The Nature and Excellence of it.
A sort of Instinct Disposition.
We are not left, in this Respect, to the now Re-

folves of Reason.
Mercy consider'd in its Social Relation.
The Want of it most provoking to God.
The Behaviour of the Jews in this Respect.
The Delight of shewing Mercy.
The Case of the Stranger considered.
The most proper Object of Mercy is he who

wants it moft. The Motive here assign'd to the Jews. Nothing like Experience to raise Compassion for

the distressed. This mention'd as a Motive in St. Paul's Beha

viour. -- in our blessed Lord's himself. Some Observations on the whole.

DISCOURSE VII. The Grounds and Regulation of Self-Esteem.

Rom. xii. 3. For I fay, through the Grace given unto me, to every

Man that is among you, not to think of bimself more big bly than be ought to think ; but to think soberly, according as God bath dealt to every Man

the Meafure of Faitb. Self-Esteem interwoven in our Composition.

of great and excellent Use in itself.

very dangerous, if we mistake in the Object of Degree of this Efteem. What the proper Object of it is. Self-Conceit, whence.

Directions how to choose and improve what is most worthy of Cultivation in us.

DISCOURSE VIII. The different Characters of Real and Diffembled

Love.

Rom. xii. 9.
Let Love be without Diffimulation.
Love, its several Kinds and Degrees.
Sorts of Diffembled Love.

1. General Complaisance.
2. Friendship upon Self-Interest,

3. A feigned Love arising from Envy. Sorts of Real Love.

1. Mutual Benevolence. 2. Good-Nature. 3. Generosity, more dazzling, but not so use

ful. 4. Friendship, excellent in itself, but of less

Benefit to Mankind than any of the others. 5. Love of our Country, of extensive Influ

ence, but very uncommon. 6. Charity, greater than all, and including all the rest in the highest Degree. DISCOURSE IX. Character of the Scorner.

Luke vi. 25. - Wo unto you that laugh now : for ye shall mourn

and weep:

; Laughter, what sort of it is here condemned.

Such as proceeds from Self-Sufficiency. The Jews much given to this kind of Laughter.

Our

Our Saviour the Object of their Derision.
Enquiry into the Nature of this Laughter.

quite contrary to Poverty of Spirit. Contempt, and Ridicule, most hateful to others. moft dangerous to ourselves.

DISCOURSE X.
Character of the Pharisee and Publican.

Luke xviii. 14.
I tell you this Man went down to his House justify'd

rather than the other. These two Characters compar'd, with relation to

the three great Branches of Duty. The Pharisee, full of his own Attainments, de

sires no Advice, nor will listen to any. The Publican must disapprove of his Conduct

whenever he considers it. If the Pharisee be guilty of the same Crimes with

the Publican, they must be attended with more injurious Effects. Though both their Sins are odious to God, the

Publican is more likely to repent, as being free from Hypocrisy.

DISCOURSE XI.
Character of the Sadducee and Herodian,

Matth. xxii. 23.
The same Day came to bim the Sadducees, which

say there is no Resurrection. An Account of the Herodians. The Dangers of a Court in general.

An Account of the Sadducees.
.-- wherein they differed from the Herodians.
--- the latter wholly addicted to Ambition.
... the former to Voluptuousness and Infidelity.

- both very opposite to Jesus Christ, and his

Doctrine.
.- no Account that any Sadducec was ever con-

verted,

DISCOURSE I.

The Insufficiency of Human Reason.

2 Cor. iii. 5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves

any thing, as of ourselves : but our Sufficiency is of God.

to think

T

HE Apostle having begun to commend himself, explains and confirms what

he had said, in the Words of the Text; and disclaiming all Sufficiency in himself, all Matter of boasting, he ascribes his Sufficiency to God. Vol. I.

B

To