Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

Quest. How may we enquire after News not as Athenians but as Christians; for the better management of our Prayers and Praises for the Church of God? SERMON XVI.

IN the Text chosen for me to speak of, and for you to hear, I do observe, and would have you also consider, we meet with a Concourse of people who pretended to be the Virtuosi of that Age; and for ought I do discern, may as well deserve the Character, as they do in our Age who spend their time in enquiring into useless Novelties.

If our Learned Men equal the Learning of these Athenians. If Students from Foreign parts flock to us to perfect their course of Studies, as to Athens? If Merchants in equal Numbers, but with unequal Riches, attend the Custom-houses, and fill the Exchanges with us as with them? If there were some Travellers who came only to see, and talk, who were the ([Greek or Hebrew]) Strangers there? If each sort had business of greater Importance to mind than to spend their time in hearing what others could tell, or telling what others would be pleased with hearing; which was the Folly, and Distemper of those Athenians and Strangers; the same is the Epidemical Folly and Disease of our Age, and of all sorts of the Beaux-Esprits, refineder Spirits with us. The Cure of this Disease is the design of this Discourse in this Case: How may we Enquire after News, not as Athenians but as Christians; for the better management of our Prayers and Praises for the Church of God?