Difcourfëe of true happineffé. But it is jufl otherwifewith the childrenof God, for they many times in this their pilgrimage, flickefah in the mine clayofpovertie andcontempt ; fornetimes theyare inclofed even in a horriblepit, `David fpeakes, offeare and terrour of ofconfcience for their fumes. They are by the way compa- nions toDragons andOhriches, theywalke amongRebels, thornes, and Scorpions, that rentand teare, and Bing them with many opprefï'ions and cruell Flanders. Neither is the danger in the way all; they have perfecutors which are fwifterthen the Eaglesoftheheaven, whopurfue and hunt them upon the mountaineseven like Partridges; and lurke fór them in the wilderneffe, as thofe that lie in waite for bloud. Nay, yet befides all thefe vexations from the world, the immediate maliceofhell raifeth manytempef}s of ten- tationagainli them , and fornetimes even all thewavesand gouds of Godhimfelfegoe over theirheads.This is the way, the race, and the evening of Gods children in this world; butjoy comes in the morning,their end is peace,their reward is a bright morning-flarre, their haven is endleffehappinefle and life eternall. The reafons of this contrary hate and condition of the wicked and godly in this life,may be tlaefe.Firfl,forthe flou- rifhingofthewicked. One reafonmay be,the notablecunning and policieofSa- tan,inplottingand cóntrivifg the profperity ofthofe,Whom he perceives tik hopes it will infhare, & in whofe harts it be- gets hardnes,pride,infolency,andforgetting of God.For we mull underhand, that the devill everproportions his traines and tentations moll exaólly, even at a hairesbreadth, to the tempers, humours,anddifpofitionsofmen. If he meete with an ambitious andworking fpirit, he is well enough content to lighten him the way tohell, with fome rayor beame'of all that great gloryofthe worldwhich beeoffered Chrifl, if 7 he will fall downe and worfhip him. Little cares he, lb that he maykeepe aman fah in his holduntill the dayofexecuti- ;, órî,whether iii tiler-near/time-he lie in the lower.dungeon of difcentented retiredneffe, or in the golden fettersof fome more
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