A sermon preached before the King at White-Hall, Decemb. the 24th. 1676 by Thomas Sprat ...
         Sprat, Thomas, 1635-1713.
      
       
         
           1677
        
      
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             A sermon preached before the King at White-Hall, Decemb. the 24th. 1676 by Thomas Sprat ...
             Sprat, Thomas, 1635-1713.
          
           [2], 37, [1] p.
           
             Printed for Henry Brome ...,
             London :
             1677.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
             "Published by His Majesties special command " on t.p.
             Advertisement p. [1] at end.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Church of England -- Sermons.
           Bible. -- N.T. -- Mark X, 15 -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           SERMON
           Preached
           before
           the
           KING
           AT
           WHITE-HALL
           ,
           Decemb.
           the
           24
           th
           .
           1676.
           
        
         
           By
           THOMAS
           SPRAT
           ,
           D.
           D.
           Chaplain
           in
           Ordinary
           to
           his
           Majesty
           .
        
         
           Published
           by
           his
           Majesties
           Special
           Command
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           
             Henry
             Brome
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Gun
           at
           the
           West
           end
           of
           St.
           Pauls
           .
           1677.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           SERMON
           Preached
           before
           the
           KING
           AT
           WHITE-HALL
           .
        
         
           
             St.
             MARK
             ,
             X.
             ver
             .
             15.
             
          
           
             Verily
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
             Whosoever
             shall
             not
             receive
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             as
             a
             little
             child
             ,
             he
             shall
             not
             enter
             therein
             .
          
        
         
           THese
           are
           the
           words
           of
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           on
           occasion
           of
           his
           Disciples
           forbidding
           little
           Children
           to
           be
           brought
           to
           him
           :
           which
           it
           may
           be
           supposed
           ,
           they
           did
           in
           zeal
           for
           the
           reputation
           
           of
           their
           Master
           ;
           believing
           it
           to
           be
           far
           below
           the
           dignity
           of
           so
           great
           ,
           and
           wise
           a
           Teacher
           ,
           to
           spend
           time
           in
           instructing
           of
           Children
           ;
           whilst
           his
           chief
           adversaries
           the
           Pharisees
           appear'd
           in
           their
           Synagogues
           ,
           and
           most
           public
           Assemblies
           ,
           and
           there
           ,
           with
           much
           pompous
           ostentation
           of
           profound
           Wisdom
           ,
           taught
           their
           men
           ,
           those
           that
           thought
           themselves
           ,
           in
           that
           Nation
           ,
           their
           wisest
           men
           .
        
         
           But
           Christ
           himself
           understood
           better
           the
           interest
           ,
           and
           power
           of
           his
           own
           Religion
           .
           He
           knew
           ,
           that
           the
           design
           of
           his
           coming
           into
           the
           world
           ,
           was
           ,
           not
           to
           continue
           that
           Pharisaical
           ,
           falsly-grave
           formality
           of
           life
           ,
           and
           worship
           ,
           which
           was
           then
           in
           use
           ;
           but
           to
           introduce
           a
           rational
           ,
           moral
           ,
           spiritual
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           a
           plain
           ,
           unaffected
           ,
           saving
           way
           of
           teaching
           it
           .
           He
           knew
           ,
           that
           his
           Doctrine
           so
           taught
           was
           able
           to
           convert
           the
           most
           specious
           ,
           worldly
           wisdom
           ;
           or
           to
           confound
           it
           ,
           if
           it
           would
           not
           be
           converted
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           he
           took
           a
           course
           quite
           contrary
           to
           the
           Pharisees
           practice
           ,
           and
           to
           his
           own
           Disciples
           expectations
           .
           He
           taught
           in
           the
           meekest
           manner
           ,
           and
           refus'd
           not
           the
           meanest
           Scholars
           .
           
           
             He
             resisted
             the
             proud
             ,
             
             but
             he
             gave
             grace
             to
             the
             humble
             .
          
           The
           Scribes
           ,
           and
           Pharisees
           he
           often
           sharply
           contradicted
           ,
           the
           multitude
           he
           always
           mildly
           instructed
           :
           By
           his
           different
           behaviour
           to
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           ,
           he
           gave
           evident
           proof
           ,
           that
           all
           false
           pretences
           ,
           and
           affectations
           of
           knowledge
           are
           more
           odious
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           deserve
           to
           be
           so
           to
           men
           ,
           than
           any
           want
           ,
           or
           defect
           of
           knowledge
           can
           be
           .
        
         
           In
           prosecution
           of
           this
           most
           plain
           ,
           and
           familiar
           way
           of
           teaching
           ,
           whereas
           his
           Disciples
           here
           would
           have
           rejected
           little
           children
           ,
           
           he
           rebuked
           them
           ,
           he
           took
           the
           children
           in
           his
           arms
           ,
           he
           blessed
           them
           ;
           for
           the
           innocence
           of
           their
           age
           ,
           he
           gave
           it
           many
           testimonies
           of
           his
           extraordinary
           favour
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           benefit
           he
           did
           to
           mankind
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           was
           his
           becoming
           a
           child
           :
           The
           first
           sign
           he
           shewed
           of
           his
           own
           Divine
           Wisdom
           ,
           was
           his
           disputing
           with
           the
           Jewish
           Doctors
           ,
           in
           the
           age
           of
           a
           child
           :
           The
           first
           example
           he
           gave
           of
           obedience
           ,
           and
           that
           even
           to
           the
           Jewish
           Law
           ,
           was
           his
           being
           circumcised
           ,
           when
           a
           child
           .
           And
           here
           also
           ,
           when
           he
           would
           prescribe
           a
           pattern
           of
           Evangelical
           purity
           ,
           and
           humility
           ,
           he
           declares
           ,
           that
           little
           children
           ,
           and
           those
           men
           who
           
           most
           resemble
           their
           nature
           ,
           are
           not
           only
           capable
           ,
           but
           most
           capable
           of
           his
           heavenly
           Kingdom
           .
        
         
           The
           Kingdom
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           Heaven
           ,
           in
           the
           New
           Testament
           ,
           is
           either
           taken
           for
           that
           Eternal
           Reward
           prepared
           for
           those
           that
           believe
           ,
           and
           obey
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Christ
           ,
           or
           else
           for
           that
           Doctrine
           it self
           revealed
           in
           the
           Gospel
           :
           so
           nearly
           are
           the
           Joys
           of
           Heaven
           and
           the
           Laws
           of
           Christ
           united
           ;
           so
           surely
           ,
           shall
           the
           possession
           of
           the
           one
           follow
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           other
           ;
           that
           in
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           they
           are
           often
           both
           comprehended
           in
           the
           same
           phrase
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           This
           expression
           of
           receiving
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           God
           as
           a
           child
           ,
           is
           best
           interpreted
           by
           our
           Liturgy
           ,
           in
           the
           Office
           of
           Baptism
           ;
           where
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           that
           
             By
             these
             words
             our
             Blessed
             Saviour
             exhorts
             all
             men
             to
             follow
             the
             innocence
             of
             little
             children
             .
          
        
         
           Whosoever
           therefore
           shall
           not
           receive
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           God
           as
           a
           little
           child
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           Whosoever
           shall
           not
           entertain
           and
           practice
           the
           word
           of
           God
           ,
           with
           a
           true
           child-like
           simplicity
           and
           innocence
           ,
           shall
           not
           enter
           therein
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           shall
           not
           partake
           of
           the
           blessings
           of
           everlasting
           life
           .
        
         
         
           The
           whole
           sense
           of
           my
           Text
           may
           be
           contained
           in
           two
           Propositions
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           ,
           That
           ,
           for
           the
           right
           apprehending
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           our
           Saviours
           Kingdom
           ,
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           there
           is
           required
           an
           ingenuous
           plainess
           ,
           an
           unfeigned
           simplicity
           of
           mind
           ,
           and
           understanding
           .
        
         
           The
           second
           ,
           That
           ,
           for
           the
           sure
           inheriting
           of
           the
           joys
           of
           that
           Kingdom
           ,
           we
           are
           all
           commanded
           to
           practice
           an
           undissembled
           integrity
           of
           life
           and
           manners
           .
        
         
           Of
           these
           ,
           the
           first
           that
           I
           am
           to
           recommend
           to
           you
           ,
           is
           ,
           that
           simplicity
           of
           mind
           ,
           which
           is
           necessary
           for
           the
           right
           receiving
           of
           Divine
           Truth
           .
        
