Laws  of 
 it  are  Pure,  Heavenly  and  Spiritual,  and 
 the  natural  tendency  of  them,  is  to  alie- 
 nate our  affeftions  from  the  Earth. 
 
 Have  you  obferved  any  Society  of 
 Men  under  the  Name  of  a  Church,  grafp- 
 
 ing 
 
'%  o6  7k  Sixth  Sermon. 
 
 ing  at  Earthly  Power  ,  and  by  Secular 
 Intrigues  and  Contrivances  levelling  all 
 oppofition ,  ic  is  no  more  a&ed  by  the 
 Spirit  oijefus.  Yet  notwithftanding  of 
 this  Innocence,  the  Church  is  a  Fountain 
 of  Gardens^  a  peculiar  Inclofure ,  that  nei- 
 ther Wolves  nor  Bears  can  breakthrough, 
 neither  Perfecutors  nor  Hereticks  can 
 deftroy  it ;  the  gates  of  Hell  cannot  pre- 
 vail againft  it  5  the  Storms  may  indeed 
 rife  very  high,  but  Chrijl  is  in  the  Ship, 
 and  he  can  reprove  the  Winds  and 
 Storms.  Pfal.  129.  Many  a  time  have 
 they  affliHed  me  from  my  youth,  may  If- 
 raelfay,  yet  have  they  not  prevailed,  the 
 Flowers  plowed  upon  my  back  ,  and  made 
 long  their  furrows. 
 
 When  we remember,that  the  whole 
 World  lies  in  wickednefs ,  and  the  Spi- 
 rit that  prevails  moft  among  Mankind, 
 is  oppofue  to  the  defigns  of  the  Gofpel  5 
 what  a  Miracle  of  the  Divine  Goodneft 
 is  it,  that  the  Hedge  of  the  Church  is  not 
 quite  broke  down  ?  And  fometimes  the 
 violent  attempts  of  the  Kingdom  of 
 Darknefs  may  fo  far  prevail  by  the  per- 
 milfion  of  God,  as  utterly  to  deface  and 
 ruine  particular  Churches.     They  have 
 
 all 
 
The  Sixth  Sermon.  i  07 
 
 all  their  Intervals,  Eclipfes ,  and  feveral 
 Periods  of  Light  and  Darknefe :  for  no 
 particular  Church  by  any  Promife,  Grant 
 or  Privilege  of  our  Saviour ,  is  fecured 
 from  a  poflibility  of  falling ,  by  Error, 
 Defe&ion  and  Herefie  5  but  the  prefer- 
 vation  of  the  Church  is  owing  wholly  to 
 the  Divine  Arm  5  his  Love,  Care  and 
 Tendernefs  reaches  the  Church  in  all  her 
 conditions  and  members.  Hejhallfeed 
 his  flock  like  a  Shepherd ',  he  /hail  gather 
 the  Lambs  with  his  Arm  ,  and  carry  them 
 in*  his  Bofom ,  and  /hall  gently  lead  thofe 
 that  are  with  young. 
 
 His  Ambafladors  muft  be  fuch,  as 
 by  their  Serioufnefs,  Gravity  and  Inno- 
 cence ,  may  put  to  filence  the  ignorance 
 of  foolifli  men  :  we  muft  refolutely  en- 
 counter the  hard  Cenfures  and  Obloquies 
 of  a  perverfe  World  ,  and  when  we  have 
 done  our  utmoft  to  oblige  them  to  en- 
 tertain the  Gofpel ,  and  us  for  the  Go- 
 fpels  fake ,  we  may  chance  to  be  treated 
 with  all  the  marks  of  ignominy ,  con- 
 tempt and  difdain.  If  it  be  fo  difficult 
 then  to  preferve  the  Church  9  and  our  own 
 Reputation,  from  the  attempts  and  ma- 
 lice of  wicked  men  *  I  think  in  Prudence, 
 
 Honour 
 
2  o  8  Tl?e  Sixth  Sermon. 
 
 Honour  and  Confcience,  we  ought  to  be 
 very  kind  to  the  Reputation  of  one  ano- 
 ther. To  befpatter  ones  Reputation,  is 
 the  greateft  wound  you  can  give  his 
 Character,  and  it  is  all  one  whether  you 
 do  it  by  a  direft  blow  3  or  flantingly,  by 
 cunning  and  (lie  infmuations.  Indeed 
 we  can  do  little  by  our  felves  to  defend 
 the  inclofure  of  the  Church ;  wc  are  but 
 weak  and  feeble,  and  the  wickednefs  of 
 Men  makes  us  more  and  more  (6 ;  yet  if 
 every  one  made  his  Brothers  Reputation 
 dear  to  him  as  his  own,  we  might  do 
 very  much  to  vindicate  the  Innocence,  to 
 extenuate  the  Infirmities,  to  remove  the 
 reproaches  ,  that  are  Atheiftically  caft 
 upon  Men  of  our  Order,  and  the  Church 
 might  appear  unto  our  enemies ,  to  be 
 in  the  language  of  the  Bridegroom,  Cant* 
 6.  4.  beautiful  as  Tirzah  ,  and  comely  as 
 Jerufalem^  and  terrible  as  an  Army  with 
 banners. 
 
 The  weakeft  things  knit  together* 
 make  a  ftrong  refiftance ;  for  though  we 
 fight  not  with  carnal  weapons,  yet  thofe 
 we  make  ufe  of,  are  mighty  to  break 
 and  fhatter  the  Kingdom  of  Darknefs  * 
 and  all  its  retinue. 
 
 But 
 
The  Sixth  Sermon.  %  ©^ 
 
 This  Metaphor  implyes  Fourth- 
 ly>  The  Propriety  of  Chrifi  in  his  Spoufe. 
 The  Church  is  faid  in  the  twelfth  Verfe, 
 to  be  Pons  Jignatus ,  a  Fountain  Jeakd  ; 
 She  carries  the  vifible  Badge  and  Livery 
 of  her  deareft  Lord  and  Redeemer  :  She 
 is  the  chaJISpoufe  of  J e fas  Chrifi  \  hence 
 you  find,  whenever  the  Jews  made  defe- 
 ction from  the  Worfhip  of  the  true 
 God,  the  Prophets  did  upbraid  them  with 
 their  going  a  whoring  after  their  Idols, 
 The  Church  is  married  unto  him  in  Truth 
 and  Righteoufnefs  5  his  Myflical  Body 
 bought  with  his  Blood ';  Silver  and  Gold 
 could  not  redeem  her  5  the  Love  of 
 Chrifi  to  the  Church  is  incomprehenfibki 
 the  height ,  the  breadth,  and  the  depth 
 of  it,  goes  beyond  our  imaginations,  and 
 much  more  ail  our  expreffions.  Fie  lo* 
 vet h  the  gates  ofZion  ,  more  than  all  the 
 dwellings  of  Jacob;  and  Pfal.  78.  68.  He 
 chufed  Mount  Zion  which  he  loved ,  he 
 built  his  Sanftuary  like  the  Earth  ,  which 
 he  hath  ejlablifhed  for  ever  5  his  love  to 
 the  Church  is  prima  regula  amoris,  Eph. 
 5.  25.  Husbands  love  your  Wives,  even  as 
 Chrifi  loved  his  Church,  and  gave  himfelf 
 for  it.  The  Church  hath  but  one  Hul- 
 P  hmd, 
 
1  i  o  The  Sixth  Sermon. 
 
 band,  one  Mediator,  one  Sacrifice:  the 
 Purity,  Value  and  Propitiation  of  which 
 defends  her  for  ever,  againfl:  all  the  ef- 
 forts and  aflaults  of  Hell.  We  fee  by 
 what  is  faid  ,  that  this  Metaphor  in  its 
 true  intent,  moft  naturally  agrees  to  the 
 Organick  Church  ,  eftabliined  in  the 
 true  Faith  ,  and  guarded  with  its  true 
 Paftors. 
 
 But  I  go  forward  to  the  fecond  Par- 
 ticular that  I  promifed  to  fpeak  to  }  the 
 Purity  of  thefe  Waters  5  the  Church  is  a 
 Well  ofLivbig  Waters.  Dilherus  renders 
 it  Puteus  aqua  uiventis^  a  deep  Well,  von 
 colLeftiti<2  claufa  atque  ftagnantis,  fed  uU 
 tro  fcaturientis  ;  that  by  its  copious,  fre- 
 quent and  uninterrupted  ebullitions,  wa- 
 ters all  the  neighbouring  Regions  :  they 
 are  the  only  Waters  can  quench  the 
 Third  of  reafonable  Souls:  this  is  the 
 Well  after  which  they  pant  and  breath. 
 As  the  Hart  panteth  after  the  Water- 
 brook*)  Pfal. 41. 
 
 Here  Interpreters  take  care  todiftin- 
 guiih  betwixt  a  Fountain  and  a  Well. 
 Every  Well  is  a  Fountain  ,  but  every 
 Fountain  is  not  a  Well.      So  the  Well 
 
 implies 
 
The  Sixth  Sermon. 
 
 implies  great  depth  and  profundity^  and 
 this  Phrafe  added  to  the  former,  does  in- 
 finuate  9  that  the  Waters  of  the  Sanctu- 
 ary are  not  only  pure,  clear  and  ferene, 
 but  very  deep ;  they  are  not  a  puddle, 
 nor  a  (landing  Lake;  not  like  the  Wa- 
 rcrs  oiGomorrha,  where  Fifties  cannot 
 live  ;  but  the  fmooth  and  deep  Rivers 
 of  Paradife. 
 
 This  Metaphor  then  duly  confide- 
 red  ,  does  imply  the  Purity ,  Profun- 
 dity and  free  Communication  of  thefe 
 Oracles. 
 
 Fir  (I,  I  S  a  y,  the  Purity  of  thefe  Wa- 
 ters. The  Church  ofChrifl  is  not  to  be 
 fed  with  Dreams,  and  Fancies ,  and  cor- 
 rupt Do&rines  ;  not  with  noife,  often- 
 tation  and  popular  tricks  5  but  with 
 Words  of  Eternal  Life,  x  Tim.  1.  13. 
 Hold  fafi  the  form  of  found  words  which 
 thou  had  heard  of  me,  in  Faith  and  Love, 
 which  is  in  Chrifi  Jefus.  We  are  to  take 
 heed  (  1  Tim.  4. 1 6. )  to  our  felves ,  and 
 to  our  dottrine ;  for  this  is  the  way  to 
 fave  our  felves  ,  and  them  which 
 hear  us. 
 
 P  2  The 
 
 211 
 
2i  z  The  Sixth  Sermon) 
 
 The  Hereticks  of  all  Ages  have 
 been  proud ,  and  fubtile,  and  indefatiga- 
 ble, and  there  is  no  Antidote  againft 
 their  Poyfon,  but  to  adhere  to  the  Sim- 
 plicity  of  theGofpel,  the  ^mt  Canon  of 
 the  Scriptures  ,  the  antient  Creeds  and 
 Liturgies  of  the  Church ,  the  faith  which 
 ivas  delivered  to  the  Saint j,  the  Doctrines 
 that  have  been  received  uno  ore  apudom* 
 nesChriftianos :  the  Golden  Rule  oi  Vin- 
 cent iusLirenenfis,  quod  apudomnes,  quod 
 ubique,  quod  femper.  This  is  certainly 
 the  Rule  of  Faith  ,  and  by  this  Standard 
 were  the  antient  Herefies  examined,  baf- 
 fled and  confounded  :  Reafon,  Scripture 
 and  Univerfal  Tradition,  were  the  Wea- 
 pons by  which  they  defended  the  Truth. 
 For  the  Apoftle  foretells  ,  i  Cor.  4.  2,  3. 
 That  the  time  would  quickly  come,  when  men 
 could  not  endure  found  doflrine,  but  after 
 their  own  luffs ,  they  fhould  heap  teachers 
 to  themfehes ,  and  turn  their  ears  from 
 the  truth)  and  follow  after  fables*  They 
 did  fo  in  a  little  time,  and  the  offspring 
 of  Simon  Magus  covered  the  Church,  as 
 the  Frogs  did  Egypt.  This  occafioned 
 the  Herefiologies  oilren&uSy  Epiphanius, 
 §.  Auguftine :  Many  forfook  the  Simpli- 
 city 
 
The  Sixth  Sermon.  i  \  j 
 
 city  of  Faith  ,  and  mixt  the  Waters  ol 
 Life,  with  the  putrid  Streams  that  they 
 drew  from  their  own  GifternsT 
 
 The  Credenda  of  our  Religion  are 
 but  very  few,   and  the  Conftitution  of 
 Human  Nature  did  require,   that  they 
 fcould  be  few.      For  fince  our  Saviour 
 did  calculate  his  Religion ,  not  for  any 
 particular  Sect  or  Parry,     but  for  the 
 whole  Body  of  Mankind  ,  it  cannot  be 
 thought,  that  he  defign'd  that  it  fhould 
 be  fpun  out  into  Nice  Decifions,  Msta- 
 pby/ical  Diftin&ions,  odd  and  Barbarous 
 Words.     When  the  School  Divinity  be- 
 gan to  be  the  Learning  of  the  Weflern 
 Church ,   and  Ariftotle's  Fhilojophy  gave 
 Laws  to  their  Theology ,   how  miferably 
 was  the  Chriftian  Religion  mangled  and 
 broken  into  airy  Queftions ,   uncertain 
 Conclufions  and  idle  Problems,  that  eat  J^v.^ 
 out  the  Life  of  true  Learning  and  Devo-  Greed. 
 tion  ?   And  Articles  impofed  on  the  Be- 
 lief of  the  Church  ,  neither  neceflary  in 
 their  Nature,  nor  revealed  by  Ckrift%  nor 
 taught  by  the  Apojlks  ,  nor  founded  in 
 Reafon,  nor  confifting  with  the  Analogy 
 of  Faith.      The  Chriftian  Religion  thus 
 rarificd  unto  nothing,  became  feeble  and 
 P  J  dry, 
 
1 1 4  The  Sixth  Sermon. 
 
 Jry,  loft  its  force  and  primitive  vigour. 
 And  the  truth  is ,  fince  the  Thirteenth 
 Century ,  in  which  that  kind  of  Learning 
 domineered  in  all  Schools,  Colleges  and 
 Monaftcries,  all  Difcourfes,  even  the 
 Homilies  that  exhort  the  People  to  Re- 
 pentance and  a  Holy  Life,  were  all  blen- 
 ded with  that  bombafl  Jargon.  But 
 our  Religion  was  firft  plainly  delivered, 
 and  loves  perfpicuity ,  and  fixes  its  re- 
 fidence  in  the  moft  ingenuous  Souls ,  and 
 if  it  be  covered  and  mantled  in  dark- 
 nefe,  who  can  diftinguifti  it  from  Non- 
 fenfe  and  Vanity  ? 
 
 And  therefore  fince  Cbrijt  by  us  con- 
 vcysthefe  Waters  to  his  Church ,  let  us 
 not  fully  them  with  Chimerical  Guefles 
 and  Uncertainties,  but  let  us  pour  them 
 out  in  their  original  Purity  and  Simpli- 
 city, without  alteration,  corruption  or 
 addition.  How  often  doth  the  Afoftle 
 exhort  to  this  ?  2  Tim.  7.  8„  In  doilrinc 
 Jhewing  uncorruptednefs,  gravity,  finterity, 
 found  fpeech  that  cannot  be  condemned. 
 And  Titus  1.9.  holding  fafl  the  faithful 
 ^)ord,  as  thou  hajl  been  taught*  that  he  may 
 be  able  by  found  dcilrine ,  bgth  to  exhort 
 and  convince  gainfayers. 
 
 And 
 
The  Sixth  Sermon.  2,  i  J 
 
 And  this  is  not  done  by  Paffion  or 
 reviling  Language  5  for  where  did  you 
 ever  hear ,  that  a  man  was  recovered 
 from  Herefie  or  Schifm,  by  heaping  re*zTl'm-2- 
 proaches  upon  him  }  Our  Arguments25' 
 may  be  intrinfecally  ftrong,  but  if  they 
 at$  fet  d([  with  venom  ,p  rancour  and 
 pirfon^l  afperfions,they  may  well  irritaxe 
 the  Dileaie,  but  they  (hall  never  reclaim 
 the  Erroneous  5  and  therefore  when  we 
 deal  with  any  fuch ,  either  on  the  right 
 or  left  hand,  let  us  flate  the  Gontrover- 
 fies  fairly,  3,  elfe  we  but  heat  the  Air  5 
 neith^  muft  we  multiply  them  needlefly; 
 nor  are  we  to  tofs  and  bandy  thofeQue- 
 flions  to  ferve  the  defigns  of  Fame,  O- 
 ftentation  of  Learnings  Popularity  5  but 
 with  a  fincere  refolution  to  edifie  the 
 Churchy  to  fight  under  the  Royal  Stan- 
 dard ofChriJl,  jo  preferve  his  Church,  his 
 chaft  and  dearly  Jeloved  Spoufe. 
 
 ;  Secondly  ,  1  H  j  s  Metaphor  im- 
 plies the  profound  Nature  of  Gofpel 
 Myfleries  :  'tis  puteus  profundus  aqua 
 viventis.  The  Woman  of  Samaria  fa  id  to 
 our  Saviour  otJacofaWell ,  that  //  wfs 
 very  deep,  (prices  /2a&) ,  how  much 
 P  4  more 
 
i  \  6  The  Sixth  Sermon. 
 
 more  profound  are  the  Wells  of  Salva- 
 tion  ?  The  Myfteries  of  the  Kingdom 
 of  Heaven,  the  deep  things  of  God ,  the 
 Myfteries  kept  Kid  from  Ages  and  Gene- 
 rations. Great  is  the  Myflerie  ofGodlinefs, 
 Godmanifejled  in  the  Fie  ft  y  jujlifiedin  the 
 Spirit,  feen  of  Angels,  believed  on  in  the 
 the  World ,  received'  up  into  Glory.  We 
 are  taught  by  the  Gofpel  to  fpfcak  the 
 Wifdom  of  God  in  aMyfterie.  The  illu- 
 Rom.  ii.  minated  Jpoflle  of  the  Gentiles  in  con- 
 33<  temptation  of  thefe  Myfteries,  fell  in  a 
 tranfport  of  admiration.  0  the  depth 
 of  the  Wifdom  and  Knowledge  of  God;  how 
 anfearchahle  are  his  Judgment $\   and  his 
 
 Ways' pafl  finding  out  ! 
 
 i 
 
 Though  there  be  nothing  in  the 
 Gofpel  that  overthrows  Reafon,  or  fqb- 
 verts  its  Principles  ,  yet  its  lMy{teries 
 and  Revelations  are  beyond  ir.  The 
 whole  Contrivance  of  our  Redemption 
 is  a  Myflerie  ;  and  then  certainly  we 
 ought  to  approach  the  adminiftrations 
 of  his  Houfe  with  pure  hearts  and  clean 
 hands.  Let  us  wafh  our  hands  in  inno- 
 cence, when  ive  compafs  his  Altar*  They 
 were  to  look  to  their  feet  that  came  to 
 the  Temple  of  Jerufalem  ;    much  mote 
 
 ihould 
 
The  Sixth  Sermon.  %  1 7 
 
 fhould  the  Sons  of  Aaron,  the  immedi- 
 diate  Servants  of  the  San&uary ,  prove" 
 the  kecneft  enemies  to  ail  prophanation 
 of  holy  things,  I  am  no  friend  to  Su- 
 perfticion,  and  as  little  to  Giddinefs  and 
 Enthufiafm. 
 
 They  that  acknowledge  no Myfte- 
 ries  in  the  Gofpel ,  defpife  its  Original 
 and  Divinity,  and  by  confequence  they 
 trample  on  the  Priefthood  alfo  ;  and 
 therefore  the  followers  of  Socinus  on  this 
 aceeurit  are  odious,  that  they  have  for- 
 faken  the  Belief  of  all  Ages ,  and  what 
 was  received  in  the  Chriftian  Churches 
 fmce  the  firft  Plantations  of  Ghriftiani- 
 ty,  they  have  ftript  our  Religion  naked 
 of  its  Myfteties  ,  and  made  the  Holy 
 Scriptures  to  bend  and  bow  to  that 
 Scheme  and  Model  that  they  have  for- 
 med in  their  own  fancies. 
 
 And  then  again  ,  if  this  Weil  be  fi 
 deep  ,  we  can  neither  furnifh  our  felves 
 nor  others  with  thefe  Waters  of  Life, 
 without  earneft  Prayer,  profound  Medi- 
 tation and  great  Humility  ,  a  ferious 
 and  clofe  application  of  Spirit.  So 
 §.  Paul  adyifes  Timothy  ,    Be   in  thofe 
 
 th/xgs  ; 
 
%  1 8  The  Sixth  Sermon. 
 
 things-?  and  it  is  an  Apoftolick  Precept, 
 Give  thy  felf  to  Reading. 
 ■ 
 Can  we  think  to  beat  down  the 
 Counter- batteries  of  Hell,  by  carelefnefs 
 and  negligence,  ignorance  or  inadver- 
 tence. Men  will  not  refign  their  Reafon 
 Without  the  beft.  Arguments  duly  apply- 
 ed,  and  the  Mines  of  the  Holy  Scri- 
 ptures, ar§  not  only  rich,  but  very  deep, 
 we  fhould  dig  in  them  night  and  day. 
 It  was  the  great  Commendation  of  A- 
 folios,  that  he  was  mighty  i^thQ^oly 
 Scriptures. 
 
 >yj  • 
 But  I  go  forward  t<j>  the  thirdThiag 
 that  I  think  implied  ifl} this  Metaphor> 
 and  that  is ,  the  freedom,  unconftrain^d 
 activity,  force  and  ftrength  of  the/r  ebul- 
 litions. 'Tis  a  Well,  of'  Living  Waters 
 which  cannot  be  contained  in  one  place, 
 but  muft  burft  forth  to  water  the  Hills 
 ;  and  Valleys,  high  and  low,  rich  and 
 poor.  When  we  remember  what  a  World 
 we  live  in,  how  refra&ory  andftubborn 
 to  the  Yoke  of  Jefus ,  we  muft  not  be 
 niggardly  of  our  In^ru&ions  ,  we  wu(l 
 reprove^  rebuke ,  exhort,  wfeqfon*,  and 
 out  cfjeafon,  with  all  long-Juffering,  and 
 
 doftrine  % 
 
The  Sixth  Sermon.  2 1  p 
 
 tloftrine  ;  here  a  little  9  and  there  a  little, 
 agitur  cle  fumma  rei  5  and  there  are  no 
 meafures  to  be  fee  to  our  endeavours, 
 but  the  meafures  of  Charity.  It  was  faid 
 of  the  antient  Chriftians  upon  that  Mo- 
 nument rais'd  to  the  Memory  of  Diode* 
 jian,  that  Superjiitionem  fuam  generi  bu- 
 rn ano  inculcabant ,  they  did  embrace  all 
 occafions  to  make  men  acquainted  with 
 the  truth  and  excellency  of  our  Re- 
 ligion. 
 
 t  Indeed  we  fliould  fet  our  felves 
 to  do  this  with  the  greater  readinefs, 
 when  we  confider  the  oppofition  that  we 
 are  like  to  encounter,  either  Firft,  From 
 the  Malice  of  Satan  ;  or  Secondly,  From 
 our  own  Weaknefles  and  Infirmities  ;  or 
 Thirdly,  From  the  Perverfenefs,  Hard- 
 heartednefs  and  Incredulity  of  them ,  to 
 whom  the Gofpelis  preached. 
 
 Firfi%  I  Say,  from  the  Malice  of  Sa- 
 tan. When  the  Gofpel  began  firft  to 
 be  proclaimed  to  the  Nations,  the  Pow- 
 ers of  Hell  did  fwcll  with  fury  and  in- 
 dignation 3  they  began  with  all  fpiteand 
 rage,  to  crufh  the  very  beginnings  of  it ; 
 he  gathered  together  all  the  Forces  and 
 
 Legions 
 
2  2o  The  Sixth  Sermon. 
 
 Legions  of  Darknefs,  toconfult,  how  the 
 growing  Religion  ofjefus  might  be  flopped. 
 But  the  Apoflles  fortified  themfelves  in 
 the  words  of  the  Prophetic  Pfalm,  Why 
 Pfalm2.  did  the  heathen  rage,  and  the  people  ima- 
 gine vain  things  ?   It  is  the  Devils  very 
 Nature  to  retard  the  Gofpel*  'tis  he  that 
 infpires  Hereticks$cafts  (tumbling  blocks 
 in  our  way  5   and  finds  out  a  thoufand 
 methods  to  (lop  our  progrefs.    i  The(T 
 2. 1 8.  We  would  have  come  unto  you  once 
 and  again ,   but  Satan  hindered  us  :   and 
 his  endeavours  in  a  peculiar  manner,  are 
 levelled  againft  the  Clergy,  who  are  mod 
 terrible  to  his  Kingdom,  and  beat  down 
 his  ftrong  holds  and  retirements  in  the 
 Confciences  of  Men. 
 
 Secondly,  We  are  hindered  by  our  own 
 Weaknefles  and  Infirmities :  When  we 
 feefo  little  fuccefs  of  our  labours,  we  are 
 like  to  grow  faint,  and  give  over,  and  fay 
 With  the  Prophet,  Lord  who  hath  believed 
 faiah.  our  report  $  'Tis  true,  We  have  this  trea- 
 fure  in  earthen  vejfels  }  and  thefe  Veflels 
 are  brittle  and  foon  ftiattered  3  and 
 when  we  would  vigoroufly  and  zealou£ 
 !y  ferve  our  God  ;  we  are  dragged  down 
 again  to  the  Earth  ,    by  this  dull  and 
 
 lumpilh 
 
The  Sixth  Sermon.  ix\ 
 
 lumpifh  Body  that  we  carry  about  us : 
 we  cannot  Ihake  ofF  human  Paffions,Af> 
 fe&ions  and  Infirmities  3  we  are  not 
 priviledg'd  to  run  his  Errands  fo  nimbly 
 as  the  Angels  do  5  we  are  apt  to  de- 
 fpond ,  and  to  fuffer  the  flefh ,  and  its 
 lazy  whifpers  overcome  our  quickeft 
 motions ,  and  moft  zealous  rcfolutions. 
 Oh  !  then  to  be  within  the  Holy  of  Ho* 
 lies%  where  the  brightnefs  of  his  face, 
 and  the  light  of  his  Countenance  can  ne- 
 ver fuffer  us  to  grow  weary,  fullen  and 
 melancholy  in  his  Service.  We  fball 
 minifter  before  his  Altar  in  the  Sacrifices 
 of  Praife ;  and  Hallelujahs  without  feint- 
 ing, interruption  or  (lumber. 
 
 But  Thirdly »,  We  are  oppofed  by  the 
 pervcrfenefs  incredulity  and  ingratitude 
 of  the  World.  When  we  contemplate 
 the  Arguments  and  Nature  of  our  Reli- 
 gion ,  we  would  think  that  they  are  fo 
 ftrong,  that  no  Soul  could  refift  them  * 
 but  when  we  come  abroad  into  the 
 World ,  and  endeavour  to  reafon  men 
 out  of  their  folly  and  wickednefs,  how 
 hard  is  this  undertaking  .•>  How  many. 
 Sermons  are  loft  upon  the  inconfiderate 
 multitude  .■>   We  muft  after  many  years 
 
 en- 
 
211  Tlie  Sixth  Sertnori. 
 
 endeavours,  fit  down  with  forrow,  and 
 complain  of  their  incurable  madnefs. 
 
 They  have  hardncd  themfelves  a- 
 gainft  all  reproof  5  we  muft  make  our 
 approaches  to  their  hearts ,  and  cut  out 
 our  way  through  Rocks  and  Iron  Bars, 
 and  inveterate  Prejudices  ,  they  have 
 fenc'd  themfelves  againft  our  ferious  en- 
 treaties, and  flopped  their  ears  like  the 
 deaf  Adder,  when  we  have  charmed  never 
 fo  wifely  and  affettitnately. 
 
 Had  we  nothing  elfe  to  do,  but  to 
 let  men  fee  the  reafonablenefs  and  ex- 
 cellency of  the  Chriftian  Religion,  the 
 folly  and  danger  of  Sin  and  Vice,  then 
 our  work  had  been  eafie  ,  as  in- 
 deed iz  is  honourable  :  but  we  find  to 
 our  fad  experience  ,  that  whea  we  have 
 chafed  them  from  one  Cavil  to  another, 
 when  we  have  fhamed  them  out  of  all 
 their  denyals  and  exceptions,  they  ftiil 
 keep  their  hold ,  in  defiance  of  all  our 
 Remonftrances. 
 
 2  cor.4:4.     The  God  °f  this  lVnrlcl  hath  llin*ed 
 
 the  minds  of  men  ,    lejt   the  light  of  the 
 glorious  Gofpel    of  who  is  the 
 
 Image 
 
The  Sixth  Sermon.  %%  j 
 
 Image  of  God  )  Jhould  fhine  unto  them. 
 How  hard  is  it  to  recover  the  World 
 from  Senfuality  and  Error  ?  How  diffi- 
 cult to  make  thfcm  love  the  Precepts  of 
 our  Saviour ,  and  the  Doctrine  of  the 
 Crofs  ?  To  deny  themfelves,  and  crucifie 
 the  fle(h}to  forgive  injuries*  to  blefs  them 
 that  curie  us  ;  to  defpife  the  World  and 
 all  its  trifling  intereft  ?  This  is  the  aim 
 of  our:  Religion ,  and  this  is  it  which 
 men  are  loth  to  praftife ;  this  ought  to 
 provoke  our  Zeal  to  the  higheft  flame, 
 and  make  us  fet  our  faces  agajnft  the 
 ftream  and  current  of  wicked  pra&ices, 
 againft  all  immoralities  and  errors. 
 
 Th  £  Church ,  like  fome  Aromacick 
 Spices ,  the  more  you  prefs  them,  the 
 more  fragrant  they  fmell :  their  effluvia, 
 fly  on  all  hands,  and  their  Smell  perfumes 
 the  Air.  The  more  we  are  befieged,  the 
 more  the  Gofpel  takes  Air ,  like  thofe 
 precious  Spices,  mentioned  in  the  Verfe 
 before  my  Text :  fo  skilfully  plac'd,  and  Dilbem. 
 fo  orderly  difpofed,  that  by  their  Order, 
 fuaviorem  reddant  odor  em.  So  the  Prince 
 of  Poets  in  his  Pajiorah, 
 
 Sic 
 
2  24  Ike  Sixth  Sertiw: 
 
 Virg,       Sic  pofit£  quoniam  fuaves  mifietis  odores* 
 
 _. 
 
 And  this  is  prophefied  of  the  Meffias , 
 that  his  Garments  fhould  fmell  of  Myrrhef 
 Aloes  and  Cajfta.       And  from  him  the 
 
 Hal*  45.  Church  hath  all  thofe  excellent  Smells, 
 mentioned  Verfe  14  Saffron,  Calamus  and 
 Cinnamon  ;  to  teach  us,  that  though  the 
 Gifts  of  the  Spirit  are  ,  and  have  all 
 their  feveral  excellencies  5  yet  they  are 
 all  ufeful  to  the  Church,  vohofe  garments 
 are  made  of  needle  work ,  and  different 
 colours  3  and  therefore  it  is  an  unpardo- 
 nable vanity  in  the  People  ,  to  make 
 faucy  comparifons  between  the  Gifts  of 
 Ecclejiaflicks  •>     for ,  flabit  unus  quifque 
 
 Corinth,  firte  fua  ;  and  the  Philofophy  of  S.  Paul 
 to  the  Corinthians ,  fhould  teach  them 
 more  modefty.  If  the  foot  fhall  fay  , 
 lecaufe  1  am  not  the  Eye ,  /  am  not  of 
 the  Body  ;  is  it  therefore  not  of  the 
 Body  ?  If  we  look  up  to  our  Superiours 
 for  afliftance,  conduft  and  dire&ion,  they 
 muft  look  down  to  us  for  obedience*  de- 
 ference and  fubmiflion. 
 
 The  third  Thing  that  I  promjfed,  was 
 the  rife  of  thofe  Waters ,    they  come 
 
 {torn 
 
The  Sixth  Sermon.  1  i  5 
 
 from  Mount  Lilanus ,  by  an  impetuous 
 force  and  vigour.      Nothing  can  more 
 lively  reprefent  the  firft  rife  and  begin- 
 ning of  thofe  heavenly  Oracles.      The 
 Gofpel  is  the  dayftar  from  on  high,  and  *jacoy 
 the  Doflrrine  that  our  Saviour  hath  re-  vimac'.a. 
 vealed,  is  from  Heaven.    Wc  are  told  by  '}***  c*rQ- 
 *  Hiftorians,  that  at  the  foot  of  Mount  Jf  m* 
 Libanus  ,    there  arifes  a  pleafant  Foun-  DuVkh 
 tain,  aquas  hahens  limpidiffimas,  that  run 
 down  from  it  ,  through  fubterraneous 
 paflages  moft  impetuoufly  ,    and  there 
 biirft  forth  in  great  plenty,  and  by  fe- 
 veral  Conduits ,  waters  all  the  Gardens 
 of  the  Plain.      And  this  leads  us  natu- 
 rally to  the  Divinity  of  our  Religion  $  but 
 here  I  flop ,    being  afraid  that  I  have 
 tranfgrefs'd  already  the  rime  that  was 
 allowed  me. 
 
 To  God  the  Father,  Son  and 
 Holy  Ghoft,  le  Glory,  for 
 ever.    Amen. 
 
^^7 
 
 A 
 
 SERMON 
 
 6   N 
 
 Rom.  xii.  i< 
 
 Jbefeech  you  therefore,  Brethren,  b) 
 the  mercies  of  God ,  that  you  prefent 
 your  (Bodies  a  living  facrifice,  holy, 
 acceptable  unto  God ,  which  is  your 
 rea/onable  fervice. 
 
 TH  E  Apoftle  in  the  former  part 
 of  this  Epiftle  ,    aflerted  the 
 Do&rine  of  Evangelical  Juftifi- 
 eation  againft  the  unbelieving 
 Jews%  who  ftuck  fo  tenacioufly  to  the  Sy- 
 ftem  of  Mofis's  Laws.      And  now  he 
 Q^2  fwms 
 
z  2  8  Tf?e  Seventh  Sermon. 
 
 funis  up  in  one  pathetic  Exhortation,  the 
 ftrength  and  defign  of  the  Gofpel,  and 
 of  all  Religion.  Chriftianity  was  not  a 
 Colleftion  of  dry  and  airy  Notions,  cal- 
 culated to  amufe  the  World;  but  a  Difci- 
 pline,  the  higheft  and  the  pureft,that  ever 
 was  received  amongft  men :  the  immedi- 
 ate Revelation  of  Infinite  Wifdom,  which 
 
 ban.  brought  along  with  it  true  and  ever- 
 lafllng  righteoufnefs.  And  therefore  they 
 ought  not  to  let  their  thoughts  dwell 
 fo  much ,  and  fo  long  on  the  glory  of 
 their  Temple  ,  and  the  variety  of  their 
 Sacrifices  under  the  Levitical  Oeconomy. 
 They  were  now  invited  to  offer  unto 
 God  more  valuable  Oblations,  than  any 
 of  their  former.  They  were  to  bring 
 themfelves  to  the  Altar  of  God,  and  re- 
 fign  their  Will  to  his  Will.  And  this 
 Was  more  agreeable  to  the  nature  of  true 
 Religion,  the  defign  of  the  Gofpel,  and# 
 the  higheft  exercife  of  Reafon.  When 
 we  bring  unto  God  only  things  that 
 are  without  us,  we  miftake  his  Nature, 
 and  defpife  his  Goodnefs.  Reafon  taught 
 us ,'  that  the  belt  things  are  to  be  offe- 
 
 Hon  do-   red  unto  God  5  and  therefore  the  Heart 
 
 tnimu!  'y  Sacrifices   that   are  truly   valuable. 
 
 And 
 
The  Seventh  Sermm.  2  i  p 
 
 And  this  is  the  reafon  why  the  Apoftle 
 addrefles  to  the  Chriftians  at  Rome%  with 
 fo  much  zeal  and  affe&ion. 
 
 I  will  fhortly,  confider,  I.  His  Preface. 
 a.  His  Exhortation.  And  j.  The  Mo^ 
 tive  to  enforce  it.     And 
 
 1.  For  the  Preface,  By  the  mercies  of 
 
 God.    We  eafily  infer  from  the  fervour 
 
 and  folemnity  of  the  Apoftles  Introdu- 
 
 ttion,  the  weight  and  importance  of  his 
 
 Exhortation  2  i.e.  I  do  befeech  you  with 
 
 all  the  earned  paflion  and  true  tender- 
 
 nefs  that  I  am  capable  of :    /  exhort  you 
 
 by  the  Mercies  of  God ;   u  e.  by  what  is 
 
 uppermoft  in  his  Nature  ,  his  boundlefs 
 
 Compafllons ,    that  are  in  the  front  of 
 
 all  his  glorious  Perfe&ions,  and  in  the 
 
 Language  of  the  Pfalmift  ,  from  everlaji  pfai.  136. 
 
 ing  to  everlafling  :    by  all  that  is  great, 
 
 facred  and  venerable ,  that  which  takes 
 
 up  the  wonder  of  Angels,  the  praifes  of 
 
 men,  and  the  adorations  of  the  Saints  in 
 
 glory  ;     that  you  no  longer  refift  the 
 
 Light  of  the  Gofpel ;  but  fince  you  are 
 
 redeem'd  from  the  pompous  drudgery 
 
 of  an  external  Religion ;  that  you  would 
 
 think  no  Sacrifices  worthy  of  God,  but 
 
 Q*  3  fuch 
 
2  3  o  The  Seventh  Sermon. 
 
 fuch  as  are  attended  with  your  life, 
 flrength,  zeal  and  devotion  :  for  this  is 
 the  true  Worfhip  of  the  New  Teflament, 
 when  our  Will  is  united  to  the  Will  of 
 God. 
 
 Ti  s  eafie  to  obferve  the  holy  Vio- 
 lence and  Fire  of  S.  Paul's  Spirit ,  when 
 he  endeavours  to  plant  true  and  folid 
 Religion.  Here  he  fpeaks ,  as  if  his 
 Soul  was  ready  to  crack  the  firings  that 
 ty'd  it  to  his  Body.  He  is  all  flame,  all 
 love  ,  all  endeavour  ,  all  charity ;  He 
 11001,9.3.  Wifties  himfelf  an  Anathema^  t.  e.  a  pub- 
 lick  Sacrifice  for  the  unbelieving  Jews, 
 if  this  could  recover  them  from  their 
 Infidelity ,  to  the  acknowledgement  of 
 the  Truth  as  it  is  in  Jefus. 
 
 He  made  ufe  of  this  weighty  Argu- 
 ment in  this  place,  becaufe  there  is  none 
 of  greater  force.  If  the  Angels  were  to 
 preach  to  us ,  and  gain  us  to  the  belief 
 of  the  Gofpel,  they  could  not  fly  higher 
 in  their  Perfwafives,  than*  the  Mercies  of 
 God.  h  is  by  them  that  he  chufes  to 
 proclaim  all  his  Titles  of  Honour  to 
 £xod.  the  World,  The  Lord,  the  Lord  God ,  flow 
 to  axger ,    and  of  great  gopdnefs.      So 
 
 when 
 
the  Seventh  SernM:  £  j? 
 
 when  the  Apoftle  exhorts  by  the  Mer- 
 cies of  God ,  he  exhorts  by  God  himfelf, 
 and  all  thofe  ineffable  appearances  of  his 
 Goodnefs  ,  that  are  felt  by  the  intelli- 
 gent World ,  and  every  moment  pro- 
 claim'd  with  wonder  and  acknowledge- 
 ment. 
 
 How  merciful  muft  he  be,  who  fuf- 
 fers  without  prefent  revenge,  the  many 
 horrid  Crimes  that  are  daily  commit- 
 ted, the  provocations  that  fly  in  the  face 
 of  Heaven,  their  multitude,  their  variety 
 and  their  circumftances  5  as  if  men  would rpraj#  -7  ^ 
 pull  down  the  Almighty  from  his  Throne^  3,4, 
 and  reverfe  the  foundations  of  good 
 and  evil  !  And  yet  fuch  is  the  love  of 
 God  to  mankind,  that  after  many  unkind 
 denyals,  and  rude  affronts  ,  he  befieges 
 the  Confidences  of  men,  by  the  force  of 
 his  Convi&ions ;  he  makes  the  Light  of 
 his  Word  to  pierce  to  the  bottom  of  the 
 Soul,  and  powerfully  overcome  the  ftub- 
 bornefs  of  our  Will.  How  wifely  does 
 he  conduit  us  through  the  labyrinth  of 
 tentatioas!  How  fweetly  does  he  engage 
 us  by  the  motions  of  his  Spirit !  How 
 kindly  does  he  receive  the  Prodigal^hcn  Lu^e  ,3, 
 as  yet  he  had  but  fome  fmall  beginnings 
 Q.4  of 
 
i  3 1  Tl?e  Seventh  Sermqiu 
 
 of  wifdom,  fobriety,  and  calmnefs  !  Ht 
 faw  him  afar  off,  he  ran  to  him,  fell  upon 
 his  neck,  and  kijfed  him. 
 
 When  we  remember  that  the  Mer- 
 cies of  God,  are  our  fureft  Refuge  and 
 San&uary  in  all  our  fears  ,  ftraits  5 
 and  difficulties,  we  need  fay  no  more 
 to  amplifie  them.  This  is  the  ftrong 
 Hold  that  we  flee  to,  when  we  are  jf- 
 faulted  by  fear,  defpair,  or  the  terrour 
 of  the  Law. 
 
 When  Nathan  the  Prophet,  by  a 
 witty.  Parable,  forc'd  open  the  Confci- 
 enee  of  David \  when  the  terrours  of 
 God  began  to  take  hold  of  him,  he  im- 
 mediately ran  to  the  horns  of  this  Altar  ; 
 
 Pfal.51.1.  According  to  the  multitude  of  thy  tender 
 mercies*  blot  cut  my  fins  and  my  tranf* 
 grefjions.  This  is  the  argument,  which 
 God  himfelf  cannot  refill.  See  with 
 what  zeal  and  holy  Rapture  it  is  plead- 
 ed by  Daniel,  in  behalf  of  the  Captives 
 
 Dan.  9.19.  of  Babylon.     O  Lord  hear,    0  Lord  for  - 
 
 give,  0  Lord  hearken  and  do,  defer  not 
 
 for  thine  own  fake,  O  !  my  God,  for  thy 
 
 City,    and  thy  people   are  call  d  by  thy 
 
 Name. 
 
 Now 
 
The  Seventh  Sermon.  2  3  j 
 
 No  w  we  may  eafily  guefs,  what 
 ftrefs  the  Apoftle  laid  upon  this  Argu- 
 ment, like  a  skilful  Orator,  he  referves 
 his  ftrongeft  motives  for  the  laft  Place; 
 that  by  one  ftroke  he  might  batter  down 
 all  Obje&ions.  He  had  fufficiently  rea- 
 foned  the  cafe  in  the  former  Chapters, 
 and  now  he  pleads  that  his  Reafonings 
 may  not  be  in  vain ;  that  they  may  not 
 refift  fo  much  Light  and  Authority  5 
 hut  rather  that  they  ought  to  give  way 
 to  their  own  Convi&ions,  and  the  true 
 defigns  of  Chriftianity  $  and  yield  up 
 themfelves  an  entire  Victim  to  the  Will 
 of  God. 
 
 I  T  is  ufual  with  the  Apoftle,  when 
 he  recommends  thofe  comprehenfive  Du- 
 ties, that  have  in  them  the  Soul,  and 
 ftrength  of  Chriftianity,  to  enforce  them 
 by  this  Argument.  If  there  be  there- mUll 
 fore  any  consolation  in  Chrifl,  if  any  com- 
 fort  of  Love,  if  any  fe/lcwfhip  of  the  Spi- 
 rit, if  any  bowels  of  mercies,  Sic.  But 
 fhortly ,  the  reafons  why  the  Apoftle 
 pitch'd  upon  this  Argument  are  thefe. 
 
 I.  Be 
 
i }  4  The  Seventh  Sermon} 
 
 I.  B  e  c  A  u  s  e  the  contempt  of  God's 
 mercies  is   attended  with  the  ftiarpeft, 
 and  the  faddeft  marks  of  his  difpleafure 
 and  indignation.     And  this  is  juft  in  its 
 felf ,  if  we  confider  that  we  have  no- 
 thing  to  fay  on  our  own  behalf,  when 
 we  trample  upon  his  Love  and  Mercy. 
 So  argues  the  Author  to  the  Hebrewsy 
 Heb.  2. 3.  How  jhall  we  efcape  if  we  negleftfo  great 
 a  falvation,  which  at  the  firfi  began  to  be 
 fpoken  by  the  Lord,  and  was  confirmed  un- 
 to us  by  them  that  heard  him.  And  again, 
 — Chap.  f/e  that  defpifed  Mofes  Law,  died  with* 
 10.28,29.  mt  mercy %  under  two  or  three  witneffes  5 
 of  how  much  forer  punijhment,  fuppofe,  ye 
 (hall  he  be  thought  worthy,  that  hath  trod- 
 den under  foot  the  blood  of  the  Son  of 
 God.     The  contempt  of  his  Love  and 
 Mercy,  manitefted  in  the  Gofpel,  is  the 
 moft  inexcufable  folly  and  madnefs ;  This 
 Joh.3.19.  is  the  condemnation  that  light  is  come  in- 
 to the  world*  and  men  love  darknefs  ra- 
 ther than  light.    This  is  the  Vinegar, 
 and  Gall,  that  fill  the  Souls  of  the  damn'd 
 with  felf  horror,  confufion  and  indigna- 
 tion.   This  is  the  thought,   that  eter- 
 nally difquiets  the  dark  Habitations  be- 
 !o\v3  viz.   that  once  they  might   have 
 
 been 
 
The  Seventh  Sermon.  % j  5 
 
 been  fav'd,  that  once  they  had  their  day, 
 and  that  they  refus'd  the  Light  when  it 
 ihin'd.  No  Tortures  To  exquifite  as 
 the  lafhes  of  an  inrag'd  Confidence.  The 
 Light  that  they  defpis'd  whilft  they  were 
 here,  looks  them  broad  in  the  face,  and 
 makes  them  roar  to  all  Eternity.  And 
 thefe  accufations  of  the  Soul  againft  ic 
 felf,  the  upbraidings,  and  itiward  whips 
 of  the  Mind,  make  up  the  miferies  of  an 
 intellectual  Being. 
 
 2.  The  Apoftle  made  choice  of  this 
 Argument,  from  the  Mercies  of  God,  in 
 this  place,  when  he  fumm'd  up  the  whole 
 Chriftian  pra&ice  into  one  Exhortation : 
 becaufe  his  Mercies  in  the  Gofpel  are 
 his  laft  remedy  for  our  Recovery.  Up- 
 on other  occafions  the  Apoftle  moves 
 men  to  their  duty,  by  the  confideration 
 of  his  Power,  So  he  exhorts  the  Corin- 
 thians, Knowing  therefore  the  terrour  of  Cor^ 
 the  Lord  we  perfuade  Men.  But  there 
 are  other  Arguments  to  move  us,  when 
 thofe  from  his  Power  and  Sovereignty 
 are  us'd.  If  we  fin  againft  his  Domi- 
 nion and  Power,  we  fly  to  his  Mercy  ; 
 but  when  we  fin  againft  his  Mercy,  there 
 is  not  another  Attribute  in   God,   to 
 
 which 
 
1 2  6  The  Seventh  Sermon. 
 
 which  we  can  fly  ;  his  Mercy  is  the  laft 
 remedy  for  the  recovery  of  Mankind. 
 This  is  deciphered  excellently  in  that  Pa- 
 Luke  20  ra^e  °^  t^ie  Gofpel;  the  Matter  of  the  Vin- 
 i3.  yard  when  all  his  former  Servants,  and 
 Meflengers  had  been  baffled,  and  abus'd, 
 refolves  at  laft  to  fend  his  beloved  Son ; 
 It  may  be  (  faid  he  )  they  will  reverence 
 him  when  they  fee  him  :  and  if  they  did 
 not,  the  patience  and  goodnefs  of  God 
 was  no  longer  to  flruggle  with  them. 
 If  we  refleft  a  little  on  the  weight  and 
 folemnity  of  this  Preface,  we  may  juftly 
 infer  the  confequence  of  that  Exhorta- 
 tion, to  which  it  is  prefix'd,  /  befeech 
 you  by  the  mofi  J acred  Myjt  erics  of  our 
 Religion ,  I  befeech  you  by  all  that  is 
 amiable,  and  delightful^  by  the  mercies 
 of  God,  that  foften  the  mofi  rugged  dif 
 portions,  and  melt  the  moji  obdurd  hearts, 
 by  that  great  Propitiation  brought  to 
 light  by  the  Gofpel,  that  you  would  pre- 
 fent  your  bodies  a  living  facrifice^  holy, 
 acceptable  unto  Gody  which  is  your  reaso- 
 nable fervice. 
 
 And  this  leads  me  to  confider  this 
 Exhortation  more  particularly.  The  A- 
 poftle  aflerted  .formerly  our  freedon 
 
 froi 
 
The  Seventh  Sermon'.  ijy 
 
 from  the  Levitical  Sacrifices;  and  left  we 
 fliould  think,  that  by  our  Chriftian  Li- 
 berty we  are  loos'd  from  all  worfhip  and 
 obedience,  he  informs  us  here,  what 
 was  the  Sacrifice  that  was  chiefly  de- 
 fign'd  under  the  Symbols,  and  Figures 
 of  the  ancient  Law,  and  indifpenfably 
 requir'd  under  the  Oeconomy  of 'the  Go- 
 fpel.  And  tho  Interpreters  may  vary  in 
 their  Expreffions,  yet  all  of  them  muft 
 agree,  that  there  is  no  more  intended, 
 than  that  the  Chriftians,  (  inftead  of 
 Beads,  and  bloody  Sacrifices  )  would  of- 
 fer up  themfelves ,  i.  e.  their  Wills, 
 Strength,  and  Affe&ions,  with  purity 
 and  zeal  to  the  fervice  of  God.  f  Thef^*™ 
 word  in  the  Original,  in  feveral  good 
 Authors,  fignifies  perjons.  That  ye  pre- 
 sent your  bodies ,  i.  e.  Your  felves :  for 
 this  ,  under  the  New  TeJIament,  is  the 
 only  acceptable  Sacrifice.  This  is  the 
 whole  of  the  Chriftian  Religion  >  this 
 is  the  life,  and  defign  of 
 the  former  Ceremonies  3       La&ant.  ttcverus  eft 
 
 and    thi<?   k  the   Ahftraft        cukm*  **  &<>  *****  cden- 
 
 ana  tnis  is  me  ADitracr,    tis  fiitf^Dcoviaimm 
 and  Compete/,   of  all  true     immaculaumfiflit* 
 Worfhip.     And    becaufe 
 this  one  truth ,  is  of  fuch  vaft  confe- 
 quence  to  the  Souls  of  Men,  and  hath 
 
 in 
 
2 1 8  The  Seventh  Sermlri. 
 
 in  it,  the  Spirit  and  Quinteflence  of  all 
 practical  Devotion  ;  I  (hall  endeavour 
 to  recommend  it,  and  give  further  light 
 unto  it  in  the  following  Method. 
 
 i.  I  Will  confider  the  excellency 
 of  this  Sacrifice,  abftraftly,  and  in  it  felk 
 
 x.  The  value  that  God  did  fet  upon 
 it,  when  the  Levitical  Sacrifices  were 
 prefcribed  by  the  Law,  and  were  moft 
 in  vogue  amongft  the  Jews. 
 
 3.  That  this  Sacrifice  was  prin- 
 cipally intended  by  all  the  care,  caution 
 and  ceremony,  wherewith  all  other  Sa- 
 crifices were  offered. 
 
 4.  I  Will  feparately  explain  the 
 Epithets  by  which  this  Sacrifice  is  re- 
 commended, with  allufion  to  the  old 
 Sacrifices  of  the  Law.  And  from  all 
 thefe  particulars,  we  muft  neceflarily 
 conclude,  that  this  is  the  Sacrifice  that 
 truly  recommends  us  to  God. 
 
 1.  Let  us  view  the  excellency 
 of  this  Sacrifice,  and  total  furrender  of 
 our  felves  to  his  difpofal.    There  is  no- 
 
 thing 
 
The  Seventh  Sermon.  £  3  p 
 
 thing  elfe  fuitable  to  the  Divine  Nature; 
 it  is  not  Gold,  nor  Frankincenfe,  nor  the 
 coftly  Perfumes  of  Arabia,  that  propi- 
 tiate the  Deity ;  a  Soul  purified  from 
 vice  and  fin,  is  his  peculiar  Habitation. 
 Nothing  quenches  the  fire  of  true  Devo- 
 tion more,  than  wrong  notions  of  Al- 
 mighty God.  The  great  reafon  why 
 the  Heathens  were  over  run  with  Ido- 
 latry and  Su  perdition,  was,  becaufe  the 
 Hiftories  of  their  Gods  were  ftufPd  with 
 folly  and  wickednefs  5  and  they  could 
 not  pretend  to  greater  heights  of  Purity, 
 than  the  Deities  that  they  worihipped. 
 To  adore  God  ,  is  to  beftow  upon  him 
 the  higheft  Love,  Veneration,  and  e- 
 fteem  of  our  Souls.  His  Eyes  pierce 
 to  the  fecrets  that  are  buried  in  dark- 
 nefs,  and  to  the  Centre  of  our  Spirits ; 
 and  if  our  Sacrifices  are  fullied,  and  de- 
 fird  in  their  firft  fprings  and  principles, 
 they  are  an  abomination  unto  him.  No 
 Worfhip  can  be  pleafing  unto  God,  un- 
 lefs  what  is  offer'd  by  Love.  Pray, 
 what  do  we  take  him  to  be,  when  we 
 endeavour  to  put  him  off,  with  any 
 thing  lefs,  than  the  flower  and  ftrength 
 of  our  Reafon  ?  Thus  our  Saviour  in* 
 fttufts  the  Woman  of  Samaria  in  the    } 
 
 Nature 
 
2  4°    '  2Tk  Seventh  Sermon. 
 
 Nature  of  true  Worlhip ;    but  the  hour 
 
 John  4.     cometh,  and  now  if,   when  the  true  wor- 
 
 *3, 24*    flippers  flail  worflip  the  Father  in  Spirit 
 
 and  in  Truth;   for   the  Father  feeketh 
 
 fuch  to  worflip  him.     How  grofs  mufl 
 
 their  apprehenfions  be,  who  think,  that 
 
 he  is  delighted  with   carnal  Oblations, 
 
 John  4.    for  he  #  a  Spirit*    and  muff  be  worflip- 
 
 Pfalm  50.  ped  in  fpirit  and  in  truth.     If  I  were 
 
 12,13,14.  hungry  I  would  not  tell  thee ,  for  the  World 
 
 is  mine,  and  the  fulnefs  thereof.     Will  I 
 
 eat  the  flefh  of  Bulls,  or  drink  the  blood 
 
 of  Goats;  offer  unto  God  thankfgiving%  and 
 
 pay  thy  vows  unto  the  mofl  High. 
 
 The  Philofophers  difcover'd  the  refr 
 fonablenefs  of  this  Do&rine  Without  Re- 
 velation ;  and  the  bed  of  them  under- 
 value outward  fervices,  and  Sacrifices, 
 in  comparifon  of  a  chad  Mind,  and  a 
 pure  Soul.  Do  ye  think  (  faith  Seneca} 
 that  God  is  pleas' d  with  many  Sacrifices, 
 and  much  Bloody  high  Temples,  andm&g; 
 mficent  Structures  ,  nay  rather ,  in  fm 
 cuique  confecrandus  eft  peclore.  The  breaft 
 of  a  good  Man  is  the  mofl:  lovely  Temple 
 for  the  Divinity ,  the  place  of  his  peculiar 
 refidence  and  Habitation.  And  this  is  but 
 lh.66.it  thelanguage  of  the  Prophet  Ifay  &Hit\& 
 i>3,  varied. 
 
The  Seventh  Sermon.  1 4 1 
 
 varied.  Thus  faith  the  Lord,  the  Heaven 
 is  my  Throne,  and  the  Earth  is  my  footflool, 
 where  k  the  hou/e  that  ye  build  unto  me?  and 
 where Js  the  place  of  my  reft  $  For  all  thoje 
 things  hath  mine  hand  made,  and all  thofe 
 things  have  been,  Jaiththe  Lord  :  But  to 
 this  man  will  I  look,  even  to  him  that 
 is  poor  and  of  a  contrite  fpirit,  and  trem- 
 ble th  at  my  word,  He  that  kilUth  an  Ox,  u* 
 05  if  he  [lew  a  man,  &c.  The  Sacrifices  of 
 Gods  own  inftkution  were  not  regard- 
 ed, unlefs  they  were  fubfervient  to  this 
 more  excellent  Oblation. 
 
 This   Evangelical  Sacrifice,    is  the 
 only,  and  mpft  proper  mean  to  attain 
 the   true  ends  of  Worfliip;     freedom 
 from  fin,  the  favour  of  God,  and  peace 
 of  Confcience,  are  the  great  ends  of  all 
 Religion  $  and  thefe  things  are  not  at- 
 taint by  the  mod  pompous  (hew  and 
 parade  of  Ceremonies,   unlefs  the  Soul 
 and  Will  be  firft  facrificed  to  his  Obe- 
 dience.    When  ye  come  to  appear  before^  Mr 
 me,  who  hath  requir'd  this  at  your  hand  ?  16. 
 to  tread  my  Courts  ?      bring   no    more 
 vain  Oblations,  lncenfe  is  an  abomination 
 unto  me,  the  new  Moons*  and 'Sabbaths,  the 
 calling  of  Affemblies,  1  cannot  away  with, 
 
 R  it 
 
24 *  The  Seventh  Sermon. 
 
 it  is  iniquity  even  the  jolemn  meeting. 
 How  loachfom  in  the  eyes  of  God  are 
 all  our  publick  fervices,  when  the  Soul 
 Micah.6.  js  ]efc  behind.  He  hath  (hewed  thee,  0  ! 
 wan,  what  is  good$  and  what  doth  the 
 Lord  require  of  thee>  but  to  do  juftly, 
 and  to  love  mercy  ^  and  to  walk  humbly 
 with  thy  God? 
 
 This  is  the  Sacrifice  that  is  pecu- 
 liar to  the  New  Teflament,  when  we  ap- 
 proach the  Throne  of  God  with  filial 
 confidence;  like  Children  of  the  free 
 woman  ;  difmgaged  from  the  fervfle  in- 
 cumbrances, that  held  thrfews  in  bon- 
 dage.  When  we  offer  opr  felves  unto 
 God  with  true  alacrity,  ftrong  defires, 
 and  a  mind  purified  from  the  World, 
 and  feculent  adherences ,  that  ftick  to 
 us  from  the  neighbourhood  of  fenfible 
 Objects  :  when  we  come  with  that  maf- 
 culine  and  chearful  Devotion  that  be- 
 comes them  that  are  fet  at  liberty  from 
 the  weak  and  dark  (hadows  of  the 
 Law.  By  St.  Peter,  we  are  faid  to  be 
 a  fpiritual  Priefthood,  to  offer  up  fpiri- 
 tual  Sacrifices.  And  we  are  told  by 
 S.Paul,  that  we  have  accefs  to  the  Throne^ 
 and  liberty  to  cry,  Abba,  Father.     And 
 
 com- 
 
The  Seventh  Sermon]  1 4  3 
 
 commanded  in  our  Prayers,  to  lift  up 
 holy  hands  without  wrath  or  doubting. 
 This  is  the  Worihip  of  the  new  Tefta- 
 menty  the  foundation  of  that  ingenuous 
 Converfe,  that  is  between  us  and  Hea- 
 ven. Therefore  do  we  with  fo  much 
 elevation  of  fpirit  magnifie  the  goodnefs 
 of  God,  that  gave  us  his  Son ,  Unto 
 him  that  loved  m ',  and  wafhed  us  from  Rev*  * v% 
 our  fins  in  his  own  blood,  and  hath  made  us 
 Kings  and  Priefls  unto  God  and  his  Fa* 
 then>  to  him  be  glory \  and  dominion  for 
 ever,  and  ever,    Amen. 
 
