SECTION V. 103 tion, and especially where they give great offence : Nor let those terms and ways of expression which scripture useth but very sel- dom, and uponparticular occasions, be the perpetual or constant language of your ministry, in opposition to those expressions and ways of representation which scripture most frequently delights to use ; and let no authentic systemsof divinity, to which you are most inclined, nor the names of great inch ever prevail with, you to break this rule. 3. Darenot indulge yourself in a disgust to any scripture language, or an aversion to those scriptures which seem to run in a style and expression different from the language which you generally chuse ; for even those expressions are designed for useful purposesby the Holy Spirit,áänd doubtless have attained somehappy end in the providence of God, in particular cases and persons : If you should once encourage such a vicious humour, it might proceed so far at last, as to render a great part of the bible the object of your disgust. Be sure therefore always to maintain upon your spirit sucha reverential tenderness for the holy scripture, that you may never dare to rail against any ex- pressions that scripture useth, nor oppose them with violence, without a modest distinction in what sense they are proper, and in tvhat.sense they are to be avoided. And this leads me to the second request. IL When you hear any ministers, in preaching the gospel use the Words, " free and absolute, conditional, unconditional, promises, laws, threatenings, commands, &c. exercise so much, charity as to believe they use them in such a sense as the scrip- ture approves of, and as secures the salvation of men," accord. ing to their sincerest apprehensions., If the preacher speak of the gospel as a free and absolute promise, always suppose he intends also, that all the duties of repentance and holiness are necessary, in order to salvation, though he does not like to call them conditions. If another should insist much on conditions in the gospel, suppose he means none ofthem to be performed merely by your own strength, nor to include any thing of merit in them. If he speak of the laws of Christ, understand him conserniug all those rules and directi- ons and commands, which Christ hath given to his followers,.but not in the strict and perfect notion of a law. Even if he calls the gospel a law, believe that he intends only in the largest sense, and cloth not mean that we are justified in the sight of God, by our performance of the duties of this law, believe that he intends it only in the largest sense, and cloth not mean that we are jus- tified in the sight of God, by our performance of the duties of this law as the proper matter of our righteousness before. God : Or if he should happen to mention any such thingas justification by our good works of holiness, &c. take dueheed to the connex- ion, and let charity persuade you that he is speaking concerning
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