244 Verf. 4;. An Bxpofition upon the Boolt,of J OB. Chap. 2, commodity : and our breathbut a per ifhing vapour. Such was the judgment of that great Apoflie, Ait. 20.24. when the Holy Ghof hadwitnefl'ed in everyCity, that Bo¡ids and AfflUiions did abide him, in preaching the Gofpel, he thus refolves, But none oftheft things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myPelf, fo that I mightfi- nifh mycourfe with joy,and the minijhry which I have received to teffi-- fie the Goflzel of thegrace ofGott. His life came to a low rate in his efteem;how cheap was life when the. Gofpel was fpoken of? I count not my life dear, faith Paul. As all other outward things atemean and low, compared with life,, fo life it feif is a mean, a low thing comparifon of the Gofpel. This life is but the lifeof the body, but the Gofpel is the life of the Soul. Many men live, but no foul lives on this fide or without the Gofpel. Now if you will offer much to fave your lives, will you not offer much more to fave the Gofpel? In and about this we maymake the belt improvement of Satans Argument, Skinfor shin, and all that a man bath, jhould hegive for the Gofpel, for Gofpel Ordinances, for Gofpel privi- ledges, for Gofpel Light. Where, or for what will you venture and bidhigh, ifnot for the precious Gofpel ? Laftly, if life be worth all, then herebywe may take meafure of, the love andbounty ofChrift to poor (inners, who not only fpent himfelf in all to his life, but fpent life and all, that they might not perifh : The Grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift was exceeding great towards us, That though be was rich, yetfor ourfakes he be- camepoor, 2 Cor. 8.9. That though he was in theformof God, and thought it no robbery to be equal with God, yet he made himfelfof no reputation, Phil. 2. 6, 7. But how fuperabundant was his grace to-. wards us, that though he was thePrince of life, Adds 3. 15. 1et be- came obedient unto death, even the deathoftheCroff,Phil. 2.8. that we might live. If a man loves his life, fo that he willgive skinfor skin, and all that he bath, to redeem it : then.O how did ChrilL love his Church,who gave not only his riches, and his reputations, beat his life alto for its redemption,? J:O 13
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