A choice Bed of Spices. 273 do, yet knowing that his defires and endeavours is to pleafe him andferve him, he will not be harfh, rigid, fovvre or fe- vere towards him, but will fpare him and exercife much ten- dernefs and indulgence towards him ; and will God, will God whole mercies reach above the heavens, and whole com- pillions are infinite, and whole love is like -himfelf, carry it worfe towards his children, than men do carry it towards theirs? furely no. God's fatherly indulgence accepts of the will for the work, Heb. 13.18. 2 Cor.8. It. As a father will accept in his child the defi re for the deed, and if there be a blemilh in his child, he will pity it, and call a mantle of love over it. A Fick man is not more defirous to be rid of all his difeafes, nor a prifoner to be freed from all his boles and chains, than the true penitent is defirous to be rid of all his fins, & c. Sixthly and laffly, In the ordinary declining, shunning, and avoiding of all known occasions, temptations, provoca- tions, inducements and irricements to fin, &c. That royal .Law, 1 Thef, 5. 2 2. Abitgin from all appearance of evil, is a Law that is very precious in a penitent man's eye, and commonly lyes warm upon a penitent man's heart ; fo that take him in his ordinary courfe, and you shall find him very ready to shun, and be fhie of the very appearances of fin, of the very thews and fhadows of fin. lob made a covenant with his eyes, 701) 3 t. i. and 7ofeph would not hearken to his bold tempt- ing Maris to lye by her, or to be with her, Geh. 39. lo. and David when himfelf would not fit with vain perfons ; 26. 3,4,5. and at another time he refufed to take the threlh= ing floor, Oxen and threfhing inftruments of Arxinah as a gift, but would buy them, becaufe he would avoid the very (hew of covetoufnefs, as fome conceive. 447in being often enfnared in imcle-annefs in his younger dayes (before his con- verfion) he was exceeding careful to avoid all occafions of it afterwards. Now a true penitential turning from all fin, lyes in thefe fix things, and therefore you had need look a- bout you; for if there be any one way of wickednefs where- in you walk, and which you,are refolved you will not forfake, Nn you See Jude 21. Exod, 2 3. 7. Pray. 22.;. & 27. 12. Pm, 1.8. 23221,24.10- - sal
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