PART III. ofgracious Ale ions: 269 himfelf, even as he ispure. Andye know that he was manifefledto take away our Sins, and in himwas noSin. Whofoever abideth in him,finneth not. his Commandments, and his Commandments are not grievous. If Men live in a Way of Difohedience, they have not a Spirit of Faith ; for Faith fan6tifies Men ; Ads 26. 68. 4'anaifed by Faith that is in me. If Men live in aWay of Difobedience, they are not Chrift's Sheep ; for his Sheep hear his Voice ; fohn 10. 27. Men that live in a Way of Difobedience are not born of God ; r John 3. 9. He that is born of Godfinneth not. Men that live in a Way of Difobedience are the Ser- vants of Sin ; John 8. 34. He that committeth Sin is the b er- vant of Sin. A Courfe of external Sin is an Evidence of Hypocrify ; whether it be a Sin of Omiffion or Commiflion. If Men live in the Neglect of known Duties, or in the Prac- tice of known Evils, that will be their Condemnation ; let the Sin be what it will ; let it be Prophanefs, Uncleanefe, Lying or Injuftice. - - - -If Men allow themfelves in Malice, Envy, wanton Thoughts, prophane Thoughts, that will con- demn them ; though thofe Corruptions 'don't break out in any fcandalous Way. Thefe Thoughts are an Evidence of a rotten Heart ; Tit. 3. 3. We ourfelves were fometimes foohfh, difobedient, deceived, ferving divers Lulls and Pleafures, living in Malice, and Envy, hateful, and hating one anothar. If a Man allows himfelf, tho' he thinks he doth not, in Malice and Envy, he is an Hypocrite : Tho' his Confcience difal- lows it, yet if his Heart allows it, he is no Saint. - --- -Some make Pretences to Godlinefs, whereby they do not only de- ceive others, but (which is a great deal worfe) deceive them- felves allo : But this will condemn them, that they live in a Courfe ofSin, and fo muff go with ungodly Men ; Pfal. 125. 5. As for fuck as turn glide unto their crooked Pays, the. Lord will lead themforth with the Workers ofIniquity. If there be a great Change in a Man's Carriage, and he be reformed in le- veral Particulars, yet if there be one evil Way, the Man is an ungodlyrvlan : where there isPiety there is univerfal Obe- dience. A Man may have great Infirmities, yet be a godly Man. So it was with Lot, David, and Peter : But if he lives in a Way of Sin, he don't render his Godlinefs only fuf- picious, but it is full Evidence againft him. Men that àre godly haveRefped to all God's Commandments ; Pfal. 119. 6. There be a great many Commands, and if there be one of them that a Man has not Refpet unto, he will be put CC to
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