The whole duty of a Christian, or, The character of a true beleever, that walks in some measure answerable to the Gospel, his Christian profession, and the millions of mercies he hath received ... by R.Y. of Roxwell in Essex.

CHAP. 26. (Book 26)

1. §. The comfort of what hath been said in these seven last Sections, is intended and belongs to weak Christians, troubled consciences, and those that would fain do better; but let no unbeliever, impenitent, or prophane person meddle with it, for all such are to know that their very best services, as praying, and fasting, and receiving, and giving of Almes, &c. (because they are not done in faith, and obedience to the Word, and that God may be glorified thereby) are no better in Gods account then if they had slain a Man, or cut off a Dogs neck, or offered Swines blood, or blessed an Idol, as himself affirmes, Isa. 66. 3. Nor will God accept of any action, unlesse it flowes from a pious and good heart, sanctified by the Holy Ghost; yea, civill honesty severed from true piety, humility, saving knowledge, sincere love to God, true obedience to his Word, justifying

faith▪ a zeal of Gods glory, and a desire to edifie and win others, God will neither accept nor reward, but account of their morall vertues as of shi∣ning or glistering sins; because they spring from pride, ignorance infide∣lity, self-love, and other such carnall respects, as many examples prove, namely, Cains sacrificing, 1 Iohn 3. 12. the Iews fasting, I••a. 58. those reprobates preaching in Christs name, and casting ont Devils, Matth. 7. 22, 23. and the like, whose outward works were the same which the godly perform; and what saith Austine most excellently, There is no true ver∣tue where there is no true Religion; and that conscience which is not di∣rected by the Word, even when it does best does ill, because it doth it not in faith, obedience, and love.

2. §. Secondly, let them know, that being out of Christ, they are bound to keep the whole Law, Gal. 5. 2, 3. or stand liable to suffer the penalty thereof for not keeping it; for though this be the condition of the New Covenant, Believe and thou shalt be saved; yet all that they have to trust unto is, Do this and live, Rom. 10. 5. and cursed is every one that continu∣eth not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them, Gal. 3. 10. And I wish that they would seriously think of it, and what need they have of Christ, whom they rather persecute then obey his Gospel in love.

3. §. Indeed let them get a true lively and justifying faith; Put ye off, concerning the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupted through the deceivable lusts, and be renued in the spirit of your mindes; and put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousnesse and true ••olinesse, Ephes. 4. 22, 23, 24. and then Christ, and all his benefits and promises wil belong unto you, but not before; in the mean time you are in your blood, Ezek. 16. 6. and have to answer not onely for your originall guilt, but for every thought, word, and action of yours from your infancy, Matth. 9. 12, 13. Luke 1. 53. Gal. 5. 1, to 7. enough to starde you, if you be not stark dead.