294 DIRECTIONS FOR GETTING AND KEEPING ability of utterance in preaching, repeating, exhorting or praying; an ornate, plausible, winning deportment before men, such as is commonly called good breeding or manners ; an affected, humble, complimental familiarity and condescension, to creep into men's estimation and affections, and steal their hearts, &c. Many a one that is strong in saving grace, is weak in all these; and other the like. Now foi my reasons. L I conceive that it is nbt possible for any minister punctually to set down a discernible difference between the least measure of true.saving grace, and the highest degree of common grace ; and to say, just here it is that they part, or by this you may discern them. I do but say, I think so, because other men may know far more than I do ; but I will say it is as certain, that I am not able to do it, for my own part. This Much I can tell, that the least degree of grace that is saving, doth determine the soul for God and' Christ, against the world and f esh, that stand as competitors ; and so where Christ's interest prevaileth in the least measure, there is the least measure- of savinggrace. ,As when you are weighing two things in the balance, and at last make it so near even weight, that . one end is turned and no more : so when you are considering whether to be for Christ, or for the flesh and the world, and your will is but even a very little determined to Christ, and preferreth him; this is the least measure of saving grace. But then how a poor soul should discern this prevalent choice and determination of itself, is all the question: Fdr there is nothing.more easy and common than for men to think verily, that they prefer Christ above the creature, as long as no temptation doth assault them, nor sen- sual objects stand up in any considerable strength to entice them. Nay, wicked men do truly, ofttimes, purpose to obey Christ before the flesh, and to take him for their Lord, merely in the general, when they do,not know or consider the quality of his laws; that they are so strict and spiritual, and contrary to the flesh, and haz- ardous to theirworldly hopes and seeming happiness. But when it comes to particulars, and God saith, ' Now, deny thyself, and thy friend, And thy goods, and thy life for my sake ;.' alas, it was never his resolution to do it;. nor will he be persuaded to it. But he that said to God, who sends him to, labor in his vineyard, "I go, sir," when he comes to find the unpleasingness of the work, he goes not, nor ever sets a hand to it. So that it is evident that it is no true, saving resolution, or willingness,'which prevaileth not for actual obedience: Now, here comes- in the unresolvable doubt. What is the least measure ofobedience, that will prove a man truly willing and resolved, orto have truly accepted of Christ for his Lord? This obedience lieth in performing tvhat. is commanded,
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