it arifeth wholly from the want or imperfec- SER M. tion of religion? Ask those whose deep hu- III. miliation and fear render life uncomfortable, whether they would not be comforted even more than in the greatest abundance of corn and wine, if they found in themselves fenfibly faith working by love, and all the chriftian virtues in fuch lively vigorous exercise as their own confciences could without any fcruple witness to their fincerity, and they will readily answer in the affirmative; fo that their experience is no objection against the doctrine of the text, but rather confirmeth it. Befides, if fome melancholy persons who are religioufly difpofed fhall imagine that religion abridgeth their freedom in the use of some things, which are in themfelves innocent, this proceedeth from a mistake, and is wholly to be attributed to their weakness. The chearful temperate ufe of worldly enjoyments is not prohibited by the precepts of wisdom, which only retrench overgrown immoderate defires; and these are so far from tending to the measure of happiness which the liberal author of na ture defigned for us in the prefent state, that they mar it rather. VOL. III. G. 2dly, SERM. 2dly, It must be acknowledged that diffiIII. culty and pain, in certain inftances, attend the first entrance upon a religious and virtuous course of life. When men have abandoned themselves to profligate wickedness, and a long cuftom of finning hath strengthened their proneness to it, it cannot be expected it should be easy for them to break it off at once and practice the contrary virtues. We fee that habits of any fort are with difficulty unlearned and difufed, especially those which are founded on a propenfity of nature and bias of the mind. The fcripture therefore reprefenteth repentance and mortification as painful, expreffing them by rending the heart, plucking out the eye, and cutting off the hand; yet even the very beginnings of reformation are not without pleasure; the first purposes which a man formeth of doing his duty yield him fatisfaction, especially fince there is hope of a happy iffue if they be heartily pursued; and we are not left to ftruggle alone with our weakness, but affured that the superior aids of divine grace will be granted to them that afk. But every step of our progress in the paths of holiness will bring an increase of delight fufficient to recompenfe all the toil and uneafiness which attend attend it. Let a man arm himself with refo- SERM. lution to refift the most vehement temptations, III. and thwart the most preffing inclinations of his own heart to fin, he will find that every instance of his doing fo will diffuse joy thro' his mind, and make his conqueft easier in the next affault; the righteous fhall hold on his way, and be who hath clean hands fhall grow stronger and stronger. If, now, it appeareth that the ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness and peace; if the objections against it are fo weak and infufficient; if the real difficulties arise not from the nature and reafon of the thing, but from our prejudices, inexperience, and irresolution, and they are all fuperable by the means God hath afforded, that grace of his which bringeth Salvation, and bath appeared unto us; if it be fo, one would think the argument is very strong, confounding the ftrong hold of fin, fpoiling it of that. in which its greatest strength lieth, namely, pleasure; for wisdom is fuperior even in that, and allureth us by a more folid, lafting, and certain satisfaction. Surely human nature must be strangely loft to a juft fenfe of its own true intereft, if it can refift fuch a motive. Though the demands of autho SERM. rity might seem harsh, and the threatnings III. of penalties affright, yet the prospect of pleasure muft, one would think, powerfully, infinuate itself into the mind, and captivate its affections. In a particular manner, let the thoughts of christians dwell on the glorious gospel whereby their confolation is amply provided for. Our Saviour spoke his excellent doctrines and precepts to his difciples, that his joy might remain in them, and that their joy might be full; he hath promised the holy Spirit under the amiable character of the comforter; it is the peculiar work of that divine Agent, that refident in the church in behalf of the Father and the Son, to confirm the argument in the text, to minifter confolation to them who fincerely walk in wifdom's ways. And this fhould engage us to adore our gracious God and Redeemer who had our comfort fo much at heart. We have a bountiful mafter who not only hath afcertained to his fervants a great reward in reverfion, but, even now, imparteth to them that joy which is their strength, and attracteth their defires to that perfection of comfort which is to be enjoyed in his prefence; for the fpirit is given as a pledge or earneft |