410 A Con verfation becoming the Gofpel SERM. fuppofed to have a power of determining XV. his own conduct, and therefore is accounta- tawyJ ble for it. We are confcious to ourfelves of afting voluntarily, and that our works de- pend upon our own choice, which maketh us to reflect on them with felf- approbation or remorfe, and this leadeth us into the idea of a moral obligation and a rule by which we ought to govern ourfelves. Thefe are the actions which properly con - ftitute what the apoftle calleth our conver- fation, and the gofpel being given as a law to direct them, a converfation becoming it multi be fuch a one as it requireth in the whole of our behaviour ; the conforming every part of our practice to its precepts and inftru Lions. And therefore to underftand aright the exhortation in the text, we may take a brief view of what chriflianity en- joineth upon the feveral comprehenfive ar- ticles which the apoftle mentioneth in his fummary of the doctrine taught us by the grace that bringeth falvation, namely, fobri- ety, righteoufnefs, and godlinefs whereby we (hall fee that the gofpel extendeth as a rule to our whole converfation. Firft then, all the virtues comprehended in fobriety, fuch as chaftity, temperance, con,. tent
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=