stamped and impressed upon his Soul He imitated God in those two things which one of the Ancients tells us will make us like God viz. speaking truth and bestowing benefits A man of greater simplicity and veracity I never knew and there are multitudes that will witness that he went about doing good He did vow in his Baptism to renounce the Devil the World and Flesh. Some men go no farther All their Religion comes from the Font. This good Man perform'd his Vow he cast out of himself the Evil One and renounced all his Works overcame the World in the noblest sense and subdued and mortified all the sinfull desires of the flesh He was a Conquerour and more than Conquerour He devoted himself intirely and without reservation to the service of his God It was not only his business but his choice and delight his meat and drink I need not say that he was much in Prayers and Fastings in Meditation and heavenly Discourse very frequent in devout Communions in reading and hearing the Word in watchings and great austerities He wisely considered that these were the means and not the end of Religion that these are not godliness but only helps and the way to it He arrived at the end of these things He had an ardent love of God a great Faith in him and was resigned to his Will He had an unspeakable Zeal for his Honour a profound regard to his Word and to his Worship and to all that had the nearest relation to him or did most partake of his image and likeness He was a Man after God's own heart He lived under a most gratefull sense of his Mercies he was governed by his fear and had a lively sense of God's special Care and Providence He had that sense of God's Mercy in giving us his Son to die for us that it was observed of him that when he discoursed of that Argument he used no measure no bounds or limits of his Discourse His heart was so affected with that Argument that he cou'd not put a stop to himself Jesus was his Lord and Master and he had his Life and Example always before him and conformed himself to it in the whole Tenour and Course of his Life His Religion was unaffected and substantial it was genuine and primitive and so great a pattern he was that he might have passed for a Saint even in the first and best times of Christianity He was of the Church of England and a most true Son of that Church and gave the greatest proofs of it Far was he from the Innovations of the Roman Church on the one hand and from Enthusiasm on the other His Writings are a sufficient proof of this I very well know that when the Church of England hath been traduced and disparaged he hath not forborn to make so vigorous a Defence that he lost a very great Man's friendship by it and felt the Effects of it afterwards by the loss of a considerable worldly advantage which he would otherwise have stood very fair for He shewed his Zeal for the Church of England when she was in greatest danger from many Enemies especially from the Church of Rome At that time when some were so wicked as to change their profession and others so tame as to sit still and not to concern themselves when the Enemies were at the Gates for there were too many that professed to be Sons of this Church and do so still who were over-awed and durst not appear with that Courage which God and all good Men might justly have expected from them then did this good Man bestir himself and lifted up his Voice like a Trumpet and undauntedly defended the Church when she most needed it God be praised there were others who did so likewise with great vigour and resolution and great hazard of their liberty and worldly Comforts And many of these had the hard hap to be traduced by their lukewarm Brethren who cry up the Church as if these were not the genuine Sons of this Church It hath not been for the advantage of the Church that those Men have been decried as not genuine Church-men who have done her the greatest service on the other hand some vaunt themselves to be such who have never been any support to their Mother in her greatest distress There are some of these who are like the Images we see in many Churches that are so placed in that bending Posture as if they bore upon their Shoulders the weight of the Building whereas in truth they are only the fancy of the Architect and bear no weight at all The Doctor believed the Doctrine of this Church obeyed her Injunctions and conformed to her Constitutions Headmonished and diligently instructed his Charge kept Multitudes in her Communion and lived up to her holy Rules and was ready to sacrifice all that was dear to him in the World to promote the true Interest of this Church He would not indeed take the Cure of Souls and then put them out to nurse to some cheap and negligent Curate receive the profits and leave another man to take the pains He would not take a Vicarage and swear residence before his Ordinary and afterwards refuse to reside on pretence of some privilege or exempt Jurisdiction c. as very many have done But a Church-man he was notwithstanding Indeed the best of men have been mis-represented And there are a Number of the most useless men that yet in all places are crying up the Church of England but have little regard to her holy Rules I knew two men of the same Faculty in the same neighbourhood They were in their profession very eminent One of these had the Name of a Church of England man the other of a Fanatick And yet it is well known that the first very rarely if at all came to the Church or Communion the other was a great frequenter of both The