230 EPISTLE DEDICATORY. ìt) may escape the gnawings of conscience, and the public curse and reproachwhich the history of this age may fasten uponthem, .who, after all their engagements in blood and covenants, would, either in ignorant fury, or malicious subtlety, or base, temporizing cowardice, oppugn or undermine the gospel, or in perfidious silence look on whilst it is destroyed. But because it is not the work of aflatterer that I am doing, but of a friend, I must second these commendations with some caution and counsel, and tell yourselves of your danger and duty, as I tell others ofyour exemplary deeds. Truly, the sad experiences of these times have much abased my confidence in man, and caused me to have lower thoughts of the best than sometime I have had. I confess I look on man as such a distempered, slippery, and inconstantthigg, and of such a natural mutability of apprehensions and affections, that, as I shall never more call any man on earth my friend, but with a supposition that he maypossibly become mine enemy; so I shall never be so con- fident of any man's fidelity to Christ, as not withal to suspect that he may possibly forsake him. Norshall I boast of any man's ser- vice for the gospel, but withaa jealousy that he maybe drawn todo as much against it (though God, who knows the heart, and knows his own decreelmay know his sincerity, and foreknow his perse- verance.) Le e therefore remember you, that, had you expend- ed your whole estates, and the blood of your hearts, for Christ and his gospel, he will not take himself beholden to you. He oweth you no thanks for your deepest engagements, highest adventures, greatest cost, or utmost endeavors. You are sure beforehand that you shall be no losers by him ; your seeming hazards increase your security ; your losses are your gain ; your giving is your re- ceiving; your expenses are your revenues;. Christ returns the largest usury. The more you do and suffer for him, the more you are beholden to him. I must also remember you, that you may possibly live to see the day, when it will cost you dearer to show yourselves faithful to thegospel, ordinances, and ministers of Christ, than now it doth ; and that many haveshrunk in greater trials, that passed throdgh lesser with resolution and honor. Your defection at the last would be the loss of all your works and hopes. Ifany man draw back, Christ saith, his soul shall have no pleasure inhim. Even those that have endured the great fight of affiiction, . being reproached, and made a gazing-stock, and that, having taken joy- fully the spoiling of their goods, in assurance of a better and en- during substance, have yet need to be warned that they cast not away their confidence, and drawnot back to perdition, and lose not the reward for want of patience and perseverance ; Heb. x. 22. to the end. That you may escape this danger, and be happy for- ever, take this advice. 1. Look carefully to the sincerity of your
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