Abernathy - Houston-Packer Collection BX9178.A33 S4 1748 v.3

136 The Favour of' God obtained by Wifdom. S E R M. the juftnefs and the force of his reafoning, V. Ifaiah 1v. 2, 3. Wherefore do ye fpend your money fir that which is not bread? and your labour for that which fatisfieth not s? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your foul delight itfel' in f at- nefi ; incline your ear to me, and come ; hear; and your foul Jhall live. And, to the fame purpofe, our Saviour, 7obn vi. 27. Labour not for the meat which perifheth, but for that which endured, to ever/ailing life; which the Son of Man fhall give unto you, for him bath God the Father fealed. It is very orange that human nature fhould be To infatuated, fo loft to its true intereft, and the proper life of its higher powers, as to be led en- tirely by fenfe, and give itfelf up to the di- redion of appetites and pal ions ; which up- on the leaft confideration muft appear to be the lower part, and far from the principal end of our being. Yet fo it is that many men, even chriftians, are governed by their brutifh inclinations, and aim at nothing higher than gratifying them : But befides that this is molt unreafonable and unwor- thy of men, it is directly contrary to the profeffion of religion, the proper end of which is o obtain the favour of the Lord. adly,

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