is to 6e acceptably performed. 277 From all which it is evident, that mature SE R M. deliberation is neceffary in religious exercifes; X. and when they are undertaken without it, a fatal error is committed, whereby they are rendered both difpleafing to God, and un- profitable to ourfelves. Religion hath the character of a reafonable fervice ; and as upon examination it will appear moft worthy of men, fo when their intellectual powers are not employed in it, nothing can be more vain and infignificant, the true ends of it cannot be obtained, and it yieldeth no fatisfaction to the mind. The purpofes of the animal life are ferved by inflints, but the higher ends of the rational nature, can only be an- fwered by the ufe of reafon. Above all things, what account can any man be able to give himfelf of his own conduct, who bear - eth a part in the exterior forms of worfhip without confideration ? He goeth to the houfe of God without any fore- thought about what is to be done in it ; he acteth a formal part there, without prefence of mind, or any calm attention, and when the empty Phew is over, it is no more the fubjef of any fe- rious reflection. It is not thus we behave ourfelves in the affairs which we reckon of importance in life ; we employ all the (kill we are mailers of in forming our defigns T 3 they
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