The Life of Faith. 267 or at lea(4, that they may keep fo much, as not to be undone or left to anygreat fufferings in the world ; or at leafl, their lives may not be called for. For they live in a time, when few fuf- fer for Chrill ; and therefore they fee little caufc to fear that they thouldbe ofthat (mailer number : and it is but being a little the more wife and cautelous, and they hope they may fcape well enough. And if they had not this hope, they would never give up all to Chrifl. But like perlons that will be libe- ral to their Phyfician, they will offer a great deal, when they think he will not take it ; but if they thought he would take all that is offered, they would offer lets. Or as if a fick perfon (hould hear that filch a Phyfician will give him no very firong or lostthfome Phyfick ; and therefore when the Phyfician tellcth him [I willbe none of your Phyfician unlefs you will ab- folutely promife to take every thing which I fhall give you.] He promifeth that be will do it ; but it is only becaufe he fuppofetb that he will give him nothing which is troubleTome : And ifhe find his expetiation croft, he breaketh his promife, and faith, If I bad known that be would have ufed one thus, I would never have promifedit him. So hypocrites by promifegive up them- felves abfolutely to God, and to b: wholly at his will, without excepting life it [cif: But their hearts do fecretly except it : For all this is becaufe they doubt not but they may lave their earthly profperity and lives, and be Chriflians too : And if onceChrill call them toPuffer death for him, they (hew then what was the meaningof their hearts. To reaffume the former fimilitude ; If Chri(f on earth /fluid offer to convey you to a Kingdom at the Antipodes, where men live for ever in glorious holinefs, ifyou-will but truft hint, and ge in bit Ship, and take him for your Pilot : Hereone faith, I donot believe him that there is fuck a place, and therefore I will not go (that is,the Infidel.) Another faith, I like my merry life at home, better than his glorious holinefs ( that's the open worldlingandprophane.) Another faith, I will live in my on Country, and on my owneßate, as long as I can, and when I find that I am dying, and can flay here no longer, that I may be furs to lofe nothing by him, I will take his offer. Another faith, ! will go with him, but I will turn back again, if I find any dangerous forms and gulfs in the patTsge. Another faith, I L1 z will
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