we do not do all, it is our own Fault, fince we may do all through Christ, who will strengthen us, if we do what we can. What therefore may we not do who are thus armed with Divine Affistance? What Sins are there fo ftrong, that we may not mortifie? What Paffions fo violent, that we may not tame? What Habits fo inveterate, that we may not vanquish, who are thus backed, and aided with Auxiliaries from above? And thus you fee what impenetrable Armour the Christian Religion is against all the Darts and Weapons of Sin, and how able it is to render us fhot-proof, and invulnerable against all its Temptations.

I come now to the second thing propofed, which is to fhew you that Christianity is Armour of Proof against the evil of Mifery, that is, against all those Cares and Fears, those Griefs and Sorrows, Vexations and Anxieties, wherewith we are here encompaffed on every fide; and indeed there is nothing in the World can give fo much Eafe unto the Minds of Men, and fortifie them fo impregnably against the Miseries of

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the World as true Religion. Hence is that of our Saviour, Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will refresh you, Matth. 11. 28. that is, all you that are tired out with the Croffes and Troubles of this miferable World, do but become my Difciples, believe my Doctrine, and obey my Commands, and I will give Eafe and Refreshment to your Minds. And in the following Verse he telleth us, that by taking his Yoke, that is, his Religion upon us, we fhall find reft for our Souls: and of Neceffity his Yoke must mightily contribute to the arming of Souls against the Troubles of the World upon these following Accounts.

1. First, in that it naturally infpireth us with true Courage and Magnanimity; there is nothing in the World fo valiant and heroick as a true Christian Spirit; for its Courage is compofed of the best Metal in the World, of Patience and Temperance, of Conftancy and Refignation to the Will of God,all which mingled together do beget in the Soul an invincible Firmnefs and Staidnefs of Mind against all dangerous and dolorous Accidents

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Accidents whatsoever: for what Accident can daunt a Soul that is weaned by Temperance from the Pleasures of the Body, and hardned by Patience against the Pain and Displeasures of it; that hach so fubdued her Paffions as to be always prefent to herself, and constant to her own Reason, and having refigned up all to the Conduct of Divine Providence, receiveth every Accident as a Token of Love, and giveth a hearty Welcome to whatfoever befalleth her? Such a Soul as this ftandeth firm as a Rock, outbraving all the Storms of Fortune, making its envious Waves retire in empty Foam, and infignificant Paffion: But wherefoever these brave Qualities are wanting, it is impoffible a Man fhould be truly couragious; for Intemperance, Impatience, and Diffidence will let in every Trouble that affaults us, to fpoil and ravage us at Pleasure, and expofe all the Peace and Tranquillity of our Minds to the Mercy of every Trifle, fo that we shall not be able to abide the Shock of any cross Accident that encountereth us, but like cowardly Poultrons fhall lie down vanquished

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at the Feet of every Trouble that befalleth us; and there is no greater Sign of Cowardice and Weakness of Spirit, than an Aptness to be difcompofed with Trifles; for as fick Perfons are offended at the Light of the Sun, and the Freshness of the Air, which adminifter Pleasure and Recreation to thofe that are in Health; even fo Perfons of weak and pufillanimous Spirits are easily offended; their Minds are so tender and effeminate, that they cannot bear the leaft Air of Trouble without Difturbance; and what would be a Diversion to a couragious Soul, grieveth and incommodeth them. But when we are once arrived to a due Pitch of Patience, Temperance and Confidence in God, all the Troubles of the World will be but like Flea-Bites to a fleeping Lyon, and we fhall no more be concern'd with thefe little Croffes and Mifchances, than the Moon is with the yelping of thofe whiffling Curs that bark at her from below. For true Christian Courage is the most heroick of all other: for Courage is meerly brutal confifting in Heats and Ferments of the Blood and Spirits,

in which Game-Cocks and Mastives out-vy the greatest Heroes in the World: but the Courage of a Chriftian is truly rational and manly, founded in Religion and true Princi ples of Reason, and fo is a thousand times more manageable and useful than that which arifeth only out of Temper and Complexion; for this fort of Courage is headstrong and unruly, and like an hot metall'd Horse, doth oftentimes run away with the Rider, and instead of fecuring us from, carries us headlong into Mischief; but true Christian Courage is gentle and obfequious to the Commands of Reafon, and upon that Account is far more useful in our Extremities, and is more applicable to our Neceffities. Since therefore Christianity inspireth us with fuch an excellent Courage as this is, it cannot but render us invincible, and effeЯually fhield us against all the Blows of Fortune.

Secondly, It armeth us against the Miseries of the World, by reconciling us unto God 'tis impoffible a Man fhould be free from Trouble and Anxiety of Mind whilst he is in a State of