S48 NECESSITY OF HOLINESS FROM THE inclinations of mind to comply with innumerable pro- vocations and exasperations that will befal us, must be corrected and discarded. Many duties be constantly attended unto, and sundry graces kept up to their exer- cise. The whole drove of temptations, all whose force consists in a pretence of care for self, must be scattered or resisted. And hence it is, that, in the scripture, a goodman, a merciful man, an useful, liberalman, is fre- quently spoken off by way of eminency and distinction, as one whom God bath an especial regard unto, and concerning whom there are peculiar promises. When men live to themselves, and are satisfied that they do no hurt, though they do no good; are secure, selfish, wrathful, angry, peevish, or have their kindness con- fined to their relations, or otherwise are little usefulbut in what they are prest unto, and therein comeoff with difficulty in their own minds; who esteem all lost that is done for the relief of others, and the greatest part of wisdom to he cautious, and disbelieve the necessities of men; in a word, that make self and its concernments the end of'their lives; whatever otherwise their profes- sion be, or their diligence in religious duties, they do very little either represent or glorify God in the world. If we therefore design to be holy, let us constantly in our families, towards our relations, inchurches, in our conversations in the world, and dealings with all men, towards our enemies and persecutors, the worst of them, so far as they are ours only, towards all mankind as we have opportunity, labour after conformity unto God, and to express our likeness unto him, in thisphilanthro- py, goodness, benignity, condescension,readiness to for- give, to help, and relieve, without which we neither are, norcan be thechildren of our Father which is in heaven. Sect. 30.Especially is this frame of heart, and act- ings suitable thereunto, required of us with respectunto the saints of God, unto believers. Even God himself; whom we are bound to imitate, and a conformity unto whom we are pressing after, doth exercise his benignity and kindness in a peculiar manner towards them, I Tim. iv. 10. He is the Saviour of all men, but especially of them that believe. There is a specialty in the exercise of his saving goodness towards ,believers. And, in an- swer hereunto, we are likewise commanded. to do good untoall men, especially unto them who are ofthehouse- hold offaith, Gal. vi. 10. Although we are obliged to the exercise of the goodness before described, unto all men whatever, as wehaveopportunity; so we are allow ed, yea, we are enjoined a peculiar regard herein unto thehousehold offaith. And if this were more.in exercise, if we esteemed ourselves, (nowithstanding the provoca- tions and exasperation which we meet withal, or suppose we do so, when perhaps none are given us, or intended us,) obliged to express this benignity, kindness, good- ness, forbearance, and love, towards all believers in art especial manner; it would prevent or remove many of those scandalousoffences and animositiesthat are among us. lf, in common, wedo love them that love us, and do good to them that do good to us, and delight in them who are of our company, and go the same way whh us, it may advance us into the condition of Phari- sees and Publicans, for they did so also. But if among believers, we will take this course, love them only, de- light in them only, be open and free in all effects of genuine kindness towards themwho go our way, or are of our party, or are kind and friendly to us, or that never gave us provocations really, nor in our own surmis- es; weare sofar, rind therein.worsethan either Pharisees or Publicans. Weare to endeavourconformityand like- ness unto God, not only as he is the God of nature, and isgood unto all the works of his hands, but as he is our heavenly Father, and is good, kind, benign, merciful in an especial manner unto the whole family of his chil- dren, however diflérenced among themselves, or indeed unkind or provoking unto him. 1 confess, when I see men apt to retain a sense of old provocations and differ- ences, ready to receive impressions ofnew ones, or ready for apprehensions of such, where there are none, incre- dulous of the sincerity of others, who profess a readiness for love and peace, to take things in the worst-sense, to be moroseand severe towards this or that sort of be- lievers, unready to help them, scarce desiring their prosperity, or, it may be, their safety; I cannot but look upon it as a very great stain to their profession, whatever else it be. And by this rule would I have my own ways examined. Sect. SI.(2.) 'Froth is another grace, another part of holiness, ofthe same import and nature. Truth is used, in the scripture, for uprightness and integrity: Thou requiresl truth in the inward parts, Psal. li. and frequently the doctrineof truth, as of God revealed, and by us believed. But that which I intend is only what is enjoined usby the apostle, namely, in all things to speak
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