3 3 0 The proper Improvement S E x m. This is the wifdom of the world, or ra- XII. ther, it is a defcription of wifdom in general, ' ß"J which the children of this world apply to their own affairs, and practife within their own fphere, and according to their narrow views : It is fo far a proper example to the children of light, or to the virtuous and good, who have glory, and honour, and immortality in their view, that in profecuting their higher and more important intereft they fhould follow the like meafures ; for wifdom in this branch of it is uniform, and fheweth itfelf the fame way, whatever the matter be to which it is applied : The fame kind of conduct which in inferior cafes and in carrying on, perhaps, bafe defigns, is low cunning, if we change the (cene, and apply it to the noblef'c ends of our being, becometh the trueft difcretion. For the Reward to provide for his reception into the houfes of his lord's debtors by cheating his lord, was a very difhoneft, tho' cunning artifice; but for us to provide for ourfelves an everlafting habitation by works of charity and righteoufnefs, is the heft wifdom, Let us, therefore, apply to the principal con- cerns, thofe of religion and falvation, and bring into our management of them, the maxims of worldly policy. Let us be chiefly thought-
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