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SERMON XVII.

On the Characters of Thofe, who pretend
to Morality, without Religion.
COLOSSIANS III. 23.

Whatfoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the
Lord, and not unto Men.

Page 427

SERMON

The Duty of loving our Enemies ftated and explained.

Preached before the UNIVERSITY of
OXFORD, 1733.

MATTHEW V. verfe 44.

But I fay unto you, love your Enemies, blefs them that curfe you, do good to them that and pray for them which despite

bate you,

fully ufe you and perfecute you.

T

HERE is an infeparable Connex- SE RM. I. ion between Malice and Unhappi

nefs: And it is an obvious Remark,

that the most malevolent Being in the Univerfe is the most unhappy and accursed Spirit in it, whofe Temper refembles that Blackness of Darkness, to which he is referved as on the other Hand the great Being, who is infinitely good and an inexhauftible Fountain of Bleffings to all his Creatures, is infinitely happy and bleed in himself for evermore. VOL. I. That

B

SERM. I. That we might, in fome degree, resemble God in Goodness, our Saviour virtually enjoins an univerfal Benevolence, by enjoining even the Love of our Enemies; a Love not dead and unperforming, but fuch as exerts itself in the moft proper and fignificant Expreffions, as fpeaking well of them, praying for them, and doing Good to them. In Oppofition to the narrow Notions of the Scribes, who taught the People, without any Authority from the Old Testament for teaching them fo, that they were permitted to hate their Enemies; he recommends a prevailing, habitual, and unmixed Sweetness of Temper, without the least Gall of Bitterness in our Compofition against any Man; that Sweetness of Temper, which, if it does not give a Man fuch a shining and glaring Figure, as fome other Accomplishments do; yet conftitutes the most lovely, beautiful, and agreeable Character, and gains unenvied Praife.

The best Comment on his Words will be,

I. To state the Nature and Extent of the Duty enjoined, viz. The Love of our Enemies.

II. To fhew the Reasonableness of it.

III. The

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