SERMON XXIII. 1st CORINTHIANS VII. VERSE XXXI. . They that use this world as not abusing it. If we attend to the general tenor of the language of our blessed Saviour, and his disciples, upon the subject of worldly pursuits, it is quite clear that their object was not to abolish, but to regulate them; not to persuade mankind that they should not use the world, but that they should so use it, as not to abuse it. The whole of life of course cannot be passed in the fervor of prayer, and the effusions of piety; the greatest part must be spent in action, and to act we must have desires sufficiently strong, and systematic to become pursuits; it is not only lawful, to engage in worldly pursuits, but absolutely necessary to do so; without them righteousness would be fantastical speculation, or criminal indolence; the great points for consideration are, as we must pursue something, what is best worth the pursuit? what are those objects at which a wise, and religious man may fairly aim? how may he use the world, without abusing it? Imperfect as all its pleasures are, what are the best, and the greatest that world can afford? For I repeat again, that righteousness cannot consist in neglecting, and despising every thing in this world, but in selecting proper objects of our attention; and in rendering even those proper objects subordinate to the higher considerations of religion. It has been, ever, a great question with the pious, and the good, what degree of happiness the world can afford; the holy scriptures call it the valley of tears; the dark shadow of death is said to be shed over it; all things have been denominated vanity, and vexation of spirit which are under the sun; but these melancholy views of human life, either respect the errors of life, and the common foolish objects of our ambition, or they are intended to contrast the brief, fluctuating, and half-satisfactory joys of the world, with a perfect, and eternal felicity. It is still therefore, true, that there are some pursuits which will probably confer happiness upon him, who, at the same time, firmly connects this world with that which succeeds it; such happiness is not, to be sure, consummate, and certain, but it is highly probable, and very important. I will, therefore, expatiate upon the methods of using the world, without abusing it, and enumerate those objects, which are truly worthy of a wise man's best exertions. The first rule for using the world, is, to live in it with a clear conscience, without the startings, and trembling of guilt; in innocence, openness, and decent freedom; this is the basis of happiness, the rock on which the house is reared. Whatever be our external condition, if there is not a |