         
           All
           wise
           Masters
           and
           Teachers
           ,
           especially
           if
           they
           profess
           any
           Art
           ,
           that
           is
           deep
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           way
           ,
           and
           of
           great
           use
           ,
           are
           wont
           to
           expect
           in
           their
           Followers
           ,
           some
           praeparatory
           skill
           in
           other
           lower
           Arts
           ,
           before
           they
           will
           proceed
           to
           teach
           them
           those
           that
           are
           higher
           .
           And
           here
           you
           see
           ,
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           also
           requires
           his
           praeparations
           ,
           in
           those
           whom
           he
           will
           inlighten
           with
           his
           heavenly
           Doctrine
           .
           But
           in
           a
           way
           how
           much
           different
           ,
           how
           much
           more
           condescending
           than
           that
           of
           the
           Teachers
           of
           all
           worldly
           ,
           and
           
           Humane
           Arts
           !
           For
           towards
           the
           attaining
           of
           the
           most
           profound
           Wisdom
           ,
           as
           is
           the
           knowledg
           of
           God
           ;
           in
           the
           most
           useful
           study
           ,
           as
           is
           the
           salvation
           of
           our
           own
           souls
           :
           what
           praeparations
           does
           he
           exact
           ?
           Only
           the
           docility
           ,
           the
           innocence
           ,
           the
           simplicity
           of
           children
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           before
           we
           proceed
           farther
           ,
           this
           Christian
           Simplicity
           must
           first
           be
           rightly
           stated
           ,
           and
           well
           understood
           :
           For
           it
           has
           been
           often
           mistaken
           on
           both
           extremes
           .
           Some
           make
           it
           to
           consist
           in
           a
           blind
           Faith
           ,
           as
           the
           Enthusiasts
           ;
           some
           in
           a
           blind
           Obedience
           ,
           as
           the
           Papists
           .
           The
           first
           conclude
           from
           hence
           for
           their
           wild
           illuminations
           ,
           and
           groundless
           Inspirations
           ,
           and
           deny
           all
           manner
           of
           use
           of
           their
           natural
           understandings
           ,
           and
           judgments
           in
           Divine
           things
           :
           The
           other
           build
           on
           it
           the
           necessity
           of
           an
           absolute
           slavery
           of
           their
           understandings
           ,
           and
           Consciences
           to
           their
           Spiritual
           Governours
           :
           whereas
           the
           true
           Evangelical
           simplicity
           should
           keep
           the
           sober
           ,
           middle
           way
           between
           both
           these
           :
           It
           is
           so
           to
           temper'd
           ,
           as
           neither
           to
           extinguish
           the
           mans
           true
           natural
           light
           ,
           nor
           invade
           the
           Christians
           just
           spiritual
           liberty
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           by
           this
           child-like
           simplicity
           
           of
           mind
           ,
           there
           is
           not
           intended
           any
           defect
           of
           the
           natural
           ,
           or
           acquir'd
           abilities
           of
           our
           understandings
           ,
           or
           any
           neglect
           of
           employing
           our
           understandings
           in
           examining
           the
           most
           spiritual
           Doctrines
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           As
           God
           did
           never
           require
           an
           entire
           perfection
           of
           Divine
           knowledge
           in
           any
           Christian
           ,
           so
           much
           less
           did
           he
           ever
           injoyn
           an
           imperfection
           of
           natural
           knowledge
           in
           any
           Saint
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           the
           things
           of
           God
           must
           be
           spiritually
           discern'd
           :
           But
           how
           so
           ?
           not
           that
           they
           must
           be
           discern'd
           by
           other
           faculties
           of
           the
           soul
           ,
           quite
           different
           from
           those
           ,
           by
           which
           we
           discern
           natural
           Truth
           ;
           but
           by
           the
           same
           faculties
           ,
           only
           those
           rais'd
           ,
           and
           more
           spiritually
           exercis'd
           .
        
         
           Does
           not
           the
           Gospel
           tell
           us
           ,
           that
           Gods
           is
           
             a
             Reasonable
             Service
          
           ?
           
           It
           is
           our
           most
           reasonable
           duty
           ,
           we
           being
           his
           Creatures
           :
           it
           is
           most
           conformable
           to
           right
           reason
           ;
           it
           is
           the
           most
           noble
           object
           of
           it
           ;
           it
           consists
           in
           sound
           ,
           sober
           ,
           intelligible
           Doctrines
           ,
           in
           plain
           ,
           practicable
           ,
           rational
           Precepts
           .
           Of
           all
           the
           Creatures
           ,
           none
           that
           we
           know
           of
           ,
           are
           capable
           of
           Gods
           grace
           ,
           and
           mercy
           ,
           and
           redemption
           by
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           but
           only
           Rational
           Creatures
           ;
           not
           the
           brute
           Beasts
           ,
           that
           are
           
           below
           our
           way
           of
           understanding
           ,
           nor
           Angels
           ,
           that
           are
           above
           it
           .
           And
           therefore
           certainly
           that
           which
           does
           ,
           in
           some
           sense
           ,
           put
           mankind
           only
           into
           a
           possibility
           of
           being
           saved
           ,
           cannot
           be
           wholly
           excluded
           in
           the
           great
           work
           of
           salvation
           :
           certainly
           it
           is
           not
           the
           natural
           weakness
           of
           little
           children
           ,
           but
           their
           native
           candor
           ;
           not
           their
           want
           of
           knowledge
           ,
           but
           their
           docility
           that
           is
           here
           proposed
           to
           our
           imitation
           .
        
         
           Nor
           secondly
           ,
           does
           this
           receiving
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           God
           as
           a
           child
           ,
           suppose
           any
           implicit
           obedience
           ,
           or
           blind
           resignation
           of
           our
           understandings
           to
           all
           the
           Commands
           and
           Impositions
           of
           any
           one
           present
           Church
           ,
           or
           pretended
           Head
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           the
           only
           infallible
           Judg
           of
           all
           matters
           of
           Faith.
           
        
         
           Obedience
           is
           indeed
           a
           virtue
           most
           acceptable
           to
           God
           ,
           most
           beneficial
           to
           men
           :
           Unity
           is
           one
           of
           his
           greatest
           blessings
           :
           Communion
           is
           the
           most
           beautiful
           ornament
           of
           the
           Christian
           Church
           .
           And
           ,
           thanks
           be
           to
           God
           ,
           there
           may
           be
           as
           much
           Union
           ,
           and
           Communion
           amongst
           Christians
           ,
           as
           is
           necessary
           for
           the
           being
           ,
           and
           convenient
           for
           the
           well-being
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           without
           any
           such
           tyranny
           in
           the
           Governours
           of
           the
           
           Church
           ,
           or
           servitude
           in
           its
           Members
           :
           without
           inslaving
           of
           private
           Conscience
           ,
           which
           is
           Antichristian
           ;
           and
           only
           by
           a
           moderate
           governing
           ,
           and
           restraining
           of
           private
           Conscience
           ,
           which
           is
           most
           Christian
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           most
           essential
           to
           the
           preservation
           of
           human
           society
           .
        
         
           The
           Church
           has
           a
           sacred
           and
           venerable
           Authority
           ,
           as
           long
           as
           it
           teaches
           such
           Doctrines
           ,
           and
           requires
           such
           Duties
           ,
           as
           are
           agreable
           to
           our
           Saviours
           .
           Whilst
           it
           does
           so
           ,
           much
           reverence
           is
           due
           to
           it
           ,
           much
           to
           the
           persons
           ,
           more
           to
           the
           Doctrines
           ,
           to
           the
           persons
           for
           their
           Doctrines
           sake
           ;
           to
           the
           Doctrines
           for
           our
           Saviours
           sake
           .
           But
           if
           the
           name
           and
           title
           of
           the
           Holy
           Church
           of
           Christ
           shall
           be
           so
           abus'd
           ,
           as
           to
           impose
           on
           our
           practice
           superstitious
           Precepts
           ,
           as
           is
           the
           Worship
           of
           Saints
           ,
           and
           some
           others
           ;
           or
           on
           our
           understandings
           ,
           incredible
           ,
           impossible
           Doctrines
           ,
           as
           is
           Transubstantiation
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ;
           in
           such
           cases
           ,
           you
           are
           free
           by
           the
           Laws
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           Man
           :
           Your
           spiritual
           obligations
           do
           not
           bind
           you
           to
           believe
           such
           Doctrines
           ,
           and
           your
           natural
           liberty
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           your
           Christian
           ,
           sets
           you
           free
           from
           obeying
           such
           Precepts
           .
        
         
         
           Our
           blessed
           Saviour
           here
           expects
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           receive
           his
           Laws
           ,
           as
           children
           ,
           but
           not
           as
           slaves
           .
           Those
           Laws
           may
           be
           sometimes
           severe
           ,
           nay
           ,
           they
           are
           imperial
           ,
           and
           absolute
           ,
           as
           they
           come
           from
           God
           ;
           for
           he
           is
           our
           Lord
           :
           but
           even
           in
           respect
           to
           him
           ,
           they
           are
           paternal
           too
           ,
           for
           he
           is
           also
           our
           Father
           .
           They
           are
           deliver'd
           to
           us
           with
           a
           Royal
           Power
           ,
           and
           sweetned
           by
           a
           fatherly
           tenderness
           ;
           and
           they
           should
           be
           received
           by
           us
           ,
           with
           the
           duty
           of
           subjects
           ,
           with
           the
           affection
           of
           children
           :
           As
           children
           we
           should
           behave
           our selves
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           children
           also
           to
           his
           Ministers
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           to
           us
           in
           his
           stead
           :
           but
           still
           as
           children
           ,
           not
           as
           mean
           vassals
           .
           The
           true
           Church
           of
           God
           is
           the
           Vice-gerent
           of
           Gods
           spiritual
           ,
           paternal
           Authority
           ,
           which
           the
           Sectaries
           unjustly
           deny
           it
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           not
           the
           Vice-gerent
           of
           Gods
           uncontroulable
           ,
           omnipotent
           ,
           temporal
           Power
           ,
           which
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           as
           unjustly
           usurps
           .
        
         
           This
           being
           premised
           ,
           we
           may
           now
           the
           better
           go
           on
           to
           examine
           ,
           wherein
           the
           true
           ,
           sincere
           ,
           Christian
           simplicity
           consists
           ,
           as
           to
           that
           part
           of
           it
           ,
           which
           concerns
           the
           receiving
           of
           heavenly
           Truth
           .
        
