ttt Gonfríbíng can't 3aebennpfían Now the certain expeCtationofa bleffed iffue out ofall Chap 16. troubles, is to the Heart ofa Chriftian as the putting a Rudder toa Ship, which without it is expofed to the fury ofthewinds and in continual dangers, but by its guidance makes ufe of every Wind to convey it to its Port. Hope produces not only acquiefcence,but joy in 31i the fharpefl Tribulations.For every true Chriftianbeing Rom, 12. 1. ordained to a Glorious and Supernatural Bleffednefs hereafter ; all things that befal them here below as Means,are regulated and transformed into the nature of the End towhich they carry them. Accordingly the A- poftleaffures us, that Our light 1Íffliclions which are but cor.4. 27, for a moment, workfor us afar moreexceeding andeternal weight of fGlory.To confider this Life as the paffage to a- nother that is as durable as Eternity,& as bleffed as the Enjoyment ofGod can make it;thatthe prefent miferies have a final refpe6t to future Happinefs, will change our opinion about them,and render them not only tolerable;,: but fo far amiable as they are inftrumental and prepara- tory for it. Ifthe Bloodyas well as the Milky way leads to God's Throne, a Chriftian willingly walks in it. In.. fhort,A lively Hope accompanies. a Chriftian to his laft expiring breath, till it is confummated in Celeflial fru- ition. So that Death it felf,theuniverfal terror ofMan- kind, is made defirable, asan entrance into Immortali- ty and the firft day ofour Triumph.. Thus I havecon- fidered fome particular Precepts of Chrift,which are of greateft ufe for the government ofour Hearts and Lives; - and the reafonsupon which they aregrounded to make them effeCual. Now to difcover more fully the corn pleatnefs ofthe Evangelical Rule,l will confider it with refpe& to the Law ofMofes, and the Philofophy of the Heathens. CHAP.
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