A cabinet of choice jewels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain…A cabinet of choice jevvels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain…

¹you read that they buried him in the City of David among the Kings, because he had done good in Israel, both towards God and towards his house. Men of public spirits shall be honoured both living and dying. ²So Nehemiah was a man of a brave public spirit, he holds on twelve years together in public work upon his own cost and charge.³ So Esther was one of a public spirit, and therefore she takes her life in her hand, and goes in to the King with an If I perish, I perish. And so Mordecai was a man of a public spirit. Mordecai the Jew was next unto King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, ⁴and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed. Mordecai was more mindful ⟨image 8⟩and careful of his peoples peace, prosperity and welfare, than he was of his own concernments. And so D•vid was a man of a public spirit, for after he had served his own generation he fell asleep.⁵ The spirit of the Lord has put this upon record for Davids honour and our imitation. Davids soul did not live in a narrow Bowling-alley, he was not a man of so poor, low and narrow a spirit, as to make himself the centre of his designs and actions. David was a man of a generous, noble spirit, the public good lay nearest his heart, and to serve his generation he was willing to spend and be spent. The public spirited man of all men is most like to Christ, and to those Worthies who were once glorious on earth, and are now triumphing in heaven. The Apostle speaks of some who are lovers of themselves, 2 Tim. 3.2. and who are seekers of themselves, Phil. 2.21. and who are minders of themselves,