11thly, Forgiving enemies, and being willing to be reconciled to them, and do them good: so Christ behaved himself towards his enemies, and prayed for them too: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

d

12thly, Patient suffering for well-doing: he often met with no better return, for all his acts of love to men's souls and bodies, than reproach and contempt, being charged with having assistance from the devil, in the mighty works he wrought, and with being a friend, or favourer of sinners; and at last was rejected by the multitude, (who preferred a thief and murderer before him',) and then affronted, and derided, scourged, and crucified; all which he endured with constant patience. To the imitation of which our heavenly pattern, in doing well, and suffering for it, his apostle tells us, we are called, that we should follow his steps".

Lastly, Suffering wrongfully for a good conscience, and righteousness sake. When he knew the Jews' intention to destroy him, he refused not to bear witness to the truth, viz. that he was the Son of God, and the Messiah; though he also knew that confession was what they waited for, in order to pronounce him guilty of blasphemy, and consequently of death'; teaching us hereby, that whenever the Divine Providence shall put us to such a trial, we also do, as our Lord and Master did, witness a good confession, and persevere in the truth; and thereby take up our cross and follow him, as he calls upon us to do, that so one day we may also follow him to his glory. Thus our Lord hath given an example of holy living and it is our duty to imitate him, otherwise

e Matt. ix. 34. and xi. 19.

d Luke xxiii. 34. f Luke xxiii. 18, 19. and John xviii. 40. 8 Matt. xxvii. 26, &c. h 1 Pet. ii, 19, 20, 21. i Matt. xxvi. 63, &c. (as he afterwards did the same before Pilate, John xviii. 30-38.)

xvi. 24.

k Matt.

we his disciples, or followers, that is, Christians to which character, a bare profession, of his religion, without following him in practice, cannot entitle us. And how honourable is it to do as the glorious Son of God did! What satisfaction and comfort must it be to feel in ourselves such a temper as Christ had, to be employed as he was, to spend our life in such a manner as the blessed Jesus did his! And, as a farther encouragement, to be sure we are in the right, and do walk in the narrow path, when we follow Christ's footsteps, in whom the Father was always well pleased. So great reason had St. Paul to instruct every member of the Christian church', to put on, or imitate the Lord Jesus Christ; and St. John, He that saith he abideth in him, (Jesus Christ,) ought himself to walk even as he walked.

Thus far we have considered the chief contents of the Gospel; namely, that it gives us an account of what Christ hath done and suffered for us, in order to our eternal life and happiness; what he expects as the condition on our parts; and also, that it contains the example he hath given us of the performance of such condition, by a true Christian life.

CHAP. VII.

Practical Observations on the Gospels. FOR the more profitable reading the books of the New Testament, it may be convenient to add some practical observations at the end of the account given of each of those books: these observations are such as tend to advance piety, and to prevent

some mistakes which are dangerous and pernicious. As to the four Gospels, the observations are these following.

First, As we read any part of the Gospel, we cannot but observe what a vein of love and kindness runs through all our Saviour's words and actions, (both in respect to the souls and bodies of mankind: for instance, how kindly did he invite all (that were heavy laden with the burden of their sins, or of their sufferings, to come unto him for ease and comfort! How forward was he, in his travels up and down, to heal diseases, to restore sight to the blind, and feet to the lame, going about, and doing good! How patient, in bearing with the sottishness and unbelief of his disciples, with the malice of the Pharisees, and ignorance of the people! With how passionate an affection did he pray for his disciples, and for all that should believe on him through their words! How full of love was he even to his crucifiers, praying his Father to forgive them, and even making an excuse for them, that they knew not what they did! The very miracles which he wrought to prove his commission, and to evidence that he was the promised Messiah, were such as might shew not only power, but goodness and love; by such deeds as were most useful and beneficial to men: it might have convinced the world of his power, if he had caused a mountain to move from one place to another; but that would not have given them such instances of his love and goodness, as healing their sick, casting out devils, and raising their dead to life: and although he was often reviled and affronted, yet to manifest himself to be the Saviour, not the destroyer of mankind, he cured all manner of diseases, and raised the dead; but never inflicted any disease, nor took away the life of any man. a John xvii. 9, &c.

Once more; Christ's forbearance of the Jews, for near forty years after he forewarned them of the dreadful judgments which hung over their heads, is not the least instance of his endearing goodness and love, in deferring their destruction so long, and sending them his apostles and teachers, and adding wonderful signs from heaven, foreshewing what was about to befal them, unless they repented. These and many other instances we may observe of our Saviour's love and tenderness, and good-will.

ness.

Secondly, That God chose such a method of being reconciled to sinners, as withal might vindicate the honour of his laws, and make us sensible of the evil and danger' of sin, and of his love and goodThe honour of his laws is vindicated, and the evil and danger of sin appears in that it was not to be forgiven without some sacrifice and expiation made for it; and we are made sensible of the infinite love and goodness of God, when we find that he spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us, to be our Saviour.

Thirdly, When we read in the Gospel the history of our redemption, in Christ's life and death, resurrection and ascension, and sending down the Holy Ghost, we may see how much was to be done, before we could be capable of salvation. Therefore seriously ask yourself, What will become of me? How shall I escape, if I neglect so great salvation ?

Fourthly, We find in the Gospel, that it is in vain to hope in Christ as our Saviour, unless we also take him for our Lord and King, by avoiding what he hath forbidden, and heartily and sincerely observing the duties he hath taught, by his precepts and example. For it is evident, that (as God is a God of holiness, as well as mercy) one design of Christ's coming into the world was to suppress all sin and vice; such as injustice, intemperance, uncleanness,

profaneness, and such like; and also other degrees of impurity, which may not be so visible to the world, and yet as opposite to holiness; such as haughtiness and pride, passion, envy, and malice, ambition, covetousness, desire of revenge, &c. and on the other hand, to make men religious and virtuous, in the practice of piety and devotion, humility, patience, and meekness, sobriety, chastity, truth, justice, love, and charity, whereby we may adorn that excellent religion we profess, may imitate, and become the more like our heavenly Father; and so be the more in his favour for the present; and be disposed for the relish of those pure and spiritual pleasures, that are to be in heaven hereafter.

e

This appears from the whole scope of the New Testament; in particular from our Saviour's first sermon, and his other instructions, which have been largely spoken of before; and also in that discourse, where he assures all those, who can be the branches of the true vine, that they must be careful how they bear fruit, and keep his commandments, as ever they hope to abide in his love. The same doctrine the apostles took care to settle on the hearts of the new converts to Christianity: thus St. Paul instructed them in this design of Christianity; The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us how to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts: and, on the other hand, to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; and then we may with comfort look for the glorious appearing of our Saviour; forasmuch as he gave himself for us, yet not only to atone for the guilt, but also to prevent the practice of sin, and to engage men in an holy and religious conversation, that he might purify to himself a pe

c Matt. v..

See Just. Martyr. Apol. 1. §. 10. ad initium. vi. vii. d John xv. 1, &c. e Titus ii. 11, 12, 13, 14.