putation, any Service: or if it could, would do, at the fame Time, much Harm to Mankind; by taking away Diftinction, where it ought to be preferved. But as the Defire of leaving behind us an honourable Reputation, when we have earned it, is naturally a strong Principle in virtuous Breafts; and a very ufeful one to human Society: it fhould be carefully cherished, by allowing to every Degree of real Defert its proper Acknowledgment; and ufing the only Means, that we have, of making those yet live, who in every other Refpect are dead to us. The true Immortality, God beftows on his faithful Servants, and them alone, in another World: but we should give in this all that we are able, the poor Shadow of it, an honest Fame, to as many as are intitled to it, in their respective Shares. Whoever hath gone through Life with only a benevolent Heart and upright Intention, though it be in a private Rank, hath Merit confiderable enough not to be foon forgotten. And in proportion as other Things concur to raise the Character of Men, they should be refpected both more and longer. Whenever therefore the Virtues of any Persons have been adorned by Nature with uncommon Accomplishments, and by themselves with valuable Acquifitions: when they have been called out by Providence into the View of Mankind; have refifted the greatest Temptations; appeared equal without Effort to

the

the greatest Difficulties; filled with diffufive Beneficence the largest Sphere of publick Life, and yet paid the most accurate and amiable Regard to the various Duties of private Relations: when they have spent their Days in this Manner, and finished them in the Manner defcribed before; then the prudent in Heart will regret their Lofs with the deepeft Concern, and have them in everlafting Remembrance*. But

III. We may learn, from a confiderate Meditation on the Examples of Mortality, very ufeful Inftructions for our Behaviour, not only with refpect to the Deceased; but those whom they have left behind, any way peculiarly related to them.

The Death of a wife and good, of a near and affectionate Friend, is unfpeakably the greatest of all Calamities. One fingle Stroke of this Kind may destroy almost the whole Comfort of our Lives at once: and a very few of them leave us in the most dreadful of Solitudes : deftitute of any one to intruft with full Confidence, amidst Numbers to fufpect and fear; deftitute of Help against our own Frailties and Infirmities; and vaftly more miferable for having been happy. Whoever is capable of thefe Reflexions, if he allows himself Time to make them, will fincerely pity all that have

Pfal. cxii. 6.

fuffered

:

fuffered fuch a Lofs; and equally esteem all that shew they are fenfible of it. Right Affections are the very Foundation of a right Character and Affection continued to be expreffed, in the Manner it ought, for Friends and Relations at and after their Deaths, carries in it an evident Mark, both of Sincerity and Strength. When, instead of withdrawing from the mournful Scene, Persons fix their Hearts intirely upon it; fulfil to the very utmost the whole Labour of Love*, to which Providence then calls them; and, after all proves fruitless, transfer their Concern in a proper Degree to the Support of their Partners in Sorrow; each evidencing their Consciousness of the others Worth, by a mutual Tenderness that goes through them all: the Knowledge of this Behaviour, in any Station of Life, must needs fill our Minds with great Honour and Regard for fuch as feel Affliction in fo exemplary a Manner; and difpofe us effectually to avoid whatever may increase their Sufferings, and do whatever may alleviate them.

But

especially those, whom we are bound to reverence at all Times, we fhould reverence doubly in their Distress: and those, for whom at all Times we are bound to pray, we should then with uncommon Earneftnefs recommend to the God of all Comfort. Let us therefore accordingly at present beseech Him, that he would be merciful to that House,

which is now peculiarly the Houfe of Mourn ing that he would be merciful to these Nations, which have the jufteft Cause to share in all their Griefs: that he would turn from us thofe Evils, that we most righteously have deferved; and continue to us thofe Bleffings, which through his infinite Goodness we enjoy. Grant these our Petitions, gracious God, for the Sake of thy ever bleffed Son, Jefus Chrift our Lord. Amen.

SER

SERMON

M ON IV.

Preached in the Parish Church of St. Bridget, London, before the Right Honourable the Lord-Mayor, &c. on Monday in Eafter Week, 1738.

I PET. IV. 10,

As every Man hath received the Gift, even fo minifter the fame one to another, as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God..

T

HE Inducements, that we have, to relieve the Miferies, and promote the Happiness of our Fellow-creatures, are, God be thanked, both many in Number, and of yarious Kinds. Our Hearts naturally incline us to it our Reafon approves of it as right, The more we cultivate kind Difpofitions, the truer Peace we poffefs within; and the greater Capacity of focial Happiness, the fweeteft Part of the Enjoyment of Life. Willingness to do Good, is always rewarded with the Efteem of Mankind; and Selfishness of Temper, the conftant Object of every one's Averfion. We have frequent Experience in ourfelves, what Suffering is and are therefore inexcufable,