lighten the World with his Doctrines, and demonftrate the Poffibility of performing them by his own Example. His Precepts chiefly concern moral Duties, which he restored, first to their primitive Notions and Purity; and then urged the Practice of them upon his Followers, in a more ftrict manner than had ever before been done. What before was esteemed an Attempt fit only for great and noble Minds, he made the Duty of all the Members of Mankind: What others thought a fufficient Glory to practise fingly, to excel in this or that fingle Virtue, he required to be performed conjunctly, without the Omiffion of any thing which is justly to be accounted laudable.

For if we confider the great Lines and main Parts of the Doctrine of Christ, they will be found to direct the Practice of thofe Actions, which by all the World must be acknowledged to be good and excellent, to be laudable and divine; fuch as are Justice, Sobriety, Devotion and Charity. It it not among Chriftians alone, that fuch Actions are esteemed Praife-worthy. All Parties of fober Men, as well Heathens as those profeffing revealed Religions, have agreed in this common Sentiment, in the Veneration and Praise of all fuch Virtues.

From hence it was, that even when the Heathens derided the Faith of the Crofs, they ftill acknowledged the Excellency of thofe Persons who profeffed it. They also

were

were convinced, that all thofe moral Virtues were the Perfection of Mankind: only in this they difagreed, that whereas they accounted the uniform Practice of them to be an Undertaking poffible only to more exalted Minds, Chrift had made it the Duty of all his Followers. Although even this difference of Opinion, could not but raise their Thoughts to an extreme Veneration of that divine Perfon, who formed thefe Laws, and even forced from them a Confeffion of that Praise which was due to fuch an Institution, and the Author of it,

Thus the very Nature of a Christian Life, as it is directed by the Precepts of our Lord, fitteth it to be an eminent Example to others. He diftinguished his Religion from all others, by the Excellency of his Laws and Precepts; fo that whofoever fhould obferve them, must distinguish themselves from the reft of the World, by a more perfect Exercife of Virtue and Holiness. And hence it is, that he naturally infers in the twentieth Verfe, Except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharifees, ye fhall in no cafe enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Righteoufnefs of the Scribes and Pharifees, was the exact Performance of all the legal Inftitutions of the Mofaical Law, of Sacrifices, Washings, and other Ceremonies; which (abftracting from the pofitive Command of God) had nothing excelHh 3 lent

lent in the Practice of them. To fee the Jews killing their facrificed Beasts, washing their Bodies often, or circumcifing themfelves, was no Motive of Holinefs, or giving Glory to God, to thofe who were not of the fame Religion. They difcerned nothing laudable in all this; and were rather prompted to pity the Slavery, than to imitate the Devotion of their Service. Whereas the Practice of thofe good Works which Christianity impofeth is amiable and lovely in the fight of all Men, ever carrieth along with it the Commendation and Approbation of all Spectators.

Thus our Lord fitted his Doctrine to be a Light to the World; and left it should fail of its defigned End, he hath commanded us to improve it to its right Ufe, and therein hath led the Way by his own Example. He confined not himself to a Defart, as did John the Baptift; but conversed in their Cities, and more frequented Meetings; that all Men might fee the conftant Piety, Goodnefs and Charity, which attended all his Actions, be inftructed by them, and drawn to the Imitation of them. He indulged his Converfation to Publicans and Sinners, that he might gain them, first to a Love of his Perfon, and then to an Imitation of his Virtue. He difdained not the Company of any who might receive advantage from his Do&trine or Example.

And

And that he might fit his Life for an univerfal Pattern to all his Followers, he engaged not in the conftant Practice of extraordinary Aufterities, as did John the Baptift; but amidst the most severe and strict Exercife of all Virtues, allowed to himself the innocent Pleasures of the World. He refused not to fit down with those who invited him to fplendid Entertainments, as with Levi and Zaccheus, nor to be present at the Marriage-Feaft. At other times he was content to fuffer Hunger and Cold, Contempt and the vileft Injuries, to undergo long Watching in Prayer and Fafting. For fo it behoved him even in this Senfe alfo, to perform all righteousness, who was to be the grand Exemplar to all fucceeding Ages: Not to confine himself to any one Method of Life, left thereby his Example should become deficient to thofe who fhould be engaged in another; but to pass through all the more ordinary Actions and Varieties of human Life; that in all Cafes we might be able to approve and direct our Actions, by conforming them to his Practice; and if any Doubt fhould arife concerning them, might be able to justify them by the Authority of his Example.

Both the Obfervation therefore of the Precepts, and the Imitation of the Practice of Chrift, which are equally the Duty of every Christian, engageth him to be exemplar in his Life and Conduct. And thus, Hh 4 firft

firft the whole Body of Chriftians will be--come a Light to the reft of the World, and then, every Member of the Church to each other. Our Lord defcribeth both in this Place very lively: Te are the falt of the earth, .13. The reft of the World will remain in Sin and Corruption; but in the numerous Society which I fhall found and call by my Name, Piety and Virtue, and whatfoever is good and excellent, fhall be maintained: Yet not to be confined to that Society alone, but to be communicated to all who fhall receive Inftruction from it. Te are the light of the world, . 14. The greater part of Mankind remain in Darkness and Ignorance; but I have placed my Church as a glorious Light to difpel this Darkness, and remove this Ignorance; that fo all who do but lift up their Eyes, have the least Inclination to Truth and Goodness, may there discover the Light, and repair to it. And this cannot fail to take effect, while the Brightness of this Light fhall remain, while the Church fhall continue glorious and unfpotted, while the Members of it shall all, or the more part of them, perform their Duty. For, as it followeth, a city placed on a Hill, or a Light placed in a Room, can. not be hid.

If indeed thofe Virtues which I command, be obferved by those who profefs my Name; if Juftice, Chastity, Beneficence, and other Marks of Goodness be indeed fo eminently