amples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world

are come,

CHAPTER IX.

Concerning the Perfection of Holiness.

The perfection of a Christian consists in using his

utmost endeavours to perform with sincerity and zeal the whole will of God; to grow in grace, and excel in all manner of virtue; and to persevere in the ways of piety and holiness to the end of his life.

UNIVERSAL OBEDIENCE.

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1 ABHOR that which is evil : cleave to that which is good. Cleanse yourselves from all filthiness, both of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness; and keep yourselves unspotted from the world.

Whatever is an abomination to the Lord thy God, thou shalt utterly detest, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.

Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee: ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn

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not to the right hand nor to the left. Remove thy foot from evil.

'Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us; and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

· Ye shall be righteous before God; working that which is good and right, and truth, before the Lord; following him fully; and walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

3 Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on eternal life; that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things. For he that in these things serveth Christ, is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

5 Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

As God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk; caring for the things of the Lord, that he may be holy both in body and spirita

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned rith salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer rery man. If

any man among you seem to be religious,

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and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin; he therefore that hath knowledge spareth his words, and taketh heed to his ways, that he offend not with his tongue.

2 If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from troubles.

He that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. For death and life are in the power of the tongue.

Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

. Let us cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God; and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. For the thought of foolishness is sin.

? Woe unto you that pay tithe of mint, and anise, and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith. These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

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they are righteous, and despise others; because they are not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adul. terers; when they are at the same time guilty of as

great sins.

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1 Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Let us not do evil that good may come.

For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory, yet I am justly judged as a sinner.

? Let every one that nameth the name of Christ not only depart from iniquity, but abstain from all appearance of evil.

* Let not your good be evil spoken of. Provide things honest, not only in the sight of the Lord, but in the sight of men. Cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that they may be ashamed which speak evil of you, and falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

* All things are lawful for me; but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

5 Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all : for he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

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1 Rom. vi. 1, 2, 15. Rom. iii. 8. 7.

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? A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

· Othat my ways were directed to keep the statutes of the Lord! Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all his commandments.

SINCERITY.

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3 How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.

Seek the Lord with your whole desire; and serve him with all your heart, and with all your soul.

Cleave unto the Lord your God; and serve him in sincerity and in truth; with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind, and with a pure conscience.

6 Walk before him in truth and in righteousness, and in uprightness and integrity of heart; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.

? Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men.

8. Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge amongst us?

Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Behold, O God, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: therefore will I not remove my integrity from me: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

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