SERM. of this temper hindred the Jews from receivVII. ing Jefus, and the truths he taught. They had a prejudice, a falfe and groundless notion, that the expected Meffiah would be an earthly Prince and powerful Monarch, and would fet up a worldly kingdom on this earth: in the civil advantages of which his fervants and followers fhould partake: whereas it was a fpiritual empire in the hearts, and over the lives of men, and a kingdom of righteoufneffe, that he was to introduce, in order to prepare men for the fervices and enjoyments of the heavenly life.

It must be of great advantage, to be free from that prejudice, or any other like it and to be determined to quit any notion, when good evidence to the contrarie is produced.

2. Another thing obfervable in children, and in which others ought to resemble them, is freedom from pride, or humility. This temper also renders men teachable and tractable, and fufceptible of emprovement in knowledge and virtue: whereas conceit is a most effectual bar to emprovement of every kind. They who are opinionated of their knowledge and wisdom, or of their eminent character, and noble

VII.

noble exploits and fervices, will not bear SERM. to be admonished, nor fubmit to receive new truths and farther difcoveries, how well foever recommended.

Here we cannot avoid recollecting those words of our Lord, where he expreffeth his chearful acquiefcence in the fucceffe of his miniftrie, and fays. I thank thee, o Father, Mat. xi. Lord of heaven and earth: because thou hast 25. hid these things from the wife and prudent, and haft revealed them unto babes.

Hid from the wife and prudent: not from thofe, who were really fo: but from those who were so esteemed by many, and who were opinionated of their own knowledge and wisdom, and their reputation in the world : Whilft the doctrines and truths of the gofpel were understood, believed, and embraced by babes men of inferior station and condition, meaner attainments, and lefs conceited of themselves, and perhaps defpifed by others. But not being greatly conceited, they hearkened to inftruction, and difcerned, and embraced the truths, taught and propofed to them.

3. Another thing obfervable in children is freedom from earthly affections, or indifference

VII.

SERM. about the great things of this world: fuch as riches, honour and preferment. This is fo obvious, not only in little children and infants, but in all very young perfons in general, that parents, and others of experience in life, are oftentimes not a little concerned at it, leaft they should not duly regard their temporal interests. And they think it expe

dient to fhew them the ufe and value of these things, and by frequent obfervations infufe at left a small degree of ambition, and some worldly-mindedneffe, into their conftitution.

But our bleffed Lord, without undervaluing or depretiating any of the comforts of this life, recommends, and highly esteems, as you well know, a judicious contempt of all earthly things, and a determined preference of truth and integrity, the favour of God, and a title to the heavenly happineffe, above all earthly honours, poffeffions and enjoyments. And he often declares, that he who is not willing to part with what he has of these things for his fake, if the circumftances he is brought into should require it, cannot be his disciple, or approve himself a lover of truth.

The

VII.

The neceffity of resembling little chil- SERM. dren in indifference to riches, or in a freedom from inordinate affection for them, is illustrated by a historie, which follows the text, of the rich man, who when directed by Chrift, to go, and fell what he had, and give to the poor; affuring him withal, that then he should have treasure in heaven

; went

away forrowful, for he had great poffeffions.

1.

4.

The neceffity of refembling little children in freedom from ambition, or an immoderate defire of grandeur and preferment, Christ taught his own difciples in particular. For, when they had asked him, who Should Mat.xviii, be greatest in the kingdom of heaven, fuppofing, the kingdom of the Meffiah would have in it much honour and power, he called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and faid: Verily, I fay unto you: Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whofoever therefore shall bumble himself, as this little child, the fame is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

4. Another thing, in which others ought to resemble little children, is freedom from cuftom of fining, or innocence.

L 3

Little chil

dren,

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SERM. dren, and infants, fuch as moft, or all those were, who were now brought to Chrift, are univerfally allowed to be free from actual fin. They have as yet made no wrong choice they have done no evil thing. And others, who have fined, in order to partake of the kingdom of God, are to become like them, by washing away their fins with the tears of unfeigned forrow, by reformation. and amendment, by ceafing to do evil, and being free from the habitual and allowed practife of all iniquity.

Of fuch as these confifts the kingdom of heaven. To those who in these things refemble little children belongs the kingdom of God. Such will receive the gospel. They will come into the kingdom of the Meffiah. They will continue true members and faithful fubjects of it, and finally inherit all the glorie and happineffe of the kingdom of God above.

V. Having confidered these several particulars, let us now make a farther

emprove

ment in fome reflections.