Religion better understood by actions, than by words 24

Divine love exemplified in our Blessed Saviour

His diligence in doing God's will

His patience in bearing it

His constant devotion

His humility

A prayer

The excellency and advantage of religion

The excellency of divine love

The advantages of divine love

The worth of the object to be regarded

Love requires a reciprocal return

24

24

24

26

35

36

37

37

Love requires the object to be present

The divine love makes us partake of an infinite

happiness

He that loveth God, finds sweetness in all his dis-

pensations

The duties of religion are delightful to him

The excellency of universal charity and love

The pleasure that attends it

The excellency of purity

The delight it affords

The excellency of humility

The pleasure and sweetness of a humble temper 42

A prayer

Despondent thoughts, which may arise in such as

are awakened to a sense of religion

The unreasonableness of such fears

We must often examine our actions

We must restrain ourselves in many lawful things 57

We must strive to put ourselves out of love with

the world

We must conscientiously form the outward ac-

We must use our utmost endeavours, and then re-

ly on God's assistance

We must shun all manner of sin

We must learn what things are sinful

We must consider the evils of sin, and resist the

temptations to it

We must constantly watch ourselves

Consideration, a great instrument of religion

We must consider the excellency of the divine

nature, to beget divine love in us

We must often meditate on God's goodness and

love

tions of religion

We must endeavour to perform internal acts of

devotion and charity, &c.

L

To beget charity, we must remember that all men

are nearly related unto God

That they bear his image

To beget purity, we must consider the dignity of

Our nature

-

And meditate, often, on the joys of heaven

Thoughts of God, make us have an humble sense

of ourselves

-

Humility ariseth from the consideration of our 70

failings

71

CONTENTS.

Prayer, another instrument of religion

Mental prayer, very profitable

Religion is advanced by the same means with

which it began

-

The frequent use of the Holy Sacrament, an ex-
traordinary means to increase holiness and
piety

A prayer

NINE DISCOURSES.

I. The superior Excellency of the Religious.

-On Prov. xii. 26. The righteous is more

excellent than nis neighbour.'

II. The indispensable Duty of loving our Ene-

mies. On Luke vi. 27. But I say unto

you which hear, Love your enemies.'

III. The Necessity and Advantage of early Af-

flictions.-On Lam. iii. 27, 28.' It is good

for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth:

he sitteth alone, and keepeth silence, be-

cause he hath borne it upon him.'

IV. That there are but a small Number saved.-

On Luke xiii. 23. Then said one unto him,

Lord, are there few that be saved? And he

said unto them,' &c.

V. The Duty and Pleasure of Praise and Thanks-

giving.-On Psalm cviii. 15. 'O! that men

would praise the Lord for his goodness, and

for his wonderful works to the Children

of men.'

77

94

116

131

148

VI. On the Nativity of our Saviour.-From

Psalm ii. 11. Rejoice with trembling.'

Wherein, of the usefulness of the two pas-

sions, joy and fear, in religion.

VII. On the Passion of our Saviour.—From Lam.

i. 12. Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass

by? Behold and see if there be any sorrow

like unto my sorrow.'

VIII. A Preparation for the Holy Sacrament.-On

Joshua iii. 5. 6
Sanctify yourselves: for

tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among

you.' [This is imperfect.]

IX. Of the Importance and Difficulty of the

Ministerial Function.-On 2 Cor. ii. 16.

Who is sufficient for these things?'

A Sermon, preached at the Funeral of the Rev

HENRY SCOUGAL. BY GEORGE Gair-

DEN, D. D.-On Phil. i. 2. For to me to

live is Christ, and to die is gain.'

161

178

192

199

223

THE LIFE OF GOD

IN THE

SOUL OF MAN.

My dear Friend,

THIS designation doth give you a title to all the endavours whereby I can serve your interests; and your pious inclinations do so happily conspire with my duty, that I shall not need to step out of my road to gratify you; but I may at once perform an office of friendship, and discharge an exercise of my function, since the advancing of virtue and holiness (which I hope you make your greatest study) is the peculiar business of my employment. This, therefore, is the most proper instance wherein I can vent my affection, and express my gratitude towards you; and I shall not any longer delay the performance of the promise I made you to this purpose. For though I know you are provided with better helps of this nature than any I can offer you; nor are you like to meet with any thing here which you knew not hefore; yet I am hopeful, that what cometh from one whom you are pleased to honour with your friendship, and which is more particularly designed for your use, will be kindly accepted by you; and God's providence perhaps may so direct my thoughts, that something or other may prove useful to you. Nor shall I doubt your pardon, if, for moulding my discourse into the better frame, I lay a low foundation, beginning with the nature and properties of religion, and all along give such way to my thoughts in the prosecution of the subject, as may bring me to say many things which were not necessary, did I only consider to whom I am writing.