SERM. III. That we carefully compare the Sins we have IV. committed, with the Temptations, by which we were feduced. We can fee, when the Power of a Tempta tion is over, when the Pleasure is vanished, and the Paffion gratified, the true Value both of Vice and Virtue; which perhaps we could not, while we were blinded by our Interest, or intoxicated with the Love of Pleasure. The way therefore to know what Enjoyment we may expect from the Commiffion of any Sin hereafter, is, to confider what Comfort or Satisfaction we receive from a Sin that is already paft what Recompence it has made us for the Lofs of our Innocence, and for the Forfeiture of God's Favour to us. If Intereft was the Motive, let us confider, what Benefit we have found in the Poffeffion of illgotten Wealth; whether we are ever the happier or more contented Men, for any of our unlawful Gains; whether they have not wafted by infenfible Degrees, without doing us any real Service; or if not, whether we have never any painful Thoughts from the Sense we have, that they are none of ours, but ought to be reftored to others. If we have no remorfe, our Cafe is dangerous; and if we have, we must be senfible how little it is worth while, to forfeit that Innocence and Integrity of Heart, which is a perpetual Spring of Comfort, for the fake of that, which, when we come to prove it, is but Vanity and Vexation of Spirit. For what will it profit a Man, to gain the whole World, if he lofes his own Quiet and Repofe? Much lefs will it profit him, if he lofes his Soul by it; the worst Loss that he can possibly suftain. On the other hand, if Pleasure has been our Aim, if it is for That, that we have loft our Innocence, let us fit down and compute our Gains. What Fruit bad we then in thofe Things, whereof we are now afhamed? SERM, What was all we got by it, even in the Height of IV. our Enjoyment, but a tranfient and short Delight? And what now remains of it, but Remorfe of Confcience, and the fad Remembrance, that our Guilt ftill lives, though the Pleafure be quite gone for ever? Such will be the Pleasure which is yet to come; and which now tempts us with the most inviting Fondness. That alfo will be paft for ever. When we think on these things, who would ever hearken to the Suggestions of either Intereft or Pleafure, feducing us to Sin and Mifery; who would ever fubmit to part with an Advantage, for any Thing which he has found, upon balancing the Account, to be no fair and juft Equivalent ? Whilft we are upon this Head, we may confider farther, what Temptations have been moft apt to beguile us; and Thefe, when we are fatisfied of their Force and Influence, we should be very careful for the future to avoid; in like manner as a prudent and frugal Manager will avoid all Places, all Companies and Occafions, which he has frequently found, by examining his Accounts, have led him to an unneceffary Expence. By this Rule, when we have fortified and fecured our Hearts, and armed them against the Power of Temptation, we may proceed to the fourth and last Rule I fhall offer, viz. IV. To compare the Vows and Resolutions we have made, with their actual Performance and Effect. The worst of us, no doubt, have at fome Time or other had Thoughts of forfaking our Sins, If they were only general, without fixing any Time, what Reason have we to think, we fhall ever do more, than repeat SERM.repeat the fame general Refolutions? If we have IV. fixed a Time, and that Time is past, what Advances have we made in Virtue? Do we steadily hold out, in pursuance of our Vow, against the Force of all Temptations that affail us? If so, we have obtained a Victory indeed; and happy that Servant, whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find fo doing. If not, we have Reason to fufpect our Hearts, and to guard them with more Diligence for the future. For if one Resolution has been broken through, what Hope, that we shall keep another? It is a Sign there is fome perverfe and wicked Principle, which lies lurking at the Bottom of our Hearts, which the longer we indulge, the more Power it will gain, and the more difficult it will be to conquer it. To conclude: We are hitherto preserved by the good Providence of God, to confider and amend our Ways. The Day of Grace is as yet vouchsafed to us; tho' many of thofe with whom we have conversed, are now laid in the lowest Pit, in the Place of Darkness, and in the Deep. Their Sentence is fixt for ever: For there is no Work, nor Device, nor Knowledge, nor Wisdom, nor Repentance, nor Mercy in the Grave whither they are gone: Their Love also, and their Hatred, and their Envy is now perished; neither have they any more a Portion for ever in any thing that is done under the Sun. How long any of us may survive, we know not: But this we know, that we must fall at last, and that the Time we have to live, whether long or short, is as nothing with respect to that Eternity which is to come, and for which therefore we fhould be conftantly preparing, left Day fucceed Day, and Year fucceed Year, and Death overtake us in the fame flothful State, refolving to repent without beginning, ginning, or beginning without ever finishing. Where-SERM, Now to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, be more The The one Thing needful. A SER MON Preached before the DUKE. SERM. V. LUKE X. 41, 42. And Jefus anfwered, and faid unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and troubled about many Things: But one Thing is needful; and Mary hath chofen that good Part, which shall not be taken from her. T HE Characters of the two Perfons that are mentioned in my Text, may be gathered from the Circumftances related of them. The Story is this. Our Saviour, it feems, in the Course of his Travels from one Place to another, had just entered into a Village, which was called Bethany, where he was courteously received and entertained, in the House of a Woman, whose Name was Martha. This Martha had a Sifter, whofe Name was |