4. But suppose that there were the most danger in the best reformation, is there not enough in heaven to pay for all. Nay, my beloved, even on this side heaven, there is no loss by Christ in losing for Christ; non habendo habemus, In not having, we have. I remember what is written of fortis Zisca, and (as my Author says) written upon his tomb in his Epitaph, thus, Eleven times in joining battle, I went Victor out of the field, I seemed worthily to have defended the cause of the miserable and hungry, against the delicate, fat, and gluttonous Priests, and for that cause to have received help at the hand of God. Mark the emphasis, it lies there, And for that cause. But ye have an ⟨p. 20⟩example of Jehoshaph at, which is exceeding full, and much encouraging, 2 Chro. 17. 3. And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David. He brought up reformation to the first institution, and he was full therein, for it is said, he walked in the first ways, not in the last, of his father David, and sought not to Baalim, Nor after the doings of Israel, ver. 4. And see what followed. Therefore the Lord established the Kingdom in his hand, and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents, and he had riches, and honour in abundance, ver. 5. The Prophet Haggai is most express, and bids them compute, whether that from the very day that they set their hands to the building of the Temple. God did not build them up in outward mercies. Certainly, my beloved, the only way to gain, is to lose for God. It is a greater mercy to have, that I may lose for God, then that I may keep for my posterity.
4. But suppose that there were the most danger in the best reformation, is there not enough in heaven to pay for all. Nay, my beloved, even on this side heaven, there is no losse by Christ in losing for Christ; non habendo habemus, In not having, wee have. I remember what is written of fortis Zisca, and (as my Author sayes) written upon his tomb in his Epitaph, thus, Eleven times in joyning battell, I went Victor out of the field, I seemed worthily to have defended the cause of the miserable and hungry, against the delicate, fat, and gluttonous Priests, and for that cause to have received help at the hand of God. Mark the emphasis, it lyes there, And for that cause. But ye have an ⟨p. 20⟩example of Jehoshaph at, which is exceeding full, and much encouraging, 2 Chro. 17. 3. And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because hee walked in the first wayes of his father David. He brought up reformation to the first institution, and hee was full therein, for it is faid, he walked in the first wayes, not in the last, of his father David, and sought not to Baalim, Nor after the doings of Israel, ver. 4. And see what followed. Therefore the Lord established the Kingdome in his hand, and all Judab brought to Jehoshaphat presents, and he had riches, and honour in abundance, ver. 5. The Prophet Haggai is most expresse, and bids them compute, whether that from the very day that they set their hands to the building of the Temple. God did not build them up in outward mercies. Certainly, my beloved, the onely way to gaine, is to lose for God. It is a greater mercy to have, that I may lose for God, then that I may keepe for my posterity.
