Serin. XIV. Sojourners upon Earth. 109 2. If we be Pilgrims and Strangers ; then it concerns us to behave our felves blamelefyand inoffenfively, remembering, that the Eyes of People are upon us, and that thofe among- whomwe live will be very curious and obfervant of our Manners and Carriage. 3. Let us be chearful and patient under the Troubles and Af Is&ions of this prefent Life. They who are in a firange Country, muff expert to encounter many Injuries and Affronts, and to be put to great Difficulties and Hazards, which we fhould endeavour to bear with that Chearfulnefs, as Men that are upon a Journey ufe to bear foul Ways and bad Weather, and inconvenient Lodging and Accommodations. 4. The Confideration of our prefent Condition and future Hopes fhould fet us above the Fondnefs of Life, and the flavifh Fear of Death. For our Minds will never he raifed to their true Pitch and Height, till we have in fame good meafure conquered thefe two Paions, and made them fubje& to our Reafon. As for this prefent Life, and the Enjoyments of it, What do we fee in them, that fhould make us fo ftrangely to dote upon them ? u c Miferi lucis tam dira cupido ! This World, at the belt, is but a very indifferent Place ; and he is the wifeft Man that bears himfelf towards it with the molt indifferent Affe&ion ; that is always willing to leave it, and yet patient to flay in it as long as God pleafes. g. We fhould always prefer our Duty and a good Confcience before all the World ; becaufe it is in truth more valuable, if our Souls be Immortal, and do furvive in another World. For (as our Saviour argues) What is a man profited, if he gain the whole World, and lofe his own Soul? Or what fball a Man give in exchange for his Soul ? And thus St. Paul reafoned with himfelf, from the Belief of a Refurredion of the jufi and unjufl. For this caufe (faith he) I exercife my fey alway to have a Confcience void of offence both toward God and toward Man. Lajfly, If we be Sojourners and Travellers, we fhould often think of our End, and carefully mind the Way to it. Our End is Everlaffing Happinefs; and the Way to it is a confIant and fincere and univerfal Obedience to the Commandments ofGod. When the Young Man in the Gofpel enquired of our Saviour the way to Eternal Happinefs, faying, Good Mailer, what good thing (hall I do, that I may inherit Eternal Life ? His Anfwer to him was, If thou wilt enter intoLife, keep the Commandments. We may eafily miftake our way; For Strait is the Gate, dud narrow is the Way that leads to Life, and few there be that find it. Therefore we fhould often pray toGod, as David does, Pfal. t 19. 19. I am a Stranger in the Earth, hide not thy Commandments fromme. And Pfalm 139. 23, 24. Search me, 0God, and know my Heart; try me, andknow my Thoughts; and fee ifthere be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the Way Everlafting. SERMON
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