joins in carrying on a design of this nature, will have great occasion for this. For notwithstanding all his unblamableness, he will find himself just in Ishmael's situation, his hand against every man, and every man's hand against him. And no wonder. If it be true, that all who will live godly, shall suffer persecution, how eminently must this be fulfilled in them, who not content to live godly themselves, compel the ungodly to do, so too, or at least to refrain from notorious ungodliness? Is not this, declaring war against all the world? Setting all the children of the devil at defiance? And will not Satan himself, the prince of this world, the rulers of the darkness thereof, exert all, his subtlety and all his force in support of his tottering kindgom? Who can expect, the roaring lion will tamely submit to have the prey plucked out of his teeth? Yehave therefore need of patience, that when ye have done the will of God ye may receive the promise.

6. And ye haye need of steddiness, that ye may hold fast this profession of your faith without wavering. This also should be found in all that unite in this society which is not a task for a double-minded man, for one that is unstable in his ways. He that is as a reed shaken with the wind, is not fit for this warfare, which demands a firm purpose of soul, a constant, determined resolution. One that is wanting in this, may set his hand to the plow = but how soon will he look back? He may indeed endure for a time. But when persecution or tribulation, public or private troubles, arise because of the work, immediately be is offended.

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7. Indeed it is hard for any to persevere in so unpleasing a work, unless love overpowers, both pain and fear. And therefore it is highly expedient that all engaged therein, have the love of God shed abroad in their hearts: that they should all be able to declare, we love him, because he first loved us. The presence of him whom their soul loveth, will then make their labour light: They can then say, not from the wildness of an heated imagination, but with the utmost truth and soberness,

With thee conversing, I forget.

All time, and toil, and care :
Labour is reft, and pain it fweet,
While thou, my God, art here.

8. What

8. What adds a still greater sweetness even to labour and pain, is the Christian love of our neighbour. When they love their neighbour, that is, every soul of man, as themselves, as their own souls; when the love of Christ constrains them to love one another, even as he loved us; when, as he tasted death for every man, so they are ready to lay down their life for their brethren, (including in that number, every man, every soul for which Christ died :) what prospect of danger will then be able to fright them from their labour of love? What suffering will they not be ready to undergo, to save one soul from everlasting burnings? What continuance of labour, disappointment, pain, will vanquish their fixt resolution! Will they not be

Gainft all repulfes ficeled, nor ever tired,
With toilfome day, or ill-fucceeding night ?”

So love both hopeth and endureth all things. So charity never faileth.

9. Love is necessary for all the members of such a society, on another account likewise; even because it is not puffed up; it produces not only courage and patience, but humility. And O! how needful is this for all who are so employed? What can be of more importance, than that they should be little, and mean, and base, and vile in their own eyes? For otherwise, should they think themselves any thing, should they impute any thing to themselves, should they admit any thing of a pharisaic spirit, trusting in themselves that they were righteous and despising others; nothing could more directly tend to overthrow the whole design. For then they would not only have all the world, but also God himself to contend with; seeing he resisteth the proud, and giveth grace only to the humble. Deeply conscious therefore should every member of this society be, of his own foolishness, weakness, helplessness: continually hanging with his whole soul upon him, who alone hath wisdom and strength, with an unspeakable conviction, that the help which is done upon earth, God doth it himself; and that it is he alone who worketh in us, both to will and to do, of his good pleasure.

10. One

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10. One point more, whoever engages in this design should have deeply imprest on his heart, namely, that the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Let him therefore learn of him who was meek as well. as lowly. And let him abide in meekness as well as humility: With all lowliness and meekness, let him walk worthy of the vocation wherewith he is called. Let him be gentle toward all men, good or bad, for his own sake, for their sake, for Christ's sake. Are any ignorant and out of the way? Let him have compassion upon them. Do they even oppose the word and the work of God, yea set themselves in battle array against it? So much the more hath he need, in meekness to instruct those who thus oppose themselves, if haply they may awake out of the snare of the devil, and no more be taken captive at his will.

