96 Of Chr ian Fortitude. SERM. It is exprefsly`faid in the name of wifdom, IV. * I love them that love me, and they that feek me early (hallfind me. Such feeking it early, or diligence, imports in it thofe difpofitions with which we mutt fuppofe the fupreme Being, infinitely good, and a perfea lover of wifdom, fo pleas'd, that he will beftow what. ever is necef try on his parr, in order to our obtaining it with all its comfortable fruits, If there be in us fuch hunger and thirli after righteoufnefs, that is, fuch a prevailing love of goodnefs that we are ready for its fake to thwart and deny the love of eafe, an averfon to labour, and all felfifh affe &ions which may hinder our progrefs ; and if we are prepared to undergo all the difficulties and pains inqueft of virtue, which may arife from that indo- lence and depravity which we have contrafed, we may reit affured, God will give the áf- fiftances of his Holy Spirit, whofe good of- fices for our attaining wifdom, and even ad- vancing to confummate virtue, are fo :argely explained in the gofpel. Befides, diligence in order to the exercife of virtue, is really pra tìfing it; and we find in all thofe things the knowledge whereof and dexterity in them is acquired, it is by application and praEticevve rrov: viii. t7. arrive
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