         
         
           If
           we
           consider
           the
           original
           example
           which
           we
           are
           here
           commanded
           to
           imitate
           ,
           it
           seems
           that
           this
           blessed
           Temper
           is
           chiefly
           compos'd
           of
           three
           excellent
           virtues
           ;
           of
           all
           which
           there
           is
           some
           weak
           resemblance
           in
           little
           children
           .
        
         
           As
           the
           minds
           of
           children
           are
           generally
           clear
           ,
           spotless
           ,
           white
           ,
           untainted
           ,
           unprejudiced
           ;
           as
           they
           are
           usually
           tender
           ,
           gentle
           ,
           pliable
           ,
           capable
           of
           the
           best
           impressions
           ;
           as
           children
           commonly
           receive
           their
           food
           ,
           not
           with
           nicety
           ,
           or
           with
           intent
           to
           quarrel
           at
           it
           ,
           but
           willingly
           ,
           and
           earnestly
           ,
           for
           their
           increase
           and
           growth
           :
           so
           ,
           in
           conformity
           to
           that
           innocent
           pattern
           ,
           all
           the
           true
           followers
           of
           Christ
           should
           endeavour
           to
           obtain
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           a
           plainess
           ,
           and
           purity
           of
           understanding
           ;
           such
           as
           is
           free
           from
           artifices
           ,
           free
           from
           prejudices
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           a
           submissive
           and
           guidable
           spirit
           ,
           a
           disposition
           easie
           to
           all
           ;
           especially
           tractable
           to
           those
           ,
           that
           have
           either
           a
           civil
           ,
           or
           spiritual
           Authority
           over
           them
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           an
           exact
           care
           so
           to
           learn
           the
           truths
           of
           Religion
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           be
           employed
           for
           their
           true
           end
           ,
           and
           best
           advantage
           ,
           which
           is
           practice
           ,
           and
           growth
           in
           
           the
           duties
           of
           a
           pious
           ,
           and
           devout
           life
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           towards
           our
           right
           instruction
           in
           the
           Doctrines
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           we
           should
           all
           labour
           to
           bring
           our
           minds
           clear
           ,
           unprejudiced
           ,
           clean
           ,
           uncorrupt
           .
           For
           the
           being
           void
           of
           errors
           ,
           is
           the
           first
           great
           step
           to
           the
           greatest
           knowledge
           ;
           and
           that
           understanding
           ,
           in
           which
           though
           little
           is
           written
           ,
           yet
           nothing
           is
           blotted
           ;
           that
           which
           is
           not
           disfigured
           by
           ill
           impressions
           ,
           is
           a
           subject
           most
           capable
           of
           the
           best
           .
           There
           nothing
           is
           required
           but
           plain
           teaching
           ;
           whereas
           the
           mind
           that
           is
           either
           perverted
           by
           false
           knowledge
           ,
           or
           made
           crooked
           by
           deceitful
           prejudices
           ,
           must
           not
           only
           be
           taught
           ,
           but
           first
           untaught
           that
           ill
           it
           had
           learn'd
           :
           and
           to
           unteach
           is
           a
           much
           more
           difficult
           work
           than
           to
           teach
           .
        
         
           Such
           a
           pure
           ,
           simple
           ,
           undefil'd
           disposition
           of
           mind
           ,
           by
           nature
           we
           cannot
           pretend
           to
           ;
           bycause
           of
           the
           original
           corruption
           of
           our
           nature
           ;
           but
           by
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Gospel
           we
           may
           attain
           it
           :
           and
           it
           is
           the
           chief
           design
           of
           the
           Gospel
           to
           direct
           us
           in
           the
           way
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           That
           teaches
           us
           to
           cleanse
           ,
           and
           repair
           by
           repentance
           ,
           and
           amendment
           ,
           our
           natural
           decays
           ,
           and
           pollutions
           ;
           to
           be
           constantly
           
           watchful
           in
           keeping
           our
           souls
           free
           from
           carnal
           ,
           moral
           ,
           nay
           ,
           spiritual
           prejudices
           against
           Religion
           ;
           to
           endeavour
           sincerely
           ,
           that
           our
           minds
           be
           not
           often
           overthrown
           by
           violent
           passions
           ,
           nor
           too
           much
           disordered
           by
           worldly
           affections
           ;
           not
           seduced
           by
           secular
           ends
           ,
           that
           secretly
           undermine
           the
           soul
           ;
           not
           corrupted
           by
           bodily
           lusts
           ,
           that
           openly
           war
           against
           the
           soul
           ;
           especially
           that
           they
           be
           not
           infected
           by
           false
           Enthusiastical
           conceptions
           ,
           concerning
           God
           ,
           and
           Religion
           ;
           which
           are
           wont
           most
           dangerously
           to
           insinuate
           themselves
           into
           the
           soul
           ,
           as
           seeming
           to
           come
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           coming
           under
           the
           shadow
           of
           Religion
           it self
           .
        
         
           The
           second
           part
           of
           this
           child-like
           simplicity
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           teachable
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           a
           right
           method
           ,
           to
           be
           desirous
           of
           learning
           precepts
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           truths
           ;
           of
           truths
           to
           learn
           the
           plainest
           ,
           and
           most
           useful
           ,
           before
           the
           deepest
           and
           most
           subtle
           ;
           of
           precepts
           to
           apply
           our selves
           to
           those
           that
           concern
           our selves
           ,
           more
           than
           others
           .
        
         
           This
           teachable
           humility
           is
           not
           only
           consistent
           with
           the
           greatest
           spiritual
           knowledg
           ,
           but
           inseparable
           from
           it
           .
           'T
           is
           the
           property
           of
           all
           true
           knowledg
           ,
           especially
           spiritual
           ,
           to
           
           enlarge
           the
           soul
           by
           filling
           it
           ,
           to
           enlarge
           it
           ,
           without
           swelling
           it
           ;
           to
           make
           it
           more
           capable
           ,
           and
           more
           earnest
           to
           know
           ,
           the
           more
           it
           knows
           .
        
         
           Even
           in
           natural
           things
           ,
           whoever
           pretends
           to
           have
           learn'd
           so
           much
           ,
           that
           he
           has
           no
           need
           ,
           nor
           will
           to
           learn
           more
           ,
           he
           has
           never
           learn'd
           any
           thing
           aright
           .
           And
           if
           this
           be
           so
           in
           natural
           things
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           instruments
           ,
           and
           helps
           of
           our
           knowledg
           are
           weak
           ,
           and
           the
           objects
           of
           it
           finite
           ;
           how
           much
           more
           is
           it
           so
           in
           Divine
           things
           ?
           in
           which
           the
           instruments
           ,
           the
           helps
           ,
           the
           objects
           ,
           the
           benefits
           of
           our
           knowledg
           are
           infinite
           .
           In
           Divine
           things
           to
           be
           always
           teachable
           ,
           to
           be
           always
           learning
           ,
           is
           not
           only
           the
           most
           certain
           way
           to
           Divine
           Wisdom
           ,
           but
           even
           a
           good
           degree
           of
           Divine
           Wisdom
           it self
           .
        
         
           The
           third
           part
           of
           such
           a
           true
           simplicity
           of
           understanding
           is
           a
           sincere
           desire
           ,
           and
           unwearied
           endeavour
           to
           use
           ,
           and
           improve
           our
           divine
           knowledg
           in
           a
           right
           manner
           ,
           and
           to
           a
           right
           end
           .
           And
           what
           is
           the
           great
           ,
           substantial
           ,
           saving
           use
           ,
           and
           end
           of
           all
           spiritual
           knowledg
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           to
           use
           it
           as
           children
           do
           their
           meat
           ?
           to
           desire
           the
           
             sincere
             milk
             of
             the
             word
          
           ,
           
           
             as
             new
             born
             babes
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             grow
             thereby
             ?
          
           
           That
           we
           may
           grow
           thereby
           .
           And
           they
           who
           receive
           their
           spiritual
           food
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           ,
           what
           they
           may
           want
           in
           a
           delicate
           appetite
           ,
           they
           have
           in
           a
           wholesom
           ;
           if
           they
           come
           short
           of
           others
           in
           the
           curiosity
           of
           their
           tast
           ,
           they
           as
           much
           exceed
           them
           in
           the
           strength
           of
           their
           digestion
           :
           which
           in
           a
           spiritual
           life
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           a
           natural
           ,
           is
           a
           greater
           sign
           of
           a
           healthful
           constitution
           :
           whilst
           all
           other
           knowledg
           in
           Religion
           only
           serves
           to
           make
           a
           shew
           ,
           and
           flashes
           away
           in
           discourse
           ,
           this
           endures
           ,
           and
           is
           solidly
           beneficial
           for
           sanctification
           here
           ,
           for
           salvation
           hereafter
           .
        
