Senn. 20. Flow muff we in 4l1 things give Tlsitnks ? 1483 Then n; vcr hope to go another way than the Captain of our falva -slag in PIA::: tion bath led us, for if we baulk his track we are soli, must we not then give thanks for afli &ion that conforms us to our :lead ? VIi1. The Crofs is a Chritlians banner, his honour, and the fpeciall favour of the Lord towards him, therefore be thankfull for it Let not thisfeern a riddle or paradox,/ Lave you (frith the Apoftle) Phil.t.?: in my heart, for at mnch as in my bonds and in the defence of the Got",$ I, ye are all partakers of my grace; where by grace many underhand, a fpeciall a t of Gods favour to him and them, wherewith they were co account themfelves highly graced. Hence he faith again a little after, to you it's given in the behalf of Vert". 29. Chrifl not only to believe, but alfo to faaffer for his fakir. This he ac- gltrwmq; often.' counts a peculiar gift of God CO them, whereof but few in companion a'. del d)num, do partake. quia utrnmg; dicit eJJe dona- Hence faith one upon that place, it is a molt noble, yea, and almofi tw,n. Aug. divine thing to fuller for the Lord Jef4s. vetafqutz'u For the Lord gave Christ himf,lf on this very account a name above tcun every aame.Mark what the ApoítlePeter faith, Ifye be reproached for the P ';i '° name of Cbrifi happy are yers,for theSpirit of God &ofglory react') onyoN, r l et. 4 14. Which words mull be arnderffood emphatically the higlrefi maniíella- ;' -1 tion,and operation of the Spirit of God. Gods Spirit manifefteth it The spirir, felt' varioufly in feverall fubjet`ts, but in fufferers for Christ the very per He empha. Spirit and quintefence of glory feems to be extracted and poured on ticsrm. thee. Upon all thefe accounts and many more firth, we are to thank God for croffcs, and correEtions, becaufe the good of theta Both flow from Gods goodnefi, not from their natxre. When the Horfeleech by the Phyficians dirt &ion fucks our blood, and thereby performs a cure, the Horfeleech is not to be thanked, but the Phyfician for his application. So the Lord can make the bloody prrfecutors of his people to be infí}ruments of good co his people, no thanks to them but to him for it. How (hall a Chriflian bring his heart to this holy and heavenly ere frame, fo as in every thing to give thanks ? Hearken to thefe few dire Lions, and lay them up in your hearts,and 1gnt, draw them out in your confiant prac`tife. I. Pray earneffly for the Spirit of God ; without that Spirit thou ca oft Canticum no_ never pray or praife God duly, becaufe not fpiritually ; none can -fan- vwm & vetas &ife the Lord God in his heart ( which is the firft Principle of this home mate r,R. work) but he whoje heart the Lord bath fan&ified, core/ans. Aug, Q q q The
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=