learning that this age glories of, is but an extract or collection of what we find in thofe men of greater parts; only we think we have done great matters if we digeft it into fome other method, and prick in here and there a small pittance of our own, or quarrel at fomething that the ancients delivered in fome odd particulars. And yet, even in this effay, felf-love plays fuch a part, that unless there be a great excefs and admirable advantage of others that are above us in any learning or knowledge, we are ready to exalt ourfelves above our ftandard, and feem in our own eyes to be at leaft equal to thofe that exceed us, or by envy and detraction to bring down others below ourfelves, especially if we hit upon fome little caprichio 1, that we think they faw not. 5. And lastly, confider the great example of our Lord and Master Jefus Chrift, who was the only Son of the glorious God, full of wifdom, knowledge, power, holinefs, goodness and truth, and notwithstanding all this, humbled himfelf, and became of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a fervant, emptied himself, and humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the crofs 2. Chrift Jefus brought with him from heaven the doctrine of holi nefs and righteoufnefs, and in all his fermons there is not any one virtue that he commendeth and commandeth more than Humility and lowlinefs of mind, nor any one vice that he fets himfelf more against than pride and haughtinefs of mind. In his beatitudes 3, poverty of fpirit hath the firft promife, and meeknefs or Humility the third 4. He checks and difparageth the pride of the Pharifees, commands his difciples to run quiet counter to their method; He that will 'be great among you fhall be your fervant. Again, when the bubble of ambition rofe against the difciples, who fhou d be greateft, he checks their pride and ambition with the pattern and commendation of a little 'fancy or whim. Matth. xxiii. 6. 7. Phil. ii. 5, 6, 7, 8. . 35. 34. M 3 child : child and as he thus taught he lived. One of the great ends of the miffion of Chrift into the world, was, that he should not only be a preacher of virtue, goodness, and piety, but alfo an example of it: And if we look through the whole life of Chrift, there is not one virtue that he did more fignally exercise, or by his example more exprefsly commend to the imitation of Chriftians, than Humility. I do not remember that he faith in any place, learn of me to do miracles, for I am mighty in power; no, nor yet learn of me, for I am holy, for I am obedient to the law of God, for I am liberal; though in all these he was exhibited as an excellent example of holinefs, obedience, and charity, and must be the pattern of our imitation: But as if Humility and lowlinefs of mind were the great mafter-piece of his example, he calls out, even when he was in one of the highest extafies of fpirit, that we find, until his paffion, Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye fhall find reft unto your fouls. And in that fignal advice given by the Apostle, 'Let the fame mind ❝ be in you, which was alfo in Chrift Jefus, whom being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himfelf of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a fervant, and was 'made in the likeness of man; and being found in the 'fashion of a man, he humbled himfelf, and became ' obedient to death, even the death of the cross 2.' But, bleffed Saviour! was there nothing elfe for us to learn of thee, but thy meeknefs and Humility? was there not fomething elfe wherein we were to bear in mind thy image, and write after thy excellent copy? was there not thy holiness, purity, obedience, patience, truft in God, and all that conftellation of virtues that appeared in thy doctrine and life? Surely yes, he was exhibited both as a prophet to teach, and an example to be imitated in all these alfo, but in his Humility, if we may fay with reverence, before all. Matth. xi. 25, 29. 2 Phil. ii. 5. 1. Because 1. Because the inftance and example of his Humility was the most fignal and wonderful of all the reft of his admirable virtues; that the eternal Son of the eternal God fhould condefcend fo low, as to become a man, born of a woman, and live upon earth fuch a defpifed life, and die fuch an accurfed death, is an inftance of Humility, not only beyond all example, but an inftance that is impoffible in nature to be paralleled. 2. Because pride and vain-glory is fo unhappily riveted in the corrupt nature of man, and it is fo hard a thing to bring him to be humble and lowly, notwithftanding all the benefits and advantages of it, that it did not only stand in need of the most explicit doctrine of Chrift to teach and commend it, the most unparalleled example of Chrift to win men over to it, but alfo the moft plain and direct, and explicit application of that example, by that remarkable and special invitation of our Lord to it, Learn of me, for I am 'meek and lowly.' And again by his Apostle, ‘Let "the fame mind be in you which was in Chrift Jefus,' &c. 3. Because, without Humility to prepare and mellow the hearts of men, it could not be morally poffible for them to receive the faith of Chrift. It was pride that made the doctrine of Chrift only to be to the Jews a ftumbling block, to the Greeks foolishness, but to them that are called, viz. that obey that call of Christ: Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, &c 1.' Learn of me, for I am meek and 'lowly in heart, it is Chrift, the power of God, and the 'wifdom of God 2.' 6 4. Because, without Humility, all the rest of thofe excellent virtues, that were taught in the doctrine, and exhibited in the example of Chrift, had been but unacceptable. A vifible holiness, yet accompanied with pride and oftentation, is but a difguife of holinefs, and that accurfed hypocrify that our Saviour condemned in the Pharifees and others 1. Obedience to the law of God, good works, fafting, prayer, yet if done with 1 Matth. xi. 28. 21. Cor. i. 29, 24. Matth. vi. 16. pride, pride, oftentation, and vain-glory, are dead and unacceptable. Charity, alms, and beneficence, if done with pride and oftentation, and to receive glory of men, lofeth its worth and reward 2. So that Humility and lowlinefs of mind is the fubftratum and ground. work, the neceffary ingredient into all acceptable duties towards God or men. 'Matth. xxiii. 5. 2 Matth. vi. 12. JACOB'S JACOB's VOW: OR THE MODESTY AND REASONABLENESS OF JACOB's DESIRE. GEN, XXVIII. 20. AND JACOB VOWED A VOW, SAYING, IF GOD WILL BE WITH ME, AND WILL KEEP ME IN THE WAY THAT I GO, AND WILL GIVE ME BREAD TO EAT, AND RAIMENT TO PUT ON, so THAT I COME AGAIN TO MY FATHERS HOUSE IN PEACE, THEN SHALL THE LORD BE MY GOD, &c. THE only thing that I intend to confider upon this place of holy Scripture, is the modefty and reasonablenefs of Jacob's Defire. He doth not defire greatness of wealth, or honour, or power, or fplendor, or great equipage in this world; but all that he defires in reference to this world, is, 1. That the comfortable prefence and the fenfe of the favour and love of God fhould be with him: If God will be with me. 2. That the protection of the Divine Providence may be continually over him; and will keep me in the way that I go: 3. That he would fupply him, not with curiofities or delicates, but with neceffaries; and will give me bread to eat and raiment to put on. And the truth is, this fhould be the rule and measure of every good man, in reference to this life, and the enjoyments of it, and the defires of them, until he come to his Father's houfe in peace; that houfe wherein there are many mansions, that the great Father, of whom all the |