Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

no man mistake contracted habits for nature, and then conclude, that it will be impoffible for him to attain the perfection of this or that virtue, through a natural incapacity. In the next place, let no man fatisfy and content himself, in a weak and imperfect state of that virtue, which is directly oppofed to the fin of his conftitution; but let him think, that here, if any where, his virtue must be always growing;. and let him not doubt, but that our Savi, our's promife, as far as it can be accomplished on earth, belongs to his fincere endeavours here; bleffed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled, Matth. v. 6.

4. The perfect man must be eminent in thofe virtues which are moft necessary : fuch are thofe which his particular station and calling, or any other difpenfation of providence he is under, requires of him. Whatever virtues may be more delightful, thefe are more important; others may be more natural, thefe have more of use and more of merit. A man may fall short of perfection in others, without either difparagement or guilt; but deficiency in these, can hardly escape both. Befides, every thing is lovely in its place, and in its time. There is a peculiar grace and luftre, that attends the virtues of a man's ftation, that

is

is fcarcely to be found in any other. I would, therefore, have my perfect man truly great in his own bufinefs; and fhine with a dazling luftre in his own sphere. To this purpose, furely, fpeaks the advice of St. Paul, Rom xii. 6, 7, 8. Having then gifts, differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophefy according to the proportion of faith: or miniftry, let us wait on our miniftring: or he that teacheth, on teaching or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with fimplicity: be that ruleth, with diligence: be that fheweth mercy, with chearfulness.

5. Laftly, As there is different guilt in fins, fo there is different merit in virtues as amongst miraculous, so amongst fanctifying gifts, fome are more excellent than others; and he is the most perfect man, who is enriched with the most perfect gifts. The three heroic virtues of the gofpel are faith, love, humility. Nor do I prefumptuously, contrary to the apoftle, exclude hope; but comprehend it under faith. Of faith I have often had occafion to fpeak. Humility will make the laft chapter of this fection; and therefore I will only exhort to love. Love is the nobleft fruit of illumination and faith, the true fource and parent of joy and

peace.

[ocr errors]

;

peace. Love is the most pregnant feed
of a divine life; 'tis the principle that
animates, moves, and forms the whole
body of righteoufnefs: love is the bond
of union and communion with the Father
and his Son Jefus through the Spirit. And
'tis but fit, that what renders us moft like
God, fhould render us moft dear to him
too: and this love does; for God is love.
In fhort, love is the fulfilling of the law
'tis the beauty and perfection of a difci-
ple of Jefus; and the great fubject of
praife and glory in the day of judg-
ment. Love is the laft round in the fcale
of Perfection; and therefore my perfect
man must abound in this. What degrees
of love, of defire, or complacency for the
things of this prefent life, may consist
with fincerity, what with Perfection, may
be easily learned from several parts of this
work. There is no doubt but the per-
fect man muft love God to that degree, that
he must always cleave to him; walk as al-
ways before him; ever meditate and con-
template on him and his works; contrive
and ftudy, labour and contend to pleafe
him: it must be an affliction to him to
be divided from him but for a little
while; and he muft ever and anon, by
day and night, break out into his praises,
and rejoyce and glory in him. 2. He muft

love

love God to that degree, as that all things, in comparison of him, must appear blasted and withered, empty and contemptible, without pleasure, without beauty and confequently he must fo thirst after the beatific vifion, after the prefence and fruition of God, that he muft earnestly defire to be diffolved, and pant and long to be dif miffed from the pilgrimage of this world, and from the corruptible tabernacle of the body. Nor do I, laftly, doubt, but that this love is often fenfibly transporting: 'tis a fire within, that ftrives to break out, and exert itself in the fruitions of heaven: 'tis a rich and mighty cordial, that raises nature above itself, and makes it all purity or glory.

Thus have I confidered the extent or compafs of the perfect man's virtues. And the fum total is: in fome he must excel, because natural and eafy; in others, becaufe neceffary. Univerfal ones he cannot want; they are effential to Chriftianity; others of a peculiar nature he may, unless his circumstances exact them: nor is this any diminution of his perfection. Patience, fortitude, moderation, vigilance, &c. are the virtues of earth, not heaven; and yet none think the bleffed inhabitants of that place imperfect, becaufe not endowed with habits which they do not want.

Above all, he that will be perfect, mult abound in thofe graces, which are for the most heroic nature; faith, love, and humility for thefe are they, which most effectually exalt man above himself, and above the world; which inflame him with a zeal for the honour of God, and the good of man; and enable him to furmount the difficulties, which he meets with in profecuting this glorious defign. I am next to enquire,

§. 2. To what height, to what degrees of virtue, the perfect man may advance. I have in part anticipated this enquiry already; yet cannot forbear adding here two obfervations. First, That reafon and fcripture seem to prefs us on towards an endlefs progrefs in virtue. And yet, fecondly, That both feem to propose to us fuch a fate of perfection as attainable, beyond which we cannot go; that fo the beginner may not despair of perfection, nor the perfect abate any thing of their vigilance, and their industry. Such a degree of excellence, to which nothing can be added; fuch aheight, above which there is no room to foar, if apply'd to man and this world, is furely but an imaginary notion. To dream of fuch a perfection, were to forget our nature, and our state: no fagacity of judgment, no ftrength of refo

lution,

« AnteriorContinuar »