A discourse about the state of true happiness delivered in certain sermons in Oxford,…A discourse about the state of true happinesse deliuered in certaine sermons in Oxford,…

First, some of the heathens, out of those weak notions and inclinations to virtuousness, which corrupted nature confusedly imprinted in their minds, attained a great measure ⟨p. 18⟩of moral perfection. This Elogy the ^aHistorian gives of the Roman Cato. Cato was a man, which did animate the fair speculative image of virtue with lively executions and practise. Goodness was so habitually incorporated into his honest mind, that he did good, not for respects and reservedly, but because he could possibly do no otherwise. Impartial indifferency was the rule of his actions; and being free from the corruptions of the time, he was the same man, and had a free command over his passions, both in time of acceptation and disgrace. It is further reported of Fabricius, that a man might sooner turn the sun from his course, then to sway Fabricius by respects from honest and ingenuous dealing. And yet all these excellencies of morality are justly and truly censured by Divinity, to be but ^bglorious sins. Austin, that great disputer, and worthy father, confirms it unanswerable; especially from that ground in the Epistle to the ^cHebrews: Without faith it is impossible to please God. Let a mans works be in show never so good, so magnificent, so charitable; except the heart be purged from dead works by a lively faith, and pure from an evil conscience, he is but a painted sepulchre, or whited wall. But yet take this by the way; if these Heathens, in the twilight of reason, became such admirable lights of uprightness and honesty; and yet Christians in these days, when all the beams of Christs blessed Gospel are shining and shed round about them, continue still in darkness, cold and frozen in profaneness, and security; certainly, as it shall be easier for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgement, then for Chorazin and Bethsaida: so it shall be easier for many Heathens, though to them impossible, then for those Christians, that pass not them in virtue and integrity. Cato and Fabricius at that day shall rise up against many luke warm professors of our times, to their eternal shame, confusion, and condemnation.

First, some of the heathens, out of those weake notions and inclinations to vertuousnesse, which corrupted nature confusedly imprinted in their minds, attained a great measure