The Rich Man's Duty, and the Encouragement I Tim. vi. 17, 18, 19. Charge them that are rich in this World, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain Riches, but in the living God, who giveth us That they do Good, that they be Rich in good Works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate. Laying up in store for Themselves a good Foundation Preach'd at the Spittle, 1680. A standing Revelation of more Force to persuade Men, than one rising from the Dead. With the E- vidence, we have at this Day for the Truth of the Luke xvi. 31. If they hear not Mofes and the Pro- Rules for the Conduct of ourselves, where we are Action. Gal. Vertue and Religion the only Means to make a Na- Deut. v. 29. O that there were such an Heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my com- mandments always, that it might be well with them, General Directions for a Holy Life. Phil. iv. 8. Finally, Brethren, whatsoever Things are true, whatsoever Things are bonėst, whatsoever Things are just, whatsoever Things are pure, whatsoever Things are lovely, whatsoever Things are of good Re- Zeal for Religion, how to be govern'd. Heb. ix. 26. Now once in the End of the World bath Christmas-Day, 1691. SER The Power of Christ's Resurrection. Philip.iii. 10. That I may know him, and the Power God's Government of the World, Matter of Rejoy. Pral. xcvii. 1. The Lord is King, the Earth may glad thereof, yea, the Multitudes of the Isles may be Of the Government of the Thoughts, Prov. iv. 23. Keep thy Heart with all Diligence, for Rom. XIV. 19. Let us therefore follow after the Things that make for Peace. SHOSOEVER understandeth any thing of the State of Christianity, W as it hath now been for fome Ages in the World, will be easily con vinced, that there is no one Point of our Religion more necessary to be daily Preached, to be earnestly pressed and infifted on, than that of Peace, and Love, and Unitys here recommended by the Apostle. It hath fared (as the Learned Mr. Hales observed) with the Christian Religion in this Matter, as it did with the Jewish of old. The great and principal Commandment which God gave the Jews, and which (as they themselves teach) was the Foundation of all their Law, VOL. I. B was, 2 was, to worship the God of Israel, and Him only to serve : Yet such was the Perverseness of that People, that This was the Commandment, that of all others, they could never be brought to Keep; but they were continually running into Idolatry, notwithstanding all the Methods that God made use of to reclaim them from that Sin. What the Worship of one Gud was to the Jews ; that Peace, and Love, and Unity, is to the Christians, even the Great distinguishing Lai and Character of their Profession. And yet, to the shame of Christians it may be fpoken, there is no one Commandment in all Christ's Religion, that has been so generally and so fcandalously violated among his Followers, as this. Witness the many bitter Feuds and Contentions that have so long embroiled Christendom; and the numerous Sects,and Parties gandCommunions, into which, at this Day, it stands divided. And, God knows, this is a Thing that cannot be sufficiently lamented among ourselves : For though, in many Respects, we are the Happiest Nation in the World; and particularly in this, that we have the Advantage of all others, both as to the Conftitution of our Church, and the Purity of Christ's Doctrine, professed therein : Yet in this point of Schisms, and Die visions, and Religious Quarrels, we are as ua: happy, if not more, than any. Whether ever we shall see that blessed Day, when these our Breaches will be healed; and that an End being put to our unaccountable Separations, and the Unchristian Animosities they are the Occasion of, we shall all join to gether |