SERMON XXIII. 327 ore thoughts that will hold our souls awake and serious, this will preserve that gravity of mind Which becomes a christian, and keepus in aprepared temperto fulfil present duty, and tp wait the final event of all things. II. If we would maintain that venerable decency in our frame of spirit, and in our deportment, which becomes thegospel, let us set ourselves abput some useful employment for the service of God, or our fellow-creatures, or for our own best improve- Ment. If Satan find the mind empty of thought, sad the hands void of All business, he will be ready to fill them with tempta- tions to iniquity and mischief : And the triflers of thisworld will be ready to seize upon such a person as a fit partner for their im- pertinences, and allure him into follies beneath the dignity-of human nature, and the character ofa christían. I have often pitied some of the descendents of honourable . and wealthy families of both sexes, the unhappiness of whose education has given themnothing to do, nor taught them to' em- ploy their hands or their minds : Therefore theyspend their hours in sauntering, not knowing whither to go, and are at á loss what to do with themselves to wear their lifeaway. Upon this aécount they give themselves up sometimes to the mean and scandalous pleasures of the lowest of the people, and spend their hours in chattering and vulgar merriment. They make the business of their dress the study and labour of half the day, and spend ano- ther part of it in trifling discourse and laughter, and in scattering jests and scandal upon their ne:jhbours or acquaintance. All these pieces of folly and immoralityWould be rectified, if they would but find out for themselves some daily and proper business to be employed in. Xing Solomon at his leisure hours studied natural and moral philosophy, he discoursed of the nature of vegetables, from thecedar to theh ssop, and of beasts, birds, and fishes besides his. proverbs and rules of prudencefor the govern- ment ofhuman life ; 1 Kings iv. 32, 33. St. Paul, when he was not employed in his sacred work, yet he would not be idle ; and having no need to study for his sermons which he had by inspiration, therefore he wrought with his hands "at tent- making, and maintained himself by it: Not, says he, because es-e have not power to eat your bread while we teach'you the gospels but tb make ourselves an example to s,ott.!' See Acts viii. 3. and2 Thess. iii. 8, 9. And good I)oreas, when she had no business of her own, madecoats arid garments, for the poor; Acts ix. 36, 39, Such honourable examplesas these deserve our imitation. III. Let us keep a strict watch over ou selves when we in- dulge-mirth, and set a double guard upon the seasons of recreti< Ru and divertisement,
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