phecies were accomplish'd; thus Ambition is discountenanc'd, the noblest Virtues exercis'd, and the Obligation heighten'd in a fingular Manner. Now the best Way of fhewing our Thankfulnefs is by imitating his Example; for, befides that it is an Argument of our Efteem, and the most acceptable Service we can pay him, the Reafon is, becaufe this is the only Expedient to make us happy: For God who is infinitely perfect, and can have no Defign of his own, is beft pleas'd with his Creatures when they do thofe Things which are moft for their Advantage. Let us therefore follow the Steps of our great Master by Patience and Refignation, by Charity, and Contempt of the World. Let us hold fast our Integrity, and keep a Confcience void of Offence, amidst the Changes and Chances of this mortal Life, that at his fecond Coming to judge the World, when he will affume his own proper Greatnefs, and appear in the Glory of the Father, we may be found an acceptable People in his Sight.

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To

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To whom with the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, be all Honour and Glory, both now and for evermore. Amen.

SERMON IV

'T

PHILIP IV. 6.

Be careful for nothing.

IS the fole Privilege of an all fufficient Being to be perfectly above Solicitude: Nothing fhort of an Almighty Power, which can command all Conveniencies, and fel cure all Events, is naturally able to pro cure an abfolute Tranquillity, and to make the Mind wholly unconcern'd about the future: For thofe who depend upon a foreign Affiftance for their Prefervation and Happiness, as all Creatures do; thofe,

if they have no ftronger Support than themselves, can't chufe being uneafy under the Senfe of their own Infufficiency. All rational Beings who are fubject to a fuperior Power, who find themselves expos'd to Chance and Disappointment, and meet with unconquerable Difficulties; if they are not perfectly ftupid, Self-Love will awaken their Cares, and raise á Difquiet within them. This must be their Cafe 'till they have found a Protection they may fafely rely upon. An indigent and defective Nature, especially when it's ill-managed, is the neceffary Cause of all those Passions which perplex humane Life For what is the Reafon of Defire or Fear, of Pity, of Anger, and the like? Why tis becaufe our Power is not equal to our Will, becaufe we either want fomething we have as Mind Ito, or are afraid of dofing that which pleases us. 1.

Tis because we can't change and continue Things, punifh and reward according to our Inclination; nor fix ourselves and others in that Condition we defire. And though our Paffions were regularly order'd,