well as be, who improved his five into ten; it being as abfurd to expect, that the perfection of every man fhould be the fame, as to expect, that all mens bodies fhould be of the fame height, or their minds of the fame capacity.

Reflecting on all this together, I cannot but be of opinion, that fome have actually arrived at that strength of faith, at that ardour of love, that they seemed to have been incapable of any confiderable acceffions in this life. But yet, new occafions may still demand new virtues; which were indeed before contained and included in faith and love; but no otherwise, than as fruits and trees are in their feeds. And fome degree of original corruption may still be lurking in the most sanctified nature; and fome venial defects and imperfections or other, may ftill leave room for the greatest of faints to extend his conqueft. Befides, 'tis hard to determine or fix the bounds of knowledge; and every new degree of light feems to make way for more. So that after all, nothing hinders, but that the path of the perfect man may, as well with refpect to his rigtheoufness as his fortunes, be like the Shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day; I mean, the dayof a blessed eternity.

The

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The motives to perfection, the fruit of it, the means and methods of attaining it, laid down in the first fection, will all ferve here therefore I have nothing to offer of this fort; only, if I forgot to pay that deference to the inftitutions of our church, which they justly deferve, I do it now: and do earnestly perfwade my reader to a strict obfervance of them. I do not only think this neceffary to maintain a face of religion amongst us, but alfo highly conducive to true perfection. I am fully fatisfied, that there is a peculiar prefence of God in his publick ordinances; that the devotion of good men does mutually enflame and enkindle one another; that there is an holy awe and reverence seizes the minds of good men, when they draw near to God in publick worfhip; and finally, that if the offices of our liturgy do not affect our hearts, 'tis because they are very much indifpofed, and very poorly qualified for the true and fpiritual worship of God.

СНАР. Х.

Of Zeal, as it confifts in Good Works. That our own fecurity demands a Zeal in the fe good works; fo likewife do the good of our neighbour, and the glory of God, which are much promoted by good works.

A

ND now let not any one think,

that I have taken pains to advance the illumination of a finner, to knock off his chains and fetters, to raise him as far as might be above the corruption of nature, and the defects and infirmities of life; to fcatter thofe lazy fogs and mists which hung upon his fpirits, and to enrich him with heroic virtues; let no man, I fay, fancy that I have laboured to do all this, that after all, my perfect man might fit down like an Epicurean God, and enjoy himself; might talk finely of folitary fhades and gardens, and spend a precious life, fitted for the nobleft defigns, in a fluggish retirement. No, no; as virtue is the perfection of human life, fo is action the perfection of virtue: and zeal is that principle of action, which I require in a faint of God. Accordingly, the fcriptures defcribe this great, this happy man, as full of the Holy Ghoft, fervent in Spirit, zealous of good works. Such a

one

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one was Mofes, mighty in word and deed, as well as learned in all the knowledge of the Egyptians: fuch an one was St. Stephen, as full of a divine ardour and irrefiftible fervency of fpirit, as of an irresistible wifdom; and fuch an one was the excellent Cornelius, a devout man, one that had transfused and derived the fear of God from his own bofom, throughout his family, and relations, and friends too; one that gave much alms, and prayed to God always. What need I multiply inftances? This is that which diftinguishes the perfect man from all others; the victories of faith, the labours of charity, the conftancy and patience of hope, and the ardors of de

votion.

Need I here distinguish a zeal of God, from the fierceness of faction, the cruelty of fuperftition, from the wakeful and indefatigable activity of avarice and ambition, from the unruly heats of pride and paffion, and from the implacable fury of revenge? It needs not; no foolish, no falfe, fantastick, earthly, or devilish principle can counterfeit a divine zeal. Tis a perfection that fhines with fuch a peculiar luftre, with fuch a heavenly majesty and sweetness, that nothing elfe can imitate it; 'tis always purfuing good, the honour of God, and the happiness of man: it contends earnestly for the faith once de

Ee 2

delivered to the faints; but it contends as earneftly too, to root out wickedness, and implant the righteousness of the gospel in the world. It is not eager for the articles of a fect or party, and unconcerned for catholick ones. When it preffes for reformation, it begins at home, and fets a bright example of what it would recommend to others. 'Tis meek and gentle under its own affronts, but warm and bold against thofe which are offered to God. In a word, though love fill its fails, divine wisdom and prudence give it ballaft; and it has no heat, but what is tempered and refracted by charity and humility.

Need I, in the next place, fix or state the various degrees of zeal? Alas! it is not requifite; zeal being nothing elfe but an ardent thirst of promoting the divine glory by the best works. 'Tis plain, the more excellent the work, and the more it coft, the more perfect, the more exalted the zeal that performs it. When, like Mary, we quit the cumber and distraction of this world, and chufe religion for our portion, then do we love it in good earneft. When with the difciples we can fay, Lord, we have forfaken all and followed thee, or are ready to do fo; when we are continually bleffing and praifing God; when, if the neceffities of Chrift's church require it, we are ready to call nothing our

own;