was done, and fhe against her Will lived; but always with a pale Hue, and wan Complexion of Face, to tell how much of her Life was gone with Seneca her dearest Friend, Philofopher, and Hufband.

S. XI. Thus may the voluptuous Women of the Times read their Reproof in the Characer of a brave Heathen; and learn, that folid Happiness confifts in a Neglect of Wealth and Greatnefs, and a Contempt of all corporeal Pleafures, as more befitting Beafts, than immortal Spirits: And which are loved by none but fuch, as not knowing the Excellency of heavenly Things, are both inventing and delighting, like Brutes, in that which perisheth : Giving the Preference to poor Mortality, and fpending their Lives to gratify the Lufts of a little dirty Flefb and Blood, that shall never enter into the Kingdom of Heaven: By all which their Minds become darken'd, and fo infenfible of more Celestial Glories, that they do not only refufe to enquire after them, but infamously scoff and defpife those that do, as a foolish and mad People: To that ftrange Degice of Darkness and Impudence this Age has got. But if the exceeding Temperance, Chaftity, Virtue, Induftry, and Contentedness of very Heathens, with the plain and neceffary Enjoyments, God has been pleafed to vouchsafe to the Sons and Daughters of Men, as fufficient to their Wants and Conveniency, that they may be the more at leifure to answer the great End of their being born, will not fuffice, but

that

that they will exceed the Bounds, Precepts, and Examples both of Heathens and Chriftians; Anguish and Tribulation will overtake them, when they fhall have an Eternity to think upon, with gnashing Teeth, what to all Eternity they can never remedy: These dismal Wages are decreed for them, who fo far affront God, Heaven, and eternal Felicity, as to neglect their Salvation from Sin here, and Wrath to come, for the Enjoyment of a few fading Pleafures. For fuch to think, notwithstanding their Lives of Senfe and Pleasure, wherein their Minds become Slaves to their Bodies, that they shall be everlastingly happy, is an Addition to their Evils; fince 'tis a great Abuse to the holy God, that Men and Women fhould believe him an eternal Companion for their carnal and fenfual Minds: For, As the Tree falls, fo it lies; and as Death leaves Men, Judgment finds them: And there is no Repentance in the Grave. Therefore I beseech you to whom this comes, to retire With-draw a while; let not the Body fee all, tafte all, enjoy all; but let the Soul fee too, tafte and enjoy those heavenly Comforts and Refreshments, proper to that eternal World, of which she is an Inhabitant, and where the muft ever abide in a State of Peace or Plagues, when this visible one shall be diffolved.

CHAP.

CHA P. XX.

The Doctrine and Practice of the bleed Lord JESUS, and his Apoftles; the primitive Chrif tians, and thofe of more modern Times, in Favour of this Difcourfe.

§. 1. The Doctrine of CHRIST from Mat. v. about Denial of Self. §. 2. John Baptift's Example. §. 3. The Teflimonies of the Apoftle Peter, &c. §. 4. Paul's godly Exhortation against Pride, Covetousness, and Luxury. §. 5. The primitive Chriftians Nonconformity to the World. §. 6. Clemens Romanus against the Vanity of the Gentiles. §. 7. Machiavel, of the Zeal of the primitive Chriftians. §. 8. Tertullian, Chryfoftom, &c. on Mat. xii. 36. §. 9. Gregory Nazianzene. §. 10. Jerom. §. 11. Hilary. §. 12. Ambrofe. §. 13. Auguftine. §. 14. Council of Carthage. §. 15. Cardan. §. 16. Gratian. §. 17. Petrus Bellonius. §. 18. Waldenfes. §. 19. What they understood by daily Bread in the Lord's Prayer. §. 20. Their Judgment concerning Taverns. §. 21. Dancing, Mufick, &c. §. 22. An Epistle of Bartholomew Tertian to the Waldenfian Churches, &c. §. 23. Their extream Suffering and Faithfulness. Their Degeneracy reproved, that call them their Ancestors. §.24. Paulinus, Bishop of Nola, relieving Slaves

and

and Prifoners. §. 25. Acacius, Bishop of
Amida, his Charity to Enemies.

HAVING abundantly fhewn, how much

the Doctrine and Converfation of the virtuous Gentiles condemn the Pride, Avarice, and Luxury of the profeffed Christians of the Times; I fhall, in the next Place, to difcharge my Engagement, and farther fortify this Difcourfe, prefent my Reader with the Judgment and Practice of the most Chriftian Times; as alfo of eminent Writers, both ancient and modern. I fhall begin with the bleffed Author of that Religion.

§. I. JESUS CHRIST, in whofe Mouth there was found no Guile, fent from God, with a Teftimony of Love to Mankind, and who laid down his Life for their Salvation; whom God hath raised by his mighty Power to be Lord of all, is of right to be first heard in this Matter; for never Man fpake like him, to our Point; fhort, clear, and clofe; and all oppofite to the Way of this wicked World. Bleed, Mat. 5. fays he, are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God: He doth not fay, Bleffed are the Proud, the Rich, the High-minded: Here is Humility and the Fear of the Lord bleft. Bleed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted: He doth not fay, Bleffed are the Feafters, Dancers, and Revellers of the World, whofe Life is fwallowed up of Pleasure and Jollity: No, as he was a Man of Sorrows, fo he bleft the godly, forrowful. Blessed are the

Meek,

Meek, for they fhall inherit the Earth: He doth not fay, Bleffed are the Ambitious, the Angry, and those that are puffed up: He makes not the Earth a Bleffing to them: And though they get it by Conquest and Rapine, it will at laft fall into the Hands of the Meek to inherit. Again, Bleed are they which do hunger and thirst after Righteousness: But no Bleffing to the Hunger and Thirft of the luxurious Man. Bleed are the Merciful, for they shall obtain Mercy: He draws Men to Tenderness and Forgiveness, by Reward. Haft thou one in thy Power that hath wronged thee? be not rigorous, exact not the utmoft Fathing; be merciful, and pity the Afflicted, for fuch are bleffed. Yet further, Bleed are the pure in Heart, for they fhall fee God: He doth not fay, Bleffed are the Proud, the Covetous, the Unclean, the Voluptuous, the Malicious: No, fuch fhall never fee God. Again, Blessed are the Peace-makers, for they shall be called the Children of God: He doth not fay, Bleffed are the Contentious, Back-biters, Tale-bearers, Brawlers, Fighters, Makers of War; neither fhall they be called the Children of God, whatever they may call themselves. Lastly, Bleffed are you, when Men fhali revile you, and perfecute you, and fay all manner of Evil against you falfly, for my Sake: Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your Reward in Heaven: He bleffeth the Troubles of his People, and tranflates earthly Sufferings into heavenly Rewards. He doth not fay, Bleffed are you when

the