SE R M 0 N lV. · (2.) Sins commi::ted againfi the Love as \yeH :tS the Law of God, are excecdin h· aggra:ared. To prevcn ~ the Br:nefits we receive from God to his DiOwnm::r, to t~rn then~ 1nto occafions of ~m, whtch were defigncd to endear Obedience to us; to fin lic:nrwufly and fec.ur.ely m hopes of an e~fy Pardon at Jail:,, is intcnfive 0f our Guift in :t lugh degree. TillS JS to ~oyfon the Ant:Gote, .ond make It deadly. There is a Socrifice to n:concde offendcd-Julhce; but tfMen ob(hnately contJnllC in Sin, antl abufe the Grace of the Gofpel, there is no Sacrifice to appcafc cxafpcratcd Mercy. (3.) Sins committed againfl: folemn ~romifCs rrnd Engagements to forfll.:e them hove a deeper Die: for Perfidioufnefs is jom'd witl< this Difobedience. The Divine La~~ flrietly binds us to our Duty,. onteeedently to ourConfent; but when we promjfc to obey Lt, we mcreafe our OblJgatJOns, and by !inmng, break double Chains. Jn fhort, aoy habitual allowed Sin, induces a heavy Guilt; for it argues a deeper root and foundation of Sin in the Heart, a fironger Inclination to it, from whence the rcpeatedACl:s proceed, which are new Provocations to the pure Eyes of God. Accordinoly in repenting RefleCtions, our Sorrow fl10uld be mofl: affliCting, our Humiliation de~per, our SelfcondemnatiOn mofl fcvere for thole Sms wluch have been mofl dilhonourable to God and defiling to us. Not that \VC can make any Satisfaction for our Sins, tbo' \•.:e fhouJJ fill the Air with our Sighs, and Heaven with 011r Te~rs; but it becomes us to have our Sorrows inlarged in feme proportion to our UnworthinefS. And this mournful DifpoGtiolt prepares us for the Grocc of God. The Low does not allow Repcnmnce, but exa~s entire Obedience : 'tis the Privileg~ of the Gofpel, that repenting Sinners are affur'd of Forgivcnefs: without this Quohficotion 'tis inconfificnt with the Majefly, Purity and Ju!hcc of God, to extend pardoning Mercy to Sinners : for tl1ey will never value, nor humbly and ardently feek for Mercy, till they feel the woful EffeCts of Sin in their Conleiencc : only the ftung lfraelite would look to the Brazen Serpent, And th is is rcquilitc to prevent our relapling into Sin : fOr the Dominion of Sin being founded in the Love ofPieafure, the proper means to.cx'tinguifh, it is by a bitter Repcnroncc: the Heart is firfl brpkcn for Sin, and then /rom it. To conclude; Let us renew our Repentance every day: let not the Wounds of our SPirits putrify: let not the Sun go down upon God's Wrath: let us always renew the Ap. plication of Chrifl:'s Blood that olone can clcanfe us from Sin. SERMON IV. I JOHN V. :z_. 'By , thi< ••e k!ww we are the Chi!drw of Cod, if we love Cod , and kstp his Commandments. 0 F all the. Marks that ore ufeful in the Trial of our Spiritual State in reference to Eternity, there is none afford• o more clear and comfortable AiTurance of God's fpeeial ond lavmg Mercy, than Love to the Saints. This has often refolvcd the Doubts, and quieted the Fears ot afflicted enquiring Souls, when other Graces have not been fo apprchenf1ble in their Operations. But there is no Mark which the deceitful Heart does more fccurely reil: upon, through the miflake of Natural Human Love for rhat winch is Spiritual and Divine: It is therefore mofi worthy our ferious Thoughts,, the Deceit being !o cafy and infinitely dangerous, to lhcw what is the unfeigned genmne Love of the Brethren, to which Salvation is annex,d, to confirm the humble fmcere Chnfban, and undeecive prefuming Hypocrites. . .. rhcT~~v~'~'f' g~~~~:~J ~{i;~;~~et\;';~n~P;~~e~,&~ t~o~c;~he~fi~c"ng~~=s:"a;~u-~~;~~: Sum of the Law, our prindpal Perfections in Heaven and ~arch. ~hefc he recom· mends by the mofi atfection:1te and obliging, the mo~ w~r~mg, ~~Itmt? Perf\vafives; the fuperlativc Love of God to us, and our C01runumon With the Sa1nts m Nature and ~~ fu
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