SERM.not at present aware of; and very poffibly Χ. not be able to fee, or at least not find means to avoid, the Frailties we are generally so apt to censure in the Behaviour of our Superiors. With regard to Superiors in Natural Abilities, true Humility consists, not in submitting our Understandings to them! blindly and implicitly, but in being willing and defirous to be instructed and informed by them; in not envying them the Advantages God has given them above ourselves; nor repining, but on the contrary rejoicing, at their being preferred or honoured, according to the Proportion of their true Merit or Capacity. With regard to Superiors in Religious Improvements, Humility confifts likewise, in rejoicing to see the Practise of Virtue, and the Advancement of the Kingdom of God upon Earth ; not grieving, but taking Pleasure, to find fuch Persons esteemed highly in the World, and propofing them to ourselves as Examples and Patterns for our Imitation. This is the Virtue of Humility, in our Behaviour towards Superiors of all kinds. :: 2dly, Χ. ~ 2dly, TOWARDS our Equals, true Hu-SERM. mility confifts, in civil and affable, in courteous and modest behaviour; not in formal Pretences of thinking very meanly and contemptibly of ourselves, (for such Profeffions are often very consistent with great Pride,) but in patiently permitting our Equals (when it shall so happen) to be preferred before us, not thinking ourselves injured when Others but of equal Merit chance to be more esteemed, but on the contrary rather suspecting that we judge too favourably of ourselves, and therefore modeftly defiring that those who are reputed upon the level with us, may have shown unto them rather a greater Respect. This is what the Apostle means, Rom. xii. 10, when he bids us be kindly affectioned one to another, with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another. 'Tis what the Wife-man had long before exhorted to, Prov. xxv. 6, Put not forth thyself in the presence of the King, and stand not in the place of great men; for better is it, that it be fald unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be put lower in the presence of the Prince whom P3 SERM.whom thine eyes have seen. 'Tis what our X. Saviour still more largely and distinctly recommends, in that Parable whereof the Text is the conclufion; St Luk. xiv. 7, He put forth a Parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; Saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, fit not down in the highest room; left a more honourable man than thou, be bidden of him; And be that bade thee and him, come and say to thee, Give This man place, and thou begin with frame to take the lowest room : But when thou art bid_ den, go and fit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, be may fay unto thee, Friend, go up higher; Then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that fit at meat with thee: The Application of all which, he subjoins in the words of the Text; ver. 11, For whosoever exalteth himself, shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted. Further; True Humility with regard to our Equals, confifts, in willingly fubmitting, for Peace fake, to many things, it not very unreasonable, yet otherwise fuch Χ. such as in our own judgment we should SERM. not chuse or think best of. Eph. iv. 1, I beseech you, that ye walk worthy of the Vocation wherewith ye are called; with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; Endea vouring to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; For unto every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the Gift of Christ; i. e, men have different judgments, different inclinations, different Gifts and Talents from God, divided to every one severally as he pleases; and therefore, to prevent Confufion, where men otherwise are Equals, the Duty of Humility requires, that they should all be ready to submit to each other, with all Meekness, Patience and Good-will. Col. iii. 12, Put on, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another; And above all these things, put on Cha rity, which is the bond of Perfectness; Charity, i. e. mutual Love and an effectionate defire of Peace and Agreement; SERM. For so it is explained in the words next X. immediately following; And let the Peace ✓✓ of God rule in your Hearts, to which also ye are called in one Body. The like Exhortation we find, 1 Pet. v. 5; where the Apostle not only directs, Ye Younger Submit yourselves unto the Elder; but he adds moreover, Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with Humility. And Eph. v. 21, Submitting yourfelves one to another in the Fear of God, This is the Character of true Humility, in our Behaviour towards our Equals. 3dly; WITH regard to our Inferiors, Humility confifts, in assuming to ourselves no more than the Difference of Men's Circumstances, and the Performance of their respective Duties, for preserving the regularity and good Order of the World, necessarily requires. Particularly, towards Inferiors in Civil Stations in the World, the Humility of a Governour confifts, not in making his Authority despicable and subject to contempt, but in exercising it so, as to show that he is not puft up with the Love of Power and Dominion, but looks upon it as a 'Trust committed to him, |