And having made this declaration of his Faith, he gives an account of his Life, in the words of the Text, ver. 16, And herein do I exercise my self, to have always a conscience void of offence, towards God, and towards men.
And having made this declaration of his Faith, he gives an account of his Life, in the words of the Text, ver. 16, And herein do I exercise my self, to have always a conscience void of offence, towards God, and towards men.
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II. Here is his constancy and perseverance in this course; to have allways a conscience void of offence. III. Here is his earnest care and endeavour to this purpose, I exercise my self. IV. Here is the Principle and immediate Guide of his actions, which St. Paul here tells us was his Conscience. V. I shall lay down some Rules and directions for the keeping of a good Conscience. VI.
II Here is his constancy and perseverance in this course; to have always a conscience void of offence. III. Here is his earnest care and endeavour to this purpose, I exercise my self. IV. Here is the Principle and immediate Guide of his actions, which Saint Paul Here tells us was his Conscience. V. I shall lay down Some Rules and directions for the keeping of a good Conscience. VI.
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for this cause; because I hope for a Resurrection both of the just and unjust, I exercise my self to have always a conscience void of offence towards God and towards men.
for this cause; Because I hope for a Resurrection both of the just and unjust, I exercise my self to have always a conscience void of offence towards God and towards men.
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It hath regard to the whole compass of his Duty, as it respects God and Man. I exercise my self, says St. Paul, to have a conscience void of offence towards God and towards men.
It hath regard to the Whole compass of his Duty, as it respects God and Man. I exercise my self, Says Saint Paul, to have a conscience void of offence towards God and towards men.
And accordingly our Saviour comprehends the whole Duty of Man in those two great Commandments, the love of God and of our Neighbour, Matth. 22.38. Ʋpon these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets, that is, all the Moral Precepts, which are dispers'd up and down in the Law and the Prophets, may be referr'd to these two general Heads.
And accordingly our Saviour comprehends the Whole Duty of Man in those two great commandments, the love of God and of our Neighbour, Matthew 22.38. Ʋpon these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets, that is, all the Moral Precepts, which Are dispersed up and down in the Law and the prophets, may be referred to these two general Heads.
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We must not only make conscience of our ways by fits and starts, but in the general course and tenour of our lives and actions, without any baulks and intermissions.
We must not only make conscience of our ways by fits and starts, but in the general course and tenor of our lives and actions, without any balks and intermissions.
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But Religion should be a constant frame and temper of mind, discovering it self in the habitual course of our lives and actions. III. Here is likewise a very earnest care and endeavour to this purpose.
But Religion should be a constant frame and temper of mind, discovering it self in the habitual course of our lives and actions. III. Here is likewise a very earnest care and endeavour to this purpose.
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We must apply our minds in good earnest to be thoroughly instructed in all the parts of our Duty, that so we may not be at a loss what to do when we are call'd to the practise of it:
We must apply our minds in good earnest to be thoroughly instructed in all the parts of our Duty, that so we may not be At a loss what to do when we Are called to the practice of it:
And when we know our Duty, we must be true and honest to our selves, and very careful and conscientious in the discharge and performance of it. I proceed in the
And when we know our Duty, we must be true and honest to our selves, and very careful and conscientious in the discharge and performance of it. I proceed in the
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IVth place to consider the Principle and immediate Guide of our actions, which St. Paul here tells us was his Conscience; I exercise my self to have always a Conscience void of offence:
IVth place to Consider the Principle and immediate Guide of our actions, which Saint Paul Here tells us was his Conscience; I exercise my self to have always a Conscience void of offence:
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Now in common speech concerning Conscience, every man is represented as having a kind of Court and Tribunal in his own brest, where he tries himself and all his actions:
Now in Common speech Concerning Conscience, every man is represented as having a kind of Court and Tribunal in his own breast, where he tries himself and all his actions:
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The Court is call'd the Court of a man's Conscience, and the Barr at which the Sinner stands impleaded, is call'd the Barr of Conscience: Conscience also is the Accuser; and it is the Record and Register of our Crimes, in which the memory of them is preserv'd:
The Court is called the Court of a Man's Conscience, and the Bar At which the Sinner Stands impleaded, is called the Bar of Conscience: Conscience also is the Accuser; and it is the Record and Register of our Crimes, in which the memory of them is preserved:
Thus, according to common use of Speech, Conscience sustains all imaginable parts in this Spiritual Court: It is the Court, and the Bench, and the Barr; the Accuser, and Witness, and Register, and all.
