will believe iter not'. Will you then go contrary to the con- victions of your own minds, in compliment to an ungodly world? Or will you, for fear of oft'ending them, sacrifice the interests of your immortal souls ? I call upon you to seek " wisdom, which is more to be chosen than fine gold''." Let your whole life declare its value, and be a standing testimony against the folly of the ungodly. So shall you have in this world a sweet experience of my text, and enjoy an ample confirmation of it in the world above.]
' Isai. v, 20. ^ Prov. xvi. 16.
Eccl. ii. 26. God giveth to a man that is good in his sight, wisdom, and knowledge, and joy : hut to the sinner he giveth travail.
IN relation to earthly things, men run into two opposite extremes : some seeking their happiness altogether in the enjoyment of them; and others denying themselves the proper and legitimate use of them, in order that they may amass wealth for some future possessor. But both of these classes are un- wise : the former, in that they look for that in the creature which is not to be found in it ; and the latter, in that, without any adequate reason, they deprive themselves of comforts which God has designed them to enjoy. A temperate use of the good things of this life is no where forbidden : on the conti'ary, " there is," as Solomon informs us, '" nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour." Doubtless this concession must be taken with certain restric- tions ; for we are not to spend all our substance on ourselves, but to be doing good with it to others : nor are we to suppose that our life consists in the abundance of the things that we possess, but to be seeking our happiness in God. That which alone will impart solid happiness, is religion : for to the good man God giveth what shall render him truly blessed ; namely, " wisdom, and knowledge, and joy : but to the sinner he giveth travail."
From these words I shall take occasion to shew you.