SERMON. 311 



into judgment. It would be strange indeed, if y Lord of the 

 Vineyard should long bear such unprofitable loads, and not 

 pronounce the just sentence upon them ; " Cut them down, 

 why cumber they the Ground." But if men, more than 

 ordinary favoured with these bounties of God, seriously con- 

 sidering why He should commit five or ten talents to y m when 

 the generality of their Brethren have but one or two ; and 

 perceiving that to whom much is given, from them the more 

 is required, shall provide to answer the donor's expecta- 

 tions in the case ; and employ their wealth, influence, and 

 dignity to such ends as it may reasonably be presumed He 

 gave them for : if they relieve and comfort the needy and 

 distressed, and assist all people, as far as they can, according 

 to their several exigencies ; then do they thereby lay up for 

 themselves treasures which may profit in the day of wrath ; 

 and bespeak Grace to help in the time of their own necessities; 

 and shall have their talents, their riches, honour, and authority 

 increased, and be called to nearer advances to the Divine 

 presence. 



The next talents, whereby we may be profitable, are the 

 endowments of Nature, which, as I said before, are twofold, 

 those of the body, and those of the mind. Those of the body 

 are strength, and comliness of parts ; by a right use of which 

 we may do honour and service to the ever-blessed Giver. 



And 1 st our bodily strength we may employ, as Samson did 

 his, in the behalf of God's friends, and subduing his enemies: 

 or as Moses (tho' the meekest man on earth) did his, in 

 vindicating those that are wronged, and delivering them from 

 the injuries and oppressions of such, as being stronger than 

 they, would trample them under their feet. The wise man 

 tells us (Prov. 20: 29) " That the Glory of young men is their 

 strength;" what they chiefly delight in. But for the most 

 part, as they use it, it is only the occasion of evil and mischief 

 to them: because they suffer themselves to be exalted thereby 

 to pride, and into contentions and quarrels ; only upon pre- 

 sumption that they shall have the advantage in such engage- 

 ments, as being y e strongest: or else they show their strength 

 in wicked and immoral practices; as excessive drinking, and 



