1 ATreatife of the AfeEtions. 1233 the paffage in the Pfalmiff. David fayes th us, .i y zeal bath confirmed me, becaufe my enemies have forgotten thy words, Pfat t 9,139. David was fo zealous for God, that he did even fpend himfelf to fee how his enemies dithonoured his God. A childe of God is like a faithful fervant to his Ma- llet, he is willing to fpend himfelf in his fervice. So he is content to fpend himfelf in his employments for God. Paul when God employed him for the fouls of the Corinthians, he (ayes thus, I svillgladly fpend and be J ent for you, why ? what was the reafon ? I abundantly love you, (ayes he, z Cor. r z.1.5. that is, he was zealous in his love to their fouls, God had employed him for the good of their fouls; and he was fo zealous in this employment, that he could even fpend himfelf, and be fpent for them. And indeed zeal it felf is a very fpending thing. Thou art the devils Martyr that fpendeft thy felfupon the things of this life ; thou art fo wedded thereto, that thou fpendeft thy parts and thy wits hereabouts, thou fpendeft thy thoughts and thy time hereupon, thou fpendeft thy felf and thy fpirits this way. The voluptuous man fpends himfelf as much at his fports, as a Miniffer fpends himfelf in a Pulpit, as a godly man fpends himfelf in good duties. As for Gods Service, thy prayers are fo cold and fo negligent, that thou fpendeft thy felf not at all in them. Thy repentance is fo overly, it fpends thee never a jot to go thorow it : thou art fo eager after thy pleafures, they fpend thee ; fo earnefl after the world, that fpends thee, becaufe thou art zealous about things. But it is otherwife with thee in the Service of God. This is another ftrong reafon, why zeal is due properly to God, becaufe a man muff fpend himfelf upon nothing fo much as upon pleating of God, and doing his will, and feeking his glory. It is true, he may fpend him- felf in his calling. But the greatefl part of the fpending li- eth in this, that he may walk with God in his calling. He fpendeth himfelf in belabouring his heart to work in obedi- ence' CO follow his bufneffes with faith, to go about his R 3 earthly
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