188 DireEionsforgetting and keeping oeptions, or apprehen f ons. of the mind, do lead about the foul, andguide the life. I conclude therefore with this important and im- portunate reque(l to you, That though it 6e a duty neceffary in its time and place, to ex.zrnine our (elver concerningourfincerity,inour %everalgraces andduties to God ; yet befure that thefire and far greater part ofyour time, and pains, and care, and inquiries, be for thegetting and increa,lingofyour grace, then for the difcerning it; and toperformyour du:y rightly, then to diftern your right performance. And when you confer withMiniffersor others that may teach you, fee that you ask ten times at leaft, Hots fhould I get or increafe myfaith, my love to Cbrifl, and to his peo- ple ? for once that you ask, Hotsfhall I know that I believeor love? Yet fo contrary hath been, and Rill is the praftice of moil Chriftians among us in this point, that I have heard it twenty times asked, Hovo ¡hall I know that I truly love the Brethren ? for once that I have heard it demanded : HoW fhouid I bring my heart to love thembetter ? And the like I may fay of love to Chrift himfelf. I fhould next have fpoke of the fecond part ofthe Direction, Ho* much our Aurance and Comfort *Nitadependon our A5lual obedience. But this will fall in inhandling the two or three next following Diretions. DIRE
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