 This  is  true  Evangelical  Sacrifice,  and 
 it  alone  affords  the  moft  folid  delight 
 and  fatisfa&ion  to  the  Votary.  Out. 
 ward  Services,  when  they  are  feparated 
 from  this  inward  dedication,  have  no- 
 thing in  them  but  toil  and  bodiiy  la- 
 bour, we  are  told  by  the  Author  to 
 the  Hebrews,  that  the  Jewifh  Religion 
 did  confift  in  Meati,  and  Drinks,  and  di- 
 vers Ordinances.  And  we  find  in  the 
 Prophecy  of  Amos^  that  fuch  of  the  Jews 
 as  did  not  fee  further  than  the  letter  of 
 the  Law,  thought  their  attendance  on 
 the  Temple  fervice  the  moft  intolerable 
 wearinefs.  But  when  we  facrifice  our 
 R  x  very 
 
%  44  ^?e  Seventh  Sermon. 
 
 very  Souls  unto  his  obedience,  his  Pre- 
 fence  fills  our  hearts  with  joy  and  glad^ 
 nefs,    the  pureft    rapture  and   content- 
 
 ffalm4.  ment.  Thou  haft  pxt  more  gladnefs  in 
 my  heart9  than  in  the  time  when  their 
 wine  and  their   oil  did  increafe.     True 
 
 Hes  fevc  joy  arifes  in  the  Soul  from  an  Union  with 
 
 ra  eft  vc-  q    j  fa         tj       j-    ht      f  hjs   Counte, 
 
 7um  ?au-  n  ■  &  t  it 
 
 dium.  nance  mines  upon  us  by  its  clear  beams 
 and  irradiations,  the  clouds  of  darknefs 
 and  difafters  cannot  approach  us  ;  we 
 .are  then  fecure  againft  fear  and-defpon 
 dency,  we  feel  our  felves  encircled  in  the 
 arms  of  divine  Love,  and  made  ftrong 
 againft  the  aflaults  of  anxiety.  God  is 
 the  fourceof  all'  Felicity,  and  the  nearer 
 we  draw  unto  him,  the  more  happy  we 
 arc,  and  rational  happinefs  mud  be  felt, 
 and  necefiarily  mud  dilate  it  felf  in  all 
 the  faculties  of  the  Soul.  A  Confcience 
 void  of  offeree  towards  God,  and  towards 
 Man.p  a  houfe  luilt  upon  the  Rock,  it  may 
 be  batter  d  ,  but  it  cannot  be  Jkaken. 
 And  God  loves  to  pour  into  our  hearts 
 luch  degrees  of  joy,  when  we  are  puri- 
 fied from  allfilthinefs  of  the  fie/h  and  of 
 the  Spirit  \  when  we  offer  our  felves 
 ^  without  referve  to  his  fervice  and  obe- 
 dience ;     when  we  facrifice  our  hearts 
 
 unto 
 
The  Seventh  Sermon.  2  4  y 
 
 unto  God  ;  when  Charity  confumcs  the 
 Oblation,  and  true  zeal  inflames  the  Vi. 
 £tim.  /  had  rather  (  faid  the  Pfalmift  )  pfaj.  Ir9; 
 be  one  day  in  thy  Courts,  than  a  thoufand 
 elfenhere.  And  again,  0  /  How  love  I 
 thy  Law !  it  is  my  meditation,  night  and 
 day.  They  are  (hangers  to  true  Peace 
 and  fatisfa&ion,  that  are  unacquainted 
 with  the  pure  and  unmixt  pleasures  of 
 Religion, 
 
 2.  Let  us  confider  the  value  that 
 'God  did  fet  upon  this  fpiritual  Sacrifice, 
 when  the  Levitical  Sacrifices  were  in 
 force.  He  always  gave  his  People  to 
 underftand  by  the  Prophets,  that  the 
 whole  train  of  the  Mofaick  Ceremonies 
 was  defign'd  to  fignifie  and  advance  this 
 everlafting,  and  more  fpiritual  Worfliip; 
 which  was  to  continue,  when  the  typi- 
 cal figures  and  ihadows  were  gone. 
 This  is  clear  from  that  remarkable  place 
 in  the  Prophecies  of  Jeremiah  ,  For  /Jcrem.7. 
 /pake  not  unto  ycur  Fathers ,  nor  ccm*12" 
 manded  them,  in  the  day  that  I  Ir ought 
 them  out  of /the  land  of  Egypt,  concerning 
 Burnt  Offerings,  or  Sacrifices ;  but  this 
 thing  commanded  I  them,  faying^  obey 
 my  Voice ,  and  1  will  be  your  God,  and  ye 
 R  3  fhall 
 
2  4<5  Th*  Seventh  Sermon. 
 
 /ball  be  my  people.  Strange  !  Did  not 
 God  command  the  Sacrifices  of  the  Levi- 
 thai  Law  ?  Yes  certainly :  but  with  de- 
 sign to  advance  the  purer  Worfliip  of 
 the  Mind.  This  is  more  precious  than 
 the  mod  coftly  Offerings  of  the  Temple, 
 The  Widows  Mite  recorded  in  the  Go- 
 fpel  ,  is  one  vifible  inftance  of  it  5  'tis 
 prefer'd  in  the  efteem  of  God,  to  all  the 
 Rich  Donations  of  the  Scribes  and  Fha- 
 rifees :  fhe  came  to  the  Treafury  with  a 
 poor  Purfe  and  a  Rich  Soul ;  a  Soul  made 
 cheerful  with  the  Love  ofGtfd,  and  in 
 the  iimplicity  of  her  heart,  without  o- 
 fientation  or  referve,  ftie  offered  all  that 
 fhe  had. 
 
 How  much  God  delighted  in  the 
 Oblations  of  the  M»nd  beyond  the  out- 
 ward Sacrifices,  appears  in  this,  that  he 
 readily  difpens'd  with  the  Ceremony, 
 when  that  other  more  valuable  Sacrifice 
 was  brought.  Two  famous  inftances 
 we  have  of  this  ,  viz.  David's  eating  the 
 Shew-bread?  by  which  our  Saviour  con- 
 founded the  Pharifees  ,  who  doted  fo 
 much  on  the  external  part  of  their  Re- 
 ligion. *  And  the  next  is,  the  manner  of 
 Hezekiah'j  celebrating   the   Yajfeover  , 
 
 though 
 
Tie  Seventh  Sermon.  1 47 
 
 though  the  people  were  not  prepared, 
 according  to  the  method  prefcribed  by 
 the  Law.  Therefore  it  is  a  foolilh  Ar- 
 gument ,  that  the  Jews  make  ufe  of  a- 
 gainft  our  Saviour  5  that  lie  could  not 
 be  the  Mefftas,  becaufe  he  did  abolifli  the 
 Ceremonies  of  Mofess  Law.  For  the 
 Levitical  Sacrifices  did  vani(h  of  their 
 own  accord,  when  our  Saviour  rofe  from 
 the  dead,  and  gave  place  unto  that  Spi- 
 ritual Worfhip,  that  was  more  agree- 
 able  to  the  Divine  Nature ,  and  the  Spi- 
 ritual Kingdom  of  the  Mejfias.  So  our 
 Saviour  tells  the  Woman  of  Samaria.  Wo  joh.  4.  u, 
 man  believe  me,  the  hour  comet b9  when  1Z^M- 
 ye  Jhall  neither  in  this  Mountain,  nor  yet 
 in  Jerufalem  worjhip  the  Father :  but  the 
 hour  comet h  ,  and  now  is ,  when  the  true 
 iVor/hippers  Jhall  wor/hip  the  Father  in 
 Spirit  and  in  Truth  :  for  the  Father  feek- 
 ethfuch  to  wor/hip  him.  From  all  this 
 it  is  very  evident,  that  not  only  in  the 
 time  of  the  Patriarchs  ,  but  under  the 
 Law  ,  this  was  only  die  Sacrifice  that 
 was  valued  by  God. 
 
 3.  Let  us  remember,  that  theexaft 
 
 care  and  caution  wherev/ith  they  were 
 
 R  4  ob 
 
77;e  Seventh  Sermon. 
 
 obliged  to  offer  their  Sacrifices  under 
 the  Law  ,  did  fignifie  and  promote  this 
 Spiritual  Sacrifice  of  the  Mew  Teftament. 
 I  do  not  here  intend  a  juftDifcourfe  of 
 the  antient  Sacrifices  ;  yet  we  may  be 
 oblig'd  to  look  back  into  the  Books  of 
 Mofes,  to  confider  (omc  particulars,  that, 
 concern  all  Sacrifices  in  general. 
 
 And,   i.  All  Sacrifices  were  offered 
 
 Lev.2;  13.  With  Salt  5  With  all  thine  Offerings,  thou 
 (halt  offer  Salt.      This  is  eked  in  the 
 
 Mar,?,  49.  Ne w  Teftammt  by  our  Saviour.  Imuft 
 remember ,  that  I  ought  not  to  amufe 
 you  with  Cabaliftick  Fooleries  ;  but  it 
 is  certain  from  theEpiftle  to  the  Gala- 
 tians  and  the  Hebrews ,  that  there  was 
 a  fublime  Moral  couch'd  and  intended 
 by  the  external  Scheme  of  the  Law.  And 
 therefore ,  though  we  are  not  able  to 
 trace  it  in  all  its  Lines  and  Figures  3  yet 
 we  may  fafely  venture ,  when  we  force 
 the  Law,  to  fay  nothing  but  what  is  a- 
 greeable  to  the  great  defign  of  Religion, 
 and  the  Morals  of  Chriftianiry. 
 
 Le  t    me  return  to  confider  this  firft 
 ftep  of  their  Caution  in  facrificing.    Salt 
 
 hath 
 
The  Seventh  Sermon.  2  49 
 
 hath  in  it  a  twofold Vertue,  1.  It  prcferves 
 from  Putrefa&on.  2.  It  binds  the  parts 
 together. 
 
 1.  ISay,  it  prefer ves  from  Putra 
 faftion.  The  Sacrifices  that  are  offered 
 unto  the  pure  and  incorruptible  Deity 
 muft  referable  his  Nature  }  the  rotten- 
 nefs  of  hypocrifie,  fraud  and  malice,  muft 
 be  banifh'd  from  all  his  Sacrifices.  We 
 have  efcaped  the  corruption,  that  is  in  the 
 World  through  lufl,  being  wade  partakers 
 of  the  Divine  Nature.  Thus  are  we  ex- 
 horted to  fincerity  foppofite  to  cor- 
 ruption )  by  S.  Peter ;  Wherefore  laying  1  Pet.  2.1. 
 a  fide  all  malice  ,  all  guile  and  hypocrifies, 
 
 and  envies ,  and  all  evil  /peaking* ,  &c. 
 See  with  what  complacency  our  Saviour 
 fpeaks  of  Nathanael,  Behold  an  Ifraelite 
 indeed,  in  whom  is  no  guile.  J°k  »«4f- 
 
 2.  Salt  bindeth  the  parts  together. 
 We  are  forbidden  to  bring  our  Gifts  to 
 the  Altar,  until  firft  we  are  reconcil'd  to  M 
 
 our  Brother.       We   are    directed    bf™J5;% 
 S.  Paul ,    to  lift  up  holy  hands  ,  without 
 vorath  or  doubting.     Our  God  is  the  God 
 of  Peace  ;   our  Religion  is  the  Gofpel  of 
 Peace;    and  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit  are 
 
 Joy 
 
2  }  o  7k  Seventh  Sermon: 
 
 Joy  and  Peace ;   and  the  wifdom  that  is 
 
 from  above  is  firfl  pure  tand  then  peaceable. 
 
 Such  a  temper  and  frame  of  Spirit,  does 
 
 well  anfwer  the  Prophecies  of  Ifaiah , 
 
 Ifi.u.6,  That    the  Wolf  fhould  dwell   with  the 
 
 7'  ■ 9'  Lamb  3  the  Leopard  and  the  Kid  [hall 
 lye  down  together.  And  the  Calf,  and 
 the  young  Liony  and  the  Fatling  together, 
 and  a  young  Child  (hall  lead  them  :  i.e.  the 
 fierce  and  unruly  paflions  of  Humane 
 Nature  fliall  be  conquer'd  and  fubdu'd 
 by  the  Laws  of  Jefus  $  every  thing  that 
 is  rugged  and  boiftrous  muft  be  tam'd 
 
 y,  9.  and  fmooth'd  ;  for  the  Earth  fhall  be  full 
 of  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord%  as  the  Wa- 
 ters cover  the  Sea.  I  might  add  to  this, 
 that  Salt  prefervesthe  relifta.  Andthere- 
 
 CoL  4. 6.  fore  the  Apoflle  exhorts  ,  Let  your  fpeech 
 be  always  with  Grace,  feafoned  with  Salt, 
 that  ye  may  know  how  to  anfwer  every 
 man.  If  this  were  notie'd ,  our  tongues 
 fhould  be  employed  with  greater  Mode- 
 fty,  and  lefs  cenforious,  endeavouring 
 to  clofe,  rather  than  widen  the  breaches 
 in  our  neighbourhood. 
 
 i.  All  Sacrifices  ought  to  be  blame- 
 lefs ,  according  to  the  Prefcript  of  the 
 Law.      The  Prophet  Malachi  upbraids 
 
 •  *    the 
 
77;£  Seventh  Sermon.  1 5 1 
 
 the  people  with  the  neglefl:  of  thisjfye  of  Mai.  i.'8. 
 fer  the  lame  and  the  fick,   is  it  not  evil'? 
 offer  it  now  unto  thy  Governour ,    will  he 
 le  pleas' d  with  thee,    or  accept  thy  per- 
 fon?  What  we  offer  unto  God,  who  k  of 
 purer  eyes ,   than  that  he  can  lehold  ini-  HiiU.15. 
 quity, muft  be  blamelefs  and  entire;  that 
 ye  may  be  blamelefs  and  harmle/s,  the  Sons 
 of  God,  without  rebuke,  in  the  tnidfl  of  a 
 crooked  and perverfe  Nation,  among  whom 
 ye  fhine  as  lights  in  the  World.     We  are 
 to  confider  not  only  our  inward  frame, 
 but    alto  the  outward  Decorum  of  our  Eccl.  5. 1. 
 behaviour  in  the  place  of  his  ptefence. 
 
 }.  All  Sacrifices  were  to  be  offered 
 Without  Leaven.     No  meat  offering  which  Le7* Zlt' 
 ye  /hall  bring  unto  the  Lord,  (hall be  made 
 with  leaven.      And  the  New  Teflament  Mat.  16.6, 
 commands  us,  to  beware  of  the  leaven  of 
 the  Pharifees.     And  to  purge  out  the  old  1  Cor.  5. 
 leaven  of  Corruption*     Now  leaven  hath  7,8> 
 a  twofold  quality,  it  fowrs,  and  it  fwells, 
 either,  or  both  marrs  the  Sacrifice;  whe- 
 ther we  grow  fowr  with  Malice,  orfwelt 
 with  Pride  and  Vanity  ;    as  the  Phari- 
 fees who  blew  their  Trumpets,    to  con- 
 vene the  Spe&ators  ,    rather  than  the 
 Poor,     You  find  this  humour  fharply 
 
 re- 
 
2  5 i  The  Seventh  Sermon. 
 
 reprov'd  by  the  Prophet  Ifaiah  5  Stand 
 Ifa.  65.5.  fy  thy  /elf,  come  not  near  to  me /for  lam 
 holier  than  thou  :  theje  are  afmoak  in  my 
 nofe,  afire  thai  Burnet h  all  the  day. 
 
 4.  Th  e  Fat  and  the  Kidneys  of  all 
 Burnt  offerings  were  confum'd  upon  the 
 Altar,  to  the  honour  of  God.  And  this 
 Ceremony  was  the  direct  Type  of  the 
 Sacrifice  in  the  Text,  that  the  ftrength 
 and  vigour,  the  fuperiour  faculties  of  the 
 Soul  fhould  be  facrific'd  unto  God.  So 
 we  are  told  by  our  Saviour  in  the  Go- 
 fpel ,  that  upon  this  Commandment 
 (  Love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy 
 heart )  hang  all  the  Laiv  and  the  Pro- 
 phets. * 
 
 Moreover  ,   when  the  Sacrifice 
 
 was  cut  down  ,  the  Skin  was  taken  off 
 
 Pfcl.  139.  off  entirely.       We    muft    offer    our 
 
 7,8,9,10.  Sacrifices    under    the  New  Teftament  , 
 
 without  difguife,  hypocrifie  or  covering  : 
 
 Whether  jhall  I  flee  from  thy  pre  fence  $ 
 
 If  I  afcend  up  untojoeaven,  thou  art  there  : 
 
 If  I  mahg  my  led  in  Hell ,    behold  thou 
 
 VIK       art  there  :    If  1  take  the  Wings  of  the 
 
 Morning,  and  dwell  in  the  uttermofl  parts 
 
 of  the  Sea  ;    If  I  fay,  furely  the  darknefs 
 
 fhall  cover  me ,    even  the  night  Jhall  be 
 
 light 
 
The  Seventh  Sermon.  255 
 
 light  alout  we  ;  yea f the  darknefs  hideth 
 not  from  thee ;  lut  the  night  fhineth  as  the 
 day  3    the  darkness  and  the  light  are  loth 
 alike  to  thee.      We  muft  not  think  to 
 palliate  our  deformities  by  arts  and  fub- 
 terfuges  :    for  all  things  are  naked  and 
 open  to  his  eyes.     Nothing  muft  be  offe- 
 red unto  him,  but  what  is  pure  and  un- 
 mixt.     Therefore  the  Sacrifice  was  care- 
 fully infpedted ,  and  narrowly  examin'd. 
 And  the  Pagans  borrowed  this  Ceremo-  Heb.4.i2; 
 i>y  from  the  Patriarchs.     When  we  ap-  *?• 
 pear  before  God  ,  we  fhould  come  with  £9$$*. 
 purity  and  fimphcity  of  Spirit,  that  we  v*d.Ham. 
 may  be  bold  to  appeal  to  God  himfelf;Wo(7' 
 in  the  language  of  the  Pfalmijl :  Search 
 me,  OGod,  and  know  my  heart  5    try  me,  2  f'*£9* 
 and  know  my  thoughts  ;  and  fee  if  there 
 be  any  wicked  way  in  me,  and  lead  me  in 
 the  way  everlafling.      With  what  inno- 
 cence and  decency    ought  we   to  ap, 
 proach  theMoft  High  God  !   The  High- 
 Priefl  Licinius  ,   arftong   the    Romans  , 
 thought  that  the  Vefial  Virgin,  that  kept  Vid.  Va* 
 the  Holy  Fire  carelefly ,  ought  to  b$  pub  ^'J^f" < 
 lickly  lcourg'd.     Sulpitius  was  deprived  %e  ^/jg" 
 of  his  Priejlhood ,-  becaufe  the  Creft  of 
 his  Mitre  %    through  his  carelefsnefs  fell 
 to  the  ground  in  the  time  of  facrificing. 
 
 Corne- 
 
2  j  4  lb*  Seventh  Sermon. 
 
 Cornelius  fiethegus  and  Clan* 
 
 Cornel.  Cetheg(£  Claud,   dius  were  deprived  of  their 
 
 %T?°  i'V'uffi  f™9   Dignity  ,     becaufe    they 
 
 -proper  exta  Parum  curi-    ,     &     ,y     ,     ^,  .,        r    i 
 
 c£  DAwm  immonahum   brought  the  Entrails  of  the 
 *ris  admota.  Sacrifices  fomewhat  negli- 
 
 gently to  the  Altars.  The 
 Story  of  Alexanders  Boy ,  that  fuffered 
 his  hand  to  be  burnt ,  rather  than  di- 
 fturb  the  Sacrifice  is  very  well  known. 
 
 I  Might  alfo  put  you  in  mind,that 
 the  Guts  and  the  Feet  were  to  be  wafh'd. 
 We  are  certainly  to,  be  divided  from 
 what  is  more  feculent,  grofs  and  putrid ; 
 p&We   ancj  pfolo  finds  thisMyfterie  in  it,  that 
 Sacrific,    V7e  muft  noc  converfe  too  much  with  the 
 fur.        Earth  5   nay,  that  in  a  manner  we  muft 
 be  wholly  above  it  ,  when  we  approach 
 his  Altars.      And  this  agrees  harmoni- 
 monioufly  with  the  (Shriftian  Sacrifice. 
 If  ye  are  rifen  with  C hrift,  feek  the  things 
 3.1,2.  that  are  above,  where  Chrifl  fitteth  on  the 
 right  hand  of  God.      Set  your  affeftion  on 
 things  above ,  and  not  on  things  on  the 
 Earth.     This  heavenly  temper  fortifies 
 againft  temptations ;  and  makes  us  refo- 
 lute  againft  Death;  cheerful  under  affli- 
 ctions ,  watchful  againft  fin,  and  ready 
 when  our  Mafter  calleth.      And  fince 
 
 here 
 
The  Seventh  Sermon.  2  j  5 
 
 here  we  are  but  Pilgrims  and  Strangers  f 
 Let  our  converfation  be  in  heaven ,  from 
 whence  we  look  jor  the  Saviour  ,  the  Lord 
 Jefus  Chrifi. 
 
 You  know,  that  the  Morning  and  the 
 Evening  Sacrifices  were  offered  in  their 
 feafon ,  without  delays  or  intermiffion. 
 To  this  Cuftom  the  Pfalmijl  alludes,  My  VU  130. 
 Soul  wait  eth  for  the  Lord,  more  than  they  6- 
 that  watch  for  the  Morning,   I  fay,  more 
 than   they  that   watch  for  the  Morning. 
 The  Friefls  in  the  Temple  by  turns  did 
 watch  for  the  firft  appearance  of  the 
 Day,  that  they  might  offer  the  Morning 
 Sacrifice.     We  are  to  remember  our  Cre- 
 ator in  the  days  of  our  ycuth  ,  and  not 
 delay  our  Repentance.     Our  evil  habits 
 grow  flrong ;  our  time  is  uncertain ;  the 
 exercife  of  our  Reafon  depends  upon  a 
 thoufand  Contingencies  >    and  all  our 
 opportunities  are  flippery.     God  is  pro-  t 
 voked  by  our  delays ,    his  Spirit  is  refi 
 fted,and  our  Convictions  are  flifled.  How 
 dangerous  is  it  then,  to  delay  the  Sacri- 
 fice one  moment  longer,  left  God  Ihould 
 judicially  harden  us ,  and  confine  us  to 
 perpetual  flavery  >   To  day  then,  if  you 
 will  hear   his  voice  ,    harden   not  your 
 
 hearts  ; 
 
2  J  6  The  Seventh  Sermon. 
 
 hearts;  but  fpeedily  break  off  thy  fins 
 by  Repentance;  for  the  next  moment 
 may  put  thee  under  the  final  date  of  Im- 
 penitence. 
 
 B  y  what  I  have  faid,  you  may  ea- 
 fily  fee  that  the  Caution  and  care,  that 
 the  Jews  were  tied  to  in  their  Sacrifices, 
 did  not  fo  much  concern  the  Levitical 
 Oblations,  as  typifie  the  great  Sacrifice 
 of  the  Neiv  Tejiament.  God  is  to  be 
 worshipped  agreeably  to  his  Nature. 
 Our  moft  folemn  attendance  on  his 
 Worfhip  is  but  an  abomination,  if  at 
 any  time  it  is  divided  from  a  chearful, 
 and  ingenuous  furrender  of  our  Souls  to 
 his  Will.  This  is  the  Sacrifice  that 
 S.fW  exhorts  to,  with  fo  much  Rapture 
 and  Concern. 
 
 Fourthly andlaftly,  Letus confider 
 the  Epithets  beftowed  upon  this  Sacri- 
 fice in  the  Text  5  and  thefe  are  three ; 
 i.  It  muft  be  Living.  2.  Holy.  3.  Ac- 
 ceptable. 
 
 I.  I  S  a  Y,  it  mud  be  a  Living  Sacri- 
 fice.    And  this  in  allufion  to  that  Com- 
 mand under  the  Levitical  Law,  that  for- 
 bad 
 
The  Seventh  Sermon.  %*•* 
 
 bad  any  thing  to  be  offer'd  in  Sacrifice, 
 which  died  of  it  felf$  -  they  were  not  fo 
 much  as  to  eat  of  it,  farlefs  could  they  Lev. n& 
 facriftce  it.     The  Sacrifices  of  the  living 
 God,  mud  be  offered  with  Life;  he  is 
 the  original  Fountain  of  Life,  and  it  is 
 Life  that  converfes  with  Life.     This  Me- 
 ditation may  juftly  ftartle  the  inconfide- 
 rate  World,who  ferve  God  with  fo  much 
 coldnefs  and  indifferency,  as  if  he  were 
 not  the  living  God.     Let  us  prove,  My 
 Brethren,that  we  are  living  Chriftians,  by 
 A&ions  and  Motions  fui table  to  that  Life, 
 which  we  have  from  above.     Giving  all  2  Pet.  1% 
 diligence,  add  to  your  faith  vertue%  and  6j  7" 
 to  vertue   knowledge,  and  to  knowledge, 
 Temperance,  and  to  Temperance  Patience, 
 and  to  Patience  Godlinefs  5    and  to  Godli- 
 vefs  brotherly  kindnefs :  and  to  brotherly- 
 kindnefs,  Charity.     We  muft  prove,  by 
 a  fteady  and  uniform  practice  of  Chri- 
 ftian  Vertue,  that  we  are  not  the  Vota- 
 ries of  fome  dead  Idol,  but  theDifciples 
 of  the  living  Jefus  ;  that  as  he  was  raff- 
 ed from  the  dead  by  the  Glory  of  the  Fa-  Rom  6.4: 
 ther,  even  fo  we  aljo  fhould  walk  in  new* 
 nefs  of  life. 
 
 2«  Th* 
 
258  The  Seventh  Sermon. 
 
 2.  The  next  Epithet  is,  the  Sa- 
 crifice muft  be  holy.  I  do  not  defign 
 to  difcourfe  here  of  Holinefs  in  the  ge- 
 neral 3  nor  of  that  Holinefs  that  muft 
 run  through  all  our  Actions  as  we  are 
 Chriftians;  but  of  that  fpecial  Holinefs 
 that  is  related  to  Sacrifices.  And  there- 
 fore we  muft  obferve,  that  all  Sacrifices 
 were  holy  in  a  twofold  regard,  1.  They 
 were  feparate  from  common  ufej  And 
 2.  They  were  an  acknowledgment  of 
 that  particular  Deity ,  to  whom  they 
 were  offered. 
 
 1.  I  Say,  they  were  feparate  from 
 
 common  Ufe.     And  this  is 
 
 Vid.  Mr.  Mede's  Dif-    the  true  Notion  of  all  Re- 
 
 ™%m?  lative  Holinefs.  It  is  in  Al- 
 
 lufion  to  this,  that  we  are 
 t2Cor.    exhorted  by  St.  Paul,  f  to  be  feparate, 
 6t  l7'      and  not  to  touch  the  unclean  thing  $  for 
 the  Temple  of  God  hath  no  agreement  with 
 Idols  ;    Te  are-  the  Temple  of  the  living 
 VtikiS.  God,  as  God  hath  f aid,  I  will  dwell  in 
 them,  and  walk   in  them,  and  1  will  be. 
 their  Gody  and  they  fhall  be  my  People. 
 Let  us  call  to  mind  our  New  and  hea- 
 venly Relation,  by  the  folemnity  of  our 
 
 Baptifm, 
 
T/?e  Seventh  Sermon.  i  j  j> 
 
 Baptifm ,  We  are  built  up  a  fpiritual 
 Houfs,  an  holy  Friefihood,  to  offer  up  f pi- 
 ritual  Sacrifices  ^  acceptable  to  Godbyjefus 
 ChriJL  Let  us  remember,  that  we  are 
 bought  with  a  price,  we  are  not  our  own, 
 Therefore  ought  we  to  glorifie  God  in  cur 
 bodies ,  and  in  our  fpirits  which  are  Gods. 
 The  Pro'pbanatipn  of  things  Holy  and 
 dedicated  was  looked  upon  as  an  ex- 
 traordinary Crime.  We  muft  not  take 
 the  Veffels  of  the  Santtuary,  and  profane  Dan  $, 
 them  to  common  Ufe.  This  is  the  At  3)4- 
 gument  that  St.  Paul  made  ufe  of  to  the 
 Corinthians  againft  Fornication  3  Shall  I  If3*'6' 
 then  take  the  members  of  Chrift,  and 
 make  them  the  members  of  an  Harlot* 
 And  this  Reafon  may  be  extended  with- 
 out  any  violence  againft  all  fin  and  im- 
 purity; we  are  confederate  with  Jefui 
 Chrifl;  we  are  lifted  under  his  Banners  3 
 We  are  feparated  from  the  World  $' 
 therefore  all  compliance  with  it,  as  far 
 as  it  isoppofed  to  the  Kingdom  of  Ghrift, 
 is  utterly  unlawful  :  therefore  Love  not 
 the  World,  neither  the  things  that  are  in 
 the  World  ^  if  any  man  love  the  World, 
 (he  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him.  1  John  i. 
 We  are  f acred  Perfons,  we  are  dediqa-  *5« 
 ted  to  his  fervice  in  our  Baptifm  5  we 
 S  %  muft 
 
2  6o  "The  Seventh  Sermon] 
 
 muft  not  run  into  the  fame  excefs  of 
 iPet.2,.9.  Ri0c  with  others  5  a  chofen  Generation,  a 
 Royal  Priefthood,  an  holy  Nation,  a  pe- 
 culiar People ;  that  we  fhould  /hew  forth 
 the  praifes  of  him,  who  hath  called  us  out 
 of  darknefs  into  his  marvellous  light. 
 
 1.  Sacrifices  were  not  only 
 feparated  from  common  ufe,  but  were 
 alfo  the  badge  ind  Teffera  of  the  Vota- 
 ries, and  the  peculiar  Worfhip  of  that 
 Deity  to  whom  they  were  offered*  This 
 made  it  fo  highly  criminal  for  the  firft 
 Chriftians,  to  be  prefent  at  the  Sacrifices 
 of  their  Pagan  Relations ;  they  were  fre- 
 quently invited  to  thefe  Idolatrous  Ce- 
 remonies. And  though  they  might  pre- 
 tend that  they  came  to  gratifie  their 
 Friends,  without  any  further  defign  of 
 Religion  ;  yet  their  very  prefence  at 
 thofe  Solemnities  of  the  Pagans,  did  con- 
 fute this  Pretext.  For  the  Sacrifices 
 were  the  pecuiiarties  and  Bonds ,  that 
 did  oblige  to  the  Worfhip  of  that  Deity 
 to  whom  they  were  offered ;  and  both 
 among  the  Jews,  and  the  Pagans,  there 
 was  fome  one  Ceremony  or  other  that 
 pointed  to  that  Deity  that  was  worship- 
 ped, and  acknowledged.    The  Sacrifices 
 
 of 
 
The  Seventh  Sermon.  261 
 
 of  the  Jewifti  Religion  and  religious  Ce- 
 remonies were  (mod  of  them)  diame- 
 trically oppofite  to  the  cuftoms  of  the 
 neighbour  Nations;  that  they  might  re- 
 main marks  of  diftin&ion  between  the 
 Idolatrous  Nations  and  the  Jews,  whoVlu%«. 
 worfhipped  the  Creator  of  Heaven  and  cer.de 
 Earth,     It  is  mod  certain,  that  theSa-j^-te 
 orifices  in  all  Religions   have  this  in 
 them,  that  they  unite  the  Votary  and 
 the  Deity  9  to  whom  they  are  offered. 
 And  therefore  the  Ancient  Church  was 
 fo  fevere,  not  only  againft  the  Thurifi- 
 cati,  and  fuch  as  did  (acrifice  m  the  time 
 of  Perfecution  ;  but  alfo  againft  fuch  as 
 wereprefent  at  thefe  Sacrifices.  So  much 
 we  gather  from  SiPauls  reafonings,  The  1  cor.  10. 
 Cup  of  Blejftng  which  we  blefs,  is  it  not1  Wie- 
 the Communion  of  the    blood  of  Chrifl  > 
 i.  e.  Is  it  not  the  Chara&eriftick  of  the 
 Chriftian     Worlhip  ?     Compare    this 
 with    the  20th  verfe   following  ,     the 
 things  which  the  Gentiles  f acrifice,  they 
 f acrifice  to  Dtvils ,    and  not  to  God  :    / 
 would  not,  that  ye  fhould  have  felloivfliip 
 with  Devils.     Te  cannot  be  partakers  of 
 the  Lords  Table,  and  of  the  Table  of '  De-yerr€lu 
 vils  $  therefore  you  ought  with  all  care  to 
 flee  thofe  Idolatrous  meetings. 
 
 S  j  Now 
 
%6i  Tin  Seventh  Sermon. 
 
 Now  when  we  facrifice  our  felves. 
 with  allufion  to  this  Practice,  we  muft 
 remember  the  peculiar  Laws  of  our  Re- 
 ligion ;   the  Laws  that  ere£t  a  Wall  of 
 Partition,  between  the  Chriftians  and  the 
 reft  of  Mankind ;    where  then  are  our  pe- 
 culiar  Obligations  ?  We  are  told  of  them 
 in  the  fifth  of  St.  Matth.  GofpeJ.    Thofe 
 graces  of  Humility,    Calmnefs,   Good- 
 nefs,  and  Charity,  that  are  levell'd  a- 
 gainft  the  prevailing  Vices  of  Mankind. 
 This  is  our  Religion  in  its  heighth,  in  its 
 Flower,  in  its  mark  of  Excellency  and 
 diftin&ion.     This  is  the  <it>  <z&i<xsqv  of 
 Chriftianity;    by  which  we  know  our 
 felves  to  be  the  Difciples  of  the  Cruci- 
 fied Jefvs.     There  was  always,  in  all 
 Religions,  fome  proportion  or  analogy 
 between  the    Sacrifice  and   the  Deity. 
 Let  our  Sacrifices  therefore  prove  that 
 we  are  the  Children  of  the  mofl  High 
 God,  and  his  Son  Jefiu  Chrifl ,   whom  ta 
 know  is  life   eternal.     And  becaufe  we 
 have  the  bed  Religion,  we  muft  do  more 
 than  others ,    that  they  feeing  our  good 
 works,  way  glorifie  our  Father  which  is  in 
 Heaven. 
 
 3.  The 
 
The  Seventh  Sermon.  l6$ 
 
 3.  THE  third  Epithet  that  St.Faul 
 mentions,  is,  that  the  Sacrifice  mud  be 
 Acceptable.  And  this  alfo  in  alluficn  to 
 what  made  the  Sacrifices  acceptable,  ac- 
 cording to  the  letter  of  the  Law  :  and  to 
 make  it  acceptable  thus,  it  ought  1.  to  be 
 offered  at  Gods  own  Altar  at  Jerufalem.Thz 
 Solemnities  of  publick  Worfliip  were  al- 
 ways ordered  by  God  himfelf  imme- 
 diately ;  or  by  them  to  whom  he  did 
 intruft,  by  regular  conveyance,  the  ma- 
 nagement of  Sacred  things. 
 
 L  e  t  us  not  then  as  the  Author  to 
 the  Hebrews  exhorts :  for  fake  the  affem- Heb  l9* 
 lling  of  our  [elves  together,  as  the  manner  23 
 of  fome  is  5  who  for  fake  the  Communion 
 of  the  Catholick  Church,  and  ereeT:  Al- 
 tar againft  Altar ;  and  to  juftifie  their 
 prophane  Schifm,  muft  pretend  the  very 
 forms  of  the  Church,  that  diftinguith  us 
 and  our  Religion  from  Pagans,  Infidels 
 and  Hereticks.  Why  Jbould  I  be  (fays 
 the  Spoufe  )  as  one  that  turneth  aftde  ^Cant.1.7. 
 the  Flocks  of  thy  Companions  $  Tell  me 
 where  thou  makeft  thy  flocks  to  reft  at 
 noon  ?  There  is  no  flicker  againft  the 
 heat  of  Gods  indignation  to  be  had,  but 
 S  4  in 
 
2  6\  The  Seventh  Sermon. 
 
 in  the  Society  of  the  Church.  When 
 we  are  dazled  with  Singularities  and  No- 
 velties, and  forfake  the  Communion  of 
 the  Churchy  we  venture  without  the  Line 
 of  his  Covenant  and  Promife,  and  'tis 
 needlefs  to  aggravate  the  danger  of  fo 
 doing. 
 
 How  joyfully  does  the  Ffamift  tune 
 his  Harp,    when  they  fpake  to  him  of 
 Pfal.  112.  the  meetings  at  Jerufalem.    I  was  glad 
 i-  when  they  [aid  unto  me,    Let  us  go  into 
 
 the  koufe  of  the  Lord,  our  feet  /hall  ft  and 
 within  thy  gates  I  0  Jerufalem.     Let  us 
 fay  with  the  mournful  Captives  in  Ba- 
 bylon, If  I  do  not  remember  thee,  let  my 
 i*'*37'  tonguf  cleave  to   the  roof  of  my  m:uth ; 
 if  I  prefer  not  'jerufalem  to  my  chief  eft 
 joy.     With   what  impatience   did    the 
 Pfalmifl   figh    for    the  Sanctuary !     As 
 the  Hart  panteth  after  the  Water-brooks, 
 Mat  4i.  f0  panteth  my  Soul  after  thee,  0  God.    My 
 lj2.        Soul  thirfteth  for  God  9   for   the    living 
 God,  when  fhall  I  come,  and  appear  before 
 God? 
 
 2,  T  o  make  the  Sacrifice  Accep- 
 table ,  it  mud  needs  be  offered  unto 
 God  without  retraction,  with  a  chear- 
 
 ful 
 
The  Seventh  Sermon.  1 6  J 
 
 ful  liberal  Soul.  And  this  no  doubt  was 
 the  Eflential  difference,  between  the  Sa- 
 crifice of  Cain  and  Abel.  Abel  gave  his 
 Sacrifice  with  a  bountiful,  benign  Soul. 
 Cain  gave  his  with  a  penurious ,  unwil- 
 ling  Mind.  And  therefore  the  Author 
 to  t\\Q  Hebrews  tells  us,  that  Abel  ojferH&.i  1.4, 
 ing  unto  God  7rh&ovcc,  Suoity,  a  more  plen- 
 tiful  Sacrifice  )  he  gave  it  with  a  Soul 
 as  vaft  as  the  whole  Univerfe;  he  came 
 to  the  Altar  with  a  heart  fir'd  with 
 Love,  to  the  divine  Honour.  But  Cain 
 drew  a  black  Pifture  of  God  in  his  own 
 Mind  ;  and  therefore  he  came  with  affe- 
 ctions as  dark  as  the  Vaults  of  Hell,  a 
 mean  and  knavifti  Soul,  who  meafur'd 
 the  Almighty  by  no  other  Standard,  than 
 that  of  his  own  angry  and  troubled 
 Mind.  God  is  the  God  ot  Love,  ttay9 
 he  is  Love  it  felf.  Let  all  our  Sacrifices  ,  j^  4. 
 therefore  be  enflam'd  with  true  Love  5 
 this  makes  the  Incenfe  burn  on  the  Altar 
 with  a  fweet  fmelling  favour  3  this  u- 
 nites  us  to  that  blefled  Company  above, 
 whofe  very  Life  is  made  up  of  chearful- 
 nefs,  harmony,  and  alacrity  of  Spirit. 
 
 3.    If  the  Sacrifice  be  Acceptable,    k 
 mud  te  offered  of  fuch  things  as  the 
 
 Law 
 
2  66  The  Seventh  Sermon. 
 
 Law  allowed  to  be  facrific'd.  Hence 
 that  known  diftinftion  of  things  clean, 
 and  unclean.  What  we  facrifice  unto 
 God  under  the  New  Tefiament,  mull  be 
 fomething  within  the  Circle  of  his  Com- 
 mandment. It  is  a  wild  fancy  and  En- 
 thufiaftick  madnefs  for  men  to  think, 
 that  for  the  glory  of  God,  we  may  turn 
 »  The  fanguinary  Rebels,  and  *  barbarous  Mur- 
 ^r^[derers3  as  if  the  glory  of  God  could 
 BifhopV  be  advanc'd  by  violating  his  Laws:  and 
 Saint  An-  renverfing  the  boundaries  between  Good 
 drews.  ancj  £y^  jrue  Religion  grows  upon 
 the  Foundation  of  Reaibn,  and  is  fo  con- 
 genial to  our  Nature,  that  the  one  can- 
 not aft  regularly  without  the  other.  Do 
 not  we  think  that  the  Almighty  is  in- 
 finitely Wife,  and  powerful  to  aft  for 
 his  Church  ?  Why  do  thefe  unreasona- 
 ble Men  officioufly  interpofe  by  their  un- 
 hallowed Sacrifices,  and  ftrange  Fire  ? 
 They  pretend  to  ferve  God  zealoufly 
 when  they  let  loofe  thofe  Paffions,  the 
 fupprefling  whereof  is  the  mod  accept- 
 able Sacrifice. 
 
 N  o  w  I  have  fufficiently  demonftra- 
 ted  what  was  intended  by  the  Ancient 
 Sacrifices,  and  what  the  Chriftian  Sacri- 
 fices 
 
TI;e  Seventh  Sermon.  z  67 
 
 fices  ought  to  be.     And  that  is  no  other 
 than  this,  which  is  recommended  in  the 
 Text.     The  firft  Chriftians    were  deri- 
 ded, becaufe  of  the  fimplicity  of  their 
 Religion :    and  their    Apologifis  unani-  clem,  a* 
 moufly  declared,  that  God  reifpe&ed  no  lexkndr? 
 Man  for  any  external  Excellencies,  or  ^™r' 
 'Advantages;  it  was  the  pure   and  holy  conn. 
 Soul  that  he  delighted  in.     He  (lands  Ceir.& 
 not  in  need  of  Blood,  Smoak,  Perfumes  L"     °* 
 or  Incsnte*  the  beft  Sacrifice  is,  to  offer 
 up  a  Mind  truJy  devoted   to  his  fear  5 
 and  this  is  certainly  our  moft  reafon- 
 able  fervice.     And  this  leads  me  to  en- 
 quire 
 
 • 
 I  N  the  third  and  laft  Place,  into  the 
 Motive  whereby  he  enforces  his  Exhor- 
 tation, and  that  is,  It  is  your  reafonalle  a^j^a*- 
 Service.     It  is  the  Rational  Worfhipop-  **«'*• 
 pofite  to  the  foolifli  Pageantry  of  the  Pa- 
 gan Ceremonies,  and  the  cumberfom  Toke 
 ohhejewijh  Law.  It  is  that  rational  Ado-  Gen.  1. 
 ration  of  God,  that  is  founded  upon  the 
 Eternal  Rules  of  immutable  Reafon,  and 
 not  on  variable  Conftitutions.    This  Sa- 
 crifice then  may  be  call'd,  in  the  ftrifteft 
 fcnfe,  the  Rational  Worjhip. 
 
 1.  Be- 
 
±61  The  Seventh  Sermm* 
 
 I.  Because  our  Reafon  was  given 
 us  for  this  very  end,  that  we  might  con- 
 verfe  with  God.  This  is  the  End  that 
 God  had  in  his  view,  in  our  firft  Crea- 
 *n.  i.  tion  ,  Let  us  make  man  in  our  Image. 
 There  is  nothing  capable  of  converfing 
 with  God,  but  that  which  hath  fome  re- 
 femblances  of  himfelf  ,  Society  is  for  De- 
 light, and  therefore  we  cannot  converfe, 
 but  with  fiich  as  are  like  our  felves.  In 
 our  firft  Creation  God  made  us  after  his 
 own  Image,  that  he  might  converfe 
 with  us. 
 
 z.  This  is  Reafon  in  its  higheft 
 Elevation.  It  cannot  be  rais'd  higher 
 than  thus  to  facrifice  it  felf  to  God.  For 
 here  we  converfe  with  the  moft  perfett 
 Objeft,  and  in  the  nobleft  manner,  and 
 with  the  pureft  Delight.  True  Reafon 
 is  a  Beam  of  the  Divinity,  a  Ray  of  that 
 firft  Light  that  enlivens  all  things,  and 
 the  nearer  it  draws  to  the  Center,  the 
 more  it  is  itfelf.  If  Truth,  and  Light, 
 and  clear  Perception  be  the  Life  of  the 
 Soul,  then  no  doubt  the  nearer  we  draw 
 unto  the  Original  Truth,  the  more  we 
 are  our  felves,  the  more  we  aft  accord- 
 ing to  Reafon,  and  the  Primitive  Excel- 
 lency  of  our  Souls.  Th  i  $ 
 
"the Seventh  Sermon.  t6$ 
 
 This   is  the  true  Life  of  the  Soul, 
 the  nearer  approaches  that  it  makes  to 
 matter  in  all  its  Appetites,  the  nearer  ic 
 is  to  Death  it  felf  5    and  therefore  our 
 prefent  (late  (when    we  wreftle  with 
 the  Tentations  that  aflauk  us  from  the 
 lower  World )  is  but  a  ftate  of  Mifery; 
 Anxiety  and  Darknefs,    if  we  compare 
 it  with  that  ftate  of  pure  and  unmixt 
 Light,  where  our  Souls^ara.tnade  free 
 from  thefe  unwieldy  TabSmacles.    Now 
 they  are  confind  in  their  operations  to 
 fome  few  and  dull  Senfes,  but  when  we 
 are  got  above  this  little  Globe  of  Earth, 
 we  may   reafonably  prefume  that  our  ' 
 Souls  will  then  difplay  new  Powers  ami 
 Faculties upon  new  Objefts,  which  could 
 not  be  exerc'd  in  its  ftate 
 of  Uniqn  to  this  corrupti-     — ll/ic  poftquam  fi  fcmi- 
 ble  Body,   and   will   feel     r^T%//r 
 themielves  more   at  liber-       miratur  #  iftra 
 ty,  and  uncon-fin'd  ,    and     Fix*  folli>  *****  quanta 
 lottfd  [from   that  manner    ^t.H^  f»i 
 of  Operation    that  their       ludihia  trunci.  *  Lwc 
 Kindred    to    an     earthly 
 Body  did  oblige  them  to  y     nay,  the 
 Philofophy  of  *  Plato  gave  noble  Ideas 
 €f  the   ftate  of  Separation,    but   our 
 
 Blejfed 
 
zjo  The  Seventh  Somen. 
 
 Bleffed  Saviour  alone  hath  brought 
 Ufe  and  immortality  to  light  throughthe 
 Gofpel.  'Tis  He  that  hath  revealed  ly 
 the  Father  unto  us ,  and  taught  us 
 to  approach  him  with  that  rational 
 and  manly  Worfhip  that  became  the 
 true  Sons  of  God,  and  the  Heirs  of  e~ 
 ternal  Life.  The  more  therefore  that 
 we  are  purified  from  Senfuality,  and- 
 the  nearer  we  draw  to  the  Life  of 
 the  Bleffed.  i  fefui  and  the  accurate 
 Rules  of  hirGofpel,  the  more  difpos'd, 
 and  the  more  ripe  we  are  for  the  fe- 
 licities of  the  World  to  come,  and 
 the  Life  of  the  Spirits  $f  jufl  men  wade 
 perfett. 
 
 3.  This  Religious  Reafon  is  the 
 Char  after  iftick  difference  of  our  Na- 
 ture :  So  that  Man  is  better  *lcfin'd  by 
 Religion,  than  by  Reafon  without  Reli- 
 gion. The  inferiour  Creatures  have  fortfs 
 dark  Veftiges  of  Reafon,  Sagacity  and 
 Condudt;  but  no  fliadow  of  Religion  : 
 then  may  not  we  venture  to  fay,  that 
 Reafon  feparately  confidered  wkhouE 
 Religion  ,  will  not  make  up  the  Ef- 
 fential  difference  of  our  Nature  ?    The 
 
The  Seventh  Sermon.  iy\ 
 
 Philofophick  Or  ator  informs 
 
 us,  that  there   is  ho  Na-     ,  r"u-  **  Ma*  Deor.  Nuh 
 
 r  r  J     +*~V.fl        'a  Gens  tambarbara,  Sec 
 
 Uonfofavage,  and  unpolijb-  *  c<efar  de  mQ  QaU^ 
 ed,  but  that  they  had  thtir 
 Religious  Solemnities  :  their  Gods  and 
 their  Sacrifices.  And  tho  *  Cefar  tells 
 us  of  fome  of  the  old  Germans^  that  they 
 had  neither  Priejls  nor  Sacrifices ,  yet 
 they  worfhipped  the  Moon,  and  the  Fire. 
 Thus  Religion  feems  to  be  the  heredi- 
 tary Ingredient  ot  our  Nature  ;  we  muft 
 fhake  off*  what  is  moft  intimate  to  our 
 Souls,  unlefs  we  employ  our  Reafon  in  the 
 Worfhip  of  God. 
 
 4.  This  is  a  Reafonalle  Service* 
 becaufe  there  no  other  Bufinefs  or 
 Employment  can  exhauft  the  ftrength 
 and  activity  of  our  Spirits.  The  Soul 
 ranges  thorow  the  Creation ,  like  the 
 Bee  that  tafts  every  Flower,  but  quick- 
 ly goes  off  to  another.  Thus  our  Spirits, 
 after  their  moft  diligent  enquiries  into  all 
 things  that  the  World  hath,  fit  down 
 meagre  and  difcon tented,  they  feel  fome- 
 thing  within  them  ftill  thirfty,  and  unfa- 
 tisfied ;  there  is  no  fixed  peace  to  our  Spi- 
 rits,until  we  fix  the  ey&of  our  Soul  upon 
 
 that 
 
i?  i  7he  Seventh  Sermon: 
 
 that  Original  Beauty,  and  Light,  that 
 dwells  in  Light  inaccejfible.  This  is  Em- 
 ployment proper  for  our  Spirits ,  here 
 they  reft  as  in  their  true  Center  and 
 Element. 
 
 To  God  the  Father,  Son  and 
 Holy  Ghojt,  he  aUPraife, 
 Honour  and  Glory,  for 
 ever  and  ever.    Amen. 
 
*73 
 
 SE  RMON 
 
 Preached  on 
 
 Good-Friday, 
 
 ON 
 
 John  xviii.  v,  i  ia 
 
 then  /aid  Jefm  unto  Peter ,    Tut  up 
 thy  Sword  into  the  (heath,  the  Cupy 
 which  my  Father  hath  given  me^ 
 Jball  Ijtot  drink  it  ? 
 
 INeed  not  the  help  of  a  Preface 
 to  reconcile  this  Text  to  this  Day^ 
 it  being  a  part  of  that  Gofpel,  which 
 the  Church  appoints  to  be  read  oil 
 this  Solemn  Faft  $  when  the  Vniverfal 
 Church  puts  on  Mourning,  and  beholds 
 her  Redeemer ,  dying  in  the  Arms  of 
 Love. 
 
 T  The 
 
^y\  The  Eighth  Sermon. 
 
 The  Verfe  that  I  have  now  read , 
 contains  our  Saviours  fixt  refolution  to 
 aft  the  laft  part  himfelf  with  true  Mag- 
 nanimity 5  fo  he  flood  like  an  impreg- 
 nable Rock,  not  only  againft  the  trea- 
 chery, tumult  and  rage  of  his  Enemies  5 
 but  alfo,  the  timorous  and  faint  Coun- 
 fels,  and  infinuations  of  his  deareft  Com- 
 panions. I  fuppofethe  Church  appoint- 
 ed the  Go/pel  for  this  day  to  be  taken 
 out  of  St.  John,  becaufe  he  was  an  Eye- 
 witnefs  of  the  whole  Tragedy,  from  firft 
 to  laft. 
 
 The  beginning  of  this  Verfe  is  a 
 Command  to  St.  Peter,  to  forbear  thefe 
 Methods  and  Weapons  of  humane  Vio- 
 lence, that  his,  ill-plac'd,(but  well  meant 
 zeal )  did  fugged  unto  him.  The  King- 
 dom, Scepter  and  Laws  of  the  Mejftasy 
 needed  not  thofe  Weapons  of  Iron  and 
 Steel,  but  they  were  to  be  adyanc'd  to 
 their  height,  by  Patience,  by  Humility, by 
 Sufferings,  and  by  the  Crofs.  And  this 
 Thilojcphy  the  Sophies  of  the  World  did 
 defpife. 
 
 The  latter  part  of  the  Verfe  ( to 
 which  >jl  invite  your  Mediation  more 
 
 clofely) 
 
The  Eighth  Sermon. 
 
 clofely)  is  our  Saviours  resolution  to 
 go  through  his  moft  formidable  fuffer- 
 ings ,  with  a  chearful  and  undaunted 
 Spirit;  inflam'd  with  Love,  Fortitude, 
 and  invincible  Zeal.  Here  we  have  not 
 his  fufferings  divided  in  feveral  parcels, 
 but  a  full  view  of  them  in  grofs,  and  in 
 their  folemn  Circumftances ;  and  all  of 
 them  made  bitter ,  and  terrible  by  the 
 moft  exquifite  aggravations.        . 
 
 Thus  the  Captain  of  our  Salvation 
 confidered  his  Enemies,drawn  up  againft 
 him  in  battel  array.  He  favv  all  the 
 Powers  of  Hell  combin'd,  and  all  their 
 Malice  skrew'd  up  to  the  higheft  Pin; 
 and  this  Malice  vented  againft  himfelf, 
 with  all  the  marks  of  affront  and  indigni- 
 ty. AUthefuffering  Capacities  of  h\shuu 
 wan  Nature  were  at  once  aflaulted,and  the 
 terrour  of  the  Roman  Power,  the  fallen 
 hypocrifie  of  the  PfiarifetSy  and  the  Cla- 
 mours of  the  Rabble,  were  all  in  their 
 united  force  mufter'd  againft  him.  Yet 
 he  flood  like  a  Rock  of  Brafs  to  receive 
 their  blows,  andhe  tells  S.Peter  (with  de- 
 fign  to  cool  his  fervour  )  That  the  Son  0/ 
 (W  rmft  foffer. 
 
2  7  6  The  Eighth  Sermon. 
 
 The    Cup  which  my   Father  giveth 
 my  &c.  It  was  ufual  amongft  the  Jews, 
 to  exprefs  the  happy  or  adverfe  Lot  of 
 Vid.Grof.a  Mans  Condition,  under  the  notion  and 
 
 «^.iiPhrafeof  aCuP*  ^f^ii.v.6.  Vpon 
 the  wicked  he  ft  all  rain  fnares,  fire  and 
 Irimfione,  and  an  horrible  tewpeft,  this 
 {hall  be  the  portion  of  their  Cup.  Pfalm 
 1 6.  v.  5.  The  Lord  u  the  portion  of  mine 
 inheritance,  and  of  my  Cup,  thou  mantain- 
 efi  my  lot.  The  meaning  then  is  this, 
 That  Cup  which  is  mixt  by  human  Ma- 
 lice, and  filled  with  Gall  and  Vinegar,  is 
 neverthelefs  ordered  by  my  Father.  He 
 fuperintends  all  things,  and  not  a  hair 
 cf  our  head  falls  to  the  ground,  without 
 his  watchful  providence.  This  is  a  Cup  in- 
 deed, that  hath  in  it  all  degrees  of  ter- 
 rour  and  poifon,  and  fuch  as  may  fright 
 and  daunt  the  courage  of  the  whole 
 Creation ,  Tet  I  will  drink  it  to  the  bot- 
 tom 5  for  it  is  prepared  by  my  Father, 
 nay,  I  will  drink  it  c^ear fully,  even  when 
 my  flelh  flirinks  at  it,  and  by  its  inno- 
 cent relu&ances,  teftifies  its  fear. 
 
 Thus  we  fee  what  is  folded  up  in 
 thofe  words :  but  becaufe  our  Eyes  are 
 not  ftrong  enough  to  view  them  all  at 
 
 once. 
 
The  Eighth  Sermon.  277 
 
 once,  let  us  fjix  our  attention  on  them  in 
 this  Method.  1.  His  bloody  fufferings, 
 and  more  particularly  the  laft  Scene 
 of  them.  2.  Let  us  confider  by  whom 
 this  Cup  was  ordered  and  prepared,  It 
 was  the  Cup  that  his  Father  gave  him. 
 5.  With  what  courage  and  resolution  he 
 drank  it. 
 
 I.   W  E  have  his  fufferings  under  the 
 notion  of  a  Cup ,      efpecially  the  laft 
 and   moft  Tragical  Scene  oi  them,   by 
 the  nature  of  his  glorious  Office,  and  the 
 determinate  Counjel  of  God,  *    He  was  a  *  lfay.  53. 
 Man  of  farrow^  and  acquainted  with  grief. 
 f  He  endured  the  contradiction  of finnersA^'1* 
 and  the  Crofs  was  the  very  Character  of 
 his  Kingdom.     Let  us  but  view  the  pre- 
 parations to  this  Tagedy,  and  fecondly, 
 the  laft  aft  of  it. 
 
 Firft,  I  Say,   the  preparations  to- 
 wards it.     And  here  we  may  flop,  and 
 go  no  further,  for  we  are  not  able  to  fa- 
 thom the  very  beginnings   of  his  for- 
 row  ;  they  are  too  deep  at  the  entry; 
 Behold  and  fee  if  there  be   any  for  row  Lam.  1. 
 like  unto  his  for  row,  He  was  pkwed  up-  £ I2- 
 on,    and  they    made   long  furrows  upon v,\]119' 
 T  3  his 
 
278  Tloe  Eighth  Sermon. 
 
 his  lack.  Take  but  a  view  of  him  in 
 his  Agony  in  Gethfemany ,  when  the  ar- 
 rows of  God  ftuck  fall  in  his  Soul  *  when 
 the  warm  and  celeftial  influences  of  Hea- 
 ven feem'd  to  be  fufpended  :  when  he 
 was  left  alone  to  contend  with  the  ma- 
 lice of  Earth,  and  the  fury  of  Hell.  Who 
 can  conceive  the  weight  of  this  preffure  > 
 How  aftoniihing  is  it  in  the  very  begin- 
 ning of  thofe  Agonies  ,  to  confider  the 
 Matth.26.  vcry  outward  poftureofhis  Body  J  He 
 39.  went  a  Utile  further  >  and  fell  on  his  face, 
 
 and  prayed y  faying,  0  my  Father ,  If  it  he 
 pojfible ,  let  this  Cup  pafs  from  me  5  he- 
 verthelefs  not  as  I  will  >  but  as  thou 
 wilt* 
 
 And  mufl  his  face  kifs  the  ground, 
 who  fupports  the  whole  Creation  ?  Are 
 his  arms  become  feeble  9  that  is  the 
 ftrength  of  Men  and  Angels  ?  Shall  fear 
 and  darknefs  take  hold  of  Him  that  is 
 the  Light  of  the  World  ?  Shall  the  Sun 
 of  Righteoufnefs  be  thus  eclips'd,  and  the 
 Fountain  of  Innocence  and  Purity  thus 
 grapple  with  mifery  and  difafter?  What 
 Cpnfternation  is  this  ?  What  Complica- 
 tion of  Myfteries  ?  Yet  we  fee  but  lit- 
 lie,    when  we  view  no  more  than  the 
 
 outward 
 
The  Eighth  Sermon.  2  yy 
 
 outward  pofture  of  his  Body.  Dare  we 
 enter  at  a  diftance  into  his  Soul  ?  Is  that 
 undefird  Temple  of  the  Divinity  be- 
 come  the  habitation  of  grief  and  fear  ? 
 Is  Light  it  felf  become  Darknefs?  And 
 are  the  original  Notions  of  Things  con- 
 founded i  Is  the  Wifdom  of  the  Father 
 put  to  this  ?  What  fliall  I  fay  >  Are  all 
 the  Laws  of  the  Creation  broken  at 
 once,  and  innocence  it  felf  made  the  on- 
 ly Theatre  of  Calamity  > 
 
 We    are  not  able  to  conceive  the 
 height  of  his  forrow,  if  we  call  to  mind 
 the  Phrafes  that  the  Evangelifts  make 
 ufe  of,  to  fignifie  his  Agony.     He  began  ^  l6' 
 to  be  forrowfuL    He  began  to  be  fore  a- 
 mazed,  faith  S.  Mark,  and  to  be  very  hea  Awr«a««, 
 vy,  fay  both  of  them.    And  S.  Matthew's  ^*& 
 Phrafe  is  very  fignificanr,  a  little  after  ^K«F% 
 tSsJLKwnii  Vfrv  $  ^W  |fc«.     My  SmI  ** 
 encompafsd   with  grief  ',    as  an  If,  and  is 
 with  Water  in  the  midfl  of  the  Ocean  ;    I 
 am  Jur  rounded  with  fears  and  clouds  on  all 
 hands  ;    /  fee  fuch  plentiful  fhowers  of  in- 
 dignation and  violence^  ready  to  difcharge 
 them  fe  Ives  againfl  me,  that  I  am  reducd 
 to  the  lafl  extremities.     The  complaints  of 
 T  4  Job 
 
1 80  Tlx  Eighth  Sermon. 
 
