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follows the deed, which begets the habit. From thence the sinner proceeds to be hardened in a custom of sin. Thus the devil aggravates his tyrannical yoke, and strengthens the chain by which he drags us into eternal damnation.

62. As among the planets there is always one that ruleth and causeth his influence to be felt upon earth more than the rest; thus, among sins and lusts, there is always some one or other that sways in us, unto which we are more addicted than the rest: this therefore we must chiefly take heed of. Here we ought to discover our strength and industry, for fear that the devil should employ it as a means to enter into our souls, and establish there his tyranny. We must imitate the wise valiant captains, who having a place to defend against a vigilant and an active enemy, fortify the places that are naturally the weakest, and furnish them with the best soldiers, causing there a watchful and continual guard to be kept. Christian souls, be sure you take all the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having overcome all, that you may continue stedfast, Eph. iv.

63. We ought not to neglect any sin, nor imagine that there are some light and inconsiderable ones that God regards not; for a little leaven seasons and leavens the whole lump, and the least dead fly corrupts and causeth several confections to bubble up and spoil. The least scratch may cause a feverish inflammation, and but a little poison can lay us in our graves. The devil cares not by what gates he enters into our souls, and by what tie he takes hold of our hearts, Thus the cursed serpent slides through the least and narrowest crannies and holes of the house, as well as through the widest gates. Christian souls, give no place to the devil, but shut your ears to all enchantments.

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64. We must not only always eschew all manner of sins, and abstain from all appearance of evil; but for our better security, that we may not endanger our salvation, we must take heed of all those things whereof our souls are doubtful, and about which our consciences cannot be satisfied. We must never do any thing, but we ought first to be fully persuaded, that it is acceptable to God, and agreeable with his holy will; for," whatsoever is done without faith is sin."

65. As they who intend to stop the current of a running water are wont to cut for it a new channel; so if your vicious lusts and passions are too violent, you must divert them, and propose to yourselves new and fresh objects. Are you choleric? Be angry, and sin not: fret and fume against your own sins and lusts, and crush in pieces these children of Belial. Are you oppressed with sadness and grief? Let the causes of your sadness be your offences against God, and the scandals of his church. Are you furious and violent? Remember to be of the number of those persons who take the kingdom of God by violence. Are you inclined to covetousness? Cover and be greedy of the riches and treasures of heaven, Matt. x. Are you lifted up with ambitious thoughts? Let your ambition's aim be to raise you upon the immortal throne, and to attain to the incorruptible crown of glory, Are you lustful, and given to your pleasures? Labour to enjoy the divine and ravishing delights of the Holy Spirit, and meditate often upon the eternal pleasures that are reserved for you in heaven.

66. Devout souls, who sigh and groan for your infirmities, who labour to attain to perfection, apply yourselves to read and meditate upon God's holy word with a religious attention; and before you enter into this holy lecture, say with the, prophet David," Lord, open mine eyes, and I shall see the wonders of thy law," Psa. cxix. Intreat your great God to open your hearts, as he did Lydia's, to receive this incorrup

tible seed of your regeneration, and that he may give you a filial obedience, Acts xvi. In such a case, as soon as you shall hear the Lord's voice, you will find your soul inflamed with his holy love, 1 Pet. i. When we only behold a beautiful countenance, we become not more beautiful thereby; nor do we take from it its excellent features, 2 Cor. iii. But it is otherwise with us, who behold, as in a glass openly, the glory of the Lord; we are transformed thereby into the same image of his glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.

67. Take pleasure to meditate often upon God's wonderful works, and to sing forth his praises. The spiritual songs inspired by the Holy Ghost commonly appease all the evil motions of our mind, and beget in us an holy joy and celestial peace. As when Saul was tormented with a wicked spitit, David was appointed with his harp to play before him, and by that means quieted his troubled mind; likewise when hatred, anger, revenge, covetousness, ambition, or lust, orany other of the unruly passions, which are as so many evil spirits, disturb and torture our souls within us, we must seek à remedy from David's harp, and sing unto the Lord in spiritual songs and hymns.

