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"lead those that are with young." I must not enlarge; may the Lord give you understanding in all things, and make you all the sheep of his fold, that you may fing eternal halle. lujahs to him in the celestial mansions, to whom be honor and glory forever, and ever. Amen.

SERMON XXV.

The pleafantnefs of Religion.

Prov. i. 17. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

IF we look into the facred oracles of God, and take a furvey of the religion exhibited therein, we will find it represented to us under various forms; fometimes as pleafing to heaven, therefore we should be religious; fometimes as of the greatest advantage and benefit to ourselves. At one time it is defcribed as the only method of efcaping mifery, at another as the only way to eternal felicity. The Holy spirit hath stated it before us in every point of view, in order to gain our attention, captivate our hearts, and engage us in the practice thereof. And as the omnifcient Jehovah well knew that nothing made a deeper impreffion on the human mind than pleasure, hence in our text it is stated before us in this form also, to see what effect it will produce, when it is reprefented in a way which is univer fally courted by mankind. "Her ways are ways of pleasant. "nefs and all her paths are peace." Thefe words are a part

of the encomium which Solomon, in the context, is pouring forth upon the excellencies, advantages and bleffings, of wisdom. Happy is the man that getteth wifdom, that findeth under"standing; for the merchandise of it is better than the mer"chandise of filver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She "is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst "defire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days are in "her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honor." It is well known that Solomon generally employs the term wif dom to express the fame thing with what is ufually intended by the word religion, and wickedness he commonly ftiles folly. Religious men are defignated wife, and the wicked fools. Surely there can be no wifdom fo truly excellent as religion; and there can be no folly greater than iniquity and despifing our fouls. It is predicated of wifdom or religion, that her ways are pleasantnefs. They are not merely pleafant or pleasurable, but they are pleasantness, in an abstract and abfolute manner. As if pleasantnefs was to be found in those ways, and not in any other. This is declared of her ways, that is, her duties,, exercises and employments. These things are pleasure in themfelves, and they iffue in eternal felicity. The ways which lead to heaven are pleafant, and nothing but unmixed pleafure enters and dwells in that bleffed abode. Delightful walks thro' fhady groves, fruitful gardens or flowery parterres, scarce. ly any thing captivates or charms the human mind more than thefe. Travelling in them affords delight, and they frequently lead to places of the highest entertainment, where every sense is regaled, every paffion foothed and every appetite gratified. But what are the highest wrought, and mott refined pleasures of fenfe, in comparison of mental pleafures and fpiritual delights. The royal preacher infcribes upon the former vanity and vexation of spirit, while the latter is preferable to all the gold of Ophir, and the riches of Potofi. It is further fub. joined, "That all her paths are peace?" Ways may be pleafant and delightful, yet not guarded by peace. Afsaffins and robbers may lurk in the arbors to annoy the unwary

traveller. But the highways of holinefs and all the pathsof piety afford not only the moft refined and exalted pleasure in themselves, but they are fecured by vigilant and invincible guards, and furrounded with not perfect fafety. They that walk in them have God for their fun, Chrift for their fhield, and hofts of angels for their defence. There is not merely peace in ftore for faints when they fhall arrive at their journey's end, but they enjoy peace by the way. "Great is their peace "who love God's law." That is, great is the peace of all who are truly godly. View religion in all its parts and in all its bearings, in every virtue, grace and duty, in all its exercifes, comforts and joys, and you will perceive the picture of it here drawn by the wifeft of men, perfectly accurate, juft and beautiful, "That all her ways are pleafantnefs and all "her paths are peace."

To attempt the proof of this affertion would be impertinent, as it iffues from the mouth of Inspiration. But we fhall endeavour, by divine aid, to illuftrate this important truth for our inftruction and improvement, by directing the attention,

Tirft, to the nature of divine wifdom or true religion.

Secondly, to the high advantages and benefits it affords its friends.

Thirdly, to the pleafures arising from the experiences of those who have entered into her ways, and travel in her peaceful paths.

First, let us attend to the nature of divine wisdom or true religion. Pleafure charms the hearts of men, and whattoever affords pleasure attracts defire. But who can defcribe the peace and pleature of religion? It mocks all the powers of

rhetorick and baffles the orator's art. It would be vain to attempt a defcription of the fweetness of honey, to one who had never tafted it. Give him but a taste thereof and it will do more towards affording him a true idea of its fweetnefs, than all the definitions and learned lectures in the world. Thus it is with vital and experimental piety. Were it poffible for me to convey to your hearts a taste of the grace of the gospel, it would do more to raife in you a feeling fenfe of its pleasantnefs, than all other things befides. Preachers may speak, but it is God who must give the hearing ear; they may make repre fentations, but he alone can open the eyes to fee; and they at times may aroufe the animal paffions; but it is his preroga tive to change the heart and fanctify the affections. Therefore, while we delineate the nature of religion, let your fervent afpirations afcend, that you may experience its power on your own fouls. Religion in its flrict meaning fignifies binding together that which was loofed. And as fin had unloofed the foul from God, fo religion forms again the holy connection between them. Knowledge is an effential link of this chain. Knowledge charms the mind and fills it with pleasure and delight. Truly the light is fweet, and it is pleasant for the 66 eyes to behold the fun." But no light is pleasurable like "the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jefus "Chrift." "Hence it is declared to be life eternal to know

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the only true God and Jefus Chrift whom he hath fent," Is eternal life, peace, pleasure and felicity?-So alfo is knowledge, and this knowledge enters into the effence of true godlinefs. When perfons commence a religious courfe, they begin to behold a great and glorious light, and bleffed are the which are opened to fee. Apply thy heart to my knowledge, faith Solomon, for it is a pleafant thing that thou keep it within thee." As honey is fweet to the tafte, fo is the knowledge of experimental religion to the foul. There is no pleafure in any fcience, like that of learning Chint and the things which belong to our eternal peace.

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