DISCOURSE III. 545 rather tothe meteor, whichiscalleda shooting-star, which vanish-, es quickly midis lost indarkness. Supposewe are convinced by calm reasoning of the being ofa God, of the duties which we owe our Creator, of his govern- ment of the world, and of his final judgment ; suppose we are led into a demonstration or evident proof, that we are guilty crea- tures, having broken the laws of God, and that there is no salva- tion for us, but in and by a Mediator ; suppose we are really convinced in our judgment, that there is a heaven or a hell, that awaits our departure from this world ; that we must die shortly, and that we are for ever miserable without pardoning mercy, and sanctifying grace ; all this is valuable in its kind, and is necessary in order to salvation : But if all this knowledge make no impres- sion on the affections, it is not likely to abide with us, nor to dous much good : Knowledge wears offthe mind, if never used. Cold unaffecting notions, will have no powerful influence to reform our lives. Every new scene of business or pleasure brushes offthese thoughts of religion fromour souls, where they have not been let into the heart, nor possessed the passions : They vanish like the morning dew, or like an early cloud thatpasses away ; Hosea vi. 4, It is one great end and design of the passions, to fix the attention strongly upon the objects of them, to settle the thoughts with such intenseness and continuance on that which raises them, that they arenot easily taken off. What we fear or desire, what we love and hope for, what we lament or rejoice in, will seize and busy our minds, and take them up perpetually, notwithstand- ing the importunities of other businesses or cares : The passions are supremely importunate, and will be heard. Now if the pas- sions are strongly engaged for God. the world will have but lit- tle power to call off theheart from religion. _ Suppose two preachers were desired to minister to the same auditory, on a day of fasting or praise, and on the same subject too. One of them has all the beauty, force and skill of clear and calm reasoning ; the other not only instructs well, but powerfully moves the affections with sacred oratory : Which of these two will best secure the attention of the people, andguard them from drowsiness or wandering? Surely he that touches the heartwill fix the eyes and the ears, and all the powers ; while he that mere- ly endeavours to inform the head, will find many wandering eyes, and some sleepers. Suppose two persons haveheard the same discourse frein the pulpit, which was both rational and pathetic. One of them is pleasedwith the fine reasoning ofthe preacher, and bath his judg- ment convinced of the necessity and importance of the dutywhich he is exhorted to practise, and goes no further ; the other hath also felt the very same conviction of his understanding by force of M m.
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