Doctor was a man of very good Learning He had very goods kill in Languages He had addicted himself to the Arabic from his younger time and retained it in good measure to the last He had great skill in the Hebrew likewise nor was his skill limited to the Biblical Hebrew only in which he was a great Master but he was seen in the Rabbinical also He was a most diligent Reader of the Holy Scriptures in that Language in which they were originally written Sacras literas tractavit indefesso studio This Dr. Spanheim says of him in his youth viz. that he was indefatigable in the Study of the Holy Scriptures He adds that he was then one of an elevated wit of a mind that was cheerfull and covetous of making substantial proficiency And also that he gave a Specimen of it about the year 1659 when he was very young by a publick defending a Dissertation concerning the Vow of Jephtah touching the sacrificing his Daughter This upon his own request and motion he publickly defended with great presence of mind He had very good
some of the highest Rank and Quality and a very great number of very devout and pious Persons A vast Crowd there was that followed him and such a collection of most devout and conformable Persons as were hardly to be found elsewhere it was no easie matter to get through the Crowd to the Pulpit He administred the Holy Communion on the first Sunday of every Month and preached a Preparation-Sermon on the Friday preceding He did it also on the great Festivals He administred it twice on a day in the Morning at eight a Clock and at the usual time after the Morning Sermon The number of the Communicants held a great proportion to that of his Auditors and their Devotion was very exemplary The number was so great at both times that it will hardly be believed by those Clergymen who have been confined to the Country and have seen the small number of those who attend upon this holy Service So great was the number that there was need of great help of Clergymen to assist in the delivering of the Bread and Wine and with such assistance it was very late before the Congregation could be dismissed I will add that I do not remember that I did ever behold so great numbers and so great signs of Devotion and a due sense and profound reverence becoming this great act of divine Worship in my whole life The Doctor took indefatigable pains on these occasions but he was encouraged to do so from the great success his Labours met withal He was not only very diligent in Preaching and Administring the Holy Sacrament but in all other parts of his Duty He took great pains in Catechising and instructing the Youth in visiting the sick and directing and satisfying the doubtfull and scrupulous and encouraging all good beginnings and promoting worthy designs and provoking those he conversed with to love and good works He took great pains also in his own Family He spent very much time with his Family in constant Prayers Morning and Night in Reading the Holy Scriptures Singing of Psalms in holy Conferences and all the Duties incumbent upon him as the Master of a Family No Weariness no weighty Business abroad excused him from the discharge of these Duties Nor did he perform them slightly and perfunctorily but spent very much time in them he was very assiduous very earnest and vehement and shewed a very great concern and ardor therein He would rise early in a Morning to these Exercises and not spare his pains even after the very great and wearisom labours of the day Nor did he forbear his Studies and Closet-Devotions He spent much time there It appears by a Diary found since his Death and which he kept for a long time that he called himself to an account every Night for the Words and Actions and Conversation of the Day past and perhaps few men living were more strict and severe than he was in this matter If he had done any good that day he gave God the praise of it before he slept And few men that lived passed fewer days if he passed any such without doing good But when any Words or Thoughts escaped which he judged to have wanted due care he animadverted upon himself in a severe manner before he went to rest He was one of the kindest men to others that ever lived and one of the severest to himself He needed no Confessor to call him to account or to enjoyn him any Penance He did not spare revenge upon himself who could most easily forgive his Enemies and wanted no compassion for the greatest Criminals He kept a continual watch over his own Soul and strictly watched over its actings and tendencies and was therefore very fit to watch over those who were committed to his Charge Besides the constant care that was upon him from his Parish his Family his Closet and Studies he imployed himself in doing good to those who were more remote He encouraged Piety where-ever he came and particularly in the younger sort He had the care of several Societies of Young Men whom he directed and encouraged And because this matter hath been mis-understood and that to my certain knowledge there was an attempt since this Revolution to blacken the Doctor on this account I shall represent the matter just as it was Certain it is that there were some Societies of religious and devout Young Men under the Doctor 's Government and Inspection But whether the Doctor did move these Young Men at first to enter into such Societies or whether they first applied to him and he only gave them Rules to govern themselves by I am not able to determine Thus much is certain that he gave them Rules and they were