Ver.4. Foundation andspiritual building ditinguifhed. 3 07 RULE VII. The feventh Rule. Mix not foundation andbuilding work toge- ther. The eighthfpendno time in heartlefs comptaints &c. Mix not too much foundation andbuilding work,together. Our foundation in dealing with God is Chrift alone, meer Grace and Pardon inhim. Our Building is in and by 1Flolinefs and Obedience, as the fruits of that faith by which we have received the Attonement. And great miftakes there are in this matter which bring great in- tanglements on the fouls of men. Some are all their daies lay- ing of thefoundation, and are never able to build upon it unto any comfort to themfelves, or ufefulnefs unto others. And the Reafon is, becaufe they will be mixing with the foundation; ftones that are fit only for the following building. They will be bringing their Obedience, duties, mortification of fin, and the like, unto the foundation. Thefe are precious (tones to build with, but unmeet to be firft laid to bear upon them the whole rreight ofthe building. The foundation is to be laid, as was Paid, in meer Grace, Mercy, Pardon in theblood ofChrift. This the foul is to accept of, and to reft in meerly as it is Grace, with- out the confideration of any thing in its felf, but that it is finfull and obnoxious unto ruine : This it fìrds a difficulty in, and would gladly have fomething of its own to mix with it : It cannot tel ow to fix there foundation (tones without fome cement of its wn endeavours and duty. And becaufe there things will not mix, they fpend a fruitleßlabour about it all their daies. But ifthe foundation be of Grace,- it is not at all ofworks ; for otherwife grace is no more grace. If any thing ofour ownbe mixed withGrace in this matter, it utterly de- firoys the nature ofGrace ; which if itbe not alone, it is not at all. But doth not this tend to licencioufnefs ? doth not this render Obedience, Holinefs, Duties, Mortification of fin, and good works, needlefs ? God forbid ; yea this is the only way toorder them aright unto the glory ofGod. Have wenothing R r to Foundation and -Spiri- tual Budd- ing di(lio-- guifhed.
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