SERMON XXIII. 323 If we interline all our discourse and conversation with merriment, banter and jolting, it is very unworthy of that gravityand honour that belongs to the christian life. The second head of .discourse which I proposed, is toprove, that the light of nature, or the law of reason, requires something of this gravity of speech and behaviour ; and this is manifest, if we consider the nature of man in opposition to the brute that perishes, or the growth and age of man in distinction from chil- dren and babes. 1. If we consider man in opposition to the brutal world Man, who has a rational, soul, should act conformable to that sublime principle within him, and not devote himself to a life of fantastic humour, or content himself with the character of an everlasting trifler. What a poor and contemptible account is it of any person to say, he is a walking jest, a mere living trifle ? His thoughts are made up of vanity and emptiness, his voice is laughter, and is whole life is composed of impertinences; There is a sort of persons in the world whonever think well óf themselves but when they are dressed in gay .attire, andhope to command the respect of mankind by spreading abroad their own fine feathers.. Theirraiment is the brightest and best thing that belongs to them, and therefore they affect to shew it. There is another sort of men who value themselves upon their merry humour, and that theycanmake. their company laugh when they please. But the more refined and rational partof the world value all these creatures as they do peacocks, or other animals that imitate the voice and actions of man. They use them as an entertainmentfor their eyes or ears, to give a fit of diversion, or to pass away a merry hour. We generally look upon this kind of people as very worthless things, as something beneath our selves and as sinking below their own species. We seldom con- verse with them upon the level, or to attain any of the nobler purposes of life. We only borrow their wit, or their folly, their humour, or their finery, for a season of amusement, and justly despise them when the laughinghour is at an end. Reason itself tells us, that human nature was made for something greater and better, for contemplation and action much superior to what these trifling creaturesate acquainted with. Again, 2. If we consider man as he stands in distinctionfrom child- hood, surely a more grave and solemn carriage becomes him. Children are pleated with. painted toys; gaudy garments and sounding- trifles are their chief delight. They are entertained with little impertinences, agreeable to their ignorance and the weakness of their age : But it is a shame to a person of well- grown years topractise the -child for ever. He that devotes him- Y3
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