         
           Such
           is
           that
           simplicity
           of
           understanding
           ,
           which
           is
           necessary
           for
           the
           right
           reception
           ,
           increasing
           ,
           and
           improving
           of
           our
           knowledg
           in
           the
           truths
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           I
           am
           next
           to
           consider
           that
           simplicity
           of
           manners
           ,
           which
           should
           always
           accompany
           the
           sincere
           entertainment
           ,
           and
           practice
           of
           the
           precepts
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           This
           indeed
           has
           a
           very
           near
           connexion
           with
           the
           former
           .
           The
           head
           truly
           enlightned
           will
           presently
           have
           a
           wonderful
           influence
           in
           purifying
           the
           heart
           ;
           and
           the
           heart
           really
           affected
           with
           goodness
           ,
           will
           much
           conduce
           to
           the
           directing
           of
           the
           head
           .
           The
           beginning
           
           of
           this
           blessed
           work
           is
           most
           commonly
           in
           the
           head
           ,
           the
           perfection
           in
           the
           heart
           ;
           but
           neither
           of
           them
           can
           be
           perfected
           without
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           And
           what
           now
           is
           meant
           by
           the
           true
           ,
           unfeigned
           ,
           Christian
           simplicity
           of
           life
           ,
           and
           manners
           ,
           and
           conversation
           ?
           we
           ought
           to
           be
           exceeding
           cautious
           ,
           on
           what
           kind
           of
           men
           we
           fix
           this
           character
           ;
           for
           we
           live
           in
           an
           age
           ,
           wherein
           ,
           of
           all
           others
           ,
           hypocrisie
           has
           put
           on
           the
           best
           counterfeited
           vizors
           ,
           the
           most
           holy
           disguises
           .
        
         
           First
           then
           ,
           as
           I
           did
           before
           in
           the
           simplicity
           of
           understanding
           ,
           so
           I
           must
           now
           do
           in
           this
           simplicity
           of
           heart
           :
           I
           must
           try
           to
           vindicate
           ,
           and
           separate
           it
           from
           the
           mistakes
           ,
           and
           extremes
           of
           it
           .
           And
           therefore
           I
           affirm
           ,
           that
           it
           does
           not
           consist
           in
           any
           sullen
           separation
           ,
           or
           affected
           purity
           ,
           or
           demure
           contempt
           ,
           and
           omission
           of
           the
           common
           customs
           ,
           and
           usages
           ,
           and
           fashions
           of
           this
           world
           .
           For
           most
           certainly
           ,
           with
           such
           common
           things
           a
           Christian
           may
           comply
           ,
           without
           danger
           ,
           with
           true
           innocence
           ,
           and
           piety
           ;
           and
           he
           may
           abstain
           from
           them
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           greatest
           spiritual
           pride
           .
           Is
           not
           a
           morosity
           and
           singularity
           in
           such
           things
           often
           made
           a
           veil
           ,
           and
           
           cover
           of
           licentiousness
           in
           greater
           things
           ?
           have
           we
           not
           known
           it
           frequently
           us'd
           as
           an
           opportunity
           of
           the
           greatest
           moral
           dishonesty
           ?
        
         
           Must
           a
           Christian
           by
           the
           obligations
           of
           his
           holy
           profession
           ,
           differ
           from
           ,
           and
           abhor
           all
           the
           customary
           forms
           of
           civil
           life
           ?
           how
           then
           could
           St.
           Paul
           become
           all
           things
           to
           all
           men
           ?
           would
           he
           have
           conform'd
           universally
           to
           all
           sorts
           of
           men
           ,
           if
           all
           manner
           of
           civil
           ,
           or
           spiritually
           conformity
           had
           utterly
           been
           unlawful
           ?
        
         
           Must
           I
           with
           unmannerly
           freedom
           ,
           affront
           Authority
           ,
           despise
           the
           public
           Formalities
           of
           Government
           ,
           live
           in
           a
           different
           way
           ,
           put
           on
           another
           face
           ,
           and
           garb
           ,
           than
           the
           rest
           of
           my
           Country-men
           ,
           and
           alledg
           the
           Christian
           simplicity
           to
           justifie
           this
           my
           rudeness
           ?
           what
           then
           will
           become
           of
           the
           Christian
           liberty
           ,
           which
           in
           other
           cases
           these
           men
           so
           much
           magnifie
           ?
           If
           this
           be
           Christian
           simplicity
           ,
           was
           not
           the
           Mosaical
           severity
           a
           much
           lighter
           yoke
           ?
           Did
           not
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           himself
           abolish
           all
           such
           Judaical
           reservedness
           and
           separation
           ,
           at
           the
           very
           first
           founding
           of
           the
           Catholic
           Church
           ?
           which
           ,
           it
           is
           probable
           ,
           had
           never
           been
           Catholic
           so
           
           soon
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           distinguished
           his
           Disciples
           from
           all
           the
           rest
           of
           mankind
           ,
           as
           the
           Jews
           were
           ,
           in
           every
           little
           circumstance
           ,
           or
           custom
           of
           humane
           life
           .
           For
           whilst
           the
           true
           Religion
           it self
           was
           straitned
           by
           the
           Jewish
           ,
           severe
           spirit
           ;
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           was
           narrow
           in
           compass
           ,
           confin'd
           almost
           to
           one
           Country
           ,
           despis'd
           by
           all
           the
           world
           besides
           .
           It
           was
           the
           honest
           freedom
           ,
           and
           universal
           charity
           of
           the
           Christian
           spirit
           ,
           that
           first
           rent
           the
           veil
           ,
           and
           enlarg'd
           its
           bounds
           ,
           and
           spread
           its
           authority
           to
           the
           utmost
           ends
           of
           the
           earth
           :
           so
           that
           next
           to
           the
           Almighty
           Power
           of
           God
           ,
           one
           of
           the
           chief
           occasions
           of
           the
           prodigious
           swiftness
           of
           the
           Churches
           first
           progress
           ,
           was
           ,
           that
           the
           Primitive
           Christians
           asserted
           the
           just
           liberties
           of
           humane
           nature
           ,
           and
           set
           men
           free
           from
           the
           Jewish
           unreasonable
           sowerness
           ,
           and
           harsh
           impositions
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           we
           are
           commanded
           not
           
             to
             be
             conform'd
             to
             this
             world
             :
          
           
           But
           in
           the
           very
           next
           words
           ,
           we
           have
           the
           true
           interpretation
           of
           that
           command
           .
           For
           it
           follows
           ,
           
             Be
             ye
             transform'd
             by
             the
             renewing
             of
             your
             mind
             .
          
           It
           is
           a
           new
           mind
           ,
           and
           the
           transforming
           of
           the
           heart
           ;
           not
           new
           looks
           ,
           or
           habits
           ,
           or
           gestures
           ,
           that
           Christianity
           requires
           .
           To
           the
           indifferent
           
           things
           of
           this
           world
           we
           may
           be
           ,
           to
           the
           decent
           things
           of
           it
           we
           should
           be
           conformable
           ;
           only
           to
           the
           wickedness
           ,
           and
           corruptions
           of
           it
           we
           should
           not
           .
           No
           Christian
           is
           forbidden
           the
           honest
           skill
           ,
           and
           practice
           ,
           and
           prudence
           of
           this
           world
           ;
           rather
           some
           are
           commanded
           it
           ,
           all
           are
           allow'd
           it
           ,
           only
           none
           must
           be
           perverted
           by
           it
           ;
           all
           must
           use
           it
           ,
           for
           higher
           ,
           and
           more
           spiritual
           ends
           .
        
         
           So
           far
           is
           the
           true
           Religion
           from
           obliging
           all
           its
           professors
           ,
           either
           to
           withdraw
           wholly
           out
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           or
           in
           conscience
           to
           avoid
           all
           the
           usual
           observances
           ,
           and
           manners
           ,
           or
           even
           the
           innocent
           delights
           of
           it
           ,
           whilst
           they
           are
           in
           the
           world
           ;
           that
           perhaps
           none
           are
           more
           capable
           ,
           as
           of
           bringing
           more
           benefit
           to
           mankind
           ,
           so
           of
           doing
           more
           service
           to
           God
           ,
           or
           exercising
           more
           Evangelical
           Graces
           ;
           than
           those
           men
           ,
           that
           are
           of
           the
           most
           practical
           lives
           ,
           and
           engag'd
           in
           most
           secular
           business
           .
           Greater
           will
           be
           their
           victory
           over
           the
           world
           ,
           if
           they
           shall
           converse
           in
           it
           ,
           without
           being
           defiled
           by
           it
           .
           If
           they
           shall
           labour
           to
           perform
           well
           all
           their
           natural
           ,
           moral
           ,
           political
           ,
           and
           Religious
           Duties
           in
           it
           ,
           most
           instructive
           will
           be
           the
           example
           of
           that
           Piety
           ,
           most
           diffusive
           that
           Charity
           ,
           which
           is
           
           
             set
             on
             a
             hill
          
           so
           eminent
           ,
           and
           plac'd
           in
           so
           good
           a
           light
           .
        
         
           Were
           a
           Christian
           to
           be
           the
           Disciple
           of
           
             Iohn
             the
             Baptist
          
           ,
           he
           might
           then
           indeed
           think
           himself
           bound
           to
           follow
           the
           solitary
           ,
           rigid
           life
           of
           his
           Master
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           :
           But
           seeing
           he
           is
           to
           be
           a
           Christian
           ,
           he
           may
           be
           a
           Citizen
           of
           this
           world
           ,
           as
           well
           ,
           as
           of
           the
           New
           Ierusalem
           :
           He
           ought
           certainly
           to
           imitate
           a
           greater
           example
           than
           of
           
             Iohn
             the
             Baptist
          
           ,
           that
           of
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           himself
           ;
           who
           ,
           though
           he
           too
           had
           his
           time
           of
           retirement
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           yet
           liv'd
           not
           there
           ;
           but
           was
           frequently
           in
           the
           Temple
           ,
           convers'd
           generally
           in
           the
           City
           ,
           with
           all
           sorts
           of
           people
           ,
           went
           about
           every
           where
           doing
           good
           .
        
