Bolton - Houston-Packer Collection BX9339.B65 A2 1641

PtfcourJe oftrue happaae e. 121 tion, everhaunts andpoffeffes menofleaft worth, andwort confcience : That be which truly feares God, never defires height ofplace for the glory or gaine ; but onely with a fo- ber indiff.:rency, thither enclines and carries his a1 lions and hopes : and that with trembling at the waightinefleof the charge, where it pleafeth divine providence by honeft and 1114.111 meanes to plant or tranfplant him, for the im- ployment of his talent ; and where bee may molt glorifie God, benefit the Church, and keepe a good confcience. He thinkes upon the vanity and mifery of all things we enjoy, in this world ; ofthat frrid and great account he mull very fhortlymake untotheLord,and Judgeof all the world ; of the length ofthat eternity, through all which is unavoida- bly to be endured an everlafting eltate, either in thejoyes of heaven, or paines of hell. Out of filch thoughts as thefe fprings his trulynoble and Chriftian refolution ; that he had rather wantpreferment while the world ftands, and end his daies in a retired and innocent obfcurity ; then by calling himfelfe into the common fafhions and corruptions of the world, forfeitthe fruit andcomfort of his former integrity, wound his confcience, .andfervethe time That he is farre more willing to endure any affli&ionor difgracewithGods children, then to enjoy thepleafures offìn;and gloryof the world fora feafon. I now come in the third place, to tell youthat the Word of God is not rooted in the thoughts of theformali hypo- crite; which is the hearer refembled unto theftony ground ; andthence rifeth avery notable andmolt fpeciall difE rence betwixt him and the child of God truly poffeft ofthe glori- ous frateof Grace. And I befeech you marke mee in this point.. For the' thoughts of a man doe farre more cleerely, and itxipartially diftinguifh the power of fandif;cation from the frate of formality,then words, ae`tions, and all ontwardneffè of car- riage. For in thefe (many times) is much cunning and en- forcement, artificiali and faired behaviours ; counterfeit and formali conveyances, difguifements, and hypocrifies.They are 1

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