III. SER M. with Modefty, Humility and Faith, undertake the Caufe of GoD and his Chrift; but to those who abounding with a Wantonness of Wit, first lose themselves in a Labyrinth of wild Opinions, and then becoming more and more entangled and perplexed, are scarce ever reducible to a right Temper again. But let fuch of us, as are not fo far involved, always endeavour to keep our felves free from Pride and a Conceit of our own Abilities and Strength, the Root and Source of all Error and Herefy. Let us remember that the Myfteries of our Religion are things which even the Angels defire to look into, 1 Pet. i. 12. and yet, perhaps, are not able to comprehend them. But whether they be or not, it certainly becomes us, (who are not Angels, nor like Angels yet) to wait for our Vision in the other Life, and to be fatisfied and content, with other good Chriftians, humbly to believe and adore in this. bear in Mind the excellent Leffon of the wife Son of Sirach; Seek not the things that are too hard for thee, neither fearch the things that are above thy Strength: But what is commanded thee, think thereupon with Reverence, for it is not needful for thee to fee with thine Eyes the things that are in fecret. Be To this End let us not not curious in unnecessary Matters, for more S ERM. things are fhewed unto thee than Men underftand, Ecclus. iii. 21, 22, 23. But, laftly, let us not close a Discourse on this Subject without remembring what the Text reminds us of, viz. that Christianity is a Mystery of Godliness. For if fo, the Belief of it, furely, ought to have a fpecial Influence upon our Life and Practice. So that indeed as the Denial of the proper Divinity of our Saviour, and of his co-eternal Exiftence with the Father, on the one hand, undermines the very Foundation of our holy Religion; fo, on the other hand, does it much. take off from our Obligation to Obedience, and dull thofe Affections which a Reflection on this Mystery muft raise in our Minds. For what greater Obligation to Holiness and Obedience can there poffibly be; than the Confideration that our Redeemer was no lefs than the co-eternal and co-effential Son of the Almighty God? This fhould, as it were, extort from us a good Life, which is indeed the best Evidence of our Belief of these Articles, and much beyond the Subtilty of Difputation. This shews that we do more than barely affent to the Truth of them; that we are affected and moved by them to produce those saving Effects in our felves, for which to be sure they were III. SERM. III. were first discovered. And thus living now in Obedience to the holy Will of God, revealed to us by his Son, through the Affiftance of the Holy Ghost, we shall at last be admitted to the Sight and Fruition of his glorious Godhead, and fing Praises and Hallelujahs to the Bleffed Trinity for ever and ever. In the mean while let us pray for the Security of our Faith in this Profeffion, in the apt and excellent Language of our Church. Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy Servants Grace, by the Confeffion of a true Faith, to acknowledge the Glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the Power of the Divine Majefty to worship the Unity; we beseech thee, that thou wouldeft keep us ftedfaft in this Faith, and evermore defend us from all Adverfities; who art one God, one Lord, not one only Perfon, but three Perfons, in one Subftance: For that which we believe of the Glory of the Father,the fame we believe of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, without any Difference or Inequality. Therefore with Angels and ArchAngels, and with all the Company of Heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name, evermore praifing thee and faying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hofts, Heaven and Earth are full of thy Glory, Glory be to thee, O Lord moft High. SERMON SERMON IV. BEZALEEL and AHOLI AB: or, Men's Abilities and Skill the Gifts of GOD, and their Profeffions and Trades the Ways of Serving Him. Preached before the Gentlemen educated at the MERCHANT-TAYLORS SCHOOL. EXOD. xxxi, 1. The LORD spake unto Mofes, faying, 2. See, I have called by name, Bezaleel, the Son of Uri, the Son of Hur, of the Tribe of Judah: 3. And I have filled him with the Spirit of GOD, in Wisdom, and in Understanding, and in Knowledge, and in all Manner of Workmanship, 4. To devife cunning Works, to work in Gold, and in Silver and in Brass, 5. And in Cutting of Stones to fet them, and in Carving of Timber, to work in all Manner of Workmanship. 6. And I, behold I have given with him, Aholiab the Son of Ahifamach, of the Tribe of SERM. of Dan; and in the Hearts of all that are wife-bearted I have put Wisdom; that they may make all that I have commanded thee. W1 HAT an agreeable Return does this Day yield to every one that pays it its due Honour and Refpect! With what Complacency and Delight does the View of this Profpect fill the Soul of each of you that attend to Grace and adorn it! For there is nothing more desirable to the Nature of Man, than Occafions of beholding and rejoicing in the Profperity of those we esteem: And if the Friends, we would congratulate, be of the Number of those whom an early and difinterested, an intimate and long Acquaintance has endear'd; our Joy is then heightened; we not only fee it, but fhare in it alfo, and make it our own. And if foWhat numerous and various pleasing Senfations must this Day's Meeting, I fay, minifter to our Minds! when fo many, and fuch good, and fuch valuable Friends affemble and unite on purpose to augment, and all to partake of, one common Joy! We are here with Pleasure to fee, once more, the Affociates and Companions of our younger Years, our old Partners in our ju |