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SERMONS

PREACHED UPON

SEVERAL OCCASIONS

BY

ROBERT SOUTH, D. D.

PREBENDARY OF WESTMINSTER, AND CANON OF
CHRIST CHURCH, OXFORD.

BODI

A NEW EDITION, IN FIVE VOLUMES.

VOL. V.

OXFORD,

AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS.

MDCCCXLII.

Clar. Press

1.0.75.

THE

CHIEF HEADS OF THE SERMONS.

VOL. V.

SERMON XXXVIII.

ECCLES. i. 18.

In much wisdom there is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. P. 1.

THIS assertion is taken up upon Solomon's judgment, who, by the very verdict of omniscience itself, was of all men in the world the most knowing. After premising that, in speaking to the text, the patronage of ignorance, especially in things spiritual, is not intended; but if any thing is indeed said against knowledge, it is against that only that is so much adored by the world, and falsely called philosophy; and yet more significantly surnamed by the apostle, vain philosophy, 1.

To rectify the absurd opinions of the world concerning knowledge, and to take down the excessive estimation of it, in the prosecution of the words, it is demonstrated to be the cause, or at least the inseparable companion of sorrow in three respects, 3.

I. In respect of the nature and properties of the thing itself, 4. Under this head a question is started, whether or no there be indeed any such thing as true knowledge in the world? And three reasons advanced, which seem to insinuate that there is none, 5. And then the uncertainty of knowledge, its poorness, and utter inability to contribute to the solid enjoyments of life, is shewn in several theological and philosophical problems, 6.

II. In respect of the laborious and troublesome acquisition of it: SOUTH, VOL. V.

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