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

go, The Love of Wïfdom S ER M. ven and bring it unto us, that we may hear VII it and do it ; neither is it beyond the fea, that thou fhouldefi fay, who fhall go over the fea for us, and bring it unto us that we may hear it and do it. But the word is very nigh un- to thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayeji do it. The glorious chára ±er of wifdom' s ways is plainnefs and perfpecuity ; we are not put on an impracticable wprk, or fuch as is attended with infuperable hard- (hips, as if it were like climbing up to hea- vén, or ranfacking the bowels of the earth ; they lie open tó' them, who with hearty defire, and with pleafure and alacrity, ap- ply themfelves in that honourable purfuit. Oúr greateft labour is with our own hearts, to get them duly prepared, divefted of pre - )udices and prepofeflions, to quiet the cla- mors and tumults within, to impofe filence upon the fenfes and the imagination, which, are continually prefenting to us vain diver- fions and amufements ; when this is done, and the fervent love of wifdom will effet it, for how can we pretend to love that which hath not the afcendant in our hearts, and doth not command the attendance of our thoughts in preference to other things; but, I fay, when this is done, we may fay, Unto wifdom, as Prov, vii. g. Thou art my fifier,

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