Now, compare with this any other mode of salvation that can be devised ; and its wisdom will shine forth as the sun, which eclipses, and, as it were, blots from the firmament, all the lights of heaven ]
2. Discretion in the life —
[When once religion occupies the soul, it implants a principle there which thenceforth regulates the whole man. No longer does an anxiety about earthly things distract the mind. Pleasure, riches, and honour, are all subordinated to the welfare of the soul ; and the will of God is the one only rule of conduct to him. A regard for God's honour, too, will then operate, so as to give to all circumstances, whether of time or place, their legitimate influence, and to secure to him who is under its influence the aj)probation of the wise and good. He illustrates in his life that saying of Solomon, " I, Wisdom, dwell with Prudence." In a word, to approve himself to God is the one object of his life : and that one object being ever before his eyes, he is kept from every corrupt bias, and from the incon- sistencies which an unhallowed principle would produce.
Of course, it must not be supposed that a person, naturally weak and foolish, will pass in a moment to a comprehensive- ness of mind and soundness of judgment : that is not to be expected : on the contrary, inasmuch as a principle of piety infinitely outweighs every earthly object, it may be expected, that, on its first entrance into the soul, it will operate rather in a way of extravagance, and cause a person to overlook the minor considerations of prudence and discretion. But this must be imputed not to religion itself, but to the weakness of him in whom it dwells : and the effect of religion will be to correct his errors, and to induce habits of wisdom, which no other prin- ciple would ever have been able to form within him.]
Let US now proceed to consider it, II. In its just and necessary effects —
Religion is not a mere pj-mciple ; nor does it con- sist in any peculiar practice without a principle : it is an ojwrative jjrinciple, producing,
1. Life in the soul —
[I cannot give any juster view of religion, than by saying, It is that in the soul which the soul is in the body. Without the soul, the body is dead ; and without religion, the soul is dead. By the soul the body is animated, and performs all the functions of the animal life ; by religion the soul is quickened, and performs all the functions of the spiritual life. By the imion of the soul with the body, all the powers, both of body and mind, are called into activity ; and by the operation of