makes any faint, but an over esteem of these, by which they are filled with desires to preserve, and fears to lose them? Now, when the heart is disengaged from these, and hath taken up in God, is rich and content in Him, it stands not much to the courtesy of any let them take the rest, it suffers with joy the spoiling of goods, having in Heaven a more enduring substance. Heb. x. 34. And for the utmost, killing them, they look on it as the highest favour: it is to them but the making a hole for them in their prison-wall to get out at. Therefore, I say, there is nothing doth so fit for all encounters, as to be much instructed in that which is the substance of Christianity, hearts purified, and lives holily and spiritually regulated. In a word, much study of Christ, and much study of thyself, for aught I know, are the wisest and strongest preparatives for all possible sufferings. How sweetly can the soul retire into Him, and repose in Him, in the greatest storms! I know nothing that can much dismay him who can believe and pray*. That, you see, is added, Continuing instant in prayer.] If afraid of fainting, yea, if at the point of fainting, this revives the soul, draws in no less than the strength of God to support it: and what then can surcharge it? Thy access to Him, all the enemies in the world cannot hinder. The closest prison shuts not out thy God; yea, rather it shuts out other things and companies, that thou mayest have the more leisure for Him, and the sweeter converse with Him. Oh! acquaint yourselves with this exercise of prayer, and by it with God, that if days of trouble come, you may know whither to go, and what way; and if you know this way, whatever befalls you, you are not much to be bