a. This know alfo, that in the latter Times Tome fhall depart from the Faith, giving heed to feducing Spirits, and Doctrines of Devils; forbidding to Marry, and commanding to abstain from Meats, which God hath created to be received: Having a Form of Godliness, but -denying the Power thereof: From such turn away..: b. Many Deceivers, likewise, are entred into the World, who confefs not that Jefus Chrift is come in the Flesh: This is a Deceiver, and an Antichrift. Ye therefore, feeing ye know thefe things before, beware; left ye alfo, being led away with the Error of the Wicked, fall from your own Stedfaftnefs, en.. c. Confider the Apostle, and HighExamples. Priest of our Profeffion, Chrift Jefus, who was faithful to him that appointed him leaving us an Example, that ye should folllow his Steps. d. As ye know what manner of Men the Apostles were, fo be ye Followers of them, and of the Lord; that ye may be Enfamples to all them that believe: And, those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard of them, do. a. Be ye Followers of the Churches of God, which in Judea were in Chrift Jefus. b. Confider the Parable of the Samaritan, who fhewed Mercy on him that fell amongst the Thieves, and Go, and do thou likewife. c. Mark the old Way, which wicked Men have trodden ; which were cut down out of time, whose Foundation was overflown with a Flood. d. Be ye not Idolaters, as were fome of the Jewish Fathers: neither let us commit Fornication, as fome of them committed: neither let us tempt Chrift, as fome of them alfo tempted: neither murmur ye, as fome of them also murmured; for they were overthrown in the Wildernefs, and were deftroyed of the Destroyer. Now these things were our Examples, to the intent we should not luft after evil things, as they also lufted: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the Ends of the World are come. (a) 1. Theff. 2. 14. (b) Luk. 10. 33, 37, 36, 37. (c) Job 22. 15, 16. (d) I Cor. 10, 7, 1, 8, 9, 10, 5, 10, 6, IT. СНАР. CHAP. IV. Concerning the PERFECTION of HOLINESS. The Perfection of a Christian confifts, in using his utmost Endeavours to perform, with Sincerity, and Zeal, the whole Will of God; to grow in Grace, and excel in all manner of Vertue; and to persevere in the Ways of Piety and Holiness, to the End of his Life. a. UNIVERSAL OBEDIENCE. A Bhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Cleanfe your felves from all Filthinefs both of Flesh and Spirit, perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God... b. Lay apart all Filthiness, and fuperfluity of Naughtiness: And, keep your felves unspotted from the World, c. Whatever is an abomination to the Lord thy God thou shalt utterly deteft, and thou shalt utterly abhor it: For it is a curfed thing. (a) Rom. 12. 9. 2 Cor. 7. I. a. Let Z 3 a. Let thine Eyes look right on, and let thine Eye-lids look ftreight before thee: Ponder the Path of thy Feet, and let all thy Ways be established: Turn not to the Right Hand, nor to the Left: Remove thy Foot from Evil. b. Let us lay afide every Weight, and the Sin which doth so easily befet us; and let us run with patience the Race that is fet before us. c. Ye shall be Righteous before God; working that which is Good, and Right, and Truth, before the Lord; following him fully; and walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord, blameless. d. Follow after Righteoufnefs, Godliness, Faith, Love, Patience, Meekness: Fight the good Eight of Faith; lay bold on eternal Life: that ye may ftand perfect, and compleat in all the Will of God. e. Whatsoever things are true, whatfoever things are honeft, whatfoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any. Virtue; Virtue; if there be any Praise; think on these things. For he that in (a) Prov. 4. 25, 26, 27.. b) Heb. 12. I. (c) Luk. 1.6. 2 Chr. 31. 20. Num. 14. 24. Luk. 1.6. (d) 1 Tim. 6. II, 12. Col. 4. 12. (e) Phil. 4. 8. Rom. 14. 18. these these things ferveth Chrift, is acceptable to God, and approved of Men. a. Whether ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the Glory of God, b. As God hath distributed to every Man, as the Lord hath called every one, fo let him walk; caring for the things of the Lord, that he may be holy both in Body and Spirit. c. Let your Speech be always with Grace, feasoned with Salt, that he may know how ye ought to answer every Man. d. If any Man among you feem to be Religious, and bridleth not his Tongue, but deceiveth his own Heart, this Man's Religion is vain. e. In the multitude of Words there wanteth not Sin: He therefore that hath Knowledge, fpareth his Words, and taketh heed to his Ways, that he offend not with his Tongue. f. If any Man offend not in Word, the fame is a perfect Man, and able alfo to bridle the whole Body. For out of the abundance of the Heart the Mouth speaketh. g. Whoso keepeth his Mouth, and his Tongue, keepeth his Soul from Troubles. |