SERM. one another as his difciples. He would II. have them peculiarly diftinguished by. mutual love. He infifteth upon it, as his command to them, his new commandment, which he esteemed to be of the ut most importance; and he fets before them his love to them, as a pattern he would have them to follow. This is my com→ mandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. In conforming themfelves to this pattern, love must be perfected in them. And his difciples, in declaring the duties of Chriftians, do likewife very earneftly recommend charity: indeed there is nothing fo much inculcated, efpecially by the Apoftles Paul and John, whofe writings are full of it. In the circumftances, in which Chriftians found themfelves after our Saviour's removal from them, fuch fervent love one to another, as it was very neceffary to strengthen their caufe and interefts, fo muft it have miniftered great comfort under the various difficulties and discouragements, in which they were in

John xv. 12, 13.

volved.

volved. But as we are to confider this law, SERM. as what bindeth all Chriftians, at all times; II.

fo we must fuppofe, that the difciples of Christ are recommended to fuch peculiar love and efteem, on account of proportionable worth and excellency of character. For no love or esteem can be natural and rational, but what arifeth from a fenfe of merit in the object; and therefore no love can bind to fuperior love and efteem, but where there is fuperior excellency. But where men are fincere followers of our Saviour, there will be a foundation laid in a divine temper, and life, for the greatest love to them. True Chriftians will be the most excellent characters; intitled therefore to the greatest regard. It is true worth, which is the closest and most indiffolvible cement of minds. This our Saviour hath expreffed in a manner worthy of him, and very engaging; *Whofoever doth the will of my Father, which is in heaven, the fame is my brother, fifter, and mother.

Some other particulars, which are to be confidered, fhall be the fubject of a distinct difcourfe.

* Matt. iii. 53,

SER

SERMON

III

Our Saviour's character, as a teacher

of morality.

SERM.

III.

MATTHEW vii. 28.

For be taught them as one having authority, and not as the Scribes.

I

2.

N my last discourse, I proposed to make some general obfervations, which concern the whole of our duty, as it is laid before us in the New Teftament; and then to confider particularly fome of the principal things, and which are most effential to a good life.

Under this laft head of difcourfe, the love of God, the firft and great commandment, and the love of our neighbour, which is the fecond in the importance of it, were principally to be confidered and attended to, as what indeed comprehend

comprehend all our duties; for thefe two SERM. must neceffarily beget a moft defirable fpirit III. and temper, and prepare men for answering the purposes of human life, in the most effectual manner.

However, we find in the New Teftament the particular focial virtues, and those of private life, frequently and earnestly recommended, and the neceflity of them as effential to the Chriftian character, plainly laid before us; fuch are, humility, meeknefs, patience, fympathy and compaffion, temperance, chastity, and con

tentment.

The firft of thefe will be acknowledged to be exceedingly becoming in imperfect and guilty creatures, who are absolutely dependent upon the mercy and goodness of God; and it is of the greatest ufe in human fociety. Pride and haughtiness of fpirit are extremely offenfive, and in' many tefpects hurtful. Humanity, which is perfectly confiftent with true greatness of mind, is, in itself lovely, and the fruits of it in fociety most defirable: Indeed, the undisturbed enjoyment of life doth, in a great measure, depend upon it; and it is recommended and preffed by our bluffed Saviour,

K

SERM. Saviour, and his apostles, in a manner fuitIII. able to the importance of it. There is

nothing, which our Lord more carefully guardeth his fervants against, than haughtiness, and a spirit of domination over one another; telling them, that he, who was great among them, fhould be their minifter, and he, who was chief, should be as their fervant; propofing his own example, who was meek and lowly in fpirit, and who came to be among them as one that ferved; came not to be miniftred unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ranfom for many. And on occafion of their contending about station in his kingdom, fetting a little child in the midst of them, he letteth them know, that if they did not become as little children, and lay afide all these aspiring views, they should by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven. * But whosoever humbleth himself as this little child, the fame fhall be greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And it was a kind of proverbial fpeech with him, that he, who exalteth himself, fhall be abafed, and that he, who humbleth himself, fhall be exalted. But that his difciples might never

*Matt. xviii. 4.

forget