Again, to stay your hearts, know this will not be long, as we see here the Church seemed to be forsaken and neglected, fell into the hands of cruel Watchmen, and was fain to go through this and that means, but it was not long ere she met with him whom she sought after. It may be midnight at this time, but the night continues not long, it will be morning ere long. Therefore the Church may well say, Rejoice not against me O mine enemy, 1as it is Micah 7. For though I be fallen I shall rise again, though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light unto me. It shall not be alway ill with the Church, those that survive us shall see other manner of days then we see yet (whatsoever we shall our selves) Hence we have also an Use of trial;2 Whosoever are Christs, they have hearts to give themselves to him, as he gives himself, not his goods or his honours, but himself for his Church. So the Church gives her self to Christ, my delight is in him, he hath my self, my heart, my love and affection, my joy and delight, and all with my self, if I have any honour, he shall have it, I will use it for his glory, my riches I will give them to him and his Church and Ministry and Children, (as occasion shall serve). I am his, therefore ⟨p. 462⟩all that I have is his if he ask it at my hands.3 It is said of the Macedonians, they gave themselves to Christ, and then their riches and goods, it is an easy matter to give our riches to Christ when we have given our selves rst. A Christian as soon as ever he becomes a Christian,4 and ever after to death and in death too, he gives up himself to Christ? they that stand with Christ, and will give this or that particular, will part only with idle things that they may spare, are they Christs, No, a Christian gives himself, and all his to Christ: so we see here what we should do if Christ be ours, let us give up our selves to him, as it is Rom. 12. the issue of all that learned profound discourse in the former part of the Epistle that Christ justifieth us by his righteousness and merit, and sanctifies us by his Spirit, and hath predestinated and elected us and refused others, is this, I beseech you, Give up your bodies and souls, and all as a living Sacrifice, 5holy and accept able unto God.
Againe, to stay your hearts, know this will not be long, as we see here the Church seemed to be forsaken and neglected, fell into the hands of cruell Watchmen, and was faine to goe through this and that meanes, but it was not long ere she met with him whom she sought after. It may be midnight at this time, but the night continues not long, it will be morning ere long. Therefore the Church may well say, Rejoyce not against me O mine enemy, 1as it is Micah 7. For though I be fallen I shall rise againe, though I sit in darknesse, the Lord will bee a light unto me. It shall not be alway ill with the Church, those that survive us shall see other manner of daies then we see yet (whatsoever we shall our selves) Hence we have also an Use of triall;2 Whosoever are Christs, they have hearts to give themselves to him, as hee gives himselfe, not his goods or his honours, but himselfe for his Church. So the Church gives her selfe to Christ, my delight is in him, he hath my selfe, my heart, my love and affection, my joy and delight, and all with my selfe, if I have any honour, he shall have it, I will use it for his glory, my riches I will give them to him and his Church and Ministery and Children, (as occasion shall serve). I am his, therfore ⟨p. 462⟩all that I have is his if he aske it at my hands.3 It is said of the Macedonians, they gave themselves to Christ, and then their riches and goods, it is an easie matter to give our riches to Christ when wee have given our selves rst. A Christian as soone as ever he becomes a Christian,4 and ever after to death and in death too, he gives up himselfe to Christ? they that stand with Christ, and will give this or that particular, will part onely with idle things that they may spare, are they Christs, No, a Christian gives himselfe, and all his to Christ: so we see here what we should doe if Christ be ours, let us give up our selves to him, as it is Rom. 12. the issue of all that learned profound discourse in the former part of the Epistle that Christ justifieth us by his righteousnesse and merit, and sanctifies us by his Spirit, and hath predestinated and elected us and refused others, is this, I beseech you, Give up your bodies and soules, and all as a living Sacrifice,
- 1Micah 7. 8.
- 2Trial if or not we be Christs by giving our selves over to him to be ruled by him.Tria•l if or not wee bee Christs by giving our selves over to him to bee ruled by him.
- 3That after we have given our selves to Christ it is an […] matter to part with all things unto him.That after wee have given our selves to Christ it is an 〈…〉 matter to part with all things unto him.
- 4• Cor. 8. 5.
- 5That the Churches •••fi•dence implies […] &c resignation in a deep sense.That the Churches •••fi•dence implies 〈…〉 &c resignation in a deepe sence.
