Page images
PDF
EPUB

SERM. the dominion of confcience over the lower I. appetites and paffions is abfolutely neceffary

to preserve the harmony of nature; and that the moft folid and permanent peace and joy, fpring from the love and obfervance of God's laws. And as wifdom is. profitable to direct men to the profecution of the most worthy ends, another part of its province is chufing the best means for attaining them; and this also appeareth in religion. Its directions principally turn upon the practice of piety and virtue ; and what better and more natural way can there be for arriving at perfection in any thing, than practising that wherein we would be perfect? If we would hope to be finally bleffed in beholding God's face in righte oufnefs, what better preparation can there be for it, than, when we behold the glory of the Lord, displayed in his word, to be changed into his image, to become partakers of a divine nature, and, cleanfing ourfelves from the filthinefs of the flesh and fpirit, to perfect holiness in his fear; thus to grow up gradually, by a continual progress in every religious virtue, to a meetness for the inheritance of the faints in light. True it is, that through the prejudices which are natural

I.

natural to us, and selfish affections, which SER M. are very strong, the discipline of religion is irksome to men, especially at their firft entrance into it; fo that true virtue, as practised in oppofition to the bent and tendency of depraved appetites and paffions, is juftly represented under the notion of self-denial and mortification. This at first view may, to unattentive minds, have an unnatural appearance, and not feem worthy the name of wisdom; for that which is to be denied, thwarted, and controuled, being a part of our nature, the discipline which prescribeth the denying it, muft neceffarily prescribe pain, (indeed the rule of our religion acknowledgeth this, representing that part of the exercise it enjoineth, under the notion of pulling out the right eye, and cutting off the right hand) and therefore it may seem to be a difcipline not wifely calculated for promoting the felicity of the human nature, which is confeffedly an end of wisdom, Yet upon a more close and serious confideration, it will appear, that felf-denial and mortification is a neceffary part of wisdom, as a remedy accommodated to the infirmities of our present state, and the diforders of our nature.

We

SERM.

I.

We are divided against ourselves, and find opposite tendencies in our hearts, carnal inclinations and paffions leading one way, and reafon and confcience (propofing' another directly contrary. They must be strangers to felf-reflection, who do not find it fo in fact and experience; and if it be so, it is plain that something, which must be called ourfelves, and a part of our nature, must be denied; either appetite and paffion on the one hand, or reafon and confcience on the other. But it is certain, and every confiderate perfon will be convinced of it, that the latter is the fuperior, the more excellent, and, of right, the governing part; and that conforming ourselves to its direction will yield the greater, more exalted, and abiding happiness. Now, is it not wife and reasonable to deny an inferior, and worse self, for the fake of a better and fuperior? And thus the law of mortifying the deeds of the body, of crucifying the flesh, with the affections and lufts, is wifely injoined for the faving of the fpirit, for refcuing it from corruption, and raifing it to a state of wifdom, activity, and true pleasure.

Since, then, this doctrine of Solomon fets religious virtue in fuch an inviting light; and fince, as he elsewhere fpeaketh, there is

a price put in our hands to attain it, let us SERM, not be of the fools who have no heart to purchase it. This is the unhappy condition of many to whom divine wisdom crieth, and understanding lifteth up her voice. The impetuous clamor of their lufts and paffions prevaileth against the calm voice of reason; their depraved affections, indulged, grow up to fuch confirmed vicious habits, as harden their hearts to an utter infenfibility, and a total neglect of wisdom's most earnest folicitations. Solomon, in this chapter, representeth the fatal confequences of this in a very clear and affecting manner; and with his words I fhall conclude: Wisdom uttereth her voice in the streets, and crieth in the chief places of concourfe, in the opening of the gates, and in the city; that is, in the plaineft and most intelligible manner: But then he adds, in the name of wisdom, Because I called, and ye refused; have fet at naught my counfels, and would none of my reproofsthey hated knowledge, and did not chuse the fear of the Lord; therefore, shall they eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

[blocks in formation]

SERMON II.

The EXCELLENCY of WISDOM.

SERM.

II.

PROVERBS VIII. 6, 7.

Hear, for I will speak of excellent things, and the opening of my lips shall be right things; for my mouth shall speak truth.

AVING endeavoured to explain the nature, characters, ends, and uses, of that wisdom which Solomon recommendeth in this book, fhewing that it comprehendeth the whole fyftem of religious virtue, the fear of God, all the pious devout affections and regards which are due to the fupreme Being; juftice and good-will to men; sobriety, or a due government of our inferior appetites and paffions, together with the proper effects of thefe qualities and difpofitions of mind in our converfations, doing good, and efchewing evil; and having endeavoured to juftify the notion he intendeth to give us, that it influhave a proper may ence on our temper and practice, that this is true wisdom; I fhall, next, apply myself

to

« PreviousContinue »