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SERM.
IX.

The text presents us with an instance of this kind. Cunning, caution, and forefight, have been ascribed to the ferpent; at least, the ancients confidered it as poffeffed of thefe qualities. The dove, on the contrary, is fo tender, inoffenfive, and mild, that it has been adopted as the emblem of gentlenefs. Our Saviour, viewing each of these animals, as figures of the qualities which he defigned to recommend, inculcates, upon us, in this expreffive text, the highest degrees of fagacity and prudence; of kindnefs, fimplicity, and candour. This will fully appear by confidering the occafion on which the precept was delivered, and the perfons to whom it was addreffed.

Our Lord had made choice of his twelve disciples, fome time before he commiffioned and fent them out on their ministry; inftructed them, during that interval, in the nature and end of their office; and prepared them for the arduous task which they had to perform. The time being come, when, to use his own expreffion, it was fit that the labourers fhould go forth into the harvest *,

* Matth. 9. 38.

he

IX.

he called them together, and endowed them SERM. with those fupernatural gifts which were neceffary for establishing the validity of their commiffion, as the Meffiah's meffengers; gave them his final inftructions with regard to the manner of exercising it; and laid before them the difficulties they would have to encounter, in this beneficent and glorious caufe. They were fent forth as sheep in the midst of wolvest. They would be delivered to councils, fcourged in the fynagogues, brought before governours, and kings, and bated for their master's sake t. In a word, it was their fate to be expofed to calumny, distress, and perfecution, in their most direful forms. Amidst all these trials, they were commiffioned to preach and propagate the gofpel, with conftancy, firmness, and unfhaken reliance on heaven, and to give as freely as they had received.

On the one hand, what confummate skill, caution, and prudence, and, on the other, what spotless integrity, and undaunted fortitude were neceffary for the discharge of their office! Surrounded with perils, they

were

Matth. x. 16.

Ibid. 19. 22. Matth. x. 8.

IX.

SERM. were required neither to provoke, nor to dread them, when duty commanded to face them with courage. Oppofed by obstacles without number, they were called not only to encounter them with magnanimity, but to employ every fair and effectual means for furmounting them. Affailed by the powers of darknefs, they had equally to guard against their open attacks, and their fecret devices. Appointed to combat the inveterate prejudices, and the violent paffions of mankind, they were obliged to put in motion all the fprings of prudence, and becoming addrefs, in order to bend them to the admirable purposes which they had in view. Commiffioned to announce a religion of truth and purity, they were bound to exhibit, in their own lives, the amiable example of its precepts as the most persuafive, and convincing argument of the excellence of their principles; without which their prudence, their courage, their miracles, would have been of no avail. It was neceffary that their lights fhould fo fhine before

men,

IX.

men, that they, feeing their good works, might SERM. glorify their Father which was in heaven *. But, this neceffity was not confined to the apostles, nor ceased, when their office was discharged. It extends equally, though not in fo eminent a degree, to all Chriftians, in whatever fituation they may be placed, in whatever country, or period they live, or whatever duties they have to fulfil. On us, as well as on the apostles, the obligation is still incumbent. For, although we have neither their difficulties to encounter, nor their important and extensive task to difcharge, yet, fuch is the ftate of the world, and fuch the nature and conditions of our Christian race, that we are expofed to two forts of danger. If our virtuous inclinations be not enlightened by inftruction, and guided by prudence, we run the risk of be

righteous overmuch †, and of having a zeal not according to knowledge ‡. If our knowledge be not fubject to the control of religion, and fupported by the refolution of virtue, we are in hazard of making shipwreck

*Matth. v. 15. + Eccl. vii. 16.

Rom. x. 2.

IX.

SERM. wreck of faith, and of a good confcience*. Without this happy combination, we fhall be in danger, either of being guided by erroneous principles, or of adopting that worldly policy and craft which cannot fail, in the end, to make us both wretched and contemptible.

Since the virtues recommended in the text, are of fuch high importance, and of fuch extenfive ufe, it is peculiarly neceffary for us to understand their specific natures; to investigate their effects; and to be led to their cultivation. These three divifions embrace the whole of my plan of treating the precept of our Saviour, now under confideration; and each of them fhall form the fubject of a separate difcourfe. May the fpirit of God fecond endeavours for our common improvement. Amen!

my

Before I enter on these separate topics, I fhall, with a view to clear our ideas in. relation to the general fubject, make some remarks on the expreffions in which the precept I am illustrating is conveyed.

The word, here, tranflated, wife, more properly

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