remembered. It is true, there would then be no Employments at all, but those in which each Man would employ himself, and for himself only. There would then be no Directions to follow,---becaufe none to direct or even advise. But, Reliefs would be wanted in a much greater Degree than ever, without any Poffibility of receiving them: For, where all are equally miferable, it is inconceivable that any one fhould be able to relieve another.

The Truth is, Men are not formed for fuch a State of Equality and Independency, as weak Perfons may be apt to dream. God hath made us not merely for ourselves, but for one another. Some are formed with Abilities to rife; and, being rifen, to direct the Operations of inferior Perfons. Others are furnished with active Powers, conducible to their own, and to the public Good, under fuch proper Direction. Both may be mutually helpful to each other. Both are equally neceffary to each other. And, at the fame time that, by their juft Co-operations, they promote cach other's Good, they are fubfervient likewife to Providence, in the carrying on its moft wife and benevolent Defigns.

From what hath been advanced, feveral Conclufions might properly be drawn. I

fhall

shall just mention Two; one of them refpecting the Rich, and another the Poor.

In reference to the Rich, we fhould conclude from what I have now delivered, that all kinds of Infolence towards the Poor must be highly criminal. For, the Distinction between Rich and Poor, arifing from the very Constitution of Things, and being carried on by the Influence of Providence, must, in fome Sense, be of Divine Original. The very Text faith, God is the Maker of them both. And fince both Sorts are equally under God's Care, the one can have no Pretence to mifufe or infult the other. We all of us enjoy the fame Nature; and are, fo far, upon an equal Foot. And though the Difference of outward Circumstances may have rendered fome dependent on others, yet it fhould be remembered, that as the original Equality by Nature ftill remains, there is likewife added to it another Equality by Grace; I mean, an equal Share in the Rights and Privileges of the Gofpel. In confequence of this, the meanest Perfon living may be a Child of God, and an Inheritor of Heaven: And if he becomes our Superior in Holinefs, he will maintain that Superiority over us to all Eternity.

In reference to the Poor I would conclude,

that

that they are under ftrong Obligations to fub, mit to their present Condition, without Murmur or Complaint. From what hath been faid, it must appear, there is no manner of Reafon for Complaint on this Head; such a Portion of Happiness being attainable by them, even in their loweft State, as is fuitable to their Condition here,----efpecially when it is confidered, that they are not fettled Inhabitants of this World, but only Travellers on to a better. They are enabled by prefent Provifions to go on in their respective Duties; and to earn, by the Discharge of them, greater Honours, and greater Happinefs than this World can give them. Let them wait therefore with Patience. If there be any thing grievous ftill upon them, God will remove it in his due Time: If not, as they may wish, by a full Relief in this World, yet at least in another; For, they fhall be abundantly recompenfed at the Refurrection of the Juft.

SER

SERMON VIII.

Reflections on the Conduct of HEROD toward John the Baptist.

But when Herod's Birth-day was kept, the Daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleafed Herod.

Whereupon he promised with an Oath to give her whatfoever he would ask.

And fhe, being inftructed of her Mother, faid, Give me here John Baptift's Head in a Charger.

And the King was forry; nevertheless for the Oath fake, and them that fat with him at Meat, he commanded it to be given her.

F

AROM the Third Verfe of this Chapter to

the Thirteenth, we have the Account of a remarkable Piece of Hiftory, relating to the Life and Conduct of Herod; in which there is fuch a Series of Errors, all occafioned

nally by one extravagant Paffion, as ought to make us for-ever cautious, how we give way to thofe Defires we may not afterwards be able to reftrain.

The Character of John the Baptift was fo well known to Herod, that he could not but pay him great Degrees of Reverence; and he feemed to be fo fenfible of his acting by an extraordinary Commiffion, that he was attentive to his Inftructions, and for fome time directed his Life by the Precepts which he received from him. Thus St. Mark tells us, [ch. vi. ver. 20.] Herod feared John, knowing that he was a juft Man and holy; and obferved him; and when he heard him he did many things, and heard him gladly.

fuch a

One might hope indced, that upon Foundation as this, much might have been built. One might hope that Herod (fince he was convinced of the Piety, and Wisdom, and Authority of the Prophet), would have been influenced entirely by his Instructions. But, a mad and extravagant Paflion blinded him: And he was fo little Mafter of himself, that, inftead of profiting by the Reproofs of the Prophet, he perfecuted the Reprover.

The Cafe, in fhort, was this ;----Herod had conceived a violent Affection for his Brother Philip's Wife, and had given fuch way

to