Burgess - Houston-Packer Collection BT715 .B85 1652

55g. The Presnifés of theSpirit, ofwo1kisgin Sa CT.XT. 3. 4. YJfe 1. Fire, To walk uprightly. Hethat walkethuprightly,Prov.ao 9. walkethbold- ly. Contrary to this is-halting in the way of Godlineff . The Apofile, Heb, r a.t 3, exhorts them to make liraight paths for their feet, left that which ii lame be mined out of the way. Its not enough tobe in the way of Godlineffe ; All Hypocrites are fo: but we mull take heed we halt not between God and Baal, as the Scripture fpeaks. lodar was inChrilts way, but hehalted betweenChrífi and the afteftions of the world. As the Heifers taken from their young ones, they went ftraight on with rheArk, but theybellowed and moaned for their young ones: to it may be thou artdriven on in the external wayes of holineffe, but thoumoaneft, and thy heartruns after fin, or theworld. Secondly, To Walk by faith, and notbyfentelfo the Apoflle, the?ealkbyfaiib, 2 Cor. r. 7, And this is fuch a walking that the world doth not underi and; To walkby faith is to beabove all principles of fenfe,caruall realonings, worldly fears, or delights,eying the Promde, beholding Gods favour inChrift: This is a comfortable, peaceable, and fecure walking. Thirdly, Towalk reguireth thatourfeet beffiodwith the preparation of the Ga- pe,Ephel. 6. 15. That was part of their Armour in former times, to have a de- fence or munitionfor their feet;& this the Apoftlemakes thepreparation madeby the Gofpel ofpeace. We have many doubts,fears;andother ddcouragements in the way to heaven ; Not íluggthneffe,buc truth it felt may fay, There is a Lion, yea, many Lions, and fuch as go roaring to devour in the way : and the guilt of Sin may makeevery man a Cain io go up and down trembling. Now the Gofpel makes a fare and good preparation againft this. Lalily, Itsrequired that wefhouldwalkcircuna eïlly. So the Apofile, äxe. do, Not aefools, but ar wif' ,Ephef. 5. 15. And were this the main intent of theTexr,it would have been profitable to thew the grounds of this citcumfptf walking; we may hint them to you. The way you walk in is a lirait narrowway, its eafie fiep. ping out of it into the pit. Godlinelfe is bounded with limits, but fin is a broad' way. Nowhowdifficult is it, fo to order our (legs as to fiep aright continually ? Tertui'iancalsChrifiians, Funambufi,Ropewalkers, Thofe that fiep in the leafi manner awry are in dangerof killing then-delves. Howapt are we to take that foe faith,patience, andzeal, which is not lo. Secondly, walkcircumfpePcly,becaufe we have a great journey to go,and a little time , our walk is a very long one, and night is fuddenly coining on us ;. if he laid, 4ru langa, vita brevis, wemay fay, Pieta eß longa,lata&profunda. Thirdly, there are many enemies, thieves, and Robbers in the way, (pinata! and invifible adverfaties inheavenly places ; and theft watch to intercept thee in the journey :They do not lye in wait, as thofie (pies tokit Paul, but damn the foul. Thy Grace is a precious trea(hie, and they firive to rob thee of ir. Ufe of Examination , Try thy fell by thisTouchfione, what is thywalk, thy way, thy imployment. Is it not tomake provilion for the tufts of the flefh : The Scripture faith, Some mens hearts walk after theirown imaginations, others after' covetoufneffe ; Come mens tongues are Paid rowalk through theearth. Oh do not think, if thou walk in luch wayes, that heaven will be the tourneys end. Neither mad thou take Saneluary under thy Duties, thy Devotions on Lome Colemh occa- lions; for there arenot thy walk, thy way; and fo they will not be owned for the pathsof godlineffe : we that walk and paffe away as thadowes, flow fhould wa lay up for anenduring treafure ? Ufe of Exhortation to the godly : Make Godlinelfe your chief imployment, yourbufìneüe,and your great delight. Oh take heedofevery thing that (hall heal away thy heart. Though grace indeed befuch a Treafure, that Thieves and Rob- bers cannot by violenceheal It away, yet there are fpirítuall thieves, that are Tweet and fugred enemies, either temptations within or without ; and thefe may deprive thee of thy choice Jewels , if thou watch not, Oh fay, I am not my fell , I am not às I would be, all thewhile I agi bindred or oppofed the

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=