Remains of that excellent minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Joseph Alleine being a collection…Remaines of that excellent minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Joseph Alleine being a collection…

Sixth Counsel. Whatever become of your other Trade, be sure that you keep up the Trade of Religion. Beloved, though God see it good to impoverish you and undo you in this world yet 'tis all well; if you keep on in Religion. That is a happy man that hath a thriving and flourishing soul, though he is declining in his estate; but if you go back in grace, though you should get all the world, you are miserable losers. Therefore be sure of this, how ever God do frown upon you in the world, that you do not go behind in grace. Oh, you may sadly fall and go behind hand, before you think of it, if you do not take heed to it; though there be no total falling away from grace for a Believer, yet there may be sad degrees of falling, ⟨p. 79⟩and God may let you fall so, that you may be sadly wounded & you may break all your bones; and be a common scandal to Religion all your days Therefore look to this, that however God deal with you in other things, account it happy with you if your souls be thriving: & whatever prosperity God gives you, yet if these do not thrive, let none of these things content you. Many persons while they are blessing themselves in their outward increase, are declining in grace. Oh poor Soul! I should pity thy gain, that addest to thy gain in the world, the loss of thy soul to all eternity.

Sixth Counsel. Whatever become of your other Trade, be sure that you keep up the Trade of Religion. Beloved, though God see it good to impo•erish you and undo you in this world yet 'tis all well; if you keep on in Religion. That is a happy man that hath a thriving and flourishing soul, though he is declining in his estate; but if you go back in grace, though you should get all the world, you are miserable losers. Therefore be sure of this, how ever God do frown upon you in the world, that you do not go behind in grace. Oh, you may sadly fall and go behind hand, before you think of it, if you do not take heed to it; though there be no total falling away from grace for a Believer, yet there may be sad degrees of falling, ⟨p. 79⟩and God may let you fall so, that you may besadly wounded & you may break all your bones; and be a common scandal to Religion all your days Therefore look to this, that however God deal with you in other things, account it happy with you if your souls be thriving: & whatever prosperity God gives you, yet if these do not thrive, let none of these things content you. Many persons while they are blessing themselves in their outward increase, are declining in grace. Oh poor Soul! I should pity thy gain, that addest to thy gain in the world, the loss of thy soul to all eternity.