Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

SERMON XXII.

PROVERBS, Xxiii. 23.

Buy the Truth, and fell it not.

THE general attention of mankind to every opportunity of worldly gain, might probably induce the wife man to deliver this his exhortation under the figure of an advantageous bargain; inasmuch as the merchandize of truth is incomparably better than the merchandize of filver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.-In like manner does our Bleffed Lord, a greater than Solomon, represent his gospel under the fimilitude

of a treasure hid in a field, the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and felleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. And again, under that of a merchantman feeking goodly pearls, who when he had found one pearl of great price, he went and fold all that he had and bought it.

But though felf-intereft be indeed a ruling principle in the world, and men are usually cautious enough not to be impofed upon in the ordinary matters of traffick, commutation and contract; yet is it unaccountable how inclined they are to impofe upon themselves, in affairs of far greater confequence. Where temporals are at stake, every faculty is attentive: Where the interefts of the inward man are concerned, the heart itself is deceitful. Some there be who, having never been apprized of the extreme mo

[ocr errors]

ment

ment of religious truths, entertain an abfolute indifferency concerning them; and living under an indolent fufpenfion of judgment and faith, bid nothing for the purchase. Others there are, who undervalue, who even vilify, these facred principles, because incompatible with their worldly interefts and irregular enjoyments. And, it is to be feared, there are but too many, who, having had grace fufficient to buy the truth, are yet improvident enough to barter so heavenly a treasure for fecular confiderations.

With a view therefore to each of thefe, I fhall,

First, Confider the Nature and Value of that Truth, which we are here exhorted to buy :

Shall then propofe the neceffary Conditions of the Purchase; and,

Lastly,

Laftly, Shall explain and enforce the Caution annexed, "Sell it not."

First then-By Truth in the text, we are to understand the principles of Morality and found Religion; according to which, as by an unerring rule, we are to fquare and direct our conduct: It being the usage of this inspired penman, to recommend these leading principles, under the general denominations of wisdom and truth. Not that the acquifition of human science can be fuppofed to have been disregarded by Him, who was fo well acquainted with it's worth and efficacy; and whose proverbial writings evidently contain a system of political ordinances, for the government of families, cities, and kingdoms; as well as of moral directions, for the behaviour of particular perfons. The knowledge of truth, as refpecting fome useful art, occupation, or profeffion, is abfolutely neceffary to

be

be procured by far the greatest part of the people. And fuch as are placed in the more advantageous stations of life must surely find their account likewise in having their minds cultivated by a liberal and learned education. But however requifite these qualifications may be to the purposes of the present life, they are yet far inferior to the attainment of true Religion: Forafmuch as the present life itself, with all it's tranfient appearances, is but preparatory to a better and eternal state of things. It is folly to think of this material world, as of that alone with which we are concerned; and confequently of the good things thereof, as alone deferving our esteem and forefight. There is another world, a world of fpirits, with which we are all intimately connected, and to which we are haftening; and every other confideration is in all reason to be made fubfervient to the one great

[ocr errors]

end

« AnteriorContinuar »