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unhappy one for the reft of the World. Who will fuffer by Men's becoming gentle and peaceable? If there were more of this Spirit. in the World, it would be a much happier Place than it is: For the Strife and Confufion, and all the Miferies which we fee and hear, have their Rife from that Wifdom which is earthly and fenfual.

From what has been faid arises this plain Conclusion: That the true Way of judging, whether the Spirit of God be in us, is to confider our own Deeds. Righteousness and Holiness are the only certain Marks of Regeneration. Other Distinctions which Men have invented are rather Marks of their fpiritual Pride, and of their Separation from the Body of Chriftians, than of their Union with Chrift the Head. Take heed therefore that you adorn the Faith with a Meekness and Quietnefs of Spirit, that you may have the Comfort and Confolation of knowing that you have not believed in vain.

DISCOURSE

DISCOURSE XIII.

MATTHEW V. 48,

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.

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&RACTICE is the End of all Precepts and Exhortations: Laws are therefore enacted, that Subjects may obey; Exhortations are therefore added, that they may be encouraged to do their Duty, It must then be a very great Absurdity to make any thing, in its own Nature impracticable, the Subject-matter either of Command or Advice. And does not the Text feem liable to this Objection? Is there any thing which Men have more Reason to think impoffible to them, than to arrive at the Perfections of the Deity? Why then are we X commanded

VOL. III.

unhappy one for the rest of the World. Whơ · wer by Men's becoming gentle and peaceable? If there were more of this Spirit in the World, it would be a much happier Flace than it is: For the Strife and Confufor, and all the Miferies which we fee and hear, have their Rife from that Wisdom which is earthly and fenfual.

From what has been faid arifes this plain Condition: That the true Way of judging, whether the Spirit of God be in us, is to conder our own Deeds. Righteousness and Holmes are the only certain Marks of Regeneration. Other Distinctions which Men have invented are rather Marks of their fpirimal Pride, and of their Separation from the Body of Chriftians, than of the with Christ the Head. Take he

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unhappy one for the rest of the World. Who will fuffer by Men's becoming gentle and peaceable? If there were more of this Spirit. in the World, it would be a much happier Place than it is: For the Strife and Confufion, and all the Miferies which we fee and hear, have their Rife from that Wisdom which is earthly and fenfual.

From what has been said arises this plain Conclufion: That the true Way of judging, whether the Spirit of God be in us, is to confider our own Deeds. Righteousness and Holiness are the only certain Marks of Regeneration. Other Diftinctions which Men have invented are rather Marks of their fpiritual Pride, and of their Separation from the Body of Christians, than of their Union with Chrift the Head. Take heed therefore that you adorn the Faith with a Meekness and Quietnefs of Spirit, that you may have the Comfort and Confolation of knowing that you have not believed in vain.

DISCOURSE

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