2I wish that I may always make the choice of Moses, rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; yet that I may never, through my rash zeal, or indiscreet meddling with others matters, or imprudent opening my mind to every seeming friend, bring my self into suffering. I have trials and troubles enough from others, I need not be the procurer of any to my self. I am every way surrounded with foes, and shall I not be my own friend? The World is my profest and dangerous enemy, for his sake who hath chosen me out of the world; because it cannot reach the Master, it wrangleth with, and abuseth his servants; He that is not its child (but born from above) must not expect to be its darling, but rather to be assaulted with its rage and revenge; The Devil is my sworn and deadly adversary, always ready to put forth his utmost power and policy for my ruin. His Empire is large, his Subjects all at his service, and all his forces shall be used to make me suffer. Besides, my God is pleased sometimes, for the trial of my graces, and the purging out my corruptions, to cast me into manifold tribulations; since I have then, so many assaults and afflictions from ⟨p. 217⟩others, I have small cause to afflict my self. I desire that I may try before I trust, and not unlock the Cabinet of my heart before all, lest some prove Thieves. Its too ordinary for wicked ones, like Executioners, with one hand to embrace a man, and with the other to pluck out his bowels; They may creep, and cringe, and fawn, and flatter, and as Crows, peck out my eyes with praises, that they may afterwards more securely make a prey of me; They as the Spies sent by the Scribes to Christ, feign themselves to be good men, that they might entrap him in his talk, Luk. 20. 20. Should I believe all that may pretend love, I may quickly be bereaved of my lively-hood and life. Companions of my secrets, are like locks that belong to an house; whilst they are strong and close, they preserve me in safety; but weak and open, they expose to danger, and make me a prey to others. My foolish freedom of declaring my mind, may, like the Devil in the possessed person, cast me sometimes into the fire, and sometimes into the water. Though many seemed to believe on Christ, he did not commit himself to them, because he knew all men (Joh. 2. 21.)
2I wish that I may always make the choice of Moses, rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; yet that I may never, through my rash zeal, or indiscreet medling with others matters, or imprudent opening my mind to every seeming friend, bring my self into suffering. I have trials and troubles enough from others, I need not be the procurer of any to my self. I am every way surrounded with foes, and shall I not be my own friend? The World is my profest and dangerous enemy, for his sake who hath chosen me out of the world; because it cannot reach the Master, it wrangleth with, and abuseth his servants; He that is not its child (but born from above) must not expect to be its darling, but rather to be assaulted with its rage and revenge; The Devil is my sworn and deadly adversary, always ready to put forth his utmost power and policy for my ruine. His Empire is large, his Subjects all at his service, and all his forces shall be used to make me suffer. Besides, my God is pleased sometimes, for the trial of my graces, and the purging out my corruptions, to cast me into manifold tribulations; since I have then, so many assaults and afflictions from ⟨p. 217⟩others, I have small cause to afflict my self. I desire that I may try before I trust, and not unlook the Cabinet of my heart before all, lest some prove Thieves. Its too ordinary for wicked ones, like Executioners, with one hand to embrace a man, and with the other to pluck out his bowels; They may creep, and cringe, and fawn, and flatter, and as Crows, peck out my eys with praises, that they may afterwards more securely make a prey of me; They as the Spies sent by the Scribes to Christ, feign themselves to be good men, that they might entrap him in his talk, Luk. 20. 20. Should I believe all that may pretend love, I may quickly be bereaved of my lively-hood and life. Companions of my secrets, are like locks that belong to an house; whilst they are strong and close, they preserve me in safety; but weak and open, they expose to danger, and make me a prey to others. My foolish freedom of declaring my mind, may, like the Devil in the possessed person, cast me sometimes into the fire, and sometimes into the water. Though many seemed to believe on Christ, he did not commit himself to them, because he knew all men (Ioh. 2. 21.)
- 2Do not needlessly expose thy self to suffering.Do not needlesly expose thy self to suffering.
