worldly afFiiirs, — there is the wisdom of tlie Berpent ; yet not ncfj^lect the soul, — there is the innocency of the dove. God luith said, *' six days shalt thou labour," Exod. xx. 9. Religion did never grant a patent to idle- ness ; there is a lawful care to be had about Bccular things ; to have insight into one's calling is a coinmondable wisdom, but with this wisdom join the dove's innocency ; so follow your calling, as not to neglect your soul. The soul is a precious thing, it would beggar the angels to give half the price of a soul. Our greatest care should be to get grace. While you put gold in your bag, do not forget to put oil in your vessel. Trade beyond the East Indies ; drive a trade of holiness. " This merchandize is better than the merchandize of silver," Prov. iii. 14. Live in a calling, but especially live by faith ; look to the providing for your fa- milies, but especially to the saving of your souls. The soul is the angelical part, the loss of this can never be made up again. God (saith Chrysostom) hath given a man two eyes, if he lose one, he hath another ; but he hath but one soul, if he lose that, it is irrecoverable, it can never be made up again. Oh unite the serpent and the dove, — prudence and holiness ! Use the world, but love your soul ; trade on earth, but be- ware of breaking in your trade for heaven. How many part these two, the serpent and the dove ? They are wise for the world, but fools for their souls. It is too often seen, that men pull down their souls to build up an estate.
6. To join the serpent and the dove, pru- dence and innocency, consists in this, to know how to give counsel, and how to keep counsel. He hath the wisdom of the ser- pent that can give counsel ; he knows how to advise another in difficult cases, and speak a word in due season, 2 Sam. \yn. 23., *' The counsel of Ahithophel was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God." But this is not enough to have the wisdom of the serpent, in being able to give coun- sel ; but there must be the innocency of the dove too, in kee])ing counsel. If a friend's secret be imparted to us unless in case of blood we are not to reveal it. A friend is n/fer idem, as one's own soul, Deut. xiii. 6.; and what he imparts of his
heart should be kept under lock and key, Prov. XXV. 9, 10., " Discover not a secret to another, lest he that hear thee put thee to shame," 8:c. To disclose a friend's secret, thouofh it be not treason, it is treacherv, it is most unchristian ; a word may be spoken in secret, which, when it is trumpeted out, may occasion quarrels or law-suits. lie that cannot keep a matter committed to him, is like a vessel that runs out, or a sick stomach that cannot keep the meat, but brings it up again. lie that publisheth his friend's secret, doth publish his own shame.
7. To mix these two, prudence and ho- liness, is to know the seasons of grace, and improve them ; to know the seasons of grace, — there is the wisdom of the serpent. It is wisdom in the husbandman to know the fit time for pruning of trees, sowing of seed : so it is no less wisdom to know the golden seasons of grace ; while we hear the joyful sound, — while we have praying hours, — while the Spirit of God blows on our hearts, — here is a gale for heaven. The day of grace will not always last ; the shadows of the evening seem to be stretch- ed out ; things look as if the gospel tended a pace to a sun-setting ; be wise as serpents, to know what a prize is put in your hands. And with the serpent join the dove, that is, in improving the seasons of grace. The stork and turtle not only know their season but improve it ; they approach to the warm- er climate against the spring, saith Pliny: here is the serpent and doA'e united, know- ing and improving the day of grace ; when we profit by ordinances, — when we mix the word with faith, — when an ordinance hath stamped holiness upon us, as the seal leaves its print upon the wax, — this is to improve the seasons of grace.
8. The serpent and the dove, wisdom and innocency, is to be moderate vet zealous. Moderation is good in some cases, Phil. iv. 5., " Let your moderation be known to all."
(1.) Moderation is good in case of anger. When the passions are up, moderation sits as queen and governess in the soul : it al- lays the heat of passion. Moderation ia frcvnum irfP, the bridle of anger.
(2.) IVIoderation is good in case of law- suits ; so the Greek word for moderation is properly taken. If there be a dispute in
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law between u8 and others, we are not to take the extremity of tlje law, but use Chris- tian equity and mildness ; nay, for peace's sake, cedere dejure, rather part with some of our right, than oppress them : this much honours the gospel.