and lie hard; and at the same time to see Christians nice and dainty, unwilling to deprive themselves of any pleasure, or to undergo anything of hardship, so that they may observe the most reasonable, holy, and advantageous rule of CHRIST; from Whom they have received the greatest favours, from Whom they expect the greatest rewards, and to Whose service and obedience they have devoted themselves by a solemn vow in holy Baptism.

CHAPTER XXIX,

That Severities and Mortifications, well regulated, are subservient to Repentance and the Love of JEsus.

I

know that some put too great a stress on

such outward observances and corporal austerities, and whilst they pervert the right use of them, greatly abuse themselves, and it may be deceive others also; but withal it must be granted that others, in the other extreme, as unadvisedly reject and condemn them as unprofitable and superstitious; and as unreasonably count themselves religious because they despise, as others because they are fond of them. I shall not determine which of the two are in the worst Both certainly are mistaken; and the truth I apprehend to be this. The example of our blessed SAVIOUR, which is our best pattern and most profitable lesson, plainly declares that such exercises are of great use, if not necessity,

error.

in our spiritual warfare against sin and temptations. So likewise the precepts of "cutting off our right hand or foot," when they make us offend; of "denying ourselves, and taking up the cross;" and many more to the same purpose, make it our duty to use the proper and appointed means of mortification. And that they are acceptable to GOD, we are assured by CHRIST Himself; "When ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance; but, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy FATHER, Which is in secret: and thy FATHER, Which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly," S. Matt. vi., 16-18. Here fasting stands for all acts of self-denial, as being the most afflictive; and though the measures thereof be not described, yet that God hath a great respect and recompence for it, as well as for prayers and alms, is clearly affirmed by our blessed LORD. So that there remains no doubt, but that all corporal austerities properly undertaken and managed, whether of our free susception, or appointed to us by our spiritual guide, or the governors of CHRIST'S Church, to whom we are bound to

submit ourselves, (they being in His stead to us); there is no doubt, I say, but that these, especially the last, are generally very profitable; in some cases absolutely necessary; and always well pleasing to GOD. They are instruments of religion whereby our lusts are subdued, the body kept under, and the spirit itself mortified. They are marks of the sincerity of our sorrows, and our regret to have offended GOD; and they are testimonials of our love to JESUS, and our earnest desire to secure our duty to Him for the future. All this is attested and proved true, not only by Holy Scripture, and the injunctions of the Christian Church; but also by the practice and experience of all devout persons, affectionate lovers of the blessed JESUS.

CHAPTER XXX.

A short Meditation for Penitential Days.

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EMEMBER that Fasting and Alms are

the two wings of Prayer; and that all three must unite their strength to raise our heavy hearts from this earth, and lift them up to the regions of Love. All three together ascended as a memorial before GOD, to plead for Cornelius. And our blessed SAVIOUR, in one sermon, (S. Matt. vi.,) joined them all three, and assigned to them one reward.

Thus, therefore, meditate, O my Soul, on thy days of humiliation :

"My blessed LORD, I know that I have been too much addicted to sensual pleasures; and now to speak my grief for it, here I mourn and afflict myself; judging myself unworthy even of those refreshments Thou hast allowed me. I have too much served Mammon, and been too greedy of the world: and now I devote all I