Several discourses tending to promote peace & holiness among Christians to which are added,…

You hear the Word; but is it the Power of God to your Salvation? You frequent Sacraments; but is the Conscience of the Bond of the Holy Oath, into which you are entered, upon your Hearts? There is more required in Christianity, than outward Profession, whether in Word or Deed; Namely, the Conscience of your Dedication to God; or else the Work doth not go deep enough: 1 Cor. 13. 3. Though I bestow all my Goods to feed the Poor, and though I give my Body to be burned, and have not Charity, it profiteth me nothing. You content your selves with your Tale, and number of Duties, praying Morning and Evening, and reading so many Chapters: But where is the Spirit, and the Fruit of all that you do? They that are given to Fasting, think themselves very devout, if they fast often, be their Hearts never so full of rancour. Many huddle over many Prayers, but they do not go from their Heavenly Father, with an Heavenly Mind: They give Alms, but live loosely: As Michal laid a Statue in David's Bed, and covering it with David's Apparel, made Saul's Messengers ⟨p. 127⟩believe it was David himself sick in Bed: So many Persons cover themselves with certain External Actions belonging to Religion, and the World believeth them truly sanctified and spiritual, whenas indeed they are but Statues and Apparitions of Devotion to God. But this is but a vain show, a placing the Means, instead of the End; the Subordinate instead of the Ultimate End.

You hear the Word; but is it the Power of God to your Salvation? You frequent Sacraments; but is the Conscience of the Bond of the Holy Oath, into which you are entred, upon your Hearts? There is more required in Christianity, than outward Profession, whether in Word or Deed; Namely, the Conscience of your Dedication to God; or else the Work doth not go deep enough: 1 Cor. 13. 3. Though I bestow all my Goods to feed the Poor, and though I give my Body to be burned, and have not Charity, it profiteth me nothing. You content your selves with your Tale, and number of Duties, praying Morning and Evening, and reading so many Chapters: But where is the Spirit, and the Fruit of all that you do? They that are given to Fasting, think themselves very devout, if they fast often, be their Hearts never so full of rancour. Many huddle over many Prayers, but they do not go from their Heavenly Father, with an Heavenly Mind: They give Alms, but live loosly: As Michal laid a Statue in David's Bed, and covering it with David's Apparel, made Saul's Messengers