SERMON and sufferings, and death of our blessed Re XI. deemer are displayed; or useful instructions regarding the regulation of life, and the proper discharge of our several duties, are the subjects brought into view; it is not then the human speaker, but the divine authority, that is to be regarded. In the speaker, many imperfections and infirmities may be discovered. The discoveries of the Gospel are represented in scripture, as a hidden treasure brought to light; but, by the appointment of God, we have this treasure in earthen vessels *. It is not the spirit of curiosity that ought to bring us to church. Too often, it is to be feared, we assemble there merely as critics on the preacher; critics on his sentiments, his language, and his delivery. But, such are not the dispositions which become us on so serious an occasion. It is with humility, with fairness, and candour, with an intention to improve ourselves in piety and virtue, with a view to make personal application to our own character, that we ought to hear the word of God. When we enter the sacred temple, let us ever consider * 2 Corinth. iv. 7. ourselves XI. ourselves as creatures surrounded with dark- SERMON ness, seeking illumination from Heaven; as guilty creatures, imploring forgiveness from our judge; as frail and mortal creatures, preparing for that eternal habitation into which we know not how soon we are to pass. Ir with such sentiments and impressions we join in the worship of God, and the ordinances of religion, we may justly hope > that they shall be accompanied to us with the divine blessing. It is the express precept of God, not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together *. Gather together the people, men, women, and children, that they may bear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give unto the Lord the glory due to his name.Thus hath God commanded, and he never commanded his people to seek his name in vain. For, where two or three are gathered together in his name, our Lord hath told us *Heb. x. 25. Deut. xxxi. 12. Q 2 that SERMON that he is in the midst of them* XI. God hath said, that he loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob †. The prayer of the upright is his delight. Both in their temporal and spiritual concerns, they may be most expected to prosper, who with the Psalmist in the text, Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. can say SERMON XII. On the FASHION of the WORLD passing away. I COR. vii. 31. -The fashion of this world passeth away. T XII. O use this world so as not to abuse it, SERMON is one of the most important, and at the same time one of the most difficult lessons which religion teaches. By so many desires and passions we are connected with the objects around us, that our attachment to them is always in hazard of becoming excessive and sinful. Hence religion is often employed in moderating this attachment, by rectifying our erroneous opinions, and instructing us in the proper Q 3 XII. SERMON proper value we ought to set on worldly things. Such was particularly the scope of the Apostle in this context. He is putting the Corinthians in mind that their time is short; that every thing here is transitory; and therefore, that in all the different occupations of human life, in weeping and rejoicing, and buying and possessing, they were ever to keep in view this consideration, that the fashion of this world passeth away. The original expression im ports the figure or form under which the world presents itself to us. The meaning is, All that belongs to this visible state is continually changing. Nothing in hu man affairs is fixed or stable. All is in motion and fluctuation; altering its appearance every moment, and passing into some new form. Let us meditate for a little on the serious view which is here given us of the world, in order that we may attend to the improvements which it suggests, I. The fashion of the world passeth away, as the opinions, ideas, and manners of men are always changing. We look in |
