Durham - BV4615 D87 1732

can x. 12. IJ Now, if we will all ferioufly refle &, and look about "' us, how few, how very few are there to be found, who can anfwer thefe queftions affirmatively, in any accept- able meafure ? who, alas ! can fay they have done all they fhould, or even might have done, as to matter and manner, from right principles and motives, to a right end ? that they have ufed all means, without omitting any ; that they have given all diligence; that they have made ufe of Chrift's ftrength, and been Jingle and f n. cere, Ere. in their performances ? And yet, when all this in fomeway done, ye muff yet anfwer one or two yueiions more, ere ye can have fold peace and joy from the good teffimony of your Confcience ; i . Whether were ye proud and conceity in the performing of fuch and filch duties ? for, if that dead flie come in on the doing of the Neff duties, it will make all to ¡link And yet oft-times Chriffians fpoil their duties, and very much deprive themfelves of the joyful teffimony of their Confcience, even when they have been right for matter and manner, by their being vain, conceity and proud of them. zdly, Whether have ye wafhen your bell duties in the blood of Chrifc ? for, if this be wanting, it will greatly Carr your peace and joy. Now, I would again ask you, If ye can fay, that your duties have been conform to thefe reguifites ? if nor, how is it that ye are fo fecure, and can alledge that ye have a good Confcience ? or, bow can you fo confidently expect peace and joy from its teffimony ? or think ye nothing to proffitute, and (as it were) to make a bachel of this excellent thing, the teffimony of a good Confcience, as if ye could take it up (in a manner) at your foot ? Ah ! is there nothing that can make a crack in, or a breach upon, your peace of Confcience ? Ye will po%bly fay, that ye have all finned ; if fo, how can ye have peace to ly down in fin ? it is true, the Pimple having of fin, when it fui- tably affe &s, fhould not quite marr and bereave a per - fon of the teffimony of a good Confcience, where grace is in the truth of it, and there is finceriry and fingle- nefs in endeavouring to be in cafe, affirmatively, in forne meafure to anfwer the queffions before propofed ; but

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