&)errraon 4 but the utter negle &of thefe things, a conniving at them, and indifferency, whether the requifites be or not, a not wrefling and flriving in the firength of Chrift againfl fin, and to get duties fuitably performed in the fame frength, a not feeking to have mens bell duties wafhen (as I faid) in the blood of the Lamb ; cannot but quite deprive of the tef£imony of a good Confcience, and al- together oflbru& the peace and joy that flow from it. A believer indeed not allowing himfelf in his íhort- comings in thefe things called for, and making fre- quent application to Chrift, for flrength to do better, and for pardon of what is wrong, and walking humbly in the fenfe of his failings and short-comings, may have peace, even though in many things he fail and come fhort s and tho' there be force mixture of corruption going a- long with grace, and of hypocrify with his fincerity, in his bell duties ; as we may fee in the apoflle Paul, aaho had a law in his members (which he moft fadly bemones, Rom. 7.) rebelling againft the law of his mind; even when he had this teflimony of a good Confcience, and much peace and joy refulting from it : But a fecure impenitent firmer can never have the teffimony of a good Confcience, nor any the leaft meafure of that folid joy or peace that flows from it ; for (as the prophet Ijaiab faith, Chap 57. y. lafl) There is no peace to the wicked, faith my God. SERMON V. Cor. r. i z. For our rejoicing is this, the tef%into; ny of our Confcience, that in fimplicity and godly fincerity, not with flefhly wifdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our converfa- tion in the world, and more abundantly to you- wards.. Triere are many duties, and pieces of Chrifliani- ty, whereof the world neither knows the ex -- cellency,
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