I have already showed you that sufferers for Christ, are in the highest form among his Disciples. The Order of his followers usually is this; 1. At our entrance, and in the lowest form, we are exercised with the fears of Hell, and Gods displeasure, and in the Works of Repentance for the sin that we have done. 2. In the second form, we come to think more seriously of the Remedy, and to enquire what we shall do to be saved, and to understand better what Christ hath done and suffered, and what he is and will be to us; and to value him and his love and grace. And here we are much enquiring how we may know our own sincerity, and our interest in Christ, and are labouring for some assurance, and looking after signs of Grace. 3. In the next form or order we are searching after further Knowledge, and labouring better to understand the mysteries of Religion, and to get above the Rudiments and first Principles: And here if we escape turning bare Opinionists or Heretics by the ⟨p. 53⟩snare of Controversy or Curiosity, it's well. 4. In the next form we set our selves to the fuller improvement of all our further degrees of Knowledge; and to digest it all, and turn it into stronger Faith, and Love, and Hope, and greater Humility, Patience, Self-denial, Mortification, and contempt of Earthly Vanities, and hatred of Sin; and to walk more watchfully and holily, and to be more in holy Duty. 5. In the next form we grow to be more public-spirited: To set our Hearts on the Churches welfare, and long more for the progress of the Gospel, and for the good of others: and to do all the good […] the World that we are able, for mens Souls or Bodies, but especially to long and lay out our selves for the Conversion, and Salvation of ignorant, secure, unconverted Souls. The counterfeit of this, is, An eager desire to Proselyte others to our Opinions or that Religion which we have chosen, by the direction of Flesh and Blood, or which is not of God, nor according unto Godliness, but doth subserve our carnal Ends. 6. In the next form we grow to study more the pure and wonderful ⟨p. 54⟩Love of God in Christ, and to relish and admire that Love, and to be taken up with the goodness and tender mercies of the Lord, and to be kindling the Flames of holy Love to him that hath thus loved us; and to keep our Souls in the Exercise of that Love:
I have already shewed you that sufferers for Christ, are in the highest form among his Disciples. The Order of his followers usually is this; 1. At our entrance, and in the lowest form, we are exercised with the fears of Hell, and Gods displeasure, and in the Works of Repentance for the sin that we have done. 2. In the second form, we come to think more seriously of the Remedy, and to enquire what we shall do to be saved, and to understand better what Christ hath done and suffered, and what he is and will be to us; and to value him and his love and grace. And here we are much enquiring how we may know our own sincerity, and our interest in Christ, and are labouring for some assurance, and looking after signs of Grace. 3. In the next form or order we are searching after further Knowledge, and labouring better to understand the mysteries of Religion, and to get above the Rudiments and first Principles: And here if we escape turning bare Opinionists or Hereticks by the ⟨p. 53⟩snare of Controversie or Curiosity, it's well. 4. In the next form we set our selves to the fuller improvement of all our further degrees of Knowledge; and to digest it all, and turn it into stronger Faith, and Love, and Hope, and greater Humility, Patience, Self-denial, Mortification, and contempt of Earthly Vanities, and hatred of Sin; and to walk more watchfully and holily, and to be more in holy Duty. 5. In the next form we grow to be more publick-spirited: To set our Hearts on the Churches welfare, and long more for the progress of the Gospel, and for the good of others: and to do all the good 〈…〉 the World that we are able, for mens Souls or Bodies, but especially to long and lay out our selves for the Conversion, and Salvation of ignorant, secure, unconverted Souls. The counterfeit of this, is, An eager desire to Proselyte others to our Opinions or that Religion which we have chosen, by the direction of Flesh and Blood, or which is not of God, nor according unto Godliness, but doth subserve our carnal Ends. 6. In the next form we grow to study more the pure and wonderful ⟨p. 54⟩Love of God in Christ, and to relish and admire that Love, and to be taken up with the goodness and tender mercies of the Lord, and to be kindling the Flames of holy Love to him that hath thus loved us; and to keep our Souls in the Exercise of that Love:
