situation; for this has been observed even among the heathens. When we see the church of God tormented by tyrants and enemies of the truth, we must entertain the poor christians who are banished from their country if we do not, is it not a token that we renounce God? It is the will of God that we should be strangers in this world; yea, and we are his children upon this condition; as it is said, Heb. xi. 9. God is in heaven, and yet he cometh down hither, and governeth us: thus he giveth an example, that we may know what pity we ought to have upon those that flee to us, and claim refuge; who are as sheep scattered by ravenous wolves.

St. Paul therefore spake not only to the ministers of the word of God, but in their persons, he gave, as it were, a looking-glass, by which all may regulate their lives. If we are so rigorous that we will not help those who are in want and necessity, nor be moved with compassion when we see our neighbours suffer, it is certain that the love of God is not in us. If it is not our duty to help one another, it would have been necessary for God to have made as many worlds as there are men; that every one might devote all his attention to himself. But he hath made us fellow-workers: we must not conclude that each one is born for himself, and liveth in this world merely for his own profit; but we must do good to our neighbours, and endeavour to serve them and wo be to us, if we be not thus minded.

We must be good natured, and do all the good we possibly can to our fellow-creatures; we must help those that have need of help; we must relieve the needy, and use our goods for the benefit of those in distress, yea, and we must do it with a frank and liberal heart. If we have not this love and good will toward our neighbours, it is an evidence that we are not God's children. If we mistake in judging upon these points, we go contrary to the dictates of na

túre itself; though we were without faith and religion, and without any knowledge of the law and gospel.

If men are intemperate in eating and drinking, they are also dissolute in their whole life will they therefore say that they are nourished at the hand of God? Even the heathens have more honesty, (as we have before mentioned,) who are taught by nature. We ought always to remember when we eat and drink, that every blessing is received from our Maker. If we abuse these blessings by becoming gluttons and drunkards, is it not an evidence that we have forgot heaven, and have become attached to the things of this world? When St. Paul saith, the bishops must be just and holy, we must remember that the admonition extendeth to every one of us : we must all live honestly and uprightly, rendering to every man his just due. Let us therefore endeavour to govern ourselves in such a manner, that the world may see there is true holiness in us : let us implore God to separate us from all the pollutions of this world, that we may be brought up in his house, and governed by his holy spirit.

It is evident that the rule here given by St. Paul, concerneth all the faithful; and that no one ought to think himself exempt therefrom. It now remaineth for us to know how we may become partakers of these virtues, and how we may tame and abolish such faults as are here condemned. Alas! it cannot be done by our free will, nor by our own ability: but God must work in us. And how? We must be members of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is said, we must be sober, just, holy, temperate; and how shall we become so? When the Holy Ghost shall rule in us, then shall we have these virtues. It is said we must flee drunkenness, intemperance, strife, debate, and pride. And how? By having the spirit of meekness, the spirit of humbleness, the spirit of

wisdom and discretion, and the spirit of the fear of God: all which was given to our Lord Jesus Christ, that he might make those that believe in him partakers of it.

Therefore, seeing we are by nature intemperate, full of vanity, lies, ambition, and pride, given to unrighteousness, deceit, and robbery, let us come and submit ourselves to him who is appointed our head; knowing there is no other way for us to be kept in obedience to God, and to live according to his will, only to be united to our Lord Jesus Christ: for then are we strengthened by the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, which is the fountain of all holiness, of all righteousness, and of all perfection. This is the way whereby we must come to that which is here commanded by St. Paul: and this is the cause why we are called to the communion of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When the apostle defineth the gospel, and the use of it, he saith, we are called to be partakers of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to be made one with him; to dwell in him, and he in us; and that we be joined together by an inseparable bond. This being the case, we are greatly confirmed in the doctrine by the holy supper. When we come to this holy table, we must know that our Lord Jesus Christ presenteth himself, to confirm us in the unity which we have already received by the faith of the gospel, that we may be grafted into his body in such a manner, that he will dwell in us and we in him. We must therefore take pains, and endeavour to profit by this holy union more and more, that we may cleave more closely to the Son of God.

Thus we may see the holy supper is very requisite and we keep it often, because we are earthly and fleshly while living in this world, and have need* to be often reminded of that which was once taught Let us beware that we profane not the grace

us.

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which God thus bestoweth upon us, when he maketh manifest by such a sign, that we are indeed partakers of his Son; but let us pray him to govern us by his holy spirit in such a manner, that when we come to his holy table, we may not pollute it.

We must consider that we are poor miserable creatures, and must come to our Lord Jesus Christ to be cleansed from all our filthiness; for he is the fountain of all pureness. We must be purged from all our sins, and so ruled by the holy spirit, that the world may perceive we are united to him, and drawn from temporal to spiritual things. May we so fight against the vanities of our flesh, and all wicked affections, that we seek nothing but to fashion ourselves more and more to the image of our God, and to be owned as children and heirs of the heavenly inheritance.

SERMON XII.

TITUS, Chap. i. verses 10, 11, and 12.

10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision;

11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

ST. PAUL saith, there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, in the towns and country of Crete. He maketh mention of this to Titus, who was then in that island, that he might be careful in appointing men to govern the church, who would reprove those that rose up against the truth of God, and endeavoured to trouble the church. As dangers and necessities increase, men ought to provide remedies. So, when we see wicked men strive to bring

confusion into the church, we must be careful and zealous, and endeavour to keep all things in their proper order. St. Paul informeth us that there were many rebels even among the faithful, and such as attempted to preach the gospel, who were given to vain prattling and filthy lucre; teaching that which did not edify.

When we see the church of God so troubled by the wicked, it is the duty of ministers to strive to keep things in a proper condition: they must be armed, (not with a material sword,) but with the word of God, with wisdom and virtue, that they may be enabled to resist the ungodly. When we see so many turn from the right way, let us be careful, and endeavour to have the church of God provided with good rulers, that Satan raise not up stumbling-blocks among us. When St. Paul speaketh of these vain deceivers, he mentioneth the Jews in particular; who were the flower of the church, the first born of the house of God. We know that the Gentiles were as wild branches, which God of his grace grafted into the stock of Abraham. Although we see that the Jews were anciently the true heirs of salvation, and that the inheritance of life belonged to them, yet notwithstanding, St. Paul notes them as being the greatest disturbers of the church.

When the wicked sow tares, (whether it be of false doctrine or wicked talk,), to turn the faithful from the right way, if we dissemble, or make as though we saw them not, the weak will become infected, and many will be deceived; thus there will be a general plague: but if we point out such men, they will be shunned, and therefore will do but little evil. When we see men who do nothing but pull down, and endeavour to cause trouble in the church, we must labour to bring them into the right way: but if they remain steadfast in their wickedness, we must make them known; we must disclose their fil