THe greatest and most important En­quiry that ever was in the World, was that of the Psalmist, Who will shew us any Good? Who will dis­cover to us wherein true Blessedness lies, and by what wayes and means we may be a­ble to obtain it? An Enquiry that every man is highly concerned to be satisfied in, from that common Principle of Nature that inclines every thing to seek its own Preservation and Wellbe­ing: But such Darkness had man's Apostacy brought upon his mind, that he was utterly at [Page 2]loss how to arrive at any satisfaction in this Search, as by the great variety of differing Opi­nions about man's chiefest good sufficiently ap­pears. Sad and deplorable was the condition of the World, plung'd in misery, and lost as to all Remedy within Nature's ken and reach, when our blessed Saviour, the true light of the World, came from Heaven, on purpose to discover that happiness that mankind was groping after in the dark, and to this end communicated his light to those that were his first Hearers, not only to guide their own feet in the paths of peace, but that they by the light of their Doctrine, and good example, might illuminate a dark World, dis­perse the beams of saving truth from one end of the Heavens to the other, and by propaga­ting it to their Successors, make such a comforta­ble day to those Nations that had long sate in darkness, and the shaddow of death, as should know no night to the worlds end: And to this purpose he enjoyns them here in the Text; Let your Light so shine, &c.

Which words, whether they were spoken to the promiscuous multitude of the Disciples, or appropriated to those that were to be the Stew­ards and Dispensers of the Gospel Mystery, is disputed amongst Interpreters, nor need it be de­termined by me. 'Tis sufficient for my pre­sent purpose, that though the Charge here given [Page 3]belong not solely to the Apostles and their Suc­cessors, yet it casts a peculiar aspect upon them, it takes faster hold of them by an accession of pe­culiar ties, and binds them to its obedience in a higher and more improved sence: And that's suf­ficient to warrant my addressing a Discourse to my Brethren of the Clergy from these words: In which as they have a peculiar regard to them, they contain a duty enjoyn'd, with a reason en­forcing it; and in the duty enjoyned these three things. 1. A knowledge of the Doctrine of the Gospel, and that such a knowledge as may enable us to instruct others. 2. A vigorous en­deavour to propagate our light, and to communi­cate this wholesome knowledge to others. 3. A life conformable to this Doctrine. Of these in their order, beginning with the first.

1. A knowledge of the Gospel Mysteries, and that such a knowledge as may enable us to in­struct others in them. The great end why the Gospel Ministry was set up, was to turn sinners from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, and the chains wherewith the Devil holds men in captivity are chains of darkness. They are altenated from the life of God through the darkness that is in them. All the affairs of this dark Kingdom are carried on by Falshood and Imposture. All the Sophisticate Wares that he obtrudes upon men, for which he gains their [Page 4]souls in exchange, are put off by the advantage of darkness and obscurity; hence sinners and fools are terms convertible in Scripture, and [...], that all sins in some sence are sins of Ignorance is good Divinity. The Devil deals with sinners as Elisha with the Syrians, first smites them with blindness, and then leads them captive at his pleasure; as the Philistims with Sampson, first bores their eyes out, and then they are fit for his drudgery. Twould spoil the Merchants of Hell to have their Merchandise seen by a true light: And consequently he that would be in­strumental to rescue sinners from under the Prince of darkness, must be furnished with an ex­cellent knowledge, with a clear and bright under­standing, able to represent things in their true co­lours; the beauty of holiness and the deformity of fin, both stript of those disguises the Devil puts up­on them to make the one lovely, and the other ha­ted. A little knowledge with an honest heart may qualifie an ordinary Christian for Heaven: But 'tis no small scantling of knowledge will qualifie a man to undertake ex officio, the charge of conduct­ing others thither: 'Tis sufficient for an ordinary Christian to know his own duty, his own weak­nesses, his own temptations; but he that hath the care of others souls, must know what duty belongs to them in their different Stations; What temptations their various conditions are assaulted [Page 5]with, and what Weapon; are proper to repulse them, what dangers they are exposed to, and what remedies are to be provided against them. The World is a Hospital of diseased souls, la­bouring under variety of spiritual distempers, that call for the compassionate skill of the spiri­tual Physician; who should know what reme­dies to apply to their different maladies, and have them alwayes in a readiness: How to address a­gainst Pride in the Ambitious, Covetousness in the Mammonist, Cruelty in the Oppressour, Craft and Overreaching in the Fraudulent, Errour, Prejudice, and Misperswasion in many a well­meaning but deluded soul: How to convince the obstinate, and silence the gainsayer, to satisfie the scrupulous, and confirm the weak; to en­courage the timerous, and alarm the drowsie; to make Hypocrisie let fa [...]l her Vizard, Vain Glo­ry her Plumes, and prefumption her delusive hopes; to make the stubborn ungovernable spi­rits of men to understand the [...]auty and benefit of Government. His lips should preserve know­ledge, that when he speaks it may be as the Ora­cles of God, suitable to the occasion, evident to the understanding, forcible on the affections; o­therwise he will never approve himself a work­man that needs not be ashamed. He must have milk for babes, and stronger meat for grown Chri­stians; be able to acquaint them with the beau­ty [Page 6]of God's Works, the Impressions of Power, Wisdom, Goodness that he hath stamp'd on all his Creatures, to which an inspection into the Works of Nature is requisite. To make them see the Beauty of Providence, the watchful care that God hath exercised over his Church in all Ages; to which the knowledge of Church Hi­story and Antiquities is necessary. Above all to make them understand in some good measure [...], the wonders of love and mer­cy, wisdom and goodness displayed in the Work of our Redemption; which cannot be well done without great study, and serious application of mind to find out the meaning of the Holy Ghost in Scripture, which is the only Authentique Vo­lume in the World where the knowledge of these wonders is recorded. To a true understanding whereof a great variety of other knowledge in Languages, Antiquities, Customs of the Eastern Nations, lend a very good assistance.

