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

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 ¹and we shall die there, and if we sit still here, we die also: Now therefore let us come and fall unto the host of the Syrians, if they save us alive, we shall live, and if they kill us we shall but die. So say thou with thy self, If I do duty I sin, and if I do not perform duty, I commit a double sin, but I will go to duty, if God will save me, I shall live, if not, I can but perish: and for thy comfort consider, it may be God will cast an eye of pity upon thee, thou art in the way, that is the means God hath appointed to bring you home to Christ: but yet until thy condition be changed, all thou doest is sin, for, The very thought of the wicked ²are an abomination to the Lord.

To performe duty, whiles thou art in thy naturall condition is sin for the manner, because though thou mayest doe the duty for substance, as pray, heare, conferre, 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 sinne, in regard of matter and manner; also, for as it is sinfulnesse it selfe not to doe 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 leapers, they said among themselves thus, Why sit wee here till we die? If wee say we will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city ¹and we shall die there, and if we sit still here, we die also: Now therefore let us come and fall unto the host of the Syrians, if they save us alive, we shall live, and if they kill us we shall but die. So say thou with thy selfe, If I doe duety I sin, and if I doe not performe duty, I commit a double sin, but I will goe to duty, if God will save me, I shall live, if not, I can but perish: and for thy comfort consider, it may be God will cast an eye of pity upon thee, thou art in the way, that is the meanes God hath appointed to bring you home to Christ: but yet untill thy condition be changed, all thou doest is sinne, for, The very thought of the wicked