to begot by it thatwill makehim a gainer or a faver in the end ? Noman will incur fo great a lofs, and call himfelf upon a lifeof troubles, without fome confiderable benefit to encourage him. And in the conflift , the heart will be ready to fail if we have not a cordial at hand for its refrefhment. As Chrifl himfelf mull havean Angel inhis agony to comforthim,and when confolation is withdrawnby God, doth feel himfelf as one forfaken : So all bis members in their Crucifixion have need of thefe reviving Mefíengers of God , that feeing the ends and benefits of their fufferings, they may be able to reugn their natural wills in a full fubmiffion to the will of God and fo to perfevere and conquer in their fufferings. They have needof a believing confederation of the Benefits, that they may be daily andhourly furnifhed againfl temptations , and may bear thofe loffes and abufes from men , even to the laying down of life , and all things in this world, which flefh and blood is foexceedingly againfl. He that believeth the faithfulnefsof the promifer , will bold fait the pro- feonof hisfaithwithout wavering, Heb. i o. 23. And he that be- lieveth the recompenseof Reward, will not call away his confidence, Heb. i.o. 3.5. He that knoweth in himfelf that he bath in heavena better andmore enduringfubflanee, will endure thegreatefl fight of affliE5lions., becoming a gazing flock_by reproaches, andafflictions andbecoming a companionof them that arefo ufed ; and willtake joyfully the fpoyling of his worldly goods , Heb. >i o. 32, 33, 3 4. He that can loo/Zto 7efus the author andfnifber of his faith , and withhim to theToy that is fet before him, will endure the Crofs,and defpife the Jhame and run with patience the race that isfetbefore him, Heb. r2. 1, 2. He that by faith fore-teeth the Peaceable fruitsof righteoufnefs, will bear thechaflifement which for the pre- fentfeemeth notjoyous butgrievou, Heb. 12. i *.. All the cloud of witneffesand armyof Martyrs, Heb. r r. do teflifie this to us that it is faith's beholding thebenefits and promifed bleffings that mull enable us to contemn the world and fuller the lofs of all for Chriff. Having therefore need of Patience thatafter .we bag.- done the will of God , wemay receive thepremife , we have needalto of thefe encouraginghelps which mull fupport our pa- tience, that in this Patience we may pof efs our fouls ; When im- patient men to fave theworld, do lofe their foulo, Rib. fo. 3 6. Luk -2a t9. Mat. 16. 25, z6. Thefe confider,Lions are necef Dd2 far By the Crofs of aryl. 203
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