I might speak my self out of breath, before I could give a summary of those things the man of God ought to be instructed in, before he be com­petently furnished for the management of his important Charge. The Physician of souls should be well versed in Soul Anatomy, know how to govern the Passions of men; what's pro­per to raise, allay, and moderate them; for he can never well govern the lives of men, that doth [Page 7]not in some measure hold the reigns of their affe­ctions in his hands. So difficult and important is the Ministerial Charge, that the Father had reason to say 'twas a work Angelorum humeris formidandum, and not to be managed by every trifling undertaker. So sensible was the great Apostle of the weightiness of it, though endow­ed with extraordinary abilities from Heaven, that he cries out, [...]; Who is sufficient for these things! How much then doth it con­cern us, upon whom these ministerial abilities are not conferred but by God's blessing upon our own industry implored by earnest prayer, to stu­dy, pray, read, meditate, that we may be enabled to discharge our Function; so, that we may not be ashamed of our workmanship, that God and our consciences may approve of us, that others may receive benefit, and we find favour and accep­tance in the day of righteous retributions.

2. A second thing included in this Charge, as it casts a peculiar aspect upon the Ministers of the Gospel, is a vigorous endeavour to communi­cate our light, and to impart this saving know­ledge to others, which is done by instructing their Ignorance, and awakening their consideration. First, by instructing their Ignorance, addressing to their Understandings, illightning the minds of men to make a right judgment of things. The Understanding, which is the leading faculty [Page 8]of the soul must first be enlightned, before the will which is the principle of action can embrace what's good and avoid what's evil. What ever the grace of God does in renewing the minds of men, it does it by first irradiating the Understand­ing; And the Ministers of the Gospel, who are subworkers to Grace, must proceed in the same method. Light was the first in the Old Creati­on, when the rude mass of being began to put on Beauty, and 'tis the first in the new Creation, when Christ is formed in the soul. This there­fore must be his first work, and business to bring them to a right understanding, to restore them to their right minds. But he must not think it e­nough to convey truth into their understandings and leave it there, but he must work it upon their affections by awakening their consideration, by all the forcible motives of perswasion, by all the arts of wise and prudent insinuation, forcing all the passions and affections within men to engage on the side of truth, to print it the deeper in their minds. Sometimes awakening their fears by re­presenting the terrours of the Lord, sometimes animating their Hopes, by shewing them the re­compence of the Righteous. He must never give them over till the truth is rooted in their souls, and till the fruits of piety appear in their lives. No nor then neither, but still he must be watering the tender plants, still cherishing all [Page 9]good beginnings, the first sproutings of piety, and encouraging small proficients to greater growth, the good proficients to aspire after perfection, till Grace ripen into Glory, and all the Runners in this Race, all the Combatants in this Warefare have got the Crowns on their Heads, and the Palms of Victory in their Hands. Never forget­ting all the while to beg of God, who alone gives the encrease to Paul's planting and Apollo's wate­ring, to crown his endeavours with success. And to excite himself hereto such considerations will be useful.

1. That this is the end for which all Ministeri­al abilities were bestowed, Ephs. 4.11, 12. He gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers; For the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministery, for the edifying of the Body of Christ. All these several Orders of Ecclesiastical Persons, and all variety of gifts that qualifie for the dis­charge of their several Functions, were for the benefit of the Church of God. And no Talents shall be more severely accounted for than those given for this use. The very bestowing them is an exaction of duty, the receiving them like that of Press-money, an engagement to service and employment. If we let these Treasures lie by and rust, the very rust of them will witness a­gainst us.

