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XXIII.

we should be culpable (however mistaken SERM. we might be in the means) in pursuing what appeared to us to make the most for our present happiness; but if there be another world, nay, if there be but the slightest chance that there may be one, it is worth our while to pause and to hesitate; it is worth our while to consider, whether the paltry, short pleasures which are to be enjoyed here, are deserving that we should run for them, even the most distant possibility of being miserable for ever, But there is;-there is a world after this: and, as I observed before, even the greatest sinners do not, generally speaking, pretend to deny it; and yet, in the grossest defiance to common sense and prudence, they will not pay any regard to it, but bestow all their attention on their present state; the seeds of piety, of carefulness with respect to futurity, were originally sown in their nature, but they have been entirely

SERM. entirely overgrown and choked by the thorns of earthly cares and pleasures.

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There is still a fourth description of persons, mentioned in the parable, by whom the word of God is not received in this ungracious, unthankful, unproductive manner. These are likened to the good ground, which bears fruit an hundred fold; they are represented as hearing, with an honest and good heart, the precepts of religion, steadfastly retaining them, and bringing forth the due fruits with patience. These fruits are piety and virtue, reverence. to our Creator, and good-will to our fellow-creatures, with an uniform habit on every opportunity of exhibiting both in practice. This must be done with patience; that is, we must persevere in it unweariedly, so long as it pleases heaven that we remain in this world: if we draw back at any time of our lives, and die be- . fore we repent, God will have no pleasure

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in us."All the righteousness that we have SERM. "done before, shall not be mentioned; it

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shall be counted for nothing; in the ini

quity, that we have committed, we shall "die." St. Peter is very express on this

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pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled

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therein, and overcome; the latter end is "worse with them than the beginning." We must, therefore, continue our exertions to the end of our course, we must fight the good fight to the conclusion of our spiritual warfare, or it will avail us nothing. Those who thus persevere, in spite of all temptations to the contrary (whatever the children of this world may arrogate to themselves) are the only truly wise; by giving a decided preference to the things that are to last for ever and ever, over those which last only for a few short

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years,

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SERM. years, they not only with certainty obtain them, but, as a present reward as well as natural consequence of their wisdom, they usually enjoy an infinitely greater portion of prosperity during their continuance on earth.

SERMON

SERMON XXIV.

THE DANGER OF PROCRASTINATION.

FELIX.

ACTS XXIV. LATTER PART OF V. 25. Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season I will call for thee.

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AMONG the various kinds of self-decep- SERM. tion, that of all others is the most dangerous, by which we lull ourselves into contentment with our present vicious course of life, on a persuasion that we shall repent and reform at some future time: for however wickedly men may live, it is certain that the generality desire to die holily; almost all believe that there is a God above, who delights in and will reward piety and virtue, and who hates and will punish iniquity and vice; they know therefore, and whenever they think about it will acknowledge, that accordingly as they behave themselves in this life, such will be their VOL. II. A a

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