. . t tt the Soul. of lv!atJ• · ,- performances: if they live peaceably ·with · their neighbours, keep a tcn1perate ~ict, · obferve the returns of \vorfhip; frequent- · ing the church, or their clofet, and fOJne– times extend their hands to the relief of· the poor, they think they have fufficiently acquitted thenift?lves. Others again put all religion in the affecrions, in rapturous..– I1eats and ecfbtic devotion ; and all they ai~11 at, is to pray.with pafiion, and think of heaven_ v1ith plcafure, · and to be af– feCted With ·thoie kjnd and melting expreffions _-· \vherewith -they court" their Saviour, · till they pcrfuade the1l1felves that " . they are n1ightily in love with hin1; and fr9m thence affume a grea·t confidence of their falvation, which they efteen1 the chkf of Chriftian graces. ~rhus are thefe things which have any refemblance o£ piety, and at the befi are but tneans of obtaining it, or particular exercifes of it, 'frequently ,. n1ifiaken for · the whole of religion; nay fometilnes wickednefs and vice pretend to tpat nan1e. I fpeak not now of thofe grofs impieties wherewith the Heathens were wont to wodhip their gods. There are but too many ChriH:ians, \vho would confecrate .their vices, and hallow their corrupt affecrions; who1e rugged hun1our, and ft1llen pride mu ft pats for Chrifl:ian " A 2 fevcrity
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=