[Page 10]2. 'Tis the best testimony of our love, the greatest proof of our fidelity to our Lord and Master. That great lover of Souls hath intrusted many of them to our care, and in them the worth of many Worlds is deposited in our hands. Whether they shall live Eternal Ages in Joyes, too big for Mortal thoughts to conceive, or die the Devil's Slaves, and partake his torments, de­pends in great measure upon our care in instru­cting them. What value our Saviour puts upon them is best understood by the price he paid for them, they were redeemed with the blood of God; and by his passionate recommending them to the care of those whom he appointed their Guides and Instructors. Simon Son of Jonah lovest thou me? Feed my Sheep. And again, and a third time, lovest thou me? Feed my Sheep, feed my Lambs. If we have any affection for that Saviour of ours to whom we owe our present valuable enjoy­ments, and all our future hopes; if any compas­sion for those souls which are the purchase of his blood, if any regard of that important trust that must be accounted for with greatest severity, we cannot but bend all the Forces and Powers of our Souls to the discharge of it, and apply our selves to it with greatest chearfulness and alacrity in testimony of the great honour he hath put up­on us: For

3. It is the Noblest employment in the World. [Page 11]A work of the greatest Charity, and Charity is the work of Heaven. The greatest object of compassion in the World are the souls of men blinded by Ignorance, enslaved to lust, in bon­dage to the Devil; and the greatest labour of Love is that that's undergone to rescue them out of that captivity. To cloath naked backs, and feed empty bowels, and redeem miserable Cap­tives from the thraldom of merciless Tyrants, is a charity that God accepts, and highly rewards. But to cloath the nakedness of mens understand­ings by making them wise to salvation, to feed poor hunger-starved souls with the bread of life, to break off the Devil's fetters, and redeem them from hellish tyranny, is a charity as much more noble, as Eternity exceeds Time, as the Souls of men are of more worth than their Bodies. 'Tis a Work that rejoyces Heaven, causes Joy amongst the Angels. Those Blessed Spirits keep, (as it were) a Festival upon the day of a sinner's New­birth. And shall a work applauded by all the Inhabitants of Heaven be managed with coldness and indifferency, with faint and languishing en­deavours. There's nothing makes men more Godlike than becoming great and publick Bene­factors; and none are more Eminently so, than they that are instrumental to turn many souls to Righteousness. He that hath any sense of true Godliness in his heart, cannot but think it one [Page 12]of the greatest blessings God can bestow upon him, to make him an instrument of deriving bles­sings upon a Multitude: Much more, blessings of that importance that do men good for ever, bles­sings that fit and prepare men for Heaven, that shall be everlastingly remembred there with eter­nal Hallelujahs to God the Author, and eternal acknowledgments to men the instruments. For it is not to be supposed Ingratitude, a Vice so dete­stible on Earth, should ever find any place in Heaven.

4. This will be a very great evidence of our own sin cericy. 'Tis the nature, the true Indoles of true Piety, where-ever it is, to spread and di­late it self. All good is communicative, and the better any thing is, the more diffusive. Piety en­larges the hearts of men to espouse the Interest of all mankind; 'tis a dayly prompter to good and worthy actions, whereby others may be ad­vantaged; an active, restless Principle that can no more cease from benefitting all that come within its reach, than fire can cease from burning, or a spring from streaming forth. The love of God and man are the Elements of its Nature. Above all, it makes men painful and industrious in their Callings, faithful in their own places and stati­ons. Since then God hath made it our business and employment in the World to communicate the knowledge of himself and his Christ to men, [Page 13]to direct them in the Paths that lead to eternal happiness; We cannot have a better evidence that we are partakers of the Divine Nature, than by imitating the Divine Goodness in employing those Talents he hath bestowed upon us, to the use for which he designed them. Our own Son­ship will be best made out by our resemblance to our Heavenly Father, and Almighty goodness is that Character that most readily offers it self to the minds of men, when they would srame an I­dea of God within themselves.

