390 Religious Converfation recommended. SERM. God, on his attributes, and the manifeftation XV. of them by his works and by his word; ' efpecially, when they are called in queftion or derided, and the very being of religion (truck at by the profane multitude. We know that the affeftions and praEtical prin- ciples of our minds naturally manifeft them - felves in our thoughts, not the perceptions occafioned by the prefence of external objects which neceffarily arife, but in our chofen, voluntary, andpleafing meditations. Scarcely can a man refrain from entertaining himfelf in folitude with what is uppermoft in his heart, or what appears to him grand and important, interefting or delightful; and finch are the fentiments which the true believer hath concerning the fupreme Being. He is confidered as exiftingin a manner differentfrom all other things vifible and invifible, as their great and fole efficient caufe, as their almighty. Preferver by the fame word of his power which created them, and as their fovereign Lord, who Both what pleafeth him in heaven and on earth, as intimately prefent in all parts of the univerfe, irrefiftibly directing the whole feries of events, and over- ruling all the counfels of men and other defigning agents,
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