 Job  1 6. 1 3,  Job  are  mojl  applicable  to  me,  for  his  Ar* 
 «4,i  5,16,  cfjer$  compajs  me  round  alaut,  he  cleaveth 
 
 my  reins  afunder  ,  and  doth  not  [pare ; 
 hepoureth  out  my  gall  upon  the  ground.  He 
 hreaketh  me  with  breach  upon  breach ;  he 
 runneth  upon  me  like  a  Giant.  I  have 
 fewed  fackcloth  upon  my  skin,  and  defiled 
 v.  16.  my  horn  in  the  dufl.  My  face  is  foul  with 
 weepings  and  on  my  eye  lids  is  the  fhadou? 
 of  death  ;  not  for  any  injuftice  in  mine 
 hands  5    alfo  my  prayer  is  pure* 
 
 An  d  this  forrovv  was  not  only  ex- 
 prefs'd  by  his  Lips,  his  Eyes,  his  Prayers 
 and  ftrong  Cries  to  the  Father ;  but  eve- 
 ry Pore  in  his  Body  fpoke  it  out  in  great 
 drops  of  Hood  $  as  the  Pfalmijl  prophe- 
 Thln.  fied  of  him,  I  am  poured  cut  like  Water, 
 all  my  bones  are  out  of  joint :  My  heart 
 is  like  wax  melted  in  the  midfl  of  my 
 towels.  And  if  the  Prologue  to  his  Suf- 
 ferings hath  all  this  in  it,  our  apprehen- 
 fions  of  them  muft  fall  ihort  of  their  ex- 
 tent and  latitude ;  efpecially  that  part  of 
 them ,  that  were  tranfa&ed  in  the  in- 
 ward Regions  of  the  Mind  $  when  he 
 offer  d  himfelf  a  ViRim  for  the  Sins  of  the 
 World;  when  he  was  made  a  cut fe  for  u?9 
 
 who 
 
The  Eighth  Sermon.  %  8 1 
 
 who  knew  no  fin  ;  when  he  flood  in  our 
 room ,  and  fuftain'd  the  weight  of  our 
 fins,  as  our  fJigh-PrieJl. 
 
 Oh  !  how  terrible  was  this  Cup,  that 
 m^le  the  Prince  of  Courage  and  Refolu- 
 tion,  the  original  Spring  of  Strength  and 
 Gonftancy ,  all  fliiver  and  tremble  into 
 Tears,  Cries  and  Prayers !  He  betook 
 him  tohisftrong  hold,  his  Father,  whom 
 he  never  had  offended ;  and  he  prayed 
 in  the  ftrength  of  the  moft  powerful  Ar- 
 guments, that  bind  up  the  hands  of  the 
 Divine  Juftice  ,  from  inflifting  punifh- 
 ments  on  lefler  perfons ,  I  mean,  thofe 
 Arguments  from  Love,  Compaffion  and 
 the  Relation  of  a  Father  :  O  Father,  let 
 this  Cup  pafs  from  me. 
 
 But  as  if  the  Eternal  Fountain  of 
 Pity  had  been  dryed  up  5  as  if  bound- 
 lefs  Mercy  and  Compaffion  had  forgot 
 their  Nature  and  neceflary  Emanations ; 
 he  is  fuffered  to  contend  with  all  thofe  ter- 
 rors alone.  The  Hofts  of  Heaven  feem  to 
 joyn  with  him  in  this  prayer,having  their 
 Wings  ready  trimm'd  to  fly  down  to 
 the  Earth  for  his  refcue ;  yet  they  are 
 sopimanded  to  (land  aloof,  and  behold 
 
 this 
 
1 8  £  The  Eighth  Sermon} 
 
 this  combat,  without  interpofing  in  their 
 Matters  quarrel ;  and  that  one  of  their 
 number  that  was  fent  to  comfort  him, 
 was  allowed  to  do  no  more,than  to  afford 
 him  ftrengch  enough  to  drink  that  Cup 
 to  the  bottom. 
 
 Th  E  Philojophers  do  tellus/Hw  a  vir- 
 tuous Man  fighting  with  difficulties  and 
 difafle/s ,  and  ly  his  conduit  keeping  his 
 mind  free  from  vice ,  is  moft  beloved  of 
 Seneca.  God.  But  how  foon  would  all  the  He- 
 roes  of  Philofophy  be  confounded  with 
 the  lead  {hare  of  thefe  difmal  fufferings  ? 
 The  Seraphims  of  Glory  ftand  amazed 
 to  fee  the  Humane  Nature  in  the  midft  of 
 all  finlefs  infirmities,  give  fuch  proofs 
 of  valour  and  magnanimity.  And  the 
 Father  took  pleafure  to  baffle  the  Devil 
 (i.  e.  the  pride  and  arrogance  of  the 
 World  )  by  the  patience  and  refignation 
 of  his  only  begotten  Son ;  and  he  defign'd 
 to  teach  Mankind  by  his  fubmiffion  , 
 that  patience  and  fuffering  is  the  way  to 
 the  higheft  glory-  And  though  this  truth 
 be  defpis'd  by  the  carnal  World ,  yet 
 the  Morals  of  the  Gofpel  are  built  up- 
 on it.     We  muft  cut  off  our  right  bands, 
 
 and 
 
The  Eighth  Sermon.  183 
 
 and  full  out  our  right  eyes  ,  //  we  enter 
 into  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven. 
 
 I F  we  confider  more  particularly  his 
 behaviour  under  thefe  firft  Skirmifties 
 in  the  Garden  ,  we  may  obferve,  1.  His 
 Relu&ancies,  Let  this  Cup  pafs  from  me$ 
 But  was  not  his  Crofs  and  Sufferings  the 
 conftant  Theme  of  his  Sermons  ?  Did 
 not  all  the  Sacrifices  of  the  Law  of  Mo~ 
 fes  reprefent  his  Taffion  at  a  diftance  ? 
 And  the  Prophecies  of  former  Ages,  pre- 
 pare all  men  to  receive  this  great  Truth, 
 that  the  jujl  was  to  dye  for  the  unjufl  £ 
 And  did  not  Mo  fes  and  Elias  treat  of  his 
 Sufferings  on  the  Mount  of  Transfigura- 
 tion? Whence  then  is  this  trouble  of 
 mind,this  extraordinary  Agony?  Whence 
 all  thofe  appearances  of  fear  and  fur- 
 prize  ? 
 
 All  is  true  ;  yet  the  finlefs  Humane 
 Nature  meeting  at  once  with  every  thing 
 that  is  odious,  terrible  and  difgraceful, 
 fhrinks  and  recoils.  And  herein  is  his 
 Viftory  y  that  he  fo  perfeftly  refign'd 
 himfelf  to  thelVil/  of  his  Father,  that  he 
 rejoices  in  the  midft  of  his  forrovvs,  to 
 facrifice  his  feelings  and  infirmities  to 
 
 the 
 
2  84  The  Eighth  Sermon. 
 
 the  Conduct  and  Wifdom  of  God.  0 
 Miracle  of  Patience  !  O  invincible  Refolu- 
 tion,  folded  up  in  that  one  word,  Not  my 
 Will9  but  thy  Will  be  done  !  Thus  veri- 
 fying himfelf  to  be  the  MeJJias ,  prophe- 
 fied  of  by  the  Pfalmifl ,  Then  /aid,  2,  Lo, 
 f  come,  in  the  volume  of  thy  Book  it  is 
 written  of  me  ,  1  delight  to  do  thy  Will, 
 pfel.4e.7-  0  my  God  ,  yea,  thy  Law  is  within  my 
 heart.  It  was  his  Meat  and  his  Drink  to 
 do  the  Will  of  his  Father  ,  through  the 
 whole  traft  of  his  Life  in  lefler  inftan- 
 ces*  but  now,  when  the  laft  period  of  it 
 drew  nigh,  when  the  Sacrifice  was  ready 
 to  be  laid  upon  the  Altar,  then  it  was 
 all  burnt  and  confum'd  with  Love.  It 
 mounted  the  Heavens  in  a  Fiery  Cha- 
 riot of  pure  and  unmixt  Zealand  by  one 
 perfett  a£t  of  Oblation ,  facrific'd  his 
 Will  to  the  Will  of  his  Father,  without 
 referve  or  limitation. 
 
 We  fliall  beft  difcover  how  compre- 
 henfive  this  furrender  was ,  when  we 
 read  the  Hiftory  of  the  Gofpel ,  and  fee 
 with  what  triumph  andi  inlblence  ,  his 
 enemies  infulted  over  him :  Even  in  Je- 
 rufalem ,  where  his  Miracles  made  him 
 famous,  there  they  prepared  their  Whips 
 
 and 
 
The  Eighth  Sermon.  1 8  j 
 
 and  their  Scourges^their  Buffets  and  their 
 Thorns  to  afflift  him  $  and  a  Mock  Purple 
 to  make  him  ridiculous.  And  thus  ar- 
 rayed* he  is  brought  forth  to  divert  the 
 great  crouds  of  People  that  flocked  to 
 Jerufalem  about  this  time  ;  and  they 
 were  to  tell  the  fliameful  (lory  of  his 
 Sufferings  over  the  habitable  World  ; 
 yet  there  was  no  fhaking  of  his  Courage 
 and  Refignation. 
 
 And  to  let  the  World  fee,  that  his 
 Love  to  Mankind  was  more  than  hero- 
 ick ,  and  beyond  the  Fiftions  of  Poets, 
 and  truly  becoming  the  Son  of  God,  and  , 
 the  defigns  of  our  Redemption :  when  the  . 
 Paroxifms  of  his  Agony  gave  him  the 
 leaft  refpite ,  he  returns  to  his  Difciplcs. 
 When  Heaven  and  Earth  feem'd  to  be 
 made  up  of  anger  and  indignation  a- 
 gainft  him,  yet  does  he  not  forget  them ; 
 and  though  they  became  ftupid  and  un- 
 folicitous  for  him ,  their  fupreme  Lord 
 and  Benefa&or,  he  does  not  chide  them 
 with  any  bitternefs  and  reproach  ,  but 
 only  expoftulates  with  S.  Peter,  Couldfl 
 not  thou  watch  with  me  one  hour  £  Here 
 are  words  ftrong  enough  to  break  the 
 hardeft  heart,  able  to  melt  the  mod  ob- 
 
 ftinate 
 
2  86  Tk  Eighth  Sermon. 
 
 ftinate,  the  moft  inflexible  difpofition  r 
 Words  fo  fweet ,  and  fo  lull  of  tender- 
 nefs,  and  yet  fo  keen  and  piercing,  that 
 they  may  awaken  the  moft  ftupid  and 
 inconfiderate. 
 
 And  now  we  may  follow  him  from 
 the  Garden  to  Mount  Calvary ,  and  be- 
 hold his  behaviour  there  ;  and  becaufe 
 we  are  not  able  to  fpeak  of  his  fufferings, 
 but  very  faintly,and  far  below  their  afto- 
 nifhing  Nature,  we  may  in  the  Hiftory 
 of  the  Paffion  fix  our  attention  on  fome 
 Particulars  that  are  moft  confpicuous. 
 And  Divines  generally  take  notice  of 
 thefe  three : 
 
 i.  The  Shame  of  it. 
 z.  TH  e  Pain  of  it. 
 3.  TH  e    Curfe  of  it. 
 
 i.I  S A  Y5  the  Shame  of  it.  God  hath, 
 
 ~  for  wife  and  great  ends,  planted  in  our 
 
 Nature  a  deep  fenfe  of  ho- 
 
 i^°S/3£  no"*;   there  is  nothing- 
 
 fentiat ,  non  foium  am.   that  we  feel  more  tenderly, 
 gantis  eft,  fed  emmno  dif.   t[ian  t[ie  wounds  that  are 
 
 made  in  our  efteem.    AH 
 generous 
 
The  Eighth  Sermon.  1 8^ 
 
 generous  Souls  expofe  every  thing  to 
 hazard,  rather  than  make  ftiipwrack  of 
 their  reputation.  It  could  not  then  but 
 be  very  bitter  and  uneafie  to  the  inno- 
 cent Soul  of  our  bleffed  Saviour  ,  to  be 
 carried  in  triumph  by  his  enemies  ;  to 
 be  expos'd  to  the  affronts  and  indignities 
 of  the  rude  and  tumultuous  Rabble ;  to 
 be  flouted  and  abus'd  by  a  prophane  and 
 inconfiderate  multitude  3  to  be  fent  from 
 one  Hall  to  another ;  and  hear  the  blaf- 
 phemies  and  feoffs  of  a  facrilegious  hea- 
 dy Crew.  He  was  treated  with  all  the 
 indignities  that  were  due  to  the  vileft 
 Malefa&ors*  and  at  laft  (that  he  might 
 make  good  in  himfelf  the  Type  of  the 
 Brazen  Serpent )  he  was  lifted  upon  the 
 Crofs.  A  punifhment  fo  odious  to  man- 
 kind ,  that  when  the  Roman  Orator  ac- 
 cus'd   Varres    for    having 
 
 crucified  a  Citizen,  he  faid,  Farinas  eft  vinrire   ci- 
 
 it  was    a    namelefs    wicked-  ™™*omanum,fceluseft 
 
 r              .           r    r    1      1  ver ter are tf  rope  parrtctdt* 
 
 nejSy    a  crime   of  jo   high  a  urn  necare  ;    quid  dicam 
 
 nature,  that  it  could  not  be    tn  crucemtoUere  ?  Verbo 
 esprefs'd  by  vords.      T&   %&£%#%& 
 ibameful  punifhment ,  this   modopouft. 
 Servile  fuppliciuw>  was  the 
 punifhment  our  Saviour  chofe  to  expi- 
 ate our  fins  by  :    So  that  the  Prophecy 
 
 of 
 
288  The  Bghtb  Sermon. 
 
 Pfci.  22.  of  thtPjalmifl  was  truly  verified  inhiirii 
 ,7'  '  1  am  a  Worm  and no  Man%  a  reproach  of  * 
 Men  ,  and  defpifed  of  the  People  :  All 
 they  that  fee  me,  laugh  me  to  fcorn  5  they 
 /hoot  out  the  lip%  they  fhake  the  head, 
 faying,  he  trujied  in  the  Lord ,  let  him 
 deliver^  feeing  he  delighted  in  him. 
 
 Th  e  fame  perfons  who  formerly  ad- 
 mir'd  his  glorious  works,  who  were  rst- 
 Vifli'dwith  his  excellent  Difcourfes,  who 
 preferr'd  him  to  the  Scribes  and  Phari- 
 sees, and  were  convinced  that  he  taught 
 as  one  having  authority ;  even  they,  be- 
 held him  with  contempt  and  difdain.  So 
 much  was  prophefied  by  the  Pfalmift, 
 Pfii.22.   They  look  upon  me ,  and  flare  upon   mem 
 *7*         And  fo  we  find  the  event  accompliih'd 
 Chap.  23*  in  S.  Lukfs  Gofpel ;  And  the  people  flood, 
 and  gazed  on  him. 
 
 How  vain  and  empty  are  the  tran- 
 fient  Hofannds  of  the  multitude  >  The 
 plaudit es  of  theCroud  are  much  more  un- 
 certain than  the  Weather.  For  this  is 
 govern'd  by  Natural  Caufes,  that  are 
 fteady  in  their .  operations  ;  but  the 
 fame  Caufes  produce  contrary  Effects, 
 frequently  amongft  the  people.    There 
 
The  Eighth  Sermon.  1 8p 
 
 is  no  true  honour ,  but  in  doing  that 
 which  is  juft, generous  and  equal;  though 
 by  doing  fo,  we  fhould  pull  down  upon 
 our  felves  the  Pillars  upon  which  Hea- 
 ven and  Earth  do  ftand.  There  is  fo 
 much  of  God  in  a  refolute  mind  ,  that  in 
 ftands  proof  againft  the  lhakings  and 
 commotions  of  all  foreign  violence :  for  be 
 that  is  in  us  is  ftronger  than  he  that  h 
 in  the  World. 
 
 '  C  A  N  we  view  our  Saviour  thus  ruif 
 down  with  cruelty  and  rudenefs  j  and 
 not  trample  upon  the  f  antaftick  fhadows 
 o(  honour  ,  that  mankind  fo  much  ad- 
 mire ?  He  was  thus  exposed  to  the  abufes 
 and  mockings  of  rhe  multitude,  that  he 
 might  fuffer  in  thofe  capacities  that  are 
 moft  tender  and  delicate.  He  fuffer'd 
 thefe  wounds,  that  enter  the  fancy,  and 
 pierce  to  the  bottom  of  the  Soul ;  that 
 which  all  men  feel  moft  affli&ive  and 
 grievous.  He  endnr'd  the  contradi&ion 
 of  finners  againft  himjelf.  He  endured 
 the  Crofs,  and  defpifed  the  fiante ;  not 
 through  a  Stoical  apathy ,  or  a  ftupid 
 carelefsnefs,  but  the  higheft  magnanimity. 
 For  he  had  in  his  Yievv  the  glory  that 
 was  ftt  before  him,  the  honour  of  God, 
 U  the 
 
2  <?  o  The  Eighth  Sermon. 
 
 the  Conqucft  of  the  Devil,  and  the  pur* 
 
 Phil.  2.  6,  c|iafe  0f  Souls.     He  defpifed  all  vain  ap- 
 
 plaufe,    and  being  in    the  form  of  God, 
 
 thought    it  no  robbery  to  be   equal  with 
 
 .  God,    but  made  himfelf  of  no  reputation, 
 
 and  took  upon  him  the  form  of  a  fervant, 
 
 and  was  made  in  the  likenefs  of  men ,  and 
 
 being  found  in  fafhion  as  a  man,   he  hum- 
 
 lied  himfelf  9    and  became  obedient  unto 
 
 Death,  even  the  death  of  the  Crofs. 
 
 Thus,  to  be  treated  in  this  Thea- 
 trical manner,  when  his  fufferings  were 
 heightened  by  all  the  Solemnities  of  Dif- 
 grace,  could  not  but  be  very  affiiftk^ 
 to  the  bleffed  Soul  of  cur  Lord  Jefus* 
 He  was  endued  with  that  natural  Paf- 
 fion,  (  our  abhorrence  of  Difgrace  )  and 
 he  felt  the  fmart  of  this  fhameful  ufage, 
 yet  he  defpifed  it  and  all  its  confcquen- 
 ces,  in  view  of  the  accompiifhment  of  our 
 Redemption.  Wkat  is  it  then  that  we 
 fee  in  Human  glory ,  when  He  chofe 
 to  be  thus  defpisd  by  Men  $  What  do 
 we  take  our  felves  to  be,  when  our 
 hearts  recoil  with  fo  much*  impatience, 
 and  bitternefs  againft  the  lead  furmife 
 of  Contempt  >  How  come  we  to  be 
 fo  delicate,   when  our  Lord  and  'Matter 
 
 was 
 
Tl?e  Eighth  Sermon.  2  j?  t 
 
 tfasfo  roughly  handled  ?  But  it  was  not 
 only  the  Jhame. 
 
 But  feconrfly,  The  pain  that  we  are 
 to  take  notice  of  in  this  Puniihment. 
 His  pure  and  Vifginai  Cbnilitution 
 heightened  his  Pain  5  the  Nails  were 
 fattened  in  thofe  parts  that  are  mod  feel- 
 ing, his  hands,   and  his  feet. 
 
 How  terrible  is  this  truth  to  all  the 
 Sons  of  fofthefs,  idlenefs  and  luxury  $ 
 who  fwim  in  Pleafures  as  the  Leviathan 
 doth  in  the  Ocean.  When  we  confider 
 our  Saviours  pains  how  may  webeafto- 
 nilh'd,  that  we  fhculd  with  fo  much 
 care  and  anxiety  look  after  thefe  bodies 
 of  ours ;  thefe  receptacles  of  Impurities, 
 thefe  finks  of  Uncleannefs  !  When  we 
 remember  that  our  Saviour  fpent  whole 
 Nights  in  Prayer  ,  and  fometimes  fac 
 wearied  by  the  Well  cf  Samaria ,  and 
 asked  a  poor  Woman  a  little  Water,  and 
 upon  the  day  of  his  greateft  Triumph* 
 when  he  came  into  Jerufalem,  he  rode 
 upon  an  Afs,  and  that  Afs  was  not  his 
 own;  why  fhculd  we  carcfs,  with  fo 
 much  fondnefs,  thofe  heaps  of  Duft  and 
 Arties  that  fhall  fhortly  crumble  into  rot- 
 U  2  tennefe 
 
The  Eighth  Sermon. 
 
 tennefs  and  diflionour,  whether  we  will 
 or  not  \  Did  He  with  (o  much  refolution 
 and  courage  fuffer  the  whole  Combi- 
 nation of  difafters,in  his  Mind,  in  his  Re- 
 putation, and  in  his  Body?  And  do  we 
 think  to  dwrell  for  ever  with  that  King  of 
 Sufferings)  and  yet  fuffer  no  degrees  of 
 Martyrdom,  never  undergo  any  part  of 
 the  Crofs  ? 
 
 Thirdly,  NEXT  to  the  Shame>  and 
 Fain  5  let  us  confider  the  Curfe  belong- 
 ing to  it.  St.  Paul  tells  us,  That  he  was 
 made  a  Curfe  for  us>  i.  e.  He  was  de- 
 voted to  publick  Infamy  and  Maledi- 
 ction, and  feemed  to  be  deferted  of  God 
 himfelf.  We  efteemed  him  fmitten  of 
 God  (Taith  Ifaiah^)  In  all  publick  Sacri- 
 fices there  was  fome  Ceremony,  to  fig- 
 nifie  the  tranflation  of  the  punifhment, 
 from  the  People  to  the  Sacrifice.  Thus 
 the  Perfon  among  the  Heathens,  that  was 
 appointed  for  a  publick  Sacrifice,  had 
 all  the  Imprecations  of  the  People  heap- 
 ed upon  him  as  he  went  along  the 
 ftreets.  But  our  Saviour  did  not  only 
 expiate  the  fins  of  one  City,  Kingdom, 
 or  Family,  but  the  fins  of  the  whole 
 World,  paft,  prefent,  and  to  come,  in 
 
 their 
 
The  Eighth  Sermoril  293 
 
 their  moft  heinous  Nature ,    and  num- 
 berlefs  Aggravations.     He  made  Atone- 
 ment for  them  all  by  that  one  pecu- 
 liar Sacrifice,  which  needs  not  again  be 
 repeated,  becaufe  it  had  no  imperfe&i- 
 on.  *  He  himfelf  alone  bore  our  (ins  in  his  Heb.9.15; 
 own  body  on  the  Tree,  that  we  being-  dead*6*??' 
 to  pn^Jhomd  live  unto  rightecnlnejs.  And  24, 
 our  fins  are  thus  for  ever  buried,    if 
 we  do  not  reinflame  the  Wrath  of  God 
 by  our  impenitence.     Now  when  we 
 remember  the  Love  of  Jefus  in  dying  for 
 us,  and  all  the  circumitances  of  his  Dif- 
 grace,  and  the  variety  of  thefe  peculiar 
 Vertues  that  appeared  in  him,  under  his 
 faddeft  Torture,   may  not  we  pray  in 
 the  words  of  the  *  Greek  Church  ?   By  *  uturz. 
 thy  unknown  fufferings,  Lord  have  mercy  Graa  ii* 
 upon  us.  w  *•**■- 
 
 *  (JATOiV 
 
 dyvour* 
 
 Now  I  go  forward  to  the  fecond 
 Particular  that  I  propos'd  to  fpeak  to,and 
 that  is,  by  whom  this  Cup  was  ordered 
 and  prepared.  And  our  ■SW'jw  tells  S.Pe- 
 ter, that  it  was  the  Cup  his  Father  gave  him 
 to  d-rink.  The  fufferings  of  our  Saviour 
 were  not  cafual  and  fortuitous  but  duly 
 weigh'd  by  infinite  Wifdom.  So  much 
 the  Apoftles  St.  Peter,  and  Sr.  John,   in 
 
 U  3  their 
 
^94  Tlie  Eighth  Sermon. 
 
 Ad.4,2.7,  c'ie*r  Seraphick  Prayer  acknowledge,  Of 
 a  truth  again/l  thy  Holy  Child  Jefust  whom 
 thou  haft  anointed, both  Herod, andPcmtius 
 Pilate,  with  the  Gentiles,  and  the  people  of 
 Jfraeltwere  gathered  together  for  to  do  what- 
 foever  thy  hand ,  and  thy  Counfel  deter- 
 mined  before  to  he  done.  I  might  ifluftrate 
 this  Truth,  I.  From  the  fignification  of 
 Ceremonies  under  the  Law,  particularly 
 that  of  the  Scape  Goat,  and  the'  Red 
 Heifer.  2.  From  the  Predi&ionof  Pro- 
 phets, efpccially  the  Prophecies  of  lfaiah 
 and  Daniel.  3.  From  the  nature  of  his 
 Undertaking ;  whether  1.  the  Sacrifice 
 that  he  effer'd}  or  2.  the  Religion  that 
 he  planted.  I  fay  from  all  thofe  Heads,  I 
 might  demonftrate  this  great  Truth,  viz. 
 that  the  fufferings  of  our  Saviour  were 
 weighed  and  ordered  in  the  Divine 
 Counfel.  But  I  muft  leave  this,  and  the 
 third  Particular  alfo,  ^liich  was  the  ala- 
 crity and  readinefs  oMits  Soul,  to  drink 
 this  Cup,  infinuated  in  the  Queftion 
 propos'd  to  St.  Peter,  Shall  I  not  drink 
 the  Cup  that  my  Father  giveth  me  >  And 
 thofe  things  I  leave  at  prefent,  that  I 
 may  make  fome  Application  of  what  I 
 have  already  infilled  on.     And 
 
 1.  Can 
 
Tl?e  Eighth  Sermon.  2  p  j 
 
 i.    Can  we  read  the  Hiftory  of  his 
 Tajfion  without  any  Concern  ?     Are  we 
 made  of  Flint, Marble,  or  Adamant?  O 
 flupid,  and  inconfiderace  Sinner  !     Wile 
 thou  look  upon  him  whom  thou  haft 
 pierced  by  thy  fins  I  We  find  that  when 
 this  Tragedy  was  a&ed,   univerfal  Na- 
 ture feem'd  to   groan.     The  Sun   did 
 hide  his  head  5   the  Earth  bluih'd  to  be 
 the  Theatre  of  fo  much  Viliany-,   and 
 have  we  no  fenfe  at  all?    When  we  re- 
 member that,  we  were  principally  ac* 
 .ceffory  to  his  grievous  Torments,   He 
 was  brund  for  cur  iniquities,    he    was 
 wounded  for  our  franfgrejfions,    the  cha* 
 Jlijement    of  our   peace    was  upon    him, 
 and  by  his  Jlripes  are  we  heakd.     Shall 
 we  again  crucifie  him  afrejh  by  our  trea- 
 cherous  and    perfidious    impenitence  ? 
 This  is  a  higher  outrage,  t4tan  that  other 
 committed  by  the  'jews.    As  for  his  Cru- 
 cifiers,  many  of  them   were  converted, 
 but  this  obftinate  contempt  of  his  Love 
 fets  us  without  the  bounds  of  Mercy, 
 tho  his  mercy  be  above  the  heavens  D  and 
 over  all  his  works. 
 
 U  4  To 
 
2  p  6  The  Eighth  Sermon. 
 
 T  o  provoke  him  again  by  our  fins, 
 is  a  downright  affront  to  his  Love  ;  but 
 after  fuch  undeniable  proofs  of  his  kind- 
 nefs  to  disbelieve  the  Gofpei  is  utterly 
 inexcufable.  Infidelity  makes  the  near- 
 eft  approaches  to  the  fin  againft  the  holy 
 Ghqft  5  which  I  rake  to  be,  the  malicious 
 opposition  of  that  Light,  and  Evidence 
 which  God  offers  for  our  Conviftion. 
 When  the  Meftas  came  he  proved  his 
 Million  and  Authority  by  the  moft  con- 
 vincing Miracles,  and  Signs  more  glori- 
 ous than  ever  Mofes  wrought,  nor  was 
 it  reafonable  to  expc£t  that  he  fhould 
 bring  with  him,  fairer  Credentials  to  re- 
 commend himfelf  and  his  Doftrine  than 
 thofe  he  difplayed  before  his  Country- 
 men. But  his  Countrymen  fhut  their  Eyes 
 hn  i.  againft  the  Light,  He  came  unto  his  own^ 
 and  his  own  received  him  not.  And  We 
 are  guilty  of  the  very  fame  fin,  if  we 
 trample  upon  the  Gofpei,  which  at  firfi 
 began  to  be  fpoken  by  the  Lord,  and  was 
 confirmed  by  them  that  heard  him.  He 
 feafd  the  Truth  by  his  Death,  confirmed 
 it  by  his  Refurreclion  ,  and  by  the 
 various  Gifts  of  the  holy  Ghofl  proves 
 
 beyond 
 
The  Eighth  Sermon.  lyy 
 
 beyond  all  contradiction,  that  He  is  at 
 the  right  hand  of  God  the  Father. 
 
 Secondly,  Dl  D  our  Saviour  thus  die 
 for  us  if"   Then,  we  ought  to  treat  our 
 felves  with  greater  regard,  than  to  be  in- 
 flav'd  to  our  former  fin.     Did  he  hide 
 the  glory  of  his  Divinity,  that  he  might 
 redeem  us  from  mifery  and  defpair  by 
 his  own  Blood  !     Was  it  for  this  that  he 
 took  flefh  of  our  Fiefh,  that  wc  might 
 be  made  partakers  of  the  divine  Nature? 
 Why  do  we  live,  like  fo  many  mean,  for- 
 did, abjeft  Creatures,  as  if  we  were  con- 
 fined by  the  frame  of  our  Nature,  to  the 
 Earth  only?    As  if  we  could  look  no 
 higher,  than  the  trifling  interefts  of  this 
 World.     So  fadly  have  we  forgot  our 
 felves,  and  though  very  frequently  our 
 Pride  makes  us  hateful  to  God,  and  odi- 
 ous to  one  another,  yet  do  we  truckle 
 under  the  meaneft  Vices.     We  were  not 
 redeemed  with  corruptihle  things,  fuch  as 
 filver^  and  gold ,    but  with  the  precious 
 Hood  of  the  Son  of  God,     This  is  the  Ar- 
 gument that  St.  Paul  makes  ufe  of,  to 
 heighten  our  efteem   of  our  Brethren. 
 Wih  thou  make  thy  Brother  perifb,  for 
 
 whom 
 
2  j>  8  The  Eighth  Sermon. 
 
 whom  Chrift  died  ?  And  the  Argument 
 of  St.  Peter,  to  aggravate  the  folly,  and 
 wickcdnefs  of  the  Hereticks,  that  they 
 denyd  the  Lord  that  bought  them.  To  be 
 bought  by  the -blood  of  the  Son  of  God ,  is 
 the  powerful  Argument  of  the  Gofpel 
 againft  Sin  5  and  if  we  refift  this,  we 
 may  juftly  fear  to  be  delivered  up  to  a 
 Reprobate  Senfe.  Our  fins  fet  us  at  the 
 greateft  diftance  from  God  3  he  is 
 Lights  Beauty,  Strength  and  Perfe&ion  ; 
 and  Sin  is  folly,  weaknefs ,  error  and 
 deformity.  Let  us  therefore  fly  from 
 it,  becaufe  fo  horrid  in  its  Nature,  fo 
 difmal  in  its  cpnfequences ,  that  nothing 
 could  attone  it,  but  the  Blood  of  the  Son 
 of  God. 
 
 Thirdly ,  Here  is  the  true  remedy  a- 
 Rom.  8.  gainft  defpair.  So  reafons  S.Paul,He  that 
 32.733 >34-  Jpared  nor  his  own  Son,  but  delivered  him 
 up  for  us  all ,  how  fhall  he  not  tvith  him 
 alfo  freely  give  us  all  things  $  And  a  little 
 after,  Who  h  he  that  condemneth  $  at  h 
 Chrifl  that  died?  This  is  the  powerful 
 Oratory  that  prevails  before  the  Throne 
 of  God  ;  nay,  it  is  irrefiftible  in  the 
 mouth  of  a  penitent  finnejr.    f  otpe  now, 
 
 1  and 
 
Tf?e  Eighth  Sermon.  lpp 
 
 and  Iff,  us  reafon  together  faith  the  Lord,  Ifa.  i.  i3. 
 though  your  fins  he  as  fear  let ,  they  /hall 
 be  as  white  as  [novo  5    though  they  be  red 
 like  crimfon,  they  /hall  be  as  woolL     'Tis 
 inthevertue  of  this  bloody  that  we  ap- 
 proach the  Throne  without  fear  and  dif- 
 fidence 5  the  God  of  Pity  and  Compaf- 
 fion  cannot  fhut  his  ears  againfl  thofe 
 prayers  that  are  made  under  the  media- 
 tion ofjefus  Chrifl  ;    the  hands  of  Juftice 
 are  bound  up,  when  his  bloody  Sweat  and 
 Agony,  his  Paffion,  Death  and  Burial  are 
 commemorated.     How  fixt  and  immo- 
 veable is  this  foundation  of  our  Faith  ? 
 that  we  have  fuch  an  High  Priefl  at  the 
 right  hand  of  the  Father ,  who  by  one  Ob- 
 lation of  himfelf  through  the  Eternal  Spi- 
 rit ,  fat   down  victorious  on  his  Throne  5 
 Towers,  Dominions  and  Principalities  ^-Heb. 
 ing  put  under  him.    Though  the  Doftrine 
 of  the  Crofs  be  the  Scorn  of  Jews  and 
 Gentiles ;  yet  let  us  fay  with  S.  Paul,  God 
 forbid  that  I  fhould  glory ,  fave  in  the 
 Crofs  of  our  Lordjefus  Chrifl.     And  this 
 is  ftill  fo  much  the  furer,  when  we  con- 
 fider  the  Nature  of  that  Attonement  that 
 our  Saviour  made.     This  Sacrifice  was 
 propitiatory  and  piacular  ;   for  he  fuffe- 
 
 red 
 
joa  The  Eighth  Sermon. 
 
 red  not  only  for  our  good ,  but  in  our 
 room  5  and  they  who  would  make  him 
 to  aft  no  more  in  all  this,  than  the  part  of 
 a  refolute  Martyr ,  deftroy  one  of  the 
 prime  foundations  of  our  Religion,  and 
 of  our  hope,  in  the  hour  of  death,  and 
 at  the  day  of  Judgment. 
 
 /v»r%WHEN  we  fix  our  thoughts 
 on  the  death  ofjefus ,  we  ought  to  pra- 
 ftife    thofe  Graces  that  then  appcar'd 
 mod  eminently  in  him  5  hk  Contempt 
 of  the  World,  his  Love  to  his  Enemies, 
 his  Patience  and  Refignation.     Can  we 
 dwell  on  the  thoughts  of  his  love  towards 
 Mankind,  and  not  be  inflam'd  with  the 
 higheft  Zeal  to  ferve  him  .<?  How  can  we 
 forget  the  glorious  adventures  of  his 
 Revel.      Love,  who  dyed  for  us  ,    and  voafbed  us 
 from  our  fins  in  his  own  Hood,  and  hath 
 Rom.  8.   made  u*  Kings  and  Priejls  unto  God.    Who 
 35.     38.  JJjall  Jeparate  us  from  the  Love  ofChrift? 
 Shall  tribulation,  or  diflrefs%  or  perf edi- 
 tion, or  famine,  or  nakednefs,  or  peril,  or 
 ftQordi  V.  38.  For  I  am  perfwaded,  that 
 neither  death ,   nor  life ,  nor  Angels^  nor 
 Principalities,  nor  Powers,  nor  things  pre- 
 fent,  nor  things  to  come,  nor  heighth,  nor 
 
 depth* 
 
The  Eighth  Sermon.  \  o  i 
 
 depth,  nor  any  other  creature,  (hall  be  able  *  39« 
 to  fe far  ate  us  from  the  Love  of  God,  which 
 is  in  Chrift  Jefus  our  Lord. 
 
 To  God  the  Father, Son^and 
 Holy  Ghoft,  be  all  Power, 
 Praife  and  Dominion  , 
 World  without  end. 
 Amen. 
 
3°3 
 
 SERMON 
 
 O  N 
 
 i.  Co  r.  ii.  V.  3,4,  5. 
 
 An  d  1  was  with  you  in  weaknefs ,  and 
 in  fear,  and  in  much  trembling. 
 
 And  my  fpeech,  and  my  preaching  was 
 not  with  inticing  words  of  mans 
 wifdom>  hut  in  demonflration  of  the 
 Spirit,  and  of  power. 
 
 7hat  your  faith  fiould  not  fland  in  the 
 wifdom  of  men>  but  in  the  power  of 
 God. 
 
 IN  the  Firft  Chapter  ,  S.  Paul  had 
 in  his  view  the  allaying  the  dif- 
 ferences that  had  arifen  amongft 
 the  Corinthians ,  concerning  their 
 Teacher^  whom  they  fhould  follow. 
 
 He 
 
j  04  The  Ninth  Sermon. 
 
 He  puts  them  in  mind  how  he  had 
 preached  the  Gofpel  amongft  them, 
 and  by  what  Arguments  they  had  been 
 perfwaded  to  embrace  it,  /.  e.  not  with 
 the  wifdom  of  words.  And  again,  nop- 
 with  enticing  words  of  mans  wifdom. 
 
 H  E  thought  it  not  proper  to  ad- 
 vance his  do&rine  and  defign  amongft 
 them,  by  the  accurate  and  artificial 
 reafonings  of  the  wife  men  of  TfoorGtH* 
 
 tiles ,  but ,  in  the  demmjtration  of  the 
 Spirit ,  and  of  power. 
 
 The  elegant  Orations,  and  Phi- 
 lofophical  Pifcomfes  of  t]ie  Learned 
 Gentiles,  by  which  they  were  wont  to 
 put  off  their  opinions  to  the  people  with- 
 al, he  did  not  judge  proofs  proper  for, 
 and  fuitable  to,  the  nature  of  his  Do- 
 ctrine. It  being  wholly  Divine,  it  re- 
 quired divine  demonftration,  fomething 
 above  the  reach  of  human  (peculation, 
 fomethingyet  untraced  by  their  moft  ac- 
 curate Difquifiitions.  So  the  fupernatu- 
 ral  gifts  beftowed  on  the  followers  of 
 Chrifi)  by  which  they  were  made  to  in- 
 terpret the  facred  Oracles,  and  ancient 
 Prophecies,  concerning  the  Meffias^^ad 
 
 ac- 
 
Tie  Ninth  Sermon]  j  o  j 
 
 accommodate  thofe  Prophecies,  tb  the 
 mod  particular  circumftances  of  his 
 Kingdom.  By  which  they  were  enabled 
 to  difcern  Spirits^  and  difpojjej's  Devils  3 
 fuch,  and  fuch  miraculours  appearances, 
 together  with  the  Miracles  of  thrift,  and 
 his  Apojtks,  both  upon  the  dead ,  and 
 the  living,  were  proofs  of  divinity  in 
 their  own  Nacure,  far  beyond  the 
 fubtile  reafbnings,  of  Orators,  and  Phi- 
 lofophers  5  more  fuitable  to  the  defign 
 in  hand,  more  undeniable,  and  authen- 
 tic!* ;  and  therefore  a  proof  much  more 
 folid,  and  clear,  than  if  they  had  re- 
 commended the  Do&rine  of  Chriftiani* 
 ty,  with  all  the  eloquence ,  and  often* 
 tation  of  words. 
 
 This  method  propos'd  in  the  firft 
 Chapter,  He  owns,  and  vindicates  in 
 this,  from  all  the  obje&ions,  and  carnal 
 imputations,  that  the  admirers  of  Phi* 
 lofophy  on  the  one  hand,  and  hereti- 
 cal Seducers  on  the  other,  might  lay  to 
 his  charge.  He  did  not  declare  unto 
 them  the  Teftimony  of  God,  with  the 
 excellency  of  fpeech,  or  wifdom.  It  was 
 not  his  defign  to  read  unto  them  LeSures 
 of  Plato/  Pbilofofby  ■>  but  to  recom- 
 X  mend 
 
5  o6  The  Ninth  Sermon. 
 
 mend  Chriftoandhim  Crucified  3  to  preach 
 the  humble  do&rine  of  the  Crofs  5  the 
 plain  and  neceffary  Articles  of  Chrifti- 
 anity  3  the  very  firft,  and  indifpenfible 
 principles  of  our  Faith  5  not  the  more 
 abftrufe  myfteries,  (of  which  as  yet 
 poffibly  they  were  not  capable)  but 
 thofe  early  leflbns  that  we  rauft  know, 
 as  Toon  as  we  become  Difciples  of  that 
 Heavenly  Inftitution. 
 
 This  Do&rine  recommended  at 
 fucha  time,  and  by  fiich  men,  fo  far 
 above  the  genius  of  all  the  prevailing 
 feds  of  Philofophers,zv\<\  appearing  with 
 fo  much  modefty  ,  and  humility ,  had 
 certainly  been  run  down  in  triumph  by 
 the  Patrons  of  Paganifm,  and  Infidelity  5 
 if  it  had  not  been  fupported  by  another 
 kind  of  proof,  and  demonftration,  than 
 that  which  was  taught  in  the  Athenian 
 Schools,  Therefore  the  Corinthians  ought 
 not  to  be  much  (tumbled  at  the  pern- 
 ancy, and  ignorance  of  falfe  teachers , 
 who  defpis'd  what  they  did  not  under- 
 ftand,  and  meafur'd  wifdom,  by  a  ftan* 
 dard  of  their  own.  The  Gofpel  was 
 recommended  amongft  them  by  fuch 
 proofs,  as  were  agreeable  to  its  Nature  5 
 
 that 
 
The  Ninth  Sermon.  2  07 
 
 that  their  belief  might  not  depend  up- 
 on any  thing,  that  was  human  and  arti- 
 ficial 3  but  on  the  moft  folid  and  immove- 
 able foundations,  the  Wifdom  and 
 Power  of  God  clearly  difplay'd  in  vin- 
 dication of  the  Gofpel.  This  is  fhortly 
 the  (cope  of  the  words  that  I  have  read : 
 The  fuccefs  and  efficacy  of  what  he 
 preach'd  did  not  at  all  depend  on  the 
 order  and  cpmpofure  of  his  periods ; 
 tho  one  might  obfcrve  Eloquence,  and 
 Majefty  in  his  Expreffions,  if  they  were 
 not  too  much  addi&ed  to  what  they 
 valued  amongft  the  Grecian  Orators  $ 
 yet  did  he  not  at  all  affeft  that  which 
 the  wife  men  of  Greece  moft  gloried  in  5 
 he  defign'd  that  it  might  be  very  clear : 
 That  the  fuccefs  of  his  Doftrine  ftiouJd 
 depend  on  fupernatural  proofs,  or  the 
 light,  and  majefty,  and  convi&ion,  that 
 attends  the  power  of  miracles. 
 
 Let  us  view  thofe  words  more 
 clofely,  and  examine  their  phrafe,  and 
 dependance,  and  fee  how  clear  a  proof 
 they  contain  of  the  excellency  of  Chrilli- 
 an  Religion  •  And  in  thera  we  have 
 three  particular*, 
 
 X  7  t.  H  jt  s 
 
■rJo8  The  Ninth  Sermon] 
 
 i.  His  uneafie  circumftances ,  and 
 Weakneffes,  that  made  his  work  more 
 difficult. 
 
 2.  The  manner  of  his  addrefs, 
 not  with  the  enticing  words  of  mans  wif- 
 dom  ,  but  in  demonflration  of  the  Spirit, 
 and  in  power. 
 
 3.  The  true  reafon  of  this  whole 
 Oeconomy,  that  their  faith  might  fi and 
 in  the  power  of  God.     And, 
 
 i.  W  E  have  here  his  uneafie  circum- 
 ftances, and  weakneffe$,   that  made  his 
 e*  «\W-    WOI"k  more  difficult.     I  was  with  you  in 
 yuA.        weaf&efs9andinfear9  and  in  much  tremb- 
 ling.    The  weakneffes    wherewith  the 
 Apoftle   was  emcompaffed  in    preach- 
 ing of   the   Gofpel ,    were    partly    his 
 \  own  bodily  frailties,  partly  the  infirmi- 
 ties that  did  arife  from  the  many  perfe- 
 ctions of  his  implacable  enemies,  for 
 the  Gofpels  fake.     The  Jews ,   and  the 
 Gentiles  did  daily  thirft  for  his  blood, 
 and  from  place  to  place,  he  was  hunted 
 lik$  a  Partrige  upon  the  mountains.  Thofe 
 frailties,  whether  incident  to  the  pe- 
 culiar 
 
The  Ninth  Sermon.  3  00, 
 
 culiar  ftrufture  of  his  body,  or  whe- 
 ther left  by  the  ftripes  and   violences 
 frequently  offered  unto  him,  made  his 
 peribn  appear  defpicable  to  them,   that 
 only  confidered  the  outward  appear- 
 ance 5  That  mighty  Soul  that  had  no- 
 thing left  in  his  view ,  than  the  total 
 overthrow   of    the    Devils    univerfal 
 Monarchy}    this  Soul  I  fay  ,  dwelt  in 
 a  ruinous  tabernacle.     This  he  himfelf 
 often  acknowledged,  2.  Cor.  10.  v.  1. 
 I befeech you  by  the  meeknefs ,  and  gentle* 
 nefs  ofChriJi  5  who  in  pre  fence  am  bafe 
 among  you.     And  again ,   v.  7.  Do  yon 
 look  on  things  after  the  outward  appear* 
 ance*.    Confider  alfo  the  2.  Cor.  4.  7. 
 We  *  have  this  treafure  in  earthen  veffels , 
 that  the  excellency  of  the  power  may  be  of 
 God,  and  not  of  us.   v.  8.  We  are  troubled 
 on  every  fide ,  yet  not  d/jlrefid,  we  are 
 perplex  d,  hut  not  in  defpair  5  perfecuted9 
 but  not  forfakgn  ,   cafl  down,  but  not  de- 
 firoyd.     And  again ,  Chap.  6.  v.  4.   In 
 all  things  approving  our  fehes  as  the  Mini- 
 flers  of  God  in  muchpatience,  in  affiUions% 
 in  necefjties,    in  dijlrejjes,   in  flripes,  in 
 imprijonments^   in  tumults,   in  labors,  in 
 watchings  ,   in  faflings.     Confider  alfo 
 2.  Cor.  7.  ^5,  6.  For  when  we  were  come 
 X  3  into 
 
2io  Tie  Ninth  Sermon. 
 
 into  Macedonia  ,  our  fiejh  had  no  reft  , 
 but  we  were  troubled  on  every  fide ;  with* 
 out  were  fightings ,  within  were  fears  5 
 and  it  may  be  the  meffenger  of  Satan  men- 
 tioned 2.  Cor.  1 2.  7.  was  feme  bodily  in- 
 firmity. 
 
 Now  confidering  the  natural  temper 
 of  his  body,  the  extraordinary  troubles, 
 watchings,  and  labours  that  he  endured, 
 and  the  voluntary  reftraints,  and  ehaf- 
 tifements  he  had  ufed  towards  himfelf  } 
 we  may  eafily  underftand,  what  a  com- 
 plication, and  feries  of  difficulties,  he 
 had  to  wreftle  with.  Sometimes  hardly 
 efcaping  with  his  very  life,  Let  down 
 in  a  bashft  by  the  wall,  and  to  put  this 
 account  beyond  all  debate,  read 
 1.  Cor.  11.  23.  forward:  Are  they 
 minifiers  of  Chrifl,  I  fpeak^  as  a  foci,  I 
 am  more  in  labours  more  abundant ,  in 
 fir ipes  above  meafure,  in  prifons  more  fre~ 
 quent,  in  deaths  op.  v.  24.  Of  the  Jews 
 five  times  received  I  fourty  JMpes  ,  fav& 
 one.  v.  25.  Thrice  was  J  beaten  with 
 rods,  once  was  I  Jlond,  thrice  1  fuffWd 
 (hipwrack^,  night  and  day  1  have  been  in 
 the  deep4  v.  26.  In  journey ings  often,  m 
 perils  of  water /,  in  perils  of  robbers,  — — 
 
 In 
 
The  Ninth  Sermon. 
 
 In  marinefs,  and  painfitlnejs,  in  watching* 
 often ,  in  hunger  and  thirfk ,  in  fajiing 
 often,  in  cold  and  na^ednefs. 
 
 N  o  w  the  natural  refultof  this  heap 
 of  Sufferings,  and  Calamities,  fo  thick 
 crowded  together,  were  fear,  and 
 trembling.  Partly  his  innocent  fear  of 
 dangers,  and  perfections,  partly  his 
 holy  care,  and  folicitude,  for  the  fuc- 
 cefs  and  propagation  of  the  Gofpel  5 
 though  the  falfe  teachers  vilified  the 
 hlejjed  Apoftle,  becaufe  of  his  Infirmities, 
 yet  confidering  the  nature  of  his  Office, 
 and  the  defign  of  his  Minifltry ,  they 
 were  an  undeniable  proof  of  his  autho- 
 rity, and  miffion  5  and  confequently  of 
 the  verity,  and  divinity  of  Chri-ftian 
 Religion. 
 
 For  allow  but  the  Apoftles  to  be 
 men  of  common  fenfe,  and  defirous  to 
 preferve  themfelves  5  if  they  were  not 
 fureof  the  truth  of  what  they  deliver- 
 ed 5  how  unaccountable  were  their 
 fufferings  ?  and  therefore  their  calami- 
 tics  fo  much  miftaken  by  others,  had  in 
 them  the  ftrongeft  proof  of  their  (mceri- 
 ty3  fince  they  were  ready  to  facrifice  all 
 X   4  that 
 
 3 
 
 11 
 
5 1  %  The  Ninth  Sermon. 
 
 that  was  dear  to  human  Nature,  in  de- 
 fence of  the  Gofpel.  How  came  they 
 fo  readily ,  and  unanimoufly  to  pare 
 with  all  their  jufteft  Interefts,  if  they 
 had  not  the  higheft  aflurances  of  their 
 Comrrriffion  and  Authority,  and  of  a  life 
 after  this ,  more  pure  ,  folid  ,  and  im- 
 moveable ,  than  what  we  here  enjoy  > 
 How  came  they  to  be  fo  ready  upon  all 
 occafions,  to  undergoe  all  that  was 
 moft  bitter,  rand  painful,  moft  difgrace- 
 ful,  and  ignominious,  and  this  for  no 
 other  defign ,  than  to  advance  a  fable 
 amongft  mankind  3  and  for  no  other  re- 
 ward either  here ,  or  hereafter ,  than 
 flripes,  tumults,  perfections,  and  mar- 
 tyrdoms ?  He  that  fuppofes  the  Apoftles 
 to  have  been  endowed  with  ordinary 
 reafon  and  judgment ,  and  yet  will  be- 
 lieve that  they  followed  cunningly  devifed 
 fables,  for  no  other  defign  than  to  make 
 themfelves  miferable,  to  all  intents,  and 
 purpofes  3  will  yield  his  affent  to  fome- 
 thing  more  incredible,  more  monftrouf- 
 ly  fiftitious  than  the  moft  Romantick 
 Follies  of  imagination* 
 
 And  if  we  yet  fuppofe,  that  the 
 Apoftles  were  deftitute  of  the  ufe  of 
 
 their 
 
The  Ninth  Sermon. 
 
 their  reafon,  and  ftill  be  able,  to  the 
 wonder  and  admiration  of  mankind, 
 to  contrive  the  ftoryof  the  Gofpel,  fo 
 orderly,  and  coherent,  and  adapt  the 
 moft  antient  Prophecies  to  its  proof  and 
 illuftration,  and  that  to  the  convi&ion, 
 and  aftonifhment  of  the  learnedeft  of 
 their  Oppofers.  He,  I  fay,  that  believes 
 all  this  (which  Atheijis  and  Anti-fcriftu- 
 rifts  are  obliged  to  do)  believes  fome- 
 thing  more  fabulous,  more  inconfiftenr, 
 than  all  the  Legends  of  Poets,  and  all 
 the  adventures  of  Knight-errantry 
 The  Apoftle  then  is  fo  far  from  denying 
 his  Infirmities,  that  he  glories  in  them 
 as  onefpecial  proof  of  his  miffion,  and 
 authority  $  highly  agreeable  to  the 
 Chriftian  Religion,  and  the  tendency 
 of  that  Doftrine,  that  recommended 
 Chrifi  Crucified  to  the  world.  In  another 
 manner,  and  by  other  demonftrations, 
 than  thofe  demonftrations  that  the  \ 
 Schools  of  Philofophy  did  furnifh,  I  have 
 chofen  to  difcourfe  of  the  Sufferings, 
 and  Infirmities  of  the  Apoftle,  under 
 this  afpeft,  as  they  yield  a  clear  proof 
 of  ChriCiianity,  rather  than  to  run  out 
 in  the  commendations  of  the  courage, 
 and    patience  of    Primitive    Chrifti- 
 
 ans, 
 
 3»* 
 
j  1 4  The  Ninth  Sermon. 
 
 ans,  and  it  will  appear  in  its  greater 
 luftre,  if  we  confider. 
 
 2.  The  manner  of  his  addrefs  5  not 
 in  the  eloquent  and  harmonious 
 periods  of  Rhetorical  Difcourfes,  but 
 by  a  more  heavenly  and  Yiftorious  de- 
 monftration,  more  certain,  and  undeni- 
 able,  than  the  fureft  Principles  of  the 
 Grecian  Philofophy^  not  in  the  enticing 
 words  of  wans  wifdoM,  but  in  the  demon* 
 firationoftbe  Spirit,  and  of  Power.  There 
 are,  who  underftand  by  thefe  words  the 
 inward  and  powerful  illuminations 
 and  prefence  of  the  Divine  Spirit  up- 
 on a  mans  heart,  in  order  to  his  San&ifi- 
 cation.  I  am  very  far  from  denying 
 that  Illumination  to  be  neceffary,  but 
 that  is  not  meant  in  this  place,  nor  by 
 this  phrafe.  For  the  proof  that  the 
 Apoftle  brings  here ,  is  External ,  and 
 confequently  muft  be  referred  to  that 
 demonstration  of  the  Divine  Power, 
 that  waits  upon  the  Apoftles,  in  preach- 
 ing and  afTerting  the  Gofpel,  I  mean  the 
 forcer  of  Miracles. 
 
 I  F  it  were  needful  to  cite  Authors 
 for  this,  I  might  name  many,   I  take  it 
 
 for 
 
The  Ninth  Sermon. 
 
 for  granted,  that  here  theApoftle  is  to 
 prove  the  vanity  of  them,  that  oppos'd 
 his  Do&rine,  and  flighted  his  Methods 
 for  want  of  human  eloquence,  he dates 
 the  opposition  between  their  way,  and 
 his. 
 
 They  fet  off  their  Dogmata  with 
 all  thedrefs  and  parade  of  Rhetorical 
 Amplifications,their  Proofs  and  Topicks 
 muttered  up  in  all  the  braveries  of  Art, 
 and  Logick.  He  fpoke  and  afferted  the 
 myfieries  of  the  Gofpel  with  greater 
 fimplicity,  but  greater  Majefly^  left 
 Oftentation  in  his  utterance,  but  much 
 more  Power  and  Efficacy.  We  need 
 not  think  by  this,  that  theApoftle  was 
 not  eloquent,  but  that  he  did  not  in- 
 tend, nor  defign  to  lay  the  ftrefs  of  his 
 Sermons  on  his  eloquence.  He  derived 
 their  fuccefs  and  vittory  from  a  higher 
 fpring.  Thofe  who  boafted  themfelves 
 molt  in  their  philofophical  compQfqres 
 might  be  overcome  by  fuch  as.  Were 
 more  eminent  in  that  kind  of  Learning. 
 But  the  proofs  of  our  Apoftle  were 
 wholly  out  of  that  road,  and  beyond 
 the  reach  and  skill  of  the  profoundeft 
 Sophies  9  even  a  demonftraticn  that  all 
 
 his 
 
 fi* 
 
1 6  The  Ninth  Sermm. 
 
 his  Enemies  were  forc'd  to  acknowledge, 
 it  was  the  finger  of  God.  And  becaufe 
 this  is  fo  material  to  the  Apoftles  defign, 
 and  contains  in  it ,  a  very  folid  proof 
 for  our  Religion ,  I  will  endeavour  to 
 open  the  nature  of  it  more  fully. 
 
 i.  Let  us  confider  the  force  and 
 rational  evidence  that  Miracles  give 
 to  the  Teftimony  of  him ,  that  works 
 them, 
 
 2.  The  fpecial  force  they  had  to 
 prove  the  Verity  and  Authority  of 
 Chriftian  Religion.     And, 
 
 i.  W  e   mull:  acknowledge  the  pof- 
 fibility  of  Miracles,  (ir*ce  we  acknow- 
 ledge a  Deity,  and  a  Providence.     For 
 he  that  hath  eftablifhed  the  Laws   of 
 Nature ,  and  directed  the  motions  of 
 all  its  wheels,  may  for  fpecial  ends  of 
 his  Providence  interupt  that  order  and 
 method,  and  let  us  underftand  that  he 
 is  above  Nature.    And  it  is  very  reafon- 
 able,  and  juft  for  mankind  ,  upon  fuch 
 folemnocca(ion9,  to  look  for  extraordi- 
 nary Appearances  of  the  Divine  Power, 
 both  to  confirm  their  Faith,  and  pro- 
 voke 
 
The  Ninth  Sermon. 
 voke  their  Gratitude,  when  God  e- 
 ftablifhes  new  Laws ,  or  repeals  old 
 ones,  'tis  highly  neceffary,  that  his  Mef- 
 fage  and  Teftimony  be  feal'd  with  (ome 
 fuch  undeniable  Evidence,  as  cannot 
 rationally  be  refilled.  The  multitude 
 of  jugling  tricks,  and  impoftures  in  the 
 World,  is  fo  far  from  leffening  this  Ar- 
 gument, that  they  rather  ftrengthen  it ; 
 Becaufe  if  Miracles  were  not  acknow<- 
 ledged  to  be  a  fufEcient  evidence  of  a 
 Divine  Teftimony,  they  had  never  been 
 counterfeited.  And  it  is  certain  that 
 our  reafon ,  clofely  and  duly  applyed 
 to  all  circumftances,is  able  to  diftinguifh 
 between  a  true  Miracle,  and  a  coun- 
 terfeit. So  we  may  take  it  for  granted 
 that  the  Miracles  wrought  by  Chrifty  and 
 his  Apoftles  were  a  fufficient  undeniable 
 Evidence,  that  their  Teftimony  was 
 from  God,  i.  e.  that  Jefus  of  Nazareth 
 was  the  Mejjias,  and  that  they  were  hn 
 Followers,  and  Difciplesy  and  truly  and 
 fufficiently  acquainted  with  his  Difci- 
 pline  and  Do&rine. 
 
