Burgess - Houston-Packer Collection BT715 .B85 1652

S n C r. V. of theNew Creature. n63 Eightly , This New Creation eppofeth elfo thofe old religious approaches S.Toold roll_ unto God : They doe not pray , hear, as they were wont: Not that they guns apóca change theft ionicuted Ordinances ofGod as they doe when they come out of Idolatry and Superflition : But in theft refpeets there is a great alteration made. r. Whereas they thought the veryexternall Dutieswere enough to commendthem to God , and upon this ground they prayed, came to Church, received Sacra- ments : Now they fee they were deceived, and judge all nothing without an in- ward change of theheart, and anoutward reformation in the life. Obferve the Apofìle Galatians the y. Where having laid the fame thing in the Text, That Circumcifion and uncircumcifion availeth nothing , but Faith Working by dove, He prefently addeth, This perfivafion cometh not of him tbaa calteth you: That is, this perfwafion that external Duties are all the ferviceGod requi- reth, that helooketh after nomore, this doch not come from God who lath called us, for heenlightens our minds, and fpiritualizethour hearts to worship him in fpi- rit and truth. 2. There is a glorious change elfo made inmanner of tbefeduties : Before he prayed and heardperfunitorily , he came after a cultomary manner , doing thefe duties without the fenfe of fin; a broken heart, and groansunutterable t but now he is fervent in [pint , ferving the Lord : fo that a new creature leaveth not onely his former old Lofts and fins, but his former way of performing all religious duties. Ufe of Inttruétion, How few are new Creatures? For in how many mens lives doe you fee their old fins, their old lofts ? Their Duties , and folemu Worfhipof God is done with no more fear , inward and fpirituall deport- ment of foul. That which thou glorieft in, That thou art no changeling, it is thy flame. As this body muff be changed er'e it can inherit immortality, andglory, fo thy foul mull be changed ere it can come to everlafting happi- nets. What is more miferable then to fee an old man withhis old fins upon him , as ignorant as he was threefcore years ago ? The fame Oaths , the fame Curies as he had ufed fifty years ago : Oh thou great God of heaven, make this Truth fall like The Coal from the dllta'r , to touch Not their Toupees only , but hearts, SE RM.

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