Hob Obflnationi. A in acapital! Herifie. Errours ofjudgmenr,rhough lelfe rega~ded than errours ofpraaice, yer are more pernicious: but none fodeadly as rhe1rs, tbat once were in rhe uutb. If truth be not fucd to, it is dang<\'ous; but ifforfaken, defperate. 5>. It is an ill argument ofa good allion nor well done, when wee are glad that it is done. To bee aff<ded withthe comfort ofthe confcience of well performing it, is good: but meerely to rejoyce that the ad is over, is carnal!. Hee never can begin chcerefully, that is glad he kath ended. 53· He that doth nor fecrerfervice to Godwith fame delight, dorh but counretfeitin publike.The truth ofany at! or pallionis then bell tried,when it is without witnefs. I Openly,many fini!lerrefpedsm•y draw from us a formeofreligious duries:fecretB ly, nothing bur tht power ofa goodconfCJence. It tsto be fear<d, God hath more true and devour fervice in Clofers, than in Churches. 54· vVordsand difeafes grow upon us with yeeres. Jn age, werallce much,becaufewe 11ave feen much,and foon after fhall ceafe ralkir.g for ever:We are moll difeafed,becaufc nature is weake!l; & death which is neere,mu!l have harbingers:luchis the old age oftheWorld.No marvdl,ifthis!all time be full ofwriring,and weok dikourfe fulloffeas and her4lies, which arerheficknelfes ofthis great and d<cayed body. ' 55· The bell ground untilled, foonell runs out intorank w"eds. Such are Gods chil- e dren; Over-growne with fecurity ere they are aware,unlelfe they be well exercifed both with G@ds plow ofaffiKiion, and their owne indu!lry in meditation. A man oHnowledg<rhatiscither negligent mun-correded, cannot bur grow wild and godldf-. ' ~6. Wit!)us, vileft things are moll commoR ; Butwith God the belt things ate moll frequently given. Grace, which isth~noblell ofall Gods f:wours, i• unparrially beClow~d upon all willing receivers; whereas nobility of blood and height ofplace, ble!lingsofan infcriour nature, are referved for few. Herein the Chri!lian foilowes his Father; his prayers which are his ricbell portion, he communicates to all; his fubllance according to his ability, to few. 57· God rhereforegives,becaufe he harh given;making his former favours,argumenrs for more; Man therefore fhurs Ius hand,becoufe he harh opened Jt, There is no fuch D W;lytoprocure more from God, as to urge himwith what he harh done. All Gods blc!lings are profitable and excellent; not fo much in rhemfdves, as that they are inducements togreater. · j8. Gods immediate adions arebell,at firll.The frame ofrhis creation howcKquifite was it under his hand I afterward,bkmifhcd byour finne : mans indevours are weok in their beginnlngs,and perfeder bydegrees. No fcience,no device harh ever brene perfett in his cradle; or at once harh feene his birth and maturitie : ofrhe f. 1me natureare thofe adions which God worketh mediarely by ."s according to ourmeafure ofrecett. The caufe ofboth ts, on the ondiderhe mfintrcnelfe ofhis wifdome and power,which cannot be correded by any fecond alf.1yes : On the other our wqknefs,hdpingit [die by formergrounds and rrialls. He is an happy man tiJat detraCts E nothing from Gods workes,:md addes moll to his owne. 59· The old faying ismore common than true; that rhofewhich are in hell, know no other heaven: for thts makes the damned perf•ftlymiferable, that out oftheir owtie torment, they fee the felicity ofthe.S.aint? ; together with their impo!libiliry ofattammg xt. Sxght wxthout hopeoffrultlon,xs a torment alone: Thoferhat here might feo God and will nor, ordoefeehim obfcurelyand love him nor, 010U once fee him wtthanglllfb.ofloule and not enjoy hxm. · N 6c.Sometimes
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