Heavenly Kingdom; When they that be Wife, fhall fhine as the Brightness of the Firmament; and they that turn many to Righteoufneß, as the Stars for ever

and ever.

FROM which Words I fhall,

FIRST, Shew, in general, the great Charity of converting Sinners, or, turning them to Righteoulne/s. Which I fhall further recommend,

SECONDLY, In the special Inftance now before us, of converting Infidels. And,

THIRDLY, Confider the glorious Reward which is here promis'd to those who join in fo charitable a Work; They shall fhine as the Brightness of the Firmament, and as the Stars for ever

and ever.

FIRST, I am to fhew the great Charity of converting Sinners, or, turning them to Righteousness

By Charity, as it relates to our Fellow-Creatures, and ftands diftinguished from the Love of GOD, which is the other Branch of this Chriftian Grace, is always underftood the Love of our Neighbour, exerting it felf, upon all Occafions, in the kindest Offices of Humanity and Beneficence toward all, whom, in any Respect, we are capable of profiting.

WITH Regard to their Bodies, or their present Estate in this World, it is exercised in adminiftring all the Relief we are able to give to the Miseries and Calamities to which they are exposed; in being Feet to the Lame, and Eyes to the Blind; in Feeding the Hungry, Cloathing the Naked, and helping the Oppreffed; and, to be fhort, in carefully fupplying

all

all their respective Wants whatsoever, according to our Power or Ability of doing it. And with Regard to their Souls, or their future Eftate, which is the great Charity I am now fpeaking to, it confults likewise their spiritual Welfare of all Kinds; it is Wisdom to the Simple, and Inftruction to the Ignorant; it revives the Contrite, and reproves the Impenitent; and never neglects any Opportunities, that come in its Way, of bringing them to a Sense of their dangerous Condition, and reclaiming them from

it.

To these Acts of Charity, of both Kinds, as we are blefs'd with the Opportunity and Ability of performing them, we are doubtlefs obliged to apply our felves. But as it is faid of this Chriftian Grace, that it excels all others, it must likewife be allow'd that our Charity in faving the Souls of our Brethren, or

in fecuring and promoting their eternal Welfare, is far fuperiour tɔ that which is employ'd in relieving their Bodies; and as much exceeds it, as the everlafting Happinefs of the other World furpaffes the tranfitory Enjoyments of this. This therefore, with Refpect to Neighbour as well as our felves, is that better Part, which we should never fuffer, upon any Account, to be taken from us; and, comparatively fpeaking, it is the one Thing that is moft truly needful, for them.

to our

ST. James recommends this Duty, in his vth Ch. 19, and 20th Verses, in a Manner that deferves our particular Regard: Brethren, fays he, if any of you do err from the Truth, and one convert him; let him know, or be well affured, that he which converteth a Sinner from the Error of his Way, shall fave a Soul from Death; which he plainly fuggefts to be the beft Office he can do for him;

and

and then adds, how much it will redound to his own Benefit, and he fhall hide a Multitude of Sins, i. e. as fome interpret these Words, of his own Sins, by difpofing the Almighty to be the more propitious, upon his fincere Repentance, in the Forgiveness of them; or, as it is in 2 Sam. xxii. 26. to shew himself merciful with him, who has been thus merciful to his finful Brother.

OUR Bleffed Lord, we know, whilft he liv'd and convers'd, as he chiefly delighted to do with the Infirm and Difeas'd, and Indigent Part of Mankind, was never wanting to these miserable Creatures, in any Office of Pity and Compaffion that their Cafe requir'd; and having, many Times, no other Way of helping and relieving them, he did it by his Miracles; he bless'd and multiply'd the scanty Provifion that had been made for himself and his ufual Attendants, into more than

was