Baxter - BT785 B39 1657

96 DireEtionsforgetting and keeping . own part. This much I can tell, that the leatt degree ofGrace that is faving, Both determine the foul for God and Chrift, againft the world and flefh that Rands as Competitors ; and fo where Chriíts lute- reft prevaileth in the leaft meafure, there is the leaft rneafare of faring Grace As when you are weigh- ing two things in the ballance, and at laft make it fo near evenweight,that one end is turned and nomore: fo when you are confidering whether to be for Chrift, or for the fleth and the world, and-yourWill is but even a very little Determined to (hrif} , and preferreth him ; this is the leaft meafure of faving Grace. But thenhow a poor foul fhould difcern this prevalent choice and determination of it felf, is all the CZeftion. For there is nothing more eafie and common then for men to think verily, that they pre. fer Chrift above the creature, as long as no.temQta- tion doth affault them, nor fenfual objects Rand up in any contiderable ftrength to entice them : Nay wicked men do truly, oft-times , purpofe to obey Chrift before the Beth , and to take him for their Lord, meerly in the general, when they do not know or confider the quality of his Laws ; that they are fo ftrict and fpiritual, and contrary to the flefh, and hazardous to their worldly hopes & Teeming happi- nefs : But when it comes to particulars, and God faith, Now deny thy felf,and thyfriend, and thy goods, and tby lifefor myfake, alas, it was never his Refolu- tion to do it ; nor will he be perfwaded to it. But he that faid to Godwho fends him to labour in his Vineyard ,Igo Sir, when he comes to find the un- pleafingnefs of the work, he goes not, or never lets a hand to it. So that it is evident that it is no true, faring

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