te drowfie SAINTS. 16; Then the next thing is the Commemoration of tome { laine perlons, raw Birds, that were not carried away with the Ganes of the Times, and in the common deadnetle of the Congregation , where they lived ; and thelè bee does com- mend very much. And then an incouragement to give them an excellent pro - milè. The Commendation in these words. Thou haft it few names even in Sardis, which have Hot defiled their garments, verl: 4. That is, there bee force among you, though they be but a few ; and he commends them for two things : Firit, from the P lace, that they could bee in Sardis, and I yet keepe their quickning. Thou haft a few names even in Sardis. Even in Sardis, g.d. in dead Sardis , eveb there bee forne lively Chriflians, that are not dead. Secondly, from the quality of their Care expreffed by a -. metaphor of keeping their Garments clone , which have not defiled their garments ; that is, they have been very carcfull indeed, tbat.they are not footed and foyled with fo many ill examples ; though other bee dead, yet they will not be dead too for company. And then their Promife follow es for their encouragement in there words. They fhall walks after net in white, in the lime, verfe ; that is, J will give them the grace of Perteve- ranee , and will keepe them unfpotted unto my Heavenly Kingdome and Glory ; and he addes a reafon why he makes them fuch a Promife in thefé words. Fer they are worthy ; not as though they did merit Perfeverance and glory ; no, but they ate worthy in Chrifl and Chrift hacia made them niece tobe made partakers of this mercy. Thus you fee the matter ofthe Example. Well, now to come to the reproofe , and ñrf+ in generall 3 knew thy worker , that is, J know them all , and J know them to bee frarke naught for the moll part what ever they feeme ; they may fèeme to be very good and godly ; but be it knowne unto you , J know then all , what they be, generally they are Ptarke naught. Y a The
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