or SPTRITttAL MINDFAINESS°. 829 This is the composition that Naaman would have made in the matters of religion, 2 Kings v. 18. And it is that which many trust to. Hence it hath by the event been made to appear, that some persons have lived long in the practice of some gross sins, and yet all the while used a semblance of great diligence in other duties of religion. This is a false notion whereby poòt sinners delude their own souls. For suppose it possible that a man should give himself up to any lust, or be under the power of it, and yet be observant of all other duties, yet this would give him no relief as to the eternal condition of his soul. The rule is peremptory to this purpose. Jam. ii. 10, 11. One sin willingly lived in, is as able to destroy a man's soul, as a thou, sand. Besides, it is practically false. There is no man that lives in any one ,known sin, bnt he really lives in more, though that only bears the chiefest sway. With some such persons, these sins appear to others, who observe their frame and spirit, though they appear not to themselves : in some they are man- ifest in themselves, although they are hidden from others. 1 Tim. v. 24. But let no man relieve himself with thoughts that it is but one sin, whilst that one sin keeps him in a constant neglect of God. Hence, Secondly. They deceive themselves hereby ; for they judge, that although they cannot as yet shake off their sin, yet they will continue still to love God, and abound in the duties of his worship. They will not become haters of God and his ways, and persecutors, for all the world; and therefore hope that, notwith- standing this one Zoar, this lesser sin, which their constitution and their circumstances engage them in, that it may be well with them at the last. This, also, is a false notion, a mere instrument in the hand of sí,t 28"
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