SERMONS XV. XVI. On the duties connected with a professional life. the Candidates for the Baccalaureate in 1796 and 1805.--Prov. iv. 20-27. 289 Ministers and their Converts a mutual rejoicing in the day of SERMON I. SECRET THINGS BELONG TO GOD. 10000 DEUTERONOMY xxix. 29. The secret things belong to the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed, belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. In this chapter, Moses solemnly reminds the Israelites of the wonderful works, which they had seen accomplished by the hand of God; and urges them, as powerful motives to faithful obedience. In the succeeding paragraph he foretels the miserable destruction, which would follow their disobedience, in the most affecting language; and thus warns them not to disobey. Both subjects, he knew, would naturally excite, in their minds and in those of their posterity, many curious inquiries and many dangerous speculations, concerning the designs and providence of God. In the text, therefore, he prohibits all these useless and pernicious wanderings of an unsatisfied and too inquisitive mind; and the doubts, the unbelief, the murmuring, and the revolt, to which they regularly give birth in sinful men. Secret things, he informs them, universally belong to God; but things revealed, to men. This singular and important declaration of Moses is not less necessary to us, than it was to the Israelites; nor are we less prone than they were to the vain and mischievous investigations which it forbids. We may therefore well employ our time in |