Obfervation of early virtue a fource I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children walk- SERMON VI. ΙΟΙ Importance of an early knowledge of And that from a child, thou hast known the holy fcriptures, which are able to make thee wife unto SERMON VII. Wherewithal ball a young man cleanfe his way ?* SERMON VII. Our Creator to be remembered in Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt fay, I have no pleasure in SERMON IX. Obedience to God the beft method of securing the favour of men. 176 Sermon I. THE IMPORTANCE OF RELIGION. PROVERBS iv. 7. WISDOM IS THE PRINCIPAL THING :THEREFORE, GET WISDOM. THE knowledge and practice of religion is, of all concerns, the most interefting to mankind. Whether we confult our honour, our peace of mind, our usefulness, or our future well-being, we cannot make a wifer choice, than that recommended by Solomon; nor can we follow a better rule, than that which he has prefcribed. The remark of the Roman orator refpecting friendfhip will justly apply to practical religion. "You afk for riches, that you may enjoy them; for power, that you may be followed; for preferment, that you may be refpected; for pleasures, that you B may may be gratified; for health, that you may be free from pain, and have the full vigour of body. But religion comprehends many confiderations. Go where you will, it is prefent. No place can fhut it out. It is never unfeasonable, never intruding. It gives fplendour to profperity, and is a cordial under adverfity." But I need not repair to the heathen fchools for words to defcribe, or figures to embellish, the subject of religion. The words of the royal moralift will be fufficient for this purpose. "Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forfake ye not my law. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not, neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forfake her not, and the fhall preferve thee; love her, and the fhall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore, get wifdom : and, with all thy getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and the fhall promote thee: fhe fhall bring thee to honour, when thou doft embrace her. She fhall give to thine head an ornament of grace; and a crown of glory fhall fhe deliver to thee." A more lovely portrait of religion never was drawn; nor were ever its advantages better |