Getrerall diretion.t òr a contentments, ea fe, or any earthly thing. Thusmuch of recreations, I L Let me addea word or two of vifitations. For corny plementall vifications of unfan &ified great ones, withour jtift occafion and awarrantable Calling ; befdes finfull ex- penceofprecious timc,aremany times unhappy occafions to embarke,efpecially,yeeldingnatures, in fome bate and fcan. dalous bufineffes ; and toentangle them in chofe wicked fern vices of Tome uncomfortable inconvenience ; which after- ward incold blood wofully wound their confciences, and perhaps much weaken their Ghriilian reputations. Iehofaphat may ferve as a remarkeable inflance for this purpofe. Upon a time, hee came downe to fee Abab King ofIfrael, bywayofCourtlyvifitation. Andthoughbee was equall untohim in thecrowned Majeflieofa King, and a good man ; yet trahies and infinuations byRoyal] entertain. ments, anda Princely feat} premifed, as it appeares in the tiory, hee was cunningly catcht and cat+ into the confede- ration and focietie of an unhappy warre: whereby with a difhònourable precipitation, he plungedhimfelfeboth into fpirituall miferies, and temporali mifchiefe, both hurt his confcience, andhazarded bis life. For the firft, =, Hee fud. alaiaely and rafhly promifed aide unto Ahab, whom the Lordhared, before bee knewGods, will in the point from the mouthofthe Prophet. a. When faithfull Mintiab had delivered the truth, andacquainted themwith the mindeof God ,henotwichftanding went on with the bufinelfe.3. He didnot appeare on the Prophets fide, and in his defence, a- gáinfi the imperious infolency ofthat falfe flattering ,Zede, **jabor the mercileffe tyranny of Abad; who Pent him to aprifonfor telling him the truth.Fouleafperíìons upon fofa- ous aKing ! For the feccnd; by thecruel' cunningof hol- low-heartedAhab, he expofed him felfe both to the en-ea- gredand concurrent furyofthe whole Syrian Army (one- lyupon a penitent ejaculation, his life was refcued miracu- louflÿ from that extremeft danger) and alto to the wrath of God, for helping the ungodly, and loving them that hated the..
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