         
           
             Give
             alms
          
           ,
           
           says
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           
             of
             such
             things
             as
             you
             have
             ,
             and
             behold
             all
             things
             are
             clean
             to
             you
             .
          
           Let
           but
           a
           Christian
           perform
           the
           great
           ,
           substantial
           duties
           of
           Christianity
           ;
           and
           all
           other
           ordinary
           things
           are
           clean
           ,
           and
           lawful
           to
           him
           .
           
             All
             things
          
           ;
           of
           which
           some
           things
           were
           denied
           to
           the
           Jews
           :
           
             all
             things
          
           ,
           that
           are
           not
           unclean
           in
           their
           own
           nature
           :
           those
           indeed
           can
           be
           lawful
           to
           none
           .
           The
           righteousness
           ,
           and
           holiness
           of
           the
           Gospel
           consists
           
           not
           in
           doubting
           much
           ;
           but
           in
           living
           well
           :
           not
           in
           a
           zeal
           against
           little
           things
           ,
           but
           for
           great
           things
           ,
           
           in
           being
           
             zealous
             for
             good
             Works
          
           .
           Undoubtedly
           there
           may
           be
           as
           much
           superstition
           ,
           in
           some
           cases
           ,
           on
           a
           Religious
           account
           ,
           to
           forbear
           doing
           what
           we
           lawfully
           may
           do
           ;
           as
           it
           is
           to
           do
           what
           we
           should
           not
           .
           Superstition
           transgresses
           on
           both
           extremes
           ,
           and
           may
           offend
           as
           much
           in
           a
           too
           scrupulous
           forbearing
           ,
           as
           in
           over-doing
           .
        
         
           The
           true
           Christian
           Purity
           ,
           and
           simplicity
           of
           life
           ,
           that
           is
           here
           recommended
           ,
           is
           therefore
           such
           ,
           as
           is
           not
           bound
           to
           avoid
           all
           manner
           of
           compliance
           with
           the
           external
           fashions
           ,
           and
           comely
           ceremonies
           of
           human
           life
           ,
           and
           conversation
           .
           'T
           is
           enough
           ,
           if
           it
           uses
           ceremonies
           ,
           as
           ceremonies
           ;
           if
           it
           prefers
           the
           substance
           far
           before
           them
           ,
           if
           it
           chiefly
           regards
           the
           inward
           reality
           .
           'T
           is
           such
           ,
           as
           is
           not
           at
           all
           oppos'd
           to
           decence
           ,
           or
           civility
           ,
           or
           good
           manners
           ,
           or
           good
           breeding
           ;
           but
           to
           craft
           ,
           unjust
           artifice
           ,
           guile
           ,
           and
           dissimulation
           .
           'T
           is
           such
           ,
           as
           ,
           according
           to
           our
           Saviours
           own
           precept
           ,
           must
           have
           
             the
             harmlesness
             of
             the
             Dove
          
           ,
           
           and
           yet
           may
           have
           the
           
             wisdom
             of
             the
             Serpent
          
           .
           That
           wisdom
           ,
           which
           single
           in
           the
           Serpent
           is
           hurtful
           ,
           and
           poisonous
           ;
           
           when
           it
           is
           temper'd
           with
           the
           innocence
           of
           the
           Dove
           ,
           is
           most
           commendable
           ,
           most
           useful
           .
        
         
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           't
           is
           such
           a
           simplicity
           ,
           as
           St.
           Paul
           the
           Christian
           put
           on
           ,
           when
           he
           ceas'd
           to
           be
           Saul
           the
           Pharisee
           :
           such
           as
           St.
           Paul
           himself
           describes
           ,
           when
           he
           thus
           exhorts
           the
           Corinthians
           :
           
           Brethren
           ,
           says
           he
           ,
           
             Be
             not
             children
             in
             understanding
             ;
             in
             malice
             be
             ye
             children
             ,
             in
             understanding
             be
             ye
             men
             .
          
           You
           see
           to
           all
           true
           Christians
           a
           manly
           understanding
           ,
           is
           as
           much
           commanded
           ,
           as
           a
           child-like
           purity
           :
           so
           that
           in
           the
           most
           Euangelical
           simplicity
           ,
           the
           prudence
           ,
           and
           discretion
           of
           a
           wise
           man
           may
           be
           ,
           should
           be
           joyn'd
           with
           the
           native
           innocence
           ,
           and
           inoffensive
           meekness
           of
           a
           little
           child
           .
        
         
           You
           now
           behold
           the
           sum
           of
           those
           duties
           ,
           to
           which
           ,
           by
           the
           words
           of
           our
           Saviour
           in
           my
           Text
           ,
           we
           are
           all
           oblig'd
           .
           They
           represent
           to
           us
           the
           necessity
           of
           a
           simplicity
           of
           mind
           ,
           in
           receiving
           the
           Laws
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           of
           an
           honest
           plainess
           of
           heart
           ,
           in
           living
           accordingly
           :
           which
           indeed
           are
           the
           two
           principal
           things
           ,
           that
           ,
           in
           all
           true
           Religion
           ,
           are
           to
           be
           studied
           ,
           and
           practis'd
           by
           all
           good
           men
           .
        
         
         
           Some
           proportion
           ,
           and
           degree
           of
           both
           these
           virtues
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           is
           necessary
           to
           all
           Christians
           .
           I
           do
           not
           say
           ,
           the
           highest
           and
           most
           complete
           degree
           of
           them
           to
           any
           :
           that
           is
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           frailties
           of
           our
           mortal
           condition
           ,
           which
           God
           himself
           is
           pleased
           to
           consider
           ,
           in
           the
           gentleness
           of
           his
           Precepts
           .
           His
           Laws
           are
           perfect
           ,
           as
           he
           is
           perfect
           ;
           holy
           ,
           as
           he
           is
           holy
           :
           But
           ,
           seeing
           we
           cannot
           be
           equally
           so
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           human
           infirmity
           ,
           God
           is
           pleas'd
           to
           accept
           of
           integrity
           instead
           of
           perfection
           ,
           to
           prefer
           simplicity
           before
           hypocrisie
           ,
           confess'd
           ignorance
           ,
           before
           presumption
           .
           What
           we
           really
           ,
           and
           humbly
           endeavour
           ,
           out
           of
           his
           abundant
           Grace
           ,
           he
           will
           help
           us
           to
           perform
           ,
           or
           accept
           of
           our
           endeavours
           .
           As
           we
           must
           strive
           to
           be
           children
           in
           innocence
           ,
           so
           in
           his
           infinite
           goodness
           ,
           he
           looks
           on
           us
           ,
           to
           be
           but
           as
           children
           in
           weakness
           .
        
         
           I
           am
           not
           ignorant
           ,
           that
           this
           Doctrine
           of
           Christian
           simplicity
           may
           sound
           strange
           in
           the
           ears
           of
           those
           men
           ,
           who
           consult
           only
           the
           low
           ,
           and
           mean
           interests
           of
           this
           life
           ;
           and
           therefore
           fancy
           themselves
           ,
           in
           the
           proud
           imaginations
           of
           their
           own
           hearts
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           only
           wise
           ,
           and
           subtle
           men
           of
           this
           world
           .
           
           With
           such
           men
           ,
           simplicity
           generally
           passes
           in
           the
           worst
           sense
           ,
           for
           pusillanimity
           ,
           weakness
           ,
           folly
           ,
           for
           a
           poor-spirited
           Christian
           Grace
           ,
           that
           amongst
           the
           antient
           Philosophers
           ,
           they
           think
           ,
           would
           scarce
           have
           escap'd
           the
           being
           reckon'd
           for
           a
           vice
           .
        
         
           But
           let
           none
           be
           too
           hasty
           in
           condemning
           the
           true
           genuine
           simplicity
           :
           for
           I
           must
           tell
           them
           ,
           it
           has
           always
           had
           an
           extraordinary
           preeminence
           ,
           and
           dignity
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           Religion
           ,
           though
           chiefly
           there
           ;
           not
           only
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           God
           ,
           though
           that
           certainly
           were
           sufficient
           :
           but
           in
           all
           other
           things
           ,
           in
           the
           judgment
           of
           all
           truly-wise
           men
           ,
           in
           all
           the
           works
           of
           nature
           ,
           and
           art
           ,
           in
           all
           the
           best
           practice
           of
           civil
           life
           .
        
         
           If
           we
           observe
           the
           order
           of
           the
           whole
           Creation
           ,
           and
           the
           ranks
           of
           all
           things
           visible
           ,
           and
           invisible
           ,
           are
           not
           the
           highest
           ,
           and
           most
           perfect
           Beings
           still
           most
           pure
           ,
           most
           simple
           ,
           and
           most
           of
           one
           nature
           ?
           Thus
           it
           is
           from
           the
           noblest
           bodies
           to
           the
           souls
           of
           men
           ,
           from
           the
           souls
           of
           men
           to
           Angels
           ,
           from
           Angels
           to
           God
           himself
           :
           the
           higher
           any
           of
           these
           rise
           in
           their
           excellence
           ,
           they
           are
           still
           the
           more
           simple
           in
           their
           essence
           .
        
