"Making religion unamiable to others": Secker against the Weird

As part of a continuing series on Secker against the Weird (see here and here), today we see Secker in his Sermon CXV (on the Apostle's exhortation 'Let your moderation be known unto all men') address the need for moderation in Christian daily living, not undoing natural affections, duties, and delights.  This offers an alternative to the Weird Christian emphasis on 'transcending our understanding of the flesh', and is, in effect, a commentary on Hooker's affirmation of the classical Augustinian and Thomist insistence that "grace hath use of nature" (LEP III.8.6).  Or in the words of Whichcote, "Religion does not destroy Nature but is built upon it".

Not that either the affections or the appetites of our nature are to be extirpated, but only confined within due bounds. The necessaries of each one's condition in life are still to be provided, because they are necessaries. The duties, which we owe to each other here, are diligently to be done, because they are duties. The comforts of life too, as they ought to be thankfully received, may doubtless be cheerfully used. Nay, even as to the lighter amusements, if we make them not a business, but a relaxation only, at fit times, and in a fit degree; since our infirmity may demand a little of them, that little cannot but be lawful. It is, in truth, if we would conlider justly, a very humbling reflexion to think we need them; but since we do, so much as we need must be innocent. And to perplex ourselves with scruples about small matters of this kind, would be at once distrusting the goodness of God, instead of enjoying it properly; and making our lives uneasy to ourselves, and religion unamiable to others.