Confidence towards God, explained. 359 right and wrong in a moral fenfe, that is, S E R M. between fincerity and infincerity ; and as XIV. fincerity is the thing we moft approve, and `""'' the very belt which we can call our own, it muff appear to us equitable, that by it, or the contrary, we fhould be juftified or condemned : But by the mere knowledge of truth and right, no man can affure his heart before God ; it doth not give him any fatisfaEtion in himfelf, as integrity Both, nor confidence towards God ; fo far from it, that our knowledge of the will of God, if it hath not a proper influence in forming the temper of our minds, and directing our be- haviour, will aggravate our guilt, and render us the more obnoxious to his difpleafure. Thus the apoftle ames faith to fouie who valued themfelves upon the foundnefs of their belief, as that which would recom- mend to the favour of God, chap. ii. 19. Thou believeth there is one God, thou doll well; fo far it is right, but utterly infuffi- cient to eftablifh any hope of acceptance upon, for this plain reafon, the devils alfa believe and tremble, Thofe creatures who, above' all others, are irrecoverably loft to goodnefs and to hope, being referved in chains unto the laft judgment, they believe rightly concerning that great article of reli- A a 4 gion,
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