SPIRITUAL PEACE AND COMFORT. 373 he that should practice it would be taken for a madman, or, some self-conceited cynic, or some saucy, if not seditious fellow. It is not, therefore, because Christ bath not prescribed us a more self- denying, hazardous, laborious way, that men so commonly takeup in the cheapest religion; but it is through our false-heartedness to Christ, and the strength of sensual, carnal interests in us, which make us put false interpretations on the plainest precepts of Christ, which charge any unpleasing duty on us, and familistically turn them into allegories ; or at least we will not yield to obey him. And truly,, I think that our shifting of Christ in this unworthy manner, and even altering that very frame and nature ofChristian religion, (by turning that into a flesh- pleasing religion, which is more against the flesh than all thereligions else in the world,) and dealing so reservedly, superficially and unfaithfully in all his work, . is a great cause why Christ doth now appear no more openly for men, and pour out no larger a measure of his Spirit in gifts and consolations. When men appeared ordinarily in the most open manner for Christ, in greatest dangers and sufferings, then Christ . appeared more openly and eminently for them, (yet is none more for meekness, humility and love, and against unmerciful or dividing zeal, than Christ.) 2. And as you see that a cheap religiousness doth not so discov- er sincerity, so, secondly, it is not accompanied with that special blessing of God. As God bath engaged himself in his word, that they shall not lose their reward that give but a cup of water in his name, sohehath more fully engaged himselrto those that are most deeply engaged for him; even that they that forsake all for him shall have manifold recompense in this life, and in the world to come eternal life. Let the experience of all the world of Chris- tians be produced, and all will attest the same truth, That it is God's usual course to give men larger comforts in dearer duties than incheap : nay, seldom doth he give large comforts in cheap duties, and seldom doth he deny them in dearer; so be it they are not made dear by our own sin and foolish indiscretion, but by his command; and our faithfulness in obeying him. Who knows not that the consolation of martyrs is usually above other men's, who bath read of their sufferings and strange sustentations ?. Christian, do but try this by thy own experiences, and tell me, when thou hast most resolutely followed Christ in a good cause ; when thou hast stood against the faces of thegreatest for God ; when thou hast cast thy life, thy'family and estate upon Christ, and run thy- self into the most apparent hazards for his sake ; hast thou not come off with more inward peace and comfort than the cheaper part of thy religionbath afforded thee ? When thou hast stood to the truth and gospel, and hast done good through the greatest opposition,
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