SERM. XXIII.] GRAVITY, DECENCY, &C. SS! my text. But the greek Qaccvos, more properly signifies grave, decent, or venerable; and so you find it in the margin, which will oftentimes help you, when the word in the English text is not so expressive of the original sense. The same word öj vos is rendered grave in several other places of scripture : It is three times so expressed in the third chapter of the first epistle to Timothy, ver. 8. The deacons must be grave. Ver. 11. Their wives also must be grave. Ver. 4. A bishop must have his children in subjection with all gravity. It is a word that is used in Greek authors to repre- sent the character of an aged man, a philosopher, or a magistrate, among the heathens. It carries in it the idea of an honourable gravity, and a venerable decency of behaviour ; and this is what the apostle recommends to the practice of christians. It is as ifhe had said, " The character of every common christian should have some- thing in it so honourable, as may command a sort of ve- neration and respect from all persons they converse with, as much as the character ofa wise old man, a magistrate, or a philosopher, does in the heathen world." To improve this subject, I shall shew, I. Wherein this gravity consists. II. IIow the light of nature recommends it. III. How the gospel enforces it. IV. Lay down a direction or two, in order to obtain it- First, This gravity and venerable decency which the apostle recommends in my text, may he supposed to consist in these three things. 1. A moderation and decency in our apparel. 2. A gravity and sobriety in our speech and conver- sation. 3. Honour, decency, anddignity in our whole deport- ment and behaviour. I. Amoderation and decency in our apparel, such as becomes the professionof persons whose chief ornament is religion andgodliness. This the apostles, both St. Peter and St. Paul, each in their turn, insist upon, as a neces- sary qualification ofwomen who profess christianity, and as an ornament to the doctrine of the gospel of Christ. 1 Pet. iii. 2, 3. Let your conversation be with fear; whime. adorning let it not be that outward adorningofplaiting the hair, and wearing ofgold I Tim. ii. 9, 10. The
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