Baxter - BV4253 B39 C78 1658

By the Croft of Chrif. 175 Have now told you how you amidCrucifie the world, and I be Crucified to it but which of-you will be fohappy as to pra&ife thefe Dire/Scions, I cannot cell. I have brought you the armour and weaponsby which this mortal enemy muft be-con- gutted ; but it is not in my power to give you couragious hearts tó.ufe than. f can certainly tell you what a fife and comfortable lifeyou might live, if you had but this enemy under your feet; and wear an eafieandhappy death you might die, if you were frildead,tothe world a But to, make you fo hap?y is not in my power. I can forefee the certain damnation of all unconverted fenfualifts and worldlings,and how fad a farewell theymuff thort- ly take-of all their felicity: But to prevent it is not inmy power: Igor I cannot make youwilling to-prevent it: Its a greater work thenhare information that is here tobe done. If it were but to give theworld elegycontemptuous words and to call it vanity anda worthlefs thing, I fhould make no doubt ofprevailing with the molt : But to kill it in your hearts is an harder work : And with (bale kind of men , it profpers moll, when it is hardlyet fpoken of Its ealie to tell a man why and how he Gould lay down his life for Chrift if he be called to it : Bat there's mare , to be done before it will be pra&ifed. Till an heavenly light pof efs your minds, and (lamyou chebetter things to come,and affure you of more to be had inChritt,then the world can afford you; I cannot look you tbould lofe your hold, nor that an hun- dred Sermons fhould mike you willing to leek the death of that-- which bath your heart. Senfe is tenacious, and unreafonable When you have knockt it offan hundred times yet-Rill it will be fecale, and will be eager after its delights again. Some will be Rill thinking that Mortification and heavenlymindednels is fo rare athing; that Godwill be more merciful then to condemn all that are without them : And foal: will be inconlderace and fenf- lets -when the cleareft reafon is fet before them and-will venture their falvation rather then become dead to all their worldly lulls and hopes.- So that with forrow-I muff fay thatnow I have faiáf all,anddelivered myMef sge,I fear the molt will fill be thefame, and reje& the counfel of God to their perdition. For this is a- grace tbat.accotnpanieth falvation, and therefore will be the portico

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