SEMION XXXti; 447 tminanlysoftness, if we would approve ourselves as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, and gain a spirit of sacred courage and resolu- tion. We must he dead to the things of flesh and sense, and gain a victory over the complaints and groanings of nature. We must go as far as we can toward parting with right-hands, and right-eyes, in every sense ofthe words, if we would be christians indeed, V. Endeavour to keep yourselves always employed in some proper work, that your fearsmay be diverted when they cannot immediately be overcòme. Ifour thoughts and hands are idle and empty we lie open to the invasion and tumult of our fears, and we give them leave to assault us on all sides. The passion and principle of this slavish fear, is mingled with our flesh and blood, and therefore we must employ even our fleshand blood in some better business, that we may turn the current of animal nature, and leave the imagination no leisure to sit brooding over its own terrors. Want of occupation and engagement of the powers of nature, exposes the mind of man to the inroad of all the frightful images, that fancycan furnish out, and to all the terrifying suggestions of a watchful and malicious tempter. That wicked spirit has some strange and unknown methods of access to our souls : He will worry the sheep of Christ with terrors, whenhe is not suffered to devour or destroy them ; and an unbusied mind is prepared to admit his worst temptations. But whileI ampressingyou to find out some employment for yourselves, takecare that it be such as may approve itself to God and your ownconsciences. We must be ever found in thewayof duty, as I hinted before, ifwe would support a holy courage. It is only the righteous that has just reason to be bold as a lion. Be ready to meet Christ the judge, and his glorious appearance at all times, and then youneed not fear all that earth or hell can do against you. [If this Sermon be too long, it may be divided here.] Let us proceednow to propose some further remedies against this slavish passion of fear VI. Keep your eye fixed on the hand of God in all the affairs of men. View his powerful and over-ruling providence in all things, even in those things that awaken your most trou- blesoine fears. Think with yourselves, that you putcreatures in the placeof God, ifyou fear themmore than God, as though they were the sovereign lords and disposers of all your comforts. Learn to see God in all things, and behold him in all things as your God, and"then creatureswill havebut little influence to VOL. 1. G g
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