Hopes of fuffering but little hereafter; for that Reason will be made to fuffer a great very deal. The Conclufion of the whole Matter is, that we have Reason all to apply to ourselves the Prophet's Words: He hath fhewn thee, O Man, what is good, and what the Lord thy God requireth of thee. And though it still be true, that fome Ages of the World have been dark, and others blinded with falfe Lights; that some Men naturally fee little, and others are ftrangely given to fee wrong: yet, in general, the Duties of Life are level to the Capacities of all Men and especially among Chriftians, but above all, Christians fo peculiarly blessed with the Means of Inftruction, as we of this Nation are, no one can poffibly, without either deliberate Obftinacy, or intolerable Negligence, continue unacquainted with what he is bound to do; or the Recompence he is to expect, if he do it not. For this is the Condemnation; that Light is come into the World, and Men have loved Darkness rather than Light, because their Deeds were evil. : * Micah vi. 8. y John iii. 19. SER SERMON V. 2 TIM. i 4. Lovers of Pleasures, more than Lovers of THE 'HE wife and gracious Ruler of the World hath created us to obey him, and from that Obedience to receive our proper Share of Happiness. He hath adapted a Variety of Satisfactions to the various Parts of our Frame: and taught us by Nature, but more distinctly by his Word, the due Subordinations of each; and the Circumftances, in which we may or may not lawfully partake of them. Some of these are capable of being exactly specified: and in fuch we cannot tranfgrefs, without either acknowledging our Guilt, or daring to deny the Authority of the Law. Many take the humbler Method of the two; and yet grow little, if at all, better: many the bolder, and grow continually worfe. Both are frequently admonished, and may be left at present VOL. I. G to to their own Reflections. But other Cafes admit only a general and less accurate Descrip▾ tion which leaves Room for thofe, who defire it, to go very improper Lengths, and still imagine they are within Bounds. Thus, in eating and drinking; to use the good Creatures of God with Delight is certainly allowable and therefore too many fet their Minds to a frange Degree on the Practice and the Study of this meanest of Gratifications; and think they may load and inflame themselves. without Scruple, provided they stop but at all fhort of fhocking Intemperance. Thus again what we commonly call Amusements are in their Nature innocent. God hath formed us for pleafing Intercourfe, and put Mirth in our Hearts with Intent that we fhould exert it. The fprightly Difpolition of Youth calls for gladfome Activity: the Fatigues of Business, the Infirmities of Old Age, the Wearisomeness of ill Health and low Spirits, often require the best Relief, that Cheerfulness can minifter. And not to allow, that our Maker confiders whereof we are made", would be giving an Idea of Religion both unamiable and falfe, But then, juft how far each of us may lawfully a Pf. ciii. 14. carry carry our Indulgence, cannot be minutely pointed out. And therefore, instead of being contented to speak and think mildly of others, which would be a right Use of this Uncertainty; we are apt to be negligent of reftraining ourselves, which is a very wrong one. For there are numberlefs Things, in which Limits cannot be fixed precifely, and yet confiderable Exceffes are deftructive. Now in all these, our Ignorance ought to teach us a reasonable, though not fcrupulous, Caution: but especially in Matters of gay Entertainment: because the present Age hath confeffedly a peculiar Turn that Way, Whether the preceding ones had not other Faults as bad, is out of the Question: our Concern is to watch against our own: for which Purpose the Text affords us a most equitable and comprehenfive and trying Direction; that we are not to love Pleafüres more than God: meaning, than our Duty to Him. For, this is the Love of God, that we keep his Commandments". Now he hath enjoined us very important Duties: of improving ourselves in every Thing worthy, and being ferviceable to our Fellow-Creatures. What Influence then upon thefe will our Amusements, as we conduct them, have? |