570 C)IARACTER OF A SOUND, thekingdom of God and his righteousness;" Matt. vi. 33. 9.20. 21. In these three (his highest estimation, his resolved choice and complacencies, and his chief endeavors) he taketh his standing, constant evidences ofhis sincerity, toConsist ; and by these he trieth himself as to his state, and not by,the passionate feelings or affec- tions of his heart ; nor by his memory, or gifts, or orderly thinking or expression. And it is these rational operations of his soul, in which he kñoweth that holiness doth principally consist; and therefore he most laboreth to be strong in these : 1. To ground his judgment well ; 2. And to resolve and fixhis will ; 3.- And to order his conversation aright ; (Psal. 1. 23.) yet highly valuing sensible affections and gifts of utterance, but in subserviency to those which are the vital acts; 1 COI. xiii. Rom. vii. 18, &c. vi. 16. 22. Rom. viii. 13. James ii. Col. i. 9. iii. 16. 2. But the weak Christian usually placeth most of his religion in the . more affectionate and 'expressive part : he striveth more, with his heart for passionate apprehensions, than for complacency and fixed resolution, He is often in doubt of his sincerity, when he wanteth the feeling, affectionate workings whichhe desireth, &c. ; thinketh he hath no more grace than that he bathsensibility of ex- pressive gifts ; and so, as he buiideth his comfort upon these incon- stantsigns, his comforts, are accordingly- inconstant. Sometimes he thinketh he bath gra4ce, when his body, or other advantages do help the excitationof his lively àffections and when the dullness of his body, or other impediments, hinder.this, he questioneth his grace again, because he understandeth not aright ,the nature and chiefest acts ofgrace. . 3. The hypocrite bath neither the rational nor the passionate part of sincerity ; but he may go much further in the latter than the former. A quick and passionate nature, though unsanctified, maybe brought to shed more tears, and express more fervor,`than many a holy person can; especially upon the excitation of some quickening sermons, or some sharp affliction, qr great conviction, or at the approach of death. Few of the most holy persons can constantly retain so lively, fervent, passionate repentings, and de- sires, and resolutions to -amend, as sotne camal persons have in sickness. The power of fear alone doth make themmore earnest than love maketh many a gracious soul ; but when the fear is over, they are the same again. How oft have I heard a sick man most vehemently profess his resolutions for a holy life, which all, have come to nothing afterward ! How oft have I heard a common drunkard, with tears, cry out against himself for his sin, andyet go on in it! And how many gracious persons have I known whose judgments and wills have been groundedly resolved for God and holiness, and their lives have been holy, fruitful, and obedient, who
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