By theCrofscfCbrift. 225 12. We may glory in that which tendeth apparently to the goodof our Brethre.:, yea to the common goodof ChurchandCam- mon-wealeh, For hethat is bound toLove his Brother , and the Common-wealth ; isbound to rejoyce and glory in their bene- fits. But certainly the mortification of every individual mem- ber, doth tend to thegoodof each part andof the whole. Oh how profitably fhould weconverfe together if it were not for this fin 1 Howpeaceable, and edifying , and comfortable would our converfation be, to all about us ? We fhouldnot then tempt them tofin by our example ; nor diflurb the peace of families or neighbourhoods by the diflempers of our fouls and lives ; nor draw down Gods judgementson the places where we live. No wonder if all about them, bethe worfe forone unmortified man ; and if the Ship be in fudden danger till youth becall over-board: or if Ifrsel be difmayed for Achans fin. And all that are about themmay fare the better for a mortified Believer. In this refpec`]t therefore we mutt glory inour mortification, 13. It is certainly lawfull to glory in that which is the earneft of our heavenly everlcJtingglory , or a note or evidence of our title to it. For it cannot be that Felicity can be delired as_Felicity , which is with our higheft affeftions and endeavours, but we muff needs glory in that which afiureth us that we 11 aliattain it. Bat our Mortification is a certain fign of our title to it, andan earneft of it : And therefore we may jufily glory in our Mortifica- tion. 14. Laltly, it is undou?bly meet that we glory in that whichis Pleating to God our Father. For the Pleatingof him is our ulti- mateend and thoing of his will is the whole work o; r - ou lives. And therefore if we may notglory in that, we may glory innothing at all. Even Chrifts own Sacrifice, and Merits, aid holy Life are therefore to beextolled, becaufe they were fully Pleating unto God : and the full Commendation which the I a- ther giveth him was [ This ùmy beloved Son, in whom Iam well pleated] Math. 3. 17. Now it is certain that God is pleaféd al.. fo with the mortified fouls and lives of his .people , and that through Chrift they are amiable and acceptable to him. _I Cor. 7.3 2. i Thef. 4. a. z Tim. 2.4. Heb. 13. 16. They thatwalk withGod by faith, have this teJlimony, as Henoch had, that they pleafe God , Heb. 1 r. 5. [Beloved, if our heart condemn mu sot ,. g then
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