these that follow I. That all that entered into such a Society should resolve upon an holy and serious Life II. That no person shall be admitted into this Society till he arrive at the age of Sixteen and hath been first confirmed by the Bishop and solemnly taken on himself his Baptismal Vow III. That they chuse a Minister of the Church of England to direct them IV. That they shall not be allowed in their meetings to discourse of any controverted point of Divinity V. Neither shall they discourse of the Government of Church or State VI. That in their meetings they use no Prayers but those of the Church such as the Litany and Collects and other prescribed Prayers but still they shall not use any that peculiarly belongs to the Minister as the Absolution VII That the Minister whom they chuse shall direct what practical Divinity shall be read at these meetings VIII That they may have liberty after Prayer and Reading to sing a Psalm IX That after all is done if there be time left they may discourse each other about their spiritual concerns but this shall not be a standing Exercise which any shall be obliged to attend unto X. That one day in the Week be appointed for this meeting for such as cannot come on the Lord's Day and that he that absents himself without cause shall pay three Pence to the Box. XI Every time they meet everyone shall give six Pence to the Box. XII That on a certain day in the year viz. Whitsun-Tuesday two Stewards shall be chosen and a moderate Dinner provided and a Sermon preached and the Money distributed necessary Charges deducted to the Poor XIII A Book shall be bought in which these Orders shall be written XIV None shall be admitted into this Society without the consent of the Minister who presides over it and no Apprentice shall be capable of being chosen XV. That if any Case of Conscience arise it shall be brought before the Minister XVI If any Member think fit to leave the Society he shall pay five Shillings to the Stock XVII The major part of the Society to conclude the rest XVIII The following Rules are more especially to be commended to the Members of this Society viz. To love one another When reviled
therewith than an house full of sacrifices with strife Besides by this you avoid innumerable sins such as ill language odious names envy hatred malice and revengefull sins and desires and engaging other Men in sin with you and doing mischief to men c. But is not the Title in the Text given to the peaceable and peace-making Christian enough to make you endeavour to attain to this Character What Children of God And do you feel no desire to be so Did you ever seriously examine the privileges which attend the Children of God and are these no motives to you to come into the number Suppose the Children of God are not much regarded here but is there not a time coming when they shall be honoured before the whole World Is there not a life to come which shall manifest their Dignity and their Glory The Peace of Heaven shall fall to their share Do not you reflect sometimes on that Peace which the Children of the everlasting Kingdom shall enjoy Or is that Peace so inconsiderable that it deserves no consideration What is the future felicity but perfect Peace everlasting Peace uninterrupted Peace The peaceable Christian shall feel it feed upon it possess it live upon it peace with God peace with the Prince of Peace Christ Jesus peace with all the Angels of God peace with all the Spirits of Men made perfect No war shall disturb it no tumult discompose it no sedition annoy it no rebellion disfigure it The God of Peace shall live in him and he in the God of Peace God will tell him that he is his friend and one with him and that no Men no Devils shall pluck him out of his hands There Rivers of Peace shall flow upon him Rivers where no Wind doth blow no Storms do come no Tempests rise no Hurricanes molest I conclude with St. Paul's Obtestation Colos. III. 15. And let the Peace of God rule in your hearts to the which also ye are called in one body and be ye thankfull Amen SERMON X. St. Matth. Ch. V. Ver. 10. Blessed are they which are persecuted for Righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven I Did once think to have joined this Verse and the next in the Explication but upon a more accurate Examination I find that this Verse I have read to you treats of Persecution in general but the next of a particular Persecution with the Tongue i. e. Calumniating and Reviling and therefore shall allow them a distinct Discussion or Consideration To be persecuted is to be robb'd plunder'd beaten buffeted bruised imprison'd tormented hanged burnt drowned c. And are these marks of Blessedness saith the Carnal Man What! to be beaten and think it a Kindness to be buffeted and look upon it as a Favour To be put in a Dungeon and delight in sinking into the mire To be led to the Stake and sing To be tormented and give God thanks To be robb'd of all and make a low bow for being so What! be happy in Misery and blessed in Chains and glorious in Torments and honourable in a fiery Furnace Yes all this is very good Divinity and very agreeable to the Doctrine of the Gospel of Christ and if the Cause be good Gibbets and Gallows and Chains and Shackles and Fetters and Fire and Sword are a Christians Jewels and Pearls and Pendants and Necklaces and Ornaments For blessed are they which are persecuted for Righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Three things will here deserve Consideration I. What it is to be persecuted