3 r © The twelfth Sign PART III. Argument I. Reafon plainly fhews that thofe Things which put it to the Proof what Men will aétually cleave to and prefer in their PraEtice, when left to follow their own Choice and Inclinations, are the proper Trial what they do really prefer in their Hearts. Sincerity in Religion, as has been obferved already, confifts in fetting God higheft in the Heart, in chufing him before other Things, in having a Heart to fell all for Chrift, &c. - --. But a Man's AElions are the proper Trial what a Man's Heart prefers. As for Inftance, when it is fo that God and other Things come to $and in Competition,God is as it were let before a Man on one Hand, and his worldly Intereft or Pleafure on the other, ( as it often is fo in the Courfe of a Man's Life ) his Behaviour in fuch Cafe, in a&tually cleaving to the one and forfaking the other, is the proper Trial which he prefers. Sincerity conlifts in forfaking all for Chrift in Heart ; but to forfake all for Chrift in Heart, is the very fame Thing as to have an Heart to for- fake all for Chrift : But certainly the proper Trial whether a Man " A Man may know his prefent Union to the Lord Jefus, by a 6' Work ; i John 2. 4. He that faith I know him, and keeps " not hisCommandments, is a Lyar.-- -Yes that is true negatively; " but may a Man, ought a Man, to fee or know his Union " pofitively by this ? Anf. Verfe 5. Many faid they did know " and love the Lord, but he that keeps his Lords--O they are '' fweet ! It's Heaven to cleave to him in every Command ; " it's Death to depart from any Command : Hereby know we " that we are in him. If it were pofìîble to afk of Angels, how " they know they are notDevils, they would anfwer, theLord's " Will is ours." Shepard's Par. Part I. p. 134. " If the Queftion be, Whom doth the Lord Jefus love ; you " need not go to Heaven for it, the Word is nigh thee, T'hofe " that love Chrifi ? Who are thofe ? Thole that keep Ibis Com- " mandments." Shepard's Par. Part I. p. 138. " Will you have Chrift fit in Heaven,and not look that he fubdue t4 your Lufts by the Work of his Grace, and fo fway your " Hearts ? You defpife his Kingdom. then. Do you Peek for " Pardon in the Blood of Chrift, and never look for the Vertue GC and End of that Blood to wafh you and make you without 64 Spot, &c. ? You defpife his Priefthood and Blood then. Do ' you look forChrift to doWork for you,and you not doChrift's Work, and bring forth Fruit to him ? You defpife his Ho- cc pour then, yam 15. 8. If I were to difcover a Hypocrite, or a falle Heart, this I would fay, It is he that (hall fet up 4' Chrift, but loath his Work," Shepard's Parable Part I. p. 140. has
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