Thirty-two sermons on plain and practical subjects (Volume 3); By the late Reverend Thomas Pyle, Published by his son Philip Pyle, M.A

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1783 Excerpt: ... cerning the moral duties essential to mens happiness, have been deservedly admired, for these two reasons: for their own intrinsic worth, and for the plain, familiar, affecting manner, in which they are delivered; for that easy strain of language, that modesty of dress, wherein most antient Moralists were wont to convey the important rules of life. Some of these rules come to us in the form of short sentences, filled with the best instruction; containing in the smallest compass truths of the greatest moment; presently learnt, and readily remembered. Such Matthew X. 16. as doves. are the proverbs of Solomon, with various lessons of Christ and his Apostles. As when our Lord says, ' Wisdom is justified of all M her children." And, to shew that the best proof of a man's sincerity in religion, is his practise; He tells us, "The tree is known «' by its fruit." Others are put into the old, pleasing form, of emblem, or figure; when, untder some borrowed image, are represented the principal virtues of human life; with a striking Moral, to engage us in the observance, or to Teprove us for the neglect, of them. Thus the brute-creatures are frequently made the types of sundry good or evil qualities in men. To recommend industry, and give the slothful man a sense of shame; he is sent to the laborious Ant. "Go to the ant, thou ' sluggard: consider her ways, and be wife." Gratitude to our Benefactors, is inforced by the example of the Ox, and even of the Ass: and.men, ungrateful under divine mercies, are sent, for a lesson of pious duty, to those humble animals. ' The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but v-rf' Israel doth not know: my people doth not "consider.". So, So, here in the Text;-our blessed Lord has chosen two creatures: from the peculia...