the court of conscience, conscience, religion, and the word
being commensurable. Therefore I beseech every one of you, take the word
for the ruling of your callings and conversations among men. Extend it to
all your actions, that in all these you may act as Christians as well as
men. It is certainly the licentiousness of the spirits of men, that cannot
endure the application of the word unto their particular actions and
conversation.

Now this spiritual walk proceeds from spiritual principles. It is certain,
the Spirit of Jesus Christ is he "in whom we live, and move, and have our
being" spiritually. Without him we can do nothing. And therefore
Christians ought to walk with such a subordination to, and dependence on
him, as if they were mere instruments, and patients under his hand. Though
I think in regard of endeavoured activity they should bestir themselves
and give all diligence, as if they acted independently of the Spirit, yet
in regard of denial of himself, and dependence on the Spirit, each one
ought to act as if he did not act at all but the Spirit only acted in him.
This is the divinity of Paul,--"I laboured more abundantly than they all,
yet not I, but grace in me. I live, yet not I, but Christ in me." O how
difficult a thing is it to reconcile these two in the practice of
Christians which yet cannot really be, except they be together! It is
certainly one of the great mysteries of Christianity, to draw our strength
and activity from another, to look upon ourselves and our actings, as
these that can do nothing--as empty vines, and that notwithstanding of all
infused and acquired principles. Whatever we ought to do in judging and
discerning of our condition, yet sure I am, Christians, in the exercise
and practice of godliness, should look upon themselves void of any
principle in themselves either to do or think. Not that we are sufficient
of ourselves. The proficient and growing Christian should look no more on
his own inclinations and habits than if he had none. He should consider
himself an ungodly man, that no fruit can grow upon, one that cannot pray,
as he is in himself. But, alas we come to duties in the confidence of
qualifications for duties, act more confidently in them because accustomed
to them, and so make grace and religion a kind of art and discipline, that
use and experience make expert unto. Learn now this one thing, which would
be instead of many rules and doctrine to us,--to shut out of your eye