ftay behind. It was this Principle of Generofity, which kept up Virtue among the Heathens; it is this which gave Rife and Increase to Arts and Sciences, and which now maintaineth Valour. Our Lord hath improved the Use of it, and directed it to a yet more noble End; propofing the Excellency and the Rewards of Obedience; holding out the Crown of Victory, and encouraging us to strive for the Mastery.

He hath in this Precept concerning Exemplarinefs, given to us a yet further Scope for the Exercife of Generofity; not only propofing Rewards to the Conquerors, to thofe of a more elevated Virtue, but also to fuch, who, excited by their illuftrious Example fhould follow them, although at a Distance; making them thereby the Inftruments of faving others, and that poffibly in great Numbers. At least, there is scarce any one of us fo inconfiderable, who may not have fo much Influence and Authority upon fome one or other, as to move and direct him by his Example; which if he doth, he will for ever enjoy this Satisfaction, that he hath been the Occafion of infinite Happiness to another: which to a good and a generous Mind, is a strong Argument of the Purfuit and Practice of thofe Virtues and Perfections, which may make him Examplary, that fo he may promote the Reformation of the World, and the eternal Happiness of other Men.

It may feem indeed paft Hope, that in this degenerate Age, when fo few endeavour to obtain their own Salvation, or are good for their own fake, any fhould attempt it for the fake of other Men. Yet I do not defpair, that there are yet fuch generous Minds left in the World, who efteem it no fmall Felicity to themselves to promote the Good of other Men; and acting upon this Perfuafion, fludy to be Good and Excellent, that by their Example others may be drawn to the fame Practice, and thereby fecure to themselves a State of Happinefs.

To fuch exemplary Perfons, frequent Praife is given, and eminent Rewards promifed. More particularly in Daniel xii. They that be wife fhall fhine as the brightnefs of the Firmament; and they that turn many to Righteousness, as the Stars for ever and ever.

The Luftre of our Lord's Example is compared to the Brightness of the Sun; the Example of wife and holy Men to the fixed Stars, which however far inferior to the Glory of the Sun, yet are feated in Heaven, and communicate to the Earth a Light never to be extinguished, and that at a great Distance. The nearer we approach to thefe luminous Bodies, the greater Light we shall receive from them.

The Examples of holy Men while alive are fo many thining and burning Lights in their feveral Generations; and even after

their Deaths will derive exceeding Influence to fucceeding Ages, fo long as the Memory of their eminent Piety and good Works fhall be continued. Thofe excellent Graces, wherewith they were endued, those noble Teftimonies of Virtue and Holiness, which they gave, tended no lefs to the Benefit of the whole Church, and the Inftruction of other Chriftians, than to their own Salvation; and if they be not equally beneficial to us at this Distance of Time, it is because we either take no Care to obtain the knowledge of them, or fuffer the Remembrance of them to flip out of our Minds.

It is undeniable indeed, that in this prefent Age, and among us efpecially, the Memory of these things is almoft loft, which is not the leaft Caule of the prevailing Wickedness of the Age; and prefent Examples of equal Luftre are very rare, or indeed fcarce any; yet for all that, those holy Perfons ceafe not to retain their glorious Seat in Heaven,. and there, as the Prophet faith, to fhine as the brightness of the Firmament; as the fixed Stars always maintain their Stations, and preferve their Light, although at any time not seen by us. To this glorious Station in Heaven our Lord hath promifed to advance all thofe, who by extraordinary Piety and the eminent Exercise of good Works hall endeavour not only to fave their own Souls, but alfo to profit the

Church

Church in general, and to promote the Salvation of any other in particular.

May the Hope of this glorious Reward excite every one of you to the Performance of this Duty of Exemplarinefs; And may God of his infinite Mercy accept and crown your Endeavours, for the Sake and Merits of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift: To whom, &c.

Kk 3

SER

SERMON XXI.

Preach'd on December 25. 1690. at Lambeth Chapel.

LUKE II. 14.

Glory to God in the Higheft, and on Earth Peace, Good-will towards Men.

WHA

HAT the Patriarchs faw afar off and defired, what the Prophets foretold, and juft Men in all preceeding Ages did affuredly expect, the Manifestation of God in the Flefh, and the Salvation of Mankind to be wrought thereby, did this Day receive its final Accomplishment by the Birth of our Lord and Saviour; the Commemoration of which is the Occafion of this prefent Solemnity.

Nor can we more fitly commemorate it, than by this admirable Hymn, which the Angels and heavenly Hoft upon this Occa fion fang before us; and the Church hath