CONFIRMED CIiRIETIAN. 495 taining of it. He hath nothing so dear to him in this world, which he cannot spare and part with for God and the world to come. He doth not only notionallyknow that nothing should seem too dear or hard for the securing of our salvation ; but he knoweth this prac- tically, and is resolved accordingly. Though difficulties may hin- derhim in particular acts, and his executions come not up to the height of his desires, (Rom. vii. 16, 17, &c.,) yet he is resolved that he will never break terms with Christ. There is no duty so hard which hé is riot willing and resolved to perform ; and no sin so sweet or gainful which he is not willing to forsake: he knoweth how unprofitable a bargain he makes, who winneth the world, and loseth his owls soul ; and that no gain can ransom his soul, or rec- ompense him for the loss of his ,salvation ; Mark viii. 36. He knoweth that it is impossible to be a loser by God, or to purchase heaven at too dear a rate : he knoweth that whatsoever it cost him, heaven will fully pay for all; and that it is the worldling's labor, and no the saint's, that is repented of at last. . He marveleth more at distracted sinners, formaking such a stir for wealth, and honors, and command, than they marvel at him for making so much ado for heaven. He knoweth that this world maybe too dearly bought, but so cannot his salvation : yea, he knoweth that even our duty itself is not our smallest privilege and mercy; and that the more we do for God, the more we receive, and the greater is our gain and honor; and that the sufferings of believers for righteousness' sake, do not only prognosticate their joys in heaven, but occasion here the greatestjoys that any short of heaven partake of; Matt. v. 11, 12. Rom. v. 1 -3, &c. He is not one that desireth the end without the means, and would be saved, so it may be on cheap and easy terms; but he absolutely yieldeth to the terms of Christ, and saith with Austin, ' Da quod.jubes, et jube quod vis ;' Cause me to do what thou commandest, and command what thou wilt.' Though Pelagiuscontradicted the first sentence, and the flesh the second, yet Augustine owned both, and so loth every true believ- er: he greatly, complaineth of his backwardness to obey, but never complaineth of the strictness of the command. He loveth the holiness, justness and goodness of the lawswhen he bew,aileth the unholiness and badness of his heart : he desireth not God to com- mand. him less, but desireth grace and ability to do more. He is so far from the mind of the ungodly world, who cry out against too much holiness, and making, so much ado for heaven, that he desireth even to reach to the degree ofangels, and would fain have God's will to be done on earth, as it is, done in heaven ; " and therefore the more desireth to be in heaven, that he may do it better ; Psal.cxix. 5. Rom. vii. 24. 2. The weak Christian hath the same estimation and resolution;
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