The Christians two chief lessons viz. self-denial, and self-trial. As also the privilege of…The Christians tvvo chiefe lessons viz. selfe-deniall, and selfe-tryall. As also the priviledge of…

2 Though a man cannot follow God in one kind, yet he may in another, though some graces may be hindered, yet others will be furthered, and that is the duty God requires at that time, Jam. 1.4.¹ Let patience have her perfect work, that is, God puts a man on several trials, sometimes in person, sometimes in disgrace; now patience plays at all weapons, and when she hath borne all, she conquers all. Look, as it is with soldiers in summer, they go into the field, and in winter they lye in Garrison, yet they are soldiers still; so some duties are summer-duties, as hearing and the like; these are in the time of prosperity, but when the winter of persecution comes, and besiegeth the heart, then God calls for patience. You hear the word, that is a summer-duty, but when you are scattered asunder, God requires patience, and self-denial, yet in both we follow Christ. If a Saint should dye, yet he forsakes not obedience, for he hath followed Christ as far as he can▪ nay Christ could go no further then death, after death a man is considered as a conqueror, then the battle is ended, Heb. 12.4.² Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, John 21.18. The Lord Christ the General of the field, knows how to dispose his servants: when Peter was young, God sent him to preach, when he was old, he sent him to dye, when he could not preach.

2 Though a man cannot follow God in one kinde, yet he may in another, though some graces may be hindred, yet others will be furthered, and that is the duty God requires at that time, Iam. 1.4.¹ Let patience have her perfect worke, that is, God puts a man on severall tryals, sometimes in person, sometimes in disgrace; now patience playes at all weapons, and when she hath borne all, shee conquers all. Looke, as it is with souldiers in summer, they goe into the field, and in winter they lye in Garison, yet they are souldiers still; so some duties are summer-duties, as hearing and the like; these are in the time of prosperity, but when the winter of persecution comes, and besiegeth the heart, then God cals for patience. You heare the word, that is a summer-duty, but when you are scattered asunder, God requires patience, and selfe-denyall, yet in both we follow Christ. If a Saint should dye, yet he forsakes not obedience, for hee hath followed Christ as farre as he can nay Christ could goe no further then death, after death a man is considered as a conquerour, then the battell is ended,