Spiritual Perfecion. Rule. The curled and crafty Serpent will affhl them in drawing falle Conclu- fions from true Premiffes, and in oppo- fing the Grace of the Gofpel to its Pre- cepts. Whenthe Carnal Affe&ions cor- rupt the Judgment, the Mind will give licenfe to the Affeaions ; the cafe of fuch is dangerous , if not defperate. Thus the lofe Opinions That Men mg be ravedwithout abfolute Perfec`ition, therefore firiving after it is unneceffary, makesMen remifs in Religion, and produces vain deiufive hopes, that end in fearful dif- appoirntments. To undeceive Men, the following Confiderations may be effè- aual. r. 'Tis true, we muff diffinguiíh be- tween the Preceptive Moral part of the Covenant of Works andof Grace, and the Pcederal. They agree in the former, and differ in the latter. The Gofpel in- joyns perfea Obedience as well as the Law ; but the firfi makes it the Condi- tion of the Covenant, whereas the fe- cond makes provifion for our Imperfe- &ions. According to the tenor of the firfl, the tranfgrefling of one Command was a violation of the Covenant , and Death was the unavoidable confequence of Sin : for entire Obedience was the Condition of it. Adam fin'd once, and muff dye for ever : But to fin againfc the. 349
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=