the same tenderness for the good of each; he is not capable of that imperfection which is observable in some parents, to be fond and indulgent to some children above others; but in his affection the rich and poor,' as the wise man saith, do meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.'

Hence Job did collect that God accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor; for,' saith he, they are all the work of his hands.'

Hence the same holy man did infer that he was obliged to deal fairly with his own servants, for that God in judgment would consider their case no less than his, on this account, for, 'Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?'

Hence the wise man, who imitated Solomon, did argue an equality of gracious providence toward all; He hath made the small and the great, and careth for all alike.'

2. God is the common Lord of all; and therefore is concerned to protect all with the like care, to govern all with the same equity.

Hence St. Paul gathereth that God is indifferently willing to show mercy and dispense blessings to all people; to confer the means of salvation, and to accept pious endeavors, without distinction of Jew or Gentile: Is he,' saith he, the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles?' And There is therefore no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call on him.'

Hence the same Apostle doth urge masters to be just and kind to their servants; for that God, as the common master, hath an equal respect to both; knowing that your Master also is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him.'

3. God is the Saviour of all;' desiring and designing that all men should be saved, and come to the knowlege of the truth;' being 'willing that no man should perish, but that all should come to repentance.'

Wherefore out of philanthropy and love to mankind he sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world;' to give himself a ransom for all men,' to taste death for every man.'

And what greater instance could there be of perfect impartiality?

So by reasons from the principal attributes and relations of God his impartiality may be deduced the same also may be declared from his proceedings and dealings with men. For,

1. God hath proposed to all men indifferently the same terms and conditions of obtaining his love and favor, of enjoying his bounty and mercy, of obtaining rewards and felicity from him.

The same laws and rules of life are prescribed to all persons, as men and as Christians.

The natural dictates of reason, the precepts of holy Scripture, the great moral duties of religion, by observance whereof God's favor is retained, and salvation assured, are of general concern and common obligation to all without exception.

God hath not framed one law, or one gospel, for princes and great men, another for peasants and mean artisans ; he hath not chalked out one way toward heaven for the rich, another for the poor to walk in; but all, high and low, rich and poor, one with another,' are tied to observe the precepts of piety, of charity, of justice, of temperance, sobriety and chastity, of modesty, humility, and patience; none, great or small, can otherwise, than by proceeding in the common road of virtuous practice, arrive to happiness. He that doeth the will of my Father that is in heaven, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.'

'If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments:' Enter in through the strait gate:' Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life:' To them, who by patient continuance in well-doing seek glory and honor and immortality, eternal life' will be conferred : these are the grand infallible maxims, the fixed irreversible decrees, expressing the general duty and doom of mankind, according to the eternal reason of things, and the declared will of God Almighty, our sovereign governor and judge.

Whoever it is that will please God, that will have his love, that will be happy by his grace, must humbly submit to God's

will, must faithfully obey God's laws, must carefully walk in God's way; from this course there can be no exemption, no dispensation, no special privilege for any person whatever.

As all men naturally, by indissoluble bands of obligation, are the subjects and servants of God; so God indispensably and inexcusably doth require the same loyalty and fidelity, the same diligence, the same reverence from all.

Great men sometimes may live as if they conceived themselves free from the obligations which bind other men; as if they had not souls (as we poor mortals have) to be saved, or were to be saved in some other way; as if obedience to the divine laws doth not touch them, but only doth belong to the commonalty; as if they had special indulgence to live in pride, luxury, and sloth, might warrantably practise injustice, oppres sion, revenge; might cum privilegio be lewd and lascivious, withhold their debts, take God's name in vain, neglect devotion and the service of God: but in thus doing they much abuse themselves; for they no less than others are obnoxious to guilt and to punishment, for such misdemeanors against the divine laws. In truth, if there be any difference in the case, it is only this; that they, in all equity, ingenuity, and gratitude, are obliged to a more strict, more faithful, more diligent observance of God's laws; they being more indebted to God for his special bounty to them; they having larger talents and advantages committed to their trust, their deportment being of higher consequence, and most influential on the world, they being liable to render an account according to that just rule, 'Unto whom much is given, of him much shall be required;' whence their eminency of condition doth not excuse them from common duties, but doth advance their obligation, will aggravate their neglect, will inflame their reckoning, will plunge them deeper into woful punishment; according to that of the wise man, A sharp judgment shall be to them that are in high places : for mercy will soon pardon the meanest, but mighty men shall be mightily tormented.'