Thus, according to Common use of Speech, Conscience sustains all imaginable parts in this Spiritual Court: It is the Court, and the Bench, and the Bar; the Accuser, and Witness, and Register, and all.
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For that certainly is a great Sin, and that which properly offends the Conscience and renders us guilty; guilt being nothing else but trouble arising in our minds from a consciousness of having done contrary to what we are verily perswaded was our duty:
For that Certainly is a great since, and that which properly offends the Conscience and renders us guilty; guilt being nothing Else but trouble arising in our minds from a consciousness of having done contrary to what we Are verily persuaded was our duty:
And this Rule is the more necessary to be consider'd and regarded by us, because generally men are apt to think it a sufficient excuse for any thing, that they did it according to their Conscience.
And this Rule is the more necessary to be considered and regarded by us, Because generally men Are apt to think it a sufficient excuse for any thing, that they did it according to their Conscience.
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And St. Peter, after he had charged the Jews with killing the Prince of Life, he presently adds, I wote that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your Rulers.
And Saint Peter, After he had charged the jews with killing the Prince of Life, he presently adds, I wot that through ignorance you did it, as did also your Rulers.
And yet notwithstanding that he acted herein according to the persuasion of his Conscience, he tells us that he had been a blasphemer, and a persecutour, and injurious, and a murderer, and in a word, the greatest of Sinners. So that Men may be guilty of the greatest Sins in following an erroneous Conscience. And
And yet notwithstanding that he acted herein according to the persuasion of his Conscience, he tells us that he had been a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious, and a murderer, and in a word, the greatest of Sinners. So that Men may be guilty of the greatest Sins in following an erroneous Conscience. And
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or from a visible byass of self-interest, or when it is accompanied with a furious passion and zeal, prompting men to cruel and horrible things, contrary to the light of nature and the common sense of humanity:
or from a visible bias of self-interest, or when it is accompanied with a furious passion and zeal, prompting men to cruel and horrible things, contrary to the Light of nature and the Common sense of humanity:
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Anerrour proceeding from such causes, and producing such effects, is wilful in so high a degree, that whatever evil is done in vertue of it is almost equally faulty with a direct and wilful violation of the Law of God.
Anerrour proceeding from such Causes, and producing such effects, is wilful in so high a degree, that whatever evil is done in virtue of it is almost equally faulty with a Direct and wilful violation of the Law of God.
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The ignorance and mistake doth indeed make the person so mistaken more capable of forgiveness, which is the ground of our Saviour's Prayer for his Murtherers, Father forgive them, for they know what they do:
The ignorance and mistake does indeed make the person so mistaken more capable of forgiveness, which is the ground of our Saviour's Prayer for his Murderers, Father forgive them, for they know what they do:
And therefore after he had said, I wote that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your Rulers, he immediately adds, Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.
And Therefore After he had said, I wot that through ignorance you did it, as did also your Rulers, he immediately adds, repent you Therefore, and be converted, that your Sins may be blotted out.
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but when there is only a meer doubt concerning the lawfulness or unlawfulness of a thing, it seems to me in that case very reasonable that a man should suffer a mere doubt or scruple to be over-rul'd by any of those weighty considerations which I mentioned before.
but when there is only a mere doubt Concerning the lawfulness or unlawfulness of a thing, it seems to me in that case very reasonable that a man should suffer a mere doubt or scruple to be overruled by any of those weighty considerations which I mentioned before.