for Righteousness sake and who they be that fall under that denomination II. Whether these words as well as the preceding imply a Negative That those who are not persecuted for Righteousness sake are not blessed III. I shall enquire into the Nature of the Blessedness here mentioned and shew how the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs that are persecuted for Righteousness sake I. What it is to be persecuted for Righteousness sake and who they be that fall under that denomination In answer to this 1. To persecute 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Original is properly to follow hard after a thing and with great earnestness to endeavour to seize upon a thing we desire or to pursue it as Hunters do their Prey which they quit not till they take it The word in Scripture is used sometimes in a good sometimes in a bad sense In a good sense when it is applied to Vertue as 1 Thess. v. 15. Follow that which is good Heb. xii 14. Follow Peace with all men 1 Cor. xiv 1. Follow after Charity 1 Tim. VI. 11. Follow after Righteousness In all which places for follow in the Original the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used which in other places we render persecute to shew that till it be joined with something else that alters the Sense it is no more than following hard after a thing When it is applied to Persons it is commonly taken in a bad Sense and implies pursuing with a desire or intent to hurt the Person pursued and that 's the usual Notion and Acceptation of the word even to prosecute or pursue a Person with an intent to afflict or hurt or punish him and that 's the meaning of the word in the Text where the persecuted must be persons hunted or haunted teazed tormented imprisoned abused or in a word evil entreated as is evident from Christ's scope in these Beatitudes which is to comfort those whom the World counts miserable 2. By Righteousness here is meant the whole Circle of Religious Duties and Offices or Obedience to the Laws of God or of the Gospel and it takes in both believing and practising i. e. believing what God hath commanded us to believe and practising what God in his Word hath commanded us to practise and consequently forbearing to believe or practise either what God hath not revealed or hath forbid to believe or practise I know the word Righteousness is used sometime for just dealing sometime for Mercy and Alms-giving but then there is some word in the Context that shews it must be restrained or confined to that Sense but here is nothing to give it that determinate Sense and therefore it must be the same with Goodness as it is opposed to Wickedness and in this Sense it 's ordinarily used both in this and the next Chapter in this v. 6. and 20. in the next v. 33. and is sometimes called The Righteousness of Faith as Rom. iv 13. i. e. a chearfull performance of the duties God hath commanded in the Gospel as the Righteousness of the Law is complying with God's Will and Commands under the Law or the Old Testament This being premised it follows 1. That to be persecuted for Righteousness sake is not barely to suffer or to endure Punishment for at this rate all Malefactors and such as our Law punishes either with the Sword or with Fire or the Gallows for Crimes which are destructive to Humane
death with Shells some were burnt with their Entrails torn out some broyl'd upon Grid-irons some roasted alive against the Fire some Women had their Breasts some Men their Legs and Thighs sear'd with hot Irons some were tost to death upon Bulls-horns some hang'd by the Neck and Heels some were burnt in a Furnace some fry'd in an Iron Chair some had their Bones broken with Batts some were beaten with Cudgels some had sharp points thrust in under their Nails some were put in Vessels of boyling Oyl some dragg'd through the Streets and Kennels some had their Tongues cut out some had their Eyes bor'd out some were sawn asunder some flead alive some torn in pieces with wild Horses some kill'd with Famine some suffer'd to perish in Frost and Snow Where was God where was the Lord Jesus all the while will some say why he was there he was with them in all their Torments gave them Courage to endure all this Strength to bear up under all their Miseries Here the Power of God appear'd more than it would have done in their greatest Prosperity This made the World to gaze and stare and think they must be more than Men that suffer'd with so much Patience This gave Reputation to Religion By this means the Name of the Lord Jesus came to be glorified This converted Heathens wrought upon Infidels pull'd down Idolatry chased the Devil from his Throne This made Men come in to Christ in multitudes This made them forsake the Devil and the World this made them part with their Sins and Lusts and lay force upon the Kingdom of Heaven And thus the World was overcome and Scepters and Crowns were made to stoop to the Cross of Christ and it 's hard to say whether more were converted by Miracles or by these patient and heroick Sufferings of Christians their Sufferings forc'd people into a belief of a future Reward and the Torments they endur'd made God amiable that thousands did embrace him And yet III. As in other things so even in matter of Persecution great mistakes may be committed and therefore in judging of Persecution we must ever attend and look to the cause for which men are said to be persecuted This caution is very necessary that we may not wrongfully accuse men whose office it is to punish Offenders nor