3 3 6 The proper Improvement S E R M. and followed, let us eat and drink, fir to XII. morrow we die. But though this may be applied to force profeffed believers, whofe practical governing principles are really athe- iftical whatever their profeflions and fpecu. lations be ; it is imnpofiîble and a contradi' ion that fuch fentiments fhould habitually rule in the minds of truly pious and virtuous men ; they are as much convinced of the contrary as they can be of any truth ; they do not join with the many who fay, who will Phew unto us any good, uncertain wherein true good confifteth, and inceffantly purfuing it, with earneft unfatisfied defire, through all the va- riety of bufinefs and enjoyments in this life, but they agree with the Pfalmift in his choice and fervent prayer, that God would lift on him the light of his countenance, perfuaded that the divine favour is a folid foundation of inward joy, that it giveth true fatisfa Lion and contentment, and putteth gladnefs into the heart more than the increafe of corn and wine, the greateft abundance of all temporal. enjoyments. But though this is a principle in which all religious perfons, the children of light, are agreed, indeed effential to all oreligion, for this is the faith without which a man cannot receive any thing from God, as St. games teacheth u sy and without which he is double
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