406 A Converfation becoming the Gofpel S E R perfonally to their edification, the principal XV. charge he had to give them is in the words of my text, only let dour converfation be as it becometh the, gofpel of Chrifl. This in all events would turn to their account, and give him pleafure, whether he were prefent with or abfent from them. A s we muff be fen - fible that the direion conçerneth all chrif- tians, at every time and in every condition wherein they can be, I will, without any farther introduction, endeavour to explain it, by (hewing what kind of converfation doth become the gofpel, and then the motives whereby we are urged to it, or I will (how you what on our part is becoming the gofpel, both in fact and in reafon, what it actually demandeth from its prof (fors, and what ob- ligations they are under to fatisfy its demands. It is evident that chrif'ianity being a practical inftitution, and a law given to men for regulating their moral conduct, the defign of it can only be fulfilled by their obedience. It was not merely, and princi- pally intended to rectify the opinions of man- kind, and give them juft fentiments concern- ing things, however important, which they did not underftand before ; far lefs was it to form a party by the chriftian name, and to $'eparate force from others by diftinguifhing badges,
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