0 ,i1Box of precious Ointment 04 2 diate relation to the holinefs of God, who only obferves them, and is offended by them, and fo is-a moll Pure and in- fallible evidence of laving Grace, and of the work of the fpi- rit in power upon the Soul. When open cot-millions do humble and abafe the heart, and fecret inclinations tolin do even break and burl} the heart afunder, then the heart is certainly fincere with God., A Chriflian will readily grant that his God is a good God, and that Jefus Chili+ is the chief- , el+ of ten thoufand, and that the Gofpel is a glorious Gofpel, and that the Promifes are precious Promifes, and that the Ordinances are bleffed Ordinances, and that the lively com- munion of Saints is the S weeteft communion in all the world. But yet he will fay, I have fuch a proud heart, fuch a hard heart, fuch -a flight heart, filch a carnal heart, &c. and I am fo vexed and molt: fled with finful motions, and with finful imaginations, and with finful inclinations,and with Atheifli- cal rifings, and with private murmurings, and with fecret unbelievings, and that in defpite of all my conflictings, and firivings, and prayings, and mournings, and fighings, and groanings, and complainings, that I am oftentimes even weary of my life : And if this does not (peak out Chrill within, and grace within, and the Spirit within Inch a Soul, I know nothing. 0 friends ! remember this once for all, viz,. That themain Battle, the main warfare of a Chriffian lyes not in the open field, it Iyes not in vifible skirmifhes, but his main quarrels and conflias are moll within, and his wort+ and greatell enemies are them of his own houfe, they are them of his own heart, A little grace at firft 'converfi- on, may reform an ill life ; but it mull be a great deal of grace that mull reform an ill heart. A little grace may matke a man viaorious over outward grofs fins, but it mull be a great deal of grace that mull make a man viaorious over inward fins, fecret fins, fpiritual fins, heart fins, yea, a through conquell of thefe fins will bold a man play all his dayes. But, 6. Sixthly, He that abflains from fin, he whole heart riles af,aina fin, he that fens himfelf againft fin, becaufe of the evil nature
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