When Jonathan was Dead, David's Affectionate Efteem of him was by no means abated or diminished, but moved

him to this Enquiry; * Is there yet any that is left of the House of Saul, that I may fhew him kindness for Jonathan's Sake. And when Mephibofheth, the Son of Jonathan, was found, David thus expreffeth himself; + Fear not, for I will furely fhew thee Kindness, for Jonathan thy Father's fake, and will refore thee all the Land of Saul thy Father, and thou fhalt eat Bread at my Table continually. This Paffage cannot but move us with a Senfe of Honour for that Excellent Spirit, which was thus demonftrated, in David's Kind and Zealous Concern for the Remains of his Deceased Friend. But to bring this Intimation ftill nearer to the Cafe before us: When our Lord committed the Care of his Mother, the Bleffed Virgin, to St. John; the Disciple testified his love of Chrift, by his Readiness and Chearfulness in taking that Truft upon him: And who can conceive that Fervour

of Affection towards our Saviour, which glowed in this Disciple's Breast, under the Faithful Execution of his Charge? And fuch Generous Sentiments do inflame the Hearts of those, who, for the fake of Chrift, now Glorified in Heaven, do support and cherilh his Distressed Members upon Earth.

And the Excellency of fuch Difpenfations will ftill further appear, as in the relation which they bear to Chrift, the Head of his Mystical Body, the Church, fo likewise,

5thly and laftly, In that Immediate Relation which they bear to the Love of our Afflicted Brethren themselves, confider'd as Heirs of Eternal Happiness in Heaven; where there is an Univerfal Transporting Harmony of Affections and Defires, of mutual Endearments and Complacency. We shall there Eternally exercise an intire Love of God, and of the Holy Angels, and of all the Spirits of Just Men made perfect, Coheirs with us of thofe Blissful Manfions. And we are here upon Earth, to be train'd up into a Ca

pacity of bearing a Part in that Everlafting State of Peace, and Love, and Benevolence. A Selfish Spirit is incapable of that State: He alone is qualified for it, whofe Mind is here Cultivated with the Love of his Brethren, and that in fuch Advanc'd Degrees, that he does, with Pleasure, use the most effectual Means, within his Power of refcuing them from the Preffure of every Calamity. And whilft he contributes to their Temporal Happiness, he promotes his own Spiritual Perfection; for every Act of Love does inlarge the Affection it self, and carry it on to a ftill nearer Refemblance and Similitude of that Heavenly and Confummate Love, whereby Good Men will be for ever United to.God, and to one another.

If any regard then is to be had to the Imitation and Refemblance of the Holy Angels, and of God himself, or to the Univerfal Approbation of Mankind; or, if there be any Worth in Faith, or Hope, or Gratitude to God, or the Sincere Love of Chrift, and of our Neighbour: And if each of thefe Virtues does derive its own

Native

Native Excellency upon Works of Charity; and, if the Perfection of each of thefe Virtues does fo far depend upon fuch Works, (proportion'd to Mens Abilities) that without them 'tis Imperfect; we may hence reasonably conclude, that fuch Works are very Excellent, and highly conducive to our Salvation. And this fuggefts the third Enquiry proposed:

III. In what Sense we are to underftand that Efficacy, which feems to be afcribed, by our Saviour in the Text, unto Works of Charity? That when ye fail, they may receive you into everlafting habitations. This Encouragement may look, as if Works of Charity were a full Title to Eternal Blifs; as if he, who goes out of the World, adorn'd with the Glo

ry of Them, may Claim Heaven as his Due, and muft be admitted, without any regard had to his other Qualifications. But 'tis by no means to be concluded, that fuch Works are the Sole Means of Salvation, or, that they will be effectual to the Forgiveness and Acceptance of thofe, who perfift in the known Omiffions of other Duties requir

ed,

ed, or in the wilful Commission of any Sin. The whole Course of the Scriptures plainly evinceth the Neceffity of Univerfal Sincere Obedience. The Indulgence therefore of any Vice, does obftruct the Efficacy of Charitable Works; and that Obftruction must be removed, before they can be effectual to Salvation: And yet this is no derogation from their Excellency. Even the Merits of Christ are not efficacious of Salvation to thofe, who continue in the Dominion of any Sin; and much less can it be effected by any Performances of our own. Nor fhould we entertain the less Honourable Thoughts of Charitable Works on this Account, That Univerfal Obedience is Indispensably required; as if That alone were sufficient, and therefore They thould not be urg'd, as fo highly conducive to Salvation. For 'tis to be remembred, that though we should break the Habits of all our Sins, yet if we should fail of performing Works of Charity, answerable to our Capacity, we should ftill fall fhort of Forgiveness and Eternal Life. Even

when