66 ON THE ADMISSION OF [OH. III.

know your true security. It is a service of labour
and peril; but one wherein the powers 'which you
possess, strenuously and perseveringly exerted, cannot
but crown you with victory. Accustom yourself to
look first to the dreadful consequences of failure;
then fix your eye on the glorious prize which is before
you; and when your strength begins to fail, and your
spirits are well nigh exhausted, let the animating view
rekindle your resolution, and call forth in renewed
vigour the fainting energies of your soul."

It was the remark of an unerring observer, " The
children of this world are wiser in their generation
than the children of light." And it is indisputably
true, that in religion we have to argue and plead
with men for principles of action, the wisdom and
expediency of which are universally acknowledged in
matters of worldly concern. So it is in the instance
before us. The case which has been just described
is an exact, but a faint representation of our condi-
tion in this life. Frail and " infirm of purpose," we
have a business to execute of supreme and indis-
pensable necessity. Solicitations to neglect it every
where abound: the difficulties and dangers are nu-
merous and urgent; and the night of death cometh,
how soon we know not, " when no man can work."
All this is granted. It seems to be a state of things
wherein one should look out with solicitude for some
powerful stimulants. Mere knowledge is confessedly
too weak. The affections alone remain to supply
the deficiency* They precisely meet the occasion,
and suit the purposes intended. Yet when we pro-
pose to fit ourselves for our great undertaking, by
calling them in to our help, we are to be told that we
are acting contrary to reason. Is this reasonable, to
strip us first of our armour of proof, and then to send
us to the sharpest of encounters ? To summon us to
the severest labours, but first to rob us of the precious