Dio in vita. Heneethat faying of the Jews, Re- move thy Pelf from filthinels, , and from all that which hath a fhew of it. See Drams pre-. erit, in Their. . 224 ii Box of precious Ointment Or, in a fpecial manner ferviceable to the Lord, they mull avoid not only that which is plain fin, downright fin, or fuch fins that men may run and read,, but al fo that they mull thin and be thy of the very appearances of fin. It was good counfel that Livia gave her husband Atigrefitt4, It lehoveth thee (laid the) not only not to do wrong, but not to Teem to do fo, &c. We mutt flrin and be thy of the very thew and - fhadow of fin, if either we tender our credit abroad, or our comfort at home,walk- ing in the power of holinefs lyes much in fltinning the very appearance of fin. The Primitive Chrillians would not en- dure that any Chriflian should look towards fermfalem pray- ing, becaufe they would avoid the leaf} thew of Jadaifm. And indeed there are great reaforis why every Chriftian should avoid whatever may have the fufpition of fin ; and this will be evident, if you pleafe but ferioufly to confider of thefe eight following particulars. Firft, Confider thofe clear and plain commandS of God which makes this duty to be a duty, as that r Thef 5. az. Ab.- 'lain from all appearance of evil. God requires us not only to a bflain from all apparent fins, but alfo from all appearance of fin ; we muff do nothing which hath a Phew or shadow of fin; 'tis duty to abflain from whatever, is of an ill thew, or an report.- And fo God commands us to hate the garment fpOtted with the flefh, Jude 23. Saints muff abhor every thing that carries with it but a favour or fufpition of unclean., nefs. The Apoftle alludes to legal uncleannefs, ,which was contra6ted by touching the houfes, the veffels, or the gar- ments ofunclean perfons, Levit. 15. Chriftians mull not only hate uncleannefs, but they mutt hate every thing that looks like it, or that has the lead communion with it. So in that Deist. 12. 3 o. Take heed to thy fel f that thou be not fnared, by following of them, after that they be deflroyed from before thee, and that thou enquire not after their gods, faying, how did there Na. tions ferve their gods? even fo will I da likewife. God does not only command his people to abflain from grofs Idolatry, but he alfo'commands them to take heed of all thofe wayes and means, and enquiries that might tend to draw them to Ido- latry
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