Neither excuse thy conforming to the world in rich cloaths, banquets, dancing, plays, and the like, by saying, “I take no delight in these trifles; but I submit to them, that I may have the more power over them that do.” This is one of the fruits of our modern religion, raised on maxims of state-policy: but if we bring it to the test, it is altogether inconsistent with _the truth, as it is in Jesus_. “But you are for taking away the abuse of these things, and letting the use remain.” The true children of God, who are crucified to the world, can’t find the least true use in them. When they would avoid or prevent any evil, or do any good, either to their own souls, or their neighbours, they have no need of the devil’s rattles, but fly to their God, and commit their whole cause to his direction. They rest themselves, while they use only such measures as he directs, in full confidence that he will do what is best; and they enjoy even the necessary refreshments of their bodies for no other end, but to spend the strength received thereby, in humble acknowledgment and child-like thankfulness, and to renew the vigour of their soul and body for the service of their neighbours. CHAPTER V. _Of the means whereby we may be delivered from the fear of man._ 1. THE first and most necessary of all means is, a constant and earnest endeavour to free ourselves from the most dangerous deceitfulness of our own hearts. Nothing is a more fatal hindrance of a man’s salvation, than the false conceit that he is already a Christian, and so has no more need of laying the foundation of repentance, or of the first conversion to God. There is no error which it is more difficult to remove than this, especially in a minister; who, having undertaken to shew others the way to heaven, presupposes that he is himself therein. And because he sees but little difference between himself and his hearers, and knows nothing of a saving change of heart, he by wholesale takes them all for Christians; and, like a blind Pharisee, reproves nothing but outward vices. His own inward part being not yet cleansed, he cannot awaken others out of their slumber, and bring them over from their false, imaginary faith, to a true, living one, working by love. And by means of these unconverted preachers, destitute of all experimental knowledge of spiritual things, whole parishes, cities and countries, are countenanced in their carnal security.