5. The faithful performance of this duty is re­compensed with an ample & Superlative reward, Every Soul that we are instrumental to bring to Heaven will add a new lustre to our Crown, Dan. 12.3. They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the Start for ever and ever, or if that place be capable of another meaning that of our Saviour will put it out of doubt, He that receives a Prophet in the name of a Prophet shall receive a Prophet's neward. Where if a Pro­phet's reward did not in port something extraor­dinary and transcendent, there would be nothing of encouragement and enforcement to the duty. And if we had not this assurance of a Divine Promise, it might be strongly argued from that natural influence the happiness we are instrumen­tal to procure for other, will have upon our own. [Page 14]To be instrumental to bring Souls to Heaven, to add new Members to the Church Triumphant, is to provide so many everlasting Monuments of our pious care and pains, whose Joys will all unite and center upon us, we looking upon them but as our selves divided, Children begotten by us to God, with whom we travel'd in pain, till Christ was formed in them. Besides, God who in justice pu­nishes the Accessory, as well as the Principal in evil deeds, will be more inclinable to reward in us that good, that others do by our counsel, per­swasion and direction, by how much he is more prone to shew mercy, in which he delights, than to afflict the children of men, which he does un­willingly. And what an encouragement is this to labour in the Lord's Harvest, to spend our selves for the good of our Flocks, when every soul that we are instrumental to save from death, will bring such an accumulation to our Joyes, and add a new Coronet to our Crown.

3. A third thing in this Charge, is a Life con­formable to the Doctrine of the Gospel. Not to mention the obligations common to us with the rest of Christians, there are several considerations peculiar to us as Ministers of the Gospel, that en­force the strictest conformity to the Laws thereof.

1. Whereas other men, by the urgency and exigence of their secular employments, have their thoughts often called off from attending the [Page 15]Concerns of Eternity; Our very office and em­ployment in this World confines our thoughts to the things of another. It is the happy Priviledge of men of our Order that their general calling as Christians, and more special as Ministers, do in a manner coincidere, fall into one, at least they hold an intimate correspondence, and lend a friendly assistance to each other. Those larger portions of time that others are generally obliged to be­stow upon employments secular, we are engaged to spend in such, as promore our own and others salvation. And if the want of consideration oc­casion most mens neglect of the Gospel (as 'tis certain it does.) It is but just and reasonable to expect that they whose office obliges them to give themselves wholly to the meditation and practice of divine things, who are Juris Evangelici con­sulti, should live most exactly answerable to the Gospel Law. Abeunt studia in Mores, said the O­rator, mens studies have an influence upon their morals. Both God and men then will expect that they whose sole employment it is to regulate their own and others Lives according to the admirable Rules of Christian Religion should walk suteably to their profession. Especially being provided for in temporals almost without their care, that they may with less distraction attend the affairs of a higher nature. They should endeavour to es­cape not only Vitia, but infirma Naturae, the com­mon [Page 16]frailties incident to humanity, and approach as near as possible to perfection of Angels, whom they so nearly resemble in employment, they be­ing ministring spirits sent forth for the good of those who shall be heirs of Salvation. What great­er indecency can there be, than for men that con­verse frequently with holy things, and toss them often in their thoughts to have no sense and re­lish of them upon their hearts? To meditate up­on the love of God and Christ, to be able to tell affectionate and melting stories of it to others, and that possibly with a seeming transport of affection, and yet to freez by this fire; to have the passage betwixt the head & heart so obstructed, that not a spark of truth that enlightens the understanding can get into the heart, and warm it with such a love as is the spring of obedience, is such a Devil's Miracle as vies with that of Almighty God, who preserved the three Children from all smell of fire in the midst of a fiery Furnace. That men, who can discover to others the Reasonableness, the Necessity, the Beauty of Religion, should neither be prevailed upon by the Reason, nor constrain­ed by the Necessity, nor charmed with the Beau­ry of it, is the most unaccountable thing in the World. What will they be able to answer to God, to their own Consciences, when their own Reasonings, Discourses, Sermons will rise up in Judgment against them? What will they do in [Page 17]the day of Visitation, when the great Bishop of their Souls will call them to account for their scandalous and unchristian Lives, so dissonant to the Principles of that holy Doctrine they pre­tend to be the Teachers of?

2. The great influence of our Examples in [...] ­tramque partem may be another consideration. A little to change my Author's words, Eo sumus loco constituti, ut bona malaque nostra ad Rempub­licam pertineant. We can neither go to Heaven, nor Hell solitary. I mean, we cannot go to ei­ther of those so distant places, but in all probabi­lity others will attend as drawn by the Influence of our Examples.

