336 Anfwer to the plea, I dó what I can. that we were Co taken withal! ? How many times have our spi- rits been wonderfully affeCted in the hearing of the word, but what pains have we taken for the obtaining of that, which we defire fo ftrongly after, Luke 14. t 5, Bleff'ed is he that fhali eat tread in the kingdosne of God : Here they were mightily ta- kenwith the miracle that Chrift had wrought,but it did vanith quickly, they were not truly taken with the things of the Go- fgel, for the Text faith, they minded their efiates and outward enjoyments more then the offer of mercy; fo many they come to hear the word, and are taken wich ir, but it doch not flirre them to purpofe : This will lie fad upon the confciences of many thoufands another day, that three things were no more obferved, and taken notice of by them : But you will fay, what would you have us do, we do what we can, we'can- not do more,we do what we can for our lives: --- It is well if you do fo, but let me propound two or three things to you Take heed of the dangerouinefs of this plea. Firft, You fay you do What you can, will it prove fo in the end, can you go into the pretence ofGod and fay thus, Lord I have done what I can,there is no means but that I have made ufe of to attain grace, and yet I cannon find ir,' and no ocher means there is that I know to be made ufe of, Lord I have done what I can :Go into the prefence of God and their flith- fully examine your hearts,and fee whether you have done your uttermnft, canft thou fay, that in the morning when I arife, I arife with a fpirituall heart, when I was up, I went to prayer, to Peek God for my felfe, and my family, but yet,I cannot find my heart to as I defire, and I pray that the Lord would keep my heart dole with him,and after prayer I had a watchfull eye over my heart and thoughts, and over ali my words and acts.- ons, that they might be holy, that they might be fuch as are warrantable by the rule, and what opportunity thou Lo: d didit afford me for nay fouls good, I did take ir, at night can you fay, you have done this, can you fay fo to God, to men it may be you can fay fo, .and put them eafily off; But can you tell God, that from the morning to the evening you have done fo, how comfortably might you live were you really earneft in this ; how
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