-The Neceffity of Converfion. continual travel of the whole Creation (as to thee). is in vain. The fervice of all the creatures, that drudge for thee, and yield forth their 11rength un. t;o thee _(that therewith thou fh.ouldft ferve their M~ker) ts all but loft labour. Hence the whole Creation groaneth under the abufe of this unfan– ltified world, Rom. 8. 2.1. that pervert them to the fervice of their lufis, quite contrary to the very end of their Being. Ill. Wit bout tbh, thy Religion i> in vain, Jam. r. z6i 'All thy re1igious perforn1ances will be but o{l ; for they can neither pleafe God, Rom. 8. 8. norfave thy foul~ 1 cor. 1 j. 2., 3. which are the very ends of Re– ligion. Be thy fervices never fo fpecious, yet God hath no p1eafure in them, I [a. r. r4· Mal. r. I o. Is not that 1nan's cafe dreadful, whofe fa :rifices are as murder, and whofe prayers are a breath ofabotni- ~ nation? I{a. 66. 3· Prov. 28. 9• Many, under con.. vietions, think they will fet upon mending, and that a few prayers and aims will falve all agaiq: But alas, firs ! while your hearts remain unfanetified, your duties \\rill notpafs. How punCtual was'fehu? and yet all was rejeCted, becaufe his heart v;as not . upright, 2 I(.ing. ro. \Vith Hoj: I. 4· How b]amelefs wasPaul? and yet, beingunconvt;rted, all was but lofs, Philip. 3· 6, 7, Men think they dom11ch inat· tending GOd's fervice, and are ready to twit him with it, Ifa. -;8. 3· llfattb. 7· 2.2., and fet hi1n down fo tnuch their debtor, whenas (their perfons being unfancb:fieq) their duties cannot be accepted. 0 foul! Do not think, when thy fins purfue thee, a little praying and reforming thycourfe,will pacifie God : Thou muft begin with thine heart ; if that be not renewed, thou canfi: no more pleafe God, · than one that having unfpeakably offended thee, fhould bring thee his vornit in a difh to pacifie thee ; or having fallen into the mire , fl1ould . . ili~
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