The Ostrich is very swift, and said to outrun the horse.1 He mocketh the Horse and the Rider; but what is the reason? truly this, he hath two helps of speed, his Wings and his Feet, whereas other creatures have but one; the Hawk hath wings, the Hare and Horse have feet, but he hath and useth both Wings and Feet, and hence is so nimble in his flight. The right Christian maketh haste and runneth the way of Gods commandments, because he doth use not only the wings of Religious performances for that end, but also the feet of his ordinary actions. When some are only for holy duties, and others only for honest dealings, he outstrips them all, marrying them both together, and making them like Husband and Wife, serviceable each to other. Tis true, his piety is the Husband which hath the command and dominion; but his dealings with men as a dutiful wife, further his weal by their obedience and subjection. No Christian ever made more haste in Heavens way then Paul, 2I laboured more abundantly then they all (saith he) but how came it about? Why, through divine assistance, he exercised himself to keep a conscience void of offence both towards God and towards all men. 3The stream must needs be the swifter for the meeting and uniting ⟨p. 7⟩of the waters of grace out of both those channels. The bark which covereth the tree, seemeth to be of little worth, compared with the body of the tree; yet if that be peeled off, the tree dyeth. Though righteous dealings seem to be but the bark and outside of Religion, yet if once thou castest them off, thy Religion, as thriving as thou thoughtest it to be, will quickly wither and come to nothing; the heart-blood of thy godliness may be let out by a wound in thy hand.
The Ostrich is very swift, and said to outrun the horse.1 He mocketh the Horse and the Rider; but what is the reason? truly this, he hath two helps of speed, his Wings and his Feet, whereas other creatures have but one; the Hawk hath wings, the Hare and Horse have feet, but he hath and useth both Wings and Feet, and hence is so nimble in his flight. The right Christian maketh haste and runneth the way of Gods commandments, because he doth use not only the wings of Religious performances for that end, but also the feet of his ordinary actions. When some are only for holy duties, and others onely for honest dealings, he outstrips them all, marrying them both together, and making them like Husband and Wife, serviceable each to other. Tis true, his piety is the Husband which hath the command and dominion; but his dealings with men as a dutiful wife, further his weal by their obedience and subjection. No Christian ever made more haste in Heavens way then Paul, 2I laboured more abundantly then they all (saith he) but how came it about? VVhy, through divine assistance, he exercised himself to keep a conscience void of offence both towards God and towards all men. 3The stream must needs be the swifter for the meeting and uniting ⟨p. 7⟩of the waters of grace out of both those channels. The bark which covereth the tree, seemeth to be of little worth, compared with the body of the tree; yet if that be peeled off, the tree dyeth. Though righteous dealings seem to be but the bark and outside of Religion, yet if once thou castest them off, thy Religion, as thriving as thou thoughtst it to be, will quickly wither and come to nothing; the heart-blood of thy godliness may be let out by a wound in thy hand.
- 1Job. 39. 18.
- 21 Cor. 15. 10.
- 3Acts 14. 16.
