Wish therefore we may, that Vertue were more cheap, or more eafie to us; but we ought to remember, That at the same time we wish away that which gives Vertue her beft Title both to pre fent Commendation and future Reward.

Which is another Advantage of our prefent State, (viz.) That it makes way for a more Excellent Reward,

To difpute whether Adam, if he had not finned, fhould at fome Period of his Earthly Life have been Tranflated into Heaven, and there united to God in his Eternal Enjoyments, were only to be wife above what is written: if we will confine our Judgment to what is written; Nothing appears there, but that the Promife of Heaven was made in Chrift alone, whofe Undertaking for Mankind commenced purely upon Occafion of the Fall.

the

And if we obferve the Order of that folemn Prayer which our Saviour makes

for

for his Disciples and the fucceeding Church, Job. 17. where ver. 17. he prays, Holy Father, fanctifie them by thy Truth; and after this, in a diftinct Requeft, at ver. 24. he lays, Father, I will that they whom thou haft given me be with me where I am: We may reasonably argue from This, That the utmost Sanctification humane Nature is capable of carries in it no Pretenfions to Hea ven, but that This is a Title that rises fimply from the Compact of our Lord's Mediation.

It is manifeftly evident from frequent Paffages of Holy Writ, That (although not fimply Blifs it felf, yet) the highest degrees of Blifs are annex'd to the Doctrine of the Cross; to Afflictions, Sufferings, and Self-Denial; none of which had any Place or Occafion, had it not been for the Depravation of our Nature For their End is perfectly Medicinal, and defign'd to correct that Depravation, and to bring us to the

Vertues of Patience and Humility; Vertues which we are naturally averse from, and yet they are neceffary to reform and fanctifie our Nature.

Now if Afflictions, Sufferings, and Self Denial, are the things which are faid to work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory, and yet all thefe Methods of Difcipline draw their Usefulness from the very State of our Corruption; it cannot be denied but that this prefent State of ours does give occafion and make way for a more excellent Reward than Man Undepraved could ever have hoped for.

What Room is there then for complaining of our Condition? What for Reviling Our first Parents? What for Censuring the divine Difpofal of Things? Our Nature is burden'd with Weakness and Disorder, but it has its Remedy in a Religious Dependance, which is able to turn all to Advantage. And therefore to do right to this Contemplation,

we

we ought to close it with Acknowledgment and Wonder Ob the depth of the Riches of the Wifdom and Goodness of God!

To whom be Glory, &c.

A

SERMON

Concerning

The Holy Contemplative.

St. LUKE II. 19.

But Mary kept all thefe fayings, and pondered them in her heart.

N

Either the Intimations of Holy Scripture, nor the practice of the Primitive Church, nor the correfponding Doctrine of our own, will fuffer any of us to doubt but that we ought to pay a proper honour to the departed Saints; and amongst them (in especial manner) to the Blessed Vir