'4TO ïjepartnottpof tDe Zí1ítteZttributel Chap. 3 i , theirPrinciples and the height of their Vertue,were in- L.v-N.) fufficient to fupport them under any preffing Af uidion; yet they had vain hopes ofobtainingperfet Tranquil- lity and Content by them. Now the Gofpel com- manding an inure renouncingofour felves, to embrace the foie Goodnefs and Will of God, it was hard for thofe who were fo full of pride and vanity to reliih a Doórine focontrary to them. In truth, whatever the Philofophers pretended concerning the incredibility that the Son of God Mould fuffer Death, yet it was not fo much the Crofs towhich Chrift was nailed by his Ene- mies that made them reject the Gof- pel, as the other Crofs to which le- fur would fatten them ; i. e. the arid and holy Difcipline to which he commands them to fubmit. A Dif cipline that condemns their vain boa- flingof Wifdom& Vertue, that mortifies fenfual plea- fures, which many of the Philofophers indulged them- felves in ,notwithftanding all their difcourfes ofthepur- gative and illuminative life. And that this was the real Caufe of their rejetinga crucified Saviour is evident : For they knew that Sufferings of the worft kind are not always infamous, but muff be efteemed according to the qualityoftheir Caufes and Ends. Thofe who for pub- lick good generoufly expofe themfelves todifgrace and mifery, arehonouredîor their heroic courage as Patri ots of the nobleft ftrain.. And 'tis not unufual for per- 00_111d hi his deprehendas præter fiaam frontem, &perperuumotium, & quon- damexarrogancia autoritatem ? I'hilofophorum fupercilia conrsnni- mus, vicia facundiffime accufantm, in_ tercutibus ipfi virils madentes. Mtnuc. '0^r7 8'5TO ''°' chaxel fons ofextraordinary Wifdom and Vertue to fuffer in PSslyCJ14?d1, the World.. Their prefence andexample upbraid the spe2xm "' ' vitious and wound their Spirits,as agreat Light diftem- oftha,T1f, .5- wxuvlazcu pered and fore eyes.. And force ofthem acknowledged P ZET£U" the Wifdom ofProvidence in ermitting this for an ex- .rA., 7PAY. b n¢ r;? sis- cellent end, that Vertue tried in the firemight be more a`dcrcp b. refplendent. >F Plato an. eminent Philofopher defcribes a epab. P P man
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