2 34 ------ ------Y- 7he Crtt - ., , nor provoke others againfl them , as the paffionatedo ; and com- monly they are either loved, or pittyed, or eauìlyer dealt with by all. * So that you may fee throughout the Gofpel that our prefent bleffednefs is in Mortification and Hope, as the way to our future bleffednefs, which confìlleth in fruition. And therefore it is a a very great errour in $clievers, when they overlook the bleffe.d- nefs of ;a Mortified [late , and can fee little in any thing but fen- fible fruition and rejoycings. When you are low in affliaions and grieved for your corruptions and fill the earsof God and men withyour complaints, thoughyou have not then the joyful fenfe of the Loveof God , yet me thinksyou might eafzly per- ceiveyour Mortification ; And will that afford youno refrefh- ing ? Do younot feel that you are Crucified to the world , and your defires after it are languid and life- lefs ? Can you not truly fay that the world is Crucified toyou and that you look on it but as a Carkafs ; as an .empty, lifelefs, and unfatisfaaory thing? Would you not gladlypart with it for more of Çhrif` ? Could younot let go.credit, and wealth, and friends fo that the King- domof God might be more advanced within you,and youmight live more in the Spirit by a life of faith ? . Coull, you not be content to be poor in the world, fo that you might ut be rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdomwhich God bath promifedto them that love him ? Why do you not then confider what a bleffed condition you are in and that your Mortificationisa Mercy that leadeth to falvation, and as fure a token of the Love of God, as your moll fe,nfible joyes ? Did you ever mark and confcionably pra ife that command of Chrilt , Mat. 5. 12. to the perfecuted, reviled, flandered Believers ; Rejoyce and beex- ceedingglad ( mark what a frame your Saviour would haveyou live in) for great is your reward in heaven : for fo perfecuted they the Prophetswhich were beforeyou. J So when you are poor and afllitied, and have hearts that fer light by earthly things in corn- parifon of God and Glory , you have caufe to Rejoyce and be exceedingglad, though you live under fuf erings ; for thus it bath been with the true Believers thatiiave gone before you. SECT.
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