._------------- Ver.4. and the Power of sin. 353 mod w he knew himfclfbelt. The clearer ditcoveries we have had of God, the viler will every thing of felf appear. Nay further, duties and performances are oftentimes very ill ,neafured by us ; and thole Teem to be fire, which indeed are laf}, and thofe to be lad, which indeed are fird. 1 do not doubt butka man when he hath had didradions to wredle withal], no outward advantage to further him, no extraordinary provo cations ofhope, fear or forrow on a natural account in his duty, may rife from his knees with thoughts that he hath done no- thing in his duty but provoked God ; when there h2th been more workings of Grace in contending with the deadnels call on the foul by the condition that it is. in, than when by a con- currence of moved natural afedions, and outward provoca- tions, a frame hatb been railed, that path to the party himfelf feemed to reach toHeaven ; fb that it may be this perplexity about duties, is nothing but what is common to the people of God , and which ought to be no obdrudion to peace and fettlement. z. As to the pretence of Hypocrifte, you know what is ufu- ally anfwered ; it is one thing to doa thing in hypocrife,another not to do it without a mixture of bypocrifie. Hypocrifie in its long extent is every thing that for matter or manner comes fhort of fincerity. Now our f ncerity is no more perfect than our other graces ; fo that in its mealure it abides with us, and adheres to all we do ; In like manner, it is one thing to do a thing for vain glory, and tobe leen of men, another not to be able wholly to keepoff the fubtic infinuations of felt and vain glory. He that Both a thing in h pocrifie, and for vain glory, is fatisfied with tome corrupt end obtained, though he be lenfible that he fought fuch an end. He that doth a thing with a mix- ßure of hypocrifie, that is with Come breaches upon thedegrees ofhis fincerity, with force infenfible advancements in perfor- mance on outward confederations, is not fatisfied with a [eif end attained, and is ditfatisfied with the defect of his fincerity. In a word, wouldd thou yet be Cincere, and doti endeavour fo to be in private duties, and in publick performances ; in pray- ing, hearing, giving alms, zealous adings for Gods glory, and the Love of the Saints, though thefe duties are not, it may be, fomctimcs
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