IV. 1. From the qualifications of those who are proper to engage in such an undertaking as this, I proceed to shew, fourthly, With what spirit, and in what man-. ner, it ought to be pursued. First with what spi-rit. Now this first regards the motive which is to be preserved, in every step that is taken. For if at any time the light which is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness? But if thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. This is therefore continually to be remembered. and carried into every word and action. Nothing is to be spoke or done, either great or small, with a view to any temporal advantage: nothing with a view. to the favour or esteem, the love or the praise of men, But the intention, the eye of the mind is always to be fixt on the glory of God and good of man.

2. But the Spirit with which every thing is to be done, regards the temper, as well as the motive. And, this is no other than that, which has been described above. For the same courage, patience, steddiness, which qualify a man for the work, are to be exercised therein. Above all, let him take the shield of faith: this will quench a thousand fiery darts. Let him exert all the faith which God has given him, in every trying hour. And let all his doings be done in love: never let this be wrested from him. Neither must many waters No. XIII. 4 X quench

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quench this love, nor the floods of ingratitude drown it. Let likewise that lowly mind be in him, which was also in Christ Jesus. Yea, and let him be cloathed with humility, filling his heart, and adorning his whole behaviour. At the same time, let him put on bowels of mercies, gentleness, long-suffering: avoiding the least appearance of malice, bitterness, anger or resentment; knowing, it is our calling, not to be overcome of evil, but to overcome evil with good. In order to preserve this humble, gentle love, it is needful to do all things with recollection of spirit, watching against all hurry, or dissipation of thought, as well as against pride, wrath, or surliness. But this can be no otherwise preserved,. than by continuing instant in prayer, both before and after he comes into the field, and during the whole action; and by doing all in the spirit of sacrifice, offering all to God, thro' the Son of his love.

3. As to the outward manner of acting, a general rule is, let it be expressive of these inward tempers. But to be more particular. 1. Let every man beware not to do evil that good may come. Therefore putting away all lying, let every man speak the truth to his neighbour. Use no fraud or guile, either in order to detect or to punish any man, but by simplicity and godly sincerity commend yourself to men's consciences in the sight of God. It is probable, that by your adhering to these rules, fewer offenders will be convicted. But so much the more will the blessing of God accompany the whole undertaking.

4. But let innocence be joined with prudence, properly so called. Not that offspring of hell, which the world calls prudence, which is mere craft, cunning, dissimulation but with that wisdom from above, which our Lord peculiarly recommends, to all who would promote his kingdom upon earth. Be ye therefore wise ds serpents, while ye are harmless as doves. This wisdom will instruct you, how to suit your words and whole behaviour to the persons with whom you have to do, to the time, place, and all other circumstances. It will teach you to cut off occasion of offence, even from those who seek occasion

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occasion, and to do things of the most offensive nature, in the least offensive manner that is possible.

5. Your manner of speaking, particularly to offenders, should be at all times deeply serious, (lest it appear like insulting or triumphing over them) rather inclining to sad: shewing that you pity them, for what they do, and sympathize with them in what they suffer. Let your air and tone of voice, as well as words, be dispassionate, calm, mild: yea, where it would not appear like dissimulation, even kind and friendly, In some cases, where it will probably be received as it is meant, you may profess the good-will you bear them: but at the same time, (that it may not be thought to proceed from fear, or any wrong inclination) professing your intrepidity and inflexible resolution, to oppose and punish

vice to the uttermost.

V. 1. It remains only to make some application of what has been said, partly to you who are already engaged in this work, partly to all that fear God, and more especially to them that love as well as fear him.

With regard to you, who are already engaged in this work, the first advice I would give you is, calmly and deeply to consider, the nature of your undertaking. Know what you are about; be throughly acquainted with what you have in hand. Consider the objections which are made to the whole of your undertaking. And before you proceed, be satisfied that those objections have no real weight. Then may every man act, as he is fully persuaded in his own mind.

2. I advise you, secondly, be not in haste, to increase your number. And in adding thereto, regard not wealth, rank, or any outward circumstance. Only regard the qualifications above described. Enquire diligently. Whether the person proposed be of an unblamable carriage, and whether he be a man of faith, courage, patience, steddiness? Whether he be a lover of God and man? If so, he will add to your strength as well as number. If not, you will lose by him more than you gain. For you will displease God. And be not afraid to purge out from among you, any who do not 4 X 2

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