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INWARD WITNESS
TO
CHRISTIANITY.
[S1:Ri11..1I.
nothing
that
defileth,
Rev.
xxi. 27.
Every inhabitant
there
is
completely averse
to all
iniquity,
and
hates every
thing
that
displeases
God
;
for
nothing but perfect obe-
dience
is
found there
;
the spirits
of
the
just
are there
Made
perfect, Heb.
xii.
23.
Now
this in
a
measure
and
degree
is
found
in
believers
here, for
he
that
abideth
in
Christ, sinneth
not,
1
John
iii.
6.
He cannot
sin with
a
full
purpose
of heart
;
he
that
is
born
of
God cannot
sin
zcith
constancy
and greediness,
as
others
do
that
are
only
born
of
flesh
and blood;
he
cannot
sin
without an in-
ward sincere reluctancy, without
the
combat
of
the
spirit
against the
flesh;
he
doth not
make a
trade of
sin,
sinning
is
not
his
business,
his
delight, and pleasure.
This
is
a blessed testimony
of
the
truth
of
the gospel,
that
faith
in
the Son
of God
purifies
the heart,
Acts
xv.
9.
Every christian
has
an aversion
to all
sin
:
If
he
chuses
some
sins,
to
continue
in
them,
and hates other iniqui-
ties, he
can never
be said
tobe
a true
believer
in
Christ,
and
to
have the work
of
faith
in
sincerity wrought
in his
heart.
Other
religions
have professed an aversion
to
some
sins,,
but
indulged
others.
Some
make
cruelty
a
part of
their
duty,. and require the
sacrificing
of
mankind to
appease the anger
of 'their
gods; a
bloody and impious
practice,
as well
as
a
vain and fruitless one
!
Some
forbid murder,
but
allow
and encourage variety
of
un-
cleanness, and make
that
a.
part of
their
worship.
Other
professions have forbid wanton practices, and commend-
ed
chastity; but
they indulge
resentment. and
revenge,
as a
necessary
part of
the
character of a
warrior, or
á
great
man.
Carnal and sensual
lusts have been opposed
and hated
by
some
of
the
old
philosophers,
but
spiritual
iniquities
have hereby been
promoted..
Pride
has.
here-
by
been wonderfully
increased, and
none
of
them
can
excuse themselves from those
sins which
make men very
like Satan, although they
are freed
from the
brutality
óf
sensual
lusts.
But the business
of
the
gospel
of
Christ
is
to keep men from
committing any kind
of
sins
whatsoever.
Other
religions have changed
.
one
lust for another
;
but
the religion
of
Christ
forbids
all
manner
of
iniquity,