$ertn. t 8. on Divine Providence ? fleight fÿiritual graces, and heavenly Communion. r. Spiritual graces. Our digging for flyer, and fearching for gold, makes us too too apt to negletl that wch is better than thoufandsof gold . and filver, even durable f sibf ante. The radiant fjilendor of thefe things here below, dazzles our eyes to chofe things above. Whiles Martha is much * cnmbred about many things,ihe forgets to aft Maries part,and * Luk.I0.4t. to purfue that one thing nece f f fry. How often do outward comforts en- tangle the fpirits,weaken the graces, f rengthen the corruptions,even of good men ! There was a ferious truth in that Atheif ical (corn of 7ulian, who when he fpoyled the Ckrif ans of their outwardeftates,told them, He did it to Hake them more ready for the Kingdom of heaven. Many real- ly godly lofe much in f irituals by gaining much in temporals ; they have been impoverifh'd by their riches. They are, indeed, rich in grace, whofe graces are not hindred by their riches, whofefouler profper wh,n their bodies profper. To fee the daughter of Tyre come with hergift,to fee the n rich among the people, entreat Chrifis favour, and give sip themfelves n Pfa1.45.1 a, to Him ; This indeed is a rare fight. To be rich or great in the World, is a great temptation. When we flourifh in the flefh, we are apt to wi- ther in the Spirit. Thefcorching Sun -beams of proMerit y too too often caufe a drouth, and then a dearth, a Famine in the foul, and make us throw of thole robes of righteóufnfs which the wind of afßgieu makes us to gird on the fader. The World is of an encroaching nature, hard it is to enjoy it, and not come into bondage to it. Let e/1 braham tali but a little more than ordinary refpea on Hagar, and it will not be long ere the begin to conte5l with, yea, crow over her Mif refs. 2. Spiritual Communion with God. Worldly comforts are alwaies dog'd with worldly buf nefs,and this too often eats up our time for Communion with God. It is a very difficult thing to make our way into the prefence of God through the throng of worldly encumbrances. Worldly employ- ments & enjoyments are exceeding apt not only to blunt, but to turn the edge of our affe &ions from an holy commerce with God. Faith knows what a Task, what an Herculean labour it is, after it hath pall a day a- midíf worldly profits, and been entertained with the delights and plea fures a full of ate affords, now to bring an whole heart to God, when at night it returns into his perfence. The World in this cafe Both by the Saint as the little child by the mother,if it cannot keep the mother from going out, is will cry after to go with her. If the World cannot keep us from going to Religious duties, it will cry to be taken along with ow, and much ado there is to pert it and our affeftions. Than Faith difcovers the danger and.hurtfulnefs of Creature - enjoyments. But more than this. 439 . Fai&
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