fure. For here they will find that Real Chriftianity confifts in Poverty of Spirit, Humility, Self-denial, Mortification, Meekness, Mercifulness, Purity of Heart, Peaceableness, and fuch like inward Difpofitions of Soul, and not in a few outward Formalities, Sighs and Groans, Looks and Poftures, Words and Phrafes, and fuch other affected Badges of a fond Diftinction. And as the Subjects themselves are Great and Noble, fo I hope thefe Difcourfes will be found in fome measure to rife up to their Dignity. I am fure there has been no Care wanting on my part to make them worthy of their Subjects, to which I have endeavoured to do the utmost Juftice. But however I may fail of that, yet I hope the Reader will not be altogether disappointed of bis Expectations, or repent of his Labour, but will find here fufficient Entertainment both for his Speculation, and for his Devotion. It may perhaps be a Surprize to fome to see me appear again fo foon in publick. To this, if there needs any Apology, that which I fball offer is, That That if these Difcourfes be not worthy of publick View, then 'tis not fit they should ever be fent abroad, but if they be, I cannot understand how they can be publish'd too foon. The Truth is, confidering the fbortnefs and uncertainty of Life, I have been lately very much of Opinion, That a Man can never live too fast, (the Heathen will tell you Never faft enough) nor make too much hafte to do good; efpecially when a Man's Sphere is fuch, that he has but Few Ways and Opportunities of doing it, which by Experience I am well convinced to be my Cafe. I I am afraid (where-ever the fault lies) that it will not be my Happiness to be able to do that good where I am, which I might have done in fome other Station. Which makes me the more frequent in Publick, that I may fupply this Defect by the Service of my Pen, having fome Reafon to hope that my Difcourfes will meet with better liking Abroad, than they usually do at Home; and that there are Some in the World to whom I fhall not be a Barbarian. What has been here the Performance of my Pen, was (as I learn from Dr. Ruft) intended, and in part performed by the Excellent Bishop Taylour, who while he was meditating upon the Beatitudes, was receiv'd up into the Enjoyment of them. And 1 have lately spoken with a Gentleman, who told me, That he himself faw a Manufcript of it in the Bi Shop's own Hand. I am very fenfible how much the Subject has loft by the Change of its Author. All that I can fay is, That I have done my Beft, and I hope God will accept of my good Intention, and that the World will be fomething the better for my Performance. JOHN NORRIS. THE Christian Bleffednefs: O R, DISCOURSES UPON THE BEATITUDES. VOL. I. DISCOURSE the First. MATTH. V. Ver. iii. Bleffed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. T HUS the Divine Angel of the Covenant, Chrift Jefus, begins that Great and Noble Inftitution of Chriftian Philosophy, his Sublime Sermon on the Mount. This was he that was pointed at by the eminent Prophecy, I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I fhall command him, Deut. 18. And now it was that this Prophecy had its full Accomplishment; Chrift was now entring upon his Prophetick Office, and was to fhew himfelf a Prophet like unto Mofes. This great Truft he discharged with as great Care and Fidelity, and (as the Author to the Hebrews obferves) was faithful to him that appointed him, as alfo Mofes was faithful in all his house, Heb. 3. 2. As therefore Mofes gave a Digeft of Laws to the People with whom he was intrufted, fo it became this Divine Prophet alfo to give Laws and Precepts for the Inftruction and Order of his Difciples. He was to be a Law-giver, as well as Mofes; and to carry on the Proportion yet farther, he thought fit to imitate him in the very Manner and Circumftance of delivering his Law, and, accordingly afcended up into a Mountain, from whence he fhow'rd down his Heavenly Manna upon his Hearers: So alfo making good another Instance of Refemblance relating to Mofes, who speaks thus of himself, My doctrin fhall drop as the rain, my Speech fhall diftil as the dew; as the fmall rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grafs, Deut. 32. 2. But the Parallel will not run throughout : For the Divine Oracles were not now accompanied with Thundrings and Lightnings; with Blackness, and Darkness, and Tempeft; but were deliver'd in the small still Voice of Bleffing and Confolation. 'Twas with a Beatitude that David began |