64 The Caa fes and Danger of Self-Deceit. SERM. minds, and cut off their hopes of pleafing III. God ; or elfe, fomething of a different kind lM) which they do, or what they are refolved afterwards to do, will make amends for their deficiencies in virtue and obedience ; both which errors are utterly inconfif}ent with the plaineft principles of morality, and the molt exprefs declarations of the gofpel. I obferve, 2dly, that the molt general caufe of this felf-deceit in the affairs of religion and falvation, is fome prevailing, corruptaf- feEtion, or pailion. I do not fay the only caufe, for 'tis certain other prejudices, par- ticularly thofe of education, may miflead men in this important matter ; whole nations, and for many ages, have been miftaken in points of morality (calling evil good, and put- ting darknefs fir light) which to others better inftruCted have appeared very evident. But in thofe parts of the world where knowledge abounds, at leaft where chriftianity is in- telligibly propofed, where yet a great many are deceived in the great concern of their falvation and the way of attaining it, the general caufe is forne predominant evil affection or irregular paillon. Such is known to be the weaknefs of human nature, that our judgments are very much biaffed by our affections ; not that
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