Profaneness, and expofing us to the Wrath of God, this is therefore the jufteft Cause of Grief and Lamentation; and we are accordingly inftructed to lament for our Tranfgref fons, and be forry for our Sins, and for thefe Caufes to go on our Way weeping, if we would come again with Joy, and bring our Sheaves with us. And on the other hand, fince our greatest prefent Happiness confifts in this, that we are Partakers of the Gofpel-Difpenfation, and are thereby intitled to the fpiritual and eternal Bleffings, which our Lord has purchaf ed for us; these ought therefore to be the daily Subjects of our Gratitude and Delight; and we are accordingly enjoined to rejoice always in the Lord, and place our greatest and moft conftant Foy and Pleafure in the God of our Salvation. Thus are our Paffions regulated by the Gofpel; and our Love and Hatred, our Hopes and Fears, our Foy and our Grief, directed in the highest Inftances, tho' without denying us a proportionate Regard for lefs worthy Objects.An Efteem and Affection fer our Friends and Relations, and the other Bleffings of Life, is never forbidden us in the Gofpel, but when it interferes with our Duty; and the Straitness therefore of our Way confifts not in rooting out, but in regulating our Paf fions, and not in the Difufe of the World, but in fo ufig it, as not to abuse it; and in being fo intent upon the Treasures we lay up in Heaven, as that cur Hearts may be there alo.

;

This is the Subftance of Chriftianity, fo far as it affects the Mind of Man; and in thefe Things confift that Poverty of Spirit and Purity of Heart which it requires; and this will eafily direct us to an Answer to the last Enquiry to be made concerning the Narrowness of our Way, which is, how far our outward Actions are reftrained thereby.-For if the Mind is to be thus raised and refined, and the first Springs of Action thus purified and cleanfed, the plain Confequence is, that we ought to be in all Things confiftent with ourfelves, and answer the Integrity of our Hearts in the Innocence of our Lives.-That we abstain from all Acts of Violence, Injustice, and Oppreffion, and conform ourselves diligently to the Laws of Benevolence, Equity, and Charity. That by a strict Attendance on the Duties of publick and private Worship, we pay our God the Honour due to his Name, and prefume not by any Act of Contempt, Levity, or Difhonour, to profane or blafpheme it. That we labour diligently to fubdue all Inclinations to Pollution in ourselves, and keep ourfelves boly and undefiled, as the Temples of the Holy Ghoft.-And that upon our failing in any of these Particulars, we apply ourselves to an hearty and fincere Repentance, and heartily forgive our Brethren their Offences, as we expect that God fhould forgive ours.-That so, either by not offending, or by a speedy Recovery from our Guilt, we may keep a Confcience N4

void

void of Offence towards God and towards Man; and, as far as human Nature and human Frailty will permit, may become perfect, as our Father which is in Heaven is perfect.

Thus have I endeavoured to give you a brief, and as comprehenfive a View of the Christian Religion, and the Difficulties of it, as I well could in fo fhort a Compass; and to fhew, that the Narrowness of our Chriftian Way confifts in keeping the Understanding unprejudiced and humble, the Will fubmiffive and obedient, the Paffions orderly and regular, and in living up, as much as may be, to the impartial Dictates of fo pure and well-regulated a Mind. From which I fhall now,

IIdly, Draw a few practical Inferences, with which I fhall conclude. And,

1. If then the Obstructions in our Way are fo great, and the Deviations from it fo many, the utmost Circumfpection must always be neceffary to prevent our ftumbling or falling in it, or wandring from it.-We have strong Inclinations, violent Paffions, or perhaps inveterate Habits to contend with; and therefore great Conftancy and Refolution of Mind will be neceffary to refift, fubdue, and eradicate them.-Nor is our Way only thus thorny and flippery, but befet with fubtle and malicious Enemies, who labour inceffantly, every Step we take, either to fubdue or fupplant us.

We

-We wrestle not only with Flesh and Blood, but against Principalities and Powers, against the Rulers of the Darkness of this World, against fpiritual Wickedness in bigh Places.-A Contention which is indeed the Design and the Work of Life; fince we know ourselves to be encompaffed with ftrong Temptations, from which no Age or Condition can plead Exemption. As the healthy Vigour and rash Inexperience of Youth inclines ftrongly to Pleafure and Intemperance, fo does the Coldness and Experience of Old Age to Avarice and Distruft; and whilst the pinching Wants and Contempt of Poverty tend violently to Murmurs and Difcontents, the rich Man is no lefs in Danger of Pride, Luxury, and Oppreffion, from the great Advantages of Affluence and Power.-And the Senfe of Danger should therefore incite all to be perpetually upon their Guard, and fhew them the Neceffity of Watchfulness and Application.—And lest the Difficulties of fo continual a Warfare should terrify us from contending for Success in it, it ought to be observed,

2. That Christianity makes us more than equal to the Labours it points out to us; and that we can be in all things more than Conquerors, through Chrift that ftrengthens us.— The Difficulties of our Paffage are indeed too many and too great for any Strength of our own to furmount; infomuch that we cannot walk

walk uprightly in it without the Affiftance of an heavenly Guide to quicken and fupport us. -But the melancholy part of this Reflection is effectually removed by the comfortable Promises of being strengthened with fufficient Might in the inward Man, and of being rooted and grounded in Love by the Spirit.—The Grace of God will affuredly be granted us, whenever neceffarily wanted, and duly fought by us; he will give his Holy Spirit to them that afk him; and if we want, and receive not, it is either because we ask not, or because we afk amifs, or because we concurred not with it. -And the Confideration therefore of this Affistance should enliven us in our fpiritual Warfare, as affuring us, that to him that makes a good Ufe of what he hath shall be given, and be fhall have more abundantly.-Which leads me to observe,

3dly, That tho' our Way be narrow, yet it is paffable by us. There are perhaps none within the Pale of Christianity, that more effectually hinder the happy Effects of it on Men's Minds, than they who extend its Precepts to the Rigour of a Legal Perfection, or reprefent it under the melancholy Aspect of perpetual Sorrow and Difquietude.-Thofe there are, who pretend 'tis neceffary to attain to an unerring State; whilft others enlarge the Senfe we ought to have of our Infirmities and Vices to fo great a Degree, as to make almost

the