202. The Crucifying of the world, Cod, your felves.or others, of giving them ground of fuch re ports. And though I know that the wicked are abfurdand un. reafonable, 2 Thef. 3 . 2. and that.youwill never beable to flop themouthes of all fuchmen, till Graceor Judgement flop them ; yet fee that you walk,circumfpettly in fuch ,e ,il dales , and giveno offence to Tears orGentiles; or the Church.of God. If you are Chri- Itians indeed, you cannot take the Riches or Honours of the . world tobe matters of fo much worth or weight as to be pre- ferred before the honour of your Lord , and thegood of fouls. It will grieveyoumore to hear the reproaches of the ungodly, againft the waits and fervantsof God , then all yourwealth will do you-good. Doth it not go to your hearts to hear poor blind-. ed finners onall occafions reproaching your holy profeffion, and Paying [ There are none more proud, and covetous, and emmerci-. fall then theft Profefors of fo much firiîinefs and holinefs. Though for the generali, it be a malignant Satanical) flander ; yet, take heed asyou love the honour of God , and of his holy truth, and waits, and the fouls of men , that you give not occafzon of fuchreproach. SECT. XXII. pft ; For :Confolation.andfurther Perftbafion Aving faid this much toyou for the Crucifying the worldq' and the uftng it as a Crucified thing ; I ¡hall here briefly,, enumerate forne of the great benefits, which will follow to your (elves where this is done. And this ! fhall do inorder to thefe two endscon}unetly. i.That thole to whom the world is crucified may . lay to heart the greatnefs of the mercy,& be thankful to God that bath done fo much for them. There is the greater need,of en- couragement andcomfort to the foal, inour Crucifixion to she world, becaufe it is a flare of fomuch fuffering to the body, and.. a work that requireth fo much felf- denyal and patience. Who . will beperfwadcd to call all overboard , and forfake all the.plea- fMres.and profitsof this world:, but he thatknows of fomewhat to
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