a Chriftians Growth. 53 Seventhly we mull not meafure our bringing forth mare fruit by one force kind or fort ofduties, but by our growth ingodli- neife, in the univerfall extent and latitudeof it, as it takes in and comprehendeth the duties of both callings, general! and particu- lar, and all the duties ofa Chriftian. Thus it maybe when grown up we are leffe in Tome fort of duties, then we were when we wereyoung Chriftians : Hap'y we were more then in praying, in failing, and reading, and meditating, yea fpent the moll (if not the whole) of our time in thefe ; But becaufe now.we fpend leffe time in thefe, we muti not fay therefore that we are fallen, or decayed : for there are many other duties to be done befides thefe, which haply then we neglected, but now make confcience of. So that take all forts ofduties in the latitude of them, and we may begrowne more, and do bring forth more fruit. Per - haps we bring forth leffe fruit of force one kind then afore, but ifwe be filled with all variety of fruits of the fira and fecond table ofour general! and particular callings, this is to bring forth more fruit. Men at their firii converfion are necefiitated often for to fpend their whole time in fuch duties wherein they immediately draw nigh to God : Tani then fpent three whole dayes in failing and prayer : And then we allow them to doe it, becaufe their elates require it; theywant aflùrance, and ella- blifhment, they fee grace to be that one thingnecefar], and there- fore we give them leave toneglect all things for it ; they are new married to Chrifl, and therefore they are not to be preffed to war the fire yeare, (as I may fo allude) as for young marryed perfons it was provided in Leviticus; and parents and mailers are to give allowance to fuch, then in their travel! of their new birth to lye in, and not to be cruell to them, in denying them more time then ordinary. So alto when they are in defertion, (which is a time officknefíe, and in fickneffe you allow your fer- vants time from their work) as the Church, when the wanted her Beloved, Cant. 3. 2. no wonder if the leaves all to feek him : As your felves, when youwant a child or a fervant, you cry him in every fireet, and leave all to find him, as he left ninety nine to find one loll (beep. And they then come new out ofprifon, out of their naturali elate, and out ofthe fre(h apprehenfion of the wrath of. God, and therefore no wonder if they run fo fart to H halle 7
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