Christian directions, showing how to walk with God all the day long drawn up…Christian directions, shewing how to walk with God all the day long drawn up…

2 Others build their hope of salvation upon some good desires in their hearts now and then by fits. But alas! they are much mistaken and deceived, who think with a few good desires to break open the gates of Heaven. I grant indeed that good desires in the soul, I mean, desires of grace and holiness, are a good sign of some beginnings of grace, for it is grace to desire grace. But if you rest contented with your desires after grace and goodness, and not go unto Jesus Christ the fountain of all grace and goodness, you may lye down in sorrow, and fall short of eternal life and salvation.

3 Others build their hope of salvation upon their bare outward profession of Religion, they have been baptized, and profess the true Christian Faith, and thereupon think themselves as good Christians as the best.¹ But as Christ cursed the Fig-tree which had leaves only, and no fruit; so will he curse them who bear the leaves of Profession, but want the fruits of a godly life and conversation. And it is like to fare with them, as it did with the five foolish Virgins, who had their Lamps of Profession, as well as ⟨p. 159⟩the wise Virgins, but for want of oil in their Lamps, i. e. of grace in their hearts, were shut out of the Bride-chamber, i. e. out of Heaven, which is the Bride-chamber of Jesus Christ.

3 Others build their hope of salvation upon their bare outward profession of Religion, they have been baptized, and profess the true Christian Faith, and thereupon think themselves as good Christians as the best.¹ But as Christ cursed the Fig-tree which had leaves only, and no fruit; so will hee curse them who bear the leaves of Profession, but want the fruits of a godly life and conversation. And it is like to fare with them, as it did with the five foolish Virgins, who had their Lamps of Profession, as well as ⟨p. 159⟩