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in the ears of a fool, who will despise the wisdom of our words," Prov. xxiii. 9. That will only furnish very loose people with a subject of mockery. There is also a happy dexterity to be used in accomodating serious discourse to different persons and seasons, if we would reach a good purpose by it; and a propriety to different occasions to be observed. The apostle gives us a direction of general service in this matter, Col. iv. 6. "Let our speech be always with grace,' in the most grateful and acceptable manner you can; "seasoned with salt," the salt of wisdom and prudence, which may make it pleasant and beneficial to the hearers; that ye may know how to answer every man, that your answers may be well suited to the variety of persons and occasions, which are to be considered in them.

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The like observations of the use of prudence, might be carried into all the branches of duty, and the various stations and relations of life. But I shall enter no farther into particulars, rather choosing,

III. To offer something to enforce this exhortation from the description given in the text, of the state of Christians in this world; that they are as sheep in the midst of wolves. The devil, as "a roaring lion, seeks to devour;" and as an old serpent, to seduce; and we should act with all the caution and wisdom we can to defeat him. But the danger suggested here, is principally from men.

Indeed, good men are so imperfect in their goodness now, that we are not out of danger from them. Their society and example may have much ensnaring in it, which requires precaution for our own safety. But especially the number of bad men, even in the best of times, calls for much prudence to carry those who are truly good, securely and creditably through their course of obedience. Such admonitions are always seasonable, Eph. v. 15, 16. "See that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Col. iv. 5. "Walk in wisdom toward those that are without, redeeming the time." Phil. ii. 15. “Be harmless and blameless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world." Many ill men are observing us, ever ready to triumph in the least advantage

they can gain against us, and to reproach our profession upon that account. If they can find any thing to impeach our moral character, that would make us their reproach and their jest. The psalmist especially deprecates this, Psal. xxxix. 8. "Deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the foolish." "Lord, suffer me not to become their reproach by any real and notorious crimes.' But in defect of them, they will gladly lay hold of imprudences to reproach religion, and those who pretend to it; and, therefore, we should endeavour, as far as possible, to prevent their illnatured satisfaction that way.

Let us, then, laying aside all the deceitful arts which are inconsistent with godly sincerity, cultivate the wisdom that is from above; all that may help forward the comfortable and successful performance of our duty, and recommend our holy profession. In matters of importance, and which admit of premeditation, let us deliberately consult, not only the matter of our duty, but the most acceptable and amiable manner of performing it and endeavour to become masters of an habitual furniture of prudence, to direct us upon sudden emergencies: that it may be our character, with the wise man, to have our eyes in our head.

A growing acquaintance with the holy scriptures, will be of singular use to our improvement in prudent conduct by the way, as well as to our becoming wise unto salvation. The precepts, the histories, contained in those heavenly oracles, carefully attended to, will be in this respect, "a light to our feet, and a lamp to our paths.". The proverbs of Solomon, and the pattern of Christ, should especially be studied to this purpose. The blessed Jesus was not only a pattern of spotless innocence, but a model of consummate prudence; "as in him were hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." He chose the fittest means in all cases to reach his ends; and took advantage of all occurrences to convey a word in season to those with whom he conversed, in the manner, and at the times, wherein his instructions were most apt to make impressions. When he shewed his charity to their bodies in healing their diseases, or in some other instances of compassion, he laid hold of such happy opportunities to be a monitor also for their better interests. There are many instances, in the gospel-history, of his prudent conduct for avoiding dangers,

and the effects of his enemies' malice, till his time was come; and of his wary answers to captious and ensnaring questions, whereby he either softened the rage of his adversaries, or evaded their wicked intentions. His followers may derive great delight from a diligent observation of his behaviour, attended with the various circumstances.

The lives of wise and good men, of which there are many written for our use, may furnish us with several profitable hints to make us wiser, as well as better. And, especially, experience will enable us to make a successful progress in this needful skill, if we are but careful observers of men and things around us, and principally of ourselves and our own conduct then days will speak, and growing years will teach wisdom; if we use ourselves to recollect, where we have taken a wrong step, that it may not be repeated; and where we have succeeded well, that we may be in a readiness to conduct ourselves in a like manner, if the same occasions occur again. And along with our own care, from a sense of the many imprudences to which we are liable, and of the various unforeseen trials which we can hardly be provided for by any precautions of our own, "let us "let us daily ask wisdom of God, who giveth liberally and upbraideth not." The constant guidance and conduct of the all-wise and holy God, will be our best security through a dangerous world, and will bring us to glory at the end of life.

"I pray therefore, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."

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