Shepard - Houston-Packer Collection BV4500 .S43 1657

A wholefonteCaveat Government, and Preffures : Liberty of will from any fin; 'tis by Chrifls blood and colt, that (as 1 am perfwaded) cur liberties have coli Saints their blood. The tears, prayers and blood of men are much ; but of thrift much more, and are they not worth thanks that are of this price ? Thegreat reafon why unthankfulnel% comes in, is ; becaufe they coif fo much, as loffe ofeftate, of wife, or ofchilde by lea ; doff thou repent now ? thrift Both not repent that his blood hath been paid for them ; and if they be offo little value, as there'ris laid, He repented that he made man, fo may he that ever he gave them fuch glorious liberties. 2. Confider oft of the fadcondition of them that be in bondage. Men in bondage prize liberty, and think them happy that enjoy it ; but men out of it do not. How fad is the confederation of them that be in bonds,ir will make thy heart fympathize with them, and bleffe God for your deliverance. Hence faith Chrif, Luke 22. 20. When_yon fee Jerufalem compaft with enemies, egc. 'lie to the mountains, and ao to them that give fuck: Confider them that are taken with the Turks ; if you were in their condition you would fay fo ; to bring forth little ones to the murderer or idolater, Ifa. 4z. 22. and 2,6. Mens hearts failing for fear, this you fhould fee fome-where. Amote or a thorn is a little thing, but no man would have it alwayes vexing for all the eflate he hath, if he hath any eye or tendernefTe in it ; fo thole fmall matter's for which the Saints have fufìrered, and for whichGod is provoked, and under which fome have roared, and o- thers have been loaded one after another ;.'tis worth a world ; oh, bleffe God for it r but confider thole that he under the dominion of fin and Satan, fo ftrong and wife- cable ; fin fo dear, that there is not fo much as a ugh under that; be thankful! for that. 3, 3. Labour to maintain in the heart aholy fear of abu- fing liberties, every one in his place ; for what makes themdefpifed, but principally the abufe of them ; in fuck a Congregation there was fuch contention, fuch affront to the Elders, there is that degenerating of fpirit, and back tiding fromGod, that men grow worfe under means than ever, I and fo mull be if men grow not bet- ter. Deut. 6. t0, 12. The Lord exhorts them, that when they be at i :crry, they would nor then forget the Lord, but then fe4t. 'Tis Lutheer note on the place : t4'ben ire

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