Downame - Houston-Packer Collection BX5133.D76 C552 1611 v.2

That worldly thingsarevnprofit4ls. 4g7 gation, and care invfing all his knowledge for the good of thepaffengcrs. And thus allo it is in othercreatures ; for the Vine is not praifed for it faire leaues,Rraightbody,and good timber; but for itfruitfulnes in bearing good and pleafant grapes: neither is the horfe bettered byhic rich faddle, and golden trappings, feeing hisgoodnes confifieth not in thefe things which may at night bee taken from him, burinhis fhape,firenoth, foundnefiè, good pace, and f re trauellin And fo the excellency and goodneufeofachriflianconßfieth not in thefe outward things, ashonours, riches,pleafures, but in the fruitsofgodlinefTe, which hee oftentimes beareth better,and in greater abundancewhen as hee is pruned, and thefe outward roper fluitiestaken away ; not inhis gayhabit and rich furniture, but in his fwiftneflè andfurenefic in run- ning the fpirituall race, which bee commonly befiperfor- meth when hee is lightened and vnloaded of this worldly brauerie.If thefe earthly things wouldferue to enrich our foules with Gods fpirituall graces, ifthey would purchafe Chrifi, and procure for vs therich robes ofhis righteoufnes; ?lend vereotm ifthey would further vs, and make vs more contagious and hQie conf}ant in the profeflion ofGods truch, and in the pra6iife y,,,eritsr ofall chrifiianduties, then were they indeedmuch to beee- files argrato ffeemed, as being truely profitable ; but the bareas well as fed(ide. Amb< the honourable, haue their part in the glad tidings ofche de fide toms_ Gofpell ; and the pooreas well as the rich; for Chrifi is got_ ro s3erm.t. ten and appliedby faith,and not with wealth, and his graces Eta. f.r. after which our foules thirfi, arebought without money, as the prophet fpeaketh; and.therefore theApofileTeter in the abitdance offpiritual graces,wanting thefe outward things, profeffeth, that he had neither gold nor flitter. Neither A&.3.!, doe they finable vs tomake our chriflian profeflìon in the time ofdanger,or imboldenvs tofuffer for the teflimonie of the truth, nay rather wee are mofi cowardly in performing thcfc duties, whenwe moil abound with thcfe earthly vani- ties; and whenhonour and riches are filent forfeare ofloffe, povertyand meanneffemake a bold profeffion : whilefi N:- codemusa great ruler fiealeth to Chrifi by night,the poore itfhcrmenfollow him at noone day. And hereof it is that I i 4 when

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