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It is an excellent saying of St. James, The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God, that is, the fierce passions of men are no proper instruments to promote Religion,
It is an excellent saying of Saint James, The wrath of man works not the righteousness of God, that is, the fierce passion of men Are no proper Instruments to promote Religion,
A good Conscience is easie to it self, and pleased with its own doings; but when a man's passion and discontent are a weight upon his judgment, and do,
A good Conscience is easy to it self, and pleased with its own doings; but when a Man's passion and discontent Are a weight upon his judgement, and do,
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There can hardly be a broader sign that a man is in the wrong, than to rage and be confident: Because this plainly shews that the man's Conscience is not setled upon clear reason,
There can hardly be a Broader Signen that a man is in the wrong, than to rage and be confident: Because this plainly shows that the Man's Conscience is not settled upon clear reason,
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What cause then, what need is there of being angry? Hath a man Reason on his side? What would he have more? Why then does he fly out into Passion? which as it gives no strength to a bad Argument,
What cause then, what need is there of being angry? Hath a man Reason on his side? What would he have more? Why then does he fly out into Passion? which as it gives no strength to a bad Argument,
Of the great evil, and the perpetual mistake of this furious kind of Zeal, the Jews are a lively and a lamentable Example, in their carriage towards our Blessed Saviour and his Apostles:
Of the great evil, and the perpetual mistake of this furious kind of Zeal, the jews Are a lively and a lamentable Exampl, in their carriage towards our Blessed Saviour and his Apostles:
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And in another Chapter, I verily thought with my self, that I ought to do many things against the Name of Jesus of Nazareth: Here was his erroneous Conscience:
And in Another Chapter, I verily Thought with my self, that I ought to do many things against the Name of jesus of Nazareth: Here was his erroneous Conscience:
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and a teachable temper and disposition, willing to learn and to be better inform'd. A proud and conceited temper of mind is very likely to run into mistakes;
and a teachable temper and disposition, willing to Learn and to be better informed. A proud and conceited temper of mind is very likely to run into mistakes;
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because pride and fullness of a mans self does keep out knowledge, and obstructs all the passages by which wisdom and instruction should enter into men:
Because pride and fullness of a men self does keep out knowledge, and obstructs all the passages by which Wisdom and instruction should enter into men:
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for God resisteth the proud, but the meek will he guide in judgment, and will give more grace and wisdom to the humble. When men are once come to this, to think themselves wiser than their Teachers,
for God Resisteth the proud, but the meek will he guide in judgement, and will give more grace and Wisdom to the humble. When men Are once come to this, to think themselves Wiser than their Teachers,
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and to despise and cast off their Guides, no wonder if then they go astray. Lastly, Let us be sure to mind that which is our plain and unquestionable duty;
and to despise and cast off their Guides, no wonder if then they go astray. Lastly, Let us be sure to mind that which is our plain and unquestionable duty;
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the great things of Religion, wherein the life and substance of it doth consist; and the things likewise which make for peace, and whereby we may edify one another:
the great things of Religion, wherein the life and substance of it does consist; and the things likewise which make for peace, and whereby we may edify one Another:
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But let it be our great care not to fail in those greater things which are comprehended under the two great Commandments of the Law, the Love of God and of our Neighbour: Let us be strict and constant in our piety and devotion towards God; chast and temperate in reference to our selves; just and honest, kind and charitable, humble and meek, patient and peaceable towards all men; submissive and obedient to our Superiours, Natural, Civil, and Spiritual. A due regard to these great Vertues of the Christian life is the way to keep a Conscience void of offence towards God, and towards men:
But let it be our great care not to fail in those greater things which Are comprehended under the two great commandments of the Law, the Love of God and of our Neighbour: Let us be strict and constant in our piety and devotion towards God; chaste and temperate in Referente to our selves; just and honest, kind and charitable, humble and meek, patient and peaceable towards all men; submissive and obedient to our Superiors, Natural, Civil, and Spiritual. A due regard to these great Virtues of the Christian life is the Way to keep a Conscience void of offence towards God, and towards men:
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And surely the best means to have our doubts cleared about matters of lesser moment in Religion, is heartily to set about the practice of the great and unquestionable Duties of it:
And surely the best means to have our doubts cleared about matters of lesser moment in Religion, is heartily to Set about the practice of the great and unquestionable Duties of it:
If we believe the Resurrection of the dead, and a future Judgment, we ought to be very carefull to discharge a good Conscience now, in order to the rendring of a good Account hereafter;
If we believe the Resurrection of the dead, and a future Judgement, we ought to be very careful to discharge a good Conscience now, in order to the rendering of a good Account hereafter;
And therefore we should make that our constant care and companion now, which will then be our great comfort and rejoycing, a good Conscience and the testimony of it, that in all simplicity and godly sincerity we have had our conversation in the world.
And Therefore we should make that our constant care and Companion now, which will then be our great Comfort and rejoicing, a good Conscience and the testimony of it, that in all simplicity and godly sincerity we have had our Conversation in the world.