First, Our Holy and Exemplary Lives will ren­der our Labours more succesful, add Authority and Veneration to our Persons, weight to our words, make them [...], (as he said of Epectetus) effectual prevailing words. 'Twill put an edge upon our reproofs, facilitate their entrance, promote their efficacy, be a means to drive them home. The words of God in our mouths are more likely to become [...] liv­ing Oracles, the Seed of a New Birth. Not but that the Seed may prosper what ever the hand be that sows it. 'Tis God's blessing gives the en­crease, and that depends not on the qualification of the Instrument: But yet 'tis most usually found attending upon the endeavours of good men. [Page 18]Our Saviour himself (I think I may say) would not have been thought to have spoke as never man spake, if he had not lived as never man liv­ed. With what irresistible Authority did he check the sins of others, when he ushered in his reproofs of them with his appeal to themselves touching his own innocency? Which of you con­vinces me of sin? Christian Religion is admira­ble in the Divinity of its Author, in the Purity of its Precepts, in the excellency of its end, in the mightiness of its aids; but its Beauty is ne­ver seen to advantage till it become visible in mens lives. Then it most charms the affections of men, recommends it self to their esteem and approbation, when it subdues Lust and governs Passions, and adorns the Conversation. When it makes men meek and merciful, pure and peace­able, humble and resigned, watchful to lay hold of, and improve all opportunities to do good. When to a great measure of knowledge these qua­lifications unite in the same Person, his Doctrine distils as the rain, winds it self into the hearts of men, insinuates into their affections, takes fast hold of their souls. Besides the blessing that at­tends upon a good man that renders his endea­vours successful, there is a natural aptness in his words to work an Impression on his Hearers. His own soul having the stamp of truth upon it, be­ing cast into the mold of it, and touch'd with a [Page 19]sense of its importance, and a tender love and compassion to the Souls of men, will oblige him­self to press it home with that unaffected gravi­ty and seriousness, that his very heart will disco­ver it self in his Language, he will give you a raste of his soul in his Discourse. His words come from the heart, and are most likely to reach the hearts of others, they proceed from a living Principle, and are most likely to beget life in his Hearers. Even Seneca would advise his Friend Lucilius to make use of such Instructors. Qui vità. docent, qui cum dixerint quid faciendum sit, faciendo, probant; qui docent quid vitandum sit, nee unquam in eo quod fugiendum dixerint depre­henduntur; quos magìs admireris, cum videris, quam cum audieris. A good Life with him was beyond all Topicks of Perswasions.

Secondly, Our ill Examples have a malignant influence, and scatter infection far and wide, will give Authority to Vice, and furnish it with ex­cuse and apology. If the Salt of the earth lose its savour, rotteuness and putrefaction will cover the face of it. Two things make wickedness bold and daring, and overflow beyond all mea­sure, when 'tis either established by a Law, or en­couraged by leading examples. 'Tis observable all along that the greatest symptoms of decaying piety were legible in the vitious lives of a de­praved Clergy. And th [...] best Prognosticks of [Page 20]the future growth of Religion is, when it not on­ly tipps the Tongues, but lives in the Hearts, a­dorns the Conversations, and regulates all the Actions of its Ministers. So that Cato's defini­tion of an Orator, Vir bonus dicendi peritus, is a more necessary ingredient into a Preacher's. For with what decency & congruity can he be severe in reproving the faults of others, who is indul­gent and favourable to his ow [...]? Quid enim tur­pius quam ab aliis vitae rationem reposcere, quam tuae non potes reddere? All severity of this na­ture must begin at home. In all probability he will wink at those vices in others which he allows in himself, spare to strike at the root of those sins where every blow he gives lights upon himself. For with what face can he control the vices of others, whose reproofs rebound upon himself and flie in his own Face? With what likelihood of success can he attempt to shame men out of their sins, who by his own example brings sin into cre­dit? Will those Remedies he tenders to others be accepted and esteemed by them, when 'tis ap­parent he either never used them, or if he did found them ineffectual? Physician, cure thy self, will be retorted to his shame. For a Demas to de­claim against Covetousness a Diotrephes against Pride and Contention, a Judas against Treache­ry, a Hophni and Phineas against lust and intempe­rance, a conceited Pharisee against Hypocrisie, [Page 21]is but to do publick Penance every time he gets into the Pulpit, to light up a torch to expose his own shame by, to proclaim himself a wilful, hard­ned, self-condemned sinner, to render himself a miserable and sad spectacle to good men, but the scorn and mirth of fools. To what end serves the Ministry but to perswade people to con­form their Hearts and Lives to the laws and ex­ample of the holy Jesus? And what more effe­ctual course can we take to render all our endea­vours insuccesful, than to shame our own professi­on by an unsutable Conversation, to violate those Laws we should enforce obedience to, to confute our holy Doctrine by a lewd practice? Little credit is given to him who frequently contradicts himself, and no contradiction so injurious to a holy Doctrine as an unholy life. Quid verbis opus est cum facta videam, is but too usual a Plea though very unwarrantable whereby men shift off the obligations prest upon them by those who break loose from all the ties of duty them­selves. Sin reflects contempt upon every thing it meddles with, makes not only the persons of men despised, but their useful Counsels, their wholesom Reproofs, their best and most convin­cing Arguments lose their value and esteem, as coming from them. Which the Spartan Sena­tors well understood, when a worthless person having mentioned something useful to the Pub­lick, [Page 22]they voted it should be anew propounded by some Person of Worth and Integrity, and then put in execution.

