506 DOCTRINE OF THE PASSIONS. ' present its irregularity and excess. If the timorous christiatt avoid his duty, for fear of the reproachofthe world, or the wrath of the magistrate ; set thewrath of God and hell fire before him, that the fear of divine vengeance may cure himof the fear of man. This was the practice ofour blessed Lord, to give courage to his disciples ; Luke xii, 4, 5. Fear not them who kill the body, and can do no more ; butfear himwho can cast into hell. But I pro- ceed now more particularly to the religious directions, which are these that follow. 1. Never think yourself sutiiciently guarded against the power and danger of any of your vicious passions, till your nature be renewedby divine grace, till there be a thorough and universal change wrought in you, till you have obtained firm inward prin- ciples of universal holiness. Ifyou would have the fruit good, it is in vain to labour in breaking off every irregular bud, or Top- ping the branches ? but the tree itself must be made good, in order to bear good fruit. This is the directionof our blessed Saviour ; Mat. xii. 33. 2. Give yourself no rest till you can find the love God has gained the supreme place in your heart. Love is the ruling pas- sion, and if that be fixed upon the highest and best of objects, it will keep all the other powers and passions ofnature in order and subjection ; as I haveshewn at large in the " Second Discourse of the Love of God." 3. Keep your conscience always tender: Maintain a holy jealousy of yourselves, and a constant fear of offending God : By this means your spirit will be perpetually awakenedandalarmed, when an evil passion begins to stir, or when you are near the place or moment of danger, or within the reach of temptation. 4. Set God always before you in his. Majesty and in his mercy. Let an awful and comfortable sense of his immediate presence at all times, and in all places, be a sovereign and divine guard upon all the dangerous efforts of your nature, or unruly motions of your spirit. This will suppress rising pride and envy, anger and malice : This will be a sovereign and sure defence against the tyranny of foolish or sinful fear, as well as a sweet sup- port under heavy sorrows, and an effectual means to restrain them from excess. 5. Commit your soul, with all its powers and passions, to the keeping of Christ, in this state of infirmity and union to flesh and blood. He knows what it is to wear a body of flesh, with its variousferments and emotions, though in him these were all pure and innocent. He is a compassionate and sympathizing high- priest, who can be touched with the feelingofour infirmities, hav- ing himself been tempted in all things like us ; lieb. iv. 15. as far as innocence would permit; and he is exalted and ordained ofGod to take care of feeble man, wrestling with strong temp- tations.
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