CONFIRMED CHRISTIAN. 501 of God,`and his salvation; and among prayers, and sermons, and holy conference, and books, yea, and formal fastings too, he is serving the flesh with so much the more dangerous impenitency, by how much the more his cloak of formality hindereth him from the discerning of his sin : many an one that is of unblemished reputation in religion;doth constantly serve his appetite in meat and drink, (though without any notable excess,) and his fleshly mind in the pleasure of his dwelling, wealth, and accommodations, as much as some profane ones do, if not much more. And when- ever it cometh to a parting trial, they will show that the flesh was the ruling part, and will venture their souls to secure its interest; Luke xviii. 23. xiv. 33. Rom. viii. 5 -7. 9. 13. ,Matt. xiii. 21, 22. Jude 19. XVII. 1. Hence it followeth that a Christian indeed prefetreth the means ofhis spiritual benefit and salvation incomparably before all corporal commodities and pleasures. He had rather dwell under the teaching and guidance of an able; experienced pastor, though it be cross to his prosperity and worldly gain,_ than to live under an ignorant'or dead-hearted preacher, when it furthereth his trading or more accomrnodateth his flesh : (though yet he must not remove when God layeth any restraint upon him, by his duty to his family, or others :) he had rather, if he be a servant, dwell in a family where he may do or receive most spiritual good, than in a carnal family, where he may have more ease, and better fare, and greater wages. If he be to marry, he had rather have one that hath wisdom and piety without wealth, than one that hath riches without wisdom and piety. He is more glad of an opportunity (in public or private) for the profit of his soul, than of a feast, or agood . bargain, or an opportunity for some gain in, worldly things; Matt. vi. 20. 33. 2. And the weak Christian is of the same mind in the main. He valueth mercies and helps for his soul above those for his body. But it is with less zeal, and more indifference; and, therefore, is more easily and ofter drawn to the omitting of spiritual duties, and neglect of spiritual helps and mercies; and goeth té them with more averseness, and as driven by neéessity, and is much less sensible of his loss, when he misseth of any such spiritual helps; Luke x. 41, 42. Heb. x. 25. Acts ii. 42. iv. 32. 3. But the seeming Christian, being a real worldling, doth serve Godand mammon ; and mammon with the first and best. He had rather miss a sermon than a good bargain or commodity: he had rather dwell where he may thrive best, or have most ease and pleasure, than where he may find the greatest helps for heaven : he will be religious, but it must be with an easy, and a pleasant, and a merry religion, which may not be too niggardlywith his flesh, nor
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