Wesley Corpus

inconsistent with piety and innocence, with temperance and safety. Whatever pleasure may be enjoyed consistent with these, and is entered upon with either a mediate or imme diate reference to the glory of his Creator, a Christian may delight himself in. But what ever is incompatible with these principles, whatever diversion is unlawful, either in itself or in its necessary consequences, which tends to evil, or exposes men to be an easier prey to temptation, I scruple not to say, cannot be a pleasure designed for Christians ; so manifestly the reverse, that God, who seeth the evil as well as the danger, has solemnly forbidden such diversions in his holy word, by commanding us to abstain from all appearance of evil, and strictly enjoining us to do nothing which may not be done as unto the Lord, and be some way subservient to his honour and glory. So much I have deemed proper to remark on the danger of not being faithful in that which is least, and established the truth I un-. dertook to discuss ; namely, that by neglecting to take care of our miscalled little actions, we are often led into great and heinous transgres sions. I therefore proceed to my third head of discourse, wherein I promised to show, Thirdly, the incalculable advantages which will arise from regulation of the little common actions of our lives by the strict rules of God's commandments. He that would be secure must not approach the precipice of evil. The danger has been demonstrated, and the only means of avoiding it is to keep at a distance from the very ap pearance. He that maketh every action a point of duty will not easily be ensnared into a fla grant breach of it, and he that is circumspect in little will scarcely ever fall into great trans gressions. Tenderness of conscience is the noblest pre servative from sin, and a scrupulous fear of offending the best safeguard against it. The fortress of virtue is most effectually secured, when the inlets to vice are most sedulously guarded. Constant recollection impedes attack; and he who never exposes himself to the least shadow of temptation will never be in danger of being overcome by the greatest. Were the good man of the house always on the watch,