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TESTIFYING OF GRACE, ETC.

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the works of man, but by the work of God, "He working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."1

It is to the power and Spirit that guides us in doing what God requires, we ought principally to have regard.

CHAPTER XIX.

That it is the Spirit of God which teaches and enables us to practise our duty.

WATCH, therefore, to that power, that Spirit that hath reproved for the evil before, and now shows the enemy when he comes again to entangle in the same or other snares; join with that Spirit which doth discover him; for therein is power to enable to withstand and overcome him. And let none lie down in unbelief, and say it is impossible; for "With God all things are possible." And also, "All things are possible "3 (which God requires of us) to him that believeth on him, and obeyeth his voice; although it be in a cross to thy own will. The Apostle's saying may be here noted ;-" God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."4 And so the state of self-denial will become not thy duty only, but thy choice also: thy vain companions and delights no more have hold on thee;

(1) Heb. xiii, 21. (2) Mark x, 27. (3) –
(4) Gal. vi, 14.

ix, 23.

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WHO ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT.

but now with willingness of mind, "Cast off the works of darkness, and-put on the armour of light, and walk honestly as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying, but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof."1

These duties are recommended in the Scriptures; and now thou art called to practise them, by the grace of Christ manifested in thyself; cast off all the works of darkness, wherein thou hast walked; "the night is far spent." Who is it doth not see it?

Light and Truth is come. Perhaps thou art one that hast prayed for it in the words of David, “ On send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill."3 And now light and truth is come, "Walk in the light, and believe in the light," that thou mayest be a child of light; and not abide in darkness, but enjoy "the light of life."5

This walking in the light brings to be children of light; children of God; for "God is light."

Come, therefore, thou mourning soul, that hast groaned under the weight of thy iniquity, and follow the Lamb in the regeneration; then shall thy garments be made clean in his blood, and thy soul delivered from the hurtful things, and be restored again as Adam to have dominion over all sublunary things, and subdue them.7

For, be assured, that power that enables to deny self, to put off the old man with his deeds, which

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ARE CHILDREN OF GOD.

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are corrupt, will also lead to overcome the world, having a better glory now in view. The glory of this world will not so ensnare thee, as we see it does many; so that nothing must stand in their way that would hinder their ambition from its full swing, one advance after another. Now, some honour; anon, an increase of worldly power; riches without mea sure; and yet as none of these can satisfy the worldling, so neither are they now prevailing baits to draw away the true traveller from following the Lord, who is become his delight. And truly, the ways of the Lord are ways of pleasantness, and all his paths are paths of peace.2 Sorrow and sighing have been for a season, but now the morning is come wherein the joy of God's salvation is the portion of his people, and the Lord the lot of their inheritance.

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That influence the sinful pleasures of this world had once on them, now ceases to those whose souls delight in God; their hearts are set on better pleasures, such as he gives, who, having weaned them from worldly vanities, and raised their affections to things that are above, 3 satiates their souls with his goodness, and makes them acknowledge to his praise the Lord hath dealt bountifully with them.5

4

The friendships of the world, perhaps, were once an allay, as they are to many at this day; but those that have the Lord to, be their surest friend in time of need will value his favour, and not be willing to let it go, or stand loose thereto for all the favour of

men.

And as the smiles of the world cannot, so neither can the frowns of it divert these from those enjoy

(1) Psalm xxxvii, 4. (2) Proverbs iii, 17. (3) Col. iii, 2. (4) Psalm lxv, 4, (5)

xiii, 6.

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WORLDLY-MINDED MEN SLIGHT

ments of the love of God they have tasted of, and desire still to enjoy, and that nothing may interpose between their souls and him which is their chiefest good.

CHAPTER XX.

The Children of God meanly esteemed by worldly-minded men.

lr is no wonder these, whose joys are heavenly, should be meanly esteemed by men who have no relish but of earthly things, cannot taste that the Lord is gracious, nor how good our God is; do not know where he feeds his flock, and causes them to rest at noon. Like as their forefathers, so do they delight in scorning, and mock at those that fear the Lord.

That they who love religion, as well as make profession of it, should have such treatment from the loose libertines, to whom all religion is of low esteem, is not strange.

But that any who do themselves profess religion, and seem to be wonderfully zealous for some external form, and would be accounted no mean Christians; that these should despise the spiritual man, whose "life is hid with Christ in God," this at first may seem a wonder.

But let us look back on former times, and we shall see an apparent difference among such as claimed to

(1) Psalm lxxxvi, 15. (2) Col. iii, 3.

THE CHILDREN OF GOD.

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be religious. The earliest sacrificers we read of were Cain and Abel, 1 and God, who knew their hearts and different states, rejected one, accepted the other; yet did not cast off Cain without some hint or information how he might serve the Lord with acceptance; "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?"2 Sacrificing will not serve without faith and welldoing, without which no acceptance, and where no acceptance, what does all men's sacrificing avail ?

CHAPTER XXI.

Of Worship.

CAIN, whose sacrifice was not accepted, was angry with him whose was; and letting up his wrath became an ill example to all, whose sacrifices not being. accepted, run into envy against their brethren, and so become first haters, afterwards persecutors, yet sometimes pretending service to God3 therein.

And as there thus was a distinction even to envy, to those that served the Lord and feared him, so we find it again among Joseph's brethren, they hated him because beloved of his father; as the carnal Jew doth those that are beloved of their heavenly father whose delight is in the law. of the Lord, and are concerned to do his will. But they who rest in ceremony, even to fasting twice a week, &c. and do not come to the life of religion, are at best but as sounding brass and tinkling cymbals," and their

(1) Gen. iv, 5. (2)

- 7. (3) John xvi, 2. (4) Lu. xviii, 12,

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