DISCOURSEVII. ß01 tared deep with the things of earth, and become too much estranged from God and heaven. Whensoever you find a tempt- ingcreature taking too fast hold of your passions, set a guard of sacred jealousy uponit ; keep your heart at aholy distance from that creature, lest it twine about your inmost powers, and draw them off from their allegiance andduty to God your Creator. The love of God is a flower of divine original, and of the growth of paradise ; if the holy Spirit has planted it in your heart, let not any other love be planted too near it, nor too much nourished, lest it draw away the vital moisture, and cause tins love Of God to languish and wither. IV. Be not slight and careless in secret religion. Let pri- vate devotion, reading, meditation, prayer, have a proper share of your time allotted them. In pious retirements you may in- dulge all the holy passions with much greater freedom : You may there give a loose to all the devout affectionsof the soul in their warmest exercises and expressions : You may say a thou- s:-ind things to God in secret, whichare not proper for public wor- ship : You may pour out your souls before him in the strongest and most pathetic sentiments of holy desire and divine joy : You may tell him all the inward pains of your conscience, the secret anguish and shameof your heart, because of your past offences ;; you may sigh deeply, and blush before him; and dissolve your eyes into tears : You may tell him in secret how intense are your desires to taste and be assured'of his love, and to beformed after his image: You may rejoice in his sight with pious exultations and triumph, in hope of his eternaipresence in the upper wo7.1d. Such exercises as these will keep all the passions in an habitual practice of religion, and maintain inward piety in the life and power of it. V. Converse much with those parts of our holy religion, and with those books of scripture, which are suited to awaken your warmest affections. Let your thoughts take occasion from the various occurrences in nature and providence, to meditate on the glorious perfections of God, the wonders of his wisdom in contriving the several parts of the creation, so happily fitted to answer his great designs. Think on his amazing power, that could form all things by his word, and bring a whole world into being at his will. Awaken yoursouls, to admire the wide spread- ing influence of his sovereignty and government, who manages the immense affairs of the upper and the lower worlds, the na- tions of men, and the armies of angels ; and yet extends his care to every one of us in particular, and even to the meaner figures of flies and worms. Think on the infinite extent of his know- ledge, that he is acquainted not only with every creature he has made, but with every thought that passes through our hearts, with all our most secret-actionsand purposes. This will awaken
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