Gener411 direthoms fora tuall bonds ; fo that prayer together will make them leave jarring ; or jarring will make them leave praying ) againit all immodefties , difhonours, and defilements ofthe marriage- bed; againft want, monftroutheffe, and mifcarriage ofchil- dren ; againfl wearineffe, fatiety and light efleerneone ofa- nother ; againe plunging themfelves infentibly into the gulfe ofworldly tnindedneffe , the canker and cut, throate ofall grace, comfort, and nobleneffe of mind; &c. This private morningandevening facrifice offered to the Throneofgrace, with heartineffe and life , will fpiritualize ( that I may fo fpeake ) their love, and renew it daily upon their hearts, with frefh, ardent, and heavenly embracements. It will mar- veiloufly fweeten all reproaches and contumelies calf upon them for their profeffionby envenomed tongues; when they (hall come together in private, and complaine untoGod, and begge at his mercifullhands,patience,and Chriflian fortitude to take them,-in fubmiffion to his will , and conformity to his Some, as fo many crownes ofglory to their heads, and of joy 1111t0 their hearts, Aas 5. 41. I Peter 4. 14. lob 31.36. Jr will fweetly feale unto them in the meane time, their affu- ranee ofmeeting together heareafter in Heaven : and when the time offorrow fhall come, and ftroke ofdeath divorce them for a time, confcioufneffe of their formerbleffed com- munion in prayer, will not onely ferve as a counterpoyfon gainfl all flavifh bittemefie of immoderate griefe incident to hopeleffe woddlings : but crowne their hearts at parting , ( which is a precious thing) with incomparably more true , inward,lafting contentment, then if they twohad coveroufly hoarded and heapt together , all the wealth ,bothof thisand the other golden world. Thus much for our dealing in the world and civil! affaires. V. Now concerningworkes ofmercy , which fpringing from an heart, meltingwith fenfe ofGods everlafting mercy to it felfe ; quickened with a lively faith in the Lord Iefus, and fhining with faving graces, are an odor of 4 fweete finell, filcrificeacceptable,wa pleafiIto god, Philip. 4. 18. Hebr. '3.16. Conceivt
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