         
         
           If
           we
           examine
           all
           the
           productions
           of
           mens
           hands
           ,
           or
           minds
           ;
           is
           not
           the
           greatest
           perfection
           of
           all
           Art
           ,
           a
           most
           exact
           imitation
           of
           true
           nature
           ?
           There
           is
           some
           kind
           of
           easie
           ,
           solid
           plainess
           ,
           that
           far
           excels
           all
           the
           comeliness
           of
           artificial
           ornaments
           .
           There
           is
           some
           kind
           of
           simplicity
           that
           is
           attended
           with
           inexpressible
           majesty
           .
           That
           ,
           says
           St.
           Chrysostom
           on
           those
           words
           of
           St.
           Matthew
           ,
           
           like
           to
           these
           in
           my
           Text
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           great
           design
           of
           all
           Philosophy
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           very
           life
           of
           Angels
           ,
           to
           have
           the
           highest
           understanding
           accompanied
           with
           unfeigned
           simplicity
           .
        
         
           If
           we
           reflect
           on
           the
           most
           polite
           customs
           and
           manners
           of
           human
           life
           ,
           nothing
           is
           truly
           graceful
           ,
           that
           is
           over-mix'd
           ,
           or
           unnaturally
           forc'd
           ;
           no
           word
           we
           speak
           ,
           no
           phrase
           we
           use
           ,
           no
           gesture
           ,
           no
           tone
           of
           voice
           ,
           that
           is
           over-artificial
           ,
           but
           it
           presently
           offends
           :
           nothing
           in
           beauty
           ,
           in
           habit
           ,
           in
           action
           ,
           in
           motion
           ,
           can
           please
           ,
           that
           is
           affectedly
           labor'd
           ,
           and
           over-adorn'd
           :
           nothng
           has
           so
           much
           reverence
           in
           human
           conversation
           ,
           as
           true
           ingenuity
           ,
           manly
           plainess
           ,
           gentle
           easiness
           ,
           undissembled
           sincerity
           :
           nothing
           sooner
           ,
           or
           more
           ,
           or
           longer
           ,
           affects
           men
           with
           delight
           ,
           and
           love
           ,
           
           and
           admiration
           :
           nothing
           is
           more
           honorable
           ,
           nothing
           more
           amiable
           ,
           nothing
           indeed
           more
           easie
           ,
           and
           safe
           .
           It
           is
           very
           probable
           ,
           that
           more
           deep
           ,
           dark
           ,
           reserv'd
           ,
           crafty
           men
           ,
           have
           at
           last
           fail'd
           of
           their
           designs
           ,
           even
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           than
           the
           plain
           ,
           upright
           ,
           houest
           men
           .
           The
           crafty
           man
           has
           many
           parts
           to
           play
           ,
           many
           minds
           to
           put
           on
           ,
           many
           faces
           to
           shift
           ;
           so
           that
           it
           is
           almost
           impossible
           for
           him
           so
           to
           act
           all
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           be
           discover'd
           in
           some
           ,
           and
           then
           he
           will
           be
           suspected
           in
           all
           :
           whereas
           the
           honest
           man
           has
           but
           one
           part
           to
           perform
           ,
           which
           is
           his
           own
           ,
           and
           that
           far
           more
           easie
           for
           him
           to
           do
           ;
           bycause
           he
           always
           acts
           according
           to
           plain
           nature
           .
        
         
           Thus
           even
           in
           all
           worldly
           things
           ,
           as
           nothing
           is
           perfect
           without
           decence
           ;
           so
           nothing
           can
           be
           decent
           without
           simplicity
           .
           But
           above
           all
           things
           ,
           this
           is
           true
           in
           Religion
           ,
           especially
           in
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           .
           The
           Gospel
           ,
           in
           the
           great
           Duties
           ,
           and
           Truths
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           a
           plain
           and
           simple
           thing
           ;
           it
           is
           simple
           in
           its
           end
           ,
           which
           is
           one
           ,
           and
           always
           the
           same
           ,
           eternal
           life
           :
           simple
           in
           the
           means
           that
           conduce
           to
           that
           end
           ,
           which
           are
           but
           two
           ,
           and
           those
           always
           the
           same
           ,
           Faith
           and
           Obedience
           .
           And
           so
           simple
           should
           be
           the
           
           practice
           of
           all
           ,
           that
           would
           use
           those
           means
           in
           a
           right
           manner
           ,
           and
           expect
           thereby
           the
           benefit
           of
           that
           end
           .
        
         
           Nothing
           shews
           a
           nearer
           resemblance
           to
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           than
           a
           mind
           that
           is
           pure
           ,
           unmix'd
           ,
           and
           undefil'd
           :
           nothing
           manifests
           a
           greater
           conformity
           to
           the
           Divine
           Laws
           ,
           than
           a
           life
           of
           plain
           innocence
           :
           nothing
           more
           expresses
           that
           free
           ,
           and
           generous
           disdain
           ,
           which
           all
           true
           Christians
           have
           ,
           or
           should
           have
           of
           these
           earthly
           ,
           transitory
           things
           :
           nothing
           declares
           a
           more
           magnanimous
           confidence
           in
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           :
           nothing
           a
           more
           submissive
           resignation
           to
           the
           Divine
           will
           :
           nothing
           a
           more
           stedfast
           ,
           and
           assured
           hope
           of
           future
           happiness
           :
           nothing
           can
           keep
           us
           safer
           from
           dangerous
           mistakes
           in
           all
           matters
           of
           eternal
           concernment
           .
        
         
           The
           plain
           ,
           fair
           ,
           even
           ,
           candid
           mind
           ,
           of
           which
           a
           right
           measure
           may
           soonest
           be
           taken
           ,
           is
           best
           prepar'd
           to
           take
           a
           right
           measure
           of
           spiritual
           things
           .
           That
           mild
           ,
           and
           innocent
           disposition
           ,
           which
           least
           of
           all
           deceives
           others
           ,
           is
           least
           of
           all
           capable
           of
           being
           dangerously
           deceived
           it self
           ,
           in
           the
           ways
           of
           everlasting
           salvation
           .
           Have
           not
           more
           bold
           ,
           venturous
           ,
           artificial
           wits
           fallen
           into
           errors
           ,
           
           than
           they
           ,
           who
           have
           been
           content
           with
           the
           steddy
           ,
           constant
           ,
           firm
           motion
           of
           meek
           ,
           and
           humble
           Christians
           ?
           Whilst
           those
           presume
           all
           on
           themselves
           ,
           they
           trust
           to
           the
           most
           fallible
           guide
           :
           whilst
           these
           wholly
           suspect
           themselves
           ,
           and
           implore
           most
           the
           grace
           of
           God
           ,
           they
           never
           fail
           of
           a
           certain
           assistance
           ,
           and
           direction
           .
           And
           what
           has
           been
           generally
           the
           success
           of
           both
           ?
           the
           humble
           ,
           teachable
           temper
           of
           the
           one
           has
           produc'd
           many
           real
           Saints
           :
           the
           proud
           ,
           presumptuous
           ,
           subtle
           spirit
           of
           the
           other
           has
           prov'd
           a
           fruitful
           soil
           for
           the
           production
           of
           Heretics
           ,
           or
           Atheists
           .
        
         
           Give
           me
           leave
           therefore
           most
           humbly
           to
           advise
           ,
           and
           beseech
           you
           all
           ,
           as
           you
           would
           be
           esteem'd
           the
           true
           Disciples
           of
           Christ
           ,
           to
           labour
           for
           this
           blessed
           temper
           ,
           which
           is
           most
           proper
           for
           Disciples
           ,
           this
           humble
           and
           sincere
           practice
           of
           what
           you
           do
           know
           ,
           this
           humble
           willingness
           to
           be
           taught
           what
           you
           do
           not
           know
           ;
           and
           submission
           to
           those
           that
           do
           .
        
         
           I
           do
           not
           by
           this
           ,
           in
           the
           least
           ,
           plead
           for
           the
           gross
           blindness
           ,
           and
           implicit
           Faith
           of
           the
           Laity
           ,
           which
           is
           one
           of
           the
           chief
           Artifices
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           .
           No
           ,
           we
           that
           are
           
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           may
           be
           content
           ;
           nay
           ,
           we
           may
           really
           wish
           ,
           that
           all
           our
           Laity
           had
           as
           much
           true
           ,
           solid
           understanding
           in
           Religion
           ,
           as
           our
           Clergy
           .
           We
           can
           get
           no
           advantage
           by
           your
           want
           of
           knowledge
           ,
           no
           more
           than
           you
           can
           do
           by
           ours
           .
           We
           have
           no
           spiritual
           cheat
           with
           which
           to
           delude
           you
           ;
           for
           the
           representing
           of
           which
           we
           should
           stand
           in
           need
           either
           of
           darkness
           ,
           or
           of
           a
           false
           light
           .
           We
           have
           nothing
           in
           our
           public
           profession
           ,
           which
           the
           wisest
           men
           ,
           the
           most
           pious
           Christians
           may
           not
           outwardly
           practice
           ;
           nothing
           in
           our
           Faith
           ,
           which
           they
           ought
           not
           inwardly
           to
           believe
           .
        
