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SERMON XXV.

ECCLES. IX. 10.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goeft.

SOLOMON, the fuppofed author, SERM.

of the book of Ecclefiaftes, whose active genius and difpofition were perpetually urging him on in the pursuit of knowledge, who had gotten more wif dom than all those that went before him; having found by long experience that nothing truly valuable could ever be acquired without pain, perfeverance and affiduity; recommends in the words of my

XXV.

1

SERM. text, that industry which he had himself XXV. fo fuccessfully practised, and that constant

exertion of the human powers and faculties, for which he had been himself fo eminently distinguished.

That this his falutary advice might carry with it the greater weight and authority, he enforces it with an argument that appeals to the fenfes of all men, and which must strike with equal force on every heart that is open to conviction. Whatsoever, fays he, thy band findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wifdom, in the grave whither thou goeft.

If we are liftlefs and indolent in the purfuit of riches, fame, or power, if we give but half our strength and application, we shall ever fall fhort of the end propofed. And as it is with what are generally called

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