Of a Confcience void of Offence. 169 God and man, it fhould be our care, as it SE R M. was the apoftle's, not to trefpafs againft ei- VII. ther ; or, that our confciences fhould not have matter of accufation for violating either the one or the other branch of our duty ; that along with pious affe &ions to God, and humble fubmifiion to his will, we fhould conftantly fulfil the laws of righteoufnefs, fidelity and charity to our fellow creatures. This is abfolutely neceffary to true virtue and religion, in whatever light we confider it; it is only intire, not partial good affec- tions, that will fatisfy the obligations we are under by the law of our nature : It is uni- ver(al obedience which the divine command- ments require ; and he who ofènds in one point, is guilty of all. We muff be fenfible that the declarations of the gofpel, the grace that brings fälvation, indeed, the very de-. fign of it, requires that we fhould live righte- oufly, as well as godly. Secondly, I propos'd to Phew, that the having always a confcience void of offence towards God and man, is the proper fubje t of our confiant and careful attention. Herein do I exercife my/èlf. This is the Sum of re- ligion, a matter of the utmoft importance to
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