might be the better feen and heard: And calling all the Company of his Difciples about him, he taught them thus in the Audience of the reft of the People; who likewife followed him, and were attentive to his Doctrine. Ye follow me indeed, faid he, but it is upon falfe Hopes, with Minds full of Expectations of Wealth and Honour, Conqueft and Revenge, and all other Gratifications of Luxury; in all which ye will meet with great Difappointments. Alas, ye know not the true Nature of the Meffiah's Kingdom, nor the true Spirit of his Difciples, nor what are the happy Difpofitions of Mind neceffary for his Service. And therefore I will briefly acquaint you with them. 3. It is not they who in their Hearts are grafping Riches, Dominion and Honour, that are fit for the Meffiah's Kingdom; but the happy Persons who fhall be admitted into that Kingdom, are fuch as have their Hearts and Minds difengaged from the World: If they are poor, they are contented; and if rich, they fet not their Hearts upon their Riches; nor are backward to use them for doing B 2 4. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5. Blessed are the meek: for they fhall inherit the earth. 6. Blessed are ing good; as aiming at no great Matters in this World. 4. Nor is it the Men of Luxury and Pleasure that are the fit Subjects of that Kingdom: But, on the contrary, the grave ferious Men, who are well prepared to bear the Crofs, and most affected with true penitential Sorrow for their Sins. They fhall meet with more folid Comforts under the Meffiah, than all the vain Mirth and Pleafures of this World can afford. 5. Nor is it the Men of fierce, haughty, warlike Tempers, that are fit to make Conquefts in the Meffiah's Kingdom: But a contrary Spirit, namely, a Spirit of Meekness and Humility, is abfolutely requifite for a Subject of that Kingdom. And this will qualify him better to enjoy with Comfort fuch a Portion of this World, as the Evangelical State requires, than the most warlike Courage, and fierceft Paffions. 6. Nor are ye to fancy that by any unjuft Right of the Sword, and Conqueft, the Meffiah and his Followers fhall ness: they which do hunger and thirft after righteouf invade nefs for they fhall be filled. + Or Justice, δικαιοσμύνω. 7. Blessed are the merciful: for they fhall ob tain mercy. 8. Blessed are the pure invade the Eftates and Poffeffions of other Men. Quite contrary, they abhor every thing that is unjust; they will wrong no Man, but are poffeffed with a great Love of Equity and Honesty. And by their Honefty, the Subjects of that Kingdom fhall be fupplied with fuch a Competency, that they may live very happy and contented; more happy a great deal than the great Conquerors of the World. 7. Nor fhall ye need, as in other Conquefts, to depopulate and deftroy Countries, and to kill and flay all before you. The Meffiab abhors likewife all Cruelty; and one of the most neceffary Qualifications for his Kingdom, is Mercy and Compaffion, and a Tenderness to Mankind in Diftrefs. Men of this Temper fhall be sure to meet with Mercy both at the Hands of God and Man, when they want it. 8. Nor are ye to have fuch grofs carnal Notions of the Meffiah's Kingdom, as to expect, as in other Conquefts, that every Thing should give Way to your Luft. So far from it, that his Subjects shall not B 3 only only refrain from the grofs Acts of Uncleanness, but study a great inward Purity; and thereby fhall make great Progrefs in the Knowledge and Love of God; and fo come to be well acquainted with him, and happy beyond all others in the Enjoyment of him. 9. Neither are ye to fancy that the Meffiah wants an Army of fierce fighting Men, like the Princes of this World, to ferve him in his Kingdom. Instead of kindling War, he is for making Peace; and instead of Soldiers that will fight, he is for fuch Subjects as are most peaceable themselves, and most induftrious to make Peace among others. These are the Perfons that most resemble God; and in the great Day of Accounts will be honour'd and own'd by him as his genuine Children. 10. Finally; I must acquaint you that it is not any worldly Conquefts the Meffiah or his Followers fhall make; their Religion is a Religion of the Crofs; they fhall meet with great and violent Perfecutions from the World, for doing their Duty; and these Perfecutions fhall have excellent Effects up on 11. Blessed are ye when Men fhall revile you, and perfecute you, and fhall Say all manner of evil against you falfly for my fake. 12. Rejoice and be exceed ing glad for great is your re ward in heaven: for fo perfecuted they the Prophets which were be fore you. on their Minds, in weaning them from the World, and in teaching them Patience, Refignation and Submiffion to the Divine Will; and this will fit them both to become great Examples of Holinefs here, and will prepare them for the heavenly Felicity hereafter. It is by Confeffors and Martyrs, not by Soldiers and Conquerors, that the Meffiah's Kingdom fhall be propagated. II. And therefore instead of the fanguine Hopes ye have of great Things in this World, which ye think to attain in my Service, prepare your felves for all forts of ill Usage, both of Calumnies and Perfecutions, on my Account; and if ye bear it with Conftancy and Patience, ye shall find it a very happy State. 12.. Take Courage therefore and refolve with all Chearfulnefs and Alacrity to endure this State of Perfecution for the Gofpel. I tell you for your Encouragement, there is an high Degree of Glory in Heaven prepared for you, if ye hold out ftedfaftly to the End. Be no way dismayed at this Ufage from the World; it is no ftrange Thing T B.4 |