 2,  This  will  appear,  if  we  con- 
 fider  the  fpecial  neceffity  there  was, 
 that  fuch  Miracles  fhould  be  wrought  in 
 
 con- 
 
 3»7 
 
1 1 8  *flx  Ninth  Sermon. 
 
 confirmation  of  Chriftian  Religion,  ei- 
 ther to  point  out.  i.  The  Perfon  of  the 
 Mejfias.  Or,  2.  Todifpoffefs  the  Devil 
 out  of  his  ftrong  holds.  Or,  3.  To  fa- 
 tisfie  the  expe&ations  of  all  men  both 
 Jem,  and  Gentiles. 
 
 - 
 1.  This  Proof  was  neceflary  in 
 Chriji ,  and  his  Afoftles ,  to  point  out 
 his  Perfon  to  the  Jews.  When  the  Jem 
 require  a  fign  from  our  Saviour  5  he  doth 
 not  rejeft  the  enquiry,  as  in  it  (elf  un~ 
 reafonable,  but  made  in  an  unreafonable 
 manner,  i.  e.  fome  extraordinary  prodigy 
 from  Heaven  5  fuch  as  were  done  in 
 confirmation  of  the  Laws  of  Mofes$ 
 and  they  would  not  be  contented  with 
 the  Miracles  of  our  Saviour  3  that  were 
 far  more  Glorious  and  Divine,  both  for 
 manner,  and  quality,  than  thofe  done 
 by  Mofes.  When  I  affirm  that  Miracles 
 were  neceflary  to  point  out  the  Perfon 
 of  the  Mejjias^  I  mean,  they  confirm'd 
 his  Teftimony  to  be  from  God  5  he  af- 
 firming himfelf  to  be  the  Mejfias,  and 
 the  facred  Oracles  giving  this  charafter 
 of  the  Meffias,  that  he  (houid  work  Mi- 
 racles. For  we  cannot  think  that  the 
 wtfdom  and  goodnefs  of  God  will  fuffer 
 
 the 
 
-The  Ninth  Sermon]  3 1  p 
 
 theutmoft  Seal  of  rational  Evidence  to 
 be  affixed  to  a  Ly.  The  Learned  Huetius,  Huetim; 
 hath  excellently  cleared  the  Prophecies 
 concerning  the  Mejfias  from  all  the 
 Cavils  of  the  Jews  5  and  there  was  no 
 chara&eriftick  given  of  him  in  the  Pro- 
 phets, more  frequent,  and  fpecifick, 
 than  his  working  of  Miracles.  Ifa.  42. 
 69  7.  I  the  Lord  have  called  thee  inrighte- 
 oufnefs ,  and  will  hold  thine  hand,  and 
 will  keep  thee,  and  give  thee  far  a  Covenant 
 of  She  People,  for  a  light  of  the  Gentiles  5 
 To  open  the  blind  ejes ,  to  bring  out  the 
 prifoners  from  the  prifon ,  and  them  that 
 ft  in  darknefs  out  of  the  prifin  boufe.  And 
 Luh$  4.  18*  Our  Saviour  tells  U3  that 
 the  famous  Prophecy  of  the  MeJ/?as9 
 Ifa.  61  As  fulfilled  in  himfelC 
 
 Hence  is  it ,  that  he  appeals  to 
 his  Miracles,  as  to  his  credential  Let-  John. 
 ters  from  Heaven  5  If  1  had  not  done  a- 
 mongfi  them  the  works  which  none  elfe  did, 
 they  had  had  no  finy  i.  e.  That  of  Infi- 
 delity 3  and  again ,  Believe  me  for  the 
 works  fakg.  And  their  unbelief  is  juftly 
 cxposd,inthat  quefton  of  our  Saviour'/, 
 when  he  asks,  jfw  which  of  thofe  works  do  Matth,  r 
 yeflone  me.  When  John  the  Baptiji  hear- 
 ing 
 
gio  7be  Ninth  Sermon} 
 
 ing  of  the  Miracles  of  our  Saviour,  fent 
 two  of  his  Difciples  with  this  queftion 
 to  him,  Art  thou  he  thatfiould  come  $  i.  e. 
 Art  thou  indeed  the  Mefias  .<?  Our  Savi* 
 our  return'd  no  other  anfwerthan  this, 
 
 John  7'  Go,  (aid  he ,  and  fiew  John  again  thofe 
 things  which  yon  do  hear  and  fee,  The 
 blind  receive  their  fight ,  the  lame  wal^t 
 and  the  dead  are  raifed  up.  The  Jews 
 themfelves  acknowledge ,  that  they 
 could  not  in  reafon  expeft  greater  Mi- 
 racles to  be  done  by  the  Mejjias,  than 
 thofe  which  they  faw  perform'd  by  our 
 
 John  j.     Saviour.  When  Chrifi  cometh  (  fay  they  ) 
 
 will  he  do  moe  Miracles,  than  thefe  which 
 
 thk  man  doth  .<?    And  Nicodemus  grants, 
 
 That  no  man  can  do  thefe  things ,  unlefis 
 
 God  he  with  him. 
 
 Now  thofe  Miracles  are  fo  much 
 the  more  illuftrious,  that  He  not  only 
 wrought  them  hirnfelf,  but  gave  power 
 alfo  to  His  Difciples,  when  he  was  af- 
 cended  unto  the  Father,  to  confirm 
 their  Teftimony  by  Miracles.  And  the 
 firft  Ages  of  Chriftianity  furnifh  us 
 with  many  undeniable  proofs  5  fo  fre- 
 quent, and  fo  palpable  were  thofe  de* 
 monftrations  of  the  Divine  Power,  that 
 
 multi? 
 
The  Ninth  Sermon.  3  2 1 
 
 multitudes  oilmen  and  women  were  ^ 
 heal'd  by  the  Apoftles ,    only  by  the 
 fincere  Invocation  of  the  Name  ofjefus  3 
 and  they,  fuch  as  were  part  all  the  cure 
 of  Art,  and  Nature.     The  fhadow  of 
 S.  Peter  pafling  by  did  heal  many.     And 
 the  Author  to  the  Hebrews  affures  us, 
 That  God  bore  them  witnefs,  with  figns ,  Heb.2.4/ 
 and  wonders ,  and  with  divers  miracles^ 
 and  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghoji,  according  to 
 his  own  will.     And  the  Ancients  largely 
 profecute  this  Argument,  that  fuch,  and 
 fomany  Miracles  were  wrought  by  thetf^.  Ay- 
 Apoftles 5  as  clearly  prov'd,  that  Om-™K  ^ 
 nipotence  was  ingaged  in  their  defence  3      '^e* 
 and  confirmed  their  Doftrine  :    When 
 Jupiter  and  /Efculapius  were  not  able  to 
 relieve  any  of  their  votaries,  no  not  in 
 thofe  Difeafes,  that  might  be  remov'd 
 by  the  orderly  application  of  Medicine. 
 Thus  we  fee  that  Miracles,  were  abfo- 
 lutely  necefTary  to  prove,  that  He  was 
 the  Great ,  and  Glorious  Mejjias.     And, 
 
 2.  They  were  neceffary  to  con- 
 found and  baffle  the  Devil,  To  difpoflefs 
 Satan,  and  break  the  force  of  his  Ring* 
 dom.  Now  when  we  confider  the 
 prejudices  that  many  entertain'd  againft 
 Y  Chrifti- 
 
3  22  The  Ninth  Sermon] 
 
 Chriftianity ,  in  its  firft  appearance  5 
 how  much  the  World  at  that  time  was 
 funk  into  the  grofleft  Folly  and  Vanity  $ 
 how  contrary  the  Do&rineof  Jefn,  and 
 his  followers,  was  unto  the  biafs  of  Man- 
 kind 5  how  concern'd  the  Devil  was, 
 all  the  World  over,  to  uphold  his  tot- 
 tering Throne.  I  fay,  when  we  remem- 
 ber all  this ,  and  the  ftrange  oppofition 
 that  the  Gofpel  met  with,  we  muft  ac- 
 knowledge the  great  neceffity  of  Mi- 
 racles 3  that  we  may  give  a  reafonable 
 account  of  the  progrefs  of  Chriftianity, 
 the  Power  of  Miracles  was  a  palpable 
 demonftration,  that  reach'd  the  Learn'd, 
 and  the  Unlearn'd. 
 
 The  jugling  tricks  of  Demons,  when 
 in  competition  with  the  ufeful  and  con- 
 fpicuous  Miracles  of  the  Jfojiles,  va- 
 nifh'd  like  dreams.  The  Devil  was  not 
 baffled  fo  much  by  any  thing,  as  by  this  5 
 when  he  was  forcd  out  of  all  quarters, 
 and  began  to  yield  and  give  ground  5 
 wherever  the  Christians  came ,  he  re- 
 treated with  fhame  and  conf ufion,  at  the 
 Name  of  Jefus  5  his  Altars  fell ,  his  Or- 
 acles were  filenc'd,  and  his  Sacrifices 
 deferted.     It  was  the  ufual  method  of 
 
 the 
 
Tie  Ninth  Sermon. 
 
 the  Apoftles ,  firft  to  work  a  Miracle, 
 and  then  declare  to  the  People  in  whofe 
 Name,  and  by  whofe  Authority*  they 
 had  done  it.  An  inftance  whereof  we 
 have  in  S.  Peter's  curing  the  Criple,  that 
 lay  at  the  beautiful  gate  of  the  Temple. 
 
 VV  H  E  n  we  refleft  upon  the  ftrange 
 effeft  of  their  endeavours,  and  that 
 fuch  mean  perfons  as  they  were  fhould 
 prevail  upon  fo  many  both  learn'd  and 
 unlearn'd  3  and  that  not  only  in  barba- 
 rous and  obfcure  places ,  but  in  Rome% 
 Alexandria,  and  Antioch^  and  againft 
 the  whole  combination  of  the  ftrongeft 
 prejudices  that  we. can  imagine.  We 
 muft  enquire  into  the  rational  account 
 of  it,  which  cannot  be  refolvd  into  the 
 evidence  of  the  thing  it  felf,  nor  unto 
 the  credit  of  their  Teftimony,  but  unto 
 the  undeniable  Power  of  God,  difcover- 
 ing  it  felf  in  their  miraculous  A&ions. 
 It  had  certainly  been  impoffible  to  have 
 fubdued  the  World  to  Chriji,  without 
 it  3  and  as  impoffible  was  it  for  reafon- 
 able  men  to  refift  the  Evidence  of  fuch 
 a  heavenly  demonftration. 
 
 Y  %  T  h  1  s 
 
 3*3 
 
1 1 4  Tl?e  Ninth  Sermon. 
 
 This  Argument  is  profecuted  at 
 length,  by  Origen,  againft  Celfus  $  where 
 he  proves  that  the  Apoftles  did  not  fo 
 much  convert  the  World,  by  their  Ser- 
 mons, as  by  their  Aftions.  When  the 
 Souls  of  Men  were  drowned  in  fenfuali- 
 ty,  nothing  lefs  than  fuch  a  cogent  de- 
 monstration, as  reactrd  both  Soul  and 
 Body  a  could  prevail  upon  them  to  lb 
 Heavenly  a  Religion.  They  did  not 
 put  their  Auditors  to  the  trouble  of 
 making  tedious  enquiries,  into  the  Na- 
 ture and  validity  of  their  Teftimonys 
 but  prevented  all  difquifitions  of  that 
 kind,  by  this  infallible  Proof. 
 
 And  what  rational  man  could  de- 
 fire  any  other  proof,  than  the  immediate 
 atteftation  of  a  Divine  Power  >  Who 
 could  doubt,  and  difpute  when  he  had 
 feen  the  moft  Tyrannical  and  ftubborn 
 Devils  difpoffefled,  the  fick  healed,  and 
 the  dead  raifed  ?  By  this  prevailing  and 
 mighty  demonft ration  they  bore  away 
 their  Underfhndings,  banifh'd  all  their 
 Scruples,  and  forced  open  a  paflage  into 
 all  their  Affeftions  3  by  this  means  the 
 Cofpel  prevailed  fo  eafily,  and  fo  fpeedi> 
 
 ly 
 
The  Ninth  Sermon.  ji$ 
 
 ly  over  all  the  World.    And  this  Power 
 was  fo  vulgarly  known  at  that  time,  Rom.  15 
 that  S.  Paul infills  upon  it,  as  a  proof  ,l8n_  ■ , 
 of  his  true  Apojtlejhip.  12. 
 
 N  o  w  it  adds  great  weight  unto  this 
 Argument,  that  the  power  of  Miracles 
 was  not  confin'd  to  the  Apoftolical 
 Age,  but  was  continued  down  to  the 
 next  Age. 
 
 What  bold  Challenges  do  we 
 meet  with  in  all  the  Apologetick  Wri- 
 ings  of  the  firft  Chriftians  ?  Offering 
 themfelves  to  the  Tryal ,  to  fee  if  the 
 Devil  be  able  to  ftand  his  ground,  when 
 he  is  commanded  to  retire  in  the  Name 
 of  Jefa.  Jufiin  Martyr  in  his  firft  Apo~ 
 logie9  tells  the  Emperor,  and  Senate,  that 
 if  they  pleafed  they  might  inform  them- 
 felves of  our  Lords  power  over  their 
 Daemons,  by  what  was  daily  done  un- , 
 der  their  eyes.  And  Tertnllian  c.  23. 
 of  his  Apologia ,  defies  the  Heathens  in 
 the  tarteft  Language.  Set  before  jour 
 Tribunals  ( faid  he )  any  Perfon  that  is 
 poffefi'd ,  and  let  any  Chrifiian  command 
 the  D<emon  to  confefs  what  he  is,  he  jhall 
 confcfs  himfelf  to  be  a  Devil \  as  he  did  for - 
 Y  3  merly 
 
ji6 
 
 Tl?e  Kinth  Sermon. 
 
 mrly  pretend  to  be  a  God.  And  Origen, 
 in  his  cook  againft  Celfus,  triumphs  in 
 nothing  (o  much  as  this.  We  have  (  fays 
 he  )  fuch  ways  of  demonstration  ,  as  far 
 cutfirips  all  your  Greekjifi  way  of  proof* 
 even  the  demonflration  of  the  Spirit ,  and 
 of  Power.  To  them  I  add 
 
 *  Cujus  nomine  adjurati  *  J^aUanttUS  de  Origins 
 de  corporibus  cxcedunt,  ErrorJS ,  Lib.  2.  C.  If. 
 quorum    verbis    tanquam       trTI  '  lt  .  J 
 
 Pgris  verberati,  non  mo-     Where  he  tells  us,    that 
 do  dcemonas  fe  ejfe  confi-     the  Devils  are  afraid  of 
 
 tentur,  fed' etiam  nomina  +UL*~.'  +Unt.  \xr~~(U\~    *U« 
 
 fuaedumsllaquxinTem-  th.€t?     that  Worlllip    the 
 
 fits  adorantur.  And  a  little  Living  God. 
 after,   Quia  nee   DEO> 
 
 per  quern  adjurantur,  nee  «-•  c    ** 
 
 $uft%    quorum  voce  tor.  T  H  I  S    Way   of    De- 
 
 quentur,  mentiri  fojfunt.  monftration  Was  moft  fuc^ 
 
 cefsful ,  not  only  to  the 
 Convi&ion  of  Mankind ,  but  alfo  moft 
 terrible  to  the  Devils  Kingdom.  ■  And, 
 
 3 .  F  u  L  L  y  adequate  to  the  ex- 
 pectations of  both  Jews  and  Gentiles. 
 The  Jews  could  not  rejeft  this  kind  of 
 proof  5  for  they  believed  their  own  Re- 
 ligion, becaufe  founded  by  Miracles, 
 which  made  the  name  of  Mofes  fo 
 famous  amongfl:  them  3  and  now  and 
 then  it  was  attefted  by  the  Miracles  of 
 the  following  Prophets.    They  could 
 
 no? 
 
The  Ninth  Sermon.  3 17 
 
 not  then  rejett  the  Miracles  of  our 
 Saviour ,  without  the  groffeft  abfurdi- 
 ty,  and  inconfiftency  to  their  own 
 Principles. 
 
 And  as  to  the  reft  of  Mankind,  it 
 could  not  but  convince  the  mod  bar- 
 barous amongft  them }  their  being  no 
 Principles  fo  much  received  by  the 
 Light  of  Nature,  as  this,  that  the  Au- 
 thor of  Nature  only  could  change  and 
 rcnverfe  at  his  pleafure  ("  and  to  ferve 
 the  ends  of  his  Providence  )  the  Laws 
 of  Nature.  So  we  find  the  Barbarians 
 in  the  28.  of  the  ASsy  when  they  faw 
 that  S.  Paul  Jhoo^  off  the  Fiper,  that  had 
 fajiened^  on  his  hand,  and  felt  no  harm  $ 
 They  acknowledged  it  a  Miracle ,  and 
 quickly  chang'd  their  Opinion  of  him. 
 They  formerly  took  him  for  a  MaJe- 
 faftor,  now  they  take  him  for  a  God. 
 So  deep  is  this  fenfe  left  upon  the  minds 
 of  all  Men,  that  a  Miracle  is  a  fufficienc 
 proof  of  Divine  Authority,  And  now 
 we  fee  plainly  that  the  demonftration  of 
 the  Spirit,  at  the  firft  propagation  of 
 the  Gofpel,  was  the  mod  fuitable  and 
 rational  Evidence,  whether  for  con- 
 vincing the  Jews ,  or  confounding  the 
 Y  4  Demons 
 
3 18  Tl?e  Ninth  Sermon. 
 
 Demons  of  the  GentiUs%  or  for  the  fatis- 
 faftion  of  all  Men  5  there  was  no  proof 
 more  proper,  none  could  be  more  fuc- 
 cefsful.  Therefore  was  it  fo  pertinently 
 alledg'd  by  our  Apoftle,  againft  the 
 foolifh  cavils  of  them  that  underftood 
 not  the  nature  of  fuch  a  mighty  De- 
 monstration. 
 
 I  Might  now  vindicate  what  I 
 have  faid  concerning  Miracles,  from  the 
 Objeftions  of  the  Jews  and  Pagans^  but 
 they  are  fo  foolifh  and  trifling,  that 
 they  need  not  be  nam'd.  When  they 
 objefl:  that  they  were  wrought  by  the 
 power  of  Magick  5  we  need  qo  other 
 anfwer,  than  that  of  our  Saviour  him- 
 felfi  who  told  them,  that  the  Devil  wa9 
 not  fuch  a  fool  as  to  employ  his  power 
 againft  himfelf,  fince  it  was  undeniably 
 inanifeft,  that  no  difcipline  did  fo  vifib- 
 ly  and  irreconcileably  oppofe  all  Ma- 
 gical Arts  and  Charms,  as  did  the  Re- 
 ligion of  Jefus.  So  a  great  number  of 
 them  that  had  followed  thofe  curious 
 Arts,  brought  their  coftly  Books  to  the 
 Apoftles  and  burnt  them.  And  when 
 they  endeavour'd  to  alledge  that  equal 
 Miracles  have  been  done  by  others  a- 
 
 mongft 
 
Tl)e  Ninth  Sermon.  220 
 
 raongfl:  the  Pagans :  'Tis  fo  idle  a  ftory, 
 that  they  are  far  form  believing  it,  who 
 firft  invented  it.  The  ftory  of  Vefpafi- 
 ans  rt florin g  a  blind  man  to  his  fight  did 
 proceed  from  the  artifice  of  Egyptian 
 flattery ,  and  is  reported  by  his  own 
 Hiftorians  wiih  fo  much  diffidence 
 and  referve,  that  it  is  fcarce  worth  the 
 naming.  As  for  the  prodigious  feats  of 
 AfoUonius  Tianeus9  we  can  look  upon 
 them  as  no  other ,  than  fictitious ,  and 
 Romantick  Fooleries,  vouched  by  no 
 competent  Authority.  Whereas  the 
 Miracles  done  by  our  Saviour^  and  hio 
 Apoflles,  were  not  only  of  a  different 
 Nature  from  thofe  little  Tricks  of  Ati- 
 g/V^5  but  were  wrought  amongft  great 
 crowds  of  People,  to  the  view  of  the 
 World ,  and  acknowledge  by  the  moft 
 bitter  and  implacable  of  his  Enemies. 
 And  this  Power  he  had  not  only  in 
 himfelf,  but  bellowed  it  on  his  Apoflhs, 
 Befides  the  full  difcovery  of  thofe  Ob- 
 je&ions,  depends  on  fo  much  Hiftory, 
 that  they  cannot  be  contra&ed  with- 
 in fuch  narrow  bo.unds  as  I  am  con- 
 fiu'd  to. 
 
 The 
 
j  50  The  Ninth  Sermon. 
 
 The  Refult  of  all  is  this ,  Such  as 
 defpife  the  Gofpel  do  it  upon  the  moft 
 unreafonable  grounds.  For  whereas 
 they  alledge  that  our  Miniftry  was 
 not  attended  with  Wifdom  and  Proofs 
 borrowed  from  Philofophy,  they  betray 
 their  Ignorance :  For  the  Do&rine  that 
 we  propagate  and  aflert ,  being  of  its 
 own  Nature  wholly  Divine,  and  be- 
 yond the  reach  of  all  human  enquiries, 
 it  muft  needs  have  its  Proofs  and  De- 
 monftrations  from  Heaven.  Without 
 this  it  could  not  prevail,  and  when  it 
 is  attended  with  this ,  it  is  impoffible 
 that  it  can  mifs  of  its  effeft :  So  we  come 
 not  with  the  enticing  words  of  mans  wif 
 dom^  but  in  demonstration  of  the  Spirit , 
 and  of  power.  Now  we  find  that  thofe 
 Miracles  were  neceffary  at  the  firft 
 eftabliftiment  of  Ghriftianity,  to  point 
 out  the  Perfon  of  the  Mejfias,  to  baffle 
 the  Devil,  and  to  fatisfie  the  expectati- 
 ons of  all  Men,  and  that  thus  rationally 
 we  can  give  an  account  of  the  fpeedy 
 and  untverfal  propagation  of  the  Chrifti- 
 an  Religion. 
 
 Thirdly 
 
The  Ninth  Sermon] 
 
 Thirdly,  W  e  confider  the  defign , 
 and  fcope  of  this  Oeconomy.  That  their 
 Faith  might  be  built  on  the  fureft  Foun- 
 dations, i.e.  on  the  Power  of  God. 
 And  here  I  might  reckon  up  the  motives 
 of  Credibility,  that  obliged  us  to  aflent 
 to  the  Chriftian  Religion,  ( if  they  can 
 be  numbered)  Butlchufe  to  improve 
 what  is  faid  in  one  Word  of  Applica- 
 tion. 
 
 BleJJed  be  God ,    who  hath  fo  fully 
 provided  for  our  Illumination,  and  Con- 
 firmation,  that  we   might  reft  in  his 
 Word  and  Teftimony,  with  full  aflii- 
 rance  of  mind  :  For  the  Apoftles  did  not 
 follow  cunningly  devifid  fable /,  when  they 
 made  known  unto  us  the  Power  and 
 Coming  of  cur  Lord  Jefus  Chrifi.     Let 
 us  give  up  our  felves  to  it,  without  wa- 
 vering and  hefitation  of  Spirit ,   refo- 
 lutely  maintaining  it,  even  unto  Death : 
 And  above  all  endeavouring  to  adorn 
 it  by  a  Holy  Converfation ,  adding  to 
 our  faith  ,  vertue  3  to  vertue  ,  knowledge  $ 
 and  to  kpowledge^  temperance,  8cc.    Let 
 us  efteem  and  love  it,  for  its  genuine 
 Grandure,  and  Majefty,  even  when  h 
 
 is 
 
 33  V 
 
3  Mr*  The  Ninth  Sermon. 
 
 is  not  attended  with  the  Ornaments  of 
 human  Art.     For  how  (hall  we  efcape,  if 
 mnegle&fo  great  a  Salvation^  that  Was 
 firft  confirm'd  by  Miracles  and   W^ 
 ders? 
 
 L  E  T  us  not  delire ,  that  fuperna* 
 tural  Truths  be  recommended  to  us, 
 chiefly,  and  only  by  human  Arc.    So 
 weak  are  we  that  we  relifh  not  Heaven- 
 ly things,  unlefs  they  fmell  of  the  Earth. 
 When  we  .hear  the   Word  of   God, 
 the  corruption  of  our  Nature  leads  us 
 to  notice  more   the  air ,  accent ,  and 
 gefture  of  the  Preacher  than  the  great 
 Truths  that  he  recommends  3  and  all 
 thefe  be  they  never  fo  plain,  innocent, 
 and  unexceptionable }  they  have  their 
 fate  and  cenfure ,  not  from  our  unby- 
 affed  reafon,  but  from  that  part  of  us 
 that  is  carnal.     I  am  not  of  the  opi- 
 nion that  the  Myfteries  of  the  Gofpel 
 are  to  be  handled  confufedly,  and  neg- 
 ligently, in  a  ilovenly  drefs,  fuch  gar- 
 ments become  not  the  Majefty  of  that 
 Religion,    whofe    Minifters    we    are. 
 The  Oracles  of  God  deferve  that  we 
 ihouk!  Meditate  in  them,  night  and 
 day.     But  we  are  fo  to  ftudy  them 
 
 that 
 
The  Ninth  Sermon]  3  5  ^ 
 
 that  we  preach  not  ourfelves,  hut  Chrijl 
 Jefus  the  Lord ,  and  our  (elves  your 
 Servants  for  Chrifts  fake,  that  we  may 
 not  think  that  the  fuccefs  of  our  La- 
 bours depends  on  the  skill  and  con- 
 trivance of  our  Compofures,  but  on 
 God  that  giveth  the  hcreafe. 
 
 To  God  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy 
 Ghofi,  be  Glory  and  Domini- 
 on, for  ever.    Amen. 
 
33? 
 
 SERMON 
 
 Preached  at  the 
 
 Abbey  of  Holy-T^od-Honfe, 
 
 MAY,     1  6  8  6. 
 
 O  N 
 
 Matt.  v.   V._  20; 
 
 For  1  fay  unto  you ,  that  except  your 
 righteoufnefs  fhall  exceed  the  righte- 
 oufnefs  of  the  Scribes  and  Tbarifees, 
 ye  fhall  in  no  cafe  enter  into  the  king- 
 dom of  heaven. 
 
 MY  defign  from  thefe  words 
 of  our  Saviour,  is,  to  hint 
 (hortly  at  the  Scope  and 
 Drift  of  Chrijiian  Religion  $ 
 and  then  to  ftate  the  companion  be- 
 tween it,  and  the  Pkarifaical  Religion : 
 
 And 
 
n* 
 
 Tloe  Tenth  Sermon* 
 
 And  in  the  next  place  to  direft  you  in 
 the  Pra&ice  of  true  and  fincere  God- 
 lineft. 
 
 When  our  Saviour  appeared,  the 
 Church  was  fadly  over  run  with  the  grof- 
 feft Immoralities,  and  the  moft  abfurd 
 Superftitions  and  Delufions.  The  Law 
 of  God,  which  was  in  it  felf  pure  ,  and 
 Rom.  7.  juji ,  and  holy ,  was  perverted  by  their 
 Commentaries  5  and  made  to  truckle 
 under  fuch  defigns,  as  were  hateful  to 
 God,  and  fubverfive  of  all  true  Mora- 
 lity. Their  plaufible  gloffes,  and  cor- 
 rupt maxims,  deftroy'd  the  natural  force 
 of  Religion  ,  and  withal  they  deceiv'd 
 the  poor  People  into  an  Opinion,  that 
 they  themfelves  were  the  peculiar  fa- 
 vourites of  God  3  even  then,  when  our 
 Saviour  told  them,  that  the  publicans 
 and  the  (inner s  ffjould  enter  into  the  king- 
 dom of  heaven  before  them. 
 
 W  H  E  n  we  read  the  Sermon  on  the 
 Mount,  we  find,  that  it  was  our  Saviours 
 great  defign  to  plant,  and  eftablifh  a- 
 mongfl:  his  Difciples,  a  manly,  rational 
 and  heroick  temper  of  mind  5  a  higher 
 kind  of  Philofophy,  than  the  Pharifees 
 
 under- 
 
The  Tenth  Sermon.  337 
 
 underftood ,  or  the  Pagans  pretended 
 to.  The  rule  of  Life  that  he  gave  us 
 was  fo  accurate,  and  fo  fuitable  to  our 
 Nature,  in  its  firft  and  original  confix- 
 tution,  that  nothing  can  equal  it  for 
 purity  and  holinefs.  The  wifeft  fay- 
 ings,  and  the  beft  thoughts  of  Jews 
 and  Pagans,  fcattered  here  and  there 
 in  all  their  books,  are  very  far  outdone 
 in  one  Page  of  the  New  Tejiament.  He 
 removes  our  errors,  prejudices  and  mi- 
 ftakes,  concerning  God,  our  reives^  and 
 the  rewards  of  another  Life.  He  opens 
 our  eyes  to  fee  thorow  the  little  tricks, 
 hypocritical  defigns,  and  fuperftitious 
 follies  of  the  Pbarifees.  And  by  the 
 mod  cogent  proofs  he  forces  us  to  ac- 
 knowledge ,  that  there  is  no  Religion  ' 
 fo  worthy  of  God  to  reveal,  fo  proper 
 for  us  to  be  taught  in,  ai  that  fyftem  of 
 true  Piety,  and  unaffefted  Morality, 
 that  he  has  brought  to  Light. 
 
 WHEN  I  fay  Morality,  I  do  not 
 underftand  Morality,  in  the  ufual  lame 
 and  defeftive  fignification  of  it ,  as  it 
 regards  our  outward  behaviour  towards 
 Man :  But  rather  the  whole  of  our  pro- 
 found fubmiffion,  and  obedience  to  the 
 
 Z  firft 
 
2j  8  The  Tenth  Sermon] 
 
 firft  and  fecond  Table  of  the  Law.  And 
 in  this  true  and  comprehenfive  notion, 
 I  affirm,  that  it  was  our  Saviour's  defign 
 to  advance  it  unto  pra&ice,  and  repu- 
 tation amongft  Mankind. 
 
 The  Jemjh  Religion  (take  it  all  to- 
 gether) was  rather  Gods  indulgence  and 
 toleration,  than  his  law  and  command- 
 ment. And  tho  it  had  the  Seal  of  his 
 Authority  5  yet  it  was  not  in  it  felf 
 the  beft  Religion,  but  the  beft  that  they 
 could  bear.  When  they  returned  from 
 &gJPh  the  impreffions  of  their  fervi- 
 tude  were  not  fo  foon  worn  off,  but 
 that  their  pronenefs  to  Idolatry,  and 
 former  flavilh  difpofitions  remain'd. 
 And  ever  and  anon  upon  all  occafions 
 (  for  a  long  time  after  )  they  relapfe  into 
 their  fuperftiticte ,  and  ^Egyptian  Cere- 
 monies. 
 
 I  F  we  view  them  in  the  beft  periods 
 of  the  Jewijh  Oeconomy,  their  Religion 
 was  dete&ive.  Many  things  were  plainly 
 permitted,  or  tacitely  conniv'd  at,  (as 
 Polygamy  and  Divorce,  and  fome  degrees 
 of  vn  charit  alien  efs,  and  revenge}  which 
 natural  and  uncorrnpted  reafon  diflikes 
 
 and 
 
The  Tenth  Sermon.  119 
 
 and  condemns.  But  when  Our  Saviour 
 appear'd ,  it>was  then  high  time  to  re- 
 cover the  World  from  their  beggarly 
 elements  *  and  to  give  us  the  true  no- 
 tions of  Almighty  Cod ,  the  Ipiritual- 
 lity  of  his  WorGiip^  and  the  extent  of 
 bis  univerfal  Empire  over  jfe»>  and 
 Gentile  $  and  to  form  our  manners  by 
 that  accurate  rule  of  his  Dodhine,  and 
 Example :  By  which  we  were  not  only 
 affared  of  Eternal  Life,  but  partly  ( in  a 
 manner)  put  in  the  poffeffion  of  it.  A 
 fcheme  of  Chriftian  Morals  is  given  us 
 in  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount,  fb  pure 
 and  angelical,  that  at  firft  view,  we 
 are  forcd  to  acknowledge  that  it  came 
 down  from  the  Father  of  lights.  We  are  f\ftfe  A 
 exhorted  to  vohatfoever  things  are  truef  8. 
 honeji,  jufk,  pure,  lovely,  and  of  good  re* 
 port$  iftherebeany'vertue,  and  if  there 
 be  any  praifet  to  thinly  on  thefe  things. 
 
 T  o  advance  and  facilitate  the  pra- 
 ctice of  this  Morality,  wasthedefign  of 
 our  Saviour's  undertaking,  when  we 
 confider  the  Gofpel  in  its  uniform 
 ftrength  and  vigour,  as  alfo  to  calm  the 
 confeiences  of  men  5  to  remove  our  fears  5 
 and  to  teach  us  to  approach  the  Throne 
 Z  2  of 
 
3  4  o  The  Tenth  Sermon. 
 
 of  God,  with  a  generous,  affurance  of 
 mind  ;  to  bind  us  in  theftrdngeR  bonds 
 of  Society  amongft  our  (elves,  and  to 
 liberate  us  from  the  yoke.of  MofesL&w. 
 This  was  our  Saviour/  bufinefs  when 
 he  took  upon  him  our  Nature,  when  wo 
 Joh.1. 14.  beheld  his  glory ',  the  glory ;  as  of  the  only 
 begotten  of  the  Father,  full  of  Grace,  and 
 Truth. 
 
 i.  ISA  y,  one  great  part  of  his  de- 
 
 fign  was,  to  form  us  into  true  Morals. 
 
 This  is  the  comprehenfive  character  by 
 
 which  good  men  are  diltinguilhed  in 
 
 the  Holy  Scriptures.  In  this  the  Children 
 
 1  joh.  3.   of  God  are  manifeji,  and  the  Children  of 
 
 IO*  the  Devil,  whofoever  doth  not  righteouf 
 
 vefs  is  not  of  God9  neither  he  that  loiJeth 
 
 not  his  brother.     Thus  runs  the  defcrip- 
 
 job,  1.1.  tion  of  Job,  that  he  was  a  man  perfect -and 
 
 upright,  one  that  feared  God,  and  efchewed 
 
 evil, 
 
 Pfal.  15.  And  David's  religious  man  walk? 
 eth  uprightly,  and  workgth  righteoufnefs, 
 and  fpeaketh  the  truth  in  his  heart.  The 
 great  character  of  Mofes  was  ,  that 
 he  was  very  meel^,  above  all  the  men  upon 
 the  face  of  the  Earth,     And  Cornelius 
 
 the 
 
The  Tenth  Sermon.  3  4 1 
 
 the  Centurion,    is  (aid  to  be  a  devout  A&s> IO- 
 man,  and  one  that  feared  God  with  all  hk  u 
 houfe,  which  gave  much  alms  to  the  People, 
 and  prayed  to  God  aire  ay. 
 
 B  u  T  all  along  the  New  Teftament, 
 the  Pharifees  are  Jiigmaiizd,  that  they 
 were  cold  and  indifferent  in  the  great 
 Morals  of  Religion ,  while  they  were 
 very  zealous,  and  pragmatick  to  ad- 
 vance the  rituals  of  it.  They  were 
 blind  guides,  who  (train  d  at  a  Gnat,  and 
 faallowed  a  Camel.  They  tithed  Mint, 
 Annife,  and  Cummin,  and  negleSed  the 
 weightier  matters  of  the  Law. 
 
 When  the  whole  of  Religion  is 
 fumm'd  up  in  the  mofl:  compendious 
 manner,  there  is  nothing  elfe  nam'd 
 but  the  love  of  God,  and  our  neighbour : 
 Or,  the  moft  ingenuous  expreffions  of 
 both.      What  doth  the  Lord  require   of  Mich.  6.8. 
 thee,  but  to  dojufily,  to  love  mercy,  and 
 to  wall^humbly  with  thy  God.     And  our 
 Saviour  tells  us,  that  on  the  Love  of  Godlh-*-  i<5» 
 and  our  neighbour,  hangs  all  the  Law  and  ^t^'21i 
 Prophets.   And  this  is  the  fame  Do&rine  4. 
 that  is  preached  by  S.  Paul,  for  Love  is 
 thefullping  of  the  Law.     And  therefore 
 Z  3  we 
 
g  4 1  Tfc*  Tflif  &  Sermon. 
 
 we  find  that  the  Prophets,  upon  all  oc- 
 cafions,  did  endeavour  to  withdraw 
 the  thoughts  of  the  Jews  from  the  Ex- 
 ternal drudgery  of  their  Religion ,  to 
 that  Immortal  Deity  that  was  Worfhip- 
 ed  3  and  to  convince  them  that  if  their 
 Sacrifices  were  not  attended  with  the 
 Love  of  God  and  their  Neighbour , 
 they  could  not  be  acceptable  :  The 
 blood  of  Bulls,  and  of  Goats,  was  no 
 entertainment  for  him  that  made  Heaven 
 and  Earth.  A  Soul  difengaged  from 
 the  corruptions  of  Life,  and  animated 
 in  all  its  a&ions  with  true  zeal  and  fin- 
 cerity,  was  the  only  acceptable  Sa- 
 crifice. 
 
 And  the  Rituals  of  Chriftianity 
 ( if  they  are  deftitute  of  their  true  Spirit 
 and  Life)  are  of  no  greater  value. 
 Jam.  2.20.  Our  Faith  without  works  is  dead,  in  the 
 a.  Pet.  2.  language  of  S.  James.  And  S.  Peter 
 compares  our  Baptifnt  (  if  feparated 
 from  Purity  of  Manners^  to  the  wafting 
 of  Swine.  And  our  Communicating 
 without  Devotion,  is  by  S.  JFWfaid  to 
 be  enr  coming  together  to  condemnation. 
 It  is  the  pure  heart,  and  clean  hands, 
 the  modeft  and  ingenuous   temper  of 
 
 Spirit,  - 
 
The  Tenth  Sermon.  3  45 
 
 Spirit,  that  perfume  our  Faith,  our  Pray- 
 ers, and  our  Affemblies.  When  we  look 
 into  the  New  Teftament,  this  Do&rine 
 runs  through  all  its  parts,  and  breaths 
 almoft  in  every  Line,  the  Grace  of  God  Tie,  2.  n. 
 that  bringeth  Salvation,  hath  appeared  un- 
 to all  Men,  teaching  us,  that  denying  un- 
 godlinefs ,  and  worldly  lujls ,  we  Jhould 
 live  fiber ly,  right  eoufly,  and  godly  in  this 
 prefent  worldy  looking  for  the  blejjed  hope, 
 and  the  glorious  appearing  of  the  great  God, 
 and  our  Saviour  Jefus  Chriji  5  who  gave 
 himfelf  for  us,  that  he  might  redeem  us 
 from  all  iniquity,  and  purifie  unto  himfelf 
 a  peculiar  people  zealous  of  good  worlds. 
 And,  for  this  very  purpofe  the  Son  0/ It  j0h.  3 
 God  was  manife fled  that  he  might  dejhoy  8. 
 the  works  of  the  Devil. 
 
 I  N  all  ages  men  have  endeavoured 
 to  crofs ,  and  oppofe  this  part  of  our 
 Saviours  defign,  and  to  reconcile  (  by 
 little  diftinftions,  plaufible,  and  artifici- 
 al tricks )  their  Religion  to  their  Luits* 
 Some  Religion  they  muft  have,  and  that 
 which  renders  them  truly  acceptable  un- 
 to GdH  ,  penetrates  too  deep  into  the 
 Soul,  fearches  the  Hearts  and  Reins, 
 and  teaches  them  to  live  in  opposition 
 
 Z  4  to 
 
3  44  Tin  Tenth  Sermon. 
 
 to  the  corrupt  Spirit  of  the  World,and  to 
 lead  captive  fecret  thoughts  and  imagir 
 nations  unto  the  obedience  of  Chrift, 
 The  impreffions  of  the  Divinity  arefold- 
 ed  up  in  the  Soul  of  Man  }  the  appre-  ] 
 j  henfions  and  fears  of  an  after  reckoning, 
 '  haunt  us  whether  we  will  or  not.  There- 
 fore they  ffiuft  needs  invent  a  Religion, 
 that  is  calculated  to  ferve  their  defigns, 
 and  to  filence  the  troublefome  alarms  of 
 Galat 6.7. their  mind.  But  be  not  you  deceived, 
 God  is  not  mocked,  for  whatsoever  a  man 
 foweth,  that  fial/  he  alfo  reap.  Our  &?*>/- 
 our  fet  himfelf  to  undeceive  the  World 
 in  this  great  affair  5  and  to  remove  the 
 Pharifaical  paint  and  varnifh  from  the 
 Law,  andtoletusunderftand,  that  our 
 God  is  not  an  Idol,  that  he  values  t\q 
 Sacrifices,  but  fuch  as  referable  his  Na- 
 ture :  For  he  is  a  Spirit,  and  muft  be 
 worfliiped  in  Spirit,  and  in  Truth, 
 
 z.  ASecond  part  of  our  Savh 
 0#r'sdefign  was,  to  give  true  repofe 
 and  tranquillity  to  the  Spirits  of  Men. 
 Maith.11.C0w  unto  me  all  ye  that  labour,  and  are 
 28.  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  refi.  The 
 inward  diforder  of  our  Splits  is  the 
 caufe  of  all  our  trouble  5  when  the  Light 
 
 of 
 
Tlie  Tenth  Sermon.  34 j 
 
 of  the  Gofpel  removes  our  Errors,  and 
 by  its  beams  warms  our  affe&ions,  the 
 day-ltar  from  on  high  arifeth  in  our 
 breads  5  our  fears  and  dreadful  appre- 
 henfions  are  over ;  and  there  is  a  perfcft 
 calm  and  tranquillity.  One  great  in- 
 ftru&ion  in  our  Saviour'*  Cowntijfion , 
 was,  to  hind  up  the  broken  hearted.  The 
 Souls  of  Men  are  at  variance  with  them- 
 felves,  until  they  are  united  unto  God. 
 He-fixes  their  Spirits  in  their  operations 
 and  choice,  and  creates  within  them 
 that  harmony  and  peace,  which  the  World  , 
 cannot  give  them.  Then  they  are  arm'd 
 againft  all  events  and  difafters^  they 
 are  like  a  Rock  of  Adamant  immove- 
 able againft  the  raoft  tempeftuous  waves 
 and  ftorms,  the  winds  may  blow,  and 
 the  ftorms  may  threaten,  and  beat  upon 
 the  Rock  with  the  loudeft  roarings,  but 
 they  are  quickly  beat  back  into  froth 
 and  difappointment.  The  righteous  are 
 like  mount  Zion  which  cannot  be  movd% 
 
 That  it  was  a  part  of  our  Savi* 
 ours defign  to  eftablifh  this  tranquillity 
 0/  Spirit,  appears  from  this  very  Ser- 
 nlon  on  the  Mount,  where  he  endea- 
 vours by  fo  many  arguments,  to  fortifie 
 
 us 
 
34<* 
 
 the  Tenth  Sermon. 
 
 us  againft  all  fears,  difcouragments,  and 
 folicitude.  The  Wifdom  of  God  levelled 
 the  ftrongeft  arguments  againft  the  moft 
 defperate  difeafes  $  and  therefore,  the 
 Doftrine  of  the  Gofpel  in  all  its  branch- 
 es hath  an  admirable  tendency  to  cre- 
 ate this  peace*    When  we  believe  that 
 all  things  are  ordered  and  diipos'd  by 
 anuniverfalj  infinitely  wife,  unlimited, 
 and  aftive  Providence  3    With  what 
 acquiefcence,  and  ferenity  of  Spirit  may 
 we  give  up  all  things  to  his  conduft  and 
 government  ?   Not  a  hair  of  your  head 
 falleth  to  the  ground  without  his  pleafure. 
 The  nature  and  frame  of  all  the  Graces 
 of  the  Spirit,  the  whole  fpiritual  furni- 
 ture of  the  Gofpel   naturally   lead  to 
 peafce,  love,  joy,  and  meeknefs.     We 
 are  affured,  that  all  things  work,  together 
 for  good  to  them  that  love  God  5    Even 
 our  light  ajfliSions,  that  endure  but  for  a 
 moment,  work,. for  us  afar  more  exceed- 
 ing,  and  eternal  weight  of  glory*     And 
 the  belief  of  this  eftablifhes  the  mind 
 againft  all  the  (hakings  of   adverfity. 
 And  we  may  add  to  all  the  former  con- 
 fiderations,  that  we  are  frequently  ex. 
 Col  3. 2.  horted  to  place  our  affeffions  on  the  things 
 that  are  above ;  to  leave  this  World  ( 'its 
 
 hurry 
 
The  Tenth  Sermon.  3  47 
 
 hurry  andnoife)  and  to  get  above  it 
 in  our  affe&ions  5  and  to  view  with 
 fatisfa&ion  and  eafe  Camidft  our  loweft 
 depreffionsj  that  Country  that  is  a- 
 bove. 
 
 g,  Another  part  of  our  Savi- 
 our** defign  was ,  to  unite  us  together 
 in  the  ftraiteft  bonds  of  humane  fociety. 
 In  order  to  which  he  hath  made  Love 
 the  badge  and  chara&er  of  his  profeffi- 
 on;  Soexaftly  fulfilling  the  Prophecies 
 concerning  the  Mejfias,  that  in  his  days 
 the  Wolf  /hould  dwell  with  the  Lamb,  the 
 Leopard,  and  the  Kid  timidly  down  to- 
 gether, i.  e.  that  the  fiercenefs  of  human 
 Nature  (hould  be  banilh'd,  and  all  the 
 rugged  and  uneven  excrefcencies  of 
 paffion,  the  boifterous  fwellings  of  hu- 
 mour (hould  be  filed  off.  John  the  Bap- 
 tiji,  told,  that  every  valley  Jhould  be  fill  d, 
 and  every  mountain  brought  low,  the  crook: 
 ed  Jhouldhemadejiraight,  and  the  rough 
 ways  Jhould  he  made  /moot A,  i.  e.  All 
 injuftice,  fraud,  and  opprcffion,  all 
 pride,  hypocrifie  and  violence,  {hould 
 give  place  unto  everlafting  righteouf- 
 nefs,  every  one  (hould  keep  his  own 
 poll;,  and  move  in  his  own  Orb,  with 
 
 con- 
 
348  The  Tenth  Sermon. 
 
 contentment  and  fobriety.  Hence  Ser- 
 vants are  exhorted  not  to  repine  at  their 
 condition  5  for  as  the  members  of  the 
 body  natural  muft  hold  their  diftance 
 and  fituation ,  fo  muft  the  members  of 
 the  body  political. 
 
 4.  Another  part  of  his  defign 
 was  to  liberate  us  from  the  Yoke  of 
 MoJesL&w.  I  only  name  this  particular, 
 I  will  not  infift  on  it  at  prcfent. 
 
 N  o  w  if  the  defign  of  Chriftian  R  e- 
 ligion  was  to  reftore  true  morality,  the 
 image  of  God,humility,patience,the  love 
 of  God,  and  contempt  of  the  World, 
 and  to  difcover  the  hypocrifie  and  wick- 
 ednefs  of  the  Pharifees :  Let  us  then 
 enquire. 
 
 In  the  Second  place ,  I  n  what  in- 
 ftances  the  Pharifaical  Religion  did 
 crofs  the  Chriftian  3  and  we  (hall  dif- 
 cover the  manifeft  oppofition  of  the 
 one  to  the  other.     When  we  confider 
 
 1:  T  H  e  Vices,  that  they  were  mod 
 addifted  to. 
 
 a.  The 
 
The  tenth  Sermon.  3  4^ 
 
 2.  T  h  e  Prejudices,  that  they  were 
 blinded  with. 
 
 ,  3.  T  H  e  Maxims,  and  (hifts  that 
 they  efpous'd  into  their  Doftrine ,  to 
 defend  their  wickednefs,  and  immora- 
 
 1,  Do  but  confider  the  Vices,  that 
 they  were  moft  addi&ed  to.  Pride, 
 contrary  to  the  humility  of  the  Gofpel. 
 Avarice,  in  pppoGcion  to  that  contempt 
 of  the  World  thai  our  Saviour  taught. 
 Hypocrliie,  that  overthrows  the  inge- 
 nuity recommended ,  and  enjoyn'd  by 
 our  Religion.  Revenge,  Cruelty,  and 
 Rebellion,  contrary  to  the  Loyalty, 
 Meeknefs,  and  Obedience  of  our  mofi 
 holy  Faith.  We  are  inform'd  by  Jofer  Antiq.  17. 
 phus  ( though  he  was  himfelf  much  ad-  . 
 di&ed  to  the  Setf:  of  the  Pharijees)  that 
 they  were  a  crafty  andfuhtile  generation  of 
 me*)  andfoperverfe  even  to  Princes  them- 
 /elves,  that  they  would  not  fear  many  times 
 openly  to  affront  them.  They  had  a 
 mighty  alcendent  over  the-People,  and 
 by  their  long  prayers,  fuperftitious 
 tricks,  and  disfigur'd  faces,  they  got 
 
 the 
 
j  JO  The  Tetrth  Sermom 
 
 the  Rable  once  of  their  fide,  and  by 
 their  intereft  in  the  multitude,  they  be- 
 came terrible  to  the  Governours. 
 
 4 
 
 Jofeph,  Alexander  Jannam ,  when  he  lay  a 
 dying,  advis  a  his  Queen  not  to  irritate 
 and  difpleafe  the  Pharifees$  and  told 
 her  plainly,  that  this  was  the  very  thing 
 that  derivd the  Odium  of  the  Nation  up- 
 on him,  that  he  had  comply  dfo  little  with 
 that  rejilefs  and  pragmatic^  Generation. 
 
 I F  the  Vices  of  the  Pharifees  prevail 
 amongft  the  Christians,  what  a  reproach 
 is  it  unto  us ,  and  to  our  Religion  > 
 When  we  remember  that  we  are  to  obey 
 for  Confcience  fake.  We  may  eafily  fee 
 that  there  is  nothing  more  oppofite  to 
 Chriftianity  than  Rebellion.  And  this 
 rery  Se£t  amongft  the  Jews  ftrove  to 
 advance  their  Religious  Tyranny  above 
 Greg,  the  the  Uigheji  Powers }    as  if  they  had 
 
 cent ltbt  btm  brec3  near  the  WaS*Me  Chair,  or  a 
 3d.  And  General  Affembiy.  Many  Popes  declar'd 
 Boniface  it  to  be  of  neceflity  to  Salvation ,  to 
 Vide  ah*  everY  humane  Creature  to  be  fubjeft  to 
 cf  the     the  Roman  Pontiff '•   and  the  inftances 
 
 %ml A^"  are  raany  as  ^ey  are  u»deniable.  There- 
 in     fore  we  are  fmoothly  told  by  fome  of 
 
 them, 
 
the  Tenth  Sermon.  35 1 
 
 them,  that  this  is  not  matter  of  Faith, 
 but  Difcipline.  I  confefs  it  is  Difcipline, 
 and  that  of  the  fevereft  kind  for  a  King 
 to  be  depos'd  ,  and  fent  to  a  Monaftery 
 as  Childerick,  was.  And  the  power  by 
 which  this  was  done,  is  faid  by  Bellar- 
 mine  to  be  acknowledg'd  communi  ca* 
 tholicorum  fintentia$  and  I  think,  that 
 he  underftood  their  Do&rine  as  well  as 
 any  other. 
 
 But  the  Genius  of  this  Seft  among 
 the  Jews  will  appear. 
 
 ^.  If  we  confider  the  Prejudices 
 wherewith  they  were  blinded ,  and 
 which  kept  them  from  believing  our 
 Saviour  to  be  the  Mejfias*  Now5  left  I 
 fhould  feem  to  make  up  an  account  of 
 their  prejudices  againft  our  Saviour  that 
 is  purely  imaginary  5  I  (hall  confine  my 
 Narration  only  to  the  New  Tefiament. 
 Aid, 
 
 1.  The  Pharifees valued themfelves 
 on  the  Authority  of  Mofes  Chair.  And 
 this  they  magnify'd  to  that  height,  that 
 they  impos'd  their  di&ates  on  all  men 
 for  infallible  Oracles.  The  People  (they 
 
 thought) 
 
3  j  z  Tl?e  Tenth  Sermon. 
 
 thought  J  fhould  receive  their  Opini- 
 ons without  fcruple  or  hefitation.  They 
 only  underftood  the  Law,  and  the  true 
 meaning  of  it  •  and  if  any  had  been  at 
 any  time  fo  daring  and  prefumptuous, 
 as  to  queftion  their  Skill  and  Integrity, 
 he  was  prefently  Excommunicated. 
 This  was  the  fevereft  Tyranny  over 
 Mens  Confciences$  not  to  fee  with 
 thofe  Eyes  that  God  gave  them  was 
 very  hard :  And  yet  thofe  very  Men, 
 that  valued  themfelves  on  the  Authority 
 of  Mofes  Chair  >  declar'd  fitting  in  Coun- 
 cil from  that  very  Chair  y  that  our  Saviour 
 was  an  Impojior.  So  we  have  the  Church 
 in  her  Soveraign  reprefentatives  erring 
 with  a  witnefs. 
 
 Matth.23:  But  our  llejjed  Redeemer  reafoned 
 8, 9.  '»•  men  into  the  belief  of  his  Do&rine.  It 
 was  with  an  eye  to  this  pretended  In- 
 fallibility, that  our  Saviour  forbad  his 
 Difciples  to  be  called  Rabbi,  Father, 
 or  Matter  upon  the  Earth.  We  cannot 
 think  that  ever  he  defign'd  to  take  a- 
 way  the  diftin&ions  of  Order  and 
 civil  Dependance  :  (  for  there  is  no  in- 
 ftitution  that  eftablifhes  the  fubordina 
 tion  of  inferiour  degrees ,   upon  fuch 
 
 fare 
 
The  Tenth  Sermon.  3  j  -> 
 
 fure  and  lafting  Foundations  as  Ours 
 doth. )  Yet,  in  the  place  lately  cited 
 he  reproves  the  imperious  Vanity  of 
 them  that  requir'd  a  blind  and  implicite 
 Obedience  to  their  Command ,  that 
 would  oblige  the  People  to  receive  ail 
 that  they  fay  without  Examination  or 
 Tryal  5  and  if  any  of  his  Difciples 
 would  fet  up  for  a  Rabbi,  or  Matter  in 
 that  ienfe,  he  tells  them  plainly,  that  it 
 was  inconfiftent  with  the  weaknefs  and 
 dependance  of  humane  Nature,  for  one 
 was  their  Majier  even  Chrijt* 
 
 ASecond  Prejudice  againft  our 
 Saviour  and  his  Doftrine,  was  the  O- 
 pinion  of  their  own  Tradition,  which 
 they  affirmed  to  have  been  deriv'd  from 
 Mojet,  together  with  the  written  Law  5 
 and  thefe  Traditions  they  multiply  *d 
 unto  infinite  fancies,  and  fcrupulofities. 
 So  that  their  Religion  now  became  an 
 intolerable  burthen  to  their  memories. 
 When  any  ventured  to  tranfgrefs  their 
 Traditions,  they  perfecuted  him  with 
 fptte  and  indignation.  S.  Paul  tells  us  of 
 himfelf,  that  when  he  was  a  Pharijce, 
 he  was  zealous  of  the  Traditions  of  the 
 Fathers  5  and  that  he  thought  himfelf 
 A  a  obliged 
 
354  The  Tenth  Sermon, 
 
 obliged  to  do  many  things  again  ft  the  name 
 of  "jejus. 
 
 When  they  faw  the  Difciples  of 
 our  Saviour  tranfgreffing  their  little 
 rules  and  obfervances,  they  rudely  quar- 
 rel with  him }  and  asked  ,  Why  do  thy 
 Difciples  tratifgrefs  the  Tradition  of  the 
 Eiders  $  And  our  Saviour  anfwered  , 
 why  do  you  alfo  tranfgrefs  the  Command- 
 ment of  God  by  your  Tradition  ?  And 
 with  the  fame  feverity  he  again  reproves 
 their  Superftition ,  For  laying  afide  the 
 Commandment  of  God ,  ye  hold  the  Tra- 
 dition of  men.  As  if  he  had  faid,  you 
 pretend  by  your  Traditions  to  explain 
 the  Law,  but  your  Commentaries  make 
 it  not  only  more  dark  and  intricate,  but 
 entirely  overthrow  it  5  and  inftead  of 
 folving  one  difficulty,  you  create  a 
 thoufand.  And  fuch  Reproofs  as  thefe 
 are  frequently  mixt  with  our  Saviours 
 Sermons.  We  are  not  to  underftand 
 the  univerfal  Traditions  of  the  Jewijh 
 Churchy  than  which  there  cannot  be  a 
 better  evidence  of  a  matter  of  Fact} 
 but  we  are  here  to  underftand  the  par- 
 ticular Doflrincs  that  creep'd  into  the 
 Churchy  in  its  Jaft  and  more  degenerate 
 
 periods, 
 
The  Tenth  Sermon.  j  j  ^ 
 
 periods,  by  which  men  promoted  their 
 private  Ambition  ,  and  impos'd  their 
 peculiar  Tenents  with  no  other  defigt?, 
 than  to  raife  their  own  Reputation,  up. 
 on  the  ruins  of  Gods  Law  and  Au- 
 thority. 
 
 A  Third  Prejudice  was  their  Do- 
 ftrine  of  Difpenfations.     And  this  was 
 indeed   one  of  their   moll   pernicious 
 maxims  by  which  they  weakened  the 
 ftrength  of  the  Law  upon  Mens  Con- 
 ferences.    Out  Saviour  took  notice  of 
 this  grofs  abufe  obliquely  in  the  verle 
 before  my  Tefct  :     And  more  dire&ly 
 reproves  it  in  the  Gofpel  of  S.  Mark.  S.Mark 7. 
 Their  Do&rine  of  the  Corban  was  the11, 
 moft  unnatural,  and  helUfh  contrivance, 
 that  ever  was  hatched  under  the  pre- 
 tence of  their  Vow  and  Religion  to  de- 
 fen:  their  Parents  5  as  if  the  obligati- 
 ons of  Nature  were  to  be  (haken  off, 
 and  evacuated,  By  the  ties  and  engage-' 
 ments  of  Religion  5  as  if  we  could  not 
 be  Rieligiotis   in  an   eminent    degree, 
 unlefs  firft  we  renoune'd  humanity  and 
 tetldernefs.    When  Religion  undermines 
 its-own  foundation*  then  it  becomes  the; 
 fa-ddeft    and  -tnoft  1  incurable   Diieat 
 A  a  2  Chrifti- 
 
3  j  6  The  7entb  Sermon. 
 
