The excellency of a gracious spirit Delivered in a treatise upon the 14. of…The excellency of a gracious spirit Deliuered in a treatise upon the 14. of…

And fifthly, they must so follow, as they must be well reported of for it.

Yea, sixthly, they must do all this, or else they must not be received into the Church. Surely, then it is a shame for any man, especially of parts and abilities, to plead weakness, when so much is required of poor women; certainly it is not weakness, but falseness of heart, that is contrary to universality of obedience, to the following of the Lord fully in this respect. The Vessel of honour is distinguished from the vessel of dishonour, 2 Tim. 2. 21. by this Character, that it is one that is sanctified and prepared for every good work. You know what S. James saith, Chap. 1. verse 26. If any man seem to be religious, and bridle not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this mans religion is in vain. It is an heavy censure, that all a mans religion is in vain for one fault, and that but for a fault in the tongue; and yet this is the censure of the Holy Ghost. No question, such men who were guilty herein, ⟨p. 271⟩would reason thus with themselves, We cannot be perfect in this life, we do perform many duties of religion; & therefore we hope though we fail in this one thing, that yet we shall do well enough, God will accept of us. No, saith S. James, he deceives his own heart; such a one shall never be accepted. To the like effect is that of our Saviour, John 5. 44. How can you believe on me, which receive honour one of another? This was enough to keep them off for ever from Christ; and yet this was but an inward sin, no outward gross crying sin in the esteem of the world. Let a man be never so glorious in never so many duties of Religion, yet certainly the giving liberty to himself in any one lust, is enough to keep him off for ever from God, from partaking of good in him. As if a wife be never so officious to her husband, yielding to him in never so many things, seeking to give him content in his desires never so many ways, yet if she entertains any other lover ⟨p. 272⟩