The child's portion, or, The unseen glory of the children of God asserted and…

Never more need of Faith for the upholding of the spirits of the People of God, against the thence arising Temptations; and no better help than the Doctrine that is before us: And the things we are hence to learn are,

1. Not to be much moved when we see or hear what is contriving & practicing against God in the World. It is said, Isa. 7. 2. It was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim, and his heart was moved, and the heart of his People, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind. Let it not be so with them that fear God. It is now a time to pray hard and believe much, but it is no time to perplex and distract our selves. We may interpret those words as spoken to the Church in way of encouragement, Psal. 64. 10. Be still, and know that I am God. What are you afraid of? It is against God all that is undertaken; and whoever resisted him and prospered? do you think that Men or Devils shall ever drive God out of the field, and make a triumph upon the Lord of Hosts? Be quiet, let God alone, he will do his own work, and that to purpose: Tarry a little ⟨p. 223⟩and you shall see these Bravo's weltering in their own gore, and the arrows of the Almighty drunk with their blood. It shall not be long ere the field be cleared, and not an enemy standing▪ Yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more, Psal. 37. 10.

2. Not to be put by our profession and faithful service of God by all the menaces of the World against us. Let Godly men hold on their way, though the wicked be laying snares in it. It is a sin, and a disgrace for a Child of God to stand still, or start aside, though utmost perils seem to threaten him. Luther being called to Worms, for the defence of the truth, was dissuaded by some friends, who advised him that there was a plot laid against his life: but with an Heroical resolution he professed, that though all the Tiles of their houses were Devils, yet go he would. Rightly regulated and well tempered zeal is very necessary in times when Religion is stricken at on all sides. 'Tis the Character and honour of a good Christian to hold fast his own, and press forward against opposition; yea, by an holy Antiperistasis, to gather strength and courage from that which is intended to make him faint,