A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

Use 2. Direction, that we may not seek Blessedness elsewhere. Some seek it in a wrong way. Carnal Men think that there is no such Happiness as in letting loose the Reins to carnal Lusts, and living as they list. This is the basest Bondage that can be; 2 Pet. 2.19. While they promise them Liberty, they themselves are the Servants of Corruption: for of whom a Man is overcome, of the same is he brought into bondage. The Work is Drudgery, and the Reward is Death; they are entangled in Snares, and held in Chains; and is this an happy Life? This doth but increase our Misery, and make way for more Shame. Yet carnal Men are much taken with this kind of Life, they wonder how Men can abjure the Pleasure and Contentment which they fancy; 1 Pet. 4.4. Wherein they think it strange, that you run not with them to the same excess of Riot. They think themselves very wise in following the Counsels of their own Hearts, and doing as others do that are like themselves. You do but make your selves more responsible to God's Justice. Worldly Comforts cannot make us happy, it appeareth by our many Inventions; Eccles. 7.29. God made Man upright, but he hath sought out many Inventions. Every Sinner hath his wanderings; Man being off from God, never cometh on again of himself, but wandereth infinitely, and beats out himself with his own Inventions: As a way-faring Man, who hath once lost his Directions, turneth up and down, and knoweth not where to pitch; so are all Endeavours fruitless till God direct us. We are to follow God's Counsel, not the Counsel of the Ungodly; Psal. 73.24. Thou shalt guide me with thy Counsel, and after receive me to Glory. As a Clock runs at random, when the Balance is once out. The Lord is willing to direct us; Psal. 25.8. Good and upright is the Lord; therefore will he teach Sinners in the way. He is too wise to be deceived, and too good to deceive. O Sinners! learn the upright Way. When we are weary of wandering, and willing to be directed, such as submit themselves to God, shall never want a Guide. Creatures cannot make us happy: such is the Restlessness of the Soul, that we must have shift and change. Envying one another, showeth the narrowness of our Comforts. Gripes of Conscience spoil all; as Belshazzar in his Cups was affrighted with an Hand-writing upon the Wall. Says the young Man in the Gospel,