the senses. The Christian should carry it a little farther; and learn, as the apostle advises, to endure hardness, like a soldier, to keep afar off that effeminate tenderness of the frame, which induces a weakness of the imagination: and hardness of life will have the same effect upon the Christian, as it hath upon the soldier; it will lessen the fear of death, that greatest of all terrors; from which none can escape, and for which all must prepare. 6. To sum up all my rules in few words, "fear God and keep his Commandments, for this is the whole of man:" with this, man is every thing he should be; and without it he is nothing. His security can be found. only in that, with which all wisdom should begin and end, Religion; I mean the religion of faith, hope, and charity. The first conflict in Paradise was between faith and imagination; and it is continued, under the original form, at this day. Imaginations and thoughts, according to the language of the text, are the ruin of man: faith is the victory that overcomes them both. What imagination raises, however high and strong, faith throws down; and brings every thought into captivity: and having no dependence on man or itself, but only on God's truth, it is stead fast fast and unmoveable against all the changeable forms of human wisdom. Hope, like the sunshine that gilds all objects, improves every innocent enjoyment, and makes every state of life supportable. Charity, delivered from the tormenting selfishness of nature, is the friend of God and man; and preserves a conscience void of offence. Where these three are found, there will the Peace of God abide: and with it that illumination of the heart, that holy light of the day-star, before which all imposture is detected, all shadows fly away. In which state, keep us, O God of Truth, according to the measure of this present time; and bring us to the consummation of it in thy presence, through Jesus Christ our Lord. VOL. VI. SERMON FRIENDLY ADMONITION TO THE CHURCHMAN, ON THE SENSE AND SUFFICIENCY OF HIS RELIGION; IN TWO SERMONS, On the Text of Matth. xviii. 17. ADDRESSED TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE PARISH OF PASTON, IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, |