Twenty RearmsfordenyingLife. 17. I would put this queition to you for your ferions.an- fwer, Can you be contented , yea do you defire, to have no moreofGod then hereyouhave ? Is this much of the know- ledgeof him, and his will and works fufficient for you? Would you be no neerer him , and enjoy no more of him ? What ever your fleihfay, fure the love of God in your hearts will not fuffer you confiderately to fay fo. Confult with your new nature ; With the holy principle that is in you ; Me thinks you lhouldnot be content to remain for ever at fuch a diftance fromGod as you are ? If you can, I blame you not to be afraid of death. If not ; Why then are you loth to go to him ? 18. And I would ask you alfo, Whether you are content with the meafure of fandificationwhich you have, or which is to be attained in this life ? Areyou content to live for ever with no more knowledge or love of God ? No more fait or love to Chrift ? No more fenfe of the worth of Grace ? more righteoufnefs or peace or joy in the Holy Ghoft ? No more meeknefs humility, or heavenly mindednefs ? Are you contented rather to live for ever under all the pride and ignoranceand paffion, and felfifhnefs and luft and worldlinefs, and all other fins that herebefet you, rather then to remove to the place of perfeaion, and yield that death (hall break theVeffel and nett of your corruptions ? If you care fo little for the grace ofGod, and fee fo little beauty in his image, and fee fo little odioufnefs in fin, that you had rather keep it for ever,then go toGod by the palfage of death, I blame younot to be affraid to die : But if otherwife ; Why do you.defire perfection and deliverance , and yet be fo loth to come and receive it ? When you know that it is not to be had on earth. 19. Ivrpreover, are you contented to remain for ever as unferviceable to God as here you are ? Alas how little do you for him:howmuch do you to difpleafe him?lay together all the fervice of your lives, and how fmall and poor a matter is it ? Andwould you 11111 five at thefe rates ? Will this content you ? Ivie thinks it fhould not if you have grace in your hearts. Why then do younot defire to depart and to be with Chrift ? There you than be pecfeetlyfitted for his fervice, and there- F f fore 217
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