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SERM. Stantial good, we might approve their VII. wisdom in devoting all their faculties

to gain it. But experience proves that the treasure, which they purchase at so great a cost, but seldom recompenses the labour and hazard they expend upon it. The possession as well as the acquisition is accompanied with many cares. It is precarious in its tenure, and deceitful in its promises. And if it does not fail or leave them in life, it must of necessity be left in death. Now this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

A third pursuit is that of Honour. This also has many votaries, especially among the more elevated ranks of life. They want to shine in more exalted stations, to be dignified with the favour of Princes, to be distinguished by the notice of the world. This pursuit also costs many cares, which are not recompensed by many comforts. Alas! they walk on thorns, while they climb the hill of fame; and they stand on a precipice, when they arrive at the summit. Their honours instead of yielding substantial happiness only serve to increase their fears of losing what they now possess, and to augment their jealousies

of others who are striving in the same SERM. career. Thus they do not enjoy this VII. apparent good, while in their possession: and when it survives in remembrance only, it remains a source of regret and disappointment. This also is vanity

and vexation of spirit.

Thus precarious and transient and deceitful are the several objects of the world's desire. Nor is this the worst that can be said of them. They are prejudicial to our dearest and most important interests, if they detach us at all from the concerns of eternity. And that such is their tendency cannot well be disputed. By an intemperate indulgence we hazard the attainment of those pure pleasures which are at God's right hand for evermore. By an immoderate pursuit after riches we may be led to forfeit the true and unalienable treasures of a divine inheritance. By an extravagant ambition after worldly honours we may be tempted to forego that heavenly crown of glory which fadeth not away.

But that we may form a clearer estimation of what the world bestows, let us appeal to the testimony of one, who from personal experience was most competent

02

SERM. petent to judge. Of all the men that VII. ever lived perhaps there was none, who

had a fuller knowledge of worldly goods than Solomon. Of pleasures he had all which the heart of man could desire: in riches he exceeded all the Kings of the earth: in empire he had dominion from the River to the Sea: and to enhance these endowments he had peace on all sides round about him, so that he enjoyed them without molestation or hindrance.

Yet let us hear the report that he made of these things after long possession and enjoyment: I said in my heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure; and behold this also is vanity. I said of laughter, it is mad; and of mirth, what doeth it? I sought in my heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting my heart with wisdom, and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they shall do under the heaven all the days of their life. I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth

forth

forth trees: I got me servants and maidens, SERM. and had servants born in my house: also I vII. had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: I gathered me also silver and gold and the peculiar treasure of Kings and of the provinces: I gat me men-singers and women-singers and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them: I withheld not my heart from any joy: for my heart rejoiced in all my labour; and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do; and behold all was vanity and vexation of spirit; and there was no profit under the suna.

Very different is the character which he gives of Religion under the name of Wisdom: Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandize of it is better than the merchandize of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is

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SERM. more precious than rubies; and all the VII. things thou canst desire are not to be com

pared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour, Her ways are ways of pleasantness; and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is every one that retaineth her.— And therefore from his own experience he recommends an early application to this prime concern of man. Remember

now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have na pleasure in them. Hence he offers this advice as the result and conclusion of all his preaching; Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty or concern of man: it is his chief business here, because it will produce his happiness hereafter. For God will bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil &.

It is to be lamented that so correct a judge of what is right should have fallen 80 egregiously into error in his practice; that notwithstanding his convic

f Eccles xii. 1.

Prov. iii. 13-18.
Eccles xii. 13, 14.

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