2 68 Terms of Peace with God, &c. Pfal. t3o is fixed on in the Gofpell. For the prefent all that you do, is indeed but to compound with God for your lìn ; you hope by what you do for him, and to bim, to b.1y off what you have done againft him ; that you may not fall into the hands ofhis Wrath and Vengeance. This makes all you doe to be irklom.. As a man that labours all his dayes, to pay an old debt, and brings in nothing to lay up for himfelf, how tedious and mearifòme is his work and labour to him. It is odds but that at one time or other, he will give over, and run away from his Creditor. So it is in this calè, men who have fTcret refirvet of recompening God by their Obedience, every day find their debt growing upon them; ar.d have every day Ids hopes of making a fatisfaraory payment. This makes them weary, and ',for the moil part they faint under their difcouragements, and at length they fly wholly from God. This way alone will (late things otherwife in your Consciences ; It will give you to fee, that all your debts are paid by Chrift, and freely for- given unto you by God. So that what you doe is ofGratitude or thankfulnefs, bath an influence into Eternity, leads to the Glory of God, the honour of Chrifi in the Gospel, and your own comfortable account at the 14 day. This encourageth the foul to labour, to Trade, to endeavour; all things now looking forward, and unto his advantage. q.. Find you not in your (-elves an impotency, a difability unto the dutyes of Obedience, as to their performance unto God in an acceptable manner ? It may be you arc not fo fenfible hereof as you ought tobe. For refpec`ing_ one or principally the outward part and performance of dutycs, you have not Experience of your own Weaknefß How to enliven and fill up Duties with Faith, Love, and Delight, you know not; and are therefore unacquainted with your own infufficiency in this matter ; yet if you have any Light, any Convi8ians, (and to such I,fpeak at prefent) you cannot but perceive and underhand, that you are not able in your Obedient, to an- Aver what you aim at ; you have, not flrength or power for it. Now it is thisfaith of Forgivenefialone that will furnish you with the Ability, whereof you Rand in need. Pardon ,aktnt, not so tjie Soul alone; or ratherChrìft comas not.to,,the Soul
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