r 396 The Life of Faith. 32. The governing of the jolts is the firti means to keep clean the Imagination. When Acbaafeeth the wedge of gold, he defrretb it, and then he takftb it. When men wilfully fill their eyes with the objeâs which entice them to lull, to cove- töufnefs, to wrath ; 'theimpreflion is prefently made upon the tantafie ; and then the Devil hath abundance more power to renew fuch imaginations a thoufand times, than if fuch im- preffions had been never made. And it is a very hard thing to clank the fantafie which is once polluted. /3. And the next notable [beans of keeping out all evil Imaginations, and curing lull and vanity of mind, is confiant laborious diligence in a lawful calling, which thou] allow the mind no leifure for vain and finful thoughts ; as the great noù- rifher of all foul and wicked thoughts, is Idlenejs and Vacancy, which invitcth the tempter, and giveth him time and oppor- tunity. 34 Watchfulnefs over our lelves, and thankful accepting the watchfulnefs, fault- finding's, and reproofs of others is a great part ofthe fafety of our fouls, Mat. 26.4r. & 25, 13, Marki3. 37. Luko21.36. iCor.o6 13..r VV. .5. 6.2Tim.4,5, Heb. r 2.-17 .1 Pet. 4, 7 35. Aflir native Precepts, bind not to all times ; that is, no pcfitive duty is a dutyat all times. As to preach, topray, to (peak of God, to think ofholy things, &c. it is not alwaies a fin to intermit them. 36. All that God commandeth us to do, is both a Duty and a Means; it is called a Duty in relation to Godthe efficient Law- giver, firfl : and it is a Means next in relation to God the end, whole work is done, and whole wí11 is pleafedby it. And we muff alwaies refpeó it in both thefe notions infepa- rably. No Duty is not a Means ;. and no true Means is not a Duty; bnt many Teem to man to have the aptitude of a Means, whichareno duty but a fin ; becaule we fee not all things, and therefore are apt to think that.fi"t, which is pernicious. 37. Therefore nothing muff be thought a truc Means to any good end, which Cod forbiddeth :. For God knoweth "bet- ter than we. 38: But we mutt Ice that the negative or prohibition be witiOerfal, os- indeed cxtendeth:to our particular. cafe : and then
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