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to subdue their lusts, which offend Christ, and strive to be obedient to his will, as well as to believe his promises, and to hope for happiness; this is to strive, Hosea vi. 3. Now never one did thus strive in seeking to enter, though it were the last day in his life, that was rejected, and not received. Wherefore say not, It is too late, but say, The more time I have lost, the more cause is there now that I should seek my salvation in earnest, and not lose time in questioning, whether I may be accepted or not.

SECT. 7. FEARS OF MISUSING THE MEANS OF GRACE, REMOVED.

And whereas you said, you are afraid to use the means of salvation, for fear of increasing your guilt and condemnation thereby; hereby you may see, that this is but the malice and subtilty of the devil, by keeping you from the means, to keep you from salvation, Psa. lxxiii. 13. For it is most false to say, that to pray, hear the word, &c., is to increase your sins, because you cannot perform them as you should, and as you would. I am sure, it is a greater sin in you to forbear these necessary duties out of despair that they shall not profit you, or that you shall not be accepted of God. You should think thus: If I do not use the means of salvation, I shall certainly perish everlastingly; but if I do pray, hear, &c., I may be saved; therefore, in obedience to God, I will do as well as I can. But little does a man know how well he may do through the strength of Christ, if he would endeavour; neither can a man conceive how acceptable a little endeavour shall be, if he do but desire to be true in his endeavour. For as God's power is seen in a man's weakness, so is God's grace seen in a man's insufficiency, 2 Chron. xxx. 18 - 20; 2 Cor. xii. 9, 10. When we are weak, then God in us can be strong. Arid when we in humility like our services worst, then, through Christ, God may be best pleased with them. But, whatever you do, neglect not, nor absent yourselves from exercises of religion; for the weakest ob-