be in a Cross, fure there is nothing dreadful in a Toke; and therefore let us take this Yoke of his upon us, and learn of him to be Meek and Lowly in Heart. We cannot learn a better Leffon, nor of a better Master, nor at a better time than this present now,and therefore let us forthwith apply our felves to the learning of it with all Diligence and Affiduity. Let our Eye and our Guard be against Pride, and every advance of it, as we would watch the motions of an Enemy; and let it be part of our Chriftian Diary, of our Daily Walk, of our ordinary Disciplin, to learn and perfect our felves in Humility. Let us study Humility, exercise our felves unto Humility, and be always practising Humility. Let it be the firft, and the middle, and the last thing with us, in like manner as Demofthenes faid of his Pronunciation. The World is a School of Pride, it is full of it, and of Temptations to it. But the School of Christ is a School of Humility; and here it is that we profess our felves to be Scholars. Of him then let us learn who can best teach us; and as he always teaches, so let us be always learning this great Leffon, to be Meek and Lowly in heart as he was, and as we must be if we will be his Difciples. Always remembring, that the more Humble we are, ftill the more Christian we are, and that the lower we fink now in Hu mility,

mility, the higher we fhall hereafter rise in Glory.

27. For we are to confider, that there is a time coming when every Valley fhall be exalted, and every Mountain and Hill fhall be made Low. When he that Exalts himself fhall be Abafed, and he that Humbles himfelf fhall be Exalted. When Pride fhall fink down into Shame and Contempt,and Humility shall be advanced on High,and fit in Glory and Triumph. And of this, God has already given a Specimen and Pledge in the two greatest Inftances of each kind. Of the Humiliation of Pride in the Fall'n Angels, and of the Exaltation of Humility in his own Son, the great Example of it; who for his voluntary Debasement of himself in the feveral degrees of his Humiliation upon Earth, is now advanced to the highest degree of Glory and Dignity in Heaven. And therefore fays the Apostle, wherefore God alfo has highly exalted him, and given him a Name above every Name, Phil. 2. 9. He had before commended the great and wonderful Humility of Chrift, and here he fets forth the reward of it, which is a proportionable Exaltation and Glory. Which must be understood chiefly as to his Human Nature, which was now advanced to a new Dignity which it had not before, in that as God-Man he was made the

Prince of his Church, and invested with the Supremacy of Power and Dominion over Men and Angels. Here therefore, Humility and Pride may fee their Portions, and what return they may expect in the day of Recompence. God has fet the Fall'n Angels for an Example on the one fide, and his Son Jefus Christ for an Example on the other. He has put down those mighty ones from their high Seat, and has exalted him that was Humble and Meek. And fo in proportion, will he exalt every one that Humbles himself as he did; Humility that was crown'd in the Head, fhall be crown'd in the Members too; and the lower we place our felves here,the higher fhall be our Seat hereafter.

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28. In the mean time, the better to invite and perfuade our felves to the study and practice of this great Christian Vertue, we may further confider, that Humility has the Advantage in Grace as well as in Glory. That refreshing and fructifying Dew of Heaven, which conveys a Life and Spirit to our languishing Vertues, and makes all the Plants of Righteousness here below to thrive and flourish,is apt to run most into the lower grounds, from the Hills into the Valleys, which are alfo best fitted to receive it, and to be inriched and made fruitful by it. The Humble Dd 4 and

and Meek Spirited, are those Sheep of Chrift which bear his Voice, John 10. 27. and to fuch he delights to Speak, because he finds them quiet and attentive, teachable and tractable, willing and obedient, difpofed to learn his Heavenly Truths, and as ready to practice his Divine Commands, and to follow him whitherfoever he fhall lead them. And accordingly, he whofe delight is to be with the Sons of Men, loves most to be with these and fo leaving the Proud to the imaginations of their own Hearts, the Meek will he guide in Judgment, and the Meek will be teach his way, Pfal. 25.9. The Humble and Poor in Spirit have a peculiar title to the kindeft and most favourable Influences of Heaven, and fhall be continually watered with the Dew of it, while the Proud and High-Minded shall Jye under the Imprecation of the Mountains of Gilboa, to be without the Bleffings of Rain and Dew, and fo given up to Drowth and Barrennefs.There is no greater Bar against the Grace of God than Pride; and therefore let us take heed how we put this Bar against his Grace and our own Happiness, left as he finds us High, fo he leaves us Barren, and commands his Clouds that they Rain no Rain upon us. Rather let us ftudy and labour (for a great work it is) to bring our Minds to the Spirit and Temper of Humility,

which was the temper of Christ, and is the temper of his Gospel, and which will be the temper of Heaven, which difposes us for Grace, and will bring us to Glory, where our Advancement fhall answer our Humiliation,as Christ's did; and where with crown'd Heads, but still humble Hearts, we shall Magnifie and Rejoyce in God, be well pleased that he has all the Praise and the Glory, and think it Happiness enough for us, that we have the Honour to give it him in Eternal Anthems and Allelujahs, and in that most juft Doxology, Not unto us O Lord, not unto us,but unto thy Name give the Praife. AMEN.

FINIS