2. All persons have the same means, the same aids, the same supports afforded to them, for ability to perform their duty, and attain their happiness.

The word of God, as the light of heaven, doth indifferently

:

shine to all men, for instructing their minds, for directing their practice, for guiding their feet in the way of peace.'

The divine grace is ever at hand, ready to assist all those who sincerely and seriously do apply themselves to serve God. Seasonable comforts are never wanting to support those who need them, and who in their distress seek them from God, who healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds;' so that when the poor man crieth, the Lord heareth him, and saveth him out of his troubles.'

The universal good Spirit of God (the fountain of light and wisdom, of spiritual power and strength, of consolation and joy) is communicated according to the needs of men, and exigences of occasion; preventing them by direction to the right way, by reclaiming them from ill courses, by exciting in them good thoughts and good desires; quickening their good resolutions, and assisting in the pursuit of them; enabling them to resist temptations, and to combat with their spiritual adversaries: to such best purposes the holy Spirit is given to all in needful seasons and measures; especially to those who do earnestly seek it, do faithfully use it, do treat it well.

3. God hath provided, and doth propose to all men the same encouragements for obedience, the same punishments for transgression; the which being the same in kind do only differ in degree, proportionably to the good deeds or bad demerits of persons.

God hath appointed one heaven for all pious and virtuous persons, of what nation, of what rank, of what condition soever they are; he hath prepared those things, which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor heart of man conceived, for all that love him.' For all that have fought the good fight, and kept the faith, and love his appearance, the Lord, the righteous Judge, hath laid up a crown of righteousness.'

Immortality of life, an unfading crown of glory, a kingdom that cannot be shaken, unspeakable joys, endless bliss, God hath covenanted and promised to all his faithful servants; to all who in his way please to accept and embrace them; ỏ 0éλwv, He that willeth, let him take of the water of life freely:' and what greater rewards could there be assigned? What room is there for partiality, where all are capable of the same equally

great, because in a manner immense felicity? Many,' saith our Saviour, shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall, sit down with Abraham, and with Isaac, and with Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.'

Lazarus, the poor beggar, shall rest with the illustrious Moses, and the noble Daniel, with David, and Hezekiah, and Josiah, and all pious princes, in the bosom of Abraham. The poor fishermen, the painful tent-makers, the sorry publicans, shall reign together with Constantine, and Theodosius, and all those good princes, who have faithfully served God, and promoted his glory. The rich, well using their wealth, may obtain that state, treasuring up to themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life: the poor, contentedly bearing their condition, have a good title thereto, expressed in those words, Blessed be ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.'

On the other hand, the same dismal punishments are threatened to all presumptuous, contumacious, and impenitent transgressors of God's law, however dignified or distinguished; be they princes or subjects, noble or base, wealthy or indigent; the same unquenchable fire, the same gnawing worm, the same weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth; the same utter darkness; the same burning lake of brimstone; the same extreme disconsolate anguish is reserved for them all: Depart from me;' Go ye cursed into everlasting fire,' will be the doom pronounced on all the workers of iniquity;' Indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, will be on every soul that doeth evil.'

No regard will be had to the quality of men in this world; for the rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day,' was not excused from hell and torment: there is a Tophet ordained of old, even for kings:' mighty men shall be mightily tormented,' if they have mightily siuned.

Even present encouragements of virtue in this life, the joys and comforts of God's holy Spirit, the sweet elapses of spiritual consolation in devotion, the peace of God,' and delicious sense of his love, the cheerful satisfaction of a good conscience,