The poor doubting Christian drawn to Christ. Wherein the main hindrances, which keep men…

First; Watch how thy Heart is in the Performance of Duty. Doth thy Prayer, and Hearing, and performing of Services, make thee venturous and fool-hardy to meddle with Corruptions? Then it's a certain Ground thou placest carnal Confidence in thine own Performances. As for Example: If a Professor should say, What if I do now and then sin? And what if I do now and then pilfer, and use false Weights and Measures? I'll but pray so much the more, and fast so much the oftener: Will not my Conscience then be satisfied? It shall be satisfied; I will command it: I will put in Bail for my Sin, and pray against it. Now I beseech you observe it; this praying and performing of Duties, is merely to command a Saviour to give Allowance to Sin, that so he may commit it freely. As who would say, I have Authority over my Saviour, and he shall pardon my Sin, and give me Allowance to commit Sin. O the wretched Villainy that is in this Man's Heart! Fearful is thy Estate, whosoever thou art, that makest thy Performances an Abettor of thy Distempers: So that thou doest thy Duties not to convey Christ, that he may help thee to prevent Sin, but that Christ may take off the Venom and Indignation of Sin, that so thou mayest commit Wickedness without either Suspicion or further Distraction.

First; Watch how thy Heart is in the Performance of Duty. Doth thy Prayer, and Hearing, and performing of Services, make thee venturous and fool-hardy to meddle with Corruptions? Then it's a certain Ground thou placest carnal Confidence in thine own Performances. As for Example: If a Professor should say, What if I do now and then sin? And what if I do now and then pilfer, and use false Weights and Measures? I'll but pray so much the more, and fast so much the oftner: Will not my Conscience then be satisfied? It shall be satisfied; I will command it: I will put in Bail for my Sin, and pray against it. Now I beseech you observe it; this praying and performing of Duties, is meerly to command a Saviour to give Allowance to Sin, that so he may commit it freely. As who would say, I have Authority over my Saviour, and he shall pardon my Sin, and give me Allowance to commit Sin. O the wretched Villany that is in this Man's Heart! Fearful is thy Estate, whosoever thou art, that makest thy Performances an Abettor of thy Distempers: So that thou doest thy Duties not to convey Christ, that he may help thee to prevent Sin, but that Christ may take off the Venome and Indignation of Sin, that so thou may'st commit Wickedness without either Suspicion or further Distraction.