Baxter - BV4253 B39 C78 1658

The Preface hereby become a kindof Gods, in the eyes of them that mind this Interefl, (as in higher refpecis you are unto Believers.) F(pecially peeing they want that eye of faith, by which they ,Mould know the Sovcraign Lz(ajefly,whoat his pleafore dab difpofe both of you and them , thefe purblindfanners can reach nofurther. but are contented to be Ruled byyou, as ter- refirial Deities : They fee you, but they fee not God : the know you, andperceive the ( s of your favour and¿if- ?leafage : but being dead to. God, and favouring only f efbly things, theyfcarce obferve hisfrailes orfrowns. They feethat which is vifable to theeye which they have the fife of ; but the objets of faith are to them as Nothing, becaufe they have no eye to fee them. And fceing you have filch publick intereft and influence,it is our duty farfl to look after yourfouls, and to fee that you receive the heavenly impre s. 3. To which Imayadd, that no men have ufuallymore need of ad- viceand help then you. For your temptations are the firong- efl : The world killeth by itsflatteries : It is not the having it, but the Loving it that undoes men: Andhe is much liken to over-love it, that bathwhat he wouldhave, and liveth ins plentiful provifaons for hisflefh , then he that bath nothing from it but trouble and vexation. u is not poverty, and prifons, andficknefs thatare the flattering panders of the world,but profperityand content to the flefh. Though Iknow that manyof the poor, do moll of all aver-value the world , becaufe they never tryed fo much of its vanity, brat Handing at a diftance from profperity , do think it a greaterfelicity then it is : For thofe are moll-in Love with the world that dealt know it ; as thofe that leaf! know him are leafí in Love with, Godand eternalglory. But yet it is pleafang and not difpleafng, flattering rather then buffeting; that is the means of deceiving filly fouls, andHealing their heartsfrom God to the world. Tour mountains lie open to ftronger winds then our williesdo r Andyourgulfs and greater firearm are (a 2 ) not

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