Baxter - HP BV4647 .S4 B39 1660

Our Native Countrey and Habitations denied. 183 CH AP. X X X V. Our Native Countrey andhabitations denied. 18. A Nother part ofCarnalfelf.intereft to be denied,is, Our Native Countrey , or place of habitation, with all the Comforts and accommodations they afford us. It is lawful to have fome fpecial Love to our ownCountrey :;but not fuch as thall prevail againft the loveof Chrift,or feem fufficient to-entangle us in fin. We mull thew our Love to it principally bydefiring and endeavouring, that Gods name may be hallowed, and his Kin gdommaintained, and his will fulfilled among andby our Countrymen : But if they fhould turn enemies to the Gofpel - or to Godlinefs, we mutt love the fervantsofGod abroadmuch better then his enemies at home ; andwith the fuccefs of his fer- vants though ofother Countries,againft:his enemies, though they wereof our own. And ifwe cannot ferve God or enjoy the freedom of a good confcience at home another Nation, though it were in the utmoft parts of theEarth,where we may better ferve God, mutt feem a better place to us. And if we be banifhed, or neceffitated to forfake our Coun- try, we mull not flickat it, for the caufe of Chrift. It is none of the greateft tryals to beput to remove from one Countrey toanother , as long as we have neceffaries whereever we come. We have the fame God tobe with us, and take care ofus, beyond fea, as at home : the fame earth, and air, and fun to thine upon us : The fame Spirit, and grace, and promi- fes do accompany us : The famt Saintsof God, andordinances of Worthip may be had in other Countries as our own. Its a kind ofchildithnefs to make fuch a matter of being driven out of one Kingdom into another,, whenwe have the fame or greater mercies in the other. All is but our Fathers houfe ; and we dobut remove from room to room. The Earth is the Lords and the fulnets thereof. As I faid before of Imprifon- ment. fo I fay ofBanifhment It is in your ownWils by Con- tenting to it, tomake it no banithment. If you will make an af-

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