not curious in unnecessary Matters, for more things are shewed unto thee than Men understand, Ecclus. iii. 21, 22, 23. But, lastly, let us not close a Discourse on this Subject without remembring what the Text reminds us of, viz. that Christianity is a Mystery of Godliness. For if so, the Belief of it, surely, ought to have a special Influence upon our Life and Practice. So that indeed as the Denial of the proper Divinity of our Saviour, and of his co-eternal Exiftence with the Father, on the one hand, undermines the very Foundation of our holy Religion; so, on the other hand, does it much take off from our Obligation to Obedience, and dull those Affections which a Reflection on this Mystery must raise in our Minds, For what greater Obligation to Holiness and Obedience can there poffibly be; than the Confideration that our Redeemer was no less than the co-eternal and co-essential Son of the Almighty God? This should, as it were, extort from us a good Life, which is indeed the best Evidence of our Belief of these Articles, and much beyond the Subtilty of Difputation. This shews that we do more than barely afsent to the Truth of them; that we are affected and moved by them to produce those saving Effects in our selves, for which to be sure they were SERM. SERM. were first discovered. And thus living now III. in Obedience to the holy Will of GOD, re vealed to us by his Son, through the Affistance of the Holy Ghost, we shall at last be admitted to the Sight and Fruition of his glorious Godhead, and fing Praises and Hallelujahs to the Blessed Trinity for ever and ever. In the mean while let us pray for the Security of our Faith in this Profession, in the apt and excellent Language of our Church. Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy Servants Grace, by the Confeffion of a true Faith, to acknowledge the Glory of the eternal Trinitý, and in the Power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity; we beseech thee, that thou wouldest keep us stedfast in this Faith, and evermore defend us from all Adversities ; who art one God, one Lord, not one only Person, but three Persons, in one Substance: For that which we believe of the Glory of the Father,the same we believe of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, without any Difference or Inequality. Therefore with Angels and ArchAngels, and with all the Company of Heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name, evermore praising thee and faying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts, Heaven and Earth are full of thy Glory, Glory be to thee, O Lord most High. SERMON SERMON IV. BEZALEEL and AHOLIAB : or, Men's Abilities and Skill the Gifts of God, and their Professions and Trades the Ways of Serving Him. Preached before the Gentlemen educated at the MERCHANT-TAYLORS SCHOOL. EXOD. xxxi. 1. The LORD spake unto Mofes, Saying, 2. See, I have called by name, Bezaleel, the Son of Uri, the Son of Hur, of the Tribe of Judah: 3. And I have filled him with the Spirit of GOD, in Wisdom, and in Understanding, and in Knowledge, and in all Manner of Workmanship, 4. To devise cunning Works, to work in Gold, and in Silver and in Brass, 5. And in Cutting of Stones to set them, and in Carving of Timber, to work in all Manner of Workmanship. 6. And I, behold I have given with him, Aholiab the Son of Ahisamach, of the Tribe of SERM. of Dan; and in the Hearts of all that are wife-hearted I have put Wisdom ; that they may make all that I have commanded thee. W HAT an agreeable Return does this Day yield to every one that pays it its due Honour and Respect! With what Complacency and Delight does the View of this Prospect fill the Soul of each of you that attend to Grace and adorn it! For there is nothing more defirable to the Nature of Man, than Occasions of beholding and rejoicing in the Prosperity of those we esteem: And if the Friends, we would congratulate, be of the Number of those whom an early and disinterested, an intimate and long Acquaintance has endear'd; our Joy is then heightened; we not only fee it, but share in it also, and make it our own. And if fo What numerous and various pleasing Sensations must this Day's Meeting, I say, minister to our Minds! when fo many, and such good, and such valuable Friends assemble and unite on purpose to augment, and all to partake of, one common Joy! We are here with Pleasure to fee, once more, the Associates and Companions of our younger Years, our old Partners in our ju 1V. venile Labours and Tasks; by whose mutuals ERM. Assistance, Conversation and Relief (this hopeful Train *, I doubt not, will Witness what I say) the Lessons and Discipline then instilled, however useful we may have proved them fince, would not at that Time have relished altogether so pleasant and sweet. But though thus link'd for ever perhaps in Affection and Love, yet the Years advancing which were to draw us off nearer to the Business we were born for, viz. Action and Life, the Friends were foon obliged to part, and each of them to take a different Way, as their Genius or Interest, their own or their Country's Good required. The melancholy News that too too often afterwards succeeded, of fome loft by Death, and others by the Frowns and Misfortunes of the World, has been balanced, perhaps, by the more welcome Report of others rising in Reputation and Character, in Station and Life. But this, though a Pleafure, has been still uncompleat; as having been yet, with Regard to us, but little more than Report : We believed and rejoiced in the Profperity of our Friends; but have wanted to fee those Friends themselves, to fill our Foy +. * The present SCHOLARS. †-2 Tim. i. 4. |