flatter our selves with the satisfaction of a good work when we have done nothing less Persecuting for righteousness sake is a very great sin a sin that cries for Vengeance which is the reason why God even in this present life hath poured out his Wrath upon persons guilty of this crime Nero was thrown down from the Imperial Throne proscrib'd by the Senate as an Enemy of mankind and at last forc'd to kill himself Domitian was slain in his Chamber not without the consent of his Wife and all his Images and Statues thrown down by order of the Senate Decius was kill'd in Battle and depriv'd of the common Honour of Burial Valerianus was taken by the Persians and put in a Cage and at last flead and his Skin hung up for a Trophy in one of the Persian Temples Aurelianus in the very beginning of his Persecution dies miserably and wallows in his own blood Galerius a prodigious and unusual Sickness seizes him a sore rising in the nether part of his Belly which bred such a swarm of Worms as made him stink above Ground Maxentius was vanquish'd by Constantine the Great and his body thrown into the River Tiber not to mention any more Instances of this nature And I wish that this trade of persecuting had been confined to Heathens but here it stay'd not After that the World turn'd Christian it was not long before one Party began to persecute another The Arrians were the first that began it and the Church of Rome soon learn'd this art beginning with the Novatians but practised it afterwards with greater cruelty upon the Waldenses and Albigenses and all those whom she is please to style Hereticks The Greek Church when she had Power and Princes that favour'd her Interest hath run too often upon the same Rock And I know this very Church we are Members of hath been often charged by our dissenting Brethren with a persecuting Spirit I shall not now enquire into the truth or falshood of this charge being willing to forget what is past even the shadow of it the rather because the Point will require examining various circumstances which either heighten or very much qualify the pretended sin but whatever Errors Rudenesses or Insolencies have been committed by officers of Justice in executing the Law upon Dissenters which must not be presently charg'd upon the Doctrine and Temper of the Church Blessed be God there is at this time in our Church a general Inclination to Tenderness Compassion and Mildness to the moderate sort of those who differ from the Sentiments of the Church and to hearken to a reasonable Accommodation of Matters to the satisfaction of those who look upon themselves as Sufferers That which I chiefly aim at in this Discourse is that we must not rashly charge every thing that looks like Punishment with the odious name of Persecution for Righteousness sake neither in the persons that inflict Punishment nor in those that suffer it And indeed a person that suffers or is like to suffer for an Opinion or Practice of his own had need consider well before he suffers what he is going to suffer for and whether the thing he is ready to suffer for is worth it To suffer for any Catholick Doctrine receiv'd in all Ages by all Churches or for a known Article of Faith or for a thing expresly commanded or forbid by the Gospel is great and noble and Christian-like but to suffer for an Invention of our own or for things which have no solid Foundation in Scripture hath nothing of Glory or Christian Magnanimity in it nor will God give us any thanks for it and in this case a Christian had a thousand times better endeavour to rectify his Judgment especially when no substantial Doctrine or Duty is prejudiced by it and comply with the Will and Desire of the Magistrate than suffer for a thing for which he hath no good Authority from the word of God I might apply this to some particular differences but I forbear and though I do believe that many who have suffer'd for such things which are not plainly deliver'd in Scripture may have found very great comfort in their Sufferings yet whether that comfort was a sign that they were persecuted for Righteousness sake I very much question However if such persons do suffer wrongfully they shall lose nothing by their sufferings for God is not unrighteous to forget our Work and labour of love and the time will come when God will bring forth our Righteousness as the Light and our Judgment as the Noon-day The truth is Men's understandings being of various capacities and sizes and apt to be by ass'd by various
the Natural Body of Christ are every whit as great as the other would be if we should believe that every true Disciple of Christ is Transubstantiated into natural Salt There is nothing more common in Scripture than by the Verb is and am and art and are to express a likeness or representation or resemblance or a memorial and that must necessarily be the meaning here viz. If you be my Disciples indeed you do and will resemble the Salt of the Earth and in what things this resemblance consists the following Particulars will inform you 1. Salt is a very useful thing one of the most beneficial things in the World It is as it were the Balsom of Nature which preserves all things Than Salt and the Sun nothing is more profitable said the Philosopher so a true Christian is a very useful Creature When Men of this Profession first appeared in the World the rude Pagans a great many of them were loath to believe that they were of any use to Mankind and though they usually called them Christians which is as much as useful yet this was by