SERM. XXIL7 TRUTH, SINCERITY, á&C. 369 integrity ; and to give some directions how we may keep the whole course of our life consistent with itself, and agreeable to our profession. . I. Fix your great and general end, your chief and everlasting design, and keep it ever in your eye : then youwill certainly be more regular and uniform in all your particular practices. Set your face towards heaven be- times. Let it be the most solemn and unalterable busi- ness ofyour lives to please God on earth, in order to enjoy him in heaven, and then you will not be easily tempted aside by the flatteries or the terrors of this world, to go astray and w=ander in the paths that lead to hell. Give yourselves up to Christ both in secret and in public. Devote yourselves to him, to his fear, and love, and service, in your private retirements, and solemnize your obligations tohim among the churches ofhis saints. See that you are an inward christian, and declare to the world, that you are a follower of Christ. Mix with the sheep of his flock, and you will find many advantages thereby to secure your truth and constancy. When a temptation comes to make you act like the sinners of this world, tell the world, and tell your own heart, that you are a christian, and you must pursue heaven. II. Get above the fear of theworld, and the shame of professing strict godliness. It is sinful shame, or sin- ful fear, that has a thousand times tempted the profes= sors of the name of Christ, to be false to their profes- sion, to act unbecoming their character, and inconsist- ent with christianity. It is from a certain feebleness and cowardice of soul that they desire, at any cost, to keep well with all men, and are afraid, sorely afraid; to be out of the fashion, or unconformable to this world : therefore they venture upon some practice in company, that their heartswould abhor, if they were alone : There- fore they indulge many sinful compliances; sometimes they countenance the lewd and'the profane, they join in a jest upon things sacred, they make the ministers of Christ their objects of ridicule ; and sometimes they fall into sensuality, luxury, and excess, because they must do as their companydoes, and have not courage enough to refuse. If we would be true to Christ we must live above the world, and bedead to all. its threatenits and reproaches. VOL. I. 2 B
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