Self-dedication discoursed in the anniversary thanksgiving of a person of honour for a great…

Nor do I think that a formal explicit transaction, in this matter, whether vocal or mental, with circumstantial solemnity, is essential to a man's being a Christian, or an holy man. A fixed inclination and bent of heart towards God, followed (as it will be) with a course of practice becoming them that are his, will no doubt conclude a man's state to be safe and good ⟨p. 74⟩God-ward. As one may, on the other hand, be the devils servant all his days, without having made a formal covenant with him.

Nor do I think that a formal explicit transaction, in this matter, whether vocal or mental, with circumstantial solemnity, is essential to a man's being a Christian, or an holy man. A fixed inclination and bent of heart towards God, followed (as it will be) with a course of practice becoming them that are his, will no doubt conclude a man's state to be safe and good ⟨p. 74⟩God-ward. As one may, on the other hand, be the devils servant all his daies, without having made a formal covenant with him.

But yet, though so explicit, and solemn a transaction of this matter be not essential to our Christianity (as what is said to belong only to the solemnity of any thing is therein implied not to be of the essence of it) yet it may be a great duty for all that, and I doubt it not to be so.

But yet, though so explicit, and solemn a transaction of this matter be not essential to our Christianity (as what is said to belong only to the solemnity of any thing is therein imply'd not to be of the essence of it) yet it may be a great duty for all that, and I doubt it not to be so.