way of Contempt and in saying so they meant the contrary Hence it was that when a Land-Flood came or an Inundation rose or a Plague broke forth or the Corn was blasted or any publick Calamity befell them the fault was presently laid upon the Christians Notwithstanding all this they were and all true Christians at this Day are very useful Persons for their Nature and Temper to teach to instruct to comfort and to edifie their Neighbours and as heretofore God did so still he doth very often for the good Christians sake who are Inhabitants there spare a Place Town City Nation and Country an Emblem whereof God gave in the Case of Sodom when he professed his readiness to spare the City if but ten righteous Men could be found in it Gen. xviii 32. And to this purpose he told St. Paul in the Ship wherein he sailed God hath given thee all them that Sail with thee i. e. For thy sake they shall be saved from Drowning And if Men observ'd Providence more they would see and admire some very strange Instances of this nature the safety that is vouchsafed to wicked Men being clearly upon the account of the Pious Christians that live near them or about them 2. Salt is the Symbol of Wisdom So we read Colos. iv 6. Let your Speech be always with Grace season'd with Salt i. e. with Wisdom To this purpose is the Saying of the Old Comick Si quis haberet salem c. If a Man had that Salt which yon have i e. that Wisdom and that of Catullus Nulla in tam magno corpore mica saliâ— There is not a Grain of Salt in that vast Body i. e. of Wisdom And Livy for this reason calls Greece where the wisest Men then lived The Salt of the Gentiles or of the Heathen World A true Christian is a truly Wise Man a Fool indeed in the Eyes of the World but Wise toward God and unto Salvation so Wise as to walk circumspectly and redeem the time Ephes. V. 15. He walks in Wisdom toward them that are without Col. IV. 5. and he orders his affairs with discretion Psal. CXIV 5. And for this reason he is said to be a wise and faithful Servant who keeps himself ready and doth the work his Master hath set him that when the Master of the House returns he may commend and reward him Matth. XXIV 45. 3. In Salt there is a mixture of Fire and Water It 's hot like Fire and yet cools like Water These two different qualities you 'll find in a true Christian not that he is inconstant and unstable in his ways sometimes hot then cold again sometime all Fire and then all Ice again sometime very serious then vain and foolish again but by his Zeal he warms others and by his meek and peaceable Temper he lays and cools the Feverish Heats of others Of the former St. Paul speaks 2 Cor. IX 2. Of the other we have an instance in the Apostles who when Contentions arose among the Grecians about the relief of Widows by their moderation composed them Acts VI. 1 2 3. and when a Fire of Dispute was kindled about Circumcision by their Prudence and peaceable Disposition quieted the Tumults that rose about that Controversy Acts XV. 23 24. 4. Salt renders Things savoury and creates an Appetite In this also we see the Temper of a true Christian who by his pious Discourses and gracious Speeches creates many times an Appetite after Things Spiritual and Divine in those who hear him and whose Hearts God touches that they attend to the things which are spoken as we read of Lydia Acts XVI 14. Nor is this all but by his Pious and self-denying Behaviour he renders many of those Severities he practiseth Amiable and Charming in the Eyes that observe and take notice of them as is evident from the Constancy and Fortitude which appeared in the Primitive Believers in their Sufferings Virtues which look'd so lovely that Thousands were enamour'd with them and follow'd their example And what are the Acts of the Holy Apostles but Comments upon this Truth The Courage and Heroick Patience of those excellent Men were transcribed into the Lives of those who beheld them 5. Salt raises Thirst so a Pious Christian by his delight in God and the satisfaction he takes and finds in the ways of Religion raises in others a hunger and thirst after Righteousness Paul and Silas sing Praises to God at Midnight and in a Dungeon too The Jaylor awaken'd with that as well as with the Earthquake feels a strange Commotion in his Soul and cries out Sirs what must I do to be saved Acts XVI 30. 6. The thing chiefly intended by this similitude is this Salt preserves from putrefaction for it consumes the sanguineous Humours of Meat or extracts them whereby it is preserv'd from stinking So a true Christian partly by his blameless Life partly by Entreaties partly by fraternal Correption and partly by friendly Admonitions preserves and is to preserve others from running into Sin and Errour All that I have said before concenters in this and this is it which is expected from us if Christianity be more than a Name even as much as in us lies to prevent the corruption of others whether Relatives or Strangers we converse with whether Friends or Foes As no Religion in the World presses Love and Charity to our Neighbours more than that we profess so thit hearty endeavour to preserve others from sin and offending God is the natural result of this Charity There is no Man but grants that to preserve a Neighbour from Drowning or doing himself a Mischief is a Duty incumbent on all that have any thing of Humane Compassion in them and if the concerns of the Soul are greatest as we ordinarily confess they are it will follow that to preserve Men from wounding and undoing their