much wanting in this, faint and loose in their purposes; the consideration of divine truths, the mysteries of the kingdom, the hope of Christians, yea, rich and great promises; that is particularly here the motive. These are all the means, holy means they are, as their end is the perfection of holiness.

Having these promises.-Now consider whether it is better to be the slaves of Satan or the sons of God; measure delight in God with the low base pleasures of sense. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God; these gradually go on together, and are perfected together.

Why, then, is there such an invincible love of sin in the hearts of men? At least why so little love of holiness and endeavour after it, so mean thoughts of it as a thing either indecent or unpleasant, when it is the only noble and the only delightful thing in the world? The soul by other things is drawn below itself, but by holiness it is raised above itself and made divine. Pleasures of sin for a season: the pleasure of a moment exchanged for those of eternity! But even in the meantime, in this season, the soul is fed with communion with God, one hour of which is more worth than the longest life of the highest of the world's delights.

III.

FOLLOW CHRIST.1

What is that to thee? follow thou me.--JOHN XXI. 22.

Of all that ever lived on earth, the most blessed was this handful and small company our Lord choosed for His constant attendants, to see His Divine miracles, enjoy His sweetest company, and to hear His Divine doctrine. What a holy flame of love must have burned in their hearts, who were always so near the Sun of Righteousness! It was indeed a sad hour wherein that was eclipsed, and the Lord of life lay dead in the grave. And what a deluge of joy was in their hearts when He

1 This sermon was "preached before my Lord Commissioner and the Parliament of Scotland, 14th November 1669," i.e. two days before the passing of the Act asserting the Royal Supremacy; and the year of the "First Indulgence." It was "taken down from the Bishop as he delivered it," and published by D. Wilson, Edinburgh, 1746, and is here reproduced. Dr. Fall had published it in 1708, from Leighton's MS. Both forms are given in

W. West's Edition, 1869.

rose again; and what a transport was it when they saw Him ascend, and a shining cloud kissing His feet and parting Him from them! In the interval, as He had risen Himself, so He is raising them from their unbelief. St. Peter, not content with a bare forsaking his Lord, had also denied Him ; but He falls not a-quarrelling, but speaks of love to them, and blows up these sparkles of love with this threefold question. St. Peter answers fervently, but most modestly; whereupon his Lord gives him a service suitable to his love, Feed my sheep; for which none are qualified but they that love Him. But when he grows bold to ask a question, he gets a grave check and a holy command, What is that to thee? Follow thou me. This was a transient stumble in one who, but lately recovered of a great disease, did not walk firmly. But it is the common track of most, to wear out their days with impertinent inquiries. There is a natural desire in men to know the things of others and to neglect their own, and to be more concerned about things to come than about things present. And this is the great subject of conversation; even the weakest minds must descant upon all things, as if the weakest capacities could judge of the greatest matters, by a strange levelling of understandings, more absurd and irrational than that of

fortunes. Most men are beside themselves, never at home, but always roving. It is true, a man may live in solitude to little purpose, as Domitian catching flies in his closet. Many noisome thoughts break in upon one when alone; so that when one converseth with himself it had need be said, Vide ut sit cum bono viro. A man alone shall be in worse company than are in all the world, if he bring not into him better company than himself or all the world, which is the fellowship of God and the Holy Spirit. Yet the matters of the church seem to concern all, and so indeed they do; but every sober man must say, all truths are not alike clear, alike necessary, nor of alike concernment to Christians should keep within their line. If it be the will of our Great Master that the order that hath been so long in the church continue in it, or not, What is that to thee? It is certainly a great error to let our zeal run out from the excellent things of religion, to matters which have little or no connexion with them. A man,

every one.

though he err, if he do it calmly and meekly, may be a better man than he who is stormy and furiously orthodox. Our business is to follow JEsus, and to trace His life upon earth, and to wait His return in the clouds. Had I a strong voice, as it is the weakest alive, yea, could I lift it up as a

trumpet, I should sound a retreat from our unnatural contentions and irreligious strivings for religion. Oh! what are the things we fight for, compared to the great things of God? There must be a great abatement of the inwards of religion, when it runs wholly to a scurf. God forbid any think that, except all be according to our mind, we must break the bond of peace. If we have no kindness to our brethren, yet let us have pity upon our mother, and not tear her bowels. And indeed, next to the grave and silent shades of death, a cottage in some wilderness is to be wished for, to mourn for the pride and passion of mankind. How do the profane wretches take advantage from our breaches! But if there be such here, because of the weakness, folly, and passions of some men, is it folly to follow Jesus? Are some ridiculous? and for that will you turn religion into ridicule? If you do, it will at last turn to a sardonic laughter. Because we contend for a little, is the whole an invention? Will the pillars be brangled1 because of the swarms of flies that are about them?

There is an Eternal Mind that made all things, that stretched out the heavens, and formed the spirit of man within him. Let us tremble before Him, and love the Lord Jesus. Our souls have

1 To brangle to shake to pieces.