THE ABSOLUTE bOMIN1ON the spring of faith, and so move the first wheel of Christian love; we should find it the readiest and surestmeans to move the inferior wheels of duty. The flaws and irregular motions without do show that something is amiss within, which, ifwe could rectify, we might the easier mend the rest. I shall suppose, therefore, that I need no more apology for choosing such a subject at such a season as this, than for bringing bread to a feast. And if I medicate the brain and heart, for the curing of senseless paralytic members, or the inor- dinate convulsivemotions of any hearers, I have the warrant of the apostle's example in my text. Among other great enormities in the church of Corinth, he had these three to reprehend and heal: First, their sidings and divisions,occasioned by some factious, self - seeking teachers. Secondly, their personal contentions by law- suits, and that before unbelievii g judges. Thirdly, the foul sin of fornication, which some among them had fallen into. The great cure which he useth to all these, and more especially to the last, is the urging of these great foundation truths, whereof one is in the words before my text, viz. the right of the HolyGhost; the other, in the words ofmy text, which contains, first, a denial of any right ofpropriety in themselves. Secondly, an asserting of Christ's pre- priety in them.. Thirdly, the proof of this from his purchase, which is his title. Fourthly, their duty, concluded from the for- mer premises, which is to glorify God, and that with the whole man, with the spirit, because God is a Spirit, and loathes hypocri- sy ; with the body, which is particularly mentioned, because it seems they were encouraged to fornicátien by such conceits, that it was but an act of the flesh, and not of the mind, and,'therefore, as they thought, thesmaller sin. The apostle's words, from last to first, according to the order of intention, do express, first, man's duty to glorify God with soul and body, and not to serve our lusts. Secondly, the great fundamental obligation to this 'duty, God's do- minion or propriety. Thirdly, the foundation of that dominion, Christ's purchase. According to the order of execution, from first to last, these three great fundamentals of our religion lie thus : First, Christ's purchase. Secondly, God's propriety thence aris- ing. Thirdly, man's duty wholly to glorify God, arising from both. The argument lies thus : they that are not their own, but wholly God's, should whollyglorify God, and not serve their lusts ; but you are not your own, but wholly God's; therefore you should wholly glorify God, and not serve Your lusts. The major is clear by the common light of nature. Every one should have the use of their own. The minor is proved thus : they that are bought with a price, are not their own, but his that bought them ; but you are bought with a price; therefore, &c. For 'the meaning of the termsbriefly ; iaulwv, vestri, as the vulgar ; vestri furic, as Beza
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