a. 334 The Foundation of S E R M. are not, according to the true defign of the XIII. text, to be looked upon as any evidence that God will condemn them ; becaufe fo far as they have any appearance of a rational ground (for the moft part, indeed, they pro- ceed in a great meafure from a difordered imagination) they are founded on a miftake, either of the terms of acceptance with God, or the nature of the offences with which the heart chargeth itfelf. If we imagine that God will be fo inexorably fevere, as to punifh every the leaft deviation from his law, even though not allowed, or fincerely repented of; or if we magnify fuch infir- mities, as the belt are not altogether free from in this imperfect Rate, into heinous unpardonable crimes ; if the want of vehe- ment emotions of mind be accounted want of love to God, though they are only acci- dental, depending on other caufes, and the love of God doth not confifl in them, but in a calm deliberate efteem, with a fincere difpofition to keep his commandments ; if blafphemous thoughts arifing in the mind, utterly abhorred, and earneftly refilled, are reckoned its heinous t anfgreffiions, though really they are not imputed to it as its faults in any degree ; in thefe, and fuch like cafes, the judgment of condemnation, which by miflake
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