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Did we always long after the fruition of ter reftrial objects, and measure our content by the fatisfaction of fenfe, we fhould, indeed, find no great pleasure in curbing our appetite, and ftemming the tide of nature. But it is certain, that, by the practice of virtue, we wean our defires from fenfual allurements, and, by the affiftance of grace, we turn our inclinations another way. Those things, which before did please ús, begin now to breed dif gust and surfeit, and we fupport their presence with as much chagrin, as we bore before their abfence; fo that we find the way to virtue plained, and the rubs that obftructed our paffage removed.

But moreover, it is certain we are bound to ferve God; his foveraign dominion over us, and our dependance on him, demand this homage: now can any Chriftian think a being fo great, fo juft, fo good, can oblige us to be miferable? That he has made our duty a misfortune? and our obedience to his commands a burthen? Try, good reader, the experiment; follow for a time the dictates of an upright confcience, the maxims of the gofpel; and, if you find not a more folid and more fincere delight, than in the pleasures of fense, I will give you leave to complain, that God treats you more roughly than his other fervants.

St. Paul was attack'd on all fides; the Jews confpired with the Gentiles, and the very elements with men, to make him unhappy; he was fcourged like a flave, and perfecuted like a common enemy of mankind; yet he confeffes, that the interior pleasure of his foul drowned all the fufferings of his body; and that he was nearer finking under the excess of joy, than of torments. I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation, 2 Cor. vii. 4.

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Add to this the firm perfuafion that we are in God's favour, that, though we died this moment, we should expire in grace, and revive to glory in the next; that we have made his law and counfels the rule of our practice, and his perfections the object of our affections. Can a man want confolation, that entertains his thoughts with thefe confiderations? No, they are fufficient to turn thorns into roses, tortures into pleafures, and the rack into a bed of down. Nay, I will affirm, that a Chriftian with a good confcience, feels a greater joy in the midft of flames, than a prince on the throne with a bad one; for this fhort reflection (I fuffer innocent; I fuffer for God; my pain will foon end, my reward never) revives the foul, infpirits, and animates it under the ftroke of

the ax.

Let me then, dear reader, addrefs to you thofe words of the angel, Fear not thofe fhocking terms, felf-denial, mortification, croffes, tribulations, &c. They grate indeed upon the ear, and trouble fenfe, but will prove pleafing to reafon. You follow the fteps of Jefus, who was crucify'd: fince he bore the cross on his fhoulders, it has loft its weight; thorns have no more points, fince he was crown'd, nor tears bitternefs, fince he was pleas'd to weep. He has changed the bitter waters of Marah into fweet refreshing fountains, renouncing of all things into a true poffeffion of our felves, and a generous contempt of pleasures into the greatest delight: He is rifen, he is not here; he stays no more in the fepulchre; he is rifen in glory, invefted with omnipotence: with this he will protect and affift you, with that he invites you to do his fervice he tells you, that your fufferings, as well as his, fhall end in glory and triumph; that those fhall not last long, and thefe for ever. O the difproportion

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portion of the toil to the reward! That is momentary, and this eternal.

O how foolishly have I wafted my time! how vainly have I fquandered away the precious moments of my life in the purfuit of content! And what have I found but difappointment, but vanity, and vexation of fpirit? I was always upon the chace, but could never ftart it, because I never fought where it dwells. Sometimes I fancied it lodg'd in wealth, fometimes in preferments, and often in fenfuality; but alas! I found upon experience, that my hope deceived me, that I embraced a cloud for a fubstance, an evil for a good, and a real mifery under the disguise of happiness! O my God, I acknowledge, the clear vifion of thy infinite perfections is my fupreme beatitude in the next world, and an intimate union with thee, by a fincere love, my greatest happiness in this. Wean me from all other objects but thyfelf: remove all difficulties, or (what I moft defire) give me grace to furmount them,

FINI S.

CHRISTIANS. Character of a Chriftian. Page

How he muft imitate JESUS CHRIST.
They imitate the Jews in obftinacy.

222

223

269

CHRISTIAN LIBERTY. In what it confifts. 255
CHRISTIAN PERFECTION. The obligation all
bave to endeavour after it.

COMPANY (LEWD). A discourse.

222

146

Who feek bim firft, will find neceffaries of

this life.

260

GRACE (DIVINE). Not to be received in vain.

203

5

HUMILITY. That of the centurion enlarged upon.

Taught by the example of JESUS.

III

311

To be learn'd from our Saviour's fufferings.

IMPIETY. What it is, and how many ways com-

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