Pauls Converfion. 203 muff I fo receive Chriff, that I muff forfake all things for him To this I anfwer, it is no marvaile though thou thinke fo, becaufe thou art not as yet humbled, but if thou wert humbled, thou wouldeft never fficke at any thing ; when a man is humbled , he is then in the condition, that hee fhould bee, both to deny himfelfe,take up the croffe, and to follow Chrift : when a man is humbled, then he cares not to bee trampled under foote for Chrift : to fuffèr difgrace, reproach and fhame for Chrift, but till then, a man will not ; fomethings a man will doe, but not this : therefore it is necefrary to the recei- ving of the Gofpel,that a man be humble. Secondly, to receive the Gofpel is to enter - taine Chrift into the Soule ; hee that entertaines Chrift fo, muff retaine him , and continue with him : he mutt not take Chrift for a day, or a yeare, but he muff take Chriff,as a woman doth her huf- band, for terme of life : nay, after life, and that in fuch a manner,with fuch a holy demeanor of him felfe, that hee may not give the leali occafion of e- vill that may be to Chrift. You muff take heed of grieving the Spirit, and you muff refill the workes of the devil! ; if you contrail with Chrift , you muff take heed of defpifing him, take heed of gi ving the Spirit axon plus. And you muff continue in all effares, and keepe as the Apoftle faith, your profeffion without wavering e I fay, howfoever a man may praâife, and promife, and doe much for Chrift, yet except hee bec humbled, he will not hold An w. 2.
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