Low-Sunday . EPISTLE . 1 Jo . 5. C. V. 4. ends V. 10.

ALL that are born of God , overcome the World . To overcome the World , a Christian must be possess'd of that inward Constancy and Strength of Mind , as to be proof against all the snares of this World , so as neither to be seduc'd by its errors , nor charm'd with its flatteries , nor frighted by its terrors ; but ever keep on steddy to his duty , so that nothing that is earthly , shall be able either to perswade or force him from it . The trial of this Constancy frequently occurs , and there 's scarce a day wherein the world makes not its attempts on every Christian , and seeks to overthrow or weaken him , either by its friendship or its frowns . But he that is born of God , overcomes the world ; & that other consequence is left to us to make : He that overcomes not the world , is not of God . 'T is our concern now to examine , which part belongs to us ; Whether we overcome the world , or are overcome by it . To discover this , we may divide the world into Four Considerations , and regard it . 1. As to its Vices . 2ly . As to the Use of Creatures . 3ly . As to its Misfortunes . 4ly . As to the Obligation or Charge , it brings on all that live in it : And if upon reflection , we find , we overcome it not , as to all these Divisions ; but yielding under some one part of it , are by its prevailing influence drawn from our duty to God , truly then we have reason to apprehend , that dreadful consequence belongs to us ; That we are not of God .

The case is very evident , as to the First Part : For as many as pursue a sinful course , and live under the guilt of any habitual vice whatever , are certainly slaves to some criminal passion , and consequently have not overcome the world : therefore are not of God . For he that is of God , has overcome the World .

'T is evident enough too , as to the Second Part : For wherever a Christian is so violently bent on the enjoyment of those Creatures , which are in his command , whether it be in relation to his Divertisement , his Interest , or Honour , that thro' his over-earnest application to these , he is wanting to many considerable Duties , he ows to God and his Soul ; 't is plain such an one has not overcome the world ; since for the world he forsakes God , and consequently is not of God . For since Creatures were granted to Man for no other end , than to be serviceable to him in the necessities and reasonable conveniencies of life , and while he 's laboring for Heaven , to be referr'd by him to that Last End , to the encrease of whose honor all creatures ought to contribute in their degree : how can that Christian value himself as innocent , or answer those purposes of our Creator , who having receiv'd variety of great blessigns from his hand , refers them not again , in the due use of them , to him ; but makes himself their last end ; in all seeking himself , and studying how to gratify in all he possesses , his own Sense and humor , which the good Christian ever labors to renounce and Mortify ? Is it not plain , that Self-love governs here , that the Heart , the Thoughts , the Affections and Desires , are all possess'd with this corruption ; and that such an one must give himself the lye , if he pretends to love God above all things , or to love him with all his heart and Soul ? Truly I cannot tell how favourably some may judge of themselves in this case : but certainly such an one has a very worldly and sensual Soul , indulges himself in many libertys too loose for the narrow way of the Gospel , and , upon an impartial examen , will be found accompanied with many considerable injustices both to God and his own Soul : and will not bear the character of a Conqueror , but Servant of the World .

The same is to be concluded , as to the Third Part : for however the misfortunes and troubles of this life , whether Temporal or Spiritual , are naturally a clog upon the Soul , and upon their first assault , a general hinderance to devotion ; yet if a Christian , through uneasiness under them , either renounces his Duty and Profession , for the obtaining of relief ; or else voluntarily sinks into such a degree of dejection , that he will hear of no comfort , nor use any endeavours for Submission and Peace , certainly such an one is considerably wanting in his duty , by living in an affected contradiction to the Will of God , by disowning the Justice of that hand , which inflicts the punishment , and betraying a very immoderate love of himself or other Creature , even to the preferring it to God ; whilst for the disappointment or loss he suffers in it , he even renounces in some manner God himself . This is not to be understood of those , who surpriz'd by some suddain grief , for a time are violently oppress'd , but sensible of their weakness are willing to use means to moderate and endeavours to remove it ; but of those above mention'd , who being sullen under their misfortune , obstinately set themselves against all methods proper for their cure : for these are so far from overcoming the world , that they are truly overwhelm'd by it . Though indeed many others too , I fear , must come in here and share in this guilt : for since every degree of melancholy or inward grief naturally indisposes the Soul , for the due performing of the greatest duties we owe to God , by oppressing the heart with a dead weight , and disquieting the mind with groundless fears & variety of impertinent phancies , there 's too much reason to apprehend , that as far as any one culpably gives way to this distemper , so far off he is from conquering the World , and so far he has to answer for all the ill consequences , which are the constant attendants of this Indisposition .

