Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

That worldly things are vnprofit4ls. 4g7 gation, and care in vfing all his knowledge for the good of the paffengcrs. And thus allo it is in other creatures ; 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 by hic rich faddle, and golden trappings, feeing his goodnes confifieth not in thefe things which may at night bee taken from him, burin his fhape,firenoth, foundnefiè, good pace, and f re trauellin And fo the excellency and goodneufe ofa chriflian conßfieth not in thefe outward things, as honours, riches,pleafures, but in the fruits ofgodlinefTe, which hee oftentimes beareth better,and in greater abundancewhen as hee is pruned, and thefe outward roper fluities taken away ; not in his gay habit 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 the rich robes of his righteoufnes; ?lend vereotm if they would further vs, and make vs more contagious and hQie conf }ant in the profeflion of Gods tru ch, and in the pra6iife y,,,eritsr of all chrifiianduties, then were they indeed much to bee e- files argrato ffeemed, as being truely profitable ; but the bare as well as fed(ide. Amb< the honourable, haue their part in the glad tidings ofche de fide toms_ Gofpell ; and the poore as 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, are bought without money, as the prophet fpeaketh; and.therefore the Apofile Teter in the abitdance offpiritual graces,wanting thefe outward things, profeffeth, that he had neither gold nor flitter. Neither A&.3.!, doe they finable vs to make our chriflian profeflìon in the time ofdanger,or imbolden vs to fuffer 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 when honour and riches are filent forfeare ofloffe, poverty and meanneffemake a bold profeffion : whilefi N:- codemus a great ruler fiealeth to Chrifi by night, the poore itfhcrmenfollow him at noone day. And hereof it is that I i 4 when