Sermons, chiefly on practical subjects - Softcover

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. 1817 Excerpt: ... SERMON XVII. ON THE QUESTION, WHAT IS GOOD FOR MAN. ECCLESIASTES VI. VERSE 12. But who hnoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? For man to attain what is good, is certainly not always easy or practicable; but to know what would be good for him if he could attain it, might seem to be no very difficult matter. And were the question, what is good for man, proposed to the species, at large, there, perhaps, are few who would not be found prepared with an answer. The young and inexperienced would feel no embarrassment on the subject. They have pictured to themselves some form of pleasure which captivates their imaginations, and which if they could but realize, they have no doubt but that they should be supremely happy. This, however, is a delusion which time seldom fails to correct. If the desired good actually comes into their possession, they soon find a something wanting to make up that full sum of enjoyment which they had so confidently anticipated. But to the question what is good for man, various answers would be returned according to the different tastes and passions of different individuals. The man of pleasure would reply, that it is good to revel in the gratification of the senses; and the principal wish which he would form for himself, if hecould have whatever he desired, would be this, that he might enjoy his sensual indulgences with no longer intervals of abstinence than what are necessary to give them their proper relish. But that sensual pleasure is not the chief good of man; that it holds but a very inferior station in the system of human enjoyment, nature itself, properly interpreted, most clearly and unequivocally declares. But to the inquiry, what is good, the man of ambition would...