466 CHRISTIAbr MORALITY, VIZ. fSSRM. CXVIII, attempt to afford him, nor does . he give them any grief or uneasiness but what they feel through the force of mere sympathyand compassion ? Thus, even in the midst ofcalamities, he knits the hearts of his friends faster to himself, and lays greater obligations, upon their love by so lovely and 'divine a'conduct under the weight of his heavy sorrows. . VI. Love-to mankind in the various branches of it is a most lovely quality, andd well becomes a christian. Should. I speak of love iu the heart, which ever thinks . the bestcóncerning others,. and wishes and seeks their welfare and happiness: Should. I speak of it as it works on the tongue, and appears in all frieridly.langu:age, ivhether the object be present or afar off : Should "I de- scribe it as it discovers itself in the hand of assistance and bounty, to relieve the poor and helpless : Each of these would yield sufficient matter for a whole discourse; and this gracewould appear lovelyin all its forms. It is a pain to my thoughts to omit it here: "'Methinks I can hardly tell how to let it go, without large. encomiums: Nor could I prevail with myself to pass it over now with so- brief a mention, if I did not design to employ an hour or two an this 'subject hereafter. [The Second Part of this Sermon.] I proceed to shety how the very light of nature recom- mends every agreeable and .obliging character ; every lovely quality that is found among mankind and rea- son exhorts us to the acquirement and practice of it. I. Our own interest directs us to it.. It is a natural good quality, and a most useful thing to desire the love ofothers, to seek the favour of our fellow-creatures. It is a very lawful ambition to covet the good-will of those with whom we converse ; and to pursue such practices as may procure us a place in their good opinion and friendship. We who are born for society, must natu- rally desire to stand well with mankind; and that our neighbours should wish our welfare, should treat us with decency, and civility, and love ; should assist our into: rest, anddo us good when we stand in need of them And if so, then the rule of justice obliges us to practise the saine towards them, which we desire they should practise towards us. Themore we exercise of humility, irreekness, patience, charity, aid good-will towards our
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