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Spirit. In the most fevere Trials and Afflictions, he can (by fecret and imperceptible Ways and Means) infufe into our Hearts the Joys and Comforts of his Holy Spirit; and in the very Agonies of Death, can make us to rejoice in Hope of the Glory of God, by giving us a Sight of the Bleffedness and Happiness of that glorious Place where he liveth and reigneth for ever and ever.

Thus have I fhewed you where you may meet with Happiness; namely, in God, for there alone true Happiness is to be found. Was it not for this Anchor of Hope, our Souls would be toffed about with every Blast of Affliction, and nothing could fave us from Shipwreck and Ruin. But now we may poffefs our Souls in Patience, though Storms and Tempefts furround us.. Yea, though this World fhould be diffolved, and fink into its primitive Chaos, yet we fhould have no Cause to fear; because the Lord of Hofts is with us, the Lord Jehovah is the Strength of our Heart, and our Portion for ever.

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In a Word. The Things of this World may contribute in fome Measure to our well-being here, but can never make us happy. It is only infinite Power conducted by infinite Wisdom and Goodness, that can give us true and perfect Happiness. The Way to obtain the Love and Favour of this great and good Being (in whofe Favour is Life, yea whofe Loving-Kindness is better than the Life itself) is to keep his Commandments with our whole Heart. Sin will deprive us both of his Favour, and of Life and Happiness; for the Lord hath no Pleasure in Wickedness, neither shall any Evil dwell with him. But blessed are they that do his Commandments, for they shall have Right to the Tree of Life. God shall guide them with his Counfel here, and after that receive them into Glory. He fhall give them an eternal Inheritance with the Sons of God, amidst thofe

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Rivers of Pleasures, which are at his right Hand for evermore.

SERMON

SERMON

IX.

THE WORTH OF THE SOUL.

MATTH. xvi. 26.

WHAT IS A MAN PROFITED, IF HE SHALL GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSÉ HIS OWN SOUL? OR WHAT SHALL Á MAN GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL ?

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OULD we confider the Worth and Importance of our Souls; and what a fatal and irretrievable Lofs, the Lofs of them will be unto us; the Love, which every Man muft have for himself, and the Concern which he muft feel for his own Happiness, would doubtless make him enquire with fome Earneftnefs, what must I do to be faved? There is certainly no Man L

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fo ftupid, fo buried in Trefpaffes and Sins, or fo devoted to the Pleafures, the Honours, or the Profits of this World, but would willing fave his Soul; and no doubt, doth frequently wifh and defire, when he dieth, to go to Heaven. The Profpect of everlafting Happiness is fo extremely alluring, and the Dread of eternal Torment so frightful to human Nature, that we have no Need at all to wonder, that all Mankind should fo ardently defire to enjoy the firft, and to avoid the last. But furely, we have abundant Reafon to wonder, that any Man, who is defirous to fave his Soul, can be fo carelefs, fo inconfiderate, as to purfue every Method, he can poffibly think of, to destroy it. One may well be furprized, that any one can be fo cold, fo indifferent, fo lifeless in the Practice of thofe Duties, on the Performance of which, he very well knoweth, that his Happiness or Mifery, to all Eternity, depend. In Affairs of much less Moment, we act with greater Care and ConTo procure the trifling Enjoyments of this World, which fade away and perish

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(even whilst we enjoy them) we proceed with the utmost Caution and Diligence. We fpare no Pains or Labour, but employ all our Power and Wifdom in the Attainment. But in a Matter of Life and Death, when, perhaps, upon one Moment may hang a whole Eternity of Blifs or Mifery, we are fhamefully remifs and negligent. The falfe Luftre and Splendor of worldly Pleasures and Enjoyments blind our Eyes. We look upon thefe Things as truly defireable, and well worthy our warmest Purfuit; whilst the important Concern of our own Souls lieth unregarded, and unthought of. And yet what are all the Things of this World, on the Attainment of which our Minds are fo fondly, fo eagerly bent? When they are fet in Competition with our Souls, are they not in Comparison of them, lefs than Nothing, and Vanity? Why then fhould we spend all our Time and Labour after them; when, if it was poffible for us to gain, and even to enjoy the whole World, and our Souls to be the Price of them, we must be infinitely Lofers by the Purchase? L 2

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