leave it undone as thou fhalt find it approved, or forbidden by the law. And when ought fhall come into thy mind to be done, and thou art at a stand, and at a lofs about the lawfulness,or unlawfulness thereof, then betake thy felf to the law of thy God, which is in thy hand, and ask if this thing be good, or to be avoided.

If this were practifed by pro fellors, there would not be fo much iniquity y found in their Beds, their Houses, their Shops, and their converfations as there is.

Secondly, As thou must be careful to find out the lawfulnefs or unlawfulnefs of a thing before thou puttest forth thy hand thereto: fo thou must alfo confider again, whether that which is lawful is expedient. A thing may be lawful in it felf, and may yet be unlawful to thee, to wit, if there be an inconveniency, or an inexpediency attending the doing of it. All things are lawful for 1 Cor. 6. me,fays the Apoftle, but all things are 12. not expedient: all things are lawful chap. 10. for me, but all things edifie not. This 23.

then

1

then thou must confider, and this alfo thou muft practife.

But this is a hard leflon, and impoffible to be done except thou art addicted to felf-denial. For this Text, and fo the practice of what is contained therein, has refpect chiefly to another, to wit, to thy neighbour, and his advantage and edification; and it supposeth, yea, injoyneth thee, if thou wilt depart from iniquity, to forbear alfo fome things that are lawful, and confequently profitable to thee, for the fake of, and of love to thy dof neighbour. But how little of this is found among men? Where is the man that will forbear fome lawful things, for fear of hurting the weak thereby. Alas! how many are there that this day profefs, that will not forbeat palpable wicked nefs: No, though the falvation of their own fouls are endangered thereby, and how then should thefe forbear things that are lawful,even S of godly tenderness to the weakness quo of their neighbour?

L

Thus

Thus much have I thought good to fpeak, in answer to this question, what iniquity fhould we depart from, that religiously name the name of Chrift: and now we will make fome use of I what hath been fpoken. no

And the first fhall be an ufe of ex- Ufe. 1. -amination. Art thou a profeffor ?! Doft thou religiously name the name of Chrift? If fo, I ask, doft thou according to the exhortation I here, Depart from iniquity. I fay, examine thy felf about this matter, and be thou faithful in this work: for the deceit in this will fall up on thine one pate. Deceive thy felf thou maieft, but beguile God thou shalt not. Be not deceived, God Gal. 6. 7. is not mocked, for what a man foweth, that fhall be reap. Wherefore let no man deceive himself, either in profeffing, while he lives viciously; or in examining whether his profeffion of this name, and his life and $ converfation do answer one another. What departing from iniquity is, I have already fhewed, in the former part of this book: Wherefore I shall not here handle that point

farther,

19.

farther, only prefs upon thee, the neceffity of this exhortation, and the danger of the not doing of it faithfully. The neceffity of it is urged,

1. From the deceitfulness of mans heart, which will flatter him with promises of peace and life, both now and hereafter, though he live in iniquity, while he profeffeth the name of Chrift. For there are that fay in their hearts, or that have their hearts fay unto them, shall

Deut. 29. have peace, though I walk in the ima gination of my heart, to add drunkenness to thirst. And what will be come of them that fo do, you may fee by that which followeth in the Text. The heart therefore is not to be trusted, for it will promise a man peace in the way of death and damnation. I doubt not but many are under this fearful judgment to this day. What means elfe their qui etnefs of mind,their peace and boasts of Heaven, and glory, though every step they take, as to life and Jer. 19.9 converfation, is an apparent step to Hell and Damnation; thefe fayings,

Pro. 28.

26.

The

The beart is deceitful and, he that trufts his heart is a fool; were not written without a caufe. Let as many therefore as would examine themselves about this matter have a jealous eye over their own heart, and take heed of being beguiled thereby let them mix hearty prayer with this matter, unto God, that he will help them to be faithful to themselves, in this fo great a matter, yea,let them compare their lives with the holy Commandment, and judge by that rather than by the fleshly fondness, that men naturally are apt to have for, and of their own actions. For by the Verdict of the word, thou muft ftand and fall, both now, at Death, and in the day of Judgment. Take heed therefore of thy Heart, thy carnal heart, when thou goeft into thy Life, to make a fearch for iniquity. Take the word with thee, and by the word do thou examin thy felf.

2. It is urged from the cunning of Satan. Wouldeft thou examin thy felf faithfully as to this thing, then take

heed

Joh. 12,

48.*