Durham - BV4615 D87 1732

on Romans 9. r. 197 not only reparable, but are often aetuaIly feparated, the one from the other, not only in natural, but even in re- generate men, as frequent experience puts beyond de- bate ; We had need (I fay) to be the more watchful, both as to the matter and manner of our doing, left we be at a loft of the teftimony of Confcience for us : And none would think it be as eafy a bufinefs to keep a good Confcience, as to the manner of performing of duty, as it is to do fo, as to the matter of it. How many; come to the Church, but without due preparation, and without having a heart ready to hear what God will fay to them, and meddle with other duties, without regarding the due manner of performing them ? We might inftance it in all there fix forts of anions we (poke of the other day, in all which there is a propenfenefs in us naturally to degenerate, and go befide the rule ; as namely, I. In natural anions, of eating and drinking, or of loving hull band, or wife, or children, men may be very farnal, de- generate, and become like very beafts. z. In civil a- Etions, as buying and bargaining, wherein men may turn bafely covetous, felfy, and feeking their own things, and not the honour of God, nor the good and advantage of others. . In moral actions, as fpeaking truth, dealing fairly a44 honeftly ; wherein men may turn legal, proud and vain, and leek to effablifh a felf- righteoufnefs thereby to themfelves, 4. In external religious actions, as hearing the word, praying, &c. wherein men may -turn hypocritical and formal, having a thew without Çubftance, and a form of godlinefs without the power of it. 5. In inward duties, as repentance, contentment, Ç"c. wherein men may turn worldly and carnal; therefore á wordly repentance from fear of punifhment or of flame in the world, or worldly furrow that caufeth death, is fpoken of, 2 Cor. 7. i .o. So there is a worldly contentment. 6. In paffive a &ions or fuffe- rings ; fame may fuffer from inevitable rzecefiity, and have no thanks for it, as it is, I Pet, z. 20. We may, from the unftraightnefs of the end to which, from the pnfoundnefs of the principle from whicb, from the nu- faitablenefs of the motive by which' duties are done, N and

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