142 Dire[lionsforgetting and keeping open the Goodnefs of the Lord ? and that inparticu- lars, as upon experience they have found him to their own fouls ? To hear them tell you of fuch notable difcoveries ofGods fpeciall providence and care of his people, as may refel all Temptations to Atheifm and unbelief ? Tohear them give you their frequent and full experiences of Gods hearing and anfwering their Prayers, and helping them in their diftrelfes ? Though the carnal part of the Mercy were only theirs, yet by improvement the fpiritual part may be yours : You may have your faith, and love, and joy confirmed by theexperiences ofDh.vid, lob, Paid, which are pall fo long ago ; and by the experiences of all your Godly acquaintance, as if theywere your own. This is the benefit of theunity ofthe Church : the bleflings of one member of the body are biefsings to the roil ; and if one Re jo}ce the reft may rejoyce with them, not only for their fakes, but alfo for their own. Such as God is to the reft ofhis children, fuch he is and will be toyou. He is as ready to pity you as them ; and to hear your complaints andmoans as theirs. And left we fhould think that none ofthem were fo bad aswe ; he bath left us the examples of his mercies to worfe then ever we were. Younever were guilty of Witchcraft, and open Idolatry, as Manifes was, and that for a long time, and drawing the whole Nation, and chief part of the viable Church on earth, into Idolatrywith him. You never had your hand in the blood of a Saint, and even of the firft Martyr { Stepken) as 'Patel had r You never hunted after the blood of the Saints, and perfecuted them from City to City as hedid : and yet God didnot only forgive
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