 Chriftianity  re&ifies  the  difarders  of 
 our  Nature,  and  yet  fome  Chriftians 
 p/etend  Religion  to  authorize  the  moft 
 barbarous  villanies}  and  have  invented 
 little  arts,  and  knavifh  fubterfuges  to 
 hide  their  hypocrifie  and  defign,  under 
 the  vizor  of  Religion. 
 
 4.  A  Fourth  Prejudice  againft 
 the  Simplicity  of  our  Saviour's  Do&rine 
 and  Appearance,  was  the  fplendor  of 
 their  outward  Worfhip  and  Ceremo- 
 nies. They  doated  on  the  Temple  of 
 Jerujalem,  and  thought  that  God  had 
 confin'd  his  favour  peculiarly  ta  that 
 place.  So  they  look  upon  the  Fabrick 
 of  it  with  Tranfport  and  Admiration^ 
 •  7. 4-  The  Temple  of  the  Lord ,  The  Temple  of 
 the  Lord  are  thefe.  And  it  feems  that 
 our  Saviours  Difciples  looked  on  the 
 the  Temple  with  more  than  ordinary 
 fondnefs*  when  he  told  them,  that 
 there  fhould  not  aflone  of  it  he  left  upon 
 another.  There  were  three  things  in 
 this  Religion  ,  that  dazl'd  mens  eyes, 
 and  inchanted  their  affe&ions.  j.  The 
 outward  Pomp?  and  Splendor  of  it. 
 x.  The  Severities  of  fome  outward  ob- 
 fervances.  And  5.  Their  corrupt  Max- 
 ims, 
 
The  Tenth  Sermon. 
 
 ims.  by  which  they  forc'd  their  Religi- 
 on ("contrary  to  its  original  purity  )  to 
 comply  with  their  Lulls  3  and  all  theft 
 things  made  it  a  Religion  wholly  o'p- 
 pofite  to  the  Chriftian. 
 
 I  Might  name  their  pride  and  un- 
 charttablenefb  towards  all  chat  differ'd 
 from  them  3  their  fuperftitious  nicenefs 
 in  little  things,  in  tithing  Mint  §  An- 
 nife,  and  Cummins  and  their  mighty 
 Zeal  to  make  Profely  tes.  All  which  are 
 over  and  over  again  reprov'd  in  the 
 New  Teftament, 
 
 Now  when  they  ftood  upon  fuch 
 unreafonable  prejudices,  and  defended 
 their  Do&rines  by  little  diftinftions  , 
 and  maxims  of  their  own  invention  5 
 They  could  not  but  be  proof  againft 
 the  Do&rine  and  Miracles  of  our  blejfed 
 Saviour.  1.  They  taught,  that  if  men 
 obeyed  the  Law  externally,  they  need- 
 ed not  trouble  themfclves,  with  the  re- 
 formation of  the  heart.  And  with  re- 
 gard to  this  pernicious  Mixim,  our 
 Saviour  tells  us  in  the  Text,  that  ex- 
 cept our  rigbteoufnefs  ftall  exceed  the 
 righteoufneft  ef  the  Scribes  and  Pharifees, 
 A  a  3  »>e 
 
 557 
 
358  The  Tenth  Sermon. 
 
 we  fl:aU  in  no  cafe  enter  into  the  kingdom 
 of  heaven.     We  could  not  exceed  the 
 .     Pharifees  in  that  kind  of  Religion,   to 
 which  they  were  molt  addi&ed  :  And 
 therefore  our  Religion  rauft  needs  be 
 of  another  ftamp  entirely,  pure,  gentle, 
 eafie  to  he  inireated ,  full  of  good  works 
 without  partiality \  and  without  hypocrifie. 
 2.  They  thought  that  they  might  com- 
 penfate  for  moral  Mifcarriages,  by  long 
 prayers,    and   bodily    feverities.     And 
 they  would  gladly  fubmit  to  any  thing, 
 rather  than  reform  what  ought  to  be 
 truly  amended,    3.  They  believ'd  they 
 might  merit  eternal  Life  by  the"  obfer- 
 vation  of  one   Precept  5  though  they 
 liv'd  in  the  habitual  contempt,  and  vi- 
 olation of  all  the  reft.     Such  a  Precept 
 they  took  their  Sabbath  to  be. 
 
 WHEN  we  view  the  pure ,  and 
 unaffe&ed  complexion  of  our  Religion, 
 how  great  an  Enemy  it  is  to  all  unwor- 
 thy (hifts  and  difguifes  3  how  generous 
 and  refin'd,  above  that  Spirit  that  pre- 
 vails in  the  World ;  how  amiable  in 
 the  Eyes  of  God  and  Men  5  then  I  fay, 
 we  may  eafily  perceive ,  that  there  is 
 nothing  more  oppofite  unto  it  ,   than 
 
 that 
 
The  Tenth  Sermon.  3  5  p 
 
 that  peevifh  fuperftition  and  hypocrifie^ 
 that  prevail'd  in  thejewijh  Church  when 
 our  Saviour  appear'd.  And  to  the  end 
 that  we  may  feel  the  force  of  our  Re- 
 ligion to  the  belt  advantages  :  Let  us 
 obferve  the  following  Directions. 
 
 ons. 
 
 1.  W  E  mult  underftand  our  Religi-  bb*U* 
 on  thorowly  5  and  fix  it  in  our  Sculs 
 by  the  raoft  accurate,  and  ferious  con- 
 federation. For  though  the  motives  of 
 Chriftianity  be  of  that  moment,  that 
 they  may  eafily  conquer  our  Souls  5 
 yet,  unlefs  they  are  duly  applyed  by 
 Thought,  Reafon,  and  Meditation,  they 
 loofe  their  force  and  efficacy  5  and  they 
 never  impart  to  us  the  leaft  degree  of 
 fpiritual  courage  and  attivity.  God 
 affauhs  our  Reafon  in  the  firft  place, 
 and  when  we  are  overcome  by  Argu- 
 ment, we  are  then  a  willing  People  5  we 
 are  Subjefts  by  our  choice,  and  not  by 
 conftraint :  Therefore  are  we  frequent- 
 ly to  view  and  confider  the  motives, 
 and  arguments  of  our  Religion ,  aind 
 weigh  them  in  the  balance,  againft  the 
 difficulties  that  oppofe  us.  That  when 
 we  have  examin'd,  and  ferioufly  de* 
 bated  whatsoever  makes  for  or  againft 
 A  a  4  qmx 
 
3  60  The  Tenth  Sermon. 
 
 our  being  Chriftians$  we  may  go  forth 
 to  meet  our  Enemy,  with  fpiritual  fur- 
 niture and  ftrength.  Shall  the  World 
 and  itstriffling  Interefts  (notwithftand- 
 ing  that  we  are  convinc'd  of  its  empti- 
 nefs  and  vanity^  take  up  fo  many  of 
 our  Thoughts  ?  And  fhall  we  forget  our 
 immortal  Souls,  and  the  Judgment  to 
 come  ?  Religion  enters  the  Soul  by 
 Meditation ,  and  no  Man  can  be  Re- 
 ligious ,  but  by  the  a£b  of  his  Mind. 
 It  is  a  reafonable  fervice  that  we  are 
 call'd  to ,  and  to  make  us  continue  in 
 it  with  delight ,  our  Reafon  muft  be 
 firft  engag'd.  How  neceffary  this  con- 
 federation  is,  our  Saviour  reprefents  in 
 Luke  the  Gofpel  of  S.  Lufy,  What  King  go- 
 eth  out  to  war,  doth  not  firft  /it  down  and 
 conftder,  if  with  his  ten  thcufand  he  he 
 able  to  meet  him  that  comes  againji  him 
 with  twenty  thoufand.  Or  if  a  man  re„ 
 folve  to  build  a  Tower ,  he  firft  com- 
 putes the  expence  and  then  he  builds. 
 
 S  ug H  as  are  haftily  engag'd  in  the 
 fervice  of  Religion,  are  frequently  forc'd 
 to  retire  with  fhame  and  difhonour. 
 And  this  is  the  ufual  refult  of  rafh  and 
 unfettled  purpofes,  which  men  make  in 
 
 the 
 
The  Tenth  Sermon.  361 
 
 the  heat  of  their  paffion ,   and  under 
 the  power  of  fome  tranfient  convi&ion. 
 
 a.  We  are  always  to  perfer  the£;Vt#i- 
 Morals  of  Religion  to  its  leffer  Ap-0*'- 
 pendages,  and  Ceremonies  5  and  to  re- 
 member that  the  laft,  are  only  fub- 
 fervient  to  advance  the  firft.  True 
 Chriftian  Life  is  the  Tranfcript  of  the 
 Divine  Natures  Be  ye  holy ,  as  I  ami  Pet.  1. 
 holy.  And  again,  Be  ye  merciful ,  <ftis>i£» 
 your  Father  in  heaven  is  merciful.  There 
 are  fuch  legible  impreffions  of  the 
 Divine  Nature  felt  in  the  Souls  of 
 the  Regenerate,  that  they  attract  his 
 prefence,  they  are  his  peculiar  habita- 
 tions where  he  fixes  his  refidence. 
 Nothing  fo  enlarges  the  Spirit  of  a  Man, 
 as  to  fix  his  eyes  on  the  Life  of  jfe/Jkr, 
 to  view  with  attention  and  delight, 
 how  much  he  was  above  the  World, 
 when  environ'd  with  its  terrors  and 
 flatteries.  He  fpoke  of  the  invifible 
 things,  as  one  does  of  his  own  Country. 
 He  reafon'd  men  out  of  their  folly,  by 
 all  the  force,  and  weight  of  Heaven 
 and  Eternity.  And  if  we  allow  him 
 to  fpeak  to  our  Confidences ,  it  is  not 
 poffible  to  refill  his  reafonings.    He  went 
 
 about 
 
j6x  "The  Tenth  Sermon. 
 
 about  doing  good.  He  made  himfelf 
 acceffible  to  us  by  the  interpofal  of  his 
 humanity  5  that  we  might  fee  as  well 
 as  hear  the  beauties  of  Chriftian  Re- 
 ligion He  taught  us  a  Do&rine  that 
 is  exa&ly  calculated  to  refine  our  Na- 
 ture 5  to  make  us  better  in  all  relati- 
 ons. And  by  this  rule  we  are  to  ex- 
 amine the  different  pretences  of  all  di- 
 vided Parties.  If  they  advance  by  the 
 plained  and  nearell:  methods,  true  Piety, 
 Innocency  and  Simplicity ,  and  propa- 
 gate them  in  the  Spirit  of  Love,  II- 
 nity  and  Subordination  5  this  is  the 
 fureft  mark  to  know  that  they  belong 
 to  the  Houfehold  of  Faith. 
 
 3.  We  are   here  but  Pilgrims  and 
 
 Strangers ,   we  are  fo  to  demean   our 
 
 felves,  as  Candidates  for  Eternity.  Our 
 
 Chriftian  Life  is  but  a  flight  from  the 
 
 World,  and  the  more  we  are  alienated 
 
 from  the  Spirit  that  prevails  in  it  5  the 
 
 more  ripe  we  are  for  that  incorruptible 
 
 inheritance  that  is  referv'd  for  us.   Let 
 
 us  make  the  things  of  another  World 
 
 prefent  to  our  felves  by  Faith,  For  the 
 
 fafbion  of  this  World  pajjeth  away.    And 
 
 we  are  fhortly  to  appear  before  Gods 
 
 ^J  Tribunal, 
 
The  Tenth  Sermon.  j  6  j 
 
 Tribunal ,  ftript  naked  of  all  the  thin 
 cobwebs  and  excufes,  whereby  we  en- 
 deavour'd  to  hide  our  deformities  up- 
 on Earth. 
 
 4      ~ 
 
 4.  And  laftly,  When  you  have  de- 
 liberately refolv'd,  confider  the  evil  of 
 back-flidingand  its  dreadful  confluen- 
 ces.    There  are  but  few ,    who  plainly 
 and  openly  deny  the  Faith  unto  which 
 they  are  Baptized  5  yet,  many  hundreds 
 deny  the  Lord  that  bought  them ,  by 
 their  wicked    Lives  and    unchriftian 
 Praftices.     Now   the  juji  /ha//  live   lyueb.  10. 
 Faith  3   hut  if  any  man  draw  hack ,  my  38,  39. 
 Soul  (hall  have  no  pleafitre  in  him.     But 
 we  are  not  of  them  who  draw  hack,  into  per- 
 dition ,  hut  of  them  that  believe  to  the 
 
 faving  of  the  Soul. 
 
 To  God  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy 
 Ghoji,  be  all  Glory ,  Praife  and 
 Do  minion  1  for  ever.     Amen* 
 
 A 
 
}«5 
 
 SERMON 
 
 Preached  on 
 
 Whitfunday^   1688. 
 
 o  N 
 Acts  ii.   v.  i,  2,  3,4. 
 
 And  when  the  day  of<Pentecoft  was  ful- 
 ly come,  they  were  all  with  one  ac- 
 cord in  one  place. 
 
 Andfuddenly  there  came  a  found  from 
 heaven,  as  of  a  rufhing  mighty  wmd# 
 *nd  it  filled  all  the  houfe  where  they 
 •pen  fitting. 
 
 And 
 
3  66  The  Eleventh  Sermon* 
 
 And  there  appeared' unto  them  cloven- 
 tongues 'j  like  as  of  fire ,    and  it  fat 
 -    upon  each  of  them. 
 
 And  they  were  all  filled  with  the  Holy 
 GhoJi}  and  began  to  [peak  with  other 
 tongues ,  as  the  Spirit  gave  them  ut- 
 terance. 
 
 THE  Chriftmii  Church  'Mi 
 the  Afcenfion  of  our  Blefled 
 Saviour  into  Heaven  until  the 
 Effufion  of  the  Holy  Ghofl  up- 
 on the  Apoftles,  was  full  of,  .great  expe- 
 ctations and  great  fears  5  they  had  irot 
 yet  quite  broke  off  from  the  Commu- 
 nion of  the  Jewiili  Church ;  yet  they 
 continued  in  their  folitude  and  retire- 
 ments, and  in  the  true  exercife  of  Cha- 
 rity and  Patience  ,  until  our  Saviour 
 lhould  fcatter  his  Royal  Donatives  upon 
 his  folemn  and  'magnificent  entrance  into 
 the  Heavens.  By  whicfoGifts  and  Graces 
 the  Apoftles  were  enabled  to  aflert  t,he 
 Truth  of  our  Religion  boldly  ,  and  pro- 
 claim the  glad  tidings  of  Salvation  to"a!l 
 
 Nations 
 
The  Eleventh  Sermon.  ^67 
 
 Nations  ;  and  the  Literal  Judaifm  was  to 
 give  place  to  the  Myftical  ,  and  the 
 Meffias  was  not  only  to  be  the  Glory  of 
 his  people  Ifrael,  but  a  Light  to  lighten 
 the  Gentiles. 
 
 Our   Saviour  after  his  Refurre£Hon 
 gave  all  aflurance  to  the  Apoftles ,    that 
 he  would  fend  them  another  Comforter^ 
 when  He  was  gone  unto  the  Father ,    an 
 Advocate  to  plead  his  Caufe  fuccefeful- 
 ly;    one  who  Ihould  infpire  them  with 
 ftrength  and  skill  to  defie  and  refift  all 
 the  Calumnies  and  Slanders  of  Infideli- 
 ty ;     and  therefore   they  ought  not  to 
 give  way  either  to  grief,  forrow,  or  de- 
 spondency.     For,  all  Power  in  Heaven 
 and  in  Earth  was  given  to  their  Lord  and 
 Matter :  He  was  higheft  in  the  Glory  of 
 the  Father:    He  was  not  only  declared 
 to  be  the  Son  of  God  by  his  Refurreftion  pj,ii.  2. 
 from  the  dead ,    but  God  did  highly  ex  9> Ia- 
 alt  him  ,    and  gave  him  a  Name  which  is 
 above  every  Name ,    that  at  the  Name  of 
 Jefus  every  knee  fhould  low  ,    vf  things 
 in  Heaven  ,  and  things  in  Earth  ,     and 
 things    under   the  Earth.        He    inftru- Luke  24. 
 fted  them  formerly  in  the  Spiritual  Oe- 
 conomy  of  his  Kingdom,  that  they  need- 
 ed 
 
3<S8 
 
 The  Eleventh  Sermon. 
 
 ed  not  be  aihamed  of  the  Do&rine  of 
 the  Crofs,  that  it  behov'd  Cbriji  to  fuf 
 fer ,  and  to  rife  from  the  dead  the  third 
 day  3  to  the  end  that  repentance  and 
 remiflion  of  fins  (hould  be  preached  in 
 his  Name,  throughout  all  Nations,  begin- 
 ning at  Jerufalem  ;  and  withal,  that  He 
 was  net  unmindful  of  his  Promife  that 
 He  made  before  He  was  crucified ,  now 
 that  he  was  rifen  from  the  dead?  but  He 
 afTured  them  He  would  fend  the  Promife 
 of  the  Father  upon  them  ,  fo  much  to 
 their  comfort,  fuccefs  and  fatisfaclion , 
 that  the  whole  World  ihould  take  no- 
 tice of  it.  In  the  mean  time  they  were 
 to  remain  quiet  ,  and  knit  together  at 
 Jerufalem,  until  this  Promife  was  fuU 
 filled. 
 
 H  E  had  before  at  their  Ordination, 
 
 and  formal  Admiliion  into  the  higheft  Or- 
 
 john  to.    der  of  the  Church,  breathed  on  them^  and 
 21,11,23.  iac{  tfem  rec€jve  t}je  fioiy  Qh0flt     By  the 
 
 which  they  were  inverted  with  a  Legal 
 and  Authoritative  Title  to  aft  as  the 
 Ambafladors  of  Jefus  Chrift,  to  proclaim 
 his  Laws ,  to  require  the  Obedience  of 
 all  Nations,  to  convey  this  Power  unto 
 others ,   to  ereft  a  new  Society  diftindfc 
 
 ffom 
 
The  Eleventh  Sermon.  369 
 
 from  all  Secular  Incorporations,  to  bind 
 and  loofe  by  the  Cenfures  of  the  Church  5 
 but  ftill  ,  notwithftanding  of  their  Au- 
 thority they  remain'd  without  ftrength, 
 until  the  folemn  and  magnificent  Effii- 
 fion  of  the  Holy  Ghofl ,  by  which  their 
 Tongues  being  fired  from  Heaven,  their 
 oppofers  were  not  able  to  refift  the  Wif- 
 dom  by  which  chey  fpake.  Now,  was 
 the  Prophecy  of  Joel  fulfilled  in  the  high- 
 eft  fenfe  5  and  to  S.  Peter  applies  it  to 
 this  aftonifhing  and  heavenly  manifefta- 
 tion  5  And  it  {ball  come  to  pafs  in  the 
 lafl  days  ,  faith  God ,  /  will  poure  out  ofk&i  %: 
 my  Spirit  on  all  fle/b>  and  your  fons  and16* l7' 
 your  daughters  /hall  prophefie  ,  and  your 
 young  men  fhall  fee  vifions  ,  and  your  old 
 men  fhall  dream  dreams. 
 
 There  are  who  diftinguiPn  in  the 
 Writings  of  the  New  Teftamerit  ,  be- 
 tween the  Holy  Ghoft  and  the  Spirit;  x 
 and  that  the  Spirit  fignifies  the  Power  of 
 Miracles,  healing  the  vSick,  calling  out  of 
 Devils,  reftoring  fight  to  the  Blind,  raf- 
 fing the  Dead,  by  all  which  oar  Saviour 
 proved  himfelf  to  be  the  true  Metftas : 
 And  by  the  Holy  Ghojl  i  they  think  we 
 ought  to  undcrftand  the  wonderful 
 B  b  Gifts 
 
370 
 
 Tlx  Eleventh  Sermon. 
 
 Gifts  of  Utterance,  of  Languages,  of  In- 
 terpretation of  My  fteries,  by  which  the 
 Apoftles  were  enabled  in  a  moment  to 
 confound  all  the  arts  and  oppofitions  of 
 their  enemies  ,  to  run  down  with  evi- 
 dence all  the  calumnies  and  reproaches 
 invented  cither  by  Jew  or  Gentile,  againft 
 the  Perfon,  Life,  Do&rine  or  Miracles  of 
 our  blefled  Saviour. 
 
 But  we  (hall  have  abetter  view  of 
 this ,  when  we  fix  our  Meditations  on 
 that  part  of  Scripture  that  I  have  read, 
 and  confider  it  in  all  its  mutual  afpe&s 
 and  relations,  then  I  will  endeavour  to 
 gather  the  feveral  Branches  of  it  toge- 
 ther again  in  the  Application. 
 
 We  find  that  the  Apoftles  did  exact- 
 ly obey  the  Command  of  our  Saviour, 
 they  tarried  at  Jeru/alem  waiting  for  the 
 promife  of  the  Father.  ,  The  Text  hath 
 in  it  the  accomplifliment  of  this  Promife, 
 and  becaufc  it  is  fo  peculiar  to  this  day 
 to  commemorate  the  EfFufion  of  the  Ho- 
 lyGhofl^  with  the  highefl;  Joy  and  Grati- 
 tude, I  will  invite  your  attention  to  thefe 
 three  Particulars  in  the  words  that  I 
 have  read* 
 
The  Eleventh  Sermon.  \yi 
 
 i.  The  difpofirion  that  the  Apoflles 
 Were  in  to  receive  the  Holy  Ghoft,  they 
 were  all  with  one  accord  in  one  place* 
 
 x.  The  fenfible  Emblem  of  it  mani- 
 fefted,  i.  To  their  Ears  in  the  fecond 
 Verfe  ;  and  to  their  Eyes  in  the  third 
 Verfe.     And, 
 
 3.  Here  is  the  Accomplifhment of 
 the  Promife,  the  fuccefs  and  the  appear- 
 ance of  it  5  they  were  all  filled  with  the 
 Holy  Ghofl,  they  began  to  [peak  with 
 other  Tongues ,  as  the  Spirit  gave  them  , 
 utterance. 
 
 1.  Confider  the  Difpofuion  that  they 
 were  in  to  receive  it.  They  were  all  with 
 one  accord  in  one  place.  The  Holy  Spi- 
 rit cannot  dwell  in  thofe  Breads  that  are 
 gangreen'd  with  difcords  ,  jars  and  ani- 
 mofities.  AH  our  wild  paffions  and  un- 
 friendly humours  mud  be  hufli'd  into 
 filence  at  the  approach  of  this  heavenly 
 Gueft;  he  chufes  for  his  refidence  &  habi- 
 tation thofe  pure  and  innocent  Souls  that 
 breath  nothing  but  love,candor,  fimpliri- 
 ty  and  meeknefs:  the  fecret  retirements  of 
 Bbr  the 
 
3 7 1  77;e  Eleventh  Sermon, 
 
 the  Mind  where  he  dwells  muft  be  made 
 fmooth,  even,  and  regular :  the  rugged 
 and  intricate  circuits  of  Hypocrifie,  Ha- 
 tred and  Envy,  are  inconfiftent  with  his 
 Prefence.     He  loves  to  fix  his  refidence 
 where  there  are  fome  beautiful  Linea- 
 ments of  himfelf.     The    peaceablenefs, 
 the  charity,  the  mutual  love  and  zeal 
 of  promoting  the  welfare  of  one  ano- 
 ther   was  io  remarkable    in  the  firft 
 Chriftians,  that  we  muft  needs  confefs 
 they  were  a&ed  by  a  Spirit  beyond  the 
 World:  this  peace,  and  love  and  unani- 
 mity is  fo  effential  to  the  Chriftian  Re- 
 ligion, that  our  Saviour  made  it  the 
 
 John.  *  badge  and  Chara&er  of  his  Difciples  i 
 hereby  /bail  all  men  knew  that  you  are  my 
 difciples^  if  ye  love  one  another.  It  is  the 
 fulfilling  of  the  Law,  without  it  there  is 
 no  accefs  for  our  Prayers.  We  are  com- 
 manded, when  we  bring  our  gift  to  the 
 Altar,  to  leave  it  there  unoffered,  until 
 
 Matth.  5.  we  are  reconciled  to   cur  Brother.     And 
 
 23=24,2-5.  we  arc  direfted  by  the  Apbftle  St.  /W, 
 to  lift  up  holy  hands  without  wrath  or 
 doubting*     In  a  word,  the  wifdom  that 
 
 Jam.-3.17.  js  fom  ahove  is  firfl  pure9  then  peace* 
 able^  eafie  to  he  intreated,  full  of  mercy, 
 andgpodfruitSt  without partiality \and  with- 
 
 -    out 
 
the  Eleventh  Sermon.  373 
 
 out  hypocrifie.  And  a  little  before  he 
 telleth  us3  that  bitter  envyings  and  fir  if e 
 are  the  Companions  of  that  wifdom  that 
 u  earthly  >  fenfual  and  devilijh.  Nay, 
 this  Hatred  and  Enmity  makes  up  the 
 very  nature  of  the  Devil ,  and  if  you 
 could  divide  him  and  his  Malice,  he  were 
 no  more  a  Devil,  nor  oppofite  to  God  : 
 for  God  is  Love,  and  they  that  dwell  in 
 God  dwell  in  Love  5  and  the  frequent  re- 
 petitions of  Love,  in  the  firft  Epiftle  of 
 St.  John,  give  us  to  underftand,  that  the 
 Love  of  God  and  his  Neighbour  did 
 aftuate  and  enliven  his  Soul  to  the  high- 
 eft  warmth  and  Charity. 
 
 When  we  look  upon  the  Apoftles 
 in  this  interval  between  Chrifts  Afcen- 
 fion,  and  the  effufion  of  the  Holy  Ghoft, 
 before  they  proclaimed  ( boldly  and  o- 
 penly  )  the  wonderful  things  of  God  in  the 
 name  of  Refits,  before  they  came  forth 
 with  dilplayed  Banners  againft  the 
 Kingdom  of  darknefs,  then  it  was  that 
 their  Unity  did  miraculoufly  fupport 
 them,  and  what  degrees  of  chearfulnefs 
 and  courage  were  found  in  any  of  them, 
 came  feafonably  to  the  relief  of  every 
 one  upon  all  occafions.  Their  Unity 
 B  b  3  firft, 
 
3  74  ^e  Eleventh  Sermon. 
 
 firft  ftrengthened  their  Prayers  ,  they 
 went  up  to  Heaven  as  the  Evening  Sa- 
 crifice, and  with  united  force  prevailed. 
 The  Prayers  of  thofe  Souls  that  are  knit 
 in  Charity  foon  fly  to  the  Ears  of  God, 
 they  are  raifed  above  the  Skies  on  the 
 wingj  of  fervent  Love  m0  the  Devotions 
 that  are  harmonioufiy  poured  forth  oa 
 Earth,  refound  with  an  Eccbo  in  the  Hea- 
 vens, as  if  the  Inhabitants  of  the  upper 
 and  the  lower  World  had  begun  al- 
 ready the  mod  intimate  friendfliip  and 
 familiar  Converfe. 
 
 x.  Their  Unity  among  themfelves 
 filled  their  Souls  with  great  Tranquilli- 
 ty, and  though  they  were  not  yet  actu- 
 ally infpired  as  afterwards  they  were 
 with  the  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghojl ;  yet  by 
 their  unanimity  they  were  fo  prepared 
 for  them,  and  thirfted  .after  them,  as  the 
 parched  and  gafping  Earth  thirds  for 
 the  fhowcrs  of  the  latter  Rain. 
 
 3.  This  Unity  had  with  it  alfo  fome 
 foretafts  of  the  joys  of  Heaven.  Thofe 
 triumphant  Spirits  that  are  above  are 
 twifted  together  in  the  mutual  Embra- 
 cest  of  Love,  it  is  their  Element  where 
 
 they 
 
The  Eleventh  Sermon.  375 
 
 they  move ,  it  is  the  life  of  their  Soul, 
 they  cannot  live  without  it  either  here 
 or  hereafter, 
 
 4.  This  Unity  difpos'd  the  Apo- 
 ftles,  and  the  Djfciples  to  a  clearer  un- 
 derftandingof  the  truths  of  the  Kingdom 
 of  Heaven.  Truth  is  the  true  nourifh-  _ 
 ment  of  the  Mind,  and  this  Truth  en- 
 ters not  in  its  force  and  influence,  un- 
 lefs  the  Soul  is  firfl:  alienated  from  all 
 harfli,  rugged  and  ill-natured  Paflions; 
 Proud  and  unmortified  Men  may  make 
 a  great  oftentation  of  Wifdom  and  Know- 
 ledge, but  the  truth  all  this  time  is 
 not  fuccefsfully  united  to  the  eflence 
 of  the  Mtnd,  and  the  retirements  of  the 
 Confcience ;  though  the  words  that  con- 
 vey it  to  our  Ears  may  be  lodg'd  in 
 the  memory  and  imagination  5  when  we 
 come  to  know  the.  Truth  in  its  divine  . 
 energy  and  f\rength>then  are  we  made  free 
 from  fin,  and  hereby  we  know  that  we  know 
 him,  if  we  keep  his  Commandments. 
 
 Now  the  A  pottles  locked  themfelvea 
 
 up  from  the  noife  of  the  World,   and 
 
 felt  thofe  invifible  fupports  of  Faich  and 
 
 Love,  when  as  yet  they  had  not  cou- 
 
 B  b  4  rage 
 
5  7  6  The  Eleventh  Sermon, 
 
 rage  enough  to  venture  abroad,  but  U- 
 nity  cannot  long  be  preferred  without 
 uniformity,  and  therefore  they  are  faid 
 not  only  to  be  of  one  accord,  but  alfo  in  one 
 place. 
 
 The  Order  and  Difcipline  of  the 
 Catholick  Church  into  which  we  are 
 received  by  Baptifm,  oblige  not  only  to 
 inward  peace,  but  alfo  to  an  outward 
 Decorum,  and  vifible  Uniformity.  The 
 int.  Church  in  the  language  of  Solomon  is 
 beautiful  as  Tirzah ,  comely  a*  Jerufalem, 
 terrible  as  an  Army  with  banners.  The 
 comprehenfive  Apoftolick  Canon  is,  that 
 all  things  be  done  with  decency  and  in 
 order  $  and  therefore  are  we  exhorted 
 by  the  Author  to  the  Hebrews,  not  to 
 for  fake  the  afftmbling  of  our  f elves  toge- 
 ther as  the  manner  of  fome  is,  i.  e.  We 
 are  not  to  ere&  Altar  againft  Altar,  but 
 to  continue  in  the  Communion  of  the 
 Chrtftian  Church,  obferving  thofe  Laws 
 and  Rules,  by  which  the  fpiritual  Socie- 
 ty of  Chrifts  Family  has  been  beft  pre- 
 ferred in  the  times  of  greatefl  danger 
 and  perfecutipn.  If  we  cut  our  fclves 
 cfF  from  Chrifts  myftical  Body,  the  con- 
 sequences are  fatal  and  dreadful. 
 
 The 
 
The  Eleventh  Sermon.  3  yy 
 
 The  publick  Worlhip  of  the  San- 
 ctuary is  Chrifts  Trophy  over  his  Ene- 
 mies s  his  Standard  erected  and  fet  up  in 
 thofe  very  places  where  the  Devil  had 
 his  Altars  3  are  not  his  Oracles  now  fi- 
 lenced,  and  his  Sacrifices  deferred,  where 
 our  Saviour  is  acknowledged  King  and 
 Sovereign?     Is  not  the  publick  Worlhip 
 the  very  joy  of  our  hearts,  as  the  Pro- 
 phet foretold,     Come  ye,  and  let  us  go  m.  2*3. 
 up  to  the  mountain  of  the  Lord,    to  the 
 houfe  of  the  God  of  Jacob ,   and  he  will 
 teach  us  of  his  ways,  and  we  will  walk  in 
 his  paths.     See  with  what  fervour  the 
 beft  of  Gods  Servants  pray  for  it,  and 
 with  what  fatisfa&ion  they  fpeak  of  it ; 
 Pity  (faith  Daniel)  thy  Sanftuary  /to  Dan.  9. 
 is  defolate  for  the  Lords  fake.     And  the 
 Pfalmift,    Thy  fervants  take  pleafure  i/;Pfal.  122. 
 her  very  ftones,  and  favour  the  dufl  there-  p£,j.I0*. 
 of     And  again,    /  was  glad  when  they  14- 
 f aid  unto  me,  let  us  go  into  the  houfe  of 
 the  Lord,  our  feet  jhall  fland  within  thy 
 gate,  0  Jerufalem. 
 
 How  hateful  then  are  they  to  God, 
 and  how  contrary  to  the  Spirit  and  de- 
 fign  of  the  Gofpel,  who  deftroy  the  pub- 
 lick 
 
I  j  8  The  Eleventh  Sermon. 
 
 lick  Worfhip,  and  the  uniform  Meetings 
 of  Chrifts  Family  upon  Earth  by  Fafti- 
 on,  Mutiny,  Tumult,  Schifm,  or  Difobe- 
 dience  ?  Is  it  not  fad  to  confider  how 
 implacably  Schifmaticks  are  fet  to  de- 
 ftroy  the  peace  and  order  of  the  San- 
 ctuary ?  'Tis  true  (as  we  fliall  have 
 occafion  to  confider  within  a  little)  the 
 Holy  Ghoji  came  upon  the  Apoftles  in  cloven 
 tongues  of  fire,  but  all  fiery  Tongues  are 
 not  from  the  Holy  Ghoji.  A  Sett  there 
 is  of  unquiet  and  refllefs  Spirits,  who 
 have  no  Principles  but  what  tend  to  de- 
 ftru&ion  ;  and  though  it  be  no  part  of 
 my  defign  or  inclination  to  rake  into 
 that  Puddle  of  little  Cavils  and  Excep- 
 tions, that  have  been  boifteroufly  vent- 
 ed agairift  the  beauty  and  order  of  our 
 National  Church,  yet  I  would  offer  to 
 the  confederation  of  the  meaneft  Hearer 
 thefe  four  Particulars ;  and  then  let  them 
 declare  their  thoughts  of  the  prefent 
 Schifm,  and  Wall  of  Partition,  that  the 
 Freslyterians  have  raVd  between  them- 
 felves  and  the  Catholick  Church. 
 
 i.  Consider,  thatthey  and  their 
 Pra&ices  arc  difclaim'd  by  all  Prore- 
 ftant  Churches.     With  what  face  do 
 
 they 
 
Tlte  Eleventh  Sermon.  379 
 
 they  alledge  that  they  themfelves  are 
 the  ftri&eft  Patrons  of  the  Reformation, 
 who  have  deferted  all  other  Churches, 
 and  by  their  Principles  now  think  it  un- 
 lawful to  keep  the  Communion  of  any 
 fetled  Church  in  Europe? 
 
 2.  Are  they  not  Nonconformifts  to 
 themfelves;  Their  former  Confeffionsof 
 Faith*  and  their  Ringleaders,  as  well 
 as  to  the  prefent  Church  >  the  windings 
 and  turnings  of  Errour  are  infinite,  it 
 leads  them  to  a  thoufand  abfurdities,  it 
 hath  no  folid  Bafis  to  reft  upon,  but  the 
 prefent  era/is  of  the  Imagination,  and  as 
 that  changes  its  Figure,  the  Errour 
 fhifts  its  appearance,  and  comes  forth 
 with  further  improvements.  And  yet 
 fuch  is  the  unlucky  fate  of  all  Schifma- 
 ticks,  that  after  all  their  refinings  and 
 Reformations,  they  flill  retain  fome  one 
 thing  or  other  that  baffles  and  confounds 
 all  their  childifh  and  whiffling  Obje- 
 ,  ftions  againft  the  Church.  I  will  in- 
 ftance  but  in  one  Particular,  which  to 
 this  day  is  pra&ifed  by  the  Fresbyteri- 
 ans,  and  that  is,  they  appoint  Adulte- 
 rers, and  fuch  as  are  moft  eminently 
 fcandalous  to  wear  Sackcloth  in  their 
 
 pub- 
 
j  80  The  Eleventh  Sermon. 
 
 publick  Confeffions  and  Humiliations^ 
 to  fignifie  their  deep,  fincere,  and  un- 
 feigned remorfe  and  contrition.  And  is 
 not  this  a  fignificant  Ceremony  ?  and 
 of  human  appointment  too  >  and  in  the 
 publick  Wbrfhip  of  God.  Let  them 
 turn  the  batteries  of  all  their  Arguments 
 (  by  which  they  endeavour  to  over- 
 throw all  the  decent ,  and  univerfally 
 received  ufages  of  the  Church  )  againft 
 this  their  own  practice  and  if  after  all  they 
 conclude  their  pra&ice  to  be  juft  and 
 reafonable,  they  mud  in  the  fame  breath 
 infer,  that  all  their  former  Arguments 
 againft  Rites  and  Ceremonies  (  impos'd 
 by  lawful  Ecclefiaftical  Authority)  are 
 all  of  them  Nonfenfe  and  Enthufiafm. 
 
 3.  What  was  it  that  might  have 
 been  faid  to  prove  any  order  of  Men 
 fchifmatick  from  the  firft  plantations  of 
 Chriftianity,  which  may  not  with  grea- 
 ter reafon  be  levell'd  againft  them  ?  and 
 what  is  it  that  can  be  pleaded  in  their 
 Defence,  that  may  not  more  plaufibly 
 be  alledged  in  behalf  of  the  moft  noto- 
 rious Schifmaticks,  that  are  known  to  be 
 fuch  m  the  publick  Records  of  the 
 Church  ?    And 
 
 4.  If 
 
The  Eleventh  Sermon]  3  8 1 
 
 4.  I F  we  fliould  quit  our  ground  and 
 leave  the  Field  open  to  their  Pride  and 
 Vanity,  can  they  ( in  that  cafe )  upon 
 their  own  Principles,  fecure  themfelves 
 againft  infinite  fra&ions  and  fubdivifi- 
 ons  ?  But  I  remember  this  is  not  the 
 thing  I  defign  to  fpeak  to,  but  to  re- 
 commend Uniformity  as  the  ligament 
 of- that  inward  Peace  and  true  Order, 
 that  Chrift  defign'd  fhould  flourifh  in  his 
 Church. 
 
 3.   Here  I  take  notice  of  their 
 Faith  and  Patience  from  the  firft  mo- 
 ment that  they  laid  hold  on  the  Pro- 
 mife,  until  the  accomplifh- 
 ment  of  it.    The  Hellenift    ■  vid« Grot-  ^ur  enin 
 
 ?i  •  1  j  ^  a      j     h*c  n°n  *e  un&  dtg  fed  de 
 
 ews  did  not  underftand   tm  dierum  ambtJ 
 
 by  the  day  of  Fentecofi  the 
 
 very  laft  day,  but  the  whole  period  of 
 
 fifty  days  from  the  Paflbver,  for  the  laft 
 
 day  of  thofe  feven  w7eeks  was  the  day 
 
 of  the  Promulgation  of  the  Law ,    as 
 
 may  be  probably  gathered  from  Exec/. 
 
 19.  v.  11.   And  for  this  very  reafon  was 
 
 called  *  the  feaft  of  the  Law.   Upon  that*Vid. 
 
 day  began  the  New  Law  to  be  folemnly  Grot,  in 
 
 published  in  the  moft  Royal  and  Mag  Loc* 
 
 nificenc 
 
1 8 i  Tl?e  Eleventh  Sermon. 
 
 nificent  manner.  The  former  Law  was 
 proclaim'd  by  Earthquakes ,  Fire  and 
 Thunderclaps,  Smoak  and  Terrour,  that 
 fliook  the  courage  of  Mofes  himfelf,  as 
 we  are  told  by  the  Author  to  the  He- 
 brews :  But  the  New  Law  by  a  Method 
 more  heavenly  andmyfterious,  the  evi- 
 dence and  demonftratton  of  the  Spirit. 
 The  Gofpel  appear 'd  with  Light  and 
 Majefty  to  revive,  not  to  terrifie  the 
 World  that  was  funk  in  corruption. 
 
 All  this  time,  I  fay,  from  the  Paff- 
 over  to  Pentecofls  theApoftles  waited 
 for  the  accompliftiment  of  the  Promife, 
 by  which  we  fee  their  Patience  and  un- 
 fhaken  Conftancy.  The  Miracles  that 
 our  Saviour  had  wrought  in  their  pre- 
 fence,  and  his  Refurre&ion  from  the 
 dead  did  arm  them  againftall  doubts  of 
 his  Promife ;  they  retted  fecurely  on  his 
 Word,  and  though  they  felt  not  as  yet 
 the  accompliftiment  of  it,  yet  were  they 
 rais'd  in  their  hopes  to  a  certainty  be- 
 yond all  diffidence  and  Unbelief  5  if 
 we  then  but  confider  the  Unity  and 
 compofure  of  their  Mindf  the  Beauty, 
 Order,  and  Uniformity  of  their  Wor- 
 (hip  and  Society;  the  patience  and  fted- 
 
 ifaflnefs 
 
The  Eleventh  Sermon.  3  83 
 
 faftnefc  of  their  Faith  ,  until  the  Prc^ 
 mife  was  accomplifhed,  we  may  eafily 
 perceive  in  what  an  excellent  difpofiti- 
 on  they  were  -**>  to  receive  the  Holy 
 Ghoft  in  that  plentiful  meafure,  and  for 
 thofe  ends  that  it  was  defign'd  for.  And 
 now  we  go  forward  to  Confider  f 
 
 2.  The  fenfible  Emblem  of  the 
 Holy  Ghoft  as  it  (truck  upon  two  of  their 
 nobleft  and  moft  perceptive  Senfes>  their 
 hearing  and  their  feeing ;  the  one  the 
 fenfe  of  Faith ,  the  other  the  fenfe  of 
 Love. 
 
 i«  I  Say,  the  fenfe  of  Faith  inthefe 
 words,  fuddenly  there  came  a  found  from 
 heavent  as  of  a  mighty  rufhing  wind,  and 
 it  filled  all  the  Houfe  where  they  were 
 fitting.  And  this  is  a  very  proper  Em- 
 blem of  the  Holy  Ghoft  when  we  confi- 
 der, 1.  The  ftrength,  force,  and  a&ivity 
 of  it  5  it  came  fuddenly  as  of  a  mithty  „. 
 rujbtng  wind.  2.  from  whence  it  came,  dtvini 
 it  came  frem  Heaven.  3.  Where  it  light-  advenw. 
 cd,  it  filled  that  Houfe  where  they  were  ^c"'j^ 
 
 fitting.  voce&t&i* 
 
 a;  [  vehe- 
 mentis  ]  magnitudo  donorum  fufra  .  Pr&pbetica  figmficatur. 
 Vid.  Grot,  in  Lot. 
 
 I.    Co  N- 
 
 tum 
 
3  84  The  Eleventh  Sermon. 
 
 I.  G  o  n  s  I  d  e  k  the  ftrength,  fwift- 
 nefs,  and  loudnefsof  this  found  5  fo  loud, 
 that  the  found  of  the  Apoftolical  Preach- 
 Rom.18.  ing  went  out  into  all  the  earthy  and  their 
 |8*    *      words  unto  the  ends  of  the   world;    a 
 Sound  that  began  with  the  firft  Ages  of 
 the  World,  in  the  days  of  Noah,   and 
 in  time  of  the  fucceeding  Prophets^  until 
 the  Meflias  appear'd ;    but  was  never 
 fo  loud,  nor  fo  diftinft  until  the  Apo- 
 ftles  were  infpir'd.     How  unaccountable 
 is  it  that  Twelve  poor  Men    (  moft  of 
 them  Fifhers  )  (hould  fpread  the  news 
 of  Chriftianity  all  the  World  over  in  fo 
 fhort  a  time?   That  the  Worfhip  and 
 Adoration  of  one,  ignominioufly  cruci- 
 fied at   Jerufalem,    fliould  within   the 
 compaft  of  a  few  years  run  down  the 
 Rites  and    Sacrifices  of  all  Nations  ? 
 How  quickly  did  God  make  good  his 
 rfal.  2.8.   Promife,   /  will  give  thee  the  Heathen 
 for  thine  inheritance,    and  the  uttermofl 
 parts   of  the   earth  for  thy  poffeffion.     It 
 was  of  one  greater  than  Solomon  of  whom 
 Pfalm  71.  the  Pfalmift  prophefied,  All  Kings  (hall 
 llm         fall  down  before  him,    all  Nations  /hall 
 ferve  him;    and  the  Prophecy  of  Ifaiah 
 Jfa.  2.2.    runs,    that  the  Mountain  of  the  Lords 
 houfe  was   to  be  eftablifhed   on  the  top 
 
 of 
 
the  Eleventh  Sermon.  3  8  j 
 
 of  the  Mountains,  and  above  the  Hills. 
 How  magnificent   is  that  Prophecy  of 
 Malachy^   from  the  rifing  of the  Sun,  even  to  MaI- II!* 
 the  going  down  of  the  fame, thy  Name  fhall  be 
 great  among  the  Gentile:,    and  in  every 
 place  Incenje  fhall  be  offered  unto  my  name, 
 and  a  pure  offering,  for  my  name  (hall  be 
 great   among    the  heathen.     Thefc  Pro- 
 mifes  were  effe&ually  fulfilled  when  the 
 Apoftles  were  endued  with  Power  from 
 on  High  by  the  plentiful  effufion  of  the 
 Holy  Gboft.    I  he  very   firft  day  there 
 was    an   acceffion   of   three    thoufand  Ad.  241; 
 Souls,     immediately  after,  many  of  them 
 which  heard  the  word  believed,    and  the  Adb  4. 4. 
 number    of  the  men  was  about  five  thou-  a&.  5.14* 
 /and.     And  believers  were  the  more  ad- 
 ded to   the  Lord,  multitudes  both  of  men 
 and  women  ,   and  multitudes  cut   of  thestxkU* 
 Cities  round  about  Jerufalem.     And    the 
 more  they  were  perfecuted,    the  more 
 was  the  Gofpel  propagated.     Upon  the 
 perfecution*  at    Jerufakm ,    the  Gofpel 
 fpread  over  the  Regions  oijudta,  Galilee, 
 and  Samaria.     Thus  we  find  St.  James 
 Bijhop  of  ferufalem  fpeaking  to  St.  Paul. 
 Thou  feefi,  brother,  how  many  ihoufands  of*™'**4 
 Jews  there  are  which  believe.     And  the 
 Epiftles  of   St.  Peter,   St.   James,    and 
 C  «  St, 
 
5  86  The  Eleventh  Sermon] 
 
 St.  jMw,  inform  us  how  many  Strangers 
 Were  converted  to  theChriftian  Church ; 
 how  many  were  brought  over  by  S.  Paul 
 alone  ?  and  yet  all  this  nothing  to  the 
 fulnefe  of  the  Gentiles  that  came  after- 
 ward 5  if  we  look  down  a  little  further, 
 how  incredible  is    the  number  of  the 
 
 Tertulliap.  Apolog.  cap.    C^f™*  Soqukklythe 
 
 36.  Hefiemi  fumus  &   found  of  the  Gofpel  did  o- 
 veftra  omnia  impieyimus   yer-run  the  World,  almoft 
 
 SfeT?ft8tt.t:-*  tetnoteft  corners  of  the 
 
 ftraipfatribus,decurias,fe*  Earth.     Ifaiah  prophecy  \i 
 
 natum,  forum-  Primus    tfat  tfa  fffes    %„/</   wait 
 &  inerjnesynecrebeuesfea     r      ,  .     _     J        AJ    , 
 
 tantummodo  difcordes,  fi-  for  his  Law,     And  was  not 
 Uus  divonii  invidia  ad-   this  Promife  quickly  made 
 
 verfus  vos  dmicajfe.  gQod  whcn  the  q^j  flew 
 
 over  the  Seas,  and  came  to  us  in  Bri- 
 tain fcarcely  vifited  by  the  Sun.  The 
 cold  Scythians^  fierce  Germans,  the  proud 
 Romans,  and  (ok  Grecians  and  Ferjians, 
 renounced  their  peculiar  Idols  ,  and 
 calmly  {urrender'd  their  TS^cks  to  His 
 eafie  Toke  according  to  the  Prophecy  of 
 Zachary ,  that  the  names  of  the  Idols 
 Zachary  fhould  be  cut  off,  and  were  no  more  to 
 be  rememhred. 
 
 We  may  fafely  affirm,  that  no  Reli- 
 gion did  ever  fpread  its  Wings  fo  wide* 
 
 as 
 
Tlx  Eleventh  Sermon.  587 
 
 as  theChriftian,  which  made  the  South 
 and  the  North,  Eaft  and  Weft  meet  to- 
 gether in  their  acknowledgments  of  the 
 BJefled  Jefus.  When  the  Languages  of 
 the  old  World  were  divided,  Mankind 
 was  fcattered  3  but  the  Gift  of  Tongues 
 poured  upon  the  Apoftles  ,  united  all 
 Nations  into  the  moft  harmonious  So-  yii  Gro 
 ciety.  in  /off, 
 
 .The  Meditation  of  this  ought  to 
 enlarge  our  Souls  with  generous  inclina- 
 tions towards  the  recovery  of  all  Man- 
 kind, unto  the  acknowledgment  of  the 
 Truth.  How  ought  we  to  pray,  that 
 God  would  be  pleas  V  to  make  his  wayes 
 known  unto  all  forts  and  conditions  of  men, 
 and  bis  faving  health  unto  all  "Nations. 
 There  are  no  Charities  fo  noble ,  nor  fa 
 well  pke'd,  as  when  we  convert  a  finner 
 frem  the  error  of  his  way.  The  Gofpel  is 
 a  fovereign  remedy  to  remove  the  blind- 
 nefs  and  llupidity  of  the  whole  World, 
 it  we  were  zealous  enough  to  promote 
 it ;  how  fhameful  is  it  forfuch  as  have 
 large  Dominions  and  great  Power  upon 
 Earth,  that  they  are  not  more  bufied  in 
 contriving  Methods  ,  how  the  found  of 
 the  Gofpel  may  reach  the  utmoit  ends 
 Cc  a  of 
 
388 
 
 The  Eleventh  Sermon. 
 
 of  the  Earth  ?  How  few  of  them  that 
 are  born  without  the  inclofure  of  the 
 Church  come  over  to  our  Religion  now 
 a  days  >  And  this  is  not  to  be  imputed 
 to  our  Religion  it  felf,  but  to  our  cold- 
 nefs  and  indifferency  about  it  *  and  that 
 we  do  not  live  up  to  the  height  and  pu. 
 ritjr  of  its  Rules  ;  the  mighty  fuccefs 
 that  it  had  in  the  Primitive  Ages  ,  in  de- 
 fiance of  all  malice  and  oppofition ,  fuf- 
 ficiently  proves  that  it  came  from  Hea. 
 ven.  And  this  leads  me  to  the  confide- 
 ration  of  the  next  word  that  follows. 
 
 i.  It  came  from  heaven.  We  are 
 Pfal.  135.  toy  by  the  ffalmifl ,  that  God  bringeth 
 the  wind  out  vf  his  treasuries  ;  but  this 
 tolnd  that  came  from  heaven,  hath  a  nea- 
 rer claim  to  Gods  peculiar  Treafury  , 
 than  thofe  Winds  that  are  ftor'd  up  in 
 the  dark  Caverns  of  the  Earth.  This 
 was  the  breath  of  God  ,  it  did  not  blow 
 from  theEarth,nor  from  Humane  Goun- 
 fels,  nor  from  the  higheft  Regions  of  the 
 Air,  but  from  Heaven  it  felf,  from  the 
 Throne  of  the  Moft  High.  A  Wind  it 
 was  that  blew  with  Majefty,  rather  than 
 Fury  5  Strength  rather  than  Boifterouf- 
 nefs ;  they  felt  fome  heavenly  Charm  in 
 
 the 
 
Tie  Eleventh  Sermon.  3  89 
 
 the  nolle  that  filled  the  room ;  it  rais'd 
 their  attention  and  their  ears  to  fome- 
 thing  high  and  extraordinary  3  and  the 
 furprize  of  its  fwiftnefs  could  not  hinder 
 a  fecret  joy  ,  a  mighty  elevation  of  Spi- 
 rit which  cannot  be  named ,  and  which 
 ftrongly  convinc'd  the  Apoftles,  that  this 
 wind  came  from  heaven  1  and  that  it  was 
 the  mighty  voice  of  God.  And  this  may 
 appear,  if  we  confider 
 
 i.The  things  that  they  utter'd  when 
 they  were  filled  with  it.  A  heavenly 
 Doftrine,  full  of  Light  and  Majefty  $  a 
 Dofrrine  that  not  only  aflured  us  of  Im- 
 mortality,but  taught  us  alio  the  infallible 
 Methods  to  arrive  at  it ;  a  Do&rine, 
 that  filled  our  ears  with  new  ,  fublime, 
 unheard  of  Myfteries;  God  mantfefled  in 
 the  Flefh,  juflified  in  the  Spirit  ,  fe en  of 
 Angels ,  preached  unto  the  Gentiles  ,  be- 
 lieved on  in  the  World,  received  up  into 
 Glory.  How  far  were  thefe  great  Truths 
 beyond  the  Speculations  of  Plato  ,  and 
 the  little  Metaphyseal  Subtikies  of  the 
 Peripateticks  2 
 
 2.  Th  1  s  may  appear, if  we  confider  the 
 
 Change  and  Affections  that  this  Do&rine 
 
 Cc  3  wrought 
 
3  po  Tlie  Eleventh  Sermon. 
 
 wrought  in  its  Profely tes  «,  this  wWdid 
 not  blow  them  up  into  airy  and  fanta-  4 
 (lick  apprehenfions,  into  proud  and  fu- 
 pcrcilious  thoughts;  it  taught  noartsof 
 gathering  treafures,  nor  of  making  them- 
 selves great  in  the  World  ,  but  it  lifted 
 thei&Souls  above  it,  to  the  place  whence 
 it  came  ;  and  it  taught  them  to  trample 
 upon  its  glories,  to  defpife  its  fears,  and 
 overlpokall  itsfplendor,  and  tofct  their 
 affections  upon  the  things  that  are  above^ 
 where  Jejus  is  inthroned  in  the  highcft 
 Power  and  Majefty.Now  'tis  evident,thac 
 nofuchchange  could  be  wroughtbyNatu. 
 ral  Caufes:for  men  afted  by  Natural  Prin- 
 ciples can  go  no  higher  thai)  fuch  Ma- 
 xims can  carry  them  5  but  to  love  God, 
 to  crucifie  theflefh,  with  the  affections  and 
 hfls  thereof,  to  forgive  injuries,  to  defpife 
 the  Worldj&all  the  things  that  our  appe- 
 tites formerly  did  headlong  run  into,  muft 
 proceed  from  fome  Supernatural  and  Di- 
 vine force;  it  carries  us  above  our  own 
 level,and  makes  us  to  fceUhat  He  that  is 
 in  us,  is  greater  than  he  that  is  in  the 
 world.  This  Argument  is  frequently  in- 
 fi fled  on  by  the  iirft  Apoiogifls  for  our"  I 
 •Religion. 
 
 3  It 
 
The  Eleventh  Sermon.  3  91 
 
 3. 1 T  appears  to  have  been  from  Hea^ 
 vcn  in  its  Method  and  Operation ,  and 
 immediate  Effe&s  upon  the  Apoftles, 
 which  exceeded  all  Art  and  Nature,  that 
 men  illiterate  and  without  education  , 
 (  moft  of  them  come  to  a  confiderable 
 Age  )  that  they  fhould  fpeak  the  Lan- 
 guages of  all  Nations  ,  who  a  little  be* 
 fore  underftood  but  one  Language,  and 
 that  the  rudeft  Dialed  of  their  own 
 Nation.  This  wonderful  matter  muft 
 needs  be  referr'd  to  fome  fupernatural 
 Caufe. 
 
 3.  Let  us  take  notice  where  this 
 found  was  heard  s  and  the  Text  faith, 
 that  it  filled  the  houfe  where  they  were. 
 The  Infpirations  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  are 
 not  cafual  and  fortuitous  ,  but  ordered 
 by  Infinite  Counfel  and  Wifdom.  This 
 is  the  wind  that  blovoeth  where  it  lifiethjo^^s. 
 in  the  ftri&efl:  fenfe*  it  filled  that  houfe, 
 it  blew  by  difcretion  and  ele£Hon  upon 
 the  houfe  where  the  Apoftles  refided ;  to 
 let  us  (it  may  bo)  underftand,  that 
 the  Holy  Ghoft,  to  the  end  of  the  World, 
 is  to  be  received  in  the  fellowship  of  the 
 Apqflles  and  their  Succefibrs ;  it  is  the 
 Cc  4  precious 
 
The  Eleventh  Sermon. 
 
 precious  Qintment  firft  poured  upon 
 their  heads  ;  and  from  them  to  the 
 skirts  of  the  Church  in  all  Ages.  There 
 are  many  Spirits  gone  forth  into  the 
 World  with  a  boifterous  noife,  and  they 
 pretend  their  defcent  from  Heaven ;  but 
 if  they  have  forfaken  the  fellowfhip  of 
 the  Apoftles  ,  and  broken  the  ligaments 
 of  peace  and  order,  by  which  the  Cathq- 
 lick  Church ,  as  a  Spiritual  Society  is 
 knit  together  ;  if  they  run  crofs  to  the 
 Spirit  of  Unity ,  by  which  we  are  ob- 
 lig'd  to  believe  the  Communion  of 
 Saints,  in  that  cafe  we  are  quickly  unde- 
 ceiv'd  ,  they  are  certainly  from  below  5 
 they  are  not  directed  by  the  Wifdom 
 that  is  from  above;  nor  have  they  their 
 rife  from  Heaven,  but  from  the  Ea:  th,and 
 are  blown  up  by  fome  fubterraneous 
 Vapours,  that  end  in  nothing  but  in  a 
 little  vain  glory,  faftion  and  popular 
 applaufe. 
 
 The  Holy  Ghojlxn  its  mod  plentiful 
 Effufions  came  down  upon  the  Apoftles 
 according  to  the  nature  of  their  high 
 and  difficult  employment ,  and  the  cir- 
 cumftances  of  the  Church  at  that  time, 
 and  it  was  to  fall  in  leffer  drops  to  the 
 
 end 
 
The  Eleventh  Sermon.  39$ 
 
 end  of  the  World  upon  all  that  are  fent 
 by  God  for  the  fer  vices  of  the  Altar,  who 
 have  their  Miffion  from  theApoftles  by 
 regular  conveyance  and  fuccefiion. 
 
