I. Jesus Christ, in whose mouth there was found no guile, sent from God, with a testimony of love to mankind, and who laid down his life for their salvation; whom God hath raised by his mighty power to be Lord of all, is of right to be first heard in this matter; for never man spake like him to our point; shot, clear, and close; and all opposite to the way of this wicked world. "Blessed," says he, "are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God:" (Mat. v.:) He doth not say, blessed are the proud, the rich, the high-minded: here is humility and the fear of the Lord blest. "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted:" He doth not say, blessed are the feasters, dancers, and revellers of the world, whose life is swallowed up of pleasure and jollity: no; as He was a man of sorrows, so He blest the godly sorrowful. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth:" He doth not say, blessed are the ambitious, the angry, and those that are puffed up: He makes not the earth a blessing to them: and though they get it by conquest and rapine, it will at last fall into the hands of the weak to inherit. Again, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:" but no blessing to the hunger and thirst of the luxurious man. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy:" He draws men to tenderness and forgiveness by reward. Hast thou one in thy power that hath wronged thee? Be not rigorous; exact not the utmost farthing; be merciful, and pity the afflicted, for such are blessed. Yet further, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." He doth not say, blessed are the proud, the covetous, the unclean, the voluptuous, the malicious: no; such shall never see God. Again, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." He doth not say, blessed are the contentious, back-biters, tale-bearers, brawlers, fighters, makers of war; neither shall they be called the children of God, whatever they may call themselves. Lastly, "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you, falsely for my sake: rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven." He blesseth the troubles of his people, and translates earthly sufferings into heavenly rewards. He doth not say, blessed are you when the world speaks well of you, and fawns upon you: so that his blessings cross the world's. For the world blesseth those as happy, that have the world's favour; He blesseth those as happy that have the world's frowns. This solveth the great objection, Why are you so foolish to expose yourselves to the law, to incur the displeasure of magistrates, and suffer the loss of your estates and liberties? Cannot a man serve God in his heart, and do as others do? Are you wiser than your forefathers? Call to mind your ancestors. Will you question their salvation by your novelties, and forget the future good of your wife and children,