3. Conformity of life to the Laws of our Re­ligion is the ready way to obtain that skill in the Mysteries of Christianity that will render us abl [...] Ministers of the New Testament. Christianity is a Doctrine according to Godliness, and the ho­nest heart is the best qualification in the learner. A mystery of Godliness, and Piety is the best Key to the Mystery. Such a wisdom as begins in the fear of the Lord, encreases by doing good, and de­parting from Iniquity, ends in the Beatifical Visi­on. Our understandings are enlightned in this My­stery by the same degrees that our hearts are puri­fied, till at length when all sin is purged out, we shall be admitted to the sight of God, who is the Author & the end of our Religion, whither it leads us by sanctification of the spirit, and belief of the truth. Christianity is not Ostentatio scientiae, but le [...] vitae, and whosoever does not conform his life to its rules, will be very short sighted in its Mysteries, Errour in Judgment is the natural issue of a pollu­red heart, 'tis a people that do err in their hearts. If the Judgment continue Orthodox with an unchri­stian practice, 'tis so by mere contingency. He hath no security to be preserved from dangerous er­tour, who does not guard himself from wilful sins; it being too usual to make shipwrack of [Page 23]faith and a good conscience both together. Whereas he, who uses the best means of infor­mation, and does his duty to the best of his knowledge and ability, hath the greatest securi­ty imaginable he shall not our dangerously. The secrets of the Lord are with them that sear him [...] A good understanding have they that do thereafter. The lamp of knowledge is fed with the oyl of [...]iety, as this increases or decreases, that waxes brighter or dimmer; if this be not preserved that will be in danger to be extinguished, at best it will cast but a faint and languishing light, like the sepulchral lamps of the Ancients that were imprisoned in a dark Vault, and lent only a wan, pale light to a dead Carcass. 'Tis only by do­ing good and eschewing evil that we come to have our senses exercised to discern betwixt the one and the other. There is a spiritual sensation in the soul of man that sees a Beauty, and relishes a sweetness in all the acts enjoyn'd by Religion, that lies asleep, unless by an active and vigourous pro­secution of our duty it be exercised and stirred up.

4. I add fourthly the consideration of the Person whom we represent, the Person of the Son of God, the Great High Priest of our profes­sion, who was holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners. A Person that never trode one step awry. A Divine pattern of holiness and purity, hu­mility and charity. His whole life was a paraphrase [Page 24]of this Sermon upon the Mount: All his Acti­ons, Motions, whole Behaviour were exemplary and instructing. We bless the people in his Name, offer up their prayers to God in his Name, beseech people in his stead to be reconciled to God. How necessary is it those hands should be cleansed from all pollution, that are lift up to a holy God, in the Name of the Holy Jesus, in the behalf of a people that he purified to himself to be a peculiar people zealous of good works? How incongruous and misbecoming is it, that the Am­bassadours of the Son of God, who came into the World to destroy the works of the Devil, should be addicted to any of those which their Lord and Master came to destroy, that they who are A­gents for the Prince of peace, should be of quar­relsome and contentious spirits; that they, whom he hath set apart to draw others to a conformity to his Laws and great example, should violate and trample upon his Laws, and represent his ex­ample so ill as if he were a Patron and Advocate of Impiety?

I might add lastly (as deserving our considera­tion) that we cannot be wicked without being more inexcusable than other sinners, whether we know more or less than they. If we know more, and do as ill our stripes will be multiplied pro­portionably to the greatness of our Knowledge. If we know as little, and live as wickedly, the [Page 25]greater obligations and opportunities of know­ing better, will be put upon our accounts. The Devils who fell from Heaven, fell deepest into Hell; and they who fall from Heaven Gates, from the greatest advantages of knowing and living well, will be next to them in Torments.

