and all to them, they are like Esau their hand against all,
and all men's hands against them, yea, their own consciences continually
vexing them. This is a fruit of that fundamental discord and enmity
between men and God, and if you find it not now, you shall find it
hereafter.

But as for you that are in Jesus Christ, who being displeased with
yourselves, have fled into the well beloved, in whom the Father is well
pleased, to escape God's displeasure, I say unto such, your persons God is
well pleased with in Christ and this shall make way and place for
acceptance to your weak and imperfect performances. This is the ground of
your peace and acceptance, and you would take it so, and it shall yield
you much peace, when you cannot be pleased with yourselves. But I would
charge that upon you, that as you by believing are well pleased with
Christ, so you would henceforth study to "walk worthy of your Lord unto
all well pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in
the knowledge of God," Col. i. 10. This is that to which you are called,
to such a work as may please him, to conform yourselves even to his
pleasure and will. If you love him, you cannot but fashion yourselves so
as he may be pleased. O how exact and observant is love of that which may
ingratiate itself in the beloved's favour! It is the most studious thing
to please, and most afraid of displeasing. Enoch had a large and
honourable testimony, as ever was given to man, that he pleased God, Heb.
xi. 5. I beseech you be ambitious of this after a holy manner, labour to
know his will, and that for this end, that you may approve it and prove it
that you may do that good and acceptable will of God. Let his pleasure be
your rule, your law, to which all within you may conform itself. Though
you cannot attain an exact correspondence with his pleasure, but in many
things you will offend, yet certainly this will be the resolved study of
your hearts how to please him, and in as far as you cannot please him, you
will be displeased with yourselves. But then, I would advise you, in as
far as you are displeased with yourselves for not pleasing God, be as much
well pleased with Christ, the pleasing sacrifice and atonement, and this
shall please God as much as your obedience could do, or your disobedience
can displease him. To him be praise and glory.

Sermon XXIII.

Verse 9.--"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be
that the Spir