fee it exemplified in Fob cap. 1, &c. (2.) Faith hath its peculiar work, 2 Thef. 1. 11, The work of faith, with power. And the proper work of faith, is to receive Jefus Christ, and rest upon him, and his righte oufnefs, for a full discharge from the guilt of every fin,, and for acceptance with God as righteous, untó Eternal Life: And to carry the Soul to Jefus Chrift daily, for supplies of grace, for ftrength against temptations from the World, the Flesh, or the Devil; and for ability to perform what is daily required of us, in thofe relations wherein we ftand, and in that condition, wherein we are, fo as we may be enabled to hold on cheerfully, and comfortably in the race that is fet before us, notwithstanding all the dif ficulties, we meet with in our way: Thus it was Prophetically promifed of, and to the believing Jews, Hab. 2. 4, The just shall live by his faith; and to all believers to the end of the World: Stilt keeping heart in their hopes, for the accomplishment of whatever God hath promifed; notwith ftanding all the real improbabilities, and feeming impoffibilities, that be in the way. This is the proper work of faith, and in doing of this, confifts, the exercife of faith. Thus did Abraham, Rom. 4. 19, 20. For we walk by faith, not by fight, 2 Cor. 5. 7. We do not enjoy all that is in the promife

mife, but in the exercise of faith, we wait for it.

"

(3) Repentance hath its proper work too; which is to bring forth fruits meet for Repentance, fuitable to the nature of such a gracious principle, Matth. 3. 8. Such as heart-humbling, and afflicting the Soul with godly forrow, for fin; joined with the turning of the heart against every known fin, fo as we may attain to the fenfe of God's reconciliation with us, and keep our hearts in a reconciled frame toward his holy Will in all things. This is proper work for this grace, and in doing hereof, confifts the exercife of Repentance. See this exemplified, Fer. 31. 18, 19, turn thou me, and I fball be turned, for thou art the Lord my God. Sureby after I was turned, I repented, &c. And Pfal. 51.

(4.) Self-denyal, hath its proper work. To deny felf-will, felf-ends, felf-interest in all worldly concernments, whatsoever, and how far foever they stand in opofition un to, or in competition with, the command, intereft, and glory of Jefus Chrift. And are inconfiftent with the Confcience of that duty, which we owe unto his Majefty. This is the work which God hath appointed unto this grace, Luk. 9.23, If any Man will come after me, let him deny himself. And in dor ing of this work, this grace is exercifed. See

it exemplified in Mofes, Heb. 11. 24, By faith Mofes, when he came to years, refufed to be called the Son of Pharaoh's daugh

ter.

(5) The grace of Fear, hath its proper work, to keep the heart in an holy awe of God, fenfible of his all-feeing eye upon us, regulating all our thoughts, words and actions, as becomes the prefence of fo holy a God. This is the proper work for the fear of God, Prov. 8. 13. The fear of the Lord is to bate evil. And in doing of this work, confifts the exercife of this grace, 2 Cor. 7. I,Let us cleanfe our felves from all filthiness of the flesh, and Spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. i.e.In the exercise of this grace. See this exemplified in Jofeph, Gen. 39. 9, How can I do this great wickedness, and fin against. God. And in Nehemiah, chap. 5.15, But, fo did not I, because of the fear of God.

(6.) The grace of Meekness hath its proper work: And that is in the juft moderation of the paffion of anger; preventing, or quickly cooling, and fubduing, all undue heats fo as this unruly paffion may never be moved without caufe, or when there is caufe, not without meafure, to walk in the exercife of this grace. And because there are fo few examples of it among the proud, froward, unbroken-hearted generation of

Men,

Men, we are called upon to learn it of Christ, Matth. 11. 29, Learn of me, for I am meek, and lowly of heart. This being fuch a grace, as no Christian, without the exercise of it, can poffibly walk worthy of his Calling, Eph.4.2, I beseech you, walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness, and meekness.

(7.) The grace of Charity hath its proper work: Ye have it described, I Cor. 13, 4,5,6,7. In doing this work, the grace of Charity is exercifed, and the command of Chrift fo far fulfilled, who commands us, To walk in love, Eph. 5. 2. And requires it of us, 1 Cor. 16. 14, That all our things be done in charity.

Thefe few inftances fhew; what it is to live in the exercife of gödlinefs. Ye fee, here are gracious principles in the heart, and gracious actings, fuitable thereunto, and iffuing from them. And these are the things wherein the profperity of the Soul confiiteth.

2. Wherein ought we to exercise our selves unto godliness?

Anf. In every thing we do: Whether we eat, or drink, or whatever we do, we ought to do all to the glory of God, I Cor. 10. 31. Though we are neceffitated often to change our Actions, yet we ought never to change our End. This must be always the high

eft

eft, and moft fupreme End. And this can never be done, but in the exercise of the principles of godliness. It cannot be expected, that I fhould inftance in every thing I fhall inftance in those things that may be most comprehenfive. Confider then,

1. That these principles ought to be exercised in those spiritual outgoings, and holy actings of the inward Man, which are immediately acted upon God, and raise the heart Heaven-ward; though not drawn forth in acts of instituted worship.

(2.) As they are drawn forth, exercised, and, as it were, clothed with the external duties of Religion; or any thing elfe, wherein the vifible part of Religion (as far as it may be vifible to Man) doth confift.

1. For the former. In the fpiritual outgoings, and holy actings of the inward Man. So as to do fomething toward the perfor mance of that great duty injoined, both in the Old Testament, and in the New. Ifa. 8. 13, Sanctifie the Lord of hofts himself, and Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 1 Pet. 3. 15, But fanctifie the Lord God in your hearts. But how is this?. That God, who is the God of all grace, fhould fanctifie all those whom he fets apart for himself. And that he should fanctifie his own name, in vindicating it,from those low, and unworthy thoughts that Men have of