236 D.etraaions rßbarkedr fromGod to do. One tendeth to your pardon ; the other toyour guilt : Therefore, if you fall into the cowpasyof backbiters, that are difhonouring their Rulers or their Paftors, or telling how bad their neighbours are ; labour to purifie thefe flunking waters, or turn the f}ream : fay.to them, IQ friends how bad arewe our (elves ! what pride is in.our hearts ,! what Ignorance in our mindsi+ fo wanting are we even in the loweft grace, Hu- mility, that we have fcarce enough to make us ,takepatiently, fuck cenfures as nowwe are giving out uponothers ? fo felfafh as diihonoureth our profeCfion with the brand of contratlednefr, and partialicy ; foweak that all our duties are liable to greater cenfures than we can bear : And our in- wardgraces weaker than our outward duties. Of (Lich ungoverned thoughts,that contagion and trtrnutt inf}ead of order, and fruitful improvement, are the dayly temper and employment of our imaginati- ons: fo paffionate, impatient, and corrupt, that we are a trouble to our felves and others, and a dishonour to the Gofpel, and a hindertnce to the converfion of thofe whom our holy exemplary lives fhould win to God : fo f}range to Heaven, as if we had never well believed it : And to fay all in one,fo empty ofLove to our dear Redeemer asd the God of Love, that our Hearts lie vacant to entertain the love of worldly vanities ; and draw back from the ferions thoughts of God which should beeur dailywork and pleafure ; and file from the face of Death , as if we fhould be worf}, when we are neareft to our God. And when we are ourfelves no better, should we not rather complainof the fore that is fo near us is and
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