good, however difagreeable to hypocrites; expoftulating with them on the reasonableness of it, propofing questions to them of a fimilar nature, parabolical representations, whose arguments were fo exceeding clear and convincing, that they had nothing to reply, but continued fullen and filent, which learns mankind that it must be well pleafing to God, to do real acts of kindness, benevolence, and all poffible good on the Sabbath, as well as on all other days.

The bleffed Jefus obferving the generality of their company (at this entertainment of the pharifees) to be tinctured with pride by affecting precedency, he meekly inftructed them in the amiable virtue of humility, making it very evidently appear that the confequence of it would redound to themselves, and be its own reward; and that emulation and pride would be their own downfall, Luke xiv. I to 12.

The excellent method which the bleffed Jefus prefcribes in order for mankind to attain real honour, both from God and man, is to have low, humble, felf-diffident thoughts of themselves; to be fenfible that all their understandings and knowledge; all their superior abilities, are but what they have received, for which reafon St. Paul directs chriftians" in lowlinefs of mind, each to esteem others better than themselves," Philip. ii. 3. The wifest of all mankind has afferted, " A man's pride "fhall bring him low, but honour fhall uphold the "humble in fpirit," Prov. xxix. 23. and the bleffed Jefus told the pharifees, "Whofoever exalteth himself fhall be abafed; and he that humbleth himself shalk

"be

"be exalted," Luke xiv. 11. He alfo directed the chief pharifees, that when they made an entertainment for their fellow creatures, in what manner to do it, fo as it would be well-pleafing to God, which was to invite poor hearts that scarcely knew what it was to fare fumptuoufly all their life-time, viz. the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind, who were real objects of fympathy and compaffion; which would be real goodness and godlikeness, because the bleffed Jefus justly obferves, it is not in their power to recompence again. Confining of feafts to friends, brethren, kinfmen and rich neighbours, has no intrinfic goodness in it, for they are fenfible they will invite again, and 1o return the obligation and seeming friendship. But as to the other poor fouls, in their diftreffed circumstances, it is out of their power to do it in this world: but their bleffing will accompany their benefactors; for almighty God, their heavenly Father, who created all his good creatures for the use and benefit of mankind, will, at the grand and awful day of retribution, abundantly reward them for it, Luke xiv. 12 to 15.

Natural religion is very deficient in these refined moral doctrines, therefore we are infinitely obliged to the bleffed Jesus for them. For if all mankind, unbelievers and fpeculative believers, would become real christians, both high and low, rich and poor, kings on the throne to coblers in the ftall, each one acting according to their different ftations and fituations in life, as prefcribed in the gofpel; this world would become (comparatively speaking) a paradise, instead of a cage of unclean birds, as 'tis now. Peace and plenty

plenty, unity and concord, friendship and good neighbourhood, and universal happiness would reign on the whole earth, in a degree as it does in heaven.

Then the potentates of the earth would cause "their "fwords to be turned into plowshares, their fpears into "pruning hooks." Nation would not then lift up fword against nation, neither have occasion to learn war any more; agreeable to the court prophet's prediction, Ifa. ii. 4. 66 Every man then would fit under his vine, " and under his fig-tree, none making of him afraid,” Mich. iv. 4. Then " judgment would run down as "waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream," Amos v. 24. Then there would be no more hurling or

destroying in all God's holy mountain: for the earth "would be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the "waters cover the sea," Ifa. xi. 9. Then "the earth "would yield her increase; and God, even our own "God, would bless us," Pf. lxvii. 6.

If all mankind would imitate the behaviour of the bleffed Jefus, they would be bleffings to each other, which was the original defign of their great and good Creator, Preferver and Redeemer.

O how sweet and engaging, lovely and inviting was the temper, difpofition and behaviour of our bleffed Lord when on earth! enough to foften and charm the most obdurate rugged heart.

He was one of eafy accefs, of the greatest freedom and affability; of a moft delightful excellent difpofition, quite oppofite to morofeness, churlifhnefs, and ill nature,

always

always unaffectedly grave and serious; calm and fedate, fociable and converfible, benevolent and compaffionate, merciful and good, to the highest degree of perfection.

Those persons who were frowned on by his disciples, and looked upon as troublesome and rude by them, were not fo by him; but were moft kindly listened to, and very affectionately received. Little children, as unwelcome as they were to them, were very tenderly embraced, and even bleffed by him, Mark x. 13 to 17.

He was quite the oppofite to a proud, haughty, difdainful fpirit; for when he was either invited to the houses of the poor or the rich, the good or the bad, he very readily accepted their invitations; neither did he esteem it as unbecoming his gravity and seriousness, to `make one at a marriage entertainment; but was fo exceeding good-natured and obliging as to perform a miracle, by converting water into wine for them after their own was exhausted, and had well drunken, by way of a chearful glass, John ii. 1 to 11. From whence every ingenuous mind may learn, that the religion of the bleffed Jefus is neither severe nor auftere: that it does not deny mankind to enjoy the bountiful productions of the earth, the good creatures of God, with delight and pleasure, to gratify their fenfes, fo as they keep within bounds of moderation.

Therefore it is impoffible that a rational mind fhould figure out a more complete religion, to make

man

mankind comfortable in this world, and happy in the other, than Chrift's; the fublime religion of the bleffed Jefus.

All the creatures of God are to be enjoyed by mankind, and nothing to be refused, if received with thankful, grateful hearts, " they being fanctified by "the word of God and prayer, 1 Tim. iv. 4, 5. All "Wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all " her paths are peace; fhe is a tree of life to those "that lay hold of her, and happy is every one that re"taineth her," Prov. iii. 17, 18. which can only be learnt but by divine revelation.

When James and John, two of the bleffed Jefus's disciples, with great rage defired him to call for fire from heaven to confume the Samaritans for their brutish behaviour in refufing him entertainment, with what mildness and gentleness did he rebuke them for their revengful difpofition, faying thus, "Ye know not "what manner of fpirits ye are of, for the Son of man " is not come to destroy mens lives, but to fave them," Luke ix. 55, 56.

The candour and difpofition of the bleffed Jefus towards Peter, James and John, when they discovered by their behaviour fuch great unconcernedness and indifference to him, when he was approaching the very blackest and most horrible of all hours (his crucifixion); and when he desired them only to watch with him for a little space of time, (while he retired to pray) yet could not prevail with them from fleeping, though entreated by repeated follicitations.

Never