S114 Mr. Sermon. A third Rule that men would fet up , is, The general court` of the world , or place, the generality of thofe where they live : This was that the Popifh Partie d:d often men- tion to the Witneffes of Jefus Chrift ; what ? will you be wifer then others ? can't you do as others do ? mutt you be fingular ? And this is a takeing rule for to make you con- formable to thofe things poilibly the word of God will not warrant if you bring not this cuftome to the word of God : 'tis not what the moil do , but what we may do : 'tis not what is the praaife of all in general , but what ought to be the fingular care, andPcria holineffe of Chriflians in particular, that the word o' God will allow : Chriflians are not to be confor- mable to the prefent world.Rom. z.t bcftecb you therefore breathren, by the mercies ofGod,that ye prefectyour bodies a livingfacrifice holy,ac- ceptable unto God,which is your relaxablefervice. The word will tell You it is no more fafe to follow a multitude to do evil, then it will be fweeter tobe in Hell with a great companie: The word will let you know the fecrets of the Lord are with a very few and thofe them that fear him : as for the whole world it lies in wickedneffe : The word v i I tell you, The waies of Jefus Chrift, and the profeffion of Jefus Chift, is commonly called a Sect; it is every where fpoken againfl,and men hate it every where: Therefore fet up this Rule in your hearts, in your houfes inyour meditation, in your pradife. Rule 2.: Bevery well rooted and eflablifhed in the faith that hath been de- livered to you. I obferve it's one of the great reafons why Chrillians foeafily let go the profeilion they havemade, is, becaufe they were never well built upon it,nor eflablifhecl in it. There are manic Chri- -tians tlmt through their own itchingears , heaping up. Teachers to thernfelves ; have never been rooted or eltablifhed in truth; the Lord pitty them and keep them this day : Many ('hr-fttans that have attended to eflablifhing tpeans , yet never ter o: ;fly `confidered , nor laid things to their heart, but are like thole the A pale fraks of Heb. 5. 12. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers , ye have need that one teach you again, which be the fi-lt principles of the Oracles of God, and become fuch as need,( 7714ik. and not offironl meat. How manyamong us profefs with the higheii,hut have little ground for their faith? only (with the Jews) the Traditions of the Elders, the cuftome of the place, Education, and
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