206 Loving Chrifl above all, S E R M. friends are his molt violent enemies : Even IX. this muft be fubmitted to, and the fury of ` domeftic adverfaries borne by the followers of Chrift, rather than they fhould relinquifh the truth, and make fhipwreck of a good confcience. Which, after all, amounts to no more than what is effentially imported in their religious profeßion, and a juft con - fequeñce from the firm conditions of their inlifting in his fervice. For what do we mean by taking upon us the chriftian pro - feffion, and calling ourfelves the difciples of the Lord Jefus? Certainly, that we prefer his approbation, and the favour of God up- on his terms, to all confiderations in this world, and are ready to part with every thing for it. Therefore, if the molt efteem- ed friendfhip Rand in the way, and we cannot hold it at lefs expence than forfaking our duty as chriftians, it muft be abandoned : For no man can ferve two mailers: For either he will hate the one, and love the other ; or elfe he will hold to the one, and cc defpife the other. re cannot ferve God and " Mammon *." One of the plaineft leffons in chriftianity is, "feek firfl the kingdom of " God, and his righteoz(nefs -f-." But this it- Matth. vi. 2¢. i Matth. vi. 33. felt,
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