 2.  From  what  was  heard,  let  us  go 
 forward  to  what  was  feen,  and  there  ap- 
 peared unto  them  cloven  tongues ,  lihf  as  of 
 fire&nd  fat  upon  each  of  them,  1.  There 
 appeared  Tongues.  The  Apoftles  thatttV.  Blflj, 
 were  formerly  filent  ,  had  now  their  *%fQf9U 
 tongues  loos'd,  they  lifted  up  their  voice 
 like  Trumpets  ,  and  fpake  the  wonder- 
 ful things  of  God,  and  the  Jewi/h  Profe- 
 ly  tes  from  all  Nations  that  were  now  at 
 Jerufalem  were  aftonilh'd  to  hear  the 
 poor  Galileans  open  up  the  profoundeft 
 Myfteriesfo  readily  and  fo  fuccefsfully, 
 their  Tongues  as  if  they  were  cloven  by 
 the  finger  of  God  fpake  thofe  words  that 
 were  like  fparks  of  fire  in  the  Souls  of 
 men :  now  they  appear'd  to  be  the  ge 
 nuine  Difciples  of  him  who  fpake  as  never  Matth. 
 wan  fpake;  who  taught  as  one  having  au- 
 thority ••>  whofe  words  did  reach  the  Souls 
 of  men  with  life  and  force,  ana  pierc'd 
 between  the  Soul  and  the  Spirit*  between 
 the  joynts  and  the  marrow.  It  was  then 
 true  of  the  Apoftles,  what  was  prophe- 
 tically 
 
394  Tke  Eleventh  Sermon: 
 
 tically  (aid  by  the  Pfalmifi  of  our  Savi- 
 Pfal.45.  a.  our,  Grace  is  poured  into  thy  lips  ,  there- 
 fore God  hath  i/effed  thee  for  ever     The 
 ftreams  of  their  heavenly  eloquence  ran 
 fmoothly  and  fluently,  in  Myfteries,  in 
 Revelations,in  Reproofs,in  Dire&ions,  in 
 Counfels,  in  Wifdom,  in  Knowledge,  in 
 Purity  $    not    exaftly  limned  and  pro- 
 portion'd  by  elaborate  periods  and  artifi- 
 cial drefles ,   but  in  the  greateft  plain- 
 nefs,  mixt  with  the  greateft  power,  they 
 delivered  their  meflage ;  how  boldly  and 
 how   pertinently  did  they  confute  the 
 flanders  of  Infidelity?   With  what  cou- 
 rage did  they  upbraid  the  Sanhedrim , 
 with  the  Murder  of  the  Lord  of  Life  ? 
 Who  among  their  Scribes,  and  their  lear- 
 nedeft    Pharifees  durft  encounter    the 
 Wifdom  of  S.  Stephen ,  when  once  filled 
 with  the  Holy  Ghofl  f   How  flat  are  Hu- 
 mane Reafonings  againft  the  Wifdom  of 
 God  ?  How  feeble,  and  how  dull  are  all 
 contrivances  againft  the  Council  of  the 
 Almighty  ?  And  now  the  Apoftles  found 
 the  Prophecy  concerning  the  Meffias  in  a 
 great  meafure  verified  in  his  Difciples, 
 Ifa.  50.  4.  The  Lord  God  hath  given  me  the  tongue  of 
 the  Learned ',  that  I  fhould  know  to  [peak 
 a  word  in  feafon  to  him  that  is  weary. 
 
 z.  Those 
 
Tl?e  Eleventh  Sermon.  395 
 
 2.  Those  Tongues  were  cloven. 
 There  are  fbme  Tongues  cloyen  by  the 
 Devil,  that  can  nimbly  fhuffle  thcmfelves 
 into  different  figures ,  and  are  fo  accu- 
 rately vers'd  in  the  little  arts  ci  difli- 
 mulation  ,  that  you  may  come  much 
 fooner  to  their  meaning,  when  you  un- 
 derftand  every  thing  that  they  fay  in  a 
 con tradi&ory  fenfe  ;  than  when  you 
 fwallow  it  down  in  the  literal  meaning. 
 S.James  telleth  us,  that  with  the  fame Jam.  3. 9. 
 tongue  we  both  blefs  God,  and  cur fe  man% 
 but  the  Tongues  of  the  Apoftles  were 
 cloven  for  a  more  noble  end,  viz.  that 
 they  might  divide  aright  the  Word  of 
 God  unto  all  Nations  under  Heaven , 
 Parthians,  Medes,  and  Elamites,  and lthe  Ac5bi^ 
 dwellers  in  Mejopotamia,  in  Judea,  in  Cap- 
 padocia,  Pontus^  AJia9  Phrygia  and  Pam- 
 phylia,  Jirangers  of  Rome,  Jews,  andProfe* 
 lytes,  Crete  s,  and  Arabians ,  all  of  them 
 heard  the  Apqfiles  in  their  own  language 
 fpeak  the  wonderful  things  of  God.  The 
 Church  was  no  longer  to  be  confin'd 
 to  the  Land  of  Judea  ,  but  from 
 the  rifing  of  the  Sun  ,  to  the  going 
 down  thereof,  the  Worfhip  of  the  Living 
 and  true  God  was  to  be  fet  up  m  all  Na- 
 tions 
 
3p<5  The  Eleventh  Sermoru 
 
 tions  withouc  uiffrn&ion  of  Jew  and  Gen- 
 John  4.  tile.  So  our  Saviour  tells  the  Woman  of 
 Samaria ,  that  ^?  hour  was  aw*,  when 
 the  Worfhip  of  the  true  God  was  neither 
 confin'd  to  Jerufalem,  nor  the  Mountains 
 of  Samaria ,  but  that  /;*  /&00/J  be  wor- 
 shipped in  Spirit  and  in  Truth. 
 
 3.  T  H  o  s  e  Tongues  appear*d  in  the 
 funilitude  of  Fire ;  the  Tongues  of  the 
 A  potties  were  fired  from  Heaven  ;  and 
 this  is  evident ,  whether  we  confider, 
 1.  The  Heat  of  their  Zeal;  or,  1.  The 
 Light  of  their  Doftrine  5  or ,  3.  The 
 Force,  Activity  and  Succefs  of  their  Mi- 
 niftry. 
 
 m.  Phi-     1.  I  Say,  View  the  Heat  of  their 
 
 ^fj-Zeal  *    what  a  flame  was  kindled  by  it 
 
 Grw.Mat.ta  the  hearts  of  other  men  ?    How  did 
 
 3. 2.  tf  m  they  crowd  into  the  Ghurch,   when  there 
 
 9C'        was  nothing  to    be    gain'd  by  it  but 
 
 Death,  Difgrace  and  Martyrdom  >  What 
 
 a  change  was  wrought  upon  the  Spirits 
 
 of  men  by  the  Light  of  the  Gofpel  l 
 
 How  earneftly  and  how  vigoroufly  did 
 
 they  ferve  God ,    when  they  firfl:  came 
 
 over   from  Paganifm^and  Superftition? 
 
 How  joyfully  did  they  take  the  fpoiling 
 
 of 
 
77;*  Eleventh  Sermon.  3  97 
 
 of  their  goods?  And  with  what  courage  Heb.  hi 
 did  they  offer    themfelves  ■  before    all 
 Judges,  Courts  and  Tribunals,  to  be  fa- 
 crificed  for  the  Name  of  Jefus  $ 
 
 2.  Next  to  this ,    let  us  confider  the 
 Light  that  is  in  it :    now  the  World  was 
 convinced,  that  the  Meffias  was  the  Light 
 of  t\\e  Gentiles  in  the  higheft  fenfe  ;  that  John: 
 He  was  the  light  come  down  from  heaven,  ixfo. 
 and  the  day-liar  from  on  high  that  viji- 
 ted  us.     How  fwiftly  did  Error ,  Dark- 
 nefs  and  Superftition  flee  before  him  > 
 When  the  Enemy  of  Mankind  did  bend 
 all  his  forces  to  retard  and  obfeure  his 
 Viflrories,  the  Light  of  the  glorious  Go- 
 fpel  of  Chrift  broke  through  thofe  Clouds 
 and  appeared  in  its  Meridian  Splendor, 
 maugre  all  oppofition  :    When  the  Sun  Pfal.  104: 
 arifeth9  then  man  goeth  forth  unto  his  la- 
 hour  ,    and  the  Beafts  retire  into  their 
 t)ens  ;    but  when  the£«»  of  Righteouf- 
 nefs  thus  appear'd,  the  Demons  that  for- 
 merly enflav'd  Mankind,  were  forced  to 
 retire.    Their  Idolatrous  Rites  and  Ce- 
 remonies were  deferted,  and  made  to 
 leave  the  field  to  the  triumphant  Stan- 
 dard of  our  Bleffed  Saviour.  This  Light 
 look* J  men  fo  broad  in  the  face  ,  that 
 
 they 
 
398 
 
 The  Eleventh  Sermon] 
 
 they  were  aftiam'd  of  their  former  folly 
 and  wickednefs  3  they  furrendercd  them- 
 felvfcs  captives  to  its  clear  difcoveries  and 
 illuminations  :  for  its  evidence  was 
 Ads  26.  (o  ftrong  and  undeniable.  S.  Paul  tel- 
 l8-  leth  us  ,  that  it  was  the  main  fcope  of 
 their  Commiflion  and  Defign,/<?  open  wens 
 eyes ,  and  to  turn  them  from  darknefs  to 
 light ,  -and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto 
 God,  that  they  may  receive  forgive  nefs  of 
 fins9  and  inheritance  among  them  that  are 
 fanclzjfed. 
 
 3.  Fire  did  refemble  the  Holy Ghoft, 
 becaufe  of  its  Force  and  Activity  3  and 
 when  we  cbnfider  the  fuccefs  of  their 
 Mihiftry,  we  muft  acknowledge,  that  the 
 Power  of  God  was  engag'd  to  fecond 
 their  Commiffion.  Who  can,  without 
 rhedeepeft*aftoniihment,  and  Adorati- 
 ons -of  Gods  infinite  Wifdom,  think  of 
 the  Atdhievments  of  thofe  poor  men  ? 
 When  we  remember  what  it  was  that 
 our  Saviour  commanded  ,  and  by  what 
 means  they  were  to  put  his  Commands 
 into  execution  ,  and  what  oppofition 
 they  ought  in  allreafon  to  look  for,  if 
 they  attempted  any  fuch  thing  ,  what 
 was  it  then  that  he  did  command  them  ? 
 
 No 
 
The  Eleventh  Strtnori.  g <pp 
 
 No  lefs  than  to  go  and  teach  all  Nati- 
 ons 5  /.  e.  to  renverfe  the  eftablifh'd 
 Laws,  Sacrifices  and  Cuftoms  of  the 
 whole  World  5  to  deftroy  the  W&rihip 
 of  all  falfeGods,  to  introduce  the  My- 
 ftical  Judaifm  in  the  room  of  the  Literal^  m 
 of  which  the  Jews  were  fo  obftinately 
 fond  $~  to  reform  the  manners  of  all 
 Mankind ;  to  teach  them  to  live  by  new 
 Principles ,  and  in  hopes  of  diflant  and 
 urifeen  rewards  ;  to  morttfie  and  fubdue 
 inveterate  prejudices,  and  their  ftrongeft 
 inclinations  5  to  runup  the  Hill  againft 
 the  force  of  Cuftom,  Law  and  Example. 
 In  a  word,  to  make  the  mod  incredible 
 Changes  in  the  World  by  fuch  men  as 
 were  moft  "unlikely  to  bring  them  to 
 pafs  ;  Muft  rude  and  illiterate  Mecha- 
 nicks  grapple  with  the  Rabbies  and  Phi- 
 lofophers  of  Eaft  and  Weft?  By  what 
 Armies,by  what  deep  Contrivances  muft 
 this  Defign  be  fet  on  foot  ?  How  ridicu- 
 lous is  the  very  thought  of  it  to  a  man 
 that  ftands  no  higher,  than  on  the  Iev«l 
 of  Humane  Maxims  ?  Yet  this  Divine 
 Fire  in  their  Tongues  burnt  up  and  con- 
 fum'd  the  Worfliip  of  the  Devil,  and  fi- 
 lene'd  his  moft  famous  Oracles  ,  and 
 brought  the  whole  World,  in  a  manner^ 
 
 under 
 
400  The  Eleventh  Sermott. 
 
 under  new  Laws;  and  as,  a  rapid  and  vi- 
 olent flame  devours  combuftible  matter 
 without  mercy,  without  refiftance  5  fo 
 the  Chriftian  Religion  pulled  down  the 
 Rites,  Cuftoms  and  Solemnities  of  Su- 
 perftition,  even  then  when  the  Learning, 
 Zeal  and  Power  of  all  Mankind  were 
 engag'd  to  fupport  it,  S.  Paul  tells  us, 
 1  Cor.  1 :  that  the  foolijhnefs  of  God  is  wifer  than 
 15'  men--)  i.  e.  the  moft  unlikely  means,  fe- 
 conded  by  his  afliftance ,  produce  the 
 i  moil:  wonderful  and  aftonifhing  effefts ; 
 the  methods  that  feem  comtemptibfe  to 
 humane  eyes  overcome  the  wifeft  and 
 the  moft  fubtile  contrivances  5  the  mean- 
 eft  and  weakeft  arrow  in  his  quiver,  the 
 clownifli  Fifhers  of  Gallike  ,  will  baffle 
 and  confound  all  the  Sons  of  Wit  and 
 Speculation  5  the  moft  accurate  amongft 
 them  (  who  had  been  train'd  from  their 
 infancy  in  the  Arts  of  Sophiftry  and  E- 
 loquence)  flood  mute  and  ftupid  before 
 thofe  new  Philofophers ,  who  came  to 
 difcover  unto  us  life  and  immortality. 
 The  Topicks  and  the  Methods  of  the 
 Athenian  Schools  were  fwept  down  like 
 thin  Cobwebs,  when  this  true  Light  ap- 
 peared 5  their  curious  Schemes  were  all 
 rejefted,  and  a  higher  Dottrine  than  any 
 
 that 
 
"The  Eleventh  Sermon.  40 1 
 
 that  was  formerly  taught,  was  eftablifh'd 
 upon  no  lower  Principles,  than  the  evi- 
 dence and  demonflration  of  the  Spirit ; 
 the  little  knacks  of  the  Philofophers  that 
 confifted  moft  in  the  fhufflings  and  turn- 
 ings of  Words  and  Phrafes,  vaniih'd  like 
 aery  Phantoms,  when  Truth  it  felf  in  its 
 Meridian  Splendor  infpir'd  thofe  frail 
 men,  can  we  attribute  this  their  Vi&ory 
 to  any  thing  fhort  of  God  himfdf?  i#jJer*3  *9- 
 word  is  like  a  fire^  and  as  a  hammer  that 
 heaketh  the  rock}  in  pieces.  So  the  A- 
 poftles  forc'd  their  way  through  Rocks, 
 and  pierc  d  to  the  Center  of  mens  Souls, 
 arid  gain'd  to  the  obedience  ofChrifi  thofe 
 hearts,  that  one  would  think  were  alto- 
 gether inacceflible  5  they  pulled  down 
 ftrong  holds  and  lofty  imaginations  ,  and 
 by  their  fwift  and  univerfal  fuccefs ,  at 
 fuch  a  Time,  and  againft  fuch  Mountains 
 of  Oppofition  ,  they  gave  the  World  to 
 underftand,  that  their  Miffion  was  froni 
 above.  And  here;  are  the  Trophies  and 
 Triumphs  of  Chriftianity ,  the  wonder- 
 ful Propagation  of  our  Religion  made  it 
 evident  ,  that  this  Fire  that  came  down 
 upon  the  Apoflles  in  Cloven  Tongues,  was 
 Hot  a  flitting  arid  yagrant  Meteor,  unfixt 
 and  moveable,  but  a  folid  and  durable 
 D  d  Light, 
 
40 1  The  Eleventh  Sermon. 
 
 Light ,  which  was  to  continue  in  the 
 Church  until  the  confiimmation  of  all 
 things. 
 
 3.  Here  we  may  confider  the  ac- 
 complifhment  of  the  Promife  contain'd 
 in  the  fourth  Verfe.  They  were  all  filled 
 with  the  Holy  Gbofl.  That  the  Apoftles 
 were  infpir'd  by  God,  is  beyond  all  con- 
 tradiction ;  and  they  who  impute  their 
 Progrefs  in  the  Converfion  of  Nations, 
 their  Languages  and  Miracles,  their  di- 
 vine Reafonings  and  Revelations  to  any 
 ordinary  Caufc,  fubvert  the  Principles 
 upon  which  our  Religion  ftands.  All 
 Civiliz'd  Nations  ancient  atad  modern  do 
 acknowledge  the  poffibility  of  a  Divine 
 Revelation  5  nay ,  that  it  is  reafonable 
 for  Mankind  to  expeft  it  in  fome  extra- 
 ordinary Cafes,  and  mofl;  people  plead  it 
 in  favours  of  fome  one  Cuftom  or  other 
 received  amongft  themfelves  5  and  if  all 
 men  agree  in  this,  that  it  is  reafonable 
 to  look  for  it ,  and  that  by  theftrength 
 ofReafon,  we  may  diftinguilha  true  Re- 
 relation  from  what  is  counterfeit :  What 
 fliould  harden  men  againft  the  Chriftian 
 Religion,  for  the  miraculous  Infpiration 
 which  the  Church  commemorates  this 
 
 Day, 
 
The  Eleventh  Sermon.  40  3 
 
 Day,  hath  ftampt  upon  it  all  the  Cha- 
 racters of  Divinity  that  our  Souls  can 
 think  of,  even  when  they  examine  things 
 moft  calmly  and  accurately. 
 
 Let    us  therefore  thank  Almighty 
 God ,  that  he  gave  us  the  higheft  aiTu- 
 rances  of  our  Religion  ,   that  he  made 
 our  hope  fo  fixt,  that  it  cannot  be  bat- 
 tered ;   for  when  we  read  that  the  Holy 
 Chofl  came  down  upon  the  Apoftlcs  in 
 this  manner,  we  may  conclude  infallibly, 
 that  our  Lord  is  not  only  rifen  from  the 
 dead,  but  inverted  alfo  with  the  higheft 
 Power  at  the  right  hand  of  God  the  Fa- 
 ther.    The  Gifts  and  magnificent  Dona- 
 tives  that  he  fcattered  amongft  his  Sub- 
 jects when  he  enter'd  into  the  Heavens, 
 fufficiently  convince  us,  that  all  power  Mltth. 
 in  heaven  and  in  earth  is  given  unto  him. 
 To  his  Afcenfion  may  be  applied  that  of 
 the  Ffalmifl,  Thou  haft  amended  up  on  high™*1  68' 
 thou  haft  led  captivity  captive,  thou  haft 
 received  gifts  for  men ,  yea9  for  the  re- 
 bellious alfo ,     that  the  Lord  God  might 
 dwell  among  them.     Let  us  fay  then  as 
 the  Pfalmift  invites,   I  will  llejs  the  Lcrdvhl  w 
 at  all  times  ,  his  praife  /hall  continually 
 be  in  my  mouth :  0  magnifie  the  Lord  wit  h 
 Dd  2  me, 
 
4©  4  Tl?e  Eleventh  Sermon. 
 
 *  3-  me,  and  let  us  exalt  his  Name  together. 
 This  Effufion  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  upon 
 theApoftles,  is  fo  full  a  proof  of  his 
 Viftory ,  that  now  we  lean  on  his  Pro- 
 mife  with  the  greateft  tranquillity  and 
 affurance  :    He  hath  ridden  profperoufly, 
 
 Pfal.  45«  becaufe  of  truths  andmeeknefs,  and  righ~ 
 teoufnefs  ;  his  right  hand  hath  taught 
 him  terrible  things  ;  the  enemies  of  his 
 Kingdom  fall  before  him  5  he  hath  broketr 
 them  as  with  a  rod  of  iron  3  he  hath 
 dafht  them  in  pieces  ,  like  a  potters  vef- 
 fel  ;  he  is  ejlablifhed  for  ever  King  in 
 Zion.  The  meditation  of  this  fills  our 
 hearts  with  joy  and  gladnefs ,  that  our 
 Redeemer,  who  is  bone  of  our  bone,  and 
 flefh  of  our  flefh ,  hath  trodden  all  our 
 enemies  under  his  feet.      We  have  this 
 
 „  .  •  hope  as  an  anchor  of  the  Soul  both  fure 
 and  fleadfafl ,  and  which  entreth  unto 
 that  within  the  Veil ,  whither  the  fore* 
 runner  is  for  us  entered,  even  Jejus  made 
 an  High  Prieftfor  ever  ,  after  the  order 
 of  MelchizedecL 
 
 Nor  are  we  to  think  that  becaufe 
 now  he  is  encircled  with  Glory  and  Ma- 
 jefty,  that  he  can  be  unmindful  of  us 
 no  more  than  he  was  when  he  was  com- 
 
 pafsM 
 
T?;e  Eleventh  Sermon.  405 
 
 pafs'd  with  our  Infirmities,  and  as  he 
 made  good  his  Promife  to  the  Apoftles, 
 and  fent  upon  them  the  Holy  Ghoft  to 
 plead  his  caufe  againft  Infidelity,  fo  we 
 may  rely  on  his  Word  that  he  will  raife 
 us  again  unto  life  and  immortality,  tho 
 our  duft  ftould  mingle  with  all  the  fcat- 
 tered  Atoms  of  the  Creation,  he  willmiriu 
 change  our  vile  bodies  that  they  may  be 
 fajhiond  like  unto  his  glorious  body  ac- 
 cording to  the  working  whereby  he  is  able 
 even  to  fubdue  all  things  unto  him/elf. 
 And  the  fame  Apoftle  allures  us,  that, 
 if  the  fpirit  of  him  that  raifed  up  Jefus  Rom.  8. 
 from  the  dead  dwell  in  us,  he  that  raifed  l  u 
 up  Chrifi  from  the  dead  fh all  alfo  quicken 
 our  mortal  bodies  by  his  Spirit  that  dvoeU 
 leth  in  us.  Thus  from  the  fulfilling  of 
 what  is  paft,  we  may  reafon  our  felves 
 into  the  belief  and  certainty  of  what  is 
 to  come. 
 
 And  let  us  thank  our  heavenly  Fa- 
 ther that  fo  early  ftrengthend  the  hands 
 of  the  Apoftles  againft  Infidelity  and  A- 
 theifm  by  fuch  plentiful  efTufions  of  the 
 Holy  Ghoff  ,  the  Catarafts  of  Heaven 
 feem'd  to  be  opened,  and  the  Apoftles 
 were  made  to  fpeak  with  irrefiftible 
 D  d  3  Wit 
 
4  o  6  Tl?e  Eleventh  Sermon. 
 
 Wifdom  5    and  the  fame  Spirit  is  given 
 unto   the  Church   (  in   proportionable 
 meafures  as  her  necefiities  require)  to 
 the  end  of  the  World,  efpecially  to  the 
 immediate  Servants  of  the  Sanftuary,  if 
 they  do  not  wickedly    fliut  their  Eyes 
 againft  its  light  and  beauty.     The  gar* 
 ments  of  the  Church  are  of  Needlework 
 variegated  with  the  manifold  Excellen- 
 cies of  the  Spirit;  the  interchangeable 
 appearances  of  thofe  gifts  that   in  dif- 
 ferent Figures  make  up  the  decorum  of 
 the  whole,    were  not  fo  entirely  con- 
 find  to  the  Primitive  Ages,  but  that  his 
 more  immediate  Servants  are  furnifhed 
 in  all  periods  of  the  Church  according 
 to  the  nature  and  difficulty  of  their  un- 
 iCor.  n.dertaking.     He  doth  not  give  all  gifts 
 4.5^,7,8,  to  every  one,  but  parcels  them  out  with 
 ii/,Ir'   that  heavenly  difcretion,    that  no  man 
 may  fay  to  his  Brtoher,  /  have  no  need 
 of  thee,  therefore  the  Spirit  of  Lovefcat- 
 tereth   his  Donatives  fo  as  at  once  to 
 fupply  our  Neceffities  and  advance  our 
 Charity,  that  all  of  us  might  hang  upon 
 one  another  in  the  clofeft  Relations  and 
 dependencies;  the  myftical  Body  of  the 
 Church  being  knit  together  by  Joints, 
 and  Bands  as  is  the  Natural. 
 
 Now 
 
The  Eleventh  Sermon.  407 
 
 Now  when  we  add  unto  the  former 
 confideracions,  that  the  gifts  of  the  Spirit 
 did  not   only  feal  our  Religion  by  all 
 poffible  external  evidence  in  the  Apo- 
 ftolical  Ages,    but  that  now  the  very 
 lame  Spirit,  by  its  fan&ifying  power  and 
 Vertues  unites  us  to  Chrift.     What  rea- 
 fon  have  we  to  rejoice  in  God  our  Sa- 
 viour }     It  is  the  Spirit  that  breaks  our 
 bonds  and  fetters,  and  wakes  us  run  the 
 Race  that  is  fet  before  us  with  joy  and 
 aflacrity ;    it  is  by  this,  that  we  crucifie 
 the  flejh  with  the  affections  and  lufts  there- 
 of $   by  this  we  become  the  Temples 
 of  the  living  God,  refolute  againft  Tem- 
 ptations, humble,  chaft,  fober,  heavenly 
 minded ;    in  a  word,  it  is  the  earneft  of 
 our  inheritance  the  Spirit  by  which  we 
 cry,  Alba,  Father ;    the  Spirit  that  help- 
 eth  our  infirmities,  and  makes  us  more  than 
 Conquerors   through  Jefus  Chrift  that  lo- 
 ved m.     Gan  there  be  any  more  ample 
 matter  of  Praife  ?     What  is  it  can  loofe 
 our  Tongues  unto  the  mod  joyful  ac- 
 knowledgments, if  this  does  not  ?  Let  us 
 fay  with  the  Pfalmift,(\vhen  we  view  the  Pfal.  145. 
 whole  Oeconomy  of  our  Redemption  ) 
 I  will  extol  thee  my  God,  O  King,  and 
 Dd  4  I  will 
 
4©  8  The  Eleventh  Sermon. 
 
 I  will  blefs  thy  Name  for  ever  and  ever. 
 HcU  2.  And  let  us  conclude  that  we  cannot  ejcape 
 if  we  negleft  [o great  afalvation,wK\cl\  at 
 thefirft  began  to  befpokenbytheLord, 
 and  was  confirmed  unto  others  by  them 
 that  heard  him,  God  alfo  bearing  them 
 wicnefs  both  with  Signs  and  Wonders, 
 and  with  divers  Miracles,  and  Gifts  of 
 the  Holy  Ghoft  according  to  his  own 
 Will. 
 
 To  God  the  Father,  Son  and 
 Holy  Ghoft  ,  be  Glory  , 
 Dominion  and  Tower ,  for 
 ever  and  even   Ametv 
 
4©p 
 
 SERMON 
 
 O  N 
 
 Psalm  xxvi.  v.  6. 
 
 I  will  waf?  mine  hands  in  innocence  y 
 fo  mil  I  compafs  thine  Altar , 
 0  Lord. 
 
 THis  Pfalm  is  David's  Appeal 
 to  the  Omnifcience  of  God 
 as  to  his  own  Innocence  and 
 Integrity,  and  it  feems  tacitly 
 to  refer  to  the  Calumnies  and  Slanders 
 propagated  againft  him  during  the  Reign 
 of  Saul i  and  therefore  he  puts  his  truft 
 in  the  ftrength  of  the  Almighty ,  that 
 
 he 
 
4 1  o  The  Twelfth  Sermon. 
 
 he  fliould  never  be  fliaken  by  the  fury 
 and  malice  of  his  Enemies. 
 
 The  Ferfe  that  I  have  read  is  but 
 a  part  of  that  Appeal  3  and  though  our 
 EngHlh  Verfion  reads  it  in  the  future^ 
 yet  the  fcope  of  the  Context,  the  Ana- 
 logy and  coherence  of  the   whole  al-^ 
 *Vid.Dr.loV/  the  reading  of  it  in  the   *  preterit^ 
 H*™™-    as  may   appear  eafily  to  the  attentive 
 Reader,  but  whether  the  one  or  the  o- 
 ther  is  not  fo  much  my  bufinefs  to  en- 
 quire.    This  is  certain  that  the  cuftom 
 of  Wafliing  before  Sacrifices,   both  a- 
 "Vmongft  the  Jews  and  the  Gentiles  had 
 this  Moral  in  its  bofom,  that  all  our  ap- 
 proaches to  the  Divine  Majefty  (  efpe- 
 cially  our  moil  folemn  and  extraordi- 
 nary )  ought  to  be  performed  with  the 
 moil  accurate   Preparation  ,    purity  of 
 Mind,  and  recolleftion  of  Spirit  3  there- 
 fore the  Pfalmift,  as  a  part  of  his  Ap- 
 peal made  ufe  of  this  Argument  ifi  his 
 Defence,  that  he  walked  in  his  Integri- 
 ty conftantly,  and  when  he  brought  his 
 Sacrifices  to  the  Altar,    he  viewed  his 
 Soul  with  the  moil  accurate  fearch  and 
 enquiry,tofce  if  there  was  any  thing  that 
 might  indifpofe  him  to  come  fonear  the 
 divine  Prefence.  These 
 
The  twelfth  Sermon.  411 
 
 These  words  have  in  them  no  re- 
 markable difficulty  5  they  are  a  plain 
 allufion  to  that  known  Cuftom  of  Wafh- 
 ing  before. Sacrificing,  both  amongft  the 
 Jews  and  the  Gentiles.  All  the  Eajlern 
 Nations  were  very  frequent  in  their 
 ^Wafhings,  efpecially  before  they  ap- 
 proached their  moft  folemn  and  (acred 
 Myfteriess  and  therefore  I  may  the 
 more  fafely  apply  this  Text  to  the  high- 
 eft  Myftery  amongft  the  Chriftians, 
 which  is  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lords 
 Suppcry  which  now  requires  in  a  pecu- 
 liar manner  our  Attention  and  Medi- 
 tation. 
 
 It  is  in  it  felf  by  the  confeflioti 
 of  all  Chriftians ,  the  higheft  Myftery 
 of  our  Religion ,  nay  all  the  Myftcries 
 of  it  gathered  together  in  one  5  and 
 therefore  all  the  Graces  of  the  Spirit 
 ought  to  adorn  our  Souls  when  we  come 
 fo  near  unto  God  3  they  meet  together 
 at  this  Solemnity  all  of  them  in  their 
 higheft  flight  and  Exaltation. 
 
 I  fliall  confine  my  Difcourfe  at  pre- 
 sent to  two  Particulars. 
 
 1.  Our 
 
4 1  i  The  Twelfth  Sermon} 
 
 i.  Our  Duty  and  Obligation  of 
 cpming  to  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lords 
 Slipper. 
 
 *.  I  will  direft  the  manner  of  our 
 coming,  and  how  we  mud  attempt  it. 
 
 i.  Let  us  confider  our  Obliga- 
 tions to  attend  this  Solemn  and  Magni- 
 ficent Entertainment  5  and  there  is  no- 
 thing more  clear  if  we  confider  the  Au- 
 thority of  him  who  enjoins  it.  God 
 upbraided  his  People  of  old ,  that  the 
 Nazarites  were  more  careful  and  obfer- 
 vant  of  the  original  Rules  and  diredti- 
 ons  of  their  founder ,  than  his  People 
 were  of  his  Laws  who  was  the  Creator 
 of  Heaven  and  Earth.  All  the  Sefts  of 
 Philofophers  up  and  down  the  World, 
 thought  it  their  honour  and  their  inte- 
 reft  to  propagate  the  Opinions  of  the  firft 
 of  their  Order. 
 
 And  will  our  deareft  Lord  and 
 Matter  giveois  a  Command  of  the  high- 
 eft  confequence,  and  dare  we  refufe  to 
 obey  it  ?  This  is  an  indignity  to  his  Au- 
 thority, an  immediate  affront  to  his  So- 
 vereignty  and  Power.     How    highly 
 
 I 
 
The  Iwelfth  Sermon.  4 1 3 
 
 would  an  earthly  Prince  refent  an  injury 
 of  this  nature  ?     Here  is  a  Feaft  prepa- 
 red noble  and  plentiful,  and  defign'd  to 
 exprefs  the  higheft  kindnefs  and  refpeft.  Prov.  9. 
 This  Metaphor  is  ufed  by  Solomon,  and  w2,l45J 
 by  a  greater  than  Solomon,  myftically  to  L^e  I4<* 
 fet  off  the  ingratitude  of  fuch  as  refufe, 
 fand  trample  upon)  the  ineftimable  of- 
 fers of  his  Love  and  Favour. 
 
 When  we  remember  who  invites 
 us  to  this  Feaft,  the  Author  and  fintjher 
 of  our  Faith,  whofe  dominion  is  from  e- 
 verlafiing  to  everlafiing^  who  came  from 
 the  bofom  of  the  Father  torefcue  us  from 
 thebottomlefsAbyfs  of  our  miferiesj  is 
 it  not  the  higheft  impudence,  the  rudeft 
 affront  to  the  Majefty  of  Heaven,  the 
 moft  daring  violation  of  his  Laws,  to 
 flight  his  Invitation  ?  When  we  add  to 
 this  the  -confederation  of  thofe  things 
 that  are  provided  for  us  in  this  Feaft, 
 we  may  eafily  fee  the  folly  of  flighting 
 it ;  the  pardon  of  our  Sins  is  fealed, 
 the  peace  and  tranquillity  of  ourConfci- 
 ences  are  confirmed, our  fpiritual  ftrength 
 and  fortitude  are  recruited,  and  we  are 
 enabled  to  grapple  with  all  our  Ene- 
 mies more  fuccefsfully ;  we  are  (leng- 
 thened 
 
4"t4  ^7e  Twelfth  Sermon. 
 
 thened  beyond  our  frailties  to  run  the 
 Race  that  is  fet  before  us. 
 
 Are  not  we  by  our  baptifmal  Vows 
 already  lifted  under  his  Standard  >  Are 
 not  we  confederated  with  him  when  we 
 are  received  into  the  Chriftian  Church  ? 
 How  inconfiftent  is  it  with  our  fpiri- 
 tual  Allegiance  to  rejeft  the  offers  of 
 his  Love,  and  trample  under  foot  his  moft 
 folemn  Commands  >  This  is  treachery 
 and  perfidioufnefs  in  the  highcft  de- 
 gree. 
 
 2.  Consider  the  circumftances 
 of  his  Love  wherewith  this  Inftitution 
 was  appointed.  He  lived  with  his  Di- 
 fciples  for  a  confiderable  time  in  the  full 
 exercifc  of  Patience,  Meeknefs,  and  Humi- 
 lity. He  gave  them  an  Example  thae 
 they  fhould  follow  his  fteps  ;  He  train'd 
 them  up  by  his  Sermons  and  by  his 
 Miracles  in  the  discipline  and  knowledg 
 of  his  Kingdom  and  Scepter  3  He  fre- 
 quently (  to  their  own  conviftion  )  baf- 
 fled the  contradi&ions  of  the  Jews,  and 
 endeavour'd  to  remove  their  prejudices 
 by  all  the  Methods  that  the  higheft  Wif- 
 dom  and  Goodnefs  thought  proper  for 
 their  cure.     He  proved  hinifelf  to  be 
 
 the 
 
The  Twelfth  Sermon.  4 1  * 
 
 the  trye  Mejfm  by  many  infallible  Signs, 
 and  now  ac  laft  when  he  had  run  out 
 the  courfe  of  his  publick  Miniftry,  and 
 folemnized  the  laft  Paffeover,  and  was 
 ready  to  offer  himfelf  a  publick  Propi- 
 tiatory Sacrifice  for  the  fins  of  the 
 World  ;  he  appointed  this  Sacrament  as  • 
 the  higheft,  the  laft,  and  the  moft  fo- 
 lemn  Seal  and  Pledge  of  his  Love  to  the 
 Church,  the  Abftradt  and  Memorial  of 
 all  -that  he  did  upon  Earth,  and  of  all 
 that  he  taught,  and  of  all  that  he  pro- 
 mifed  in  the  World  to  come,  the  con- 
 veyance of  thofe  great  and  rich  Blef- 
 fings  that  are  procured  by  his  Death 
 and  Paffion  ;  when  we  remember,  I  fay, 
 fuch  a  confluence  of  endearing  circum- 
 ftances,  how  can  we  refufe  our  prefence 
 and  obedience  ?  How  ftrong  are  the 
 Charms  of  his  Love  ?  What  heighth  of 
 Courage ,  what  degrees  of  Conftancy 
 were  neceflary  to  fupport  him  againft  the 
 fhock  of  fo  many  Affronts  and  Indigni- 
 ties >  Who  can  read  the  Hiftory  of  his 
 Paffion,  and  not  fee  the  inconceivable 
 condefcenfions  of  God  ?  Who  can  view 
 the  progrefs  of  that  Tragedy  and  not  be 
 aftoniihed;  when  we  confider  the  in- 
 comprehenfible  Love  of  God,    that  be- 
 
 who 
 
4 1 6  7l?e  Twelfth  Sermon. 
 
 who  was  God  took  upon  him  the  form  of  d 
 fervant,  with  no  other  defign  than  to  ao> 
 complifh  the  work  of  our  Redemption, 
 and  that  he  drew  the  Map  of  his  life 
 and  fufferings  in '  this  ravifhing  Ordi- 
 nance, that  the  Church  might  remember 
 the  glorious  Adventures  of  his  Love  by 
 this  Euchariftical  Sacrifice,  how  mon- 
 ftrous  is  the  ingratitude  if  we  feem  to 
 negleft  it. 
 
 In  that  Night  wherein  he  was  he* 
 trayed,  how  Emphatick  and  how  full  of 
 Love  are  thefe  words,  the  fury  of  his 
 Enemies ,  the  rage  and  malice  of  the 
 Jews,  the  treachery  of  one  of  his  Di- 
 fciples,  the  faintnefs  and  weaknefs  of 
 all  of  them ,  could  not  fo  divert  his 
 thoughts,  but  that  our  greateft  concerns 
 were  next  his  very  heart  3  and  left  we 
 fhould  forget  fuch  glorious  things,  he 
 abridged  the  Hiftory  of  all  the  Gofpel 
 in  this  one  plain  Rite  and  Inftitution. 
 His  Life  and  Do&rine,  and  all  the  proofs 
 of  our  Religion  he  fums  up  in  one  cafie 
 Ceremony ;  fo  that  this  Sacrament  i$ 
 the  Compend  of  all  Religion,  the  very 
 Holy  of  Holies,  and  the  top  of  all  Chri- 
 ftiari  joy  and  comfort  3    if  we  cdrifidet 
 
 '     fuch 
 
Tht  Twelfth  Sermon.  4 1 7 
 
 fuch  circumftances  fo  engaging,  in  the 
 firft  Inftitution  of  this  Sacrament ,  we 
 cannot  refufe  our  attendance  if  we  break 
 not  thorough  all  the  bonds  of  Piety  and 
 Humanity,  and  renverfe  all  the  Laws  of 
 gratitude  and  good  nature. 
 
 3.  We  may  eafily  difccrn  our  Obligati- 
 on to  it  from  the  praftice  of  the  firft  Chri- 
 ftians,  and  the  value,  put  upon  it  by  the 
 whole  Church.  The  Apoftles  and  their 
 Succeflbrs  for  the  firft  three  hundred 
 years  were  very  frequent  in  the  celebra- 
 tion of  this  Sacrament,  it  was  a  pare 
 of  their  daily  Worftiip,  when  the  devo- 
 tion of  the  Chriftian  Church  was  vigo- 
 rous and  fervent ;  they  could  not  live 
 without  the  daily  commemoration  of 
 the  Love  of  Jefus.  This  Sacrament  was 
 the  moil  fubftantial  and  higheft  Cor- 
 dial that  he  left  for  the  fupport  of  the 
 Church  until  his  fecond  coming  again  5 
 therefore  the  Chriftians  of  ail  Ages  look- 
 ed upon  it  with  fo  much  veneration 
 and  regard,  that  as  they  judged  them* 
 felves  obliged  to  come  unto  ic,  fo  they 
 approached  it  with  the  ftrifteft  prepa- 
 rations, with  ail  the  folemnitics  and  care 
 of  Fading,  Prayer  and  Humility,  The 
 E  e  uni- 
 
41 8  The  Twelfth  Sermonl 
 
 univerfal  deluge  of  Atheifm  and  propha- 
 nity  that  overflows  the  whole  Ifland  in 
 which  we  live  is  much  to  be  imputed 
 to  the  contempt  and  negleft  of  this  Sa- 
 crament. 
 
 4.  We  are  obliged  to  this  Atten- 
 dance, becaufe  it  is  the  peculiar  Chara- 
 cter of  Chriftianity,  the  badge  of  our 
 '  Religion,  and  the  livery  of  the  Crucified 
 Jsfus,  The  Rites  of  all  Religions  had 
 iomething  in  them  to  diftinguilh  both 
 the  Deity  that  was  worfhipped,  and  the 
 Votary  irom  all  others  ;  The  whole 
 Syftem  of  the  Levitical  Oeconomy  was 
 but  a  difiin&ion  of  the  Jews  from  all 
 other  Nations,  and  all  the  Rites  of  that 
 ancient  Law  were  either  oppofite  to  the 
 Zalian  Cuftoms,  or  dire&ly  tended  to 
 preferve  them  from  Idolatry.  The  Pa- 
 gan Sacrifices  every  where  had  fome 
 one  fignificant  Ceremony  or  other  by 
 which  they  were  diftinguifti'd  from  the 
 Worfhip  of  other  Idols,  and  the  Chri- 
 ftians  by  this  Myliery  are  feparated 
 from  the  reft  of  Mankind  who  are  with- 
 out- the  hcttjhold  of  Faith.  This  Ordi- 
 nance in  the  Church  is  the  moft  folemn 
 of  all  our  Myfteries,  or  rather  the  con- 
 
 carina- 
 
The  Twelfth  Sermon.  4 1  p 
 
 catenation  of  all  of  them  together,  it  hath 
 no  foundation  in,  nor  directions  from 
 the  light  of  Nature  3  and  therefore  it 
 derives  its  dignity  and  obligation  from 
 the  pure  Inftitution  of  our  Lord  and  Sa- 
 viour. Hence  it  is  that  when  Men  are 
 guilty  of  fins  againft  the  Moral  Law, 
 their  Confciences  do  accufe  them,  and 
 the  remembrance  of  their  folly  proves 
 uneafie  to  them ;  but  they  live  in  the 
 wilful  negleft  of  this  Sacrament  for  ma- 
 ny years ,  and  yet  they  are  as  quiet 
 and  undifturbed  in  their  omiflions  as  if 
 they  were  the  moft  innocent ;  the  reafon 
 is,  becaufe  natural  Confcience  prompts 
 not  to  it,  it  hath  its  criginalimmediatdy 
 from  our  Saviours  Authority,  and  this 
 confideration  alone  makes  us  inexcufable 
 if  we  negleft  it,  becaufe  by  it  we  aredi- 
 ftinguiftied  from  the  reft  of  mankind ;  it  is 
 fo  peculiar  to  our  Religion,  that  we  feem 
 to  renounce  it,  unlefs  we  (hew  the  higheft 
 zeal  for  it  and  affe&ion  to  it.  Do  it  (faid  he) 
 in  remembrance  of  me.  There  is  no  Order  of 
 Men  have  any  luch  Inftitution  ;  it  is  our 
 Char  after  iftick  \  that  wherein  we  triumph  5 
 that  wherewith  we  are  reproach'd  by  the 
 Pagans :  that  whereby  we  exprefs  our 
 love  to  our  Bleffed  Saviour,  and  avow 
 our  (elves  to  be  his  Difciples  in  the  face 
 E  e  %  of 
 
4*0  Tl:e  Twelfth  Sermon. 
 
 of  all  danger  and  difgrace.     This  very 
 consideration  fhould  move  us  the   ra- 
 ther, fince  by  it  we  exprefs  the  pureft 
 love  and  afFe&ion  to  his  immediate  Wor- 
 ihip  and  Obedience  ;  therefore  St.  Paul 
 tells  us,   that  by  this  we  Jheiv  forth  the 
 Lords  death  till  he  come,  i.  e.     we  open- 
 ly difplay  it,  we  are  not  at  all  afliamed 
 of  it,  we  flee  unto  it  in  our  greateft  dif- 
 ficulties, and  at  the  hour  of  death  as 
 to  our  fafeft    San&uary    and    Refuge. 
 This    is   the  flrong  Tower    that    de- 
 fends us  from  the  wrath  of  God,   the 
 accufations  of  Devils,  and  the  remorfe 
 of  our  own  Consciences.     We  are  in 
 this  Sacrament  to  /hew  forth  the  Lords 
 death,     i.  To  God,  as  our  Atonement • 
 2.  To  Men,  as  our  Profeflion.  3.  To  De- 
 Heb  4.    vils,as  our  ftrongeft  Refuge  and  Defiance. 
 
 25,16. 
 
 1.  W  E  fliew  it  forth  unto  God  as 
 our  Atonement.  We  come  unto  God 
 the  Father  under  the  covert  of  his  Me- 
 diation,  Having  therefore  fuch  a  high 
 PrieJ},  we  may  come  boldly  unto  the  Throne 
 of  Grace;  a  high  Prieft,  who  is  holy, 
 barmlefs,  and  unde filed  to  whom  all  power 
 in  Heaven  and  in  Earth  if  given,  who  is 
 now  returned  from  the  Grave  victori- 
 ous, and  by  his  Blood  makes  Intercef- 
 
 fion 
 
The  Twelfth  Sermon.  421 
 
 fton  for  us  in  the  Holy  of  Holies ;  he 
 lives  forever  at  the  right  hand  of  God; 
 it  is  by  this  Blood  and  Sacrifice  that  we 
 plead  fuccefsfully  for  mercy  and  com- 
 panion. This  is  the  argument  that  God 
 himfelf  cannot  refift  ( if  urg'd  by  Faith 
 and  Charity.  )  Our  Saviour  is  the  great 
 favourite  of  Heaven ,  and  interpofes  in 
 in  all  our  neceflities,  we  lean  on  the 
 Merit  of  his  Sacrifice  as  on  the  fureft 
 Pillar  of  our  hope  and  confidence  s  and 
 therefore  we  come  unto  God  by  him  as 
 by  our  Surety  and  our  Advocate,  and 
 if  he  gave  us  his  Son,  how  fliall  he  not 
 with  him  alfo  give  us  all  things  we  need. 
 
 1,  We  fhew  it  forth  unto  Men;  we 
 openly  proclaim  that  we  will  not  defcrc 
 his  Standard,  that  we  are  not  afhamed 
 of  Chrift  crucified  ;  that  we  are  Difci- 
 pies  of  the  Crofs  in  the  drifted  fenfe:^  „. 
 that  we  glory  in  it  as  our  molt  honou- 16. 
 rable  Chara&er;  that  we  are  refolved 
 to  Let  our  light  fo  (hine  hefore  men,  that 
 they  may  fee  cur  good  works,  and glorifie 
 our  Father  which  is  in  heaven  3  and  not  to 
 deny  him  before  Men  either  in  our  pro- 
 feflion  or  in  our  practices  ;  for  he  that  na- 
 meth  the  name  of  Jefus  wujl  depart  from 
 all  iniquity.  E  e  3  3.  Wfi 
 
412  The  Twelfth  Sermon. 
 
 ?.  We  fh:w  forth  his  Death  and  Sa- 
 crifice in  open  defiance  of  all  the  Powers 
 of  Hell,  Who  is  he  that  condemneth  $  it 
 is  Chrift  that  died \  yea  rather  that  is 
 rifen  again,  who  is  even  at  the  right  hand 
 of  God ,  who  alfo  maketh  inter cejjion  for 
 us.  By  the  Death  of  Jefus  our  mouths 
 are  opened  unto  Songs  of  Triumph  and 
 Defiance,  and  filled  with  joy  and  glad- 
 nefs  5  the  Devils  may  tremble  unto  fear 
 and  defpair  when  they  fee  us  lifted  un- 
 der the  Standard  of  fo  great  a  Captain, 
 fo  famous  a  Warriour,  fo  ftedfaft,  and 
 refolute  a  Friend ,  who  for  us  and  for 
 our  Salvation  came  down  from  Hea- 
 ven. All  their  objections  are  filenced, 
 we  have  our  feet  upon  a  Rock,  and  all 
 the  Armies  of  darknefs  cannot  reach  us  3 
 the  Legions  of  Hell  may  cioath  them- 
 felves  in  their  mod  terrible  appearances, 
 and  tell  over  all  the  fad  ftories  of  our 
 mifcarriages,  and  aggravate  them  to  the 
 higheft,  and  declare  how  often  we  have 
 finned,  and  in  what  inftances  we  have 
 provoked  the  Majefty  of  God,  againft 
 what  Light,  what  Reproofs,  what  Il- 
 luminations, and  what  checks  of  Con- 
 fcience  we  have  repelled,  how  long  we 
 
 have 
 
The  Twelfth  Sermon.  425 
 
 have  negle&ed  our  repentance,  and  how 
 much  we  have  abufed  his  Patience  5  a- 
 gainft  all  thefe  formidable  accufations, 
 the  Chriftian  hath  one  folid  anfwer,  and 
 that  is,  the  Death  of  Jefus  and  his  tri- 
 umphant Refurreftion  from  the dead. 
 
 5:.  Our  Obligation  doth  appear 
 from  the  efficacy  and  excellency  of  thi* 
 very  Sacrament.  It  is  the  great  Anti- 
 dote againft  the  frailties  of  our  Nature, 
 the  frequent  afTaults  of  Temptation, 
 and  the  wiles  and  ftratagems  of  the  De- 
 vil. Thefe  is  nothing  difcourages  our 
 Adverfaries  more  than  when  we  refo- 
 lutely  prepare  our  felves  to  receive  the 
 Holy  Sacrament  of  the  Lords  Supper.  Ic 
 is  the  mod  fovereign  Remedy  againft 
 our  mod  habitual  Vices,  our  mod  in- 
 veterate Prejudices ,  our  moft  ftubborn 
 evil  Habits.  It  is  the  moft  fignificant 
 and  fertfible  representation  of  the  Death 
 and  Paffion  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  5 
 and  therefore  all  the  Graces  of  the  Spi- 
 rit do  meet  in  their  vigour  and  exalta- 
 tion at  this  Sacramenr.  This  made  fome 
 of  the  Ancients  admit  fuch  as  had  fallen  cyr. 
 in  the  time  of  Perfecution  fooner  to  the 
 peace  and  Communion  of  the  Church, 
 E  e  4  than 
 
The  Twelfth  Sermon. 
 
 than  their  ordinary  difcipline  did  allow, 
 becaufe  there  was  a  Perfecution  fhortly 
 to  follow  ;  therefore  it  was  not  thought 
 fit  to  leave  fo  many  deftitute  of  fo  ftrong 
 a  Cordial  in  time  of  danger ,  but  were 
 the  rather  admitted, to  this  higheft  aft 
 of  Communion ,    that   they  might  be 
 ftrengthened  againft  the  next  Encounter 
 of  the  Enemy,  When  we  remember  how 
 foon  our  higheft  zeal  grows  remifs,  our 
 Devotion  cold  and  flat,  our  Purpofes 
 wavering,  our  evil  Habits  grow  ftrong, 
 and  our  Enemy  gains  ground  of  us,  and 
 the  Spirit  of  God  begins  to  withdraw 
 from  us,  and  we  cannot  tell  how  foon 
 we  may  be  judicially  hardened  againft 
 the  moft  effectual  Remedies  of  the  Go- 
 fpel  :    How  great  need  have  we  then 
 of  fuch  a  ftrong  Remedy  againft  our 
 feintnefs  and  wearinefs,   to  fettle  and 
 confirm  our  refolutions  ?    to   blow  up 
 our  zeal  into  a  bright  and  unquenchable 
 flame  ?  to  make  us  one  with  Chrift  >  to 
 make  us  live  no  more  the  life  of  Na- 
 ture, but  the  life  of  the  Faith  of  the  Son 
 of  God. 
 
 6.   Our  Obligation  to  frequent  this 
 Sacrament  doth  appear  from  the  nature 
 
 of 
 
The  Twelfth  Sermon.  41  j 
 
 of  the  Myftery  it  felf  :    for  it  refembles 
 in   its  fpirituai  tendencies   and    defign 
 the  Feaft  upon  the   remainders  of  the 
 Sacrifice,    by  which  Feaft  the  Votaries  Jid  Dr. 
 did   folemnly  refign  themfelves  to  the  wuor^ 
 fervice  and  worlhip  of  that  Deity ,   of 
 whofe  Sacrifices  they  did  eat.  It  is  upon 
 this  ground  that  the  Apoftle  proves  the  iCor.ic 
 unlawfulnefs  of  Chriftians  going  to  the  l6>&c- 
 Idol-feafts  upon  the  invitation  of  their 
 Pagan  Friends  :    for  by  juft  interpreta- 
 tion fuch  as  frequented  the  Idol-feafts 
 were  by  the  folemnities  of  their  Wor- 
 ship oblig'd  to  adhere  to  the  fervice  of 
 that  Idol,  fince  they  were  partakers  of 
 the   Altar  of  Idols ,    they  had  the  moft 
 folemn  fellowship  with  Devils  5  and  there- 
 fore the  Apoftle  concludes,    that  they 
 could  not    be  partakers   of  the   Lords 
 table  and  of  the  table  of  Devils.     When 
 we  come  to  this  Sacrament  we  are  in 
 theftrifteft  league  and  union  with  Jefus 
 Chrift,   and  confequently  we  proclaim 
 to  the  World  that  we  are  entirely  his, 
 that  we  not  only  renounce  all  idolatrous 
 Worfhip,  but  that  we  adhere  to  his  fer- 
 vice  and  obedience  with  --greater  zeal 
 and  fidelity. 
 
 7.  Aj*d 
 
42  6  the  Tmlfth  Sermm. 
 
 7.  And  laftiy,  Our  Obligations  do 
 appear  from  the  vanity  and  imperti- 
 nence of  thole  Excufes  that  are  ordinari- 
 ly pretended  to  divert  Men  from  this  Or- 
 dinance.    And 
 
 1.  Let  us  confider  their  Excufes 
 
 from  their  bufinefs  and  incumbrances,  as 
 
 Matth.aa.if  their  worldly  Affairs  might  engrofs 
 
 Luke'  14  c'ieir  wh°k  time«  This  is  to  contemn 
 18,19,20.  and  defpife  all  the  glad  Tidings  of  the 
 Gofpel,  to  prefer  their  meaneft  things 
 to  their  greateft  Concerns,  to  diflemble 
 with  the  Almighty,  who  knows  that 
 our  time  is  not  fo  narrow ,  but  that 
 we  have  Ieifure  to  look  after  our  Souls. 
 But  what  do  we  gain  by  fuch  foolifh 
 and  treacherous  Excufes  }  Can  we  hide 
 the  darkeft  retirements  of  our  Soul 
 from  the  Omnifcience  of  Heaven  ?  Or 
 is  there  any  thing  fo  dire&ly  oppofite 
 to  the  rtature  of  God,  as  this  perfidious 
 Hypocrifie  >  It  is  true,  We  cannot  Jerve 
 God  and  Mammon  both  together,  yet  we 
 may  look  after  our  worldly  Bufinefs  in 
 fubordination  to  our  Souls ;  but  if  we 
 mud  fo  ferve  our  Mammon  as  to  neg- 
 left  the  Solemnities  of  Religion  ,  we 
 ^  then 
 
The  Twelfth  Sertnm.  41^ 
 
 then  plainly  make  it  our  God,  and  re- 
 nounce the  hopes  of  Chriftianity.  I  do 
 not  deny  but  that  at  fome  time  or  other 
 a  Man  maybe  fo  entangled,  that  he  can- 
 not without  extraordinary  inconveni- 
 ence give  his  attendance  at  the  Lords 
 Table  :  but  when  his  bufinefs  is  made 
 his  ordinary  excufe,  we  may  reafonably 
 prefume  that  he  loves  this  World  more 
 than  God,  and  the  promifes  of  another 
 life,  and  confequently  that  this  World 
 is  the  Idol  which  he  worfhips  with  the 
 ftrength  and  a&ivity  of  his  Soul.  Our 
 Saviour  lays  down  this  Maxim,  that 
 where  our  hearts  are,  there  our  treafure 
 is  alfo.  Whatever  the  Objefl:  is  that  de- 
 vours moft  of  our  time,  and  takes  up 
 our  ftrongeft  thoughts,  defires  and  en- 
 deavours, that  of  neceffity  muft  be  our 
 God,  fince  we  beftow  upon  it  the  high- 
 eft  adoration,  love  and  efteem.  Let  us 
 not  then  fo  often  excufe  our  abfence 
 by  our  wordly  Affairs,  left  we  fhould 
 come  at  length  to  fay  that  there  are  no 
 portions  of  our  time  due  to  God,  nor 
 to  the  thoughts  of  another  life.  But 
 when  we  invite  you  to  the  holy  Sacra- 
 ment, we  do  not  perfuade  you  to  aban- 
 don your  bufinefs  for  ever,   that  may 
 
 again 
 
4*  8  The  Twelfth  Sermon. 
 
 again  return  in  its  feafon,  and  with  the 
 greater  fuccefs  too,  when  you  acknowledg 
 God  in  all  your  ways,  and  are  fenfible 
 that  his  Providence  interpofes  in  the 
 meaneft  accidents  of  our  life :  Nay  this 
 pretended  excufe  from  the  variety  of 
 our  incumbrances  is  againft  the  com- 
 mon fenfe  of  Mankind  5  for  all  Nations 
 have  allowed  large  portions  of  their 
 time  for  their  publick  Devotion,  and 
 they  reckoned  that  the  more  religious 
 they  were,  by  fo  much  the  more  they 
 profpered. 
 
 2;  Some  excufe  themfelvasby  the 
 multitude  of  their  Scruplcs,and  that  they 
 cannot  compofe  their  Gonfciences  after 
 their  mod  ferious  endeavours.    In  that 
 cafe  they  are  obliged  to  go  to  their  fpi- 
 ritual  Guides,  who  are  fent  by  God  to ,; 
 inform  their  Gonfciences  to  confirm  their  j 
 Faith,  to  clear  and  explain  the  nature ; 
 of  this  Myftery,  and  to  direct  them  in 
 all  the  fteps  of  their  approach  towards 
 it  ^  we  cannot  then  be  excufed  by  our  I 
 Scruples  when  they  might  be  removed 
 in  the  regular  Method  of  Gods  appoint 
 ment. 
 
 e  removed  j 
 ds  appoint-jl 
 
 3.  Some! 
 
The Iwelftb  Sermon,  42^ 
 
 3.  Some  are  difcouraged  upon  the 
 fight  of  their  fins  to  approach  fo  great 
 a  Myftery.  And  without  all  doubt  unlefs 
 they  are  fincere  and  peremptory  in  their 
 penitential  refolutions,  they  ought  not 
 to  thruft  themfelves  fo  near  theprefence 
 of  the  Almighty  ;  but  fuch  as  are  hum- 
 bled at  the  fight  of  their  fins,  and  can 
 appeal  unto  God  that  they  defire  now 
 at  laft  to  be  freed  from  their  burden, 
 this  Sacrament  in  its  nature  and  ten- 
 dency is  defigned  for  them,  for  penitent 
 and  broken- hear  ted  Sinners,  for  he  came 
 not  to  call  the  righteous  but  (inner s  to  re- 
 pentance. The  danger  of  receiving  un- 
 worthily is  very  igreat ,  but  the  dan- 
 ger of  contemning  and  vilifying  a  plain 
 Inflitution  of  our  Saviours,  perhaps,  is 
 of  an  equal  i{  not  of  more  terrible  con- 
 fequence.  For  they  do  nothing  lefs  than 
 provoke  the  Lord  to  jealoujie,  i.  e.  they 
 fet  up  other  Gods  to  worfliip,  and 
 trample  upon  his  moft  facred  and  plain- 
 eft  Inftitutions. 
 
