The works of the Rev. William Thom, late minister ... - waughfamily.ca

SERMO^fS. 105celTarily, ?t leaft prematurely, thrown into the flame^and expence of a dangerous war. It was from a highopinion of his military ftrength, that the fon of Solomonloft no fev/er than ten provinces of his dominions; and from fimilar caufes fnnilar effects willever be produced. It is from pride, that a ftatefman,perhaps no ways renowned for fkill in tlie theory orthe practice of war, may venture to fend to an officerin a diftant quarter fuch orders as cannot be executed.If the officer attempts to execute thei^n? heand his army will be in danger of being, like the Ifraelitesat Ai, chafed back again, or fmitten in theday of battle, or obliged to furrender their arms, andfubmit to the difgrace of being prifoners of war.The foldier who is proud is not cautiou^. " Pridew^as not made for man." To truft to our wifdomand power, is to throw off our dependence on God." God hates the proud and arrogant. I am againflthee, O moft proud." In his holy providence, it oftenhappens,that the " lofty looks of man are humbled,and the haughtinefs of men is brought low."The boafls of Sennacherib againfl God's people werevain, and without effect. " Behold, faith the Lord,I will fend a* blaft upon him, and he ffiall hear a rumour,and return to his own land." I niiorht herefhow, that a high opinion cf our ov/n wifdom producethas dreadful effecls in economy, and in moralconducl:, as it doth in politics and in war. A vainperfon, from a proud opinion of his (kill and his goodfortune, ventures to go deep in games of hazard, lofethhis eftate, and plungeth himfelf into beggary anddifgrace. A young man, trufling in his ability to refifl;temptations, goeth out of his way, feekmg opportunitiesto go into the way of vice, when he fhouldliften to the wife man's ccunfel '': Avoid it, pafs notby it, turn from it, and pafs away."— " The prudentman forefeeth the evil, and hideth himfelf, but thefimple pafs on, and are puniflied." But I proceed toremark further.