         
           We
           know
           ,
           and
           are
           well
           assur'd
           ,
           that
           the
           only
           reason
           ,
           why
           our
           Church
           is
           not
           more
           generally
           embrac'd
           ,
           and
           admir'd
           ,
           is
           ,
           bycause
           the
           purity
           of
           its
           Doctrine
           ,
           the
           sobriety
           of
           its
           Devotion
           ,
           the
           moderation
           of
           its
           Discipline
           ,
           the
           largeness
           of
           its
           Charity
           ,
           are
           not
           more
           impartially
           ,
           and
           calmly
           examin'd
           ,
           more
           generally
           understood
           .
           Our
           Church
           in
           its
           Spiritual
           State
           ,
           as
           you
           are
           Christians
           ,
           is
           most
           conformable
           to
           the
           Rules
           of
           Christ
           ,
           to
           the
           Apostolical
           practice
           ,
           to
           the
           Primitive
           Institutions
           .
           In
           its
           Rational
           state
           ,
           as
           
           you
           are
           men
           ,
           its
           Doctrines
           are
           very
           agreable
           to
           the
           reason
           of
           mankind
           ;
           its
           Precepts
           most
           becoming
           the
           purest
           ,
           and
           the
           strictest
           laws
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           Morality
           .
           In
           its
           Political
           state
           ,
           as
           ye
           are
           Englishmen
           ,
           its
           Interest
           is
           inseparable
           from
           the
           Interest
           of
           our
           Nation
           ,
           and
           Government
           .
        
         
           We
           are
           therefore
           so
           far
           from
           being
           jealous
           of
           your
           most
           curious
           ,
           and
           exact
           search
           into
           the
           Practices
           ,
           and
           Principles
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           that
           we
           desire
           it
           ;
           nay
           ,
           we
           most
           earnestly
           beseech
           it
           .
           We
           are
           in
           no
           danger
           from
           mens
           most
           subtle
           inquiry
           into
           it
           ;
           we
           may
           be
           from
           their
           utter
           carelesness
           ,
           and
           indifference
           towards
           it
           .
        
         
           We
           are
           not
           against
           any
           mans
           seeing
           Spiritual
           Truth
           ;
           only
           we
           would
           not
           have
           the
           blind
           presume
           to
           teach
           others
           to
           see
           :
           we
           would
           not
           have
           men
           think
           they
           see
           ,
           when
           they
           do
           not
           ;
           which
           is
           the
           most
           certain
           way
           for
           them
           never
           to
           see
           at
           all
           .
           We
           would
           have
           you
           know
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           you
           can
           ;
           only
           we
           would
           have
           you
           believe
           that
           both
           you
           ,
           and
           we
           ,
           may
           know
           much
           more
           than
           we
           do
           :
           We
           intreat
           you
           to
           strive
           to
           know
           all
           ,
           in
           a
           right
           way
           ,
           by
           sober
           degrees
           ,
           for
           right
           purposes
           ,
           and
           uses
           ,
           and
           ends
           .
        
         
         
           Most
           seasonable
           is
           this
           advice
           ;
           and
           I
           wish
           it
           could
           be
           most
           effectually
           recommended
           .
           For
           ,
           to
           speak
           plain
           truth
           ,
           a
           meek
           ,
           humble
           ,
           teachable
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           by
           consequence
           ,
           a
           devout
           ,
           peaceable
           ,
           and
           obedient
           Spirit
           are
           almost
           quite
           gone
           out
           of
           the
           world
           :
           whereas
           all
           things
           in
           Religion
           should
           be
           plain
           ,
           scarce
           any
           thing
           will
           now
           please
           ,
           that
           is
           so
           :
           Whilst
           so
           many
           strive
           to
           be
           Teachers
           ,
           and
           place
           most
           of
           their
           Religion
           in
           that
           ,
           how
           many
           censurers
           have
           we
           of
           others
           ?
           how
           many
           Reformers
           of
           the
           public
           ?
           how
           few
           learners
           ?
           how
           much
           fewer
           practisers
           themselves
           ?
        
         
           Alas
           !
           is
           it
           not
           apparent
           ,
           that
           ever
           since
           so
           many
           of
           the
           Laity
           have
           so
           much
           invaded
           ,
           so
           many
           have
           so
           much
           despised
           the
           Office
           of
           the
           Clergy
           ;
           Pride
           has
           evidently
           prevailed
           over
           Humility
           ,
           Faction
           over
           Unity
           ,
           ill
           Nature
           over
           Charity
           ?
        
         
           Though
           I
           am
           not
           willing
           to
           make
           a
           Satyr
           on
           any
           Religious
           Party
           ;
           nor
           do
           I
           think
           that
           the
           best
           way
           to
           reclaim
           them
           :
           our
           Consciences
           should
           convince
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           our
           Lives
           should
           confute
           their
           Lives
           :
           else
           't
           is
           not
           enough
           only
           to
           employ
           our
           tongues
           ,
           and
           our
           fancies
           against
           their
           
           Consciences
           :
           yet
           for
           Truths
           sake
           ,
           this
           I
           must
           say
           ;
           that
           of
           all
           the
           Sects
           amongst
           us
           ,
           who
           contemn
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           who
           separate
           themselves
           from
           the
           great
           things
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           on
           a
           dislike
           of
           some
           small
           things
           ;
           and
           amongst
           whom
           all
           think
           themselves
           gifted
           Brethren
           alike
           :
           Whatever
           other
           virtues
           ,
           or
           shadows
           of
           virtues
           ,
           they
           may
           seem
           to
           have
           ;
           whatever
           sobriety
           of
           Life
           ,
           or
           strictness
           of
           Conversation
           ,
           or
           freedom
           from
           some
           scandalous
           sins
           they
           may
           pretend
           to
           :
           For
           which
           yet
           I
           cannot
           but
           say
           ,
           that
           if
           they
           are
           really
           such
           ,
           as
           they
           pretend
           ,
           I
           wish
           they
           were
           ours
           ;
           yet
           may
           they
           not
           generally
           be
           observ'd
           to
           be
           exceedingly
           defective
           in
           the
           two
           principal
           ,
           Fundamental
           Graces
           of
           Christianity
           ?
           which
           are
           Humility
           ,
           and
           Charity
           .
           Humility
           of
           looks
           ,
           or
           habit
           they
           may
           have
           ;
           but
           have
           they
           as
           much
           of
           heart
           ,
           or
           life
           ?
           Charity
           of
           Good
           Works
           do
           they
           not
           too
           much
           despise
           ,
           as
           a
           low
           ,
           legal
           way
           to
           Heaven
           ?
           Charity
           of
           Opinions
           ,
           have
           they
           any
           at
           all
           ?
        
         
           It
           cannot
           be
           denied
           ,
           but
           in
           this
           last
           Age
           ,
           in
           most
           of
           our
           memories
           ,
           our
           Nation
           has
           manifestly
           degenerated
           from
           the
           practice
           of
           former
           times
           ,
           in
           many
           Moral
           Virtues
           ,
           
           and
           Spiritual
           Graces
           ,
           which
           should
           teach
           us
           
             to
             render
             to
             God
             ,
             the
             things
             that
             are
             Gods
             ,
             and
             to
             Caesar
             the
             things
             that
             are
             Caesars
             .
          
           Where
           is
           that
           integrity
           of
           Manners
           ,
           that
           truth
           of
           Conversation
           ,
           that
           dutiful
           observance
           of
           Order
           ,
           that
           modestly
           of
           Private
           Life
           ,
           that
           Charity
           towards
           men
           ,
           that
           humble
           Devotion
           towards
           God
           ,
           in
           which
           ,
           we
           can
           only
           say
           we
           have
           heard
           ,
           our
           Nation
           once
           excell'd
           ?
        
         
           'T
           would
           be
           a
           melancholy
           employment
           to
           search
           into
           the
           causes
           of
           this
           unhappy
           change
           :
           but
           whatever
           other
           occasions
           may
           have
           contributed
           to
           the
           continuance
           and
           increase
           of
           it
           ;
           certainly
           the
           chief
           cause
           of
           the
           beginning
           of
           it
           was
           Spiritual
           Pride
           ,
           and
           Hypocrisie
           ;
           the
           want
           ,
           nay
           the
           contempt
           of
           an
           humble
           ,
           and
           docible
           Spirit
           .
        
         
           The
           different
           effects
           of
           this
           disposition
           ,
           and
           of
           that
           ,
           which
           is
           contrary
           to
           it
           ,
           have
           been
           abundantly
           tried
           in
           all
           Histories
           ,
           in
           all
           States
           ,
           Civil
           ,
           and
           Ecclesiastical
           ;
           especially
           Ecclesiastical
           .
           Those
           Countries
           ,
           and
           Societies
           of
           men
           have
           ever
           most
           flourish'd
           ,
           where
           men
           have
           been
           kept
           longest
           under
           a
           reasonable
           Discipline
           ,
           those
           ,
           where
           the
           number
           of
           Teachers
           have
           been
           few
           in
           
           comparison
           to
           the
           number
           of
           Learners
           .
           There
           was
           never
           yet
           any
           wise
           Nation
           ,
           or
           happy
           Church
           ,
           at
           least
           never
           any
           that
           continued
           long
           so
           :
           where
           all
           have
           thought
           themselves
           equally
           fit
           ,
           and
           have
           been
           promiscuously
           admitted
           ,
           to
           be
           Teachers
           ,
           or
           Law-givers
           .
        
