PART IL to dillinguifh 4fet ons. 3 9 about, and will be likely to Thew that Earneftnefs in their Talk and Behaviour ; as the greater Part of the 'Jews, in all 'Judea and Galilee, did for a while, about 'John the Baptfl's Preaching and Baptifm,when they were willing for a Seaton to rejoice in his Light : A mighty ado was made, all over the Land, and among all forts of Perfoes, about this great Prophet and his Miniftry. And fo the Multitude in like Manner, often manifefted a great Earneftnefs, and mighty Engaged - nefs of Spirit, in every Thing that was external, about Chrift and his Preaching and Miracles, being aftonij?ed at his Dotlrine, anon with 'Joy receiving the Word, following him, fometimes Night and Day, leaving Meat, Drink and Sleep to hear him ; once following him into the Wihiernefs, faffing three Days going, to hear him ; fometimes crying him up to the Clouds, laying, Never Man Bake like this Man l being fervent and earneft in what they Paid. But what did thefe Things come to, in the greater Part of 'em ? A Perfon may be over-full of Talk of his own Experiences; com- monly falling upon it, every where, and in all Companies ; and when it is fo, it is rather a dark Sign than a good rune. As a Tree that is over-full of Leaves feldom bears muchFruit : And a5. aCloud, tho to Appearance very pregnant and full of Water, if it brings with it overmuch Wind, feldom affords much Rain to the dry and thinly Earth : Which very Thing the holy Spirit is pleated feveral Times to make ufe of, to reprefent a great Shew of Religionwith theMouth, without anfwerable Fruit in the Life : Prov. 25. rq.. Whole boafleth hmle f of afade Gít, is like Clouds and Wind without Rain. And the Apoftle 'Jude, (peaking of Tome in the primitive Times, that crept in unawares among the Saints, and having a great Shew of Religion, were for a While not fufpeceted, I'hefe are Clouds (lays he ) without Water, carried about of Winds, Jude v. 4, and 12. And the Apoffle Peter, (peaking of the fame, Pays, 2 Pet. 2. 17. Thefe are Clouds without Water, carried with a Tempe/I. Falle Affedtions, if they are equally ftrong, are much more forward to declare themfelves, than true. Becaufe 'tis the Nature of falle Religion, to affedt Shew and Obfervation ; as it was with the Pha- rifees. 4- IV. 'Tis 1- That famous experimental Divine Mr. Shepard, lays, cc A cG Pharifee's Trumpet (hall be heard to the Town's End ; " when Simplicity walks thro' the Town unfeen. Hence a 66 Man will fometimes covertly commend himfeif ( and myfèlf cc ever comes in.) and tells you a long Story of Converfion cc And an hundred to one if fome Lie or other flip not out with tc it. Why the fecret Meaning is, Ipray admire me. Hence D q. 66 complain
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