Another Instance how little many, who profess to believe the Scriptures, do apparently look upon them as the Rule of their Actions, we have in regard of the Precept _not to Covet_; which is as much forbidden by the Law of God as _not to Steal_, or Cozen a Man of what is his property: And yet the same Parents who have bred their Children in such a Sense of the Enormity of these last Vices, as that they oftentimes seem to them like things that they are Naturally uncapable of, are so far from teaching them to restrain their Exorbitant Desires, that very oft they themselves with care inspire these into them: Whence it is sufficiently clear that the difference made between Stealing and Cheating, or Coveting (alike forbidden by the Law of God) is from hence, That Ambition is thought a Passion becoming some Ranks of Men, but Cheating or Stealing not Vices proper for a Gentleman. A distinction that must needs refer to some other Rule than that of the Gospel; which therefore is not That which, as a Divine Law, does prescribe to such Men the Measures of their Actions. To bring but one instance more of the Commands of Christ being comply'd with but so far only, as they do comply with some other Rule prefer'd thereto by such as yet pretend to be Christians; _Chastity_ (for example) is, according to the Gospel, a Duty to both Sexes, yet a Transgression herein, even with the aggravation of wronging another Man, and possibly a whole Family thereby, is ordinarily talk'd as lightly of, as if it was but a Peccadillo in a Young Man, altho' a far less Criminal Offence against this Duty in a Maid shall in the Opinion of the same Persons brand her with perpetual Infamy: The nearest Relations oftentimes are hardly brought to look upon her after such a dishonour done by her to their Family; whilst the Fault of her more guilty Brother finds but a very moderate reproof from them; and in a little while, it may be, becomes the Subject of their Mirth and Raillery. And why still is this wrong plac'd distinction made, but because there are measures of living establish'd by Men themselves according to a conformity, or disconformity with which, and not with the Precepts of Jesus Christ, their Actions are measur'd, & judg'd of? A thing which would be unaccountable if Men were indeed heartily perswaded of the Divine Revelation of our Saviours Doctrine; and did not profess to believe this but because it is the Fashion of their Country so to do; and that their Parents have done so before them; or, at most, that possibly they may have receiv'd from their Education some impressions which will not permit them to reject the Christian Religion, any more than firmly induce their Assent to the Truth of it.