370 Spiritual Perfection: leaves the application to themfelves, and the itriprefíion is more quick and pene- trating than of words. In difficult Pre- cepts , no Argument is more effeauaI than Examples ; for the poflihility of do- ing them is confirm'd by Inflances in others ; and the pretence of Infirmity, is taken away. The Command binds us to our Duty, Examples incourage us to performance. The pattern of the An- gels, who are pure Spirits, is not fo in- fluential upon us, as the pattern of the Saints, that is more correfpondent and proportionate to our prefent Rate ; as the Light of theStars, that are fo vaftly diflant, is not fo ufeful in managing our Affairs, as the Light of a Candle that is near us. The Saints are nearly allied to us ; they are clothed with the fame frail garment of Flefh , they had like Paffions, and were in the fame contagi- ous World, yet they were holy and hea- venly in their A$êEions and Anions They lived in civil Converfation with Men , and fpiritual Communion with God. This will take away the pretence of Infirmity ; for we have the fame word of Grace, and fpirit of Grace, to ftrengthen us. The praaife of Holinefs is regular and uniform, wherein the Saints refèmble one another ; yet there is aconfpicuous fingu- larrty 41
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