Eco How í1u11 Merchants in forraign parts keep up Serm. 26, AB.2t.t3. fupport in fufferings. The femme of what may be faid to the ñrft Que. ry, l fuppofe to be comprized in that counfel of our Lord Jefus who was Wifdom it felf, and Innocency it felt, Math. 16.16. Behold fend you forth as fheep in the nidff of Wolves; be ye therefore wife as Serpents, and harmlefs a6 Doves ; the Serpents wifdom joyned with the Doves innocency are the true Chriffians belt fecurity; to each of which I fhail fpeak famething. I. Get fpirituàl Prudence and Wifdom to fecure from fuffering wile re we have not a clear and fufficient call. The Heathens hinted wifdom as wea as it ength to be needful! for a Souldier, when they appointed the Warlike +Goddefs Pallas to be the Patronefs of Wit'. dom ; a Sonldier may and ought to guard himfelf , and by winding and turtling his body avoid the enemies blow , fo long as he Both not turn' his back, forfake the field, or betrary his truli; its like mane nee may a good Souldier of Jefus Chrift by any lawfull means guard himfelf from fr,ff :ring ; and by any jufl compliance or flep- ping afìde , or giving back, avoid a blow or make a fair retreat fo long as he keeps the Field , and doth not turn his back upon not give up a good, and a jufl caufe for fear of fuffering. Hence the Apoftle advifeth , Col. 4.. 5. Walk in wifdom toward them that *we without, that is, walk as thofe that have wifely fixt upon a good end , and do ufe the moil proper and likely means to attain that end. Now this general direc`fion will branch it felt forth into theft particulars : 1. Do not raibly and unneceffarily provoke chofe that have power to do you a mifchief; it is nor wifdom to fir in a wafps nett, nor by bloody colours to provoke a wilde Bull and certainly our life ; and the comforts and relations in this world , are fach real and great bleflïngs, that they are not to be facrifced to an hu- mour, nor call away, but upon the rnoft ferious confid.eration, and real neceffity ; and certainly when our Lord Jefus dire&ed his Dif- ciples, if perfecuted in one City, to flie to another, he never intended they fhould throw themfelves into the jaws of roaring Lions; nor provoke Bears and Tygers to tear. them in pieces, nor leave the quiet habitation of Sicn to feek perfecution, and court Aa,Nlartyto dome among Pagans and Infidels. The holy, Apolille Patsd, %lip was as willing to die for the Name of Chri(i as any , ,a `was,Akerefore by his love and zeal urged to go into the Theater at Ephcfus, yet he took the paid <_nt counfel and advice. of his J riends,,rnayr ,venture himfelf nor by his prefence provoke the enraged vault:tude 1931.
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