measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you SERM. again *. In fine, he, who unites the wisdom of the serpent with the harmlessness of the dove, affiduously cultivates that fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom, and carefully keeps his commandments, as the most certain proof of a good understanding †. He views the present scene in its true light, as a ftate of trial, as a paffage in which he may enjoy comfort, but muft not expect folid and durable happiness, and as the sphere in which his qualifications for an eternal crown of glory are to be acquired, and those virtues, established in his foul, which must be effential ingredients of celeftial felicity. During the whole of his terrestrial course, he directs his views to heaven, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, inftant in prayer ‡, and anticipates, with placid refignation, with humble confidence, and enlivening gratitude, that joy unspeakable, and full of glory, which he hall experience when he receives the end of his faith, even X T 4 * Matth. vii. 1. 2. + Ps. cxi. 10. Rom. xii. 12. X. SERM. even the salvation of his soul*, and his inheritance among them that are fanctified t. A philofopher of antiquity ‡ declares that a fpectacle, worthy the attention of God, is that of a great and good man struggling with adverfity. But, the great and good man, whom this philofopher figured, was involved in heathen ignorance, and contaminated by heathen corruption. A much nobler spectacle, then, is that of a Christian in fimilar circumftances, guided by the light of the gofpel, purified by its precepts, and supported by the aids which it promises. I might call up to your view those glorious and holy martyrs who, in different periods of the church, have, in defence of the nobleft of all causes, the honour of the Creator, and the means of the falvation of men, endured the most severe fufferings, exhibited the perfection of human virtue, fhowed our nature impreffed with the divine image, and afforded, to men, to angels, and to God, the most august object of contemplation upon earth-the foul of * I Pet. i. 8, 9. + A&s xx. 32. Seneca. X. of the man of piety and fortitude taking SERM. its flight, to heaven, from amidst the flames that confume his body! But, this grand display of the human character, enlightened by divine wisdom, and supported by divine power, I omit, because my object is, at prefent, to represent to you the result of the qualities under confideration, not in their heroic form, but in the aspect they may affume in the ordinary fphere of life. Thus, all, that is useful in knowledge; all, that is amiable in affection; all, that is folid in principle; all, that is dignified in pursuit ; all, that is refpectable and falutary in general conduct; fpring from the combination of attainments enjoined in the text. It sheds its beneficent influence on our prefent ftate, and prepares for the enjoyment of that which is confummate in happiness, and everlasting. How different is the character, which I have defcribed, from that which infidelity is prone to impute to the Christian, as if he were impelled by undif cerning zeal, deftitute of understanding, in capable X. SERM. capable of comprehenfive and exalted views in the direction of conduct. The picture, which I have endeavoured to draw, evinces either the folly or the malignity of fuch opinions. SERMON Be ye wise as serpents, and harmless as doves AFTER having, in two preceding discour- SERM. fes, described and illuftrated the specific and appropriate natures of the qualities of mind, recommended in the text, and exhibited the happy refult of their harmonious combination; it remains for me, in the last place, to enforce the cultivation and practice of them by confiderations adapted to move the active powers of our conftitution. III. The admirable tendency of the union of a fagacious understanding and of an up XI. 2 |