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and our faces with so much confusion, as the clamorous accusations of a guilty Conscience; which will be more than a thousand witnesses against us, and will anticipate our condemnation,
and our faces with so much confusion, as the clamorous accusations of a guilty Conscience; which will be more than a thousand Witnesses against us, and will anticipate our condemnation,
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And one of the principal ingredients of his misery and torment will be the perpetual regret and remorse of his own mind for his wilfull wickedness and folly;
And one of the principal ingredients of his misery and torment will be the perpetual regret and remorse of his own mind for his wilful wickedness and folly;
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This consideration ought to have a mighty operation upon us to make us very carefull to have Consciences void of offence now, that they may be free from torment and anguish hereafter: That when we shall come into the other World, we may not be eternally displeas'd with our selves,
This consideration ought to have a mighty operation upon us to make us very careful to have Consciences void of offence now, that they may be free from torment and anguish hereafter: That when we shall come into the other World, we may not be eternally displeased with our selves,
The firm belief of a future state of eternal Happiness or Misery in another World is the great weight or spring that sets a going those two powerfull Principles of human activity, the Hopes and the Fears of men;
The firm belief of a future state of Eternal Happiness or Misery in Another World is the great weight or spring that sets a going those two powerful Principles of human activity, the Hope's and the Fears of men;
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and is in its nature so fitted to raise these Passions to that degree, that did not experience shew us the contrary, one would think it morally impossible for human Nature to resist the mighty force of it.
and is in its nature so fitted to raise these Passion to that degree, that did not experience show us the contrary, one would think it morally impossible for human Nature to resist the mighty force of it.
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But here is their fatal miscarriage, that being resolv'd upon an evil course, since they cannot reconcile their practice with such Principles as these, they will fit their Principles to their practice;
But Here is their fatal miscarriage, that being resolved upon an evil course, since they cannot reconcile their practice with such Principles as these, they will fit their Principles to their practice;
For if his Conscience be awake, and in any degree sensible, the evident danger of eternal ruine, continually hanging over him, must in reason either drive him to repentance or to despair:
For if his Conscience be awake, and in any degree sensible, the evident danger of Eternal ruin, continually hanging over him, must in reason either drive him to Repentance or to despair:
If so forcible and violent an Argument can make no impression upon us, we are stupid and bewitch'd, we are lost and undone, we are wretched and miserable for ever.
If so forcible and violent an Argument can make no impression upon us, we Are stupid and bewitched, we Are lost and undone, we Are wretched and miserable for ever.
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it hath also this present fruit, this earnest, as I may say, and ready money in hand, the peace and satisfaction of our own minds, which is much more valuable than thousands of gold and silver;
it hath also this present fruit, this earnest, as I may say, and ready money in hand, the peace and satisfaction of our own minds, which is much more valuable than thousands of gold and silver;
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There is certainly no such comfort under the evils and afflictions of this life, as a faithful witness in our own breasts of our own innocency and integrity:
There is Certainly no such Comfort under the evils and afflictions of this life, as a faithful witness in our own breasts of our own innocency and integrity:
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When we are afflicted by God, or persecuted and revil'd by men, it cannot but be a mighty consolation to us to be conscious to our selves of our own sincerity.
When we Are afflicted by God, or persecuted and reviled by men, it cannot but be a mighty consolation to us to be conscious to our selves of our own sincerity.
For though no man can acquit and justifie himself before God as to the perfect innocency of his life, in which sense St. Paul says, that though he knew nothing by himself,
For though no man can acquit and justify himself before God as to the perfect innocency of his life, in which sense Saint Paul Says, that though he knew nothing by himself,
This was that which supported the first Christians, that noble Army of Martyrs, under all those bitter and cruel persecutions, which had otherwise been beyond all human patience to have endur'd:
This was that which supported the First Christians, that noble Army of Martyrs, under all those bitter and cruel persecutions, which had otherwise been beyond all human patience to have endured:
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Our rejoycing, says St. Paul, is this, the testimony of our consciences, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, we have had our conversation in the world.
Our rejoicing, Says Saint Paul, is this, the testimony of our Consciences, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, we have had our Conversation in the world.