         
           What
           can
           be
           the
           consequence
           of
           such
           a
           head-strong
           ,
           stiff-necked
           ,
           over-weening
           ,
           unmanageable
           Spirit
           ?
           can
           any
           thing
           be
           more
           destructive
           to
           Church
           ,
           and
           State
           ,
           than
           such
           a
           perverse
           humor
           ,
           as
           is
           unteachable
           ,
           ungovernable
           it self
           ,
           and
           yet
           over-hasty
           to
           govern
           ,
           and
           teach
           others
           ?
           where
           Children
           get
           too
           soon
           out
           of
           the
           government
           of
           their
           Parents
           ,
           and
           Masters
           :
           where
           men
           think
           it
           a
           Duty
           of
           Religion
           ,
           to
           strive
           to
           get
           out
           of
           the
           Government
           of
           their
           Magistrate
           ,
           and
           Prince
           :
           where
           Christians
           shall
           think
           themselves
           not
           at
           all
           bound
           to
           be
           under
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           must
           not
           all
           domestic
           ,
           and
           Politic
           ,
           and
           spiritual
           Relations
           soon
           be
           dissolv'd
           ?
           must
           not
           all
           order
           be
           speedily
           overthrown
           ,
           where
           all
           the
           true
           ways
           to
           make
           ,
           and
           keep
           men
           orderly
           ,
           are
           confounded
           ?
        
         
         
           And
           what
           ,
           in
           time
           would
           be
           the
           issue
           of
           such
           a
           confusion
           ?
           what
           ?
           but
           either
           gross
           ignorance
           ,
           or
           false
           knowledge
           ?
           which
           is
           as
           bad
           or
           worse
           :
           what
           ?
           but
           a
           contempt
           of
           virtue
           ,
           and
           prudence
           ,
           under
           the
           disgraceful
           titles
           of
           pedantry
           ,
           and
           formality
           ?
           what
           ?
           but
           a
           looseness
           of
           tongues
           ,
           and
           lives
           ?
           and
           at
           last
           mens
           taking
           pride
           in
           ,
           and
           valuing
           themselves
           on
           such
           looseness
           ?
           what
           but
           a
           disobedience
           to
           the
           Laws
           of
           man
           ,
           in
           a
           pretence
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           God
           ;
           but
           ,
           in
           truth
           ,
           a
           neglect
           of
           all
           the
           Laws
           both
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           man
           ?
           In
           short
           ,
           what
           but
           mad
           Enthusiasm
           first
           ,
           and
           then
           licentious
           Atheism
           ?
           for
           very
           near
           is
           the
           distance
           ,
           very
           easie
           the
           passage
           from
           one
           of
           these
           extremes
           to
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           Wherefore
           for
           these
           most
           pernicious
           distempers
           ,
           the
           great
           prevention
           ,
           the
           best
           remedy
           is
           this
           in
           my
           Text
           ,
           
             that
             we
             all
             receive
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             as
             little
             children
          
           :
           that
           children
           be
           carefully
           instructed
           in
           Religion
           ,
           as
           children
           ,
           whilst
           they
           are
           so
           :
           that
           our
           grown
           men
           ,
           our
           wise
           men
           ,
           especially
           our
           witty
           men
           ,
           should
           not
           disdain
           to
           be
           as
           children
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           spiritual
           instruction
           :
           that
           the
           same
           modesty
           of
           opinions
           ,
           
           and
           duty
           to
           Governours
           ,
           and
           submission
           to
           Instructors
           ,
           which
           children
           have
           by
           nature
           ,
           without
           any
           experience
           ,
           they
           would
           strive
           to
           have
           by
           choice
           ,
           as
           the
           main
           end
           of
           ,
           and
           best
           means
           to
           improve
           their
           greatest
           wit
           ,
           and
           experience
           .
        
         
           
             'T
             is
             good
             for
             a
             man
             that
             be
             beareth
             the
             yoke
             in
             his
             youth
             .
          
           
           'T
           is
           good
           for
           him
           that
           beareth
           it
           ,
           not
           only
           for
           human
           society
           :
           
             'T
             is
             good
             to
             bear
             the
             yoke
          
           ;
           the
           severest
           direction
           ,
           the
           hardest
           restraint
           ;
           much
           more
           to
           yield
           to
           the
           tenderness
           of
           counsel
           ,
           the
           easiness
           of
           instruction
           ,
           the
           wholsom
           severities
           of
           Discipline
           .
        
         
           First
           then
           ,
           in
           the
           name
           of
           God
           ,
           may
           the
           means
           of
           Education
           ,
           the
           times
           of
           Institution
           ,
           the
           rules
           of
           Discipline
           ,
           the
           Laws
           of
           Government
           ,
           the
           distance
           and
           duties
           of
           Inferiors
           to
           Superiors
           ,
           of
           all
           degress
           ,
           be
           most
           seriously
           regarded
           :
           that
           our
           men
           may
           be
           brought
           up
           to
           business
           ,
           to
           professions
           ,
           fitted
           for
           the
           world
           ,
           for
           Heaven
           ,
           by
           the
           laborious
           methods
           of
           virtue
           ,
           and
           knowledg
           ,
           and
           obedience
           ,
           by
           an
           exact
           Rule
           ,
           by
           sure
           degrees
           :
           no
           matter
           how
           slow
           ,
           so
           they
           be
           but
           sure
           ;
           better
           too
           slow
           than
           too
           precipitate
           .
        
         
         
           And
           lastly
           ,
           may
           our
           men
           of
           ripe
           years
           ,
           our
           men
           of
           business
           ,
           our
           great
           men
           be
           intreated
           to
           revive
           ,
           and
           restore
           the
           antient
           simplicity
           ,
           and
           integrity
           of
           manners
           :
           to
           practice
           an
           inward
           humility
           ,
           and
           lowliness
           of
           mind
           ;
           an
           outward
           innocence
           towards
           all
           ,
           condescension
           to
           Inferiors
           ,
           observance
           of
           Superiors
           ,
           submission
           to
           Teachers
           ,
           subjection
           to
           Rulers
           :
           and
           to
           practise
           all
           these
           excellent
           virtues
           ,
           not
           only
           as
           so
           many
           moral
           ,
           or
           political
           Duties
           ,
           but
           ,
           as
           indeed
           they
           are
           ,
           as
           some
           of
           the
           most
           Christian
           ,
           most
           Spiritual
           ,
           and
           most
           Evangelical
           Graces
           .
        
         
           Thus
           for
           us
           all
           to
           become
           as
           Children
           ,
           is
           the
           surest
           way
           to
           preserve
           where
           it
           is
           ,
           to
           recover
           where
           it
           was
           lost
           ,
           private
           virtue
           ,
           public
           honesty
           ,
           and
           a
           national
           piety
           .
        
         
           And
           by
           the
           words
           of
           our
           Saviour
           in
           my
           Text
           ,
           I
           am
           impowred
           to
           promise
           to
           this
           blessed
           Temper
           ,
           an
           eternal
           Reward
           .
           For
           if
           
             whosoever
             shall
             not
             receive
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             as
             a
             little
             child
             ,
             shall
             not
             enter
             therein
             :
          
           Hence
           we
           may
           well
           conclude
           ,
           that
           whosoever
           shall
           receive
           it
           as
           a
           child
           ,
           shall
           enter
           therein
           .
           
             For
             of
             such
          
           ,
           says
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           
             is
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God.
          
           Of
           which
           I
           beseech
           Almighty
           God
           to
           make
           us
           all
           partakers
           .
           Amen
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           A
           Catalogue
           of
           some
           Books
           ,
           Printed
           for
           ,
           and
           sold
           by
           
             H.
             Brome
          
           ,
           since
           the
           dreadful
           Fire
           of
           London
           ,
           to
           1675.
           
        
         
           COmber
           on
           the
           Common-Prayer
           :
           in
           two
           Volumes
           .
           A
           Guide
           to
           Eternity
           :
           By
           
             John
             Bona
             ,
             Octavo
          
           .
           Dean
           W.
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           Sermon
           before
           the
           King
           about
           Miracles
           .
        
         
           
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             His
             Sermon
             at
             the
             Funeral
             of
             John
             Lord
             Bishop
             of
             Chester
             .
          
           
             6d
             .
          
           
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             Sermon
             before
             the
             King
             in
             Lent
             ,
             1673.
             
          
           
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             Seasonable
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             in
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             :
             40.
             
          
           
             6d
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             Papists
             Apology
             to
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             Parliament
             answered
             .
          
           
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             Naylor's
             Commemoration
             Sermon
             for
             Colonel
             Cavendish
             .
          
           
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             Sayer's
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             at
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             at
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             .
          
           
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             Sermon
             to
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             scattered
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             .
          
           
             6d
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             Mr.
             
             Stanhop's
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             on
             several
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               Papal
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             as
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             over
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             for
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             Ages
             ;
             with
             two
             Sermons
             on
             the
             fifth
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             5.
             
             Jan.
             30.
             
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             The
             Reformed
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             ,
             or
             Love
             of
             Iesus
             .
          
           
           
             The
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             with
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             last
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               Thomas
               Sutton
            
             ,
             
               Esq
            
          
           
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A61172-e110
           
             S.
             James
             4.6
             .
          
           
             Ver.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             12.1
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             2.2
             
          
           
             Rom.
             12.2
             .
          
           
             Luke
             11.41
             .
          
           
             Tit.
             2.14
             
          
           
             Mat.
             10.16
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             14.20
             .
          
           
             St.
             Chrysost.
             on
             St.
             Matth.
             19.14
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Lam.
             3.27
             .