An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

First, Such are led with corrupt respects, and in time of temptation will prove adversaries to the Ministers of the Gospel, who are not of a ready and prepared spirit, to take up the Cross, and to follow Christ in whatsoever condition he shall command; such who are Christs Disciples only in the Summer time, while there are Halcyon days and times of plenty and encouragement to be a Christian. These when they are urged to part with all, to suffer, and to be undone for Christ, then they turn into any thing; they will oppose and contradict that way, which once they did embrace and admire; yea they will become persecutors of such instruments of Gods glory, which once they did honour; and all this ariseth from the earthly and carnal heart, which made them at first look to Gods ways, Phil. 3. 18. Paul did with tears, and even weeping, speak of such, Who were enemies to the cross of Christ, who minded earthly things. So that by Pauls example, we see it is a thing to be bitterly mourned about, when we see men hopefully professing the true way of Christ; and then when adversity and persecution doth arise, they presently can change, and turn their faith again; They can withstand and contradict what once they pleaded for, and all because they are resolved to save themselves: They think Gain is godliness. Such an one as this, is an object greatly to be pitied, and mourned over; he loveth his ease, his liberty, his advantages more than Christ, and so is no ways fit to be his Disciple. And for this reason it is our Saviour doth so often plainly, and in Parables urge all, to consider upon what terms they take up the profession of his name; he foretelleth them of all the hardship and difficulties they must encounter with, that so they may not prove enemies at last, who in the beginning seemed to be friends. Wonder not then to see this fall out often in the Christian Church, that those who were once friends, and went with us ⟨p. 266⟩unto the house of God, afterwards to become like so many Hazaels to those who fear God. Alas, their earthly advantage, and the present world, hath made them change their opinions and affections: They never at first did own Christ upon sincere and pure motives, and therefore not being able to suffer for Christ, they set against him;

First, Such are led with corrupt respects, and in time of temptation will prove adversaries to the Ministers of the Gospel, who are not of a ready and prepared spirit, to take up the Crosse, and to follow Christ in whatsoever condition he shall command; such who are Christs Disciples onely in the Summer time, while there are Halcyon dayes and times of plenty and encouragement to be a Christian. These when they are urged to part with all, to suffer, and to be undone for Christ, then they turn into any thing; they will oppose and contradict that way, which once they did imbrace and admire; yea they will become persecutours of such instruments of Gods glory, which once they did honour; and all this ariseth from the earthly and carnal heart, which made them at first look to Gods wayes,