persons is the compassion of a severe tutor or of a physician. Chastise thy infant sin by discipline and acts of virtue. He that means to be temperate, and to avoid the crime and dishonor of drunkenness, must not love to partake of the songs, or bear a part in the foolish scenes of laughter which distract wisdom, and fright her from the company. Danger of admitting the first entrances of sin described, and illustrated by a beautiful simile. III. There are some who are very much to be pitied and assisted, because they are going into hell, and, as matters stand with them, they cannot, or they think they cannot, avoid it. There are persons whose life is wholly in dependence on the will of others; and if the prince or patron be vicious and imperious, it is the loss of his dependent's fortune not to lose his soul: state of such persons enlarged on. So also it is when ignorant people are catechised into false doctrine, and know nothing but such principles as weaken the nerves and enfeeble the joints of holy living; they never heard of any other. State of those considered who follow great and evil examples, who are engaged in the public sins of a kingdom, which they understand not, and either must venture to be undone on the strength of their own little reasonings, or else must go where the popular misery has made the way plain before their eyes, though it be uneven and dangerous to their consciences. Many, if they be left alone, out of the sight of their tempter, go whither their education or custom carries them but it is not in some natures to deny the face of a man and the boldness of a sinner, especially when it is not their interest to do so. These men are. in a pitiable condition, and are to be helped by the following rules: 1. Let every man consider that he has two relations to serve, and he stands between God and his master, or his nearest relative: in such cases it comes to be disputed, which interest is to OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D. D. WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF HIS LIFE, SUMMARY OF EACH DISCOURSE, NOTES, &c. BY THE REV. T. S. HUGHES, B. D. VOL. III. LONDON: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY A. J. VALPY, M.A. AND SOLD BY ALL BOOKSELLERS. 1831. 141. i. 805 CONTENTS OF THE THIRD VOLUME. SERMONS FOR THE SUMMER HALF-YEAR-CONTINUED. VIII.-Of Growth in Sin; or, the several States and Degrees of Sinners, with the Manner how they are to be treated. JUDE 22, 23.—And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire. PAGE 1 43 IX.-The Foolish Exchange. MATTHEW XVI. 26.—For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? X.-The Serpent and the Dove; or, a Discourse of Christian Prudence. MATTHEW X. 16.-Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 85 |