the Charac`ier of his true Difciples. 205 " fervam' above his Lord." That in fpite S E R M of all oppofition their caufe Mould triumph, IX. and themfelves with it be in high reputation`"' and efleem, when their enemies fhould be covered with fhame. That they were under the fpecial care and proteé ion of divine pro- vidence, which orders all things wifely for the belt: And that there is a time coming when a refolved adherence to the caufe of truth and pure religion (hall be glorioufly rewarded, and the defertion of that caufe, through the fear of fuffering perfecution and contempt from men, and the prevailing love of this world, (hall be punifhed as it deferves. Lafily, our Saviour deduces the patient enduring of afie }ions, even when attended with the moll bitter circumflances, fuch as lofing the friendfhip and incurring the utmoft difpleafure of our neareft and deareft relations : I fay, he deduces it from the common obligations of chriflianity. Sup - poliing the cafe to be jufi as he hates it in the verles preceding the text, that the gof- pel does not produce the proper and genuine fruit to which by its own nature it tends, which is peace and charity among men, but that on the contrary it becomes the occafion of hatred and quarrels, fo far that a man's neareft friends
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