which ftand in the First rank under the Gospel, are fuch as Reafon without Faith could not discover, and Nature without Grace could not perform.

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And all this ought to be well confider'd by Thofe, who go on in a Middle way betwixt Saints and Sinners; who, though they be free from the Vices of the Carnal Man, are yet at a great Distance from the Perfections of the Spiritual. They fatisfy themselves, if they step not afide into Wrong Paths, though they do not Move forward in the Right One, toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Chrift Jefus. They hang in a State of Indifferency between God and the World, without any vehemence of Tendency toward Either. And though they have Experience enough, to see through this Grave cheat, which is fo commonly put upon Life, yet they still remain Indulgent of Eafe, and Patient of Delufion. They are not willing to offend God by flagrant Acts of Iniquity; but they continually provoke him, by neglecting to do thofe things that are pleafing in his Sight.

Wherefore

Wherefore let every Unprofitable Servant Carefully view the Precipice, whereon he ftands; that he may betimes retire from the Dreadful Brink to a safer Situation: Let his Total Neglect of Good Works be Succeeded by Earneftness, and Affiduity, and Fervency in the Performance of them. And This leads me in the next Place briefly to reprefent,

II. That Zeal is the Neceffary Qualification of Pofitive Duty, or Acts of Goodness; for 'tis incumbent upon the Servants of our Lord, that they should be Zealous of Good Works. The value of Performances does much depend upon That Difpofition of Mind from whence they flow. When Good Works are done with a Negligence and Unconcern, as if it were perfectly Indifferent to the Man, whether they be Undertaken, or let alone, whether they Succeed or Mifcarry; They then fit upon him with a very ill grace, and he may eafily expect, that What is Performed with fo much Coldnefs, will meet with a Cold Reception. 'Tis the Life and Spirit, the Sprightlinefs and the Fervour of Religious enterprizes, that P 4 muft

must recommend them to God, the Dif cerner of Spirits. It was this Warmth of Concern for God's Honour in Phineas, that must be Imputed unto him for Righteousness, among all pofterities for Evermore. The very fame thing done with Reluctancy, and after much Inftigation, and with a Colder hand, had been deftitute of the Ornament, and Unworthy the Reward.

The utmoft Glory of Elijah, fhines forth in this short Character, I have been very JEALOUS for the Lord God of Hofts. And there is nothing upon Record that redounds more to David's Honour, than the Expreffions of his Zeal in preparing a place for the Ark of the Lord: I will not come within the tabernacle of mine boufe, nor climb up into my bed: 1 will not fuffer mine eyes to fleep, nor mine eyelids to flumber, neither the Temples of my head to take any reft. True Zeal will break through all Oppofition, and Difficulties, and Difcouragements; sustain all Inconveniencies with Alacrity, and render us reftlefs and Diffatisfied, till we engage in the work and labour of love.

With fuch Eagerness and Earneftness do all Good men conftantly approach the Throne of Grace, in Publick and Private Devotions; with fuch Eagerness and Earnestness do they embrace all Opportunities of performing Works of Charity and Compaffion; with fuch Eagernefs and Earneftnefs do they prefs forward unto every Good Work, for the Advancement of God's Honour, and the Benefit of Mankind. And whofoever does not find himself affected with this Neceffary and Bleffed Difpofition, should bewail the Imperfection and Deadness which he ftill labours under, and inceffantly implore the Communications of the Spirit of God, that he may be actuated with the Holy Flame, and become Zealous of Good Works.

The Particulars, which have been Illuftrated, do bear fo Near and Plain a Relation to the Occafion and Purposes of this great Affembly, that Your Thoughts must needs run eafily into the Application of them. For as we may safely attribute the Character of Good Works, to Thofe Charitable Provifions, which we

have now under Confideration; So we may with Equal Propriety, Approve and Recommend the Zeal of thofe Charitable Souls, which have engaged in This Good Work, and which have been Earnest and Eager in their Defires and Endeavours, to propagate and carry it on to Perfection.

'Tis not more evident, that the Advancement of God's Honour, and the Benefit of our Brethren, are Proper Ends of Good Works, than it is that Thofe Great and Glorious Ends are duely Anfwer'd by that Education, which is given in the Charity-Schools, to Thofe Helplefs Children, whose Happiness it is, that you Juftly regard their Misery.

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Is not That Work Manifeftly and Highly conducive to God's Honour, wherein 'tis provided, that the Image of God, Originally stamp'd upon Man, shall not be intirely wore out and finally disappear, but be Renewed and Reftored to Beauty and Luftre in great Numbers of those, on whom it must Otherwise have remained Miferably Defaced and Neglected: Wherein 'tis provided, that That Noble Soil, which muft Otherwife have been

Barren