\--~~~~~~~----~~------ 174 · · · TheSaints -.....,.--.- / prayer,(See1onahs3.) 8.andwithout whichall other abH:inences, aufreriti~s and outward formes of hu- . miJiation, are but fruirleffe and Pharifaicall, (S:ee . !fa. ·58. ltfatth. 6.) wee may looke tor fpiriruall . ··pJague5,more hardndfe ofheart,blindneffe ofmind, benummedneffe and fearedneffeof confcience,~&c. The leaO: ofwhich is far, nay incomparably worfer . than all theplague~ ofEgypt~ The more excellent . ·ordinance it is:. that Js prophaned and abufed by. us · the m.ore fpirituall miferies andmifchiefes it bring~ upon our COules. Ifany after this exercife returne with the dog eo his vomit, . and with· the fow to wallow in themir~ and mud againe ofhis lufts and . finfull pleafures, his drunkenneffe, coveroufndfe; r wrong-_doing, &:c. let him Iooke to bee far worfe . · h~reafcer:> and ma'1y times more the ~hild of the devi.llthan heewasbefore in many refpetts, unlelfe he by teares feeke repentance, and by prayers en– devour amendment• . -4lt would beagreatfhame andgriefe unto us not . ,: to keepe touch with men, nor to bee men of our words: with extraordinary rendernelfe and fame kindofcurioficyweeare ;ealous ofourcredits and good name inthat regard. What an horrible fhanie then, and finne iiit to breake our covenants with almighty God, fith in this point, notonelyourrepuration, but falvation lies at the ft~ke. . 56od himfelfe on his part makes a fure covenant with us : and therefore ought wee to Iearn·eand labour for our part to be·faithfull andconftant in keeping o'Qt vowes, promifes, and covenantswith him. See the conftancyofhis covenant, I fa. 5 4-.10· and
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