on 2r COI. I. 12 263 judged, either this or that way, is but a (mall thing, as the apoftle fpeaks, z Cor. 4. 3. Sincerity puts a man to aim at holinefs and a conformity to God, and fuffers him not to think it enough to have no challenge, but to try if there be ground for it. A third ground (which is ne- gative) is in the nex words, not with jlefhly wifdom, but (as if he faid) with fpiritual wifdom, with that wif- dom which is from above: For, tho' flefhly wifdom be decried, yet fo is not fpiritual wifdom ; it being a great help to a circumfpeE Chriftian walk, as we Phew from thefe words, Eph. 5. Valk circurnfpelily, not only as fools, but as wife, redeeming the time. And it is nothing elfe but fpiritually watchful and frugal catching hold of, q,nd im- proving every opportunity of doing good, and of ap- pearing for God, and the promoting of his intereft within us and without us, as he calls us to it; wifely to obferve, and watchfully to guard againfL, whatever may be a di- verfion to us from our main work, and to ffrike in with what may further us in it, fo that nothing may wound or marr our peace, Thus holy yob bath fume peace from this; I was, not (faith he) in fafety, neither had I re(l, neither was I quiet, yet trouble came. It is force eafe to his mind, to refle& on his fpiritually wife, and thrifty improving of his time, when his great trouble fell on him, that he was not fecure, but praying, and offering facrifice for himfelf and his family. A fourth ground is the a&ing and exercifing of grace, by the grace of God (faith the apoftle) that is, I had more than a natural principle exercifed in my doing of duty; I did not things in my own ftrength, but God was depended on, and acknowledged, and his help fought and found. Where we may take notice, That the right improving of grace is the main ground of the good teftimony of a good Confcience, and a notable help to attain it ; not only the having of our nature renewed, but our having grace in exercife; to be praying in the Spirit, praifing in the Spirit, hearing in faith, and walking up and down in his name ; not lippening to ourfelves, and to our own ftrength, but to him, and to the ftrength of his grace. A fifth ground is, That, when all this is in Tome meafure win at, a man be making Confcience of exami- nüig
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