III. The Wisdom of Fearing God. IV. The Blessednefs of Humility. p. 76 p. 105 V. The Church-Governour's Pattern. 2 Tim. 1. 6. p. 144 VI. The Origin and Right of Humane 2 Chron. 19. 6. P. 182 VII. A Friendly Call to our Diffenting St. John 16. 31, 32. p. 217 X. The Doctrine of the Refurre&ion ap- I Theff. 4. 18. P. 343 XI. The fafe way to Happiness, both mons on Pfal. 37. 4. XII. Second Sermon. P. 376 p. 412 A SER- [1] A SERMON Preached before the LORD MAYOR, &c. February the 17th 167%. PSALM LII. 7. Lo this is the man that took not God for his ftrength, but trufted unto the multitude of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness. I T is an Obfervation as true as com mon, that no man was ever extreamly wicked upon a fudden; a hardy finner must be a work of time, a Creature of industry and toil, of conAlicts and repulfes: And that because m Na B f Nature, however depraved, has yet left such strong guards upon Vertue, that no man can break through them without doing violence not only to his Reafon, but his very Complexion too. It is no eafie thing to overcome the fhame that naturally attends all dishoneft Actions, and makes thofe that commit them to love darkness. It is no eafie thing to overcome the fear that naturally haunts the guilty Conscience, and makes darkness it felf to be no fecurity: much lefs is it easie to dare to live at enmity with God, after conviction that he is all knowing, and juft, and his wrath a confuming fire. And yet notwithstand. ing all this, fince woful experience puts it out of question that men do daily arrive at this desperate pitch; that how dangerous foever the precipice be, thi ther they venture; and being there, bear their danger with less concern than others can behold it: It may be worth our while to enquire how, and by what degrees |