146 Long-life, Riches, and Ffonour, S E R M. port and prefervation. In the 9th and loth VI. verfes the apoftle adds, This is a faithful "^'"' laying, and worthy of all acceptation, fir therefòre we labour and fufer reproach, 6e- caufe we trufi in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, efpecially of them that believe; plainly enough intimating that we are not to expet an exemption from trou- bles, or to enjoy a life of external eafe and fplendor ; for he faith exprefìly, we labour and fufer reproach; but only that God, whofe providence preferveth the lives of all men, taketh a fpecial care of fincere chri- ftians. But that outward profperity is not intended to be the reward of religion, and that the promife of it is not the fanäion of the law of faith, or of chriftianity, but the promife of eternal life, is evident, becaufe there is no neceffary connexion between the condition and the promife. No man who rightly underftandeth, and ferioufly confi- dereth the ftrain of the New Teftament, and withal refledeth on the general courfe of providence which in this point explaineth it, can believe that riches and honour are annexed to the exercife of godlinefs as the proper recompence of it ; for then they ought to follow it conftantly, and uniform- ly, and in exa& proportion, which it is cer- tain
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