The same censure falls on those , who are overcome by the Fourth Part . For though to be diligent in the Charge , which belongs to every one , in their respective qualities , be a great duty ; yet to be so bent on these worldly Affairs , that the heart is wholy engag'd in them , that no Attention , Time or Thoughts can be allow'd to the care of the Soul and Christian dutys ; truly this is an extreme , which evidently shews a man to be overcome by the world ; that he sets Earth above Heaven and this world above God . For though Care in Worldly Professions be recommended to a Christian , yet when it rises so high , as to exclude all Christianity , it becomes very Criminal . and is as great a bar to Salvation , as a life of vice . Therefore we see in the Gospel , though the trying of Oxen , seeing a Farm , and Marrying a Wife , be things in themselves very laudable ; yet when the over-earnest application to these , takes a man off his other greater duties , and generally hinders him from attending to God , they are highly provoking ; and we must not wonder at the severe sentence pronounc'd against them : Not one of those men shall tast my Supper : Hence many sorts of Professions become very dangerous and unlawful ; because they thus wholy involve a Man in the World , and take Heaven out of his sight : and I question not , as there are many cases ; wherein Father , Mother , Wife , Land &c. are to be forsaken ; so likewise Professions too , when they evidently hazard our Salvation , and put by all opportunities of providing for a better life . This may be truly said of the most Perfect and Apostolical Profession of Missioners or Pastors . For when the great Charge of others Souls is the occasion of neglecting their own , this is not according to the order of Charity , but contrary to it . For though perfect Charity be to be commended ; yet how can Charity be perfect , as S. Bernard says to Pope Eugenius , if a Man excludes himself ? Quomodo autem plena , te excluso ? And if this be truly said in regard of this perfect State ; with much more reason is it to take place as to all other Callings and Professions , which either in the whole or part are to be laid by , as they prove a general hinderance to Salvation . Thus then , as we desire to belong to God , it is our duty to overcome the World , as to every part of it ; and this is to be effected by the Victory of Faith . Grant then , O God of Mercy , that the Faith of those Eternal Goods , thou hast prepar'd for those that love thee , may be so powerful in us , that the hopes of one day possessing them , may give us courage to contemn whatever is Temporal .

II Sunday after Easter . EPISTLE . 1 Pet . 2. 21. to the end .

CHRIST Suffer'd for us , leaving us an example , that we may follow his steps . The Rule is plain , and the obligation of our following it very express : So that the Sufferings of Christ were not only undertaken by him , as our Redeemer ; but likewise , as our Master and Teacher , to set us a Pattern of what our lives ought to be . Whilst therefore I consider the laborious and persecuted life of Christ , and his Cruel Death , it is not enough for me to give him Thanks for this most plentiful Redemption wrought by him ; but I am to imprint a lively Idea of all his Sufferings deep in my Soul , and remember , these are to be my Model ; and that if I offer not my self to accept whatever portion of them , he shall assign for me , I shall by no means be look'd on as a true Disciple of such a Master . 'T is on this condition heaven is promis'd us : Si tamen compatimur , ut & conglorificemur : and whoever renounces the Condition , renounces the Promise ; if we suffer not with him , we cannot reign with him .

Not that a Christian , by his Profession , is oblig'd to seek Reproaches , Disgraces or Prisons : 't is generally enough to resolve stedily to walk on in the way of Justice , and that no flatteries or Fears shall oblige him to forsake it . The being true to such a Resolution will be generally attended with variety of Sufferings . Some will arise within , occasion'd from the continual war with Corrupt Inclinations , and the repeated assaults of a troublesom enemy ; these will often give disquiet , and cause such uneasiness to a Sincere Soul , as to force it to break forth sometimes into Sighs and Groans : others will fall heavy from abroad , since the asserting the cause of Justice , Innocence and Truth , cannot escape long , in this World of iniquity , without drawing great inconveniencies , and sometimes ruin on the Undertaker ; and the higher degree he holds in the world , the more he is expos'd to greater mischiefs : it being very difficult to maintain any eminent Post in the world , without disguising truth and abandoning Justice on occasions ; so that he that is resclute never to yield under any injustice , can hardly keep his ground , but must look to be overthrown , one manner or other .

The bearing patiently these evils , which thus occur , according to the general disposition of ones life , might go a great way to the making up a True Disciple of Christ ; and 't is in this part , the greatest number of those , who pretend to be his followers , are very considerably wanting . The Pious , and such as aim at Devotion , are often impatient , even to a great fault , under the importunity of Temptations , and at the frequent experience of their own weakness , in not standing their ground with that constancy , or not arriving to that degree of Peaceable and undisturb'd Devotion , as they desire ; upon which many times falling into great anxiety and disquiets , they indiscreetly add new faults to the former , when they should be , with great submission of Spirit , practising Humility and Patience , and in this Suffering follow their Master .

