Caryl - Houston-Packer Collection BS1415 .C37 v12

Chap, 39. An Expoftion on the Book of Jo B Verf. 25. 457. ted, He fiandeth not fill! (noground will hold him, he will be gone if he can get head) when once he hears thefoundof the trump! pet, Hence note What we have much mind todo, we are glad ofan opportu- nity to do it, and readily embraceit. The Apofle faith of the old Patriarks (lieb. t t. s g. ) Truly if they had been mindful of (that is, if they had had a mind to) that Country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. Now, as a man will not do that for whichhe bath inopportunity, when he bath no mind to it ; fo if a man bath a mind to do any thing, how Coon Both he make ufe of the very fir(r opportunity to do it. And doubtlefs it was a great trouble to the Philippians, who had a true delire to Phew their care of,and love to the ApolrlePaul,that they lacked oppor- tunity to (hew it, and give a real proof of it (Phil. 4, r o.) As opportunity is a gale to carryus on to a&ion, fo a willing mind isa gale to carry us to the improvement of any offered opportu- nityfor ation. Let us do good (faith the Apolrle, Gal, e. an.) as we haveopportunity. He that is (lack to do good when he bath a fair gale of opportunity toit, declares plainly, that his mind is becalmed, and that he bath not the lea(+ breath or gale of willinn nefs in his mind todo good. It is our duty, not only to accept an opportunity to do good when it falls right in our way, but even to Rep out of our way (fo it be in a good way) to feek it. Davids enemies fought occafion, and fo did Daniels (Chap. 6.) todohim a mifchief; and (hallnot we feekoccafions to (hew mercy ? &c. Let us (like the horfe inthe Text) no fanner hear the found of the Trumpet, a lawful call to any duty, for which we have alfo an open door, but (ashe) rejoyce in ir, (rand frill no longer with a dull, (hall we, (hall we, inour mouths, but be gone, up and be doing. VerC. 25. lie faith among the trumpets, ha, ba, and he fine(leth the battel afar off, the thunder of the Captains and, the (hooting. This verfe feems to give a reafon of what was lair faid in the former, efpecially according to the latter Tranllation of it. As if it had been faid, Therefore the generous horte cannot 'land Nan frill,

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