our Acceptance with God. 49 be no great difficulty for a man reflecting on SERM. himfelf to know the fprings of action in his II. own mind, and the motives which determine Lo-`^J him; whether he is influenced by private, felfifh, and corrupt views, or if he ads in thofe works which outwardly appear virtu- ous and religious from hearty good-will to his fellow - creatures, love to God, and a defire of being approved by him ; yet many im- pofe upon themfelves, imagining they do the will of God fo far as is abfolutely neceßäry to their acceptance, when really they do it not. This miflake arifes from a fupine negligence in felf - examination, or the ftrong prejudices of a heart hardened thro' the deceitfulnefs of fin. And generally the falfe cover under which the infincerity of the heart, and difobedience of the converfation are difguifed, is what I men- tioned before, a vehement zeal in the pro - feffion, and in the externals of religion, or the refolutions of a-future amendment and obedience, which men fondly !latter them - felves will be accepted. But, be not deceived, God is not mocked; what- ever a man Jiweth, that 'hall he alfo reap. For he that foweth to the fe'h'hall of the fl, fh reap corruption, but he that fweth to the fjirit fall VOL. II. E o f
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=