2. By using all Means to be reconcil'd, 2 Cor. v. 20. 3. By loving them, as well as if they had 1. Otherwise we fin, S. Matt. v. 44. 2. In pitying the Calamities of others, 2. By helping them out of them, fo far as we are able, Pfal. cxvi. 6. 3. By relieving the Neceflities of others. [See this Duty explain'd upon S. Matt. vi. 20. under the II. general Head, p. 84. &c.] USE. 1. Unless we be merciful, as our Father is merciful, the Profeffion of Chrift's Religion will avail us little, S. Matt. vii. 21. 2. This is look'd upon as our Perfection, S. Matt. v. 48. 3. If we be merciful to others, GOD will be fo to us, S. Matt, vi. 14. 4. This is to imitate GOD, and to be like Him. S. Lux. S. LUK. X. 42. But one Thing is needful, and Mary bath chofen that good part which shall not be taken away from her. I. W needful to Happiness, or the faving of HAT is imply'd here by needful? viz. our Souls, S. Matt. xvi. 26. and vi. 33. S. Joh. vi. 27. 1 Cor. vii. 29, 30. 1 S. Joh. ii. 15, 16. II. There is only one Thing fo needful, all other are needlefs, Prov. x. 2. and xi. 4. Ecclef. i. 3, 8. and ii. 11. III. What is that one Thing needful? It is univerfal Righteousness, Prov. xi. 4. 1 Tim. iv. 8. S. Luk. xviii. 22. S. Joh. vi. 29. and xiii. 17. S. Luk. xi. 28. Hebr. xii. 14. Gal. v. 6. 1 S. Joh. iii. 23. IV. This we should choose, as Mary did, Act. XX. 24. before all Things elfe, Deut. xxx. 19. and ufe the Means for it, as fhe fat at Jefus Feet, and heard His Word, S. Matt. xviii. 20. Pfal. xxvii. 4. V. If we do fo, we may attain it, S. Matt. v. 6. and it fhall not be taken from us, but we fhall both have it and keep it always; and fo, be for ever happy through Chrift our Saviour. Amen. S. LUK. St. Lux. xiii. 2, 3, 4, 5. Ver. 2. And Jesus answering, faid unto them, Suppofe ye that thefe Galile ans were Sinners above all the Galileans, because they fuffer'd fuch Things? Ver.3. I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewife perish. Ver. 4. Or thofe eighteen, upon whom the Tower in Siloam fell, and flew them, think ye that they were Sinners above all Men that dwell in Jerufalem? Ver. 5. I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewife perish. I. DOCTRINE. T HE Greatness of GOD's Judgments upon fome. Men, more than upon others, doth not argue the Greatness of their Sins above others, 1. What do we mean by Judgments? Judgments are, 1. Either Spiritual, which always prefuppofe great Sins, Rev. ii. 5. Rom. i. 21, 22, 23, 24, &c.. 2. Or Temporal, which are no certain Signs of the Greatnefs of one Man's Sins above anothers. For, 1. GOD difpenfeth them as He pleases, S. Matt. V. 45. 2. 2. The greatest Sinners oft go unpunifh'd in this Life, Pfal. lxxiii. 3, 4, 5, 6. Job xxi. 7, 8, 9. Jer. xii. 1, 2: Temporal Judgments are often fpiritual Mercies, Amos iii. 2. Hebr. xii. 6, 7, 10. U.S.E S 1. Wherefore, do not cenfure them whom GOD hath been pleas'd to lay His Hand upon. 2. Do not afcribe your Prefervation to your own Righteousness, but to GOD's Mercy, Lam. iii. 22. T 3. Have a Care of greater Judgments, even Spiritual and eternal. II. DOCTRINE. Tho' we be exempted from temporal Judg ments, yet without Repentance we shall certainly perish. 1. Explication. 1. What is this Exemption? Even our Prefervation, especially in calamitous Times. 2. What is Repentance ? 1. A thorow Senfibleness of Sin. 2. The Multitude, Pfal. xix. 12. 3. The Greatness, against 1. Knowledge, S. Joh. iii. 19. 2. Humiliation for it. 3. Refolution against it, Pfal. xvii. 3. 4. A fincere Endeavour to turn from it. 3. What is meant by Perifhing? 1. Temporally. 2. Eternally. 2. Con 2. Confirmation and Proof. 2. Without Repentance our Sins cannot be us. 3. Repentance only can put the Soul into a Capacity of enjoying Happiness. 1. Inftead of cenfuring others, examine yourfelves whether you have repented. 2. Do not look upon yourfelves as fafe and fecure now preferv'd from GOD's Judgments, unless you have repented. 3. As you defire not to perish, repent. [Vid. Vol. VII. Serm. X. p. 322. of this Author's Dif courfes.] S. LUK. |