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2. 'But many of God's children attain not to this strictness, yet are saved.'

It is true; though all God's children travel to one country, yet not with equal speed; they all shoot at one mark, yet not with the same dexterity. Some difference there is in the outward action, none in their inward intention; some inequalities there are in the event, none in the affection. In degrees there is some disparity, none in truth and uprightness. All that are regenerate are alike strict in these five things, at least. First, they have but one path or way wherein they all walk, Isa. xxxv. 8. Secondly, they have but one rule to guide them in that way which they all follow, Gal. vi. 15, 16. Thirdly, all their eyes are upon this rule, so as they are not willingly ignorant of any truth, 2 Peter iii. 5. Nor do they suppress, or detain any known truth in unrighteousness, Rom. i. 18, but they stand in the ways, and ask for the old path, which is the good way, Jer. vi. 16. Fourthly, they all desire, and endeavour to obey every truth, Luke i. 6, not only to walk in all the commandments of God without reproof, before men, Heb. xiii. 19, but also in all things, to live honestly and uprightly, before God, Gen. xvii. 1. Fifthly, if they fall by temptation, Gal. vi. 1, (as a member may, by accident, be disjointed) yet they are in pain till they be set right again. If they stumble, through infirmity (as sheep may slip into a puddle) yet they will not lie down, and wallow in the mire, which is the property of swine. If they are sometimes drawn aside by violent temptations, or step aside by mistake, yet they will not walk on in the counsel of the wicked, Psa. i. 1, nor will any way of wickedness, (that is, a constant, or daily course in any one sin) be found in them; they are so far from