552 Whether well compofed Religious Vows Serai. 24: Spreading Re- 2. By _letting forward the growth of Religion, ix the rridf¢ of thole l;g+on. who profefs ir, ( for I will only fpeak of this now, albeit I might fpeak of the f'preading of Religion among(i fuch, who before were flrangers to it , by the faichfulnefs of tome zealous prudent , and indufirious votaries. ) When Chrifians on great exigencies are brought on their knees to pray and plead and confess, and promife if they may be heard and when they come to praife, acknowledge and pay their Vows to God in the pretence of thofe are called his people ; it is very powerful' to By confirming. I. Confirm them in the profef on and to eflabliA them ; For who would not hold fall where he can observe fuck goodnefs tender: efs, and power in God he wordhipeth ? Men, religious men, Tome at leaf i'fal. rod, will praife the Lord,for fuch wonderful) works to the children of men, when they fee fuch excellent loving kindnefs íbewed to the d :'fire f fed, the pfal. 36.7. children of men will put their trufá is God, None will leave the íhadow of that wing which fo faveth. Reforming. 2. It is very like to make them enquire into the ways and doings which have been theirs, but have not been good, and to look forward to the ways which muf be theirs, and muft be amended ; when a flander by (hail obferve the difrefs a good man is in, and how he relents neglet of duty, prevalency of corruption, neceflity of reforming and binds himfelf to more diligent difcharge of duty, to more vigorous oppofi- tion of fin, to confiant care of reforming. He is ready to refle6t on himfelf, and if he be what he profe(feth, will judge himfelf one who is as deep in the faults, as much needing to reform , and as near to the like or greaterdifirefs. He may ere long be put to it, and therefore it will be bell to be on the amending hand. 3. VOW' pro - But however thirdly, Volts well made, and kept well, very much ion - mote Religion prove and promote Religoon in the heart, and life of him who fo Voweth in the Votaries and keepeth his Vow; If none of thofe who are acquainted with thy heart and life, religious making and keeping thy Vows, fhould either honour it more , or let to the exercife of it more, yet certainly it will produce fuch effects in thy life, as will very much conduce to the encreafe of godlinefs and righieoufnefs ; which will appear by forge few parricu- lars,which are undeniably the tffcas of a well - compel d Vow, and do as undeniably promote and let forward Religion: As i. rows en- Firli, A well compofed Vow will make thee more circunrfpeCC and croft circrim wary in the generell course of thy life. Such an influence it bath , as gFe on Both more direly work on one partice.lat part, yet is not termi- nated to that particular onely. It is here as with a Debtor who don- nas
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