SERMON XI. ST. LUKE, Chapter xvi. Verse 8. The Children of this World are, in their generation, Wifer than the Children of Light. THE Parable which gave occafion to this reflection of our Saviour relates, that an unjust Steward was accused of wafting his Mafter's goods, and confequently threatened with difmiffion. Aware of his fituation, and fearful of the distress impending, he called to him his Lord's Debtors, and remitting to each a part of what was owing by them, he hoped L hoped this indulgence would fo far conciliate their favour, that they might be induced to receive him into their houses; his Lord commended the precaution then follows the remark of my text, that the Children of this World are, in their generation, Wifer than the Children of Light. It is obvious to the flighteft experience, that the generality of Men, in their temporal concerns, act on fuch principles as they judge most conducive to the point at which they aim, while in the more important purfuits of Eternity, few are found who adapt their conduct to their conviction, or their interest. This inconfiftency our Saviour plainly alludes to, and reproves. It is my intention after explaining the distinction of terms, Children of this World, and Children of Light, to fhew wherein the former excel the latter, and to exhort you to imitate their prudence, and pre caution. The Children of this World, are they whofe affections are fet upon the enjoy ments ments of this Life, who propofe to themfelves, as the greatest poffible happiness, the gratification of their fenfual appetites, the improvement of their fortune, or the attainment of fome favourite object of ambition. These are the prevailing confiderations which influence Mankind in general, and were we not every one of us fenfible of the ftruggle there ftill is, or has been in our own breast, to regulate our defires, and proportion them to the real worth of the object, it would be hardly credible, that a rational and enlightened creaturę, as Man is, capable of judging and choosing at all, fhould judge fo ill, and make fo bad a choice. All worldly enjoyments are confeffedly uncertain both in their nature and duration; and (fetting afide the danger of excess, and the criminality to which they expofe us,) no doubt can be admitted, but that if they forsake not us, we must soon forfake them. The religious expectation of a future ftate, founded upon the authority of God's word, propofes bleffings to our obedience inestimable in value, and lasting as eternity; yet notwithstanding all the leffons of experience and reflection, and all the arguments fupporting our faith, the present life, fhort as it is, has a preference in the general esteem to the glorious state of immortality and perfection, in a life to come. The temporal interefts and the paffions of Mankind, are the impulfes which for the most part actuate them, for these it is that Men rife up early, and late take reft, eating the bread of carefulness. To what other end is all that hurry, that eagerness of industry and competition, which is feen in the world, than for the world itself, who fhall have the largest share, and make the greatest figure in it; to these attainments, the common principles of education, and the ordinary counfels of parental affection are chiefly directed. Is it not too |