(6.) Sixthly and lastly. In this treatise, as in a glass, all sorts of pro- fane persons, and all sorts of self-flatterers, and all sorts of hypocrites, may see [1.] that their present state and condition is not so safe, nor yet so happy, as they judge it to be. Again, in this treatise, as in a glass, all sorts of profane persons, and all sorts of self-flatterers, and all sorts of hypocrites, may see [2.] the happy and blessed state of the people of God, against whom their spirits rise and swell, &c. Again, iri this treatise, as in a glass, all sorts of profane persons, and all sorts of self- flatterers, and all sorts of hypocrites, may see [3.] what those things are that they need, and that they ought to beg of God. Again, in this treatise, as in a glass, all sorts of profane persons, and all sorts of self- flatterers, and all sorts of hypocrites, may see [4.] what those things are without which they can neither be happy here nor hereafter. Now, were there no other reasons for my sending forth this treatise into the world, this alone might justify me.
But, honoured and beloved, before I close up this epistle, give me leave to say, that there are two sorts of men that myself and all the world are bound (1.) highly to prize, (2.) cordially to love, and (3.) greatly to honour above all other men in the world ; and they are these : First, men of public spirits ; secondly, men of charitable spirits, men of merciful spirits, men of tender and compassionate spirits.
•24'0 A CABINET OF JEWELS.
(1.) First, Mea of public spirits, myself and all otliers are bound, 1, hiohly to prize ; 2, cordially to love ; and, 3, greatly to honour above all other men in the world ; and that,
1. First, because a public-spirited man is a common good, a common blessing. All in the family, all in the court, all in the city, all in the country, fare the better for that Christian's sake that is of a public spirit. All in Laban's family did fare the better for Jacob's sake ; and all in the city of Zoar did fare the better for Lot's sake ; and all Pharaoh's court and the whole country of Eg}^t did fare the better for Joseph's sake, Gen. xxx. 27, and xix. 21-24, and xli., &c. Sodom was safe while Lot was in it. Elijah was a man of public spirit, and he was 'the chariots and horsemen of Israel,' 2 Kings ii. 12. Moses was a man of public spirit, and he often diverted ruining judgments from falling upon Israel, Ps. cvi. 23. Phinehas was a man of public spirit, and he takes up his censer, and stands between the living and the dead, and the plague was stayed, Num. xvi. 46, 49. Men of public spirits are public mercies, public blessings. A man of a public spirit is, mIvov ayadov, a public diffusive blessing in the place where he lives. Men of public spirits are the true Atlases both of church and state ; they are the pillars on whom all do rest, the props on whom all do lean.' Do but overturn these pillars and all will fall about your ears, as the house did about the Philistines when Samson shook it. Rack but these, and kingdoms and commonwealths shall be quickly racked themselves. When Metellus heard of the death of Scipio Africanus, a man of a public spirit, he ran out into the market place and cried out, ' 0 citizens, come forth and consult what is to be done, for the walls of your city are fallen down.' But,
2. Secondly, Because public-spirited. Christians are most like to Christ, and to the choicest and most excellent saints.^ Christ left his Father's bosom for a public good ; he assumed our nature for a public o-ood ; he trode the wine-press of his Father's wrath for a public good ; he died for a public good, and he rose for a public good ; he ascended to heaven for a public good, and he continues in heaven for a public good. When he was in this world he went up and down doing good. He healed others, but was hurt himself; he fed and filled others, but was hungry himself. Christ was all for a public good : ' Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others ;' ' Let this mind be in you which was also in Chri.st Jesus,' Philip, ii. 4, 5, Though self be a great stickler, yet he that will write after Christ's copy must neglect himself to serve others. That Christian acts most like Christ, who prefers the public interest before his own private interest. The stars have their brightness, not for them- selves, but for the use of others ; and the sun hath her shining light, but not for herself, but for others. In the natural body every member is diffusive ; the eye conveys the light, the head spirits, the liver blood, &c. And why should it not be so in the politic body also ? And as Christ, so Moses was a man of a public spirit, when God made a very fair
' Though I do not, I dare not, say, that every public spirit is a gracious spirit ; yet this I must say, that every gracious spirit is a public spirit.
2 John i. 7, Heb. ii., Isa. Ixiii. 3, Koni. viii. 30-33 ; Heb. vii. 25 ; John xiv 1-4 ; Acts X. 38 ; Pliilip. ii. 4, 6. Chri.st made himself poor to make others rich, but men of narrow souls make others poor to make themselvoa rich, 2 Cor. vi. 8, viii. 9.
EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 2-l;l