SERMON XIV. Page 298. Of the Change of the Sabbath-Day; the great Advantages of ftrictly obferving the Lord's-Day; and the Exodus xx. 8. Remember the Sab- Preach'd in St. James's Chapel on All Oaths not unlawful; and against Several Arguments against common James v. 12. But above all Things, More Reasons against Swearing and Curfing in our ordinary Conver- James v. 12. But above all Things, my Brethren, Swear not. SER SERMON I. PHIL. IV. 6. Be careful for nothing; but in every Thing, by Prayer and Supplication, with Thanksgiving, let your Requefts be made known unto God. T HIS is the Philosophy that was taught by Christ and his Apoftles, and ought to be learn'd and practis'd by all of us, if we would make good the Name we give ourselves of being Chrift's Difciples. We fhould take no thought for our Lives, as our Saviour expreffeth it, but in all Things depend upon the Divine Providence, without whom a Sparrow doth not fall to the Ground, and by whom the very Hairs of our Heads are number'd. B VOL. IV. We We fhould caft all our Care upon him that careth for us, as the Apostle expreffes it, and be so satisfied with every thing that comes from his Hands, as to rejoice evermore, and in every thing to give Thanks, which is the Will of God concerning us. 1 We should not difcompofe our Minds either with tormenting Reflections upon our present Circumstances, or with Sollicitude for what is to come: but leave the Government of the World to God, refer to him the Management both of the publick and our private Affairs; no further concerning our felves about the Events of either, than only to do our own Duties in our Place and Station, and by hearty Prayer, and Supplications, and Thanksgivings to recommend ourfelves and all our Concerns to the Mercies of God. This, I fay, is the Chriftian Philofophy; and oh what happy Lives fhould we all of us lead if we lived up to it! What outward Condition could be made fo bad as to render us miferable! How many Anxieties, and Fears, and Difquietudes fhould we be freed from, which do imbitter often times the most profperous Fortune, and what Eafe and Comfort fhould we find in the moft calamitous! In our Profperity we should rejoice in the Enjoyment of that Portion of good things which God had vouchfafed to us, and even in our heaviest Afflictions we fhould |