Preached Augufk 17. 1662. 125 Be fledfaft in the good ways of God: in the midit of a backfliding and apoitatizing age,ftand fait to theLaw ofGorl,Phib4. 1. Contend for. the faith which is delivered to the Saints,Ver.3. of the Epifile ofluck. Be not afhamed to own Chrift before all the World if you be afhamed of him on earth, he will be afhamed ofyou in heaven , and wo be to that firmer whom Chrift is afhamed to own. Reckon reproaches for the Name of Chrift better then, the. plea, lure of fin t ha t is but for a feafon. Whin -God calleth you to it, affect the purity and fpirituality of Gofpel- Worth ip : do not place Religion in a few fhadows where the lubflance is neglefted , but chiefly mind felf-denial, mortification, crucifixion to theworld,keeping up dole communion withEod.Love . the people of God whatever the World fay or think of thee 5 for God is highly pleated, when he teeth his Children loved. Keep up Religion inyour families whatever fcorn or contempt is caft upon you. Oh that you would labour to be ofAbrahams fphit; /knopp,faith God,hewill command his children and his him/holdafter him, and they (hall keep the way of theLord, Gen.i 8. 19. I do not know any onebetter means for the keeping up ofROI-. gion in this Nation, than. for Matters ofFamilies to be confcienti- ous in the difcharging of this Duty. Be good in had times ; be 'patterns of good works to thole that: (hall behold you. Let no reproach or Obloquy make you to abate your exaa walk, ing with God; whatever yon meet withall in the ways of holinefle, and a 14 i& life, fay, If thisbe to be vile, I will be no more vile. Make confcienceof a itri& oblervationof the Lords day ; take heed of that Sacriledge of flealing away holy times ; ofproflituting that to common and civil ufe, which. is irnpropriated and dedicated to the fervice ofGod. Pray f-Jr, and love all thole that have been inftrumental for your fpiritual good in the work of theMiniftery, whatever dirt is now thrown in their Faces,& thoughyou never get more good by them. Forget not to diftribute to the neceflities ofof Gods people, that are many of them in a low condition ; for this is a facrifice ofa fweet Odour, andwell-pleating tohim. Carry your felves with all Patience, and Chriftian meekneffe to- wards them that wrong you ; Pray for them that are your enernies4 and when you are reviled, revile not again but commit your felves: to that God which judgeth Righteoutly. your duty to your Superiours ,, and to thole that are in Att4
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