Serin, 20, Hose mug we in all things give Thanks ? 479 this is eh: hig'.ieft pitch of Virtue ; for a true Chriftians language is ` this, I cannot tell how I fhould fuff.r lefs, thefe things are but little to my fins, I deferve much more at the Lords hands ; here is your ` Chriftian, fuch a one takes up his crofs, and follows his Saviour : no `lofs or crofs can difbearten him, but as the Poet faith, if the I World break and fall about his ears, he would not be afraid. Thus ` St Hierons, By whom it ft ould feem, that to give God thanks for croffes and aflidions is 74 arbaYP to be numbred among thofe fingular thin swl ich Chriflians are bound to excel in beyond Heathens and Publicans, as to love enemies, to biefs them that curfe, &c. to which our Saviour Matth:g. exhorts, and commands. Papifts indeed tell us they are Coasnfels and not Commands,and thefe fore required only of perfc l ones in order to merit, and fupererrogatì- on, which is a blafphemous fancy ; thofe duties, and fo this of thank - fuinefs, in every thing is required of every Chrifl:ian, virtute yrecepti, this is the will of God concerning you,faich my Text. Why and how do we give thanks in and for afllictions. eQuere'4. I. We muff give thanks for good, aflli &ions are not evil but good: pfai. 9. David tells you fo, and wherein, which every child of God alfo finds. 67,68,71. To this agrees that ache Schooles,that croffes are not evil, but good. Biel &others. i. Becaufe inflicted by the Lord who is the chief good. . Becaufe fuffered by the Lord J,efus, who is the chief good. 3 . They conform us to the Lord, who is the chief good. q.. They prepare us for communion with the Lord in Heaven, which is our chief good ; therefore be thankful for croffes. I I. We muff thank God for every token of his Fatherly love ; but now croffes and troubles are f`uch Fatherly love tokens. Whom the Lord Heb:r 2,6. laveth he chaffeneth, andfcourgeth every fox whom he receiveth ; there- fore give thanks for them, as well for the rod, as for bread. This is thank - worthy, this is acceptable to God, God will thank us z get.2.19,2o for fuffering patiently, therefore we muff thank him for infliaing it as a tender Father on beloved fons, Would you be counted bafiards? Alexander cafhieredone of his name that would not fight ; the Eagle is faid to caft off thofe young Et cm Nandi-. ones that cannot bear the fight of the Sun ; and force Germans coup. ne parer es, tedfuch children fpürious brats that'could not fwim : So our Heavenly cum d :s ate Father will never own them for his children that will not fubmit to his Yfa1.98.. rod,and kifs it too. Lord when thou ffroake ft avid when than ffrike fl tho' art alike a Father,faith SCAN /in. rI-I: The-
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