I am sensible what misconstruction may be put upon my honest meaning, and that this pressing the Ministry to the regard of purity, may by some be interpreted Reproach and Libelling. But to this I shall only say, that they who have the thou­sand witnesses to attest the truth of their sinceri­ty, may with joy and exultation of spirit, turn admonition to Panegyrick. And I hope there is a great number of such here, who the less they have to reform, the more they have for which to rejoyce and to bless God. And for those whose hearts smite them, may they continue so to do till repentance and amendment follow. We must please all men for their edification, and for their edification we must displease them too. 'Twas a good wish that of Bernard's, Sic mihi contingat semper beare amicos, terrendo salubriter, non adu­lando fallaciter. Let us not think that our faults can escape Notice, the publickness of our station, the nature of our employment will not suffer it. We are a Spectacle to Angels and men; the eyes of Friends and Enemies are upon us; these watch for our halting, those eye us as their patterns. [Page 26]Let us not become a scorn to the one, nor a grief to the other, nor lay a stumbling block in the way of either. Let us be content to hear out Duties prest upon us by our Friends, who do it in love and compassion to our souls; or rather let not that content us, but let us proceed to extir­pate and abandon all our Vices. This is the most effectual course we can take to make all men good, and to make the hearts of all good men bless God for us, to gain our enemies, and force them to become our friends. God will not fa [...]l [...]a make that Promise good to us, wherein to Christians in general he hath obliged himself: If a man's wayes please the Lord he will make his Enemies to be at Peace with him.

I proceed now to the latter part of my Text, the Reason enforcing the Charge here given; That they may see your Good Works, and Glorifie your Father which is in Heaven. That they may see your Good Works. We must take heed we stop not there, for if our Aims be short of Hea­ven, our Reward will be on this side Heaven too. The most specious and glorious works if done on­ly to be seen of men, will find a Hell for their Reward in stead of an Heaven. But though a Good Naice may not be our last end, yet as tis subservient to the Glory of God, as it renders us more useful to the World, and puts us into a greater Capacity of doing good, it is to be ac­counted [Page 27]one of God's Choicest Blessings, to be received with thanks, preserved with care, and procured by all warrantable means. Of all men a Minister ought to be most tender of it, since the Credit of his Person credits the Cause he manages, and 'tis natural for Contempt to pass from the former to the latter. If men enter­tain a low and mean opinion of the Speaker, they'l disesteem the things he speaks, slight his Doctrine, reject his Counsels, scorn his Reproofs, never counsult him in Doubtful Cases, and (to the Hazard of their Souls) neglect that necessary assist­ance that otherwise they might receive from him: And therefore Saint Paul thought it no misbe­coming thing to wipe off those Aspersions cast on him by the Factious Teachers in the Church of Corinth. Indeed, 'tis sometimes so far from being a fault that it becomes a piece of Necessary Justice that we owe to our selves, to vindicate our Names from Slander and Reproach. 'Tis one way of resisting the Devil, whose very name carries Slander in it, and one of whose greatest Stratagems, to obstruct the progress of Religion, is to blast the Reputation of its Ministers, and bring both their Persons and Office into disgrace. And I could wish they would take notice of this, who any wayes contribute to bring a disrepute upon the Clergy, that they only promote the in­terest of Hell, lend their assistance to the Devil, [Page 28]and help to uphold by this means his otherwise tottering Kingdom.

But after all, a Good Name is best secured by the same Method our Eternal Salvation is. That patient continuance in well-doing whereby we seek for Glory, Honour, Immortality hereafter, will secure us such a measure of esteem here, as God sees needful for us. Let us be but careful to discharge our Duty, and for our other concerns deposit them in the same hands in which we trust our Souls. And if when we do well we are e­vil spoken of, we may wear the Reproches of men as our Crown.