So likewise under that inferiour but equally malicious sort of persecution, of which this Age is so very profuse and prodigal, I mean the causeless calumnies and reproaches of men:
So likewise under that inferior but equally malicious sort of persecution, of which this Age is so very profuse and prodigal, I mean the causeless calumnies and Reproaches of men:
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and then surely much more towards men: If God and our own Consciences do but acquit us, methinks it should be no such difficult matter to bear the slanders and hard censures of men.
and then surely much more towards men: If God and our own Consciences do but acquit us, methinks it should be no such difficult matter to bear the slanders and hard censures of men.
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when he reflects upon what he hath done, and considers what he is like to suffer? So on the other hand, there is nothing that revives and raises the fainting spirits of a dying man,
when he reflects upon what he hath done, and considers what he is like to suffer? So on the other hand, there is nothing that revives and raises the fainting spirits of a dying man,
A comfortable Death, that is free from the stings and upbraidings, the terrors and tortures, the confusion and amazement of a guilty Conscience, is a happiness so desireable,
A comfortable Death, that is free from the stings and upbraidings, the terrors and tortures, the confusion and amazement of a guilty Conscience, is a happiness so desirable,
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Let us then have a conscientious regard to the whole compass of our Duty, and, with St. Paul, Let us exercise to have alwayes a Conscience void of offence towards God, and towards men:
Let us then have a conscientious regard to the Whole compass of our Duty, and, with Saint Paul, Let us exercise to have always a Conscience void of offence towards God, and towards men:
that wherein-soever we have fail'd of innocency, we may make it up by repentance; and may get our Consciences clear'd of guilt by pardon and forgiveness:
that whereinsoever we have failed of innocency, we may make it up by Repentance; and may get our Consciences cleared of guilt by pardon and forgiveness:
because many great Sins may slip out of our memories without a particular repentance for them, which yet do require and stand in need of a particular repentance.
Because many great Sins may slip out of our memories without a particular Repentance for them, which yet do require and stand in need of a particular Repentance.
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Especially, we should search our Consciences more narrowly at these more solemn Times of repentance, and when we are preparing our selves to receive the Holy Sacrament:
Especially, we should search our Consciences more narrowly At these more solemn Times of Repentance, and when we Are preparing our selves to receive the Holy Sacrament:
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And therefore, next to the Supreme Majesty of Heaven and Earth, every man should be afraid to offend his own Reason and Conscience, which whenever we knowingly do amiss, will beat us with many stripes,
And Therefore, next to the Supreme Majesty of Heaven and Earth, every man should be afraid to offend his own Reason and Conscience, which whenever we knowingly do amiss, will beatrice us with many stripes,
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So that next to the dreadful sentence of the great Day, every man hath reason to dread the sentence of his own Conscience, God indeed is greater than our hearts, and knows all things;
So that next to the dreadful sentence of the great Day, every man hath reason to dread the sentence of his own Conscience, God indeed is greater than our hearts, and knows all things;
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and that upon several accounts, which I shall but briefly mention, and so conclude. First, Because the judgment of out Conscience is free from any compulsion.
and that upon several accounts, which I shall but briefly mention, and so conclude. First, Because the judgement of out Conscience is free from any compulsion.
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In vain shalt thou call upon the mountains and rocks to fall on thee and hide thee from the sight of thine own Conscience. Wretched and miserable man!
In vain shalt thou call upon the Mountains and Rocks to fallen on thee and hide thee from the sighed of thine own Conscience. Wretched and miserable man!
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For whether canst thou go, to escape the eye of this Witness, the terrour of this Judge, the torment of this Executioner? A man may as soon get rid of himself,
For whither Canst thou go, to escape the eye of this Witness, the terror of this Judge, the torment of this Executioner? A man may as soon get rid of himself,
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We account it a fearful thing to be haunted by evil spirits, and yet the spirit of a man which is in him, throughly affrighted with its own guilt, may be a more ghastly and amazing Spectacle than all the Devils in Hell:
We account it a fearful thing to be haunted by evil spirits, and yet the Spirit of a man which is in him, thoroughly affrighted with its own guilt, may be a more ghastly and amazing Spectacle than all the Devils in Hell:
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Let us do what we can to free our selves from prejudice and passion, from self-conceit and self-interest, which are often too strong a byass upon the judgments of the best men,
Let us do what we can to free our selves from prejudice and passion, from self-conceit and self-interest, which Are often too strong a bias upon the Judgments of the best men,
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