68. We ought carefully to attend at the public exercise of devotion, and not leave off the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; for where there are but two or three met together in the name of Jesus Christ, he is there in the midst of them. St. Thomas, who was not with the apostles when Christ first appeared among them, lost the comfort then of seeing him risen from the dead. And if this merciful Redeemer had not had compassion on him, he had perished in his unbelief for ever. If upon the day of Pentecost any of the faithful had been found absent from the holy company of the faithful in Jerusalem, they had not seen the glorious appearance of the Holy Ghost. Who knows but in

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a sermon that we have neglected, we have lost some pious advice, some seasonable exhortation, by which God might have brought our hearts to repentance? Who knows but, instead of the fire that devours us, we might have felt the holy flames kindled in us, like unto those flames of the burning bush, that would burn in us, and not consume us? Who knows but, at the breaking up of the assembly, we might have said, as the two disciples of Christ going to Emmaus, "Did not our hearts burn within us when he spake to us, and opened the scriptures?"

69. We must be fervent, zealous, and persevering in prayer, and other holy duties, and embrace our Lord and Saviour with the armis of faith and repentance, and say unto him as Jacob, "I will not leave thee until thou hast blessed me." Chiefly we ought to apply ourselves to these holy exercises, when we feel the inward and troublesome strugglings of the flesh against the spirit. We should imitate the virtuous woman, who feeling two children stirring in her womb, fell to her prayers, and unburdened her sorrows in the bosom of her heavenly Father. And as St. Peter, when he began to sink, lifted up his hands and voice, "Lord, save me," Matt. xiv. likewise we, who walk upon this dangerous sea of the world, as soon as we find ourselves sinking into carnal delights, or as soon as the waves of vicious examples and dangerous customs overpower us, let us cry out from the bottom of our hearts, O merciful God, stretch out thine hand from above, and deliver me from these waters of hell, that carry me away; accomplish thy virtue in mine infirmities, and give me grace, in resisting against sin, to resist unto blood, Psa. Ixix. Heb. v. Let thine holy Spirit overcome mine; let heaven command the earth; and let paradise lead hell in triumph. If we make this petition with all our hearts, God will grant it from his holy sanctuary. He will extinguish the fire that burns us. He will shut the lion's mouth that is ready to devour us. He

will appease the winds and storms, that the devils have raised in us; and at his first entrance into our ship, tossed up and down with fears and apprehensions, he will bring peace and a blessed tranquillity, and will lead us to the safe haven of eternal happiness. As Moses, when he had been familiar with God, came down fromthe mountain with a shining countenance; and as our Saviour, when he was in prayer upon Mount Tabor, was transfigured, his garments were white as the light, and his face appeared as glorious as the sun; likewise, if we lift up ourselves above all these earthly and corruptible things, and pray to God,with an holy earnestness and zeal, we shall see, that our souls shall be thereby clothed with holiness, and full of glory and light: they will be transformed into the blessed image of the great God, whom we adore ; for as soon as we behold him, we shall become enlightened.

70. To the end we may tame this body, and that we may reduce it to obedience, and overcome all our wicked and dangerous lusts, Psa. lxxi. 12. it is necessary that we should add fasting to our prayers. We must not always expect a time appointed by the rulers of our church upon solemn occasions; but we must prescribe to ourselves a fast, according as we shall see it expedient and useful: for if this flesh be unruly and rebellious against God, and his holy laws; if ease and plenty encourage its impurities and insolence; let us deprive it of its food and dainties, labour to mortify it by fastings and abstinence, and remember what our Saviour Christ saith in the gospel, "that there are some evil spirits, that are not to be driven out but by fasting and prayer," Matt. xxvii.

71. If God gives us grace to overcome sin, and mortify our lusts by fervent and earnest prayers, by austere fastings, by the bitter tears of repentance, and by the assistance and blessing of his divine Spirit upon our devotions; take heed that ye become not careless and negligent in good works. De

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