2 C 0 R. VII. I. Having t/,erefore theje Promijes, dearly be/o)!ed '· let ws. cleanfe , our Jelves from all filthinejs of Flefh and Spmt , perfeE/:mg Holmejs m the fear of God. CHAP. I. 7he Cohmnee opened. The inconfijlency and danger of the Communion of Chrifli•m with Infidels. The dignity of Believers prohibits #. The Promife of Divine Commumon obliges them to feparate from contagiom Converfe wttb 'Unbelievers. T'he inferen'e from thofe Motives . The c/e.nftng from aO PoOutions, and perfetlinl{ Holinefs, Pt~rifj ing them{elves is the Duty of Chrifli•ns. A Principle of .Holinefs, a8tl4ted b1 the fupplitS of the Spirit, is requijite to enable Chrifli•ns to purifie themfolvts. The Pollutzons of the Fle{b from the dejiring and the angr7 .Appetite. The7 defile and debafe Humane N•tttre. The dif/icultJ of pt~rifJing from Vncltom11ft, and the Caufes of# fpecijed. Mea»s for purifjing. THE Words are argumentative, inferring the indifpenfable Duty of Chrifii. ans to preferve themfelves untainted from the Idolatrous impure World, by x~~o;;~:iti;io;ig~~e~~~n;;,0:;~s-t~;~z~~./~e}~'? p~~~·::.~ ;~~;::;,n;:::~ Light with Darknefs 1 And wh41 concord hath Chrift witb Belial 1 What P"t bath he thAt believes, rvith •n Infidel 1 T he form of<l!Jellions evidently implies the abfolute inconfifie.ncy between them; and the danger fromfuch Communion. , We are not in Paradife, where the Viper and the Afp were inno10ent, and migh t be handled without danger fro!Jl their ~~{~i~~it~u~;~r~eco;:li~~~~: ;v;:l~;, ~~~ ~:m~~:roi:~~s ~i~~il;o~~J'.~e~e ~=~~e%~~~~'; will dweO in them, and wall: in them .; and l ,,wi/1 be their God, •nd the7 /hall be m1 People. The unclean Spirits that polfefs'd the Man fpoken of in the Gofpel, dwelt among the Tombs, the Repofitories of the Dead, in their Corruption and Rottennefs; but the holy Spirit dwells only in Jiving Temples, purified and adorned · for his ~;~~~~t~oen{tp;;t~, /ai~~~~h~n~~~~s' h~~dAt~:~~e ;tto':'~~~e~::,,~::h~=; ('::J j~:;f ,::e::; yort, and will be a Fatlur to 7ore, tU3d ye {haD be my Sons ilnd Daughters, faith the Lord Almi['.hty. The Promife contai ns the bighell: honour , and moil: perfect felicity of the rea(onablc Creature. In the Text are obfervable, I. The Title wherewi th the Apofile addrelfes to them, Having th"'fore, dearly beloved. ll. The matter of t he Addrefs: To ftrive after pure and perfect Holinefs. Ill. The Motives: The exceeding great and precious Promifes alfur'd to them from the Mouth of God himfelf. Having therefore theft Promifes, dear!J beloved. The title exprelfes the truth and firength of his AffeCtion. I. To recommend his Counfel to their acceptance. Light opens the Mind by clear Convrfrron, but Love opens the Heart by perf1vafive infinuation, and makes an eafie emra.nce Into .the Soul. He .feems to diveft himfelf of his Apofiolical Comnuffion, and rn the mrldeil: and mail: tender manner mixes intreaties with his Authonty: as rn a parallel place, I befeech you brethrm bJ the 11ame of o11r Lord Je{t« Chrijl, &c. r Cor.t. to. 2. The 557
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