A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

5. It is required in respect of the use, fruit, and effect, that something which is profitable may remain and stick with us, according to the nature of the duty which is gone about, or the way of mentioning God, such as some conviction and testimony of the Conscience. 1. That Gods honour; 2. The edification of others in way of Instruction, or Conviction, or of Reproof, or of comfort, &c. 3. My own edification and spiritual advantage, or, 4. My own exoneration and peace, as to the performance of such a duty, were in some measure of singleness aimed at and endeavoured; and as there is a missing of any of these, Repentance should be exercised, and faith for pardon; some fruit, some sense, some lesson, some discoveries, some convictions, &c. would be sought after to remain. When these or any of these (if all the rest of them can be altogether without one) are wanting, this command is simply broken; if in part they be wanting, it is comparatively more or less broken.

Let us then take a view in particulars. 1. Look to our profession, Oh! what emptiness is there, much more appearance and show, than reality and substance? yea what desiring to seem something, rather than to be? if our professions (who are least in them) were met and measured by our reality, O how lamentable vast a disproportion would be found? the one would be quickly found much broader and longer than the other, the outer-half much bagged as it were, being a great deal larger than the inner, even where there is most sincerity and reality.

Let us then take a view in particulars. 1. Look to our profession, Oh! what emptiness is there, much more appearance and shew, than reality and substance? yea what desiring to seem something, rather than to be? if our professions (who are least in them) were mett and measured by our reality, O how lamentable vast a disproportion would be found? the one would be quickly found much broader and longer than the other, the outer-half much bagged as it were, being a great deal larger than the inner, even where there is most sincerity and reality.