Others are still more to blame , who foreseeing any little occasion of Suffering , either through their own fault or accidentally , falling upon them , are ready with a Lye to ward it off and secure themselves ; being so apprehensive of Suffering the least correction or inconvenience , that to keep themselves harmless , as they think , they defend themselves with Untruths , and draw on them God's anger , for the escaping that of Men . The natural unwillingness they have to Suffer , ever putting them on this unchristian artifice . Another , as unjustifiable as this , they make use of , when any other occasionn of suffering presents it self ; as when they are wrongfully accus'd , or blam'd without fault ; for instead of quietly and patiently bearing this Humiliation , they generally fall into a passion , conceive an ill will against the Parties concern'd , and for reparation of their own Credit , are not satisfied till they have cast a blemish on their Neighbors . Thus though Meekness , Patience and Doing Good for evil , be what Christians pretend to , as the marks of their Profession , yet amongst how very few , are these found ? For go into the crowd of them , and instead of their peaceably embracing the opportunities of Suffering , you 'l hear Threats for threats , Passion for Passion , Cursing for Cursing ; and Malice , Detraction , and ill Will , you 'l scarce see any where without like returns .

In Spiritual affairs again 't is much the same spirit governs ; the natural aversion to Suffering so far influencing the greatest Part , that in those very exercises , in which 't is intended they should Suffer , they frustrate the designs of the Church , and ever study to avoid it . Thus they are ingenious to find ways to Fast , without Fasting , that is , without almost any sort of Mortification : they do penance for their Sins , without penance , that is , without any of those penitential works , bearing the least proportion to their crimes . And as to other Duties of Restitution , Moderation , Temperance , Self-denial , Taking up the Cross , Charity , Purity , hating the world , &c. They have stretch'd these so far beyond all bounds , and made them conveniently bend so near the inclinations of flesh and blood , that truly a Christian life , as now in practice , is not a very laborious one ; but admits of so much Excess , Gluttony-Over-reaching , Cozening , Animosities , Prodigalities , Pride , and all manner of Satisfactions and Liberties , that are not the very depth of Sin , that I think it has but little of the Gospel in it , and is so very easy and commodious , as to this world , that there 's too much reason to suspect it .

And if , reflecting now upon the whole , we consider wherein it is we follow the example of our Lord in Peaceably Suffering , according to the Copy he has set us , truly , 't is hard to find it : for how do we imitate him , whilst he voluntarily chose to Suffer , and we take all the care we can , to avoid it ? How are we his Followers , whilst we take a way quite contrary to his example , using all possible endeavors to decline whatever is capable of Mortifying us ; and whenever we are surpriz'd with it against our wills , we then render it useless and unchristian by passion or impatience ? O Blessed Redeemer , how far is this from the true Character of thy Disciple ! Thou hast suffer'd , to teach us to Suffer ; and if thy Example has no effect on me , but I am still solicitous to gratify my own Inclinations , rather than be directed by thy Rule , how can I pretend to be thy Follower ? And if reigning with thee , be promis'd upon condition of Suffering , is it not plain , by avoiding Suffering , I set Heaven at a greater distance from me ?

Third Sunday after Easter . EPISTLE . 1 Pet . 2. 11. ends V. 18.

BRethren , I exhort you , as Strangers and Travellers , to abstain from carnal desires , which war against the Soul . The Direction and method of a Christian life , is fully compris'd in these two words of Strangers and Travellers , in both which the Apostle informs us , that we are not of this world , that we belong to another ; that as long as we are in this world , we ought to consider it as a Strange Country , and that , as Travellers , we are only going through it . As therefore Strangers are not allow'd to purchase in a foreign Country , nor settle an inheritance there ; as Travellers stop not on their Journey , but only to inform themselves of the nearest and safest way home : they march diligently , whilst 't is day , and for Rest and Nourishment , they only take , what is necessary to enable them to perform their Journey : If they are revil'd or affronted on their way , they go on still , make a Jest of it , & let no sort of anger or ill will seize their Spirits , nor think in the least of any revenge : if they see what delights them , whether as to Houses , Sports , Company , Entertainments , &c. these raise some pleasing thoughts indeed , and though they may stop to cast a passing eye , yet they go on still , not daring to take part in these diversions , lest thus hindred , they should not reach their home . Thus their main concern is ever to advance , and to deny themselves every thing , that may either stop or clog them in the way . If it rains or blows , they go on with patience thro' it , hoping it will soon give over ▪ if the ways are uneasie , heavy or deep , they march on still , hoping before long , the ways will mend .

