188 S E R N10 N S upon the S É& M. XXIII. V SE I. It comforts us again(} the fenfe of our own Unworthinefs. Though our Nature be removed fo many cligrees of diftance from God, and at that time polluted with Sin, when built glorified it, and affumed it into his own Perfon ; yet all this hindred him not from taking our Nature, and the Title depending there- upon : Therefore the feiilè of our Unworthinefs, when 'tis fèrioufly laid to Heart, fhould not hinder us from looking after the Benefits we need, and which are in his power to below upon us. This Term fhould revive us ; Whatever ferves to to our Comfort and Glory, Chrift will think it no difgrace to do it for us. This may be one Reafon why Chrift biddeth them tell his Brethren,, I am rifen, Mat. 'a8. to. The poor Difciples were greatly dejeeted and confounded in themfelves ; they had all forfaken him, and fled from him ; Peter had denyed him, and forfworn him ; what could they look for, from him, but a íharp and harlh Exprobration of their Fear and Cowardife ? But he comforts them with this Meffage ; Go tell my Difciples, and Peter, that I em' rifen. The fal'n Man is not forgotten ; Peter was weeping bitterly for his fault, but Chrift fends him a comfortable Meffage ; Go tell Peter I am rifen. Secondly, The next thing that I (hall obferve, is, Doft. That what is done to his People, to the leafl of them, Chriff will efteem it as done to himfelf. I. It holdeth true in Injuries, Ifa. 63. 9. 'In all their AJfliclions he was affli£ted; and the Angel of his Pretence faved them ; obis Love and in his Pity he ¿redeemed them. And Aíl. g. 4. And he fell to the Earth, and he heard a Poict faying unto him, Saul, Saul, why perfecute fl thou me ? Chrift was wronged when the Saints were wrong- ed : He is above Paffion, but not above Compaffion. The Enemies of the Church have not Men for their Enemies, but Chrift himfelf: When they are mocked and fcorned, Chrift is mocked and Scorned. 2. It holdeth allo true of Benefits : The leaft Courtefie or A& of Kindnefs !hew- ed to them, is fhewed to Chrift ; that which is done in Chrifl's Name, and for Chrifl's fake, is done unto Chrift : You do not confider the Man fo much as Chrift in him. The Apoftle, faith, they received him even as Chrift jefus, Gal. 9. 14. that is, in his Name, and as his Meffenger, 2 Cor. 5. 'cp. and Luk. io. 16. He that hear - eth you, heareth me ; and he that defpifeth you, defpifeth me; as a King is refilled in a Confiable armed with his Authority. As when we go to God in Chrift's Name, whatever we obtain is put upon Chrift's Account; ('xis not for our Merit, but Chrift's,) fo, whatfoever you do to any Perlon in Chrift's Name, and for Chrift's fake, is done to Chrift : If you fend another in your name, if he be denyed, you take your felves to be denyed ; if granted for your fake, you think it granted to you. I come now to confider, Secondly, The Scope. Thefe things are parabolically reprefented, to increafe our Faith concerning the Reward of Charity. The Doctrine is this : Doll. That one fpecial End and Vfe unto which rich Men fhould employ their worldly Wealth, fhould be the help and relief of the Poor. Confider, (j.) In the General, 'tis not to the Rich, but to the Poor. Feaffs and Enter- tainments are dually for the Rich, but Chrift faith, Luk. 14. ra, 13, 14. When thou makefl a Dinner, or a Supper, call not thy Friends, thy Brethren, neither thy kinfinen, nor thy Neighbour ; leg they bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makefl a Feat ?, call the Poor, the Maimed, the Blind, the Lame; and thou fault be bleffed, for they cannot recompenfe thee ; for thou (halt be recompenfed at the Refurreclion of the guff. Many truck with their Kindnefs ; they make Merchandize rather, than im- part their Charity : This is not Charity, but Merchandize. s Of
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