Part.2.Chap.t6. tAjfliffed Confdenc,er. J+7 {often mens hearts towards thdc Brethren: l'erfonaU miferies make them pitufull, and painefull te atroord all poffiblehelpe in times ofdifrrc:tfe. Experience of our owne weakeneifes, wants, danger to linke under the waves of Gods wrath, and dif-ability to fubfifl: by our felves, begets a.i\veet mildneife, and gentl~ behaviour towards our neighbours, whofe affiH:ance, vifitation and prayers wee now fee ; we~ fiand ia need ofin extremities,and evilltimes. rrofp.erity is apt ofit felfe, to produce fcorneful1ne!Te, infelency, felfe-c.onfidence,and contempt ofothers; But Gods hand upon us, efpecially in afflictions ofSoule, tea,. cheth us another leffon ; ·to wit, how fraik, weake, Of k 1 d Gf· an.! mi~orthy we are.ThirdJy,Offef[e~owledge.In ~~rfelv~:ow e ge times of peace and calmene!Te, loohng thorow the falfe f})ecracles of felfe-love and coucehedne!fe, we are ready to over-weene,and out-priz~ our gifts; to mifl:ake ihadowes, for fubfbmces; fr:nallefr Mites· of vertues, for richefl: talents; the infant beginnings of grace, for ta!lnejfe in Chrift: Bm renwve thefc decei-- ving glaffes, and let the touchfi:o~e offome forer triall reprefer1t ocrr felves unto our {ehes ; and we ihall more clearely fee our fpirituall abilities, in their true nature and proportion. Then all unfotind femblances offelfe conceited fufficicncies, and former flourilhes ofunhumble a!Turance (whkh like gilded Papers, or Pofis,ihewing glorioufly in the Suniliine, and feeming pure gold in outward appearance) will vanifu quite away, and come to nothing in the.fire offpirituall afBid:ions. Then the weakne!fe ofour,too much vaunted of, Chrifiian valour, will be d1fcovered unto us,and acknowledged of us; when we are put to wrafile with the wrath ofGod, and left to the hor• rour offorne hideous temptation. 4· HeareMafl:er Hooktr, a man of great learning, + From a faying of .and very found in this point (I varie fome words,but M after Hooka. · keepe th~ fenf~ entjre) Happier agreat rk.ale # that .M m 4 · mtins
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=