354 Of the Blejednefs of the Pure in Heart. S E R M. ons, thefts, f ál/ß witnefs, blaflihemies ; thef- XIII. are the things which defile a man. Though, as I (hall afterwards obferve, regularity of life, and an aäual obedience to the divine precepts in our practice, is ab- folutely neceffary to our acceptance with God, and to our feeing him ; yet Will it is to be remembered that this muff be fincere, that is, mull proceed from good affeftions. No one furely will imagine that there is any moral goodnefs, or any thing pleating to God, in a mere externally regular courfe of behaviour or abftinence from grofs fins, which doth not proceed from the love of God and of righteoufnefs. A man may be determined to the fame outward condu.t by a variety of motives, and perhaps to an ap- pearance of virtue, by motives intirely fel- fith and worldly ; he may find it neceirary to abftain from Debauchery for faving ex- pence ; he may put on a difguife of tempe- rance, juftice, and piety, to obtain a repu- tation in the world ; and yet, according to our Saviour's comparifon, Matt. xxiii. 27, 28. he is only like a whitedfepulchre which appeareth beautiful outwardly, but within is íù1l of rottennefs and uncleannefs, fo he ap- peareth righteous before men, but within is full of hypocrify and iniquity. Remember, therefore,
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