Laftly, If we confider Chrift as the great Exemplar of human Life, his Afcenfion will upon that Account alfo be of great Ufe to us, teaching us with him to exalt our Affections, to withdraw them from the Earth, and to place them in Heaven. This Inference the Apostle draweth from his Refurrection and Afcenfion, Colof. iii. 1. If ye be rifen with Chrift, feek those things which are above, where Chrift fitteth at the right hand of God. Chrift died to the World, to inftruct us that we ought to mortify our worldly Lufts, to reftrain and fubdue to Reason the ufe of carnal Pleafures. He left the World and ascended into Heaven, to teach us that there our Affections ought principallyto be fixed, there our chief Intereft placed, and there only perfect Happiness to be expected. Could the Pleafures, the Power, and the Profperity of this World have given the most compleat Happiness; our Lord, who deferved it by the most compleat Obedience which was ever paid, who was more dear to God than all the Sons of Men, who was himself heir of all things, and Lord of all, would have fixed his abode here, and not removed it into Heaven. But when immediately after his Exaltation, as foon as he began to receive the Reward of his Obedience and Sufferings, he forfook the Earth, and returned into the Bofom of his Faiher, he hath thereby inftructed us, that in vain is true Felicity to be fought here be

low;

low; that this World can afford no adequate Recompence for Virtue and Piety; that we are indeed but Strangers and Pilgrims upon the Earth; and that as many as purfue the End of their Creation, and study to be truly happy, ought to feek a better Country, even that into which Chrift the forerunner is entred for us, that fo where he is, there we may be also; receive the fame Reward, and be crowned with the fame Happiness; that fo as we have imitated his Afcenfion, we may fhare in his Glory. Which God of bis infinite Mercy grant.

SER

1

SERMON XX.

Preach'd on the 13th of July, 1690. at Lambeth Chapel.

MATT H. V. 16.

Let your Light fo fhine before Men, that they may fee your good Works, and glorify your Father which is in Hea

ven.

TH

HESE Words are Part of our Lord's Sermon upon the Mount, which was directed to a mixed Multitude of Auditors, and treats altogether of univerfal Duties, incumbent upon all, who receive the Doctrine, and acknowledge the Authority of him who spoke it.

Upon which Account we have just Reafon to reject the Opinion of thofe, who would restrain to the Apostles only, and their Succeffors, the Preachers of the Gofpel, the Duty prescribed in this and the three VOL. II. Hh

fore

foregoing Verfes: Which requireth the Profeffors of Chriftianity, not to confine the Exercise of their Duty to their fingle Breasts, or rest satisfied in having discharged the Office of Piety in fecret; but to perform such eminent Acts of Devotion, Temperance, and Charity, and fo to direct them, as may promote the Glory of God and Inftruction

of Men.

The whole preceding Part of this Sermon was directed to all Chriftians in general, delivering the Promife of thofe Beatitudes, in which all the Disciples of Chrift are equally concerned. What follows, treats concerning the general Laws of Juftice, Temperance, and Charity: So that with no good Reason can these intermediate Verfes be restrained to the Apoftles only. If they are here called the Salt of the Earth, Verse 13. our Lord addreffed himself in the fame Words to great multitudes, as we read, Luke xiv. 25. If they are filed the Light of the world in the fourteenth Verfe, St. Paul applieth the fame Expreffion to the Philippians, ii. 15. exhorting them to be without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverfe Generation, Shining among them as Lights in the World.

It must be acknowledged indeed, that the Apostles were, and their Succeffors in the ministerial Office ought to be, more eminently, the falt and light of the world, purging away the Corruptions, removing

the Darkness of Mankind, by Example and Inftruction. To effect this by their Doctrine, is peculiar to them, not common to other Chriftians; To promote it by their Example, is a Duty common to them with all other Christians.

It is my prefent Purpose to treat of it as an univerfal Duty; to which my Text directs me, by placing the Light of this Exemplarinefs which is commanded, not in verbal Inftructions, but in good Works, which are acknowledged to be the Duty of all Chriftians. Of this then I will discourse under these Four Heads.

I. The Duty impofed, fuch an exemplary Conduct, as may become a Light of the World.

II. The Manner of being thus Exemplary. By good Works.

III. The End to which it ought to be directed. The Glory of God.

IV. The good Effects of it; the Inftruction of Men, and Promotion of the fame good works in others.

I. Concerning the Duty, which is that of an illustrious Example, to the Practice of which our Lord hath directed us, both by his Laws, and by his own Example. He ftiles himself, and truly was, the light of the world; he was foretold under the Figure of the Sun of righteousness, who should enHh 2 lighen