Spiritual Peace and Comfort. 89 the flefh and the world : whereby theymight have difcoveted their unfoundnefs if they would, before tribulationcame : Firfk, by difcerning that the Word was not deep rooted, i . In their Judgement andE(fi- tnation ; 2,. Or in their Wills and fetled Refolution. Secondly, And bydifcerning the unmoxtiñed luffs of their hearts in the mean time. But it feems the third fort of Hearers , likened to the thorny ground went further then thefe for here it is only laid by L4 8. ia. That they bring no fruit to perfetlion : However,whether thefe went farther then the other, ornot, it is certain that thefe alto had their tryal, and fill in the tryal : Thedeceitfulnefs of riches overturned thefe, as the heat of perfecution over- turned theother. So that it is evident that profperity puts faith to the tryal, as well as adverfity. But mark the different manner of their falls and overthrows : They that are overthrown by adverfity , are faid to fall away, that is, to forfake Chrift openly but they that fall by profperity., are not faid to fall away ; but only that the deceitfulnefs of riches, and cares of the World chow, the word , fo that it becomes unfruitful, that id, brinns nofruit to perfetlian. For ufually thefe donot openly forfakeChrit,but continue oft anun- fruitfull and hypocritical profeffian: infomuch that at that very time when theWord is choaked and fruit- lefs,yet the bladeof profefionmay be as green as.e- ver, and they may be fo mach in fome duties, & have fuch golden words, and witty fhifts to plead for eve- ry covetous practice, and put fo fair a glofs on all their ad ions,that they may keep up the credit ofbe- ing very eminent Chriftians. So that if your Grace can carry you well through profperity you may
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