pireá. T. .arc :atiin. 2r ments of love to God, and our neighbour, that there is none other commandment greater than thefe, and twat on them hang all the law and the prophets, Natth xii 36, 38, 39, 40. Mark xii. 3 i. The fecond thing contained in this introdutlory direction, is the necefiiity of learning the powerful and effeaual means, whereby this great and excel- lent end may be accomplithed, and of making this the firit work to be done, before we can caged Puce cefs in any attempt for the attainment of it. This is an advertiferrent very needful; becaufe many are apt to tkip over the left' n concerning the means (that will fill up this whole treatife) as fuper thous and ufelefs. When once they know the Mature and excellency of the duties of the law, they account nothing wanting but diligent perform- ance ; and they ruth blindly upon immediate prat. tice, making more hafte than good fpeed. They are quick in promifing, Exod. xix. 8. All that the Lord bath jpoken, we will do, without fitting down, and counting the colt. They look upon ho linefs as only the means of an end of eternal fal. $ration ; riot as an end itfelf, requireth any great Means'for'attaining the practice of it. The inquiry of moil, 'When they begin to have a fenfe of reli- tion, is, What good thing 'ball I do, that I may have eternal life P Matth.' xis- 16. not, How (hail T be enabled to do any thing that is good ? Yea many that are accounted powerful preachers, (pend all their z al in theearneft preíring the immediate prac- tine of the law without any difcovery of the efiec. tual means öf performance ; as if the works of righ- teoufnefs were like thofe fertile employments that need no *ill' and artifice at all, but induftry and activity. That you may not Rumble at the thref- hold ofa religious life, by this common overught, I (hall endeavour to make you fenfible, that it is not enough for you to know the matter and reafon of your duty, but that you are alto to learn the power
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