Holy Apofties, and all good Preachers were and are authorized to declare the fame. The eternal Son of GOD, when on Earth, did declare [and whose Word is true] that he will condemn the Rich for the Omiffion of good Deeds. I was hungry, and ye gave me no Meat, thirfly, and ye gave me no Drink, &c. They cannot die with Joy, who have not prepared for it by charitable Lives. The Holy Scriptures in fo many Places condemn the Covetous, and give them the Name of Idolaters, by paying Worship to falfe Gods, and neglecting the Worship of the true GOD, that they are counted his greatest Enemies; and exceed the Pagans of old, because they had not the Knowledge of Chriftianity. For Chriftians therefore to be covetous, is a Contradiction, they are alienated from the Life of Faith, and cut off from all the Benefits accruing to us by the Death of CHRIST. By worshipping Mammon, they become as fenfelefs as Mammon itfelf. They prefer a Moment before Eternity, Earth before Heaven, Death before Life; They never do a good Turn, nor give a good Word; and at the laft, grafp their Idol Gold and die, leaving their fpeechlefs God, who cannot help them. Can these Souls be qualified for the Glories of Heaven, who never fuffer divine Love to harbour a Minute in their Breafts? 'Tis as much as if a Man fhould expect to be entertain’d in the Palace of a Prince, who has been a Traitor and a Robber, and endeavoured to break the good Laws he hath enacted for the good of his Subjects: Or like a Perfon who hath an hundred Miles to travel, and

expects to be at his Journey's End before he moves one Foot towards it. This is the Truth of the Cafe, that a Mifer is farther from the Kingdom of Heaven, than the first Day he was born; for he hath been all his Years in full Speed to the Kingdom of Darkness; he finds himself mistaken when it is too late, and his Spirit finds no Reft. Divine Love is not easily relished by Flesh and Blood; and yet, if we do not entertain her with that Civility due to her Rank, we fhall be in the fame Cafe as the Former.

It is hard to deny our Appetites, but it is much harder to hear, Go ye Curfed, &c. The greatest Part of Mankind is fo full of Bufinefs, and drowned in the Cares of this Life, they, like MARTHA, have not Time to hear what our SAVIOUR fays, and with Raptures like MARY receive the Words of eternal, Truth. It is fo pleasant to get Riches, or to make a fplendid Figure in the World, that Money-getters laugh at you to hear that a good poor Man will be a glorified Soul hereafter, they think he is as despised by GoD as he is by Man; but the Mistake will appear to the great Disadvantage of the Former. Rejoice therefore, O ye good and holy Men; praise your great Creator and Redeemer for your Creation and Redemption. Praife the Holy Ghost for his unfpeak, -able Graces and Comforts to you, and for filling your Souls with Love, that ye may be capable of receiving eternal Happiness hereafter.

HAIL,

PHILO.

AIL, bleffed Day! that on Judean Plains Brought joyful Tidings to the watchful Swains. While they to Beth'lem went, CHRISTIANY, fay Who watch'd the Sheep from Harm? Or did they ftray?

CHRISTIANY.

Angels, I deem, their fafer Guardians were, Sent by the Father of the new-born Heir, Whom Shepherds found within a Manger laid,

And told abroad the Words the Angels faid:

Such Care what Flocks can boaft? Such GOD what

Swain?

Not Egypt fuch a GOD, nor Care Philistine Train!

PHILO.

What Flocks can boast of fuch amazing Love? The Son of GOD, the Lord from Heav'n above;

4

He, the great Shepherd of his Sheep, did die,
And brought his Lambs from long Captivity,
And now rejoice in Carols, Hymns, and Songs:
Salvation only to our GOD belongs.

CHRISTIANY.

We read of Heroes that have Heroes flain, And conquer'd Kingdoms, but could never gain O'er Death the Victory; Sin, Death, and Hell, With their black Prince, by this great Conqu'ror fell, Come, my Beloved; my Beloved's mine,

And I am bis: What Love's compar'd to thine !

PHILO.

Tho' mean his Birth, to kill deftructive Pride, Not fuch Attendance aț a Monarch's Side. Celeftial Hofts fung Anthems at his Birth,

Glory to GOD on High, and Peace on Earth,
Good-will towards Men." And, led by a Star,
The Magi came to worship Him from far:
And Shepherds' Hearts rung Peals of Love and Praife;
That all Judea was in great Amaze.

HEROD the Great heard this ftrange News, and fear'd,
And afk'd the Wifemen, when the Star appear'd.
And now rejoice in Carols, Hymns, and Songs :
Salvation only to our GoD belongs.

CHRISTIANY.

What fudden Joy firft feiz'd them in the Night, I can't but think, at that tranfcendent Light, And Rhapfody fo fweet? With hafte they mov'd, Not as to idle Shows, by fome belov'd;

So ABRA'M gladly to Moriah's Land
Made hafte, to flay his Son by GOD's Command.
Come, my Beloved; my Beloved's mine,

And I am bis: What Love's compar'd to thine!

PHILO.

How ftupid were the Rabbies of the Jews, How flothful were they when they heard the News The Wifemen brought to HEROD, HEROD them, Not to go see their CHRIST at Bethlehem? And now rejoice in Carols, Hymns, and Songs: Salvation only to our GoD belongs.

CHRISTIANY.

It was, Friend PHILO, bafe Ingratitude, CHRIST in their Country born, and they so rude (Foretold fo often) not to search Him out.

I'll fing thy Name, O CHRIST, in joyful Shout.
Thou left'ft thy Father's Bofom, and reveal'd
The Way to Heav'n, which Sin from Man conceal'd,
Come, my Beloved; my Beloved's mine,

And I am bis: What Love's compar'd to thine!

PHILO.

How lovingly he calls his Lambs to feed

On Bread from Heav'n, whofe Lambs can nothing need!

I am the Bread of Life, This if you eat,

"You fhall not die: Indeed my Flesh is Meat, "My Blood indeed is Drink. I am that Bread "Which came from Heav'n. Your Fathers all are

dead