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III.

vasion of the property of another, having SERM. been already prohibited,-the mere desire to possess it, is now forbidden; and we should set ourselves assiduously to obey it, whether we consider our own happiness, our duty towards our neighbour, or towards God.

For, first, the contrary temper to what is here enjoined, makes a man miserable; as, if he once gives free scope to his desires, he is never likely to be satisfied; success will but add fuel to the flame-the more objects of his wishes he gains, the more ardent he will still be in pursuing others and content will be, for ever, a stranger to his breast.

Secondly, it is an unjust temper, probably in itself, since we are not far from hating the man whom we envy, and for whose possessions we greatly long-and almost certainly in its effects, for he will not, when a convenient opportunity offers,

long

SERM. long scrupulously restrain his hands from

III.

the property of another, in the hope of possessing which, he permits his heart to riot uncontrolled.

Lastly, it is an irreligious temper, since it implies a discontent with God's dispensations towards us; and, as it usually engrosses the whole heart and affections, it banishes all thoughts of piety and another world.

Such are the celebrated laws of the two tables-laws which, I have before observed, were spoken by God's mouth, and written with his finger-you perceive how excellent they are in themselves, and how proper for man to obey them. Let us, then, devoutly offer up our prayers, that they may all be deeply engraven on the fleshly tablet of our hearts!

SERMON

SERMON IV.

ON THE CATECHISM

LUKE Xi, I.

One of his disciples said unto him, Lord,

IN

teach us to pray.

IV.

my last discourse on the catechism, SERM. I concluded my explanation of the ten com mandments. From these, we are informed that we learn our duty towards God, and our duty towards our neighbour; and, in the answers to the two following questions, these duties are set down at large: but I have already, in my remarks on the commandments, anticipated the chief of

what

SERM. long scrupulously restrain his hands from

III.

the property of another, in the hope of possessing which, he permits his heart to riot uncontrolled.

Lastly, it is an irreligious temper, since it implies a discontent with God's dispensations towards us; and, as it usually engrosses the whole heart and affections, it banishes all thoughts of piety and another world.

Such are the celebrated laws of the two tables-laws which, I have before observed, were spoken by God's mouth, and written with his finger-you perceive how excellent they are in themselves, and how proper for man to obey them.-Let us, then, devoutly offer up our prayers, that they may all be deeply engraven on the fleshly tablet of our hearts!

SERMON

SERMON IV.

ON THE CATECHISM

LUKE Xi, I.

One of his disciples said unto him, Lord,

IN

teach us to pray.

IV.

N my last discourse on the catechism, SERM. I concluded my explanation of the ten com mandments. From these, we are informed that we learn our duty towards God, and our duty towards our neighbour; and, in the answers to the two following ques tions, these duties are set down at large: but I have already, in my remarks on the commandments, anticipated the chief of

what

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