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Prov. iii.

34.

meet with a kind and hearty Reception, among Those, who fit in the Seat of the

Scorners.

But let us not Therefore be dejected, because there are Many, whom the World esteems, who yet efteem not Us, and Our Holy and Undefiled Religion! Neither let us fufpect our felves, as being out of the way and impos'd upon, becaufe Men of a greater Reach, perhaps, and of a more improv'd Understanding than We, are not of Our Mind. Solomon, who was certainly a Man of Understanding, and who was of our Mind, doth, in a very few Words (which I cannot repeat too often) afford us a full and comfortable Solution of the Cafe; A Scorner (faith he) feeketh Wisdom, and findeth it not.

From the Account of Former Times it appears to us, that thus it always hath been; and from reflections on the Nature of Man, that thus it neceffarily must be: and, therefore, let us poffefs our Souls in Patience and Peace; and go on in the plain Paths of Godliness and Honesty, without Turning to the Right, or to the Left, for whatever Men fcornfully-Witty can fay of us, or to us.

Let us beg of Him, who fcorneth the Scorners, but giveth Grace unto the Lowly,

let

let us beg of him to Beftow on us, to Preferve, and Increase in us that ferious and humble Frame of Spirit, which alone can qualifie us for a Right Apprehenfion of the Truths and Myfteries of the Gofpel; and which is, therefore, certainly Preferable to all Other Endowments of Mind, however the World may have misplac'd the greatest part of it's Efteem upon them.

xxiii. 4,

5, 6.

And let us, in order to this end, frequently take to our felves the humble Words of the Son of Syrach, and fay; O Lord, Father and God of my Ecelus. Life, give me not a proud Look; but turn away from Thy Servant always an haughty Mind! Turn away from me vain Hopes and Concupifcence, and thou shalt hold him up that is defirous always to ferve thee! Let not the Greediness of the Belly, nor Luft of the Flesh take hold of me; and give not over Me thy Servant to an Impudent Mind!

And as for Thofe, who contemn Us, and Our Narrow Principles, and who makes us their Derifion daily, let us (in the Words of the Apoftle) not cease Eph. i. 16, to make mention of them in our Prayers, 17, 18. that the God of our Lord Jefus Chrift, the Father of Glory, may give unto them

the

the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation to the Acknowledgment of him: The Eyes of their Understanding being enlightned, that they may know, what is the Hope of his Calling, and what the Riches of the Glory of his Inheritance in the Saints,

A

A

DISCOURSE

Occafion'd by the

DEATH

Of the Right Honourable

The Lady CUTTS.

A. D. MDC XĊ VIII.

ECCLES. vii. 2.

It is better to go to the House of Mourn ing, than to go to the Houfe of Feaft ing: for that is the End of All men 3 and the Living will lay it to heart.

TH

HE first Step towards Happiness is, to correct our false Opinions concerning it, by learning to efteem every

thing, not according to that Rate and Value, which the World, or our own mistaken Imaginations may have plac'd upon it, but according to that which in it felf, and in the accounts of right Reafon and Religion, it really bears.

The Preacher therefore hath, in this Chapter, lay'd together a Set of Religious Paradoxes; which, however they may ftartle and fhock us a little, upon the firit hearing, yet, when closely examin'd, will appear to be clear unqueftionable Truths, by which the whole course of our Lives ought to be steerd and govern'd.

In the firft Verfe of this Chapter (the Verse before the Text) he tells us, that a Good Name is better than precious Ointment, and the Day of one's Death than the Day of one's Birth. A Good Name is better than precious Ointment; i. e. rich Oils, and fweet Odors, (in the ufe of which the People of the Eaft much delighted) are not half fo grateful, or valuable, as a good Reputation, well founded: This is more truly fragrant, more diffufive of its influence, more durable: it gives a man greater comfort and refreshment, while he is Living; and preferves him, when Dead, better than the most precious Embalmings. And

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