f i 306 Walking with Wife Men, S E x M. life facrificed, and confcience proftituted for XII. this end. Very often the defire operateth """v") ftrongly in fecret, and when we ourfelves do not attend to it ; but if we narrowly exa- mine a great part of our condu ±, we (hall find there is no other reafon to be given for. it. In the modes of living and outward de- portment, which take up a great deal of our thoughts and cares, what other view is purfued than conforming to cuftom ? what other rule than fafhion, which has really no other ftandard than the general approbation, or the judgment, it may be, the humour and caprice of perfons who are more emi- nent, and therefore efteemed. The original defire itfelf was planted in the human nature for excellent purpofes, and, if duly regula- ted, is very ufeful to engage us to one an- other for our common advantage, and to dire and ftrengthen us in the pra Lice of the facial virtues. The defire of approba- tion rifeth yet higher in ferious and thought- ful minds, who have a jufl fenfe of the di- vine majefly, believing that be feeth them, and is perfelly acquainted with all their ways, even the molt fecret motions of their hearts, and therefore form their difpofitions and conduft to pleafe him. This is what the fcripture calleth walking with God, and walking
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