9g it partitonp of tieZíbíne 2fttxíbute Chap, i 6, theviewofMen, as eafinefs to pardon, a readinefs to oblige,compaffion to the aflli&ed, liberality to thene- ceffitous, fweotnefsofconverfation without gall and bite ternefs ; thefe are of univerfal efteem with mankind, and foften the moll favage tempers : Ifthere be any Ver- tue, and if there be any Praife, think on theft things. And St. Peter excites Believers, to join to their Faith, by which the Gofpel of Chrift is embrac'd, Intellectual andMoral verrues, without which 'tis but a vain picture ret. I. S. ofChriflianity : Add toyour FaithVertue, and to Vertue Knowledg, and toKnowledg Temperance, and to Tempe- rance Patience, and to .Patience Godlinefs, and to Godli- nefs Brotherly-kindnefs, and to Brotherly-kindnefs Charity; He enforces the command : Give all diligence that theft things aboundinyou, andye(hall neither be barren nor un- fruitful in the Knowledg of Chrift. Now thefe Graces purifie andperle&, refine and raife the humane nature, and without a Command their Goodnefs is a ftrong ob- ligation. I will take a more diftinét view of the Precepts of Chrift as they are fee down in that e*cellent abridge- rIrò z. 2. ment of them by the Apoftle. The Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hathappeared to all Men, teaching us, that denying ungodlinefs and worldly lofts, wefhould live Soberly, Righteoufly, and Godly in this prefent world. Here is a diftributiota of our Duties with refpet to their feveral Objects, our felves, others, and God.The firft are regulated by Temperance, the fecond by ju- ftice, the thirdby Godlinefs. And from the accom- plifhment of thefe is formed that Holinefs without which no man (hall fee God. r . In refpe& to our felves, we muff live, foberly. Temperance governs the fenfual appetites and affe&i- onsby fanctified Reafon. TheGofpel allows the fober and chaff ufe ofpleafures, but abfolutely and feverely forbids
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