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I.

SERM. Service, the Earth, Air and Sea, and all Things in them; and not only fo, but the heavenly Bodies alfo, the Sun to rule the Day, and the Moon and Stars to give him. Light in the Night Seafon; for tho' these may have other Uses in Nature, yet as long as they ferve the Uses of Man, it is the fame to him as if they were made for him only, and require the fame grateful Acknowledgments.

2. The Wisdom of God in the Works of the Creation fhould teach us not only Thankfulness, but Humility. For indeed, if we confider that, among the infinite Variety of Things with which we are incompass'd, there is not one of them that is thoroughly known and understood by Man, a few Properties only of a Thing being enough for an Age or two to find out, and the leaft Blade of Grafs having Wonders enough in it to confound the greatest Philofopher, what Avenues can there poffibly be for Pride to enter? Well then might it be faid, that Pride is founded in Ignorance, and well might the most knowing be alfo the moft humble.

3. The Wisdom of God discover'd in the Works of the Creation fhould teach us not only to be thankful and humble, but to be good, and to lead fuch Lives as may

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I.

make us in some measure worthy of thefe SERM.
Bleffings which we were defign'd to con-
template and enjoy. And indeed, if we are
truly grateful and humble, these Virtues
will naturally lead us to this; for all the
Actions of a good Life are but so many
Branches that fpring from them. Who-
ever has a juft Senfe of Gratitude to God,
and is poffefs'd of a truly humble Mind,
will alfo of courfe be temperate, fober, juft,
and every thing else that is good and praise-
worthy; he will put that Value upon Men
and Things which they deferve; he will
confider himself, not only as the Workman-
ship, but the Image of God; and therefore
will be very cautious of doing any thing
that tends to throw a Slur upon him whose
Image and Superfcription he bears.
fhort, he will do every thing to answer the
Ends of his Creation, and to contribute to
the Glory of his great Creator. Which that
twe may all do, God of his infinite Mercy
grant, &c.

In

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I.

SERM. Service, the Earth, Air and Sea, and all Things in them; and not only fo, but the heavenly Bodies alfo, the Sun to rule the Day, and the Moon and Stars to give him. Light in the Night Seafon; for tho' these may have other Ufes in Nature, yet as long as they ferve the Ufes of Man, it is the fame to him as if they were made for him only, and require the fame grateful Acknowledgments.

2. The Wisdom of God in the Works of the Creation should teach us not only Thankfulness, but Humility. For indeed, if we confider that, among the infinite Variety of Things with which we are incompass'd, there is not one of them that is thoroughly known and understood by Man, a few Properties only of a Thing being enough for an Age or two to find out, and the leaft Blade of Grafs having Wonders enough in it to confound the greatest Philofopher, what Avenues can there poffibly be for Pride to enter? Well then might it be faid, that Pride is founded in Ignorance, and well might the most knowing be also the most humble.

3. The Wisdom of God difcover'd in the Works of the Creation fhould teach us not only to be thankful and humble, but to be good, and to lead fuch Lives as may

make

I.

make us in fome measure worthy of thefe SERM. Bleffings which we were defign'd to contemplate and enjoy. And indeed, if we are truly grateful and humble, thefe Virtues will naturally lead us to this; for all the Actions of a good Life are but fo many Branches that fpring from them. Whoever has a juft Sense of Gratitude to God, and is poffefs'd of a truly humble Mind, will alfo of course be temperate, fober, juft,

and

every thing else that is good and praiseworthy; he will put that Value upon Men and Things which they deferve; he will confider himself, not only as the Workmanfhip, but the Image of God; and therefore will be very cautious of doing any thing that tends to throw a Slur upon him whofe Image and Superfcription he bears. fhort, he will do every thing to answer the Ends of his Creation, and to contribute to the Glory of his great Creator. Which that we may all do, God of his infinite Mercy grant, &c.

In

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SERM.

II.

SERMON II.

JOB XXviii. 28.

And unto Man be faid, Behold,
the Fear of the Lord that is
Wisdom, and to depart from
Evil is Understanding,

N the foregoing Chapter, to which this has Relation, Job had been protesting against the Doctrine of his Friends, who all along afferted that Afflictions were ever the Confequence of Sin, and that fome remarkable Vengeance always attended wicked Men; which nevertheless he grants that it does fometimes happen to be true, tho' he denies it to be always a conftant Rule and Method of God's Proceedings: And being aware that they would be apt to fufpect the Impartiality of this way of acting, and would not be able to reconcile it to the Juftice of God, he fhews

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