SER M. not at prefent aware of; and very poffibly X. not be able to fee, or at least not find

means to avoid,

nerally fo apt to

the Frailties we are gecenfure in the Behaviour

of our Superiors.

With regard to Superiors in Natural Abilities, true Humility confifts, not in fubmitting our Underftandings to them! blindly and implicitly, but in being willing and defirous to be inftructed and informed by them; in not envying them the Advantages God has given them above ourselves; nor repining, but on the contrary rejoicing, at their being preferred or honoured, according to the Proportion of their true Merit or Capacity. With regard to Superiors in Religious Improvements, Humility confifts likewife, in rejoicing to fee the Practife of Virtue, and the Advancement of Earth upon the Kingdom of God grieving, but taking Pleasure, to find fuch Perfons efteemed highly in the World, and propofing them to ourselves as Examples and Patterns for our Imitation. This is the Virtue of Humility, in our Behaviour towards Superiors of all kinds.

;

not

2dly,

X.

2dly, TOWARDS our Equals, true Hu-SER M. mility confifts, in civil and affable, in courteous and modeft behaviour; not in formal Pretences of thinking very meanly and contemptibly of ourselves, (for fuch Profeffions are often very confiftent with great Pride,) but in patiently permitting our Equals (when it shall so happen) to be preferred before us, not thinking ourfelves injured when Others but of equal Merit chance to be more efteemed, but on the contrary rather fufpecting that we judge too favourably of ourselves, and therefore modeftly defiring that those who are reputed upon the level with us, may have shown unto them rather a greater Refpect. This is what the Apostle means, Rom. xii. 10, when he bids us be kindly affectioned one to another, with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another. 'Tis what the Wife-man had long before exhorted to, Prov. xxv. 6, Put not forth thyfelf in the presence of the King, and ftand not in the place of great men; for better is it, that it be faid unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldft be put lower in the prefence of the Prince P 3

whom

SERM. whom thine eyes have feen. 'Tis what our X. Saviour ftill more largely and diftinctly recommends, in that Parable whereof the Text is the conclufion; St Luk. xiv. 7, He put forth a Parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chofe out the chief rooms; faying unto them, When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, fit not down in the highest room; left a more honourable man than thou, be bidden of him; And he that bade thee and him, come and fay to thee, Give This man place, and thou begin with frame to take the lowest room: But when thou art bidden, go and fit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may fay unto thee, Friend, go up higher; Then fhalt thou have worship in the prefence of them that fit at meat with thee: The Application of all which, he fubjoins in the words of the Text; ver. 11, For whosoever exalteth himself, fhall be abafed; and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted. Further; True Humility with regard to our Equals, confifts, in willingly fubmitting, for Peace fake, to many things, it not very unreasonable, yet otherwise

fuch

X.

fuch as in our own judgment we fhould SER M. not chufe or think beft of. Eph. iv. 1, I beseech you, that ye walk worthy of the Vocation wherewith ye are called; with all lowlinefs and meekness, with long-fuffering, forbearing one another in love ; Endea vouring to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace ;

-For unto every. one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the Gift of Chrift; i, e. men. have different judgments, different inclinations, different Gifts and Talents from God, divided to every one feverally as he pleases; and therefore, to prevent Confufion, where men otherwise are Equals, the Duty of Humility requires, that they fhould all be ready to fubmit to each other, with all Meeknefs, Patience and Good-will. Col. iii. 12, Put on, as the elect of God, boly and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, bumbleness of mind, meekness, long-fuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another;

And above all these things, put on Cha rity, which is the bond of Perfectness; Charity, i. e. mutual Love and an effectionate defire of Peace and Agreement;

SERM. For fo it is explained in the words next X. immediately following; And let the Peace

of God rule in your Hearts, to which alfo ye are called in one Body. The like Exhortation we find, 1 Pet. v. 5; where the Apostle not only directs, Ye Younger fubmit your felves unto the Elder; but he adds moreover, Yea, all of you be fubject one to another, and be clothed with Humility. And Eph. v. 21, Submitting yourfelves one to another in the Fear of God. This is the Character of true Humility, in our Behaviour towards our Equals.

3dly; WITH regard to our Inferiors, Humility confifts, in affuming to ourselves no more than the Difference of Men's Circumstances, and the Performance of their refpective Duties, for preferving the regularity and good Order of the World, neceffarily requires. Particularly, towards Inferiors in Civil Stations in the World, the Humility of a Governour confists, not in making his Authority defpicable and fubject to contempt, but in exercising it fo, as to fhow that he is not puft up with the Love of Power and Dominion, but looks upon it as a Truft committed to

him,