The saints jewel, showing how to apply the promise In a sermon preachedThe saints iewell, shevving hovv to apply the promise In a sermon preached

Answ. In answer to this, know for certain whiles thou art in this condition, thou art in a bad condition, for every thing you do is sin. Unto the pure all things are pure: but ¹unto them that are defiled, and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but even their minds and consciences are defiled, So that to you, to perform duty it is sin, or not to perform duty is sin: but yet omit not duty, for though in performing duty thou sinnest: yet not to perform duty, is a double sin.

Answ. In answere to this, know for certaine whiles thou art in this condition, thou art in a bad condition, for every thing you doe is sin. Vnto the pure all things are pure: but ¹unto them that are defiled, and unbeleeving, nothing is pure, but even their mindes and consciences are defiled, So that to you, to performe duty it is sin, or not to performe duty is sin: but yet omit not duty, for though in performing duty thou sinnest: yet not to performe duty, is a double sin.

1. 1Tit 1. 15.

To perform duty, whiles thou art in thy natural condition is sin for the manner, because though thou mayest do the duty for substance, as pray, hear, confer, or the like, yet because thou doest want a principle of grace, nothing is done aright, and so wanteth acceptance: but to neglect duty is a sin, in regard of matter and manner; also, for as it is sinfulness it self not to do the duty, so it is sin to have the heart not rightly disposed for the manner of performance: it is with you, as it was with the lepers, they said among themselves thus, Why sit we here till we die? If we say we will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city ¹