many pangs and violences to nature there must need s be to put off the habits and inclinations to old fins, as difficult (faith the prophet) as for the leopard to change his fpots or the Ethiopian his fkin: and then, when that is done, what fears and weaknesses even a cure must leave behind: I fay, he that duly confiders this, will think it better to fecure his falvation, and all his prefent true comforts, by preferving his innocency, or alleviating his work by a daily repentance for leffer failings, than to venture upon one fingle chance of a death-bed repentance; which is no more to be depended upon, for the performance or acceptance, than it can encourage any man not to labour, because Elias was fed by ravens, or the Ifraelites with manna from heaven.

If then there be any (though, alas! that need not be afked) that have made the greatness of their wit, or birth, or fortune, inftruments of iniquity to iniquity; let them now convert them to that original noble use for which God intended them, viz. to be instruments of righteousness unto holiness.

To these especially that are thus great, not only God, but this great perfon alfo, by my mouth, being dead yet fpeaketh; for as St. Paul feemed more especially concerned for his brethren and kinfmen according to the flesh; and even the rich man in hell, though fufficiently diftracted by his own fufferings, yet seems hugely defirous that one might be

fent

sent from the dead to his brethren, that he might testify unto them, left they alfo come into that place of torment; fo this illuftrious convert, after God had opened his eyes to fee his follies, was more especially defirous of the salvation of those that were his brethren, though not in the flesh, yet in the greatnefs of their quality and of their fins; paffionately wifhing, that all fuch were not only almoft, but altogether, such as he now was, faving his bodily afAlictions; and of great force, methinks, should the admonitions of a dying friend be.

Now these especially I would beseech, as the minifter of Christ, and such as, though we are reviled, we blefs; though we are defamed, we intreat; to fuffer the word of exhortation, that they would not terminate their eyes upon the outward pomp and pageantry that attend them, as the vulgar Jew's did upon their rites and ceremonies; but (as the wifer Ifraelites, who efteemed thofe glittering formalities as the types and images of heavenly things) be quickened by them to the ambition of original honours and future glory. How much were it to be wished, that fuch perfons especially would be followers of God and goodness, fince, whether they will or not, other men will be followers of them.

It is true, the temptations of great persons are more and greater than those of inferiors; but then their abilities and understandings are ordinarily greater

greater too; and, if they lie more open to the affaults of the devil, they have generally greater fagacity to foresee the danger, and more powerful affiftance to go through it. Nor is piety inconfiftent with greatness any more than it is with policy, but is the best foundation and fecurity both to the one and the other. The breeding of Mofes at court, without doubt contributed much even to his religious performances, at least so far as to make them more ufeful and exemplary to others: but then he was fincerely virtuous all the while, as well whilft reputed the fon of Pharaoh's daughter as when Jethro's fon-in-law.

We find Chriftians in Cæfar's household as foon. as any where else in Rome; and, when Chriftianity had once gained Conftantine, it spread itself farther over the empire in a few years than before it had done in fome centuries. Since then fo much good or mischief depends upon illuftrious examples, will it not better become men to draw the multitude after them to heaven by their piety, than by infectious guilts be at the head of a miserable company of the damned?

'Tis this piety, a timely and exemplary piety, that will perpetuate, to men of birth and fortunes, their honours, and their eftates too, as well by deriving on them the bleffing of God, who is the true fountain of honour, as by creating an awe and reverence for them from all orders of men, even to many generations;

nérations; a reverence which will be fresh and lasting, when all the trophies of wit and gaiety are laid in the duft. 'Tis this piety that will be the guide of their youth, and the comfort of their age; for length of days are in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour. 'Tis this, and this only, that can make all outward bleffings comfortable, indeed bleffings to us, by making them the fteps and means of attaining the never-fading honours and incomprehenfible glories of that kingdom which is above; where there fhall be no fin, nor fickness, nor pain, nor tears, nor death, but we fhall reft from all our labours, and our works fhall follow us. Unto which God of his infinite mercy bring us,

for the merits and mediation of Jefus Chrift our Saviour: to whom, with the Father and Holy Spirit, let us afcribe all praise and adoration, now and for ever. Amen!

FINI S.