/ 268 Olt the Nativity. thing, becaufe we in1agine \ve can do no- _ thing. Altho\.1gh perhaps, in a heat it may · -pufh us forward, yctit fuddcnly flays us, . and n1akes us think we can1~ot go. lf it catcheth fire, it makes us wild; and, when it hath fpeiu that flan1e, it leaves us dead and du~pi!h. LafHy, Sadncfs and dejeCtion of fpirit in Chrifiians, is a thing very unreafonable: for why ihou1d they be fad and hea"fYwho ferve fo good a n1afier, and who are af– fured of an infinite reward for thck faithful · fer~ice? If the favour of a prince, or hopes . offon1e earthlyadvantage, can fupport and l chear the minds of men; why .fhould not religious people, who have the friendihip of God, and fo n1any divine hleilings iB prefent poffeffion, and the certain expe~ation of more and greater, cheriih a perpe-. tual joy, and ever be ·of good cotnfort r What ihould aftlid then1, 0r caft them down? Is it worldly cro1fes or fears? 1 hey l1avc not .their portions in the things of · this world: they .ane ftrangcrs and piJgrin1S on earth, and cani1ot in reafon be n1uch fulicitous about their accom:moda,tion in an inn, ·which they are fo ihortly to leave. Be– fides, where is he that dqthnot enJoy n1ore· and greaterc01nforts than thofe he is de- , · prived
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=