SER M. Paths of them, brings Peace and Joy along XII. with it in which they entirely differ from

the Laws of every other finful Principle, that would draw us afide from them.

The Rewards of this Service (for we serve not God for nought) are unexpreffible. The prefent Reward is all that inward Satisfaction which a well difpofed Mind can take, in the Consciousness of a good and reasonable Conduct; and the Thought of having God's Approbation. The future Reward, after the Service is over, is all the Happiness of God's Prefence, or, of those more immediate Communications of his Love, and Favour, which he hath promifed to all his faithful Servants. In the Scripture-Style, by being his Servants, they become his Sons; and, by being his Sons, they are adopted into the Inheritance of the Saints in Glory.

A

What is it now, I pray, that can come in Competition with this Reasonable Service? Can uncertain Riches, or empty Honour, or infatiable Luxury, pretend to any thing like this? What Title can they fhew to the Services They claim? or, what can they produce in Favour of their own Right? Can they speak Peace and Satisfaction to the Mind within ? Are their Laws the equitable Laws of Reafon, and obeyed with the Approbation of our Consciences? or, will they entitle to any, the leaft

Reward

Reward hereafter? What are their Laws, indeed, SER M. but the hard Commands of Tyrants, accom- XII. panied by Disquiet, here, and ending in Unhappiness and eternal Death, hereafter; flattering with Images of Pleasure, but leading to certain Pains?

Here then let us stop, and acknowledge that it is Almighty God alone, who can justly claim Us, as his Servants; He alone, who hath the Reward of our Services, in his Hand; and hath Power to execute what his Goodness hath promised us; and He, alone, therefore, who demands, and deferves, our whole Service. We cannot, We fee plainly, ferve Him, whilft we ferve other contrary Mafters. To him, therefore, without Delay, without Reserve, without Hypocrify, let us give up ourselves, as true Servants; and fhew ourselves fuch, by our fincere, conftant, and uniform Obedience to all his holy Laws: that fo we may, at last, with the good and faithful Servant in the Parable, enter into the Joy of our Lord.

The AMBITION of CHRIST's Difciples reproved.

SERMON XIII.

MATTHEW xx. 26, 27.

your

But it fhall not be fo among ft you: but whosoever will be Great amongst you, let him be Minifter and whosoever will be Chief among ft you, let him be your Servant,

T

HE Occafion of this Leffon of our SER M. Lord's is particularly related in the XIII. Verses immediately before these Words. The Mother of Zebedee's Children, (viz. James and John,) being very defirous of shewing the great Affection fhe had for Them, and her Zeal to promote their Intereft, came with Them to our Bleffed Lord, whofe Disciples they were, and, with the proper Marks of Respect, let him know that she had a certain Thing to afk of Him. Our bleffed Lord, always inclined to grant to all his Follow

ers

SERM.ers every Thing truly good for them, presently XIII. asked her what Favour it was fhe defired? It

appeared by what followed that She was not content with the ordinary Marks of his Kindness, difpenfed to her Sons, in common with his other Apostles; but hoped for some very extraordinary and fignal Token of his Love to her two Children; Something that fhe esteemed the greatest Gift and Honour they were capable of receiving from him. And this was, That, he being the Meiab, and his glorious Kingdom being now to be opened (agreeably to her Expectation, and that of all the Jews) with the greatest earthly Glory, her two Sons; might have the two principal Places in this Kingdom; and might fit, the one on his Right Hand, and the other on his Left, as his two greatest Favorites, and chief Officers. This was her Notion of Good and Happiness; and according to That, This was her Petition.

Our Lord, with the greatest Goodness, turned himself to the two

Name, and with whofe

Apoftles, in whose

Confent this Pe

tition was made, and faid, Ye know not what ye afk: that is, you are not yet senfible what a Scene of Difficulties They muft go through, who defire to be Great in my Kingdom; and what it is that is requifite to the