 4.  They  excufe  themfelves  from 
 their  hopes  of  after  amendment  and 
 greater  preparations  >    but  this  is  the 
 
 moft 
 
4  J  o  The  Twelfth  Sermon: 
 
 moft  pernicious  fubterfuge  that  can  be 
 invented.    Our  time  runs  away,    our 
 fpiritual  ftrength  is  decayed,  our  Hearts 
 are  more  and  more  hardened  againft  the 
 Gofpel ;    and  is  it  fafe  for  us  under  fo 
 many  difadvantages  to  delay  our  Cure 
 one  moment  langer  >    Now  while  it  k 
 Pfalm  ^.called  to  day  harden  not  your  hearts  as 
 in  the  provocation ;    and  do  not  fright 
 your  felves  from  your  Duty  by  fuch  idle 
 and  impertinent  Excufes ;   that  becaufe 
 your  preparation  is  neceflary,  your  ab- 
 sence is  excufable.     Such  reafonings  are 
 intolerable,    we  ought  to  conclude  ra- 
 ther ,    that  becaufe  our  prefence  is  in- 
 difpenfible ,    therefore  our   preparation 
 ought  to  be  the  more  accurate  and  fea- 
 fonable.     When  we  confider  the  whole 
 Affair  more  maturely,    we  may  eafily 
 fee  that  they  who  make  light  of  the 
 holy  Sacrament  feem  to  renounce  their 
 Baptifm  5  fince  the  Vows  of  Baptifm  are 
 again  reinforced  and  made  ftronger,  and 
 if  we  do  not  difown  them,  why  do  not 
 we  gladly  renew  them  > 
 
 I  N  the  fecond  place,  I  promifed  to 
 direft  your  approaches  to  the  Holy 
 Table.     All  which  may  be  fumm'd  up 
 
 in 
 
The  Twelfth  Sermm.  4  j  1 
 
 in  the  words  of  St.  Paul  to  the  Corinthu 
 ans9   Let  a  man  examine  himfelf  and  fo 
 let  him   eat  of  this  Iread,   for  he  that 
 eateth   and  drinketh  unworthily,    eateth 
 anddrinketh  damnation  to  himfelf.  Which 
 laft  words  the  Apoftle  added  not  to 
 keep  us  back  from  the  Communion,  but 
 to  make  us  more  impartial,  Arid,  and 
 accurate  in  our  trial  and  preparation.    It 
 is  grofs  ftupidity  and  ignorance  to  think 
 that  by  Ihunning  the  Sacrament  of  the 
 Lords  Supper  we  may  efcape   damna- 
 tion ;  for  the  very  fins  in  which  we  con- 
 tinue unreform'd,  and  which  indifpofe 
 us  lor  the  Eucharift,  are  the  true  caufes 
 of  Damnation;    there  is  no  help  then 
 but  to  be  rid  of  our  (ins  by  the  moft  in- 
 genuous remorfe  and   Contrition  ,    to 
 fearch  and  try  our  ways,   and  to  turn  a* 
 gain  unto  God,  in  the  ufe  of  all  his  holy 
 Inftitutions.   And  that  I  may  direft  you 
 in  this  previous  examination  and  trial  5 
 Let  me  advife  you  in  the 
 
 Firft  place,  To  retire  for  fome  con- 
 venient time  where  you  may  take  your 
 felf  alone  for  the  fubjeft  of  your  thoughts 
 and  refle&ions.  Certainly  this  work 
 cannot  be  perform'd  in  a  hurry,  it  re> 
 
 quires 
 
4}  *  The  Twelfth  Sermon. 
 
 quires  a  ferious  and  fober  confutation  s 
 the  Memory  mud  be  employed  to  bring 
 back  our  fins  to  our  prefenc  view : 
 the  Judgment  to  determine  without  fal- 
 lacy and  difguife  what  the  ftate  of  thy 
 Soul  is,  and  the  Affe&ions  muft  be 
 wrought  upon  fuitably  to  our  condition. 
 Examination  of  ones  felf  is  one  of  the 
 moft  difficult  undertakings,  the  Confci- 
 ence  is  intricate,  and  our  Hearts  are 
 deceitful,  and  we  are  apt  too  often  to 
 extenuate  the  grofleft  follies  and  mif 
 carriages  by  favourable  and  benign  in- 
 terpretations :  therefore  are  we  to  re- 
 tire from  the  noife  and  clamour  of  the 
 World,  that  our  Souls  may  be  clear  and 
 ierenelike  thofe  Regions  of  the  Air,  that 
 are  above  Storms  and  Tempefts :  where 
 no  Vapour,  no  Wind  can  enter:  we  are 
 to  apply  the  utmoft  ftrength  of  our  Souls 
 to  this  one  thing,  and  therefore  we  are 
 to  gather  our  thoughts  into  a  recol- 
 lected frame,  and  not  fufFer  them  to 
 wander  abroad  until  we  have  brought 
 this  Affair  to  fome  defirable  event. 
 
 We  are  to  meet  with  God  in  the 
 moft  comfortable  and  fublime  Ordi- 
 nance, and  to  drefs  our  Souls  in  their 
 
 beft 
 
The  Twelfth  Sermon,  4  j  3 
 
 bed  Robes  and  Wedding- garments.  We 
 are  to  come  to  this  Feaft  with  pure  in- 
 tentions, and  to  arm  our  felves  with 
 the  whole  armour  of  God,  and  againft 
 every  Limb  of  the  body  of  Death.  We 
 are  to  fet  the  pure  Law  of  God  before 
 our  Eyes,  and  faithfully  to  compare 
 our  aftions  with  it,  and  do  you  think 
 that  this  can  be  done  by  a  fuperficial  ) 
 
 glance  ?   or  can  we  renverfe  fo  eafily 
 what  is  fo  deeply  rooted  in  our  Nature 
 and  frame  :   can  we  by  the  flighted  at- 
 tempt overturn  the  works  of  Satan  ? 
 When  we  remember  that  we  are  to  be  EccfeCisi; 
 judged  for  every  fecret  thought \  and  e»  ^- 
 very  idle  word,  and  every  evil  deed,  how  36. 
 impartial  and  accurate  ought  we  to  be2Cor-5«! 
 in  this  Examination  ?  when  we  compare I0# 
 our  lives  with  the  Law  of  God ,  what 
 a  formidable  Army  of  our  fins  do  we 
 at  firft  view  perceive  >     Our  omiffions, 
 our  carelels  performance  of  what  we  do, 
 our  injuries  towards  others,  our  foolifti 
 impertinent,  and  uncharitable  Cenfures 
 of  many,  our  breach  of  former  Promt- 
 fes  and  FLefolutions,  the  hardnefs  of  our 
 Hearts  againft  the  various  Methods  of 
 Gods  Goodnefs,    Patience   and  Provi- 
 dence, againft  the  light,  reproofs,  and 
 F  f  di^ 
 
454  TheTwelfth  Sermon. 
 
 dire&ions  of  our  own  Confciences,  and 
 the  honour  of  our  moft  holyProfeffion  3 
 now  when  we  have  gotten  fuch  a  fight 
 of  our  fins,  the  Prayer  of  the  Tullkan  in 
 the  Temple  becomes  us,  Lord  be  merciful 
 to  me  a  finner. 
 
 x.  When  you  have  made  an  im- 
 partial difcovery  of  your  Condition , 
 judge  thy  felf  with  all  feverity :  for  // 
 we  judge  our  j elves,  we  jhall  not  he  judg- 
 ed of  the  Lord.  We  are  not  to  judge 
 our  felves  blindly  and  with  precipita- 
 tion, but  upon  a  lull  and  clear  evidence 
 of  our  Condition  :  nor  is  it  enough  to 
 pafs  fentence  againft  our  felves  in  gene- 
 ral forms,  to  acknowledge  that  we  are 
 finners,  but  we  mult  confefs  our  parti- 
 cular  fins,  fuch  as  are  our  fins  in  a  fpe- 
 cial  manner,  either  by  habitual  cuftom, 
 temperament  of  Body>  ordinary  Socie- 
 ty, or  by  any  other  accident  or  tenta 
 tion :  for  without  this  particular  and  in- 
 genuous confeffion  we  are  not  alhamed 
 of  what  we  have  done  ,  and  confe- 
 quently  not  truly  penitent.  Let  us 
 therefore  neither  hide  nor  extenuate 
 our  fins  before  God  to  whofe  Eyes  all 
 things  are  naked  and  open,     and  whofe 
 
 word 
 
The  Twelfth  Sermon.  41  j 
 
 word  divides  between  the  foul  and  the 
 fpirit,  who  knows  our  thoughts  afar  off^ 
 and  the  very  firft  tendencies  of  our  Soul 
 towards  evil.  Apply  the  confeflion  of 
 the  prodigal  Son  to  thy  particular  ftate,  LukeiA 
 and  fay  with  true  contrition  and  humi- 
 lity ,  /  have  finned  againfl  heaven  and 
 in  thy  fight ,  and  am  no  more  worthy  to 
 be  called  thy  fon. 
 
 The  Grace  of  God  cannot  grow  to 
 any  ripenefs  and  perfection  but  in  the 
 Soul  that  is  truly  humble,  and  that 
 fenfibly  feels  it  felf  in  the  moft  defti- 
 tute  condition,  unlcfs  our  Saviour  fpee- 
 dily  interpofe  for  our  recovery  ,  and 
 there  is  no  Method  (0  proper  to  make 
 us  truly  humble,  as  to  fee  our  felves 
 without  diiguife,  naked,  as  in  the  fight 
 of  God.  When  we  are  ftript  of  our 
 Excufes  ,  and  artificial  coverings ,  by 
 which  we  endeavour  to  hide  our  felves 
 from  our  Neighbours ,  then  we  fee  the 
 vaft  diftance  that  is  between  the  purs 
 Laws  of  our  Religion,  and  our  loofe, 
 carelefs  and  difordered  lives.  God  is 
 prefent  with  us  at  all  times ,  and  his 
 Eyes  pierce  to  the  Center  of  our  Spi- 
 rits 5  Let  us  therefore  go  to  the  bot* 
 F  f  K9  torn 
 
a i.  2z. 
 
 436  Tfo  7wlftb  Sermon. 
 
 tonrof  the  Sore,  and  examine  our  ani- 
 ons by  that  infallible  Rule  of  his  Word, 
 and  then  vve  muft  condemn  our  (elves 
 in  the  moft  ferious,  and  affiiftive  (train 
 of  true  remorfe  and  contrition  3  and 
 therefore  we  find  that  the  moft  emi- 
 nent Saints  have  been  moft  accurate 
 and  impartial,  in  cenfuring  their  own 
 fins  and  tranfgreftions,  they  were  more 
 ingenuous  than  their  moft  watchful  E- 
 nemies  to  aggravate  their  own  follies. 
 Pfaliti  73.  Thus  my  heart  was  griev'd  (  faith  the 
 Pfaimift)  dnd  I  was  pricked  in  my  reins* 
 [0  foolijh  was  1  and  ignorant,  I  was  as  a 
 ieafl  before  thee, 
 
 3,  W  E  are  to  approach  this  Sacrament 
 with  ftrong  refolutions  at  laft  to  be  re- 
 venged on  our  fins.  Let  us  reafon  our 
 felvcs  out  of  our  former  idlenefs  and 
 (loth  ;  if  we  are  truly  griev'd  for  our 
 fins,  vve  muft  break  thorough  the  or- 
 dinary Obftacles  that  formerly  kept  us 
 in  bondage.  Is  there  no  ftrength  in 
 this  Sacrament  to  break  thofc  Iron  bars 
 by  which  we  are  (hut  up  under  the 
 power  of  our  fins?  Are  our  bonds fo 
 ftrong  that  they  cannot  be  (haken  off? 
 Are  our  Appetites  To  violent  and  un- 
 ruly 
 
The  Twelfth  Sermon.  437 
 
 ruly  chat  chey  cannot  be  refilled  ?  Were 
 not  others  encompatfed  with  the  fame 
 flefti  and  infirmities,  and  yet  happily 
 made  free  ?.■  And  (hall  we  miferably 
 groan  under  the  load  of  our  fins,  even 
 though  we  feel  that  they  make  us  hate-  1 
 
 ful  to  God  ?  Nay,  let  us  caft  our 
 felves  under  the  companionate  Eye  of 
 our  blefled  Lord  and  Mafter,  and  be- 
 feech  him,  that  he  would  let  us  feel 
 the  power  of  his  Refurrettion^  and  break 
 our  Captivity,  that  he  would  let  us  v 
 "know  that  He  that  is  in  us  is  ftronger 
 than  He  that  is  in  the  World  %  that  his 
 Wifdom  and  Strength  may  interpofe  to 
 help  our  weaknefs  and  folly ;  that  He 
 would  gird  his  vi£torious  Sword  upon 
 his  thigh>  and  eradicate  our  evil  Ha- 
 bits :  Let  God  arife,  and  let  his  Ene- 
 mies be  fcattered ,  and  fly  before  his 
 prefence.  Our  refolutions  muft  not  on- 
 ly be  vigorous  and  fervent,  but  fixe  a: 
 gainft  particular  fins  to  which  our  in- 
 clinations are  more  violent  and  for- 
 ward. 
 
 4.    Gome    unto    the  Holy  Table 
 
 with  full  truftin  the  mercy  of  God.    He 
 
 will  not  quench  the  fmoaking  flax ,    nor 
 
 F  f  }  mil 
 
4  5  8  The  Twelfth  Sermon. 
 
 will  he  break  the  bruifed  reed.    He  blows 
 upon  the  firft  fparks  of  Sincerity  until 
 they  arc  flam'd  into  perfect  zeal  and  De- 
 votion.    The  Waters  that  He  gives  are 
 John  4.     a  Well  of  water  [fringing  up  unto  life  c- 
 Phi!.  1.  6.  ternal.     He   will  per  fed  that  which  he 
 hath  begun.     The  goodnefs  of  God  and 
 the  incomprehenfible  Love  of  Jefus  are 
 immovable  Pillars  of  our  Faith  5    and 
 therefore  we  are  to  fill  our  Eyes  with  a 
 profpeft  of  Mercy.     He  will  not  deal 
 rigidly  with  us,  neither  will  he  upbraid 
 us  with  our  former  guiltinefs,  when  we 
 are  proftrate  at  his  feet,  when  we  plead 
 with  him  by  his  boundlefs  Compaflion 
 and   the  Abyfs  of  our  miferies.     The 
 Blood  of  Jefus  is  the  true  Atonement, 
 and  propitiation  for  the  fins  of  the  Worlds 
 So  reafons  the  Author  to  the  Hebrews, 
 Heb  $.13,  that  the  blood  of  Jefus  muft  be  of  ( infi- 
 ?4i  *$•     nitely  )  greater  force  than  that,  of  Bulls 
 and  Goats,  and  the  afhes  of  an  Heifer  3  for 
 he  offered  himfelf  without  fpot  unto  GoJy 
 znd   that   through  the  eternal  Spirit , 
 -  and  therefore  he  lives  for  ever  to  make 
 tnterceffion  for  us,  and  if  we  believe  the 
 Sufficiency  and  merit  of  his  Sacrifice,  we 
 muft  alfo  be  perfuadcd  of  the  real  effi- 
 cacy of  this  Sacrament  to  convey  the 
 
 Merits 
 
The  Twelfth  Sermon.  459 
 
 Merits  of  Chrifts  blood  to  every  peni- 
 tent Communicant.  This  may  be  eafi- 
 ly  difcern'd  by  its  contrary  influence  on 
 the  prophane  and  impenitent ;  If  he 
 that  eats  and  drinks  unworthily,  eats 
 and  drinks  damnation^  then  certainly  it 
 it  mult  convey  life,  ftrength,  light  and 
 comfort  to  the  truly  penitent.  Indeed, 
 when  we  look  narrowly  to  the  nature 
 of  itf  it  is  one  of  the  fureft  Pillars  of 
 our  Faith  3  for  this  we  do  in  remem- 
 brance of  his  Death  and  Pajfion  ;  and  his 
 llood  that  fpeaketh  better  things  than 
 the  blood  of  Abel,  is  ftill  of  the  fame 
 force  and  value  with  God.  Let  us  not 
 therefore  entertain  narrow  Notions  of 
 the  Almighty  as  if  he  delighted  in  the 
 death  of /inner s,  as  if  he  took  pleafure  in 
 their  miferies ;  for  God  is  Love,  and  ic 
 is  below  his  infinite  Majefly  to  crufli  to 
 ruin  and  deftru£fcion  fuch  as  appeal  to 
 his  Mercy,  If  thou  hateft  thy  fins,  if 
 thou  perceived  how  vile  they  make  thee, 
 and  how  miferable,  if  thou  implore  the 
 goodnefs  of  God  to  deliver  thee ,  thy 
 freedom  is  already  begun,  and  God  will 
 advance  it  into  a  full  Victory. 
 
 Ff4         5.  Come 
 
440  The  Twelfth  Sermon. 
 
 5.  Come  unto  this  Sacrament  re- 
 conciled to  thy  Brother;  Peace  and  Love 
 are  the  difpofitions  that  make  our  Souls 
 fit  Manfions  for  the  Holy  Ghoft  ;  the 
 vapours  and  fmoak  of  Contention  drive 
 him  from  our    Habitations.     This    is 
 one  of  our  Saviours  great  dire&ions  in 
 Matth.  5.  his  Sermon  on  the  Mount  5    therefore  if 
 z*         thou  bring  thy   gift   to  the  Altar ,   and 
 there  rememberejl  that  thy  brother  hath 
 ought  againd  thee,  leave  there   thy  gift 
 before  the  Altar,  go  thy  way,  firft  be  re- 
 conciled to  thy  brother  ,    and  then  come 
 and  offer   thy  gift.     If  the  Sacrament 
 of    the    Altar    be    not    here    ftri&ly 
 meant ,    yet  by  the   neareft   Analogy 
 and  confequence  it  is    intended;    and 
 the   moft  judicious    Interpreters  think 
 that  our  Saviour   gave  this  dire&ion , 
 with  a  fpecial  Eye  to  that  Sacrament, 
 which  he  was  afterwards  to  appoint. 
 And  the  fame  direction  for  the  matter 
 Matth.  6.  is  repeated  h    If  you  jorgive  men  their 
 *4-  trefpajfes,  your  heavenly  Father  will  alfo 
 
 Matth. \%.for^ve  you-    The  unreafonable  rigidity 
 24, &c.     of  the  Bankrupt- fervant  towards  his  fel- 
 low ,    is  loathfom  in  the  Eyes  of  God 
 and  of  all  good  men,     We  are  exhorted 
 
 by 
 
77;e  Twelfth  Sermon]  v  441 
 
 by  St.  Peter,  to  lay  a[ide  all  malice  and  t  pet2< 
 all  guile,  and  hypocrijies  and  envies,  and 
 all  evil  fpeakings.     And    we  are   in- 
 form'd  by  St.  Paul ,    that  Love  is  theGd.$. 
 fulfilling  of  the  Law,  and  that  the  works 
 of  the  flefh  ate  wanifeft,  among  which 
 are  reckon'd  hatred,   variance,  emulati- 
 ons, wrath,  flrife,  feditions,  herejies,  but 
 the  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is  love,  joy,  peace > 
 long-fuffering,  gentlenefs,  o^oodnefs,  faith, 
 nteeknefs,  temperance.     When  we  confi- 
 der   the  nature  of  our  Religion  ,    the 
 whole   tendency  and  defign  of  the  Go- 
 fpel,  we  muft  conclude  that  there  is  no- 
 thing more  oppofite  unto  its  harmoni- 
 ous  and  blcrfed  temper,    than  malice 
 and  revenge  ;  and  therefore  we  muft  be 
 ruled  by  other  meafures  than  thofe  that 
 prevail    moft  in  the  World.     He    is 
 thought   mean-fpirited,   low  and  abjett 
 that  is  ready  to  forgive  an  injury,    yet 
 it  is  the  height  of  true  Courage  and 
 Magnanimity,  if  we  confider  the  whole 
 Scheme  of  our  Religion,    how  much  it 
 is  twifted   with  meeknefs ,    gentlenefs, 
 and  charity;     or  the  fupreme  Authori- 
 ty of  God  ,   to  whom  Vengeance  doth 
 belong ,    our    own    inward  Peace  and 
 
 Tran- 
 
44*  The  Twelfth  Sermon. 
 
 Tranquility,  or  the  order  and  fettlement 
 of  publick  Societies,  we  cannot  jrefufe 
 GolofTg.  to  comply  with  our  Saviour's  <jlire&i- 
 1  V3>*4-  on  #  and  therefore  St.  Paul  commands 
 us,  that  as  we  defire  to  approve  our 
 felves  the  Elecl  of  God ,  holy  and  belo- 
 ved, that  we  put  on  bowels  of  compaf- 
 fion^  kindnefs,  humllenefs  of  mind,  meek- 
 nefs,  longfuffering ,  forbearing  one  ano- 
 ther, if  any  man  have  a  quarrel  againfi 
 any,  and  that  above  all  we  put  on  Cha* 
 rity  which  is  the  bond  of  perf eft  nefs. 
 True  and  univerfal  Charity  is  the  greac 
 glory  and  pcrfe&ion  of  our  Religion, 
 in  which  Chriftians  ought  to  outftiine 
 all  others.  It  is  that  by  which  we  re- 
 ferable our  Father  above,  and  prove 
 our  felves  to  be  his  offfpring  in  the 
 higheft  and  trueft  fenfe.  Our  blefled 
 Saviour,  after  He  had  commanded  us 
 to  love  our  Enemies ,  concludes  with 
 this  ,  Be  ye  therefore  perfccl  as  your 
 Father  which  is  in  heaven  is  perfeft. 
 The  Jews  themfelves  who  were  indulg- 
 ed, or  rather  connived  at,  to  be  more 
 rugged  and  untra&able  than  the  Chri- 
 ftians, were  yet  obliged  to  ftiew  many 
 a&s  of  benevolence  to  their  Enemies 
 
 Qf 
 
the  Twelfth  Sermon.  44  j 
 
 of  their  own  Nation  and  Profeffion.  And  Exod.  23* 
 many  of  the  Philofophers  did  look  up-  fe'nMa^ 
 on  the  forgiving  of  injuries  as  an  in-  nianimi 
 fiance  of  true  Valour  and  Fortitude.       *fi  Hw* 
 
 as  dejpjm 
 
 cere* 
 Next,.  Let  us  confider  ,  that  Ha- 
 tred, and  Variance,  and  Strife,  make  us 
 unfit  for  any  particular  aft  of  Worfhip, 
 and  therefore  are  we  commanded  in 
 ourPrayets  to  lift  up  holy  hands  with- 
 out wrath  and  doubting.  And  fecond- 
 ly,  Contention  and  Enmity  exclude  us 
 from  all  hopes  of  Pardon,  as  oft  as  wc 
 fay  the  Lords  Prayer,  we  appeal  to  the 
 Omnifcience  of  God,  that  we  defire  to 
 be  pardoned  no  otherwife  than  we  hear- 
 tily pardon  and  forgive  the  lefler  inju- 
 ries of  our  Brethren  done  to  u$,  and  if 
 we  retain  in  our  hearts  the  feeds  of  . 
 Rancour  and  Malice  againft  our  Bre- 
 thren, we  pronounce  fentence  againft 
 our  felves,  we  change  our  Prayers  into 
 imprecations,  and  inftead  of  the  great 
 bleflings  of  Peace  and  Pardon,  we  are 
 confign'd  over  to  the  faddeft  doom  and 
 horrour.  Then  let  us  confider  that  if 
 we  are  commanded  to  lay  a  fide  our 
 prejudices  and  evil  defigns  againft  fuch 
 
 as 
 
444  ^e  twelfth  Sermon. 
 
 as  have  provoked  us,  how  much  more 
 ought  we  to  forbear  affronting  of  them 
 who  were  never  injurious  to  us  3  and 
 therefore  we  rouft  recompence  evil  for 
 evil  to  no  Man,  we  rnufl:  be  tender  heart- 
 ed and  charitable  to  the  poor  and  necef- 
 fitous ;  Alms  and  Fading  are  faid  to  be 
 the  two  Wings  by  which  our  Prayers 
 ily^o  the  Throne  of  God  5  the  Provi- 
 dence and  Promife,the  Power  and  Good- 
 nefs  of  God,  are  all  engaged  in  defence 
 of  the  charitable  Man ;  this  is  the  uni- 
 verfai  Voice  of  the  New  and  Old  Tefta- 
 ment,  the  language  of  Nature  and  Reli- 
 gion ;  Jew  and  Gentile,  do  acknowledge 
 it  from  all  the  ties  of  Virtue  and  Huma 
 nity.  Let  us  therefore  remember  the 
 hardihips  of  them  who  are  indigent, 
 their  fad  groans  and  lamentable  fighs,  j 
 and  according  to  our  ability  relieve 
 them,  not  fcrupuloufly  weighing  our  own 
 ftrength,  fo  much  as  their  ftraits  and 
 calamity.     Let  us    not   lay   up  treafure 
 
 Matth.  upon  earth,  where  moth  and  ru/t  doth  cor- 
 rupt, but  in  heaven,  where  they  are  not 
 cxpos'd  to  any  danger  or  decay,  (till  re- 
 membring,  that  he  that  Joweth  fparingly 
 (hall  reap  {paring.     When  we  are  thus 
 
 far 
 
The  twelfth  Sermon]  445 
 
 far  prepaid  we  cannot  but  feel  the  {harp- 
 eft  hunger  after  this  fpiritual  Food  5  our 
 Souls  are  then  inflam'd  with  the  ftrong- 
 eft  defires,  we  breath  after  God  in  the 
 affedtions  and  language  of  the  Pfalmiftj 
 As  the  Hart  panteth  after  J  he  Water-  Pfalm^ 
 hooks,  fo  panteth  my  foul  after  thee,  Overfei»a- 
 God,  my  foul  thirfleth  for  God,  for  the  li- 
 ving God ,    when  fhall  I  come  and  appear 
 before  God?  When  fhall  I  converfewith 
 him  in  the  mod  intimate  manner,  that 
 this  ftate  of  frailties  and  weakneffes  can 
 allow  of  ?    The  Solemnities  of  Religion 
 recruit  our  ftrength  ^gainft  our  Lulls 
 and  corruptions,    we  are  made  more 
 chearful  and  refolute  to  grapple  with 
 our  Enemies,  when  we  feel  the  influen- 
 ces of  his  Spirit  uniting  us  to  God,  and 
 expofing  to  our  view  all  our  former  fins 
 in  all  their  deformities,    we  ^conclude 
 from  fuch  excellent  beginnings,  that  we 
 fhall    he   made    more    than  Conquer  ours 
 through  Jefus  Chrift  that  loved  us  5  and 
 we  refign  our  felves  to  his  condudt  and 
 goodnefs ,   and  by  them  we  put  to  fi- 
 lence  all  our  fears  and  anxieties ,    Why 
 art  thou  caji  down,  0  my  Soul,  and  why  pfafoi  41. 
 art  thou  dif quieted  within  me  $     hope11^ 
 
 thou 
 
fy6         The  Twelfth  Sermon: 
 
 thou  in  GocTfor  I  (ball  yet  praife  him, 
 who  is  the  health  of  my  Countenance  and 
 my  God. 
 
 To  God  the  Father,  Son,  and 
 Holy  Ghofl,  be  all  Praife, 
 Power  and  Dominion,  for 
 evermore.    Amen. 
 
 A 
 
SERMON 
 
 Preached  at  the 
 
 FUNERAL 
 
 Of  the  Right  Honourable 
 
 WILLIAM 
 
 Vifcount  of  Strathallan* 
 
 Lieutenant-General  of  all  His  Ma- 
 jesties Forces  within  the  King- 
 dom ofScoTLAND:  At lnver- 
 peffray,  April  $.  1688. 
 
 LONDON, 
 Printed,  for  Jofeph Hindmarjb ,    at  the 
 Golden  Ball  over  againft  the  Royal  Ex- 
 change in  CornhlL     1693. 
 
44? 
 
 j 
 
 SERMON 
 
 O   N 
 
 John    xi.  25. 
 
 Jefus  faid  unto  her,  1  am  the  ti(efurre- 
 ttion  and  the  Life ;  he  that  believ- 
 eth  in  me y  though  he  wen  dead ,  yet 
 [haU  he  live.  Compared  with 
 1  Cor.  15. \t, 15, 14.  Now,  if 
 Chriji  be  preached,  that  he  rofe  from 
 the  dead,  how  fayfome  among  you, 
 that  there  is  no  refurrettion  from  the 
 dead  ?  <But  if  there  be  no  refurre- 
 Bion  of  the  dead ,  then  is  Chriji  not 
 mt  rifen  $  and  if  Chriji  be  not 
 G  g  rifen, 
 
4  5  o  The  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 rifen  ,    then  is  our  preaching  vain^ 
 and  your  faith  is  alfo  vain. 
 
 TH  E  firft  Sentence  that  I  have 
 read  ,  is  placed  in  the  Fron- 
 tifpiece  of  the  Office  for  the 
 Burial  of  the  Dead;  the  clear 
 forefight  we  have  of  our  after  fubfiftence, 
 being  the  only,  and  the  ftrongeft  Anti- 
 dote againft  the  Terrors  of  Death ,  and 
 the  Solemnities  of  our  Entrance  into  the 
 Grave.  What  more  proper  to  be  told 
 the  Sifters  of  Lazarus  ,  than  that  which 
 rais'd  their  thoughts  from  the  Corrupti- 
 ons of  the  Earth  ,  to  that  State  of  Cele* 
 ftial  Vigour,  to  which  we  (hall  arrive  one 
 day,  when  we  (hake  off  the  Diflionours 
 of  Weaknefs  and  Mortality.  The  Arti- 
 cle of  the  RefurreBion  is  the  great 
 Pillar  of  the  Chrtftian  Faith,  the. Corner- 
 (tone  of  our  Religion  ;  our  Hope  is 
 founded  on  it:  and,  as  the  Apoftle  rea« 
 fons,  our  Belief  without  it  is  but  one 
 continued  Fable  and  Impofture.  This 
 alone  hath  in  it  the  Strength  and  Quin- 
 tefcence  of  all  Confolation  $  and  there  is 
 no  remedy  againft  our  prefent  Trouble, 
 
 but 
 
j!7;e  Thirteenth  Sermon.  4  j  I 
 
 but  to  believe  our  condition  (hall  be 
 changed  into  a  better.  Humane  Nature 
 feels  it  felf  relieved  by  no  other  thought, 
 than  the  fure  profpect  of  our  happinefs 
 to  come  :  The  wife  fayings  and  pretty 
 knacks  of  the  Philofophers ,  who  had  no 
 view  of  the  Refurre&ion,  did  avail  but 
 little  to  fupport  the  Mind  againft  Grief 
 and  Sorrow.  So  S.  Paul  concludes,  that 
 if  in  this  life  only  we  had  hope,  we  were  ofQQVt 
 all  men  the  moft  miferable.  There  was 
 indeed  a  general  Tradition  of  the  Im- 
 mortality of  the  Soul  ,  that  had  over- 
 fpread  Mankind ;  and  fomuch  we  might 
 gather  from  the  Writings  of  Cicero  and 
 Seneca.  But  to  believe,  that  the  difpers'd  - 
 parts  of  a  Mans  Body  {hall  be  rang'd  and 
 difpos'd  into  their  true  order  and  fitu- 
 ation  ,  after  they  have  been  fcatter'd 
 thorough  all  the  Corners  of  the  Earth, 
 that  they  (hall  be  reduc'd  unto  a  temper 
 fit  to  ferve  the  Soul  in  all  its  Vital  Fun- 
 ctions, that  thofe  Atoms  (hall  be  joyn'd 
 to  that  Spirit  from  whom  they  have 
 been  feparated ,  was  and  is  the  peculiar 
 Belief  of  the  True  Church. 
 
 We  cannot  think  of  our  utter  Diflb- 
 
 lution,  without  horror  and  amazement  3 
 
 Ggi  we 
 
4  5  z  The  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 we  are  naturally  enemies  to  Sadducifm, 
 and  death  in  its  ftri&eft  Notion.  The 
 moft  barbarous  Nations  have  fomething 
 in  their  Rites  and  Religious  Ceremo- 
 nies ,  that  carry  their  thoughts  beyond 
 the  Grave.The  very  Phrafe 
 
 ■Ahitiojtnmjertjm..    by  which  the    anc-|ent  R0. 
 
 qui  dicebam  mortem.    A-   ^j»i  did  exprels  Death,  let 
 pud  Meurfmm  lib.  dc  fu-    us  fee,  that  they  could  not 
 
 »«*,  cap.  1.  wkh  patknce  think  of  bc. 
 
 ing  entirely  extinfl:  and  an- 
 nihilated ,  when  their  Souls  left  their 
 earthly  habitations. 
 
 As  for  the  jfaw,  they  could  not  but 
 be  fully  acquainted  with  thcDoftrine  of 
 the  Refurre&ion  ,  though  not  from  the 
 Law  of  Mofe s ;  yet  the  fayings  of  their 
 Wife  Men,  the  Comments  and  Predicti- 
 ons of  their  Prophets ,  the  Traditions  of 
 the  Patriarchs  did  eftablifh  them  fully 
 in  the  Belief  of  the  Refurre&ion.  As  we 
 are  informed  by  the  Prophecies  of  Da- 
 niel and  Job  :  And  many  of  them  that 
 Dan  1  a.  fleeP  ln  ^je  ^u$  tf  the  earth  fhall  awake, 
 2,3'  '  fome  to  everlaftinglife^  and  Jome  to fhame 
 and  everlafting  contempt  ;  and  they  that 
 le  wife,  foall  jhine  as  the  brightnefs  of  the 
 firmament  >   and  they  that  turn  many  to 
 
 righte- 
 
The  Thirteenth  Sennon,  45  5 
 
 right eoufnefs ,   as  the  Jiars  for  ever  and 
 ever.     Could  any  of  the  Chriftians  pro- 
 phefie  with   greater  aflu- 
 rance  of  the  Refurreftion       Tistrue,  thatfomeuni 
 
 than  Job  *  $  I  know  that  my    derftand  this  place  in  ano- 
 
 he  fhall  ft  and  at  the  latter    do  carry  the  Mind  beyond 
 day  upon  the  earth.      And  all  the  glory  oW's  earth- 
 
 ..  1        1      /x  7 .  Iy  felicity  :   and  they  feem 
 
 though  after  my  skin,  worms    to  have  y  them  a  &jcfty 
 deflroy  this  body,  yet  in  my    far  above  the  hopes  of  out-« 
 flejh  fhall  I  fee  God\  whom    w^rd  profperity. 
 /  fhall  fee  for  my  [elf,  and 
 mine  eyes  fhall  behold \  and  not  another 9l°^l9^t 
 though  my  reins  be  confumed  within  me.  z    27' 
 Its  the  Obfervation  of  S.  Hierom  upon  tterom: 
 thefe  words,  that  none  fpoke  fo  clearly  $J*fe in 
 of  our  Saviours    Refurreftion   and    his 
 own ,  as  Job  before  the  Incarnation  did. 
 And  the  following  Prophets  teach  the 
 fame  Do&rine.       Thy  dead  men  fhall 
 live ,  together  with  my  dead  body  JhallUa.16.19; 
 they  arife  :    Awake  ,   and  fing  ye  that 
 dwell  in  dufl9  for  the  dew  is,  as  the  dew 
 of  herbs9  and  the  earth  fhall  cad  out  the 
 dead.    But  the  Do&rine  of  the  Refur- 
 reftion    hath  received  much  Evidence 
 and  Certainty  from  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift 
 himfelf ,    who  brought  life  and  immorta- 
 G  g  5  lity 
 
454  Tl?e  Thirteenth  Sermon* 
 
 lity  to  light  ly  the  Gofpel : 
 John.Tk  hour  is  coming    wh0    noc    only    a(TertS    It 
 
 when  they  that  are  m  the     fr^nnpnriv       uut  nrftVM  ;r 
 grave, /hall  hear  the  voice    frequently,     but   proves  It 
 
 of  the  Son  of  God,  &c.         convincingly     from      the 
 
 Books  of  Mofes ,    by  the 
 
 cleareft  and  moll  undeniable  confe- 
 Matth.22.  quence  ;  I  am  the  God  of  Abraham,  the 
 31-  God  of  Ifaac,  and  the  God  of  Jacob  ;    God 
 
 is  not  the  God  of  the  dead ,    hut  of  the 
 
 living. 
 
 I  T  is  needlefs  for  me,  or  my  defign, 
 to  trouble  you  with  the  more  accurate 
 inquiry  of  the  order  and  coherence  of 
 thofe  Words  that  I  have  read,  either  out 
 of  the  Gofpel,  or  theEpiftle,  though  we 
 Jhould  disjoin  them  from  their  neighbour 
 places,  yet  they  are  entire  in  themfelves, 
 full  of  light  and  comfort ;  Martha  told 
 our  Saviour  (her  Faith  now  being  almoft 
 overcome  with  Grief  )  that  he  was  high- 
 ly in  favour  with  God ,  and  fo  probably 
 might  prevail  with  him,  and  obtain  any 
 thing  he  defired  :  Our  Saviour  afTures 
 her ,  that  her  Brother  jhall  rife  again ; 
 this  puts  fome  life  into  her  expectations, 
 and  fhe  feemed  artificially  to  wave  what 
 fhe  hoped  5  and  did  insinuate,  that  fhe 
 underftood  him  of  the  general  Refurre- 
 
 ftion. 
 
The  Thirteenth  Sermon.  45  J 
 
 ftion.  But  he  quickly  faw  into  the 
 darkeft  recefles  of  her  mind ,  and  told 
 her  plainly,  that  there  was  no  neceffity 
 to  let  her  thoughts  fly  fo  far  off,  as 
 the  general  Refurre&ion  :  He  who  was 
 the  firft  efficient  caufe  of  the  Refurre- 
 ftion,  and  the  Author  of  Life,  was  him- 
 fclf  prefent,  and  fo  might  when  he 
 plcas'd  raife  his  fubje&s  and  followers 
 from  the  captivity  and  difhonours  of 
 the  Grave. 
 
 From  both  the  places  that  I  have 
 read,  I  invite  your  attention  to  Medi- 
 tate, Firft,  On  the  Refurre&ion  of  our 
 Saviour,  as  the  Author  and  finifher  of  our 
 faith.  Secondly,  Our  Refurreftion  Who 
 believe  in  him.  Thirdly,  The  Intereft 
 that  we  have  in  his  purchafe  by  our 
 adherence  to  him ,  and  dependence  on 
 him.  He  that  believes  on  me,  though  he 
 wen  dead,  yet  /kail  he  live. 
 
 Firft,  That  our  Saviour  did  raife 
 himfelf  from  the  dead  is  certain ,  elfe 
 our  Religion  is  but  a  fable  and  a  lying 
 vanity.  It  is  S.  Paul's  own  Inference 
 to  the  Corinthians,  If  Chrift  be  not  rifen, 
 then  our  faith  is  in  vain,  and  we  are  yet 
 G  g  4  in 
 
45  6  fix  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 *  in  our  fins.  And  fo  our  Saviour  tells  the 
 Luke  24?.  Difciples ,  that  Chrift  muft  needs  fuf 
 v.  46.      jer  anjrije  jrom  tfoe  dead  tfoe  tjjirj  day. 
 
 The  Spirit  of  Prophecy  did  enlighten 
 
 the  Jewifi  Churchy  and  foretold  the  fuc- 
 
 cefs,  glories  and  triumphs  of  the  Meffias* 
 Pfal.no.  He  paU  Jrink  ojr  the  hrook  jn  fhe  way9 
 
 therefore  Jhall  he  lift  his  head.  And 
 If  a.  5  j.  10.  That  when  he  made  his  Soul 
 an  offering  for  Jin ,  he  fhould  prolong  his 
 days,  and  the  pleafure  of  the  Lord  fhould 
 profper  in  his  hand;  That  becaufe  he 
 had  poured  out  his  Soul  unto  death, 
 God  would  divide  him  a  portion  with 
 the  Great,  and  he  fhould  divide  the 
 Spoils  with  the  ftrong.  All  thofe  Pre- 
 dictions have  the  Refurrediion  of  our 
 Saviour  in  their  bofom,  and  without  it 
 they  are  nothing.  When  he  was  de- 
 clared to  be  the  Son  of  God  by  the  Re- 
 furreftion  from  the  dead,  the  fufpicions 
 concerning  his  Perfon  were  remov'd  $ 
 he  appear'd  then  to  be  the  Chrift  of  God, 
 the  Lord  of  all  things ,  the  Judge  of  the 
 world :  And  his  mean  equipage,  bitter 
 pains  and  fhameful  difgraces ,  did  but 
 heighten  and  inflame  the  Zeal  and  De- 
 votion of  Jew  and  Gentile.  How  my- 
 flerious  was  the  ftratagem  of  his  Love, 
 
 to 
 
The  Tliirteenth  Sermon]  457 
 
 to  hide  the  Glories  of  his  Divinity,  to 
 obfcure  the  brightnefs  of  his  Majefty  by 
 the  interpofal   of  human    Nature,    to 
 cloath  himfelt  with  our  flefli,  that  foHeb.2.14; 
 might  die,  that  thrcugh  deaths  he  might 
 overcome  him  that  had  the  power  of  death  $ 
 and  by  his  omnipotence  raife  him/elf  from 
 death  and  the  grave.     For  though  he  was  2Cor.  13; 
 Crucified  through  weaknefs,  yet  he  liveth  4» 
 by   the  power  of  God.     He  was  put  to 
 death  as  a  notorious  Malefaftor,    expo-   ' 
 fed  to  the  reproach  and  contempt  of  all 
 Nations,  treated  as  an  Enemy  to  pod 
 and  to  true  Religion,  his  adverfaries  in- 
 fulted  over  him  as  one  ftricken ,  fmittenlk*  53.4* 
 of  God.     But  when  it  appear'd  that  he 
 was  the  mighty  Favorite  of  Heaven  by 
 his  Rsfurre&ion  from  the  Dead;  how 
 did  this  confute  their  Reafonings?  How 
 did  it  baffle  {heir   Accufations  ?  How 
 did  it  upbraid  their  Ignorance  and  fcatter 
 their  vain  Surmifes,  and  aggravate  their 
 incurable  Malice?  Since  he  muft  needs 
 ,be  acknowledged  to  be  the  Meffias  in 
 defiance  of  all  fpite  and  contradiftion. 
 The  ftone  which  the  Builders  refused,  be  Pfal.  118. 
 came  the  head-come r  ft  one  of  the  building. l  %% 
 Being  found  infajhion  as  a  man^  he  humbled  p^      g 
 himfelf  and  became  obedient  unto  death,  9)  I0,  \ u 
 
 even 
 
45  8  The  Thirteenth  Strmn. 
 
 even  the  death  of  the  Crofs ;    Wlxrefore 
 God  cdfo  hath  highly  exalted  him,  and 
 given  him  a  name^  which  is  Above  every 
 name ,   that  at  the  name  of  Jefus  every 
 knee  jhould  low  ;  of  things  in  heaven  and 
 things  in  earth, and  things  under  the  earthy 
 and  that  every  Tongue  Jhould  confefs  that 
 Jefus  Chrlfl  u  Lord  to  the  glory  of  God 
 the  Father.    Now  the  human  Nature  is 
 rais'd  above  the  Angelical,  in  the  Perfon 
 Revel.      0f  OUr  Saviour,     And  the  hofls  of  heaven 
 fall  down  before  him  that  was  dead  and 
 is  alive  and  dies  no  more,  and  every  crea- 
 ture which  is  in  heaven  and  in  earth  and 
 under  the  earth  ,  and  fuch  as  are  in  the 
 fea9  fay  with  a  loud  voice,  Worthy  is  the 
 Lamb  that   was  /lain,  to  receive  power 
 and  riches,  andwifdom,  and  (irength,  and 
 honour ,  and  glory  ,  and   bleffings.     The 
 very  thought  of  it  delivers  us  from  ail 
 our  fears  as  the  value  and  merit,  from 
 our  offences.    This  is  the  Triumphant 
 Song  of  the  Chriflian  Church,  the  ftrong 
 Tower  we  flie  to  in  all  our  ftraits  and 
 difficulties,    the  immovable  Author  of 
 Rom.  8.  our  Faith.     Who  is  he  that  condemnethi 
 33,34)35*  ft  js  thrift  that  died,  yea,  rather  that 
 is  rifen  again ;  who  is  even  at  the  right 
 hand  of  God  ^who  alfo  maketh  inter  ceffion  for 
 
 us. 
 
Tlx  thirteenth  Sermon.  459 
 
 m.  The  meditation  of  it  is  the  ftrongeft 
 inducement  to  a  holy  life,  for  he  was 
 rats' d  to  llefs  us ,    in  turning  every  me 
 of  us  from  our  iniquities  5  For  as  he  was  A&S3.26. 
 raifed  from  the  dead  by  the  glory  of  the 
 Father.     Even  fo  we  alfo  fhould  walk  in  Rom.  6.4: 
 newnefs  of  life.     And  if  you  be  prefent  aolof.^r. 
 with  Chrtft  feek  thofe  things  which  are  a- 
 bove ,  where  thrift  fitteth  on  the  right 
 hand  of  God.     Do  we  worfhip  him  that 
 is  rifen  from  the  dead,  and  brake  thorow 
 the 'Iron  barrsof  death,  and  yet  remain 
 captive  our  felves,under  the  tyranny  and 
 bondage  of  our  fins  ?  Let  it  appear  by 
 our  heavenly  Converfation,  that  we  are 
 afted  by  a  Spirit  fuperior  to  the  World, 
 that  we  are  born  of  God,  that  he  that  is  ^ohn  3. 
 in  us9  is  ftronger  than  he  that  is  in  the10, 
 world ;  for  in  this  the  Children  of  God 
 are   wan  if  eft ,  and  the  Children  of  the 
 X>cvil,  whofoever  doth  not  righteoufnefs  is 
 not  of  God9   neither   he  that  loveth  not 
 his  brother.     Do  we  believe  that  our 
 Saviour  is  victorious  over   Death  and 
 the  Grave,  and  yet  fhall  we   remain 
 flaves  to  our  Lufts  and  Paffions  >  Let  the 
 contrary  appear  that  we  %re  united  to 
 him  in  the  clofeft  manner  ,  encouraged 
 by  his  Promifes ,  and  enliven'd  by  his 
 
 Spirit : 
 
4^0  The  Thirteenth  Sermon] 
 
 Phil.  4<  8.  Spirit ;  Whatfoever  things  are  true,  what- 
 foever  things  are  honeft,  whatfoever  things 
 are  jufi ,  whatfoever  things  are  pure, 
 whatfoever  things  are  lovely ,  whatfoever 
 things  are  of  good  report >  if  there  be  any 
 vertue,  and  if  there  be  any  praife,  think 
 on  thefe  things.  And  this  is  the  moft 
 proper  method  to  prove  to  the  World 
 the  Refurre&ion  of  our  Saviour,  and 
 the  divinity  of  our  Religion,  and  this 
 was  the  Argument  that  the  firft  Chrifti- 
 ans  made  frequently  ufe  of  to  confound 
 .        their  Adverfaries.   For  how  can  we  be 
 
 cJf,'  ""'made  partakers  of   the  Divine  Nature 
 but  by  the  Divine  Power  ?  Shall  we 
 live  a  Life  more  pure  and  heavenly  than 
 the  reft  of  Mankind  if  we  are  not  in- 
 fpir'd  with  a  Spirit  not  only  oppofite  to, 
 but     above    the   maxinls,   principles, 
 and  genius  of  the  World?   Shall   the 
 Scythians ,    Perfians  and  Romans  forfake 
 their  fiercenefs,  lafcivioufnefs  and  pride, 
 and  become  calm,  and  chad,  and  humble, 
 if  they  have  no  other  rule  to  direflr  them 
 than  the  glimmerings  of  Nature  and 
 weak  eflays  of  Philofophy  ?   Is  it  pof- 
 fible  that  we  can  overcome  the  Incli- 
 nations of  Nature,  Luft,  Paffion  and  Re- 
 venge, but  by  a  Spirit  higher  than  Na- 
 ture f 
 
The  7birteenth  Sermon.  46 1 
 
 ture  ?  Can  evil  Habits  be  fo  foon  remov- 
 ed? Or  can  the  Ethiopian  change  his 
 Skin  >  If  we  are  then  changed  from 
 what  we  were  ,  to  the  true  ufe  of  our 
 Reafon  9  and  the  acknowledgments  of 
 the  Deity,  and  the  pra&ice  of  all  Ver- 
 tue :  To  what  caufe  can  this  change  be 
 imputed,  but  to  the  Divine  Spirit  of 
 Jefus,  whofe  powerful  interceceffion  pre- 
 vails to  Redeem  us  from  under  the  do- 
 minion of  all  Error ,  Darknefs  and  Pre- 
 judice. Do  we  then  believe  in  Chrift 
 rifen  from  the  dead  $  Let  us  live  no  more  cor. 
 to  Jin,  but  unto  him  that  died  for  vs,  and 
 rofe  again  that  he  might  le  Lord  loth  of 
 the  dead  and  of  the  living. 
 
 The  Meditation  of  our  Saviours 
 Refurre&ion  puts  us  beyond  all  doubc 
 and  hefitation  as  to  our  own  Refurre- 
 &ion,  for  he  rofe  again  as  our  Captain, 
 our  Head,  our  Mediator,  and  in  our 
 Name.  And  this  leads  me  to  the  Se- 
 cond particular  I  propofed  to  fpeak  to. 
 
 2.  That  though  we  deep  in  the 
 duft  of  the  Earth ,  we  fhall  be  raifed 
 again  by  his  Power :  He  is  rifen  as  the 
 fir  ft  lorn  from  the  dead9  and  the  fir  ft 
 
 fruits 
 
462  The  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 fruits  of  them  that  fleep9  as  our  forerunr 
 ner  and  advocate  :    He  went  unco  the 
 
 John  Heavens  to  prepare  a  place  for  us,  that 
 where  he  is,  there  we  may  he  alfo$  And 
 we  fliall  follow  ov  li^>  roLypccn  in  due 
 rank  and  feafon  as  the  younger  Sons  of 
 the  Refurre&ion,  we  fhall  be  raifed  un- 
 der his  ftandard  and  condufl:  fo  reafons 
 
 fcom.8.n  the  Apoftle  So  Paul,  If  the  fpirit  of  him 
 that  railed  up  Jefus  from  the  dead  dwelt 
 in  us ,  he  that  raifed  up  Jefus  from  the 
 dead,  fhall  alfo  quicken  our  mortal  bodies 
 by  his  Spirit  that  dwelleth  in  us.     And  a- 
 
 Rom.  6.5.  ga*n»  V  we  have  been  planted  with  him  in 
 the  likenefs  of  his  death,  ive  fhall  alfo  grow 
 up  in  the  likenefs  of  his  Refurreclion.    And 
 
 Thef,4.  the  fame  Apoftle  to  the  Theffalonians 
 afliires  us  that,  if  we  believe  that  Jefus 
 died  and  rofe  again  5  even  fo  them  alfo 
 which  fleep  through  Jefus  will  God  bring 
 with  him,  Our  Refurre&ion  from  the 
 Dead  ftands  in  our  Creed 'as  one  of  the 
 great  Articles  of  our  Faith,  the  Revela- 
 tion of  it  is  clear,  and  I  need  not  prove 
 it  by  a  particular  allegation  of  places , 
 for  S.  Paul  concludes ,  that  if  the  dead 
 rife  not,  our  Faith  and  all  our  Hopes  that 
 depend  upon  it  are  wholly  vain  and  im- 
 pertinent.   It's  true*  the  Carnal  World 
 
 did 
 
The  Thirteenth  Sermon.  ^6\ 
 
 did  ftruggle  againft  the  belief  of  the  Re- 
 
 furre&ion :    And    the  Athenians   could 
 
 not  forbear  to  laugh  at  S,  Paul  when  he  Ads 
 
 advanced  this  new  Do£l- 
 
 rine.      And   *  Minutius     /f*'l*l'Prf*x\e¥'< 
 
 7                1 '  •                11  Lugdun.  Bat.  Idem    ibidem 
 
 F£lix%   in    hlS     excellent  Corpus  omne  five  arefcit  in 
 
 Dialogue      proves      how  fulyer.em,  five  in  humorem 
 
 c       li~  -*  :«  £*•   .,0  **  folvitur.~vel  in  cinerem  com-' 
 
 retfonable  it  is  for  us  to    Jfrtmit^  vel  in  nidorem  te_ 
 
 believe    it,    tly>Ugh    the      miatur  fub.ducitur  nobis,  fed 
 
 exte^al  Evidences  for  it      £"  elemencrum  cufiodi  re. 
 
 f  j      •  t_i         Jervatur.   iactan.     Lib.  7. 
 
 were  npt  fo  undeniable,     cap.  25. 
 when  once  we  come  to 
 have  true  nptions  of  the  Deity.     Did  he. 
 Create  us  from  nothing  ?    And  is  it  fa 
 difficult  to  him  to  make  us  up  when 
 we  are  broken  and  fcattered  ?    Can  any 
 particle  of  our  duft  and  allies  be  hid  from 
 the  eyes  of  his  omnifeknee  ?  And  this  is 
 the  current  Argument  of  the  Fathers? 
 Or  as  the  fame  Author  reafons,  though 
 we  are  dryed  into   duft,   or  diflblved 
 into  water,  or  fcattered  into  allies,  can 
 we  be  removed  from  the  fight  of  him 
 that  weighs  the  Mountains  infcales,  and 
 numbers  the  fands  upon  the  Sea  fhore  Hh* 
 And  then  he  goes  forward  to  prove  the 
 Refurreftion  frofn  congruities  in  Nature, 
 and  the  viciflkude  0f  Things.    Vide  adeo  %™j£ 
 quclrn  InfolaHum  noftri  refurreftionew  fu  3i8, 
 
 turam 
 
4^4  The  Thirteenth  Senhon. 
 
 turam,  omnis  natura  meditttur*  The 
 Sun  goes  down  and  fifes  again,  and  the 
 frame  of  Nature  feems  to  die  in  the 
 winter,  and  when  the  fpring  returns  they 
 put  on  their  garments  of  life  and  joy. 
 So  univerfally  is  the  Doctrine  of  the  Re- 
 furre&ion  preach'd  by  every  Creaure 
 under  Heaven.  But  I  will  not  infill  on* 
 this,  I'll  rather  endeavour  to  lead  your 
 thoughts  into  the  inferences  that  natu- 
 rally arife  from  it.  And  firft,  are  we 
 raifed  again  ?  Is  the  fabrick  of  our  bodies 
 rebuilt  by  infinite  Wifdom  >  Then,  with 
 what  peace  and  aflurance,  with  what 
 quietnefs' and  ferenity  may  we  lay  them 
 down  in  the  Grave  >  It  was  no  wonder' 
 that  the  ftouteft  Philofophers  amidft  all 
 their  fpeculations,  could  not  reafon  them- 
 •felves  into  this  compofure  of  Spirit  at 
 the  aproach  of  Death  5  for  the  ftrength 
 of  all  their  Arguments  was  but  of  little 
 value  to  calm  the  tempafts  and  the  fears 
 that  arofe  in  their  Brefts,  when  this  Ene- 
 my of  Nature  drew  near  them  :  No- 
 thing can  allay  thofe  commotions  but : 
 the  ftedfaft  belief  of  the  Refurreftion, 
 and  the  hopes  of  Immortality.  Then 
 may  We  fay  in  the  language  of  the  Pfalmift, 
 Tea ,  though  I  walk  thofow  the  valley  of 
 
 the 
 
The  Thirteenth  Sermon.  46  j 
 
 the  fhadovp  of  death  I  will  far  no  evil,  for 
 thou  art  with  me ,  thy  rod  and  thy  ftaff 
 they  comfort  me.  And  is  not  this  enough 
 to  make  thee  quiet  and  refigned ,  that 
 thou  art  aflured  when  thy  Soul  goes  to 
 theinvifible  regions  of  Light  and  Purity, 
 thy  Body  alfo  Ohowever  fcatter'd,  divi- 
 ded and  difpers,d)(hall  again  be  rejoyned 
 to  thy  Spirit  >  And  ought  we  to  doubt  of 
 the  Divine  Power  to  accomplifh  this? 
 Since  the  forming  of  our  Bodies  in  the 
 Womb  from  fo  final!  a  beginning ,  unto 
 fuch  a  beautiful  ftru&ure,  furjiimed  with 
 fo  many  cxa&  Proportions  and  Features, 
 was  no  lefs  the  effeft  of  Divine  Power, 
 than  the  raifing  it  again  when  reduced 
 to  dud  and  alhes.  How  chearfully  did  - 
 the  firft  Martyrs  facrifice  their  Bodies  for 
 the  \owQoiJefml  The  Executioners  might 
 divide  Soul  and  Body,  but  they  could  de- 
 .ftroy  neither,  they  might  cut,  and  pierce, 
 and  launcc  and  throw  their  flefti  to  the 
 wild  beafts,  but  ftill  they  were  within 
 the  Territories  of  their  great  Creator : 
 And  when  the  voice  of  the  Arch-Angel 
 founds,  the  dead  ate  made  to  hear  it,  and 
 the  Se a  mud  give  an  account  of  its  dead  ; 
 and  the  Earth  muQ.  open  her  dark  vaults 
 ajid  cayerns,  and  thruft  up  her  Inhabi- 
 
 -nt4;  Hh  taius 
 
4^66  The  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 rants  to  appear  at  the  publick  Rendef- 
 vouze  of  the  Refurre&ion,  to  receive  ac- 
 cording to  what  they  have  done  in  the 
 Body. 
 
 Are  we  raifed  from  the  dead  >  We 
 ought  to  treat  the  bodies  of  our  dead 
 with  care  and  honour :  All  civiliz'd  Na- 
 tions agree  in  this,  nor  can  there  be  a 
 piece  of  greater  barbarifm  and  inhumani- 
 ty ye:  ty,  than  to  deny  the  rites  of  Sepulture, 
 fimere.  even  to  our  very  Enemies.  Ihe  Poet 
 could  not  exprefs  the  height  of  cruelty 
 and  rudnefs  othcrways  than  to  fay,  that 
 the  honour  of  Burial  was  denyed. 
 
 CUndian       u homnemque  cruentus, 
 
 QHdonko,      Exmt  &  tenuem  c£ju  tnvtaet  arenam. 
 
 Though  the  methods  of  particular 
 Countries  vary,  yet  all  agree  to  per- 
 form Funerals  with  great  fclemnity, 
 The  mofl  natural  way  is  to  bury  them 
 in  the  Earth ,  and  it  is  the  mod  anci- 
 ent of  all  others,  as  we  fee  in  the  Holy 
 Grades,  Gen.  23.  4.  And  though  the 
 Terfians  did  burn  the  bodies  of  the 
 dead ,  yet  Herodot  tells  us  that 
 the  method  of  Inhumation  was  more 
 
 anc^nt 
 
Tl?e  Thirteenth  Sermon.  467 
 
 ancient  among  the  Egyptians  and  the 
 Ptrfians  :  And  when  the  Ro* 
 manEnpirebzczrnccbriJii.   JSSSfSHtiS 
 
 CM,   the  Old  CUltom  Was  re-    fepultur*  timemtts  fed  ve- 
 fumed  ,   and    the  bodies  of    *"j£  & 'maUaremconfue* 
 
 the  dead  were  committed   ^T  freimn' 
 
 to  the  Earth.  Diodorus 
 Siculus  informs  us  how  critically  nice 
 the  Egyptians  were  in  performing  the 
 Funeral  Rites,  that  the  perfons  imployed 
 about  the  dead  were  divided  in  (o  many 
 ranks  and  orders,  and  to  each  their  pro- 
 per part  was  aflign'd  ;  And  the  Greeks 
 and  Romans  were  no  lefs  careful  about 
 their  dead :  And  no  doubt ,  our  mofl 
 holy  Religion  ftrengthens  the  obligation, 
 and  the  Scriptures  remark  the  Funerals 
 of  the  Patriarchs,  and  the  care  of  their 
 Relations  in  that  matter. 
 
 S.   Auguflin     difcourfes     at        *>*  eivhate  Dei.  hb.  i. 
 
 length  to  this  purpofe  that  Sj^^ft 
 our  bodies  are  a  part  of  us,  fimciorum)  &c, 
 and  though  they  are  laid 
 aftde^  yet  we  have  not  loft  all  relation  to 
 them,  which  made  the  holy  Patriarchs 
 command  their  Children  to  tranfport 
 their  bodies  from  one  place  to  another, 
 that  theit  afhes  might  fleep  with  theiV 
 Anceftors  :  How  boldly  did  the  fk£l 
 Hln  Chrifti- 
 
4<S8  The  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 Chriftians  venture  their  Lives  to  procure 
 
 the  bodies  of    the  Martyrs  which  the 
 
 cruelty  of  their  Perfecutors  left  unburied. 
 