Oh , that we could thus go thro' this world , and ever esteem our Selves no otherwise than Srangers or Travellers : how would this put us upon passing by whatever is dangerous or hurtful to us , and never let us stop so easily at what delights , without reflecting , how far such amusements may hinder us from ever seeing our journeys end ? How should we pass by many inconveniencies without concern ; and be careful never to burthen our selves with so much business of the Inn , as to forget , that we have farther still to go ? Heaven is our Country , and as we are Christians , 't is thither we pretend . Art thou now going on , Dear Christian ? Or art thou at a stand ? or go'st thou backward ? If Business hinders thee , remember , the great business of one , that 's on the way , is to be going on : there are many things thou wouldst willingly be doing on a Journey , but only thou canst not stay : The business , that hinders thee from going to Heaven , is not thine , and must either be laid aside , or the concern of it must be lessen'd . If Troubles hinder thee , learn to manage them right , and they 'l help thee forward . If it be Sloth that hinders , Spur on the beast . But if it be thy Pleasures and Passions ; these must necessarily be avoided and reform'd . I exhort you to abstain from Carnel Desires , which war against the Soul . Every thing is Carnal , that keeps thee from God . Whatever it be , that is not thy Duty , or in order to it , is only to feed some Passion ; and thou wilt soon discover , 't is the coruption of thy heart , which withdrawing thee from God , puts thee upon seeking other satisfactions out of him . And all these generally war against the Soul ; for the Soul being design'd for an inheritance above and the Possession of an Eternal Good , all things created are much beneath that End , and all affections to them must greatly prejudice the Soul ; the stronger these are , the more they weaken the Desires of Heaven ; they stop the Christian on his way , make him in love with his Inn and cause an unwillingness to leave it ; and is not this injurious to his great concern ; whilst as the love of the world grows in him , so in proportion is diminish'd the Love of God ? The Heart of man is very streight ; Affections of no kind can rise there to any degree , but it must necessarily be to the less'ning of some others : and 't is thus the Wicked and even Unwary Christians , in their pilgrimage below , come , by degrees , to forget they are Strangers and Travellers here .

Another caution the Apostle gives to as many as are on this journey ; that is . To edify all by good Example and Holy Conversation . For this is a Duty Common to every Christian . To be so watchful in all their actions , as to do nothing , that may offend or Scandalize their neighbor : it being impossible there should be true Charity , where one prefers his own particular Satisfaction before the Salvation of others : Salvation , I say ; for tho' there be no fault in me ; when some , thro' a disposition notoriously unjust , are scandaliz'd at actions truly good and beneficial to my Soul : yet there can be no excuse for those , who yielding to the violence of their own Desires , live in the continual practice of great disorders , and such liberties , which give sufficient grounds of offence to others , and make strangers blaspheme that Church , whose Members they are , as guilty of encouraging those vices which they see practis'd by such as belong to it . In this number must be included all those , who culpably live in the ill habit of Cursing ; Swearing , Lying , Drinking , Covetousness or Cheating ; such as use immodest Discourses or Actions , such as give themselves to Passion , Revenge , or Backbiting , who thro' carelesness neglect their Families , thro' prodigality or vain expences expose them to ruin , and thro' a life of idleness , betray a want of application to the Means of Bliss : In fine , all those , whose lives run counter to their Profession , who answer not the obligations of their State or Charge , whether Ecclesiastic , or Civil : all these with infinit others , if not reform'd , will find no place for excuse ; but must be condemn'd as enemys to themselves , in thus evidently hazarding their eternal welfare ; to their Neighbors , in giving them Scandal and ill Example ; and to their Church , in giving just occasion to Strangers to revile and blaspheme it . If these could but frame a true idea of their own State , and see , how many Souls are defil'd with sin , how many lie buried in Hell , drawn into this state of misery thro' their ill example : if they could see how many have been discourag'd from seeking the Truth , and quite put out of the way , by the Scandal of their liberties : if they could hear , how many blasphemies are cast out against God's Church , occasion'd by their loose and unexemplar lives : this prospect would either oblige them to reform their ways , by entring into the rigours of Penance , or if obstinate in their Sin , cast them into despair : For truly , it is accompanied with so many dreadful consequences , if consider'd in all its branches , into which it unhappily spreads it self , that it must needs terrify a Christian , to think , how many Souls he must give an account of besides his own ; and when he comes to reflect , the part he has acted in this life , has been that of devils , in suggesting and propagating sin , and betraying Souls to Hell , it must be a very powerful Grace to perserve him from making this conclusion ; That his crime having a resemblance with the Devils , must certainly be as unpardonable as theirs . Look , O God of mercy , on these unhappy Christians , and by the effect of thy Grace , reclaim them from their evil ways ; preserve them from all despair ; and turn their feet into the ways of thy Commandments . Pardon us all our Sins , and forgive all those , who have been missed by our ill Example . Direct our lives in the paths of Moderation and Prudence , that we may edify every Neighbor , and thus contribute to the removing that Scandal , which other's Vices and Indiscretion have drawn upon us .