SERM. before (z). They that be wife fhall shine as X. the Brightness of the Firmament; and they' that turn many to Righteoufnefs, as the Stars

for ever and ever. There is one Glory of the Sun, fays St. Paul (a) another Glory of the Moon, and another Glory of the Stars; for one Star differs from another Star in Glory. So alfo is the Refurrection of the Dead.---And, He that receiveth a Prophet, says Christ Jefus himself, in the Name of a Prophet, fhall receive a Prophet's Reward: and be that receiveth a righteous Man in the Name of a righteous Man, fhall receive a righteous Man's Reward. And whosoever doth give to drink unto one of thefe little Ones a Cup of cold Water only, in the Name of a Difciple, verily I fay unto you, he shall in no wife lofe his Reward (b).

Now, what can be plainer Proofs than these, of a Variety of future Bleffedness? Nor ought it to ftagger our Belief in this Article, that our Lord informs us in his Parable of the Labourers, how they, who had worked many Hours, and they who had ferved but one, were pay'd at the Clofe of the Day, every Man a Penny (c), for this Parable clearly relates not to

(x) Daniel xii. 3.
(b) St. Matth x. 41, 47)

(a) 1 Cor. xv. 41.

the

(c) St. Matth. xx. 9.

the Distribution of Rewards in another Life, SERM. but to the Admiffion of all Mankind, both X. Gentiles and Jews, to an Equality of GospelPrivileges in this. And though there fhall certainly be Fullness of Joy at God's right Hand, yet this must be understood according to our feveral Measures and Capacities; which being diverse, it is fo far from an Argument against the Diversity of the Gifts of Glory as well as Grace, that it is a strong Confirmation of it. Having therefore thefe Promifes, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourfelves from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit, perfecting Holiness in the Fear of the Lord (d).

WE fhould take Notice, that were we to cool in our Affection towards heavenly Treasures as not to ftrive for the highest Prize by going on unto Perfection, yet it is impoffible to stand still in the Duties of Religion. We cannot keep the Ground we have gained, without gaining more: If we do not advance we must retreat; if we do not grow better we must grow worfe; confequently without Perfeverance we must lose the Things that we have wrought,and reduce ourselves to a more deplorable State, even by our temporary Obedience. To prevent this, our Apprehenfions are alarmed with the Threatenings

(d) 2 Cor. vii, 1.

of

SERM. of a Mifery fuitable to the Size of our Guilt. .X. All finally incorrigible Sinners fhall feel the

certain Vengeance of God; but then they fhall feel it in diverfe Proportions, as their Offences are more aggravated or more numerous. The fame Rule will be observed both in Punishments and Rewards; and as all the Righteous will not be admitted to equal Heights of Honour and Happiness, so neither will all the Wicked be funk to an equal Depth of Shame and Wretchednefs.--That there fhall be fuch an exact Correfpondence between Crimes and Sufferings, we have our Saviour's Authority for maintaining, who in exprefs Words teaches us to believe, that fome shall be beaten with many Stripes, and fome with few (e), and that it shall be more tolerable for fome Sinners in the Day of Judgment than for others (f).

ARE thefe Things fo? And will not Re volters from Piety to Profanefs, from Virtue to Immorality, confider a little upon what Grounds they are likely to stand? If, as we have already feen, they will be defervedly ranked among the most heinous Tranfgreffors, having no Plea to make either

(e) St. Luke xii. 47, 48.

(f) St. Matth. xi,

of

of Ignorance or Inability, fince they wilfully renounce what they both knew and practifed, how can they hope to efcape the heavieft of God's Wrath, the intensest Degree of Punishment in that Place of unspeakable Anguish, where mighty Sinners fhall be mightily tormented (f).

THESE are plain Threatenings of the Gofpel, and God's Truth as well as Juftice is concerned to make them good.----Knowing then the Terrors of the Lord, let us be prefuaded to preferve ourselves from them. Let thofe, who have bafely fallen back unto their own Wickedness, haften to extricate themselves out of fo dangerous a Situation, being quickened by the moft awful Declarations of Holy Scripture, that the Lord fhall reward the Evil-doers according to their Wickednefs (g), and, that they shall eat of the Fruit of their own Way, and be filled with their own Devices (b), and let others, who have hitherto acted more wifely, have been careful to please God, to keep themselves in his Love, and confcientiously to do his Commandments; let them continue in the Faith grounded and fettled, and not be moved

A a

away

(f) Wild. vi. 6.
(b) Prov. i. 31.

(g) 2 Sam. iii. 39:

away from the Hope of the Gospel which they have heard (i); let them beware, left being led away by the Error of the Wicked, they fall from their own Stedfastness. For we are made Partakers of Christ, if we hold the Beginning of our Confidence stedfaft unto the End (k).----If the Certainty of future Bleffedness, the leaft Portion of which the best of Men are not capable of meriting, and can rather qualify themselves for, than entitle themselves to, be the most powerful Motive to engage us in a religious Course; fhall not the Affurance of high Degrees of Glory, annexed to proportionable Degrees of Goodness keep us steady and fixed? effectually prevent our ever flying from the Field of Battle through Cowardice, deferting to the Tents of Ungodliness through Treachery, or giving our Hearts any Caufe to reproach us as long as we live?

But who is fufficient for thefe Things (1)? It is not in Man to order his Steps aright (m): his Abilities are fadly impaired whilst the Force of Temptations is terribly increased: Yet are we not to give up our Caufe as loft, or fit down in a desponding Posture as if

(i) Coloff. i. 23. (1) 2 Cor. ii. 16.

(k) 2 St. Pet. iii. 17.

(m) Jer. x. 23.