Let us not therefore separate what our Sa­viour hath here united, but seek our Credit and Reputation so far only, as it is subservient to the further Ends of God's Glory, and our Brethrens Edification, That men may see our Good Works and glorifie, &c. What it is for men to glorifie God our Saviour himself can best interpret, and he tells us, John 15. v. 8. that it is to bear much fruit; To have their Souls shining with Divine Graces, and their lives beautified with the Works of Holiness, that is, to be renewed after the I­mage of God, which Renovation is wrought up­on them by a hearty belief of the Gospel, and sincere endeavours to conform to the precepts of it. This then is the Purport of our Saviour's Words in the latter part of the Text; By being [Page 29]thus burning and shining Light, we may be hap­py Instruments to make others hearty and seri­ous Christians. For by this means they will be brought first, to love and liking of the Gos­pel. They will conceive there is in it something more than Humane, when it makes men so holy, humble and charitable, so useful to the World, so wholly taken up in promoting the greatest in­terest of mankind. 'Twill breed in them an high esteem of the Gospel. For as nothing is more injurious to it than an unsutable conversation in those who are the Promulgers of it, so nothing more courts the esteem of men to it, and recom­mends it to their approbation, than a strict con­formity to its Rules. And when men once come to conceive High and Honourable thoughts of it, the next step will be to submit themselves to the Laws of it, to put themselves under its Discipline, and try what efficacy it may have upon their own Souls, which they see hath wrought such admira­ble effects in the Souls of others. We may by this happy Union of Purity both in Life and Do­ctrine, be Instruments of begetting such a quick and lively sense of Religion in the hearts of men, such a serious and sober practice of it in their lives, such a Zeal in them to transmit it down to their Posterity, that the places we live in may be the better for us to the World's end, and all after-Ages may reap the fruits of our endeavours. [Page 30]The whole Christian World hold their Religion at this day from those that were the first Planters of it; every Age since hath been irradiated with their light, and swayed by their Great Examples. The Children of Light in all after Ages acknow­ledge them for their spiritual Fathers, and the Generations yet to come will rise up and call them blessed. They had extraordinary Abilities (you'l say) and brought Credentials from Hea­ven, the Gift of Miracles, to attest the Truth of their Doctrine. 'Tis true, they had so, and so 'twas necessary they should, being to propagate a new Doctrine, a Doctrine so contrary to all the Religions then received in the World, they being so few, and having such a wide Province as the World assigned them, and that so entirely capti­vated by Satan. But God, who proportions the measure of his Gifts to the necessities of the Age in which they are to be employed, is not wanting to bestow upon us, even in this Age, what's need­ful for the maintenance of true Religion, and succesful opposition to the Kingdom of Dark­ness. Inspired Gifts and Miracles were then ne­cessary to convert a Heathen World. Abilities acquired by God's blessing on our own Industry, employed with honest hearts, seconded by good example, influenced by the Spirit of God, are as sufficient for this Age, as Miracles were, for that. Manna wane cessary in the Wilderness where all [Page 31]ordinary and natural supplies were wanting; but when Israel arrived in Canaan, where the necessi­ties of life were supplied in a natural way from the Plenty and Fertility of the Soil, their miracu­lous food ceased, nor do we find that stubborn, mutinous People ever repining at the loss of it, their necessities being amply provided for with­out it. I perswade my self, were Miracles neces­sary for the Age we live in, we should not want them. The Spirit of God, sent on purpose to enable for the Work of the Ministry, doth still afford all necessary Aids. Inspired Gifts indeed are ceased, and Miracles, but the gracious effects of it upon the Hearts of men, attending our Mi­nistry are still continued. Where ever I see a Soul that's humble, and pure, and charitable, re­joycing in God, despising the World, patient in Sufferings, and forgiving injuries and enemies, there I am sure the Spirit of God hath Breathed, Nay there he dwells. And (thanks be to God) the World is not so degenerate, but that many of this temper may be found that owe this Re­novation of their minds to the influence of the Divine Grace upon them in the use of the pre­sent Ministry. So that what was adapted to the Circumstances of the first Ages of Christianity, that is ceased; but what things accompany Salva­tion, what tend to renewing the Image of God in the minds of men, fitting them to be partakes [Page 32]of the Inheritance of the Saints in light, these are still continued, and shall be to the World's end.

Let us therefore (my Brethren) acquit our selves like faithful Stewards in the Discharge of our mighty Trust. Those Souls that were re­deemed with the blood of God, are committed to our care. Let not what was so dear to him, be vile and cheap with us. Let us think no pains too great, no labour and circumspection too much to be used in such a weighty affair. Cursed, saith the Prophet, is he that doth the Work of the Lord negligently. And the more important the Work is, the heavier will be the Curse, upon either to­tal neglect, or lazy performance. We have two Powerful Engines to reform a depraved World, the Purity of our Doctrine, and the Piety of our Lives, and they never work kindly and effectual­ly, but in Conjunction. Never Conjunction of happy Stars ever portended such Blessings to the World, as these Gemella Sydera, these Twin-Lights, when they twist their beams, and shed their united Influence upon it.

These would make us such a Light of the World as would chase all works of darkness out of it, the Rulers of the darkness of this World would not be able to stand before us, if we put on this Armour of Light. A knowing and well instructed Piety is both Armour and Ornament; Armour both of defence and offence, the wea­pons [Page 33]of our warfare that will render us succes­ful in fighting the Lord's Battels, signally instru­mental in reducing a stubborn rebellious World to obedience to the Laws of our Blessed Saviour, the Captain of our Salvation. Let but this Command in the Text be obeyed, and we are se­cure of his Aids whose Banners we fight under. For if our Light so shine before men, they will see our Good Works and Glorifie our Father which is in Heaven. We shall hereby secure our own Sal­vation, credit the Gospel, rejoyce the Angels in converting Sinners, make all good men with thankful hearts and tongues bless God for us, and our selves, after we have for a while been burn­ing and shining Lights in the World, shine as Stars for ever and ever in the Upper Regions of Light and Bliss.