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SERM. the mind, and determineth it to action; the VII. reft are gratified, and their demands com

plied with, only by its permiffion, or when it is abated. Thus the different lufts of men, according to their predominancy, form their difpofitions and different vicious characters; the voluptuous, the proud, and the covetous, are so severally denominated from the defire which hath the afcendant over them; they have a variety of defires, but that which is the most prevailing, conftituteth the temper.

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As these different corrupt affections are the great obftructions to wisdom, they are then effectually removed when wisdom itself becometh principal in the esteem of the mind, and its ruling defire: And, therefore, what, the divine inftructions of this book constantly aim at is, that we should eagerly, affectionately, and vehemently, defire religion and virtue preferably to all other things, which is very reasonably infifted on and recommended to us, because in many cases the determination of the defire, and the meafures and degrees of it depend on the mind itself. The influence of defire is very great, and it ftrongly, nay fometimes irresistibly carrieth the mind; yet we are not moved neceffarily, as bodies are by fprings and weights;

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weights; the foul hath a great share in form- SER M. ing, raifing, and regulating its own defires, VII. and by an attention to the motives of defire, examining them carefully, and applying itself to the confideration of proper arguments, which it hath naturally a power to do, the current of its inclinations may be changed; those which are evil and irregular cured, and the good farther ftrengthened and confirmed.

Our bleffed Saviour, in his excellent fermon on the mount, which containeth the sum of his falutary doctrine, pronounceth them bleffed who hunger and thirst after righteousness, Matt. v. 6. That righteoufness is true religion, the fame thing which Solomon calleth wifdom, and the best preparatory difpofition in order to our attaining it, and enjoying the happy fruits and rewards of it, is an eager appetite, expreffed by hungering and thirsting, which is raised in the mind by a ferious attention. Afterwards, in his instructive parables, Matt. xiii. he representeth true piety and virtue under the fimilitude of treasure hid in a field, and a pearl of great price, to the end we may be engaged to feek it earnestly and above all things, which is the firft and abfolutely neceffary qualification in order to our attaining VOL. III. N

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SERM. it. This was the excellent fpirit of the VII. apoftle Paul, Philip. iii. 8. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but lofs for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; by which is meant true christianity, pure and undefiled religion before God the father, thus explained by him in thefe words, ver. 10. which, in the ftyle of this apostle, evidently fignify holiness, charity, meekness, and patience, after the example of Chrift; that I may know him, and the power of his refurrection, and the fellowship of his fufferings, being made conformable to bis death. This he prized above all things, and counted them but lofs and dung that he might attain it. But the infincerity of many may appear to themselves, if they bring the temper of their minds to a fair trial; for they cannot but be conscious to themselves, that other oppofite inclinations prevail; though they may have fome defires to wifdom, especially because it is of fo great importance to their intereft, yet they have little fense of its beauty and amiable excellence; or things more grofs, and of an inferior nature, preponderate, and their defires of religious virtue are, as Solomon elsewhere speaketh, feeble and ineffectual, Prov.' xiii. 4. The foul of the fluggard defireth and hath

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nothing. We ought to examine our pious SER M. inclinations after this manner, what is it VII. they terminate upon? Is it the beauty of holiness ifelf? And are they more prevailing in the mind than other inclinations?

3dly, Love naturally fheweth itself in the complacency which the mind taketh in the enjoyment of, or even in meditating upon, the beloved objects. Thus the love of wifdom is teftified by delighting in it, and this Solomon requireth as the neceffary condition of obtaining it, and partaking of its happy ́fruits, Prov. ii. 10, 11. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleas fant unto thy foul, difcretion fhall preferve thee, understanding hall keep thee. We may obferve that this is one ingredient in the fentiments and difpofitions of the pious. David often expreffeth his great fatisfaction in the way of Gods teftimonies, which are the ways of wisdom, he rejoiced in them more than in riches. Pfal. cxix. 14. And made them his fongs in the boufe of his pilgrimage. Job alfo maintained his integrity by this plain evidence of it, that he delighted in God, which he could not do without delighting in This law, nay, he faith expreffly that he efteemed the divine precepts more than his neceflary food. And though the pleasures of religion

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SER M. religion feem to be the result of an intimate VII acquaintance with it, doubtless they are then the strongest, and a growing experience will be accompanied with an increase of joy, yet pleasure attendeth the firft fincere inclinations to wisdom, and the first hearty endeavours to attain it. Defire indeed feteth the mind and all its powers on work, and ftill in our imperfect ftate, is the most prevalent fpring of diligence. Our condition is like that of children, of new-born babes, as St. Peter describeth it, who defire milk that they may grow thereby; but that very defire hath enjoyment in it, and the entrance of wisdom giveth pleasure to the foul. It may therefore be very proper for us to reflect on our joys, and to confider what it is we have the greatest complacency in, that we may know what manner of spirits we are of, for the conftitution of the mind appeareth as much this way as any other. The worldly man entertaineth himself with the highest satisfaction in his great poffeffions, he faith to his foul, Thou haft much goods laid up for many years, take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry, Luke xii. 19. And every one according to the particular temper and complexion of his fpirit rejoiceth in the fruition of the object which is the most

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