a short gospel; a mystery indeed to him, all wrapped up in one promise, and that a dark one ; but now that one wedge of gold is beaten out into the whole Bible, a gospel, written at length, and not in figures. You hear the gos- pel preached, not in law terms, as the Jews did under Moses, but in gospel lan- guage : the veil is taken off which hid the beauty of gospel truths ; you hear it after ithath been rescued out of Antichrist's hands, by whom for many ages it was kept prisoner. You live not in those dark times, when gospel truths were em- based with the mean alloy of schoolmen's subtleties, and superstitious vanities, when more stones were given to break the teeth, tlian bread to feed the souls constantly ; every sabbath day you have your fill of its sweetest truths. Were it not sad, if they should be found to have been more thankful for the little dawning of gospel light, which then peeped forth, than you for its meridian light, who live to see the Sun of Righteousness with his healing wings spread forth upon you ? But especially bless God for any inward light and life thou hast received from this gospel. God hath done more for tliee in this, than for thou- sands. To this day God hath not given thy carnal neighbours eyes to see, nor hearts to perceive, that mystery which is unfolded unto thee. Are you thank- ful to him that hath taught your worldly trade, from which you derive a liveli- hood for your body ? O, what praise then, do you owe to your God, who, by instructing you in this mystery, hath learned you the art of saving your souls. God delights to give his mercy to those that will resound his praise most.
Section II. — The gospel is a mystery, therefore rest not in thy present attainments ; either in thy knowledge, as it is a mystery of faith, or thy practice, as it is a mystery of godliness. First, Rest not in thy present knowledge. It is likely thou knowest much to what thou once didst, but thou knowest little to what thou mayest. The gospel is a mystery that will take up more than thy life- time to understand. Mysteries are here sown thick ; thou diggest where the springs rise faster upon thee. God does not disclose all his secrets at once, but here a little, and there a little; 'Men shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased, ' Dan. xii. 4. The Christian is not enriched with this heavenly treasure all at one time, or in one ordinance. The true lover of learning gives not over his pursuit for a little smattering knowledge he gets, but studies harder than the freshman, because as he knows more of learning, so by that knowledge he under- stands his own deficiency better. Secondly, Rest not in thy practice, as it is a mystery of godliness ; let not a little grace serve thy turn, but seek more. First, Compare not thyself with those that have less than thyself, but look on those that have far exceeded thee : to look on our inferiors occasions pride, — ' I am not as this publican,' saith the Pharisee ; but looking on others more eminent than ourselves will both preserve humility, and be a spur to diligence. The pro- gress some have made in grace, didst thou but keep them in thine eye, would not suffer thee to be quiet till tliou hast overtaken them. May be thou hast some victory over thy passion, but didst thou never hear how meek a man Moses was, that could bear the murmurings of the multitude, yea, the envy of his brother and sister, and yet his heart not take fire ? Thou hast some good affections toward God, but how far short of holy David's zeal, whose heart ran out to God, as soon as his eyes were open in the morning ! ' When I awake, I am still with thee;' thrice a day, yea, seven times a day he would praise his God. Thou hast some patience, but hast thou learnt to write after Job's copy? Thou art not without faith, but art thou like Abraham, strong in faith to follow God, when thou knowest not whither he will lead thee ? Secondly, The grace thou hast will soon be less if thou art not diligent. Some men in their worldly trade can say at tlie year's end, thej' have neither got nor lost ; but thou canst say at the day's end, that thou art better orworse than thou wert in the morning. Thirdly, It is the design of the gospel to give grace in great measures ; Christ gives life, and that more abundantly, John x. 10. Now, shall the fountain be so large, and the pitcher we carry to it so little ! Wherefore doth God open his hand to such a breadth in the promise, but to widen our desires, and encoiu-age our endeavours ? Fourthly, The more grace thou hast, the easier it will be to add to it ; a little learning is got with more difticulty by a young scholar, than a great deal afterward.
Section III. — Bear with one another's imperfections. You see the gospel is a mystery, do not wonder therefore that any are not presently masters of their
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