 And  *  S.  Cyprian  tells  us 
 
 *  Cypr.  Epift.  8.  edit.    i10W  dangerous  it  is  to  o- 
 
 SS^I*  %$Z   ■*  ",  and  that  we  fliould 
 
 Martyrumfi  non  fepelian-     expofe  OUr  felveS  tO  all  haZ- 
 >ur   grande  periculum  im-     ards    ratjier    than   jeaye    fc 
 
 tmnet  ets  quibus  mcumvit  ,  -  4%         ...     . 
 
 b0c  opus.  undone.     Neither  did  the 
 
 Piety  of  the  ancient  Chrifti-  , 
 ans  confine  it  felt  to  thofe  of  their  own 
 Religion  ,    but  frequently  did  bury  the 
 Pagans  deferted  by  their  Relations  3  and 
 they  thought  it  not  enough  to  inlhrine 
 the  remains  of  their  fellow  Chriftians 
 in  Tombs  and  Sepulchres,  but  alfo  pre- 
 pared their  Bodies  for  their  Funeral  with 
 the  richeft  odours ,  fpices  and  perfumes, 
 the  beft    drugs    and    ointments    they 
 thought  but  too  mean  to  exprefs  their 
 s    tender  regard  to  their  deceafed  Friends. 
 Terttil.     S°  Tertullian  in  his  Apology  tells  us, 
 Apiog.     that  the  moft  curious  Spiceries  the  Sale* 
 cap,  42.    ans  Could  afford    were  employed   this 
 way.     When    Mary  Magdalen    poured 
 Ointment  on  our  Saviour's  Head,  he  ap- 
 proved it  as  done  to  anoint  bis  hody  to 
 Lukki4/  ^je  ^UYla^'     And  the  good  women  men- 
 56.         tioned  by  S.  Luke ,  prepared  their  oint- 
 ments 
 
The  Thirteenth  Sermon.  460 
 
 ments  and  [meet  odours  to  embalm  his  body. 
 All  this  was  done  becaufe  they  looked 
 upon  the  body  as  the  expecTant  of  a  joy- 
 ful Refurre&ion.  And  hence  we  commit 
 it  unto  the  earth ,  in  the  fure  and  certain 
 hope  of  the  refurreclion.  For  when  they 
 have  varyed  all  forms  and  figures,  they 
 are  again  built  up  immortal  and  more 
 delicate  habitations  for  our  Spirits. 
 
 3.  Let  the  thoughts  of  the  Refur- 
 re&ion  comfort  us  concerning  our  de- 
 parted Friends  and  Relations.  Its  S. 
 Pauls  own  inference.  But  1  would  not  Thef!  4. 
 have  you  ignorant  brethren  concerning l*- 
 them  that  are  afleep,  that  you  for  row  not 
 even  as  others  which  have  no  hope.    Verf. 
 
 1 6.  For  the  Lord  himfe  If  (ball  defcend from 
 heaven  with  a  ffjout,  and  with  the  trump 
 of  God,  and  the  dead  in  Chrifi  fhall  rife 
 firfl ,  wherefore  comfort  one  another  with 
 thefe  fayings. 
 
 4.  L  E  T  the  thoughts  of  the  Refur- 
 reftion  comfort  us  in  our  prefent  troubles. 
 O  happy  day  !  when  we  are  brought  a. 
 gain  into  the  light,  after  fo  many  nights 
 of  darknefs  and  folitude^  when  our 
 bodies  appear  with  their  brighter  robes, 
 when  flefli  and  blood  areSpiri&ualifed  and 
 
 n  h  3  u 
 
47  o  The  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 invigorated  with  the  warmth  of  the  Sun 
 of  Righteoufnefs,  and  our  heavy  Earth  is 
 calcined  and  purified  for  its  truelmploy- 
 ment,  that  it  may  ferve'  the  Soul  in  its 
 fwifteft  thoughts,  and  vye  with  the  Sera- 
 phims  of  Light  and  Zeal  in  their  attend- 
 ance on  their  Creator.  Now  the  Earthly 
 Tabernacle  drags  and  pulls  down  the  Soul 
 to  low  and  defpicable  Enjoyments }  then, 
 the  Body  is  made  ftrong  and  refined  to 
 comply  with  the  higheft  Capacities  and 
 Inclinations  of  the  Mind.  We  (hall  mount 
 aloft  from  the  Earth  into  the  Air,  voefhall 
 fhineasthe  bright  nefs  of the  firmament^  and 
 as  the  flan  for  ever  and ever  3  when  we  are 
 got  Joofe  from  the  Prifons  of  Darknefs  and 
 the  Fetters  of  Corruption  are  broken  off: 
 When  we  fee  the  Glories  and  Empires  of 
 this  little  Globe  below  us,  and  we  our 
 ielves  beyond  danger  and  temptation,  far 
 above  its  frowns  and  flatteries. 
 
 How  ftrongly  do  we  then  feel  our 
 
 felyes  united  to  our  true  and  immovable 
 
 Happinefs,and  affimila^ed  to  the  Blefled 
 
 Temper  and  Imployment  of  the  Hoftsof 
 
 Heaven,  and  the  Spirits  of  juft  men  made 
 
 perfeEt*  When  inftead  of { this  load  of  clay, 
 
 0T  h  the  uneafie  weight  that  holds  our  Spirits 
 
 1  in  Captivity ,  we  jkall  then  be  doathed 
 
 upon 
 
The  Thirteenth  Sermon.  47 1 
 
 upon  with  our  houfe  which  is  from  heaven, 
 when  mortality  fhall  be  /wallowed  up  of 
 life.  The  very  thoughts  of  this  Eleva- 
 tion and  Purity,  to  think  that  when  he 
 /hall  appear,  toe  jhall  be  like  him  ( for 
 we  Jhall  fee  him  as  he  is  )  might  fill 
 our  Souls  with  the  ftrongeft  Ardors  and 
 Impatience  to  be  with  Chrift,to  be  above 
 the  Clouds  and  the  viciffitudes  of  this 
 unquiet  World. 
 
 We  cannot  cxprefs  the  glory  of  the 
 Body  after  the  Refurre&ion  better  than 
 in  the  language  of  the  Scripture.  There 
 is  one  glory  of  the  Sun*  another  of  the  1  Cordis. 
 Moot?)  and  another  of  the  ftars9  fe  alfo  is^u 
 the  re  fur  reft  ion  of  the  dead;  it  is  fown 
 in  corruption,  it  is  raifed  in  incorrupt i- 
 cn,  it  is  fown  in  difhonour ,  it  is  raifed 
 in  glory  ^  it  is  fown  in  weaknefs ,  it  is 
 raifed  in  power,  it  is  fown  a  natural  body% 
 it  is  raifed  a  fpiritual  body.  And  thus 
 we  are  told  by  the  fame  Apoftle  to  the 
 Philippians  5  That  he  fhall  change  our 
 vile  bodies  that  they  in  ay  be  fafhioned 
 like  unto  his  glorious  body  by  the  power 
 whereby  he  is  able  to  fuldue  all  things  un- 
 to himfelf  What  a  mighty  fuppdrt  is 
 it  for  us  at  the  approach  of  death ,  tq 
 Hh  4  reafoq 
 
47  *  21k  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 reafon  our  felves  out  of  our  fear  and  dif- 
 fidence ,  to  get  above  the  terrour  and 
 the  thought  of  our  diflolution  ,  and 
 ftrengthen  our  felves  in  view  of  the 
 Glory  that  is  to  come  !  Let  us  fay  in 
 Pfalm  42.  the  words  of  the  Pfalmifl,  Why  art  thou 
 n«  cafl  down,  0  my  Soul,  and  why  art  thou  dis- 
 
 quietedwithin  me}   Hope  thou  in  God, 
 for  I  jhall  yet  praife  him  who  is  the  health 
 of  my  Countenance^    and  my  God.     The 
 Meditation  of  this  joyful  Day  puts  us 
 beyond  all  Calamities,  fets  our  feet  up- 
 on a  Rock ,   and  makes  us  look  down 
 with  Magnanimity   on  all  the  changes 
 of  this  lower  World  :     for  when  our 
 Eyes  are   fix'd  upon  thofe  purer  Plea* 
 fures ,  what  can  difturb  the  peace  and 
 tranquillity  of  our  Spirits  I     For  which 
 caufe  we  jaint  not>  but  though   cnr  out' 
 l6t   "*"    ward  man  perijb,  yet  our  inward  man  is 
 renewed  day  by  day :  for  our  light  affli- 
 ction, which  is  but  for  a  moment  ^  worketh 
 for  ys  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal 
 weight  of  Glory.     The  profpeft  of  that 
 flate  and  felicity  makes  us  forget  this 
 foolifli  World  and  trample  on  all  its  glo- 
 ries with  a  generous  difdain  and  con- 
 tempt/ when  we  remember,  that  we  are 
 heirs  of  God  and  coheirs  with  Chriji  ,  of 
 
 that 
 
The  Thirteenth  Sermon.  475 
 
 that  inheritance ^incorruptible ,  undefiled^ 
 and  that  fa  Jet  h  not  away. 
 
 j.  But  fifthly ,  The  belief  of  the 
 Rcfurre&ion  arms  us  more  immediate- 
 ly againft  the  terrours  of  Death.  Thus 
 St.  Faul  difcourfes  in  the  fifteenth  Chap- 
 ter of  the  firft  Epiftle  to  the  Corinthians 
 and  J4.  verfe.  So  when  this  corruptible 
 hath  put  on  incorruptiony  and  this  mortal 
 hath  put  on  immortality ,  then  jha/l  be 
 brought  to  pafs  this  faying  that's  written, 
 Death  is  (wallowed  up  of  viflory,  O  death, 
 where  is  thy  fling,  0  grave  where  is  thy 
 viilory  ?  The  King  of  terrours  is  rifled, 
 his  Forces  are  broken,  we  have  an  An- 
 tidote againft  his  Poifon ;  Let  him  come 
 in  his  blacked  drefs,  in  his  moft  difmal 
 Robes  of  darknefs  and  fear :  Let  him 
 appear  with  all  the  Solemnities  of 
 cerrour  and  iadnefs ,  yet  the  Chrifti- 
 ah  in  the  midft  of  all  this  meets  him 
 with  undaunted  Courage.  He  is  //fopfaim 
 mount  Zion  which  cannot  be  moved \  he 
 fees  beyond  thofe  Clouds ,  he  defies  all 
 thofe  frowns,  he  ftrengthens  himfelf  in 
 
 the  death  of  Jefus  and  his  Refurreclion 
 from  the  dead  ;    and  the  belief  of  both 
 
 makes  us  mo(e  than  Cwquereurs.     This 
 
 is 
 
474  The  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 is  the  true  Philofophy  that  animates  a- 
 gainft  the  pale  fears,  and  gloomy  appre- 
 hensions of  the  Grave  ;  The  merry 
 <Atheift)  that  braved  Death  at  a  diftance, 
 begins  to  tremble  when  it  makes  its 
 approaches  nearer  ;  then  his  Jefts  and 
 Jiis  wanton  Efforts  of  Fancy  vanilh 
 into  fearful  expe&ations :  He  flies  to  his 
 defperate  Complaints,  uneffe&ual  Wilhes 
 and  fruitlefs  Prayers  (for  the  time  of 
 Prayer  is  over  )  but  the  Chriftian  ga- 
 thers his  Forces  and  ftrengthens  himfelf 
 in  the  Vi&ory,  and  Sacrifice  and  Power 
 of  our  Lord  Jefiu  Chrift.  O  how  fad 
 is  it  to  delay  the  examination  of  our 
 Continences,  the  confelion  of  our  Sins, 
 the  amendment  of  our  Lives,  until  we 
 have  no  more  time  than. the  few  mo- 
 ments that  juft  enter  us  into  the  Grave ! 
 
 6,  When  we  think  of  the  Refur* 
 re&ion,  it  fhould  fpiritualize  our  Souls, 
 and  teach  us  in  our  defires  and  defigns 
 to  fly  above  this  terreflrial  feculent 
 Globe  :  How  come  we  to  be  fo  unwil- 
 ling to  leave  thofe  Habitations  of  fin  and 
 misery  ?  How  come  we  to  admire  no- 
 thingVand  vanity,  when  we  are  Candi- 
 Golof.^/i  dates  for  a  heavenly  Kingdom  I    If  ye 
 
The  Tltirteentb  Sermon.  47  j 
 
 be  rifen  with  Chrift,  fet  your  affeftions  on 
 the  things  that  are  above ',  &c.     Let  the 
 belief  of  the  Refurre&ion  put  us  in  mind 
 of  the  future  Judgment.     For,  he  hath 
 *p point  eel  a  day  in  the  which  he  will  judge 
 the  world  in  righteoufnefs  by  that  man 
 whom  he  hath  ordained  \  whereof  he  hath  A&S17. 
 given  affurance  unto  all  men,  in  that  he*u 
 hath  raifed  him  from  the  dead.    Gan  we 
 think  of  that  folemn  Appearance  with- 
 out fear  >     And  if  we  call  on  the  Fa- 
 ther who  without  refpeft  of  perfons  judg  Pet. 
 eth  every  man  according  to  his  works  5 
 Let  us  pafs  the  time  of  our  fojourniug 
 here  in  fear.    Let  our  zeal  appear  more 
 and  more   in  trimming  and    preparing 
 our  Souls  for  Eternity,     That  we  may  Phil  3. 
 know  him  and  the  power  of  his  Refurre  I0- 
 ft  ion,  and  the  fellowpip  of  his  fufferings , 
 being  made  conformable  unto  his  death,  if 
 by  any  means  we  may  attain  unto  the  re- 
 furreftion  of  the  dead 
 
 The  third  thing  I  propofed  to  fpeak 
 to,  is  the  Intereft  that  our  faith  gives  us 
 in  a  happy  Refurre&ion,  I  mean  fuch  a 
 lively  faith  as  is  recommended  to  us  in 
 the  Gofpel.  Not  every  one  that  faith 
 Lord,  Lord,  but  he  that  doth  the  will  tf/Matth. 
 
 nty 
 
47  6  Tlx  7kirteentb  Sermon. 
 
 my  Father  rthich  is  in  heaven,  I  mean 
 the  faith  that  purifies  the  hearty  and  o- 
 vercomes  the  Worldy  and  affimilates  us  I 
 to  the  temper  and  Spirit  of  the  blefled  1 
 Inhabitants  above,  and  makes  us  more  j 
 than  Conquerors  through  Jefus  Chrijl  that  \ 
 loved  us* 
 
 M  Y  Lords  and  Gentlemen^  fo  far  have] 
 I  difcours'd  of  this  Confolatory  Argu- 
 ment to  eafe  our  mind  upon  this  for-  j 
 rowfuf  occafion.     But  you  fee  another  ?, 
 Text,  viz.  the  earthly  remains  of  the! 
 noble  Vif count  of  Strathallan.     When  I  re-  ] 
 member  his  true  Vertues,    I  defpairtoj 
 fay  any    thing   proportionable    to  his] 
 worth*   the  naming  of  him  once,  fug- 
 gefts  greater  thoughts  than   ordinarily 
 occur.    When  we  form  to  our  felves  the 
 moft  perfeft  Idea's  of  Valour,  and  ho- 
 nour and  generofity,  then  we  have  the  j 
 bell  Notion  of  that  great  Soul  that  once  j 
 lodged  in  that  Tabernacle  ;     All  the 
 Projefts  of  his  Mind  were  beyond  the  j 
 common  Level.     The  generous  Incli- 
 nations he  derived  from  his  Anceftors 
 began  to  appear  very  early  :     A  Family 
 too  well  known  in  Britain  for  every 
 
 Pnth.     ^8  t'iat  is  8reat>  anclent,  loyal  and  j 
 
 generous,  j 
 
.  The  Ihtrtemth  Sermon.  477 
 
 generous,  to  need  any  particular  defcants 
 of  mine ;  I  am  not  to  aft  the  part  of 
 a  Her  add  from  this  place,  there  is  none 
 capable  to  be  my  Hearer,  but  knows  al- 
 ready how  needlefs  it  is  to  tell  Scotchmen 
 of  the  noble  Atchievments  and  many  II- 
 luftrious  branches  of  that  Cedar  of  which 
 our  deceafed  General  is  defcended.  He 
 began  to  bear  Arms  when  as  yet  he  had 
 not  ftrength  enough  to  manage  them  , 
 the  vigour  and  alacrity  of  his  Spirit 
 outrunning  the  growth  of  his  body; 
 He  then,  when  but  a  Child  lodged  no 
 thought  in  his  Bread  but  fuch  as  were  ^ 
 daring,  great  and  difficult.  When  he 
 was  a  Boy  at  St.  Leonard's  College, ,  he  st.  Ami 
 gave  all  the  proof  of  a  docile  and  capa-  &rsm* 
 cious  Spirit  far  above  any  of  his  School- 
 fellows :  but  his  Mind  ( that  always  en- 
 tertain'd  extraordinary  Enterprifes )  be- 
 gan to  be  weary  of  an  unaftive  life.  Then 
 it  was  that  he  was  made  Captain  in  that 
 Regiment  that  went  to  Ireland  againft 
 the  Rebels,  under  the  Command  of  an 
 0/rfand  experienced*  Officer.  In  that  ex-  *  sSfAft 
 pedition,  he  behaved  with  fo  much  life  M^3 , 
 and  refolution,  as  drew  upon  him  the 
 eyes  of  all  men,  and  every  body  conclu 
 ded  the  young  Captain  was  calculated 
 
 for 
 
47  8  The  Thirteenth  Sermom 
 
 for  the  greateft  a&ions.    There  are  no 
 
 words  io  proper  for  this  period  of  his 
 
 life,  as  thofe  we  meet  with  in  the  life  of 
 
 tacit,  de   Agricola,  Nee  Agricola  licenter  more  }u- 
 
 vita  A.     venum  qui  militiam  in  lafciviam  vertunt. 
 
 f^7*r    veque  Jegniter  ad  voluptates  &  Commeatus 
 
 titulum   tribunatus  &  infeitiam  retulit : 
 
 Sed no/cere  pr  ovine  Urn  9   nojei  exercitui, 
 
 difcere  a  peritiSy  fequi  optimos*  nihil  ap- 
 
 *    pet  ere  jattatione>  nihil  ob  for midinem  re* 
 
 cufare,  fimulque  auxins  ©  intentus  agere. 
 
 And   this  without  the  change  of  one 
 
 word  was  his  deferved  Chara&er,  when 
 
 firft  he  appeared  in  the  Fields. 
 
 H  E  came  over  from  Ireland  fome 
 years  after,  and  affifted  thofe  Forces  that 
 beat  the  Rebels  once  at  Stirling,  and  all 
 thofe  Loyal  Gentleman,  engaged  in  that 
 Expedition,  upon  alloccafions  beftow'd 
 upon  him  the  mod  ample  Applaufe, 
 and  unforced  Commendations  that  were 
 truly  due  to  his  skill,  conduit  and  fi- 
 delity. 
 
 After  this,     General  Drummond 
 apd  all  his  AiTociates  became  fo  odious 
 to  the  prevailing  Fadtion  of  the  Cove- 
 nanters,  that  (until  the  Mock-repen- 
 tance 
 
The  Thirteenth  Sermon]  "479 
 
 tance  after  Dunhar  fight )  he  wa&  not 
 fuffered  to  engage  in  his  Majefi/es  Ser- 
 vice. Mean  while,he  went  to  London,  and 
 the  Forces  commanded  by  hfs  *  Friend  *  Sir 
 were  disbanded  :  And  there  he  was  ajj£jj£* 
 Spc&ator  of  that  Tragedy  that  pierced 
 his  Sou!  with  the  moft  exquifit  grief,  I 
 mean,  the  Martyrdom  of  King  Charles 
 the  Firfi  :  The  Scene  he  faw,  and  the 
 preparations  to  the  fatal  blow,  but  more 
 he  could  not  endure.  He  himfelf  could 
 not  afterwards  give  an  account  of  that 
 confternation  that  feized  his  Spirits ; 
 All  that's  black  and  terrible  invaded  his 
 Soul  at  once  ,  the  moft  difmal  Paffions 
 ftruggled  within  hisBreaft,confufionand 
 indignation  pofleft  his  Heart,  and  no- 
 thing but  the  force  of  Ghriftian  Religi- 
 on, and  the  belief  of  Providence  could 
 have  preferved  his  Mind  from  finking. 
 How  can  his  great  Soul  but  burft  forth 
 into  all  expreffions  of  Sadnefs,  to  fee  pro- 
 fperous  Villany  lift  up  its  head  with  fo 
 much  rage  and  infolence,  and  defie  the 
 Jttftice  of  the  Almighty^  and  pull  down 
 his  Image  upon  earth,  and  facrifice  die 
 left  of  Men,  the  left  of  Kings ,  to  the  fury 
 and  hypocritie  of  the  Rabble, 
 
 OHea- 
 
480  7be  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 O  Heavens  !  Let  not  the  Plagues 
 due  to  the  Cry  of  that  facred  Blood 
 fall  upon  Britain.  Next  day  after  with 
 all  fpeed  h6  went  to  Holland  to  the 
 Prixce,  and  there  he  was  the  firft  that 
 faluted  him  King  3  He  came  over 
 With  his  late  Majejly  atid  commanded 
 a  Brigade  of  that  Army  that  went  to 
 Worcefler^  where  his  Courage  and  Mag- 
 nanimity appear'd  to  the  higheft  de- 
 gree. And  his  Aftions,  even  in  that  En* 
 gagement,  deferve  rather  a  full  Hiftory 
 than  the  tranfient  glances  of  a  Sermon. 
 How  he  broke  thorow  three  Regiments 
 of  the  Enemy !  how  warmly  he  difputed 
 the  matter  with  the  third  that  were 
 ftrongly  guarded  by  a  Hedge !  how  he 
 retired,  how  he  preferved  himfelf  and 
 fome  other  Gentlemen  in  a  Redoubt  all 
 Night !  how  he  forced  the  Enemy  (  even 
 after  the  Royal  Army  was  beat)  to  grant 
 him  an  honourable  Ca.pitulacictn,  and 
 was  receiV'd  as  Prifoner  of  War !  All  of 
 them  are  evidences  that  the  foreft  Di- 
 fafters  cpould  not  break  his  Spirit.  He 
 is  jhen  carried  to  Windsor  Prifoner,  and 
 much  about  this  time,  the  Earl  of  Mid- 
 Uton  aud  Dalyell  made  their  efcape  out 
 
 of 
 
The  Thirteenth  Sermon;  45  \ 
 
 of  the  Tower  3  but  the  General  ordered 
 the  Affair  with  that  dexterity,  that  he 
 got  a  poor  Fellow  accepted  Bail  for  him  ;  • 
 And  fo  quickly  over  he  went  to  his  Ma- 
 iler ,  then  at  Paris \:  So  naturally  in 
 all  the  traverfes  of  his  Life  did  he  run 
 to  the  King,  for  whofe  fafety  and  fervice 
 hedefpifed  all  things  elfe,-  Life,  Fortune* 
 Intereft  and  Eafe,  Loyalty  was  the  fpring 
 that  gave  motion  to  his  great  and  reft- 
 lefs  Soul,  his  a&ive  and  daring  Spirit 
 refufed  no  toil  or  labour  by  which  he 
 might  ferve  the  Royal  Family. 
 
 At    Tar  is  he  received  his  Majeflies 
 Commands,  and.  many  Letters  and  Com- 
 rniffwns  for  the  Nobility  and  Gentry  that 
 yet  adhered  to   the  afflicted  Caufe  of.     ♦ 
 true  Honour  and  Loyalty  :     He  came 
 over  then  himfelf  in  the  quality  of  Ma* 
 jor  General,    he    landed  near   Tarmcuth 
 in  England ,    with  a  double   bottom'd  General 
 Trunk  in  difguife,    in  which  were  laid  Drum- 
 his    Majefties   Letters    and  Gommifli-^^ 
 ons  :     From  thence   he  came  to  New- 
 cajlle,  then  to  Ke/fo9  from  Kelfo  to  the 
 Eari  of  Roxborongh's  boufe,  fropi  thence 
 to  Edinburgh,     in  the  habit    of  an  or- 
 dinary Carrier:   From  Edinburgh  to  the 
 
 i  i  Wcjt~ 
 
482  The  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 Weft-ferry  where  he  was  almoft  difco- 
 vered  to  be  another  than  what  he  ap- 
 pear'd,  by  one  of  the  Ufurpers  Spies: 
 But  the  divine  Providence  watched  over 
 his  Perfon  5  He  got  rid  of  this  Fellow, 
 and  went  to  Elplingftoun^  and  being  pro- 
 vided of  a  Boat  that  afternoon,  he  came 
 quickly  to  this  Country,  fo  wearied  and 
 difguifed,  that  his  neareft  Relatives  could 
 not  know  him. 
 
 Now  though  he  had  mod  dexte- 
 roufly  disfigured  his  Complexion,  yet 
 how  difficult  was  it  to  hide  and  obfcure 
 his  noble  Genius  ;  notwithftanding  of 
 his  forry  Horfe  and  his  load  of  Cheefe, 
 he  could  not  perfuade  the  People  with 
 whom  he  lodged  upon  the  Road,  but 
 that  he  was  fome  extraordinary  Perfon, 
 upon  every  turn  they  faw  fomething  in 
 him  above  their  Level ,  they  knew  not 
 what  he  was  ,  but  they  were  fure  he 
 was  none  of  their  Gang  5  He  was  out  of 
 his  Element  as  a  Fifli  upon  dry  Land  5 
 And  though  his  Cap,  Perruque  and  his 
 Beard  made  him  appear  another  thing, 
 yet  he  could  not  hide  his  Looks ;  and 
 the  poorefl:  of  the  People  faw  in  him 
 fomething  they  could  not  name,  butftill 
 
 above 
 
The  7hirteentb  Sermon.  48} 
 
 above  fervility  and  meannefs,  the  Ar- 
 tifice of  his  Defign  could  not  raze  out 
 the^Signatures  of  Greatnefs  that  God  had 
 ftamped  upon  his  Soul  and  Body. 
 
 Why  fhould  I  enter  upon  the  Hi- 
 flory  of  that  unfortunate  Expedition? 
 You  all  know  the  event  of  it  3  The  fins 
 of  Britain  flood  in  the  way  of  our  Re- 
 covery, and  our  Nation,  ([for  their  con- 
 tempt  of  God  and  their  A7#g)groan'd  under 
 the  Yoke  of  Anarchy,Confufion  and  pro- 
 phane  Pedantry  3  And  thofe  generous 
 Hero's  that  ftrove  to  recover  the  Kings 
 Affairs  at  that  time  in  Scotland  were 
 forced  to  give  way  to  that  Current  of 
 Impiety  and  Rebellion  that  then  fhook 
 Monarchy,  Order \  Religion  and  the  Laws. 
 But  there's  no  fighting  againfl:  the  De- 
 cree of  Heaven  :  He  might  have  truly  . 
 faid  of  his  Country  what  the  Roman^fdf^ 
 Poet  makes  Hettor  fay  of  himfclf 
 
 Si  Pergatrta  dextrd 
 
 Vefendi  pojfent,  &c. 
 
 Yet  in   the  worft  Circumflance  ,    the 
 
 pretence  of  the  Generals  Mind  never  for- 
 
 I  i  %  f  00k 
 
484  Th*  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 fookhim.     Seneca  tells  us, 
 Seneca  de  frovid.  pag.    that    fuch    a   Man    who 
 
 fmihi)  307.  Ecce  SpeHa-    ftrUggleS   With    AdverfltV  , 
 
 SfifSSfffft   and  P«^«  »»  Soul  un- 
 
 £>^j.  tainted  under  the  load  of 
 
 .,     .  .,   Misfortunes,  is  fit  for  the 
 
 s\on  video  inquameiuid  n     .  c    \      r-*     \       \xi\ 
 
 habeat  in  terns  Jupiter  Society  of  the  Gods.    Who 
 
 fulchriusy  fi  convertere  a-  but    the  great   Soul  of  Gtf- 
 
 nimum  velis  ,    quam  in-  neral  DrummonJ  W0Uld  not 
 
 fpedct     Catonem  ,      jam  .  r  .       r    .     . 
 
 parttbus  non  femel   fra-  have    funk   Under  iuch  ltt- 
 
 etis  ftantem,  mhihminus    numerable  Calamities  that 
 
 turn.  YUimS  tUkHCaS  ^    f°  faft  tr0d  UP°n  thc  heels 
 
 of  one  another,  his  Prince 
 
 banifh'd,  his  Country  over-run,  his  Army 
 
 broken ,   his  Friends  difcouraged,  and 
 
 Rebellion  become  impudent,  and  all  the 
 
 endeavours  of  the  Kings  true  Servants 
 
 faTatur1'  defeated  anc*   difappointed  5     but  all 
 
 or  bis  im-  t^is  was  noc  enough  to  damp  his  Cou- 
 
 favidum  rage. 
 
 fetient 
 
 Finding  in  this  Jun&ure  that  thc 
 wrath  of  God  could  not  be  fo  foon  remo- 
 ved from  this  Ifland  5  He  treated  with 
 Monk  for  others  of  our  Nation  with 
 great  dexterity ,  onely  for  himfelf , 
 and  Dalyell  he  would  have  no  fhare  in 
 it,  as  if  he  had  fworn  from  his  Infan- 
 cy againft  all  degrees  of  Rebellion  as 
 
 Ha- 
 
The  "thirteenth  Sermon.  '48  j 
 
 Hanibal did  againft  the  Romans,  whom  cornel. 
 his   Father  made   to  touch   the  Altar  Ntf« 
 with  an  Oath  C  when  but  nine  years  ^iy?" 
 old )  that  he  ftiouid  never  be  reconciled  edit,inu- 
 to  them  nor  their  Intereft.      He  andfim?'L 
 his  Friend  again  both  of  them  Hole  a -^     * 
 way  and  went  to  find  their  Sovereign^ 
 who  then  was  forced  to  wander    here 
 and  there  for  Shelter,  and  was  fas  the 
 Royal  Pfalmift  fometime  )  hunted  as  a  x  Sam; 
 Partridge  on   the    Mountains.     But   all  26.  2©. 
 hopes  being  loft  at  that  time,  to  ferve 
 his  Majefly.     The  General  and  Dalyell 
 beg'd  leave  to  go  for  Mofcovia  5  which 
 they  obtain'd,and  accordingly  took  their 
 journey.     And  when  he  arriv'd  at  the 
 Imperial  Camp,    the  Emperour  of  Rujfia 
 was  then  lying  befor  Riga,  and  now  we 
 have  this  generous  Soul  in  Mofcovia,  a 
 Stranger,  and  you  may  be  fure  the  Cava- 
 liers Coffers  were  not  then   of  great 
 weight,  but  he  carried  with  him  that 
 which    never  forfook  him  till  his  laft 
 breath,  Refolution  above  the  difafters  of 
 Fortune,  compofure  of  Spirit  in  the  midft 
 of  Adverfity,  and  Accomplilhments  pro., 
 per  for  any  Station  in  Court  or  Camp  that 
 became  a  Gentleman. 
 
 li  J  TffK 
 
486  Tlx  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 THE  Emperour  of  Rujfia  quickly 
 took  notice  of  him,  and  immediately 
 he  was  made  a  Collonel,  and  foon  after 
 Lieutenant  General  of  the  Strangers.  He 
 ferved  the  Emperour  of  Mofcovy  againfl: 
 the  Tolonlans  and  Tartars  in  many  Ren* 
 counters  with  great  conduft  and  fideli- 
 ty. But  I  muft  be  allowed  to  mention 
 one  inftance  of  his  Valour,  in  which  he 
 faved  the  whole  Army  that  was  then 
 fent  by  the  Emperour  of  Ruffia  againft 
 the  Poles,  and  commanded  by  Knez  Joury^ 
 who  was  of  extraordinary  Reputatioq 
 among  the  Ruffians  5  But  in  this  Encoun- 
 ter when  he  march'd  too  near  the  Ene- 
 my, he  withdrew  all  the  Cavalry  and 
 left  our  Scots  here  with  a  fmall  body  of 
 Foot,  to  the  mercy  of  the  Folonian  Horfe 
 f  perhaps  the  beft  in  Europe, )  What 
 fhall  he  do  in  fuch  Gircumftances,  muft 
 he  fly  >  But  that  was  it  he  was  not  ac- 
 quainted with  5  He  drew  up  his  hand- 
 ful of  Men  behind  fome  Shrubs  which 
 had  a  Marfli  at  each  end  of  them,  and 
 planted  the  Swans  feathers  before  them : 
 The  Voitfh  Horfe  came  to  aflault  them  in 
 that  Poft  with  extraordinary  briskneft, 
 but  were  received  with  fo  much  or- 
 der 
 
The  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 der  and  refolution,  that  the  firft  andfe- 
 cond  Salutes  of  the  General's  Musketeers, 
 put  the  Enemy  in  great  diforder,  and 
 in  defiance  of  their  number ,  ftrength 
 and  quality  he  managed  his  Retreat 
 with  fo  much  Succefs  and  Conduft,  that 
 he  got  under  the  Covert  of  the  neareft 
 Wood,  by  which  he  faved  the  whole 
 Army 5  for  if  he  had  been  beat,  the 
 Main  body,  ( which  Knez  Joury  had 
 too  haftily  withdrawn )  would  certain- 
 ly fly,  if  aflaulted  whiles  they  were  in 
 confufion.  To  manage  a  Retreat  with 
 fo  fmall  a  body  of  Men,  in  view,  and 
 upon  the  Nofe  of  fo  ftrong  an  Enemy, 
 was  a  proof  of  Conduft  and  Valour  e- 
 qual  to  any  thing  that  we  meet  with  in 
 Hiftory. 
 
 The  Emperour  could  not  but  upon 
 this  refent  his  Service,  and  the  favour 
 that  he  had  at  Court  faved  General  Du- 
 lyell  when  fo  many  great  Men  combined 
 to  ruin  him  :  But  why  fhould  I  men- 
 tion the  particular  Services  that  he  a- 
 lone  did  to  the  Imperial  Crown  of  Mof- 
 covy.  'Tis  an  irreparable  injury  to  our 
 Nation,  if  the  Memoirs  of  his  Life  be 
 not  made  publick.  Much  about  this 
 I  i  4  time 
 
*  Ilia  pharetratis  eft  propria  glo- 
 ria Scotis, 
 
 Ctngere  venatufaltus,  fuperare  na- 
 tando 
 
 The  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 time  he  put  a  confiderable  relief  into  a 
 
 Frontier  Town  of  Great  importance  for- 
 
 merly  belonging  to  the  Polonians,    but 
 
 now  in  the  Emperours  pofietiion  i   What 
 
 he  did  in  that  Expedition  is  nbt  only 
 
 for  the  Honour  of  the  name  of  Drum. 
 
 mond>    but  alfo  for 
 
 the  evcrlafting  Gk> 
 
 ry   of  the   *  Scots. 
 
 None  of  the   Ruf- 
 
 Tlumina,  ferre  famem,  contemner  e    fjans    \VOUld    Under- 
 
 take  it  ;  the  fwift- 
 nefs  of  his  March, 
 the  Extraordinary 
 Stratagem  that  he 
 ufed ,    the  number 
 
 Artibus  his,  totum  fremerent  cum 
 
 "Bella  per  orbem, 
 1\ullaque  non  leges  tellus   mutaret 
 
 avitasy 
 Externo/ubjetla  j ago,  gens  unave- 
 
 thftis 
 Sedibus  antiqua  Jub  liberate  re- 
 
 Jedit.     Buch. 
 
 frigora,  &  *fius: 
 Kec  Jaffa  &   muris  patriam  ,  fed 
 
 morte  tueri, 
 Et  fpreta  incolumem  vita  defejj- 
 
 dere  famamf 
 polliciti  fervare  fidem9  fanftumque 
 
 vereri 
 
 Army  that  he  over- 
 threw, and  the  fea- 
 fonable  relief  he  put 
 into  the  Town,  be* 
 came  the  wonder 
 of,  the  whole  Em* 
 pire. 
 
 S  o  M  £  years  after ,  the  Light  of 
 Heaven  began  to  fhine  upon  Britain, 
 our  King  and  Government  was  reftored : 
 And  Hh  late  Majefly  fent  for  him  and 
 
 DaljeJI; 
 
The  thirteenth  Sermw.  489 
 
 Dalyell$  and  how  he  behaved  for  twenty 
 years  after  his  return  to  his  Country, 
 the  whole  Nation  knows,  and  Envy  it 
 felf  ( that  ill  natured  Vice  that  fullies  the 
 brighteft  Innocence  )  durft  never  aflault 
 him  plainly,  and  openly.  For  under  the 
 prefliire  of  the  faddeft  difadvantages,  he 
 never  harbour'd  one  difloyal  thought: 
 Such  as  had  occafioned  hisdifgrace  with 
 the  late  King  never  appeared  above  board, 
 and  fuch  of  the  great  ones  as  might  be 
 fufpefted  to  have  whifper'd  againft  him 
 plainly  difown'd  it :  And  this  Tranfient  , 
 Cloud  (blown  up  by  the  breath  of  ma- 
 lice,) fervedonly  tohighten  his  honour 
 and  reputation  5  which  makes  me  apply 
 to  him,  what  Tacitus  hath  of  the  form- 
 erly named  Agricola :  Suis  virtutibus  ft- 
 mul,  vitiis  aliorumque  in  ipfam  gloriam 
 pr<eceps  agelatur.  His  Loyalty  was  un- 
 tainted, as  it  was  tryed  more  than  [even- 
 teen  times  in  the  fire  of  afflictions ,  it  did 
 not  change  with  the  mode  and  faftiion, 
 it  did  not  depend  upon  the  Gazette,  and 
 News-Letters.but  wasimmoveably  found- 
 ed upon  the  rules  of  S.  Paul  to  the  Ro- 
 mans 13.  Not  only  for  wrath  but  for 
 Conference  fake.  When  the  Prince  is  on 
 the  Throne,   then  multitudes  of  Men 
 
 offer 
 
4po  The  Thirteenth  Sermon] 
 
 offer  their  Services  5  but  General  Drum- 
 mond's  Loyalty  did  bide  the  teft  of  all 
 hardships  and  (bfferittgs.  It  was  not  gold 
 and  filver ,  foftnefs  and  plenty ,  luxury 
 and  eafe  that  bore  up  his  Spirits  5  but  the 
 rewards  of  a  good  Confcience,   long  and 
 cold  Nights,  bitter  northen  Frofts,  and 
 the  murmurs  of  the  River  that  runs  by 
 this  houfe,  together  with  the  crowd  of 
 his  uneafie  thoughts  for  fome  years  made 
 up  his  ordinary  Bill  of  Fare :  The  Foxes 
 and  Connies  became  frequently  his  Com- 
 panions, and  he  had  no  other  habitation 
 than  their  Retreats  amidft  Rocks  and 
 Defarts,  his  love  to  his  Prince  took  up 
 his  thoughts ,  his  time  and  his  endea- 
 vours.    And  thus  he  lived,  and  thus  he 
 died,  Praying  for  His  prefent  Majejly 
 with  all  the  marks  of  Gratitude,  true 
 Zeal  and  Chriftian  Charity;  So  that  I 
 may  truly  apply  to  him 
 Velieius  Patercului,  Vi-   the  Chara&er  that  VelUius 
 SSZ    PaterculKsb&om    upon 
 joteft.  Lucius  Emilius  Faulus.  But 
 
 fo  far  have  I  confidered  the 
 General  as  an  Officer  of  War.  But  had 
 he  no  other  endowments  than  his  Milita- 
 ry Skill  and  Conduft  ?  Yes  certainly, 
 his  Soul  was  enrich'd  with  a  vaft  trea- 
 
 fure 
 
The  Thirteenth  Seimon.  4p  i 
 
 futc  of  acquired  Knowledge,  be  difcourf- 
 ed  of  all  Subje&s,  Moral,  Political,  Hi- 
 ftorical  and  Theological ,  with  great 
 difcretion  andacutenefs.  Cornelius  Ta~ 
 citus  tells  us,  in  the  (fo  often  cited) 
 Life  of  Agrkola ,  That  moft  men  were 
 of  Opinion  that  there  was  little  friend- 
 ship betwixt  Arms  and  Letters :  But  if 
 he  inftanced  in  Agrkola  to  confute  this 
 abfurd  Opinion,  we  name  General  Drum* 
 mend,  whofeSoul  lodged  the  beft  parts 
 of  polite  Learning}  he  underftood  all 
 the  Mathematical  Sciences  that  relate  to 
 War ,  Fortification  and  Encamping  to  a 
 high  degree  5  he  had  read  the  Roman  Hi- 
 (iorians  acurately,  and  k  was  obferved  of 
 him  when  be  was  a  youth,  he  took 
 great  delight  in  reading  C£fars  Commen- 
 taries 3  a  Book  which  the  Marquefs  of 
 Montrofe  had  almoft  by  heart.  He  re- 
 folved  to  converfe  with  the  former  Ages 
 to  enlarge  his  Spirit ,  and 
 to  read  the  Lives  of  the      Velleiui  Patercului,  cf 
 
 ,  n.r>      ^  •    « .  „  -  i.  •  Scipio  Emilianui,   Vir  om- 
 
 greateftCaptains  was  his  or-    Jus  hdll  ac  ^  dotihus 
 dinary  Divertifment :  And  fraclnm. 
 it  was  truly  wonderful  to 
 fee  a  Man  from  his  Infancy  bred  up  with 
 the  noife  of  Drums  and  Trumpets  ac- 
 quire fo  much  Learning,  which  made 
 
ij-p  i  The  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 Juftin  Ub.yHflin  fay  of  Epaminondas ,   ut  rnirabifi 
 videretur^unde  tarn  infignis  militia  fcientia 
 homini  inter  liter  as  nato.     Amongft  the 
 Ancient  Romans ,  he  mod 
 refembled  Marcus   Porcius 
 Cato,   who  was  fo. framed 
 by  Nature,  to  be  equally 
 fitted  for  all  laudable  un- 
 dertakings 3  every  thing  he 
 did  became  him ,   and  he 
 could  do  all  things  except 
 only  the  things  which  could 
 not  be  commended.  In  the 
 laft  Ages,  Julius  Cefar  Sca- 
 liger feems  to  come  near- 
 eft  our  deceafed  Hero ,  for  Scaliger  was 
 defcended  of  the  Ancient  Princes  of  Ve- 
 rova ,  and  General  Drummond  of  one  of 
 the  Princes  of  our  Country. 
 Julius  Scaliger    was   early 
 bred  with  Military  Difci- 
 pline ,   and  General  Drum* 
 mond  looked    after  Arms 
 when  but  a  Child  }  Scaliger 
 was  Educated  in  the  Court 
 of  Maximilian  the  Emper- 
 our,  and  our  Hero  had  feen 
 the  moft  fplendid  and  mag- 
 nificent Courts  in  Europe.    Scaliger  glid 
 
 great 
 
 Liv.  lib.  %<).  fag.  (mihi) 
 557.  Ad  Jummos  honor es 
 alios  Jcientia  Juris  ,  alios 
 eloquently  alios  gloria  mi' 
 lit  am  provexit,  huio  ver- 
 satile ingenium,Jic  pariter 
 ad  omnia  fuit  ut  natum  ad 
 id  mum  diceres  quodcumq-y 
 Agere 1 1  In  hello  manufor- 
 tijfhnus,  multifq;  infigni- 
 bus  clarus9  fugnis  idem 
 fofieaquam  ad  magnos  ho- 
 nores  fervenit  (ummus  Im~ 
 ferator. 
 
 ThuamiJ,  Hift.  Lib.  21. 
 fag.  {mibi)64$.  Julius 
 Caefar  Scaliger,  vir  quofu- 
 feriorem  antiquitas  vix 
 bahuit  farem  certe  h<ec  *- 
 tas  non  vidit.  Nam  ut  nobi- 
 litatem  omittam ,  de  qua 
 inter  omnes  conftat  ingenio 
 animi  ,  (3  corporis  robore 
 fimul  omnes  equates  faos  fa- 
 cile fuperavit. 
 
The  Thirteenth  Sermon.  49  5 
 
 great  things  at^the  battle  of  Ravenna  be- 
 twixt the  Emperour  and  the  French  5  but 
 General  Drummond  in  more  than  a  hun- 
 dred Rencounters  fignalizd  his  Valour 
 both  at  home  and  abroad.  Scaliger  had 
 great  marks  of  the  Emperours  favour, 
 and  our  Hero  had  greater  honours  con- 
 ferred on  him  by  His  late  and prefent  Ma- 
 jefty,  and  the  Emperour  of  Mofcovy.  Sea* 
 liger  mixed  his  martial  toil  and  employ- 
 ment with  his  fludies  and  intellectual 
 Pleafures,  and  our  General  feem'd  in  the 
 midft  of  all  his  cares  ,  and  difpatches, 
 to  have  been  ihapen  for  the  abftrufeft 
 parts  of  Learning.  Scaliger  was  faid  to 
 underftand  Phyftognomy  and  foretel  ma- 
 ny events  concerning  particular  perfons  5 
 But  General  Drummond  foretold  the  e- 
 vents  and  changes  in  the  body  political- 
 But  Julius  Scaliger  was  harfh ,  proud , 
 four  and  vindi&ive,  and  could  not  with 
 patience  hear  the  commendations  of  his 
 equals ;  but  here  I  leave  Scaliger :  For 
 General  Drummond  was  meek,  calm  ,  af- 
 fable, equal,  courteous,  belov'd  of  every 
 body,  as  he  did  promote  all  appearances 
 of  vertue  and  honour  in  any  other  wherc- 
 ever  he  found  them;  and  his  accompliih- 
 ments  for  Learning  were  felt  by  every 
 
 body 
 
494  ^*  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 body  that  underftood  the  true  ufe  of 
 
 Learning.    Nothing  he  ab- 
 
 Pfal.  WUn  $bat  is  in  be*   horr'd  more  thanlgnorance, 
 
 nrtrSWS?  cTpcciaUv   amongft  them 
 
 ri[h.  who  defired  to  be  noticed 
 
 above  their  Neighbours. 
 He  brought  honour  to  the  preferments 
 he  poflefs'd,  and  valued  none  but  fuch 
 as  naturally  fell  to  him  in  the  true  chan- 
 nel of  Merit. 
 
 3.  Look  upon  him  as  a  Counfellor 
 to  his  Prince,  he  never  fuggefted  in  pub- 
 lick  or  in  private,  but  what  was  for  the 
 honour  of  the  King>  the  Peace  and  Tran- 
 quillity of  the  Subjects,  the  regular  ad- 
 miniftration  of  Ju/lice  and  the  fafety  of 
 His  Majeflies  Dominions  on  all  hands. 
 His  advice  was  always  temper'd  with 
 Prudence,  Caution  and  Forefight*  he 
 underftood  Mankind  exaftly  ,  and  the 
 particular  genius  of  this  Nation,  fo,  all 
 his  Gounfels  were  even,  calm  and  mo- 
 derate,  never  furpriz'd  or  hurry'd  unto 
 any  thing  precipitate  or  indeliberate. 
 No  Man  ever  had  the  refolution  of  a 
 Great  Captain,  and  the  gravity  of  a  Sena* 
 tor  more  happily  con  temper'd. 
 
 4  What 
 
The  7birteenth  Sermon.  49  j 
 
 4.  What  need  I  mention  hisaffa* 
 bilicy  and  candor,  his  charming,  inoffen- 
 five  and    pleafanc  Convention  ?    No- 
 ;  thing  tempeftuous,  nothing  rough,  no- 
 thing diforderly  in  his  Behaviour ,  he 
 i  was  of  eafie  accefs  to  all  ranks  of  Men* 
 and  knew  that  Men  in  high  Places  can- 
 not  live  without  their  Inferiors.     And  if 
 at  any  time  his  Anger  broke  forth  into 
 any  appearances  of  Indignation,  it  was 
 to  chaftife  and  drive  from  him  what  is 
 bafe,  unjuft,  ungentile,  mean  and  vici- 
 ous.    Will  youconfider  him  in  his  more 
 familiar  Relations,  as  a  Neighbour,  as  a 
 Husband,  as  a  Father,  as  a  Friend,  how 
 amiable  in  all  of  them  did  he  appear  ? 
 Friendship  feemed  to  be  his  very  Element 
 and  his  proper  Air;  And  as  none  knew 
 better  how  to  make  a  choice,  fo  none 
 more  ftedfaft  to  that  facred  tye.    The 
 laft  words  he  fpoke  diftinftly,  were  ex- 
 preflions  of  Frietidfhip  to  a  Perfon  of 
 Quality ,    with  what  gra- 
 titude was  he  wont  to  ac-    „7*' f arl  f.  PertJ?  £** 
 
 ,  ,     ,    .        o         c    „.  ritgb  Cbancellour  of  toot* 
 
 knowledge  acts  of  Kind-    jand. 
 nefs  and  Civility  done  him 
 in  the  time  of  his  Impxifonment  in  Eng- 
 land?   Take  him  altogether,  he  was  a 
 
 proper 
 
4p  6  The  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 proper  ftandard  of  Vertue ,  fit  for  the 
 imitation  of  the  prefent  Age,  and  the 
 commendation  of  Pofterity.  Would  God 
 there  were  but  many  fuch  in  our  Nation, 
 who  truly  needed  fo  little  the  artifice  of 
 Flattery,  and  defpifed  it  as  much  as  our 
 Deceased  General. 
 
 But  wj  Lords  and  Gentlemen*  when 
 I  have  faid  this,  if  I  had  no  more  to  fay, 
 perhaps  I  had  faid  nothing.  All  that  is 
 fplendid  and  glorious  in  the  Eye  of  Mor- 
 tals, is  nothing  in  compare  with  the 
 Spirit  of  true  Religion.  In  all  his  Life- 
 time, and  in  all  the  different  Occurrences 
 and  Periods  of  his  Troubles,  he  had 
 deep  impreffions  of  the  Divinity.  Re- 
 ligion  in  him  was  not  an  idle  fpeculati- 
 on,  but  broke  forth  and  fhinedin  all  his 
 Adtions,  his  devotions  to  God  were  fer- 
 Tent,  fincere  and  conftant.  The  expref- 
 fions  of  his  Charity  to  his  Neighbours 
 were  full  of  affeftion,  love  and  fincerity : 
 He  took  his  Characters  of  a  Religious 
 Man,  not  from  the  dreams  and  fooleries 
 of  Enthufiafm,  but  from  the  plain  words 
 of  S.  James^  Who  is  a  wife  man  and  en* 
 dowd  with  knowledge  amongli  you  ?  Let 
 him  (hew  out  of  a  good  converfation  his 
 
 works 
 
The  Thirteenth  Sermon.  497 
 
 works  with  mecknefs  of  wifdom.  And  that 
 other  of  the  fame  Apoftle  5  Pure  religion  jam.  1*7: 
 and  unde filed  before  God  and  the  Father  is 
 t))i$%  to  vifit  the  Fatherlefs,  and  Widows 
 in  their  affliftion^  and  to  keep  himfelf  un* 
 [potted  from  the  world.  The  inftances 
 of  his  Charity  have  been  many  and  libe- 
 ral and  feafonably  conveyed  5  fome  of 
 them,  vifible,  great  and  lafting.  Let 
 US  follow  him  to  his  Death  Bed,  and  fee 
 his  behaviour  there. 
 
 Being  of  a  vigorous  and  cleanly 
 Conftitution,  he  lived  to  the  Age  of 
 Seventy  notwithftanding  of  tlie  conftanc 
 fatigue  of  his  Life :  When  he  felt  that 
 his  Difeafe  was  like  to  prove  ftubborn , 
 and  that  it  refitted  the  skill  and  care  of 
 the  learnedftPhyficians,hefentfor  a  pi- 
 ous and  grave  Divine  of  our  Church ,  Dr.  chai* 
 With  whom  he  tookfweet  Counfel,  how  to t?rl$- 
 order  his  Soul  for  its  laft  flight  to  the  ci- 
 ther World :  And  in  this  irfterval,  gave 
 all  evidences  of  the  greatnefs  and  good- 
 nefs  of  his  Spirit. 
 
 O  N  £  of  the  Phyficians  that  waited 
 on  him,  did  with  all  modcfty  and  diC 
 cretion  infinqate  that  their  endeavours 
 
 K  k  were 
 
4p  8  The  Ihirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 were  like  to  have  no  fuccefs ;  He  received 
 the  news  of  Death  with  all  compofure 
 and  equality  of  Spirit ,  he  never  knew 
 what  fear  meant,  and  he  met  the  King 
 of  Terrors,  not  with  that  refolute  fallen- 
 neft  and  ftupidity,  (that  is  fometimes 
 obfcrvable  in  the  mod  profligate)  but 
 with  ail  calmnefs  and  refolution,  as  be- 
 came the  ftrcngth  of  Faith,  the  hopes  of 
 Immortality  and  the  Majefty  of  Ghtifti- 
 an  Religion. 
 
 The  frequent  attacques  of  a  lingring 
 Difeafe  had  now  brought  him  upon  the 
 coafts  of  Eternity,  he  ordered  his  world- 
 ly Affairs  with  that  fpeed  and  difcretion 
 that  was  always  vifible  in  all  his  aftions, 
 he  gave  his  Fatherly  Ad  vice  and  Bleffmg  in 
 the  moft  Chriftian  and  compofed  manner 
 f*>.  stra-  to  his  deareft  Relatives ,  and  marks  of 
 ttud®  ^is  favour  anc*  Bounty  to  all  his  Servants. 
 a  y'  And  all  this  with  that  exa&nefs  of  Me- 
 mory and  undifturb'd  Judgment  that  ©- 
 ver  attended  him,   he  omitted  nothing 
 that  was  to  be  done  :    And  then  he  be- 
 feeched  fuch  as  were  about  him,  in  the 
 Bowels  of  Jefus  Chrifi  to  give  him  no 
 more  trouble  about  worldly  Affairs,  fo 
 he  left  the  World  in  his  Thoughts  and 
 
 Meditations, 
 
The  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 Medications,  and  looked  ftedfaftly  to  the 
 things  that  are  above,  and  by  frequent 
 flights  and  ejaculations  to  Heaven  was 
 looted  from  the  Body  Cfrom  all  the  in- 
 terefts  and  concerns  of  it)  before  he  left 
 his  earthly  habitation.  How  weak  arc 
 the  ftrorigeft  Ghains  that  tye  us  to  the 
 Earth,  when  we  are  thus  illuminated , 
 when  we  are  near  our  heavenly  Country, 
 when  the  Soul  begins  to  tad  of  the  rivers 
 of  pleafure  that  are  at  Gods  right  hand  $ 
 Then  (he  gathers  together  her  fpiritual 
 Forces,and  the  World  becomes  fo  infipid, 
 that  ftie  can  relifh  nothing  but  the  Fruits 
 of  the  Tree  of  Life.  O  happy  day! 
 when  we  have  run  thorow  the  difficult 
 ftagesof  a  wearifom  World,  we  then  can 
 fay  in  the  Apoftles  Language,  We  knew 
 that  if  this  our  earthly  houfe  were  broken 
 down,  voe  have  houfes  with  God  not  made 
 frith  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens, 
 
 L  E  T  us  enter  into  the  Grave  before 
 We  are  carried  thither,  and  from  thence 
 view  the  various  toflings  of  mens 
 thoughts  to  fcramble  together  the  hea- 
 vieft  pieces  ok  the  Earth ,  how  foon  do 
 the  glories  of  it  vani(h  into  a  (hadow , 
 and  the  painted  nothings  that  we  foolifh- 
 Kk  a,  ly 
 
 499 
 
$  cro  The  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 ly  admire  are  found  empty  and  unfatisfy- 
 ing.  Are  thofe  the  things  we  are  to  hunt 
 after  >  Are  we  made  for  them  ?  Have 
 not  we  vaft  appetites  and  inclinations  be- 
 yond them  >  Can  they  ferve  us  in  our 
 greateft  extremities  ?  Let  us  remember 
 then  wherefore  we  are  made ;  For  here 
 we  are  hut  Pilgrims  and  Strangers*  Should 
 Pfai.  not  we  pray  with  the  Pfalmifl ,  Lord 
 teach  we  to  know  mine  end,  and  the  me  it- 
 fur  e  of  my  days,  that  I  may  know  how  frail 
 I  am.  Thofe  dark  habitations  in  which 
 we  live  will  fhortly  crumble  to  duft. 
 Upon  this  occafion,  we  are  to  lift  our 
 Eyes  from  the  Coffin  where  his  earthly 
 remains  are  laid,  to  the  place  and  com- 
 pany and  employment  of  his  Soul,  where 
 we  fhall  be  cloathed  with  Light  as  the 
 Angels  of  God  and  encompafled  with  the 
 beams  of  Glory,  where  we  fhall  have 
 the  palms  of  viftory  put  into  our  hands* 
 crowns  upon  our  heads,  and  in  our  mouths 
 the  fongs  of  the  lleffed^  where  we  fhall 
 fit  with  the  Patriarchs,  Prophets,  Apoftles 
 and  Martyrs,  when  we  enter  the  City  of 
 Peace  and  of  everlafting  Reft  intheNnv 
 Jerufalem.  How  can  we  but  figh  and 
 groan  for  our  deliverance  from  our  pie- 
 fent  Bondage  t    When  fhall  we  be  fet  at 
 
 liberty 
 
— V 
 
 The  Thirteenth  Sertim]  jo| 
 
 liberty  from  Corruption  and  Vanity, 
 and  fatisfi'd  with  his  Divine  Liknefs,when 
 we  fliall  for  ever  iolemnize  the  Nu- 
 ptials of  the  Lamb,  and  behold  God 
 face  to  face ,  and  fhall  be  changed  unto 
 his  Glorious  Image,  when  we  are  ad- 
 mitted to  the  Company  of  thofe  Sera. 
 phims  that  fly  round  about  the  Throne, 
 and  fing  to  all  Ages  of  Eternity ,  Holy, 
 Holy,  Holy%  Lord  God  of  Hofts.  Does 
 not  the  view  of  this  Glory  overcome 
 our  Spirits ,  and  difengage  us  from  the 
 Earth  ?  Why  Ihould  the  trifling  interefts 
 of  vanity  ingrofs  our  thoughts,  and  the 
 little  apparitions  and  dreams  of  the  Earth 
 enchant  us  ?  O  Chriftians  think  more 
 frequently  of  your  Country  and  of  the 
 incomprehenfible  Love  of  God,  that/<?»* 
 his  Son  to  redeem  you;  of  the  whole  ten- 
 dency of  that  excellent  Religion,  of  the 
 excellency  of  our  own  Souls ,  and  the 
 light  of  his  Countenance  that  is  letter  than 
 Life.  Let  us  (leal  frequently  out  of  the 
 hurry  and  noife  and  impertinence  of  our 
 little  bufinefs ,  unto  thofe  Regions  of 
 Light,  and  Peace,  and  Purity,  unto  Mount 
 Zion,  and  unto  the  City  of  the  J-ivM&ftfi 
 God,  the  heavenly  Jerufalem,  and  to  an 
 innumerable  Company  of  Angels,  to  the 
 K  k  3  general 
 
Jb|  Ik  Thirteenth  Sermon. 
 
 fentral  affemlly  and  Church  of  the  firjl 
 orn9  to  God  the  Judge  of  all,  and  to  the 
 Spirits  rf  juft  men  made  perfett. 
 
 To  God  the  Father,  Son,  and 
 Holy  Ghojl,  be  all  Praife, 
 Power  and  Dominion,  for 
 ever  andever9     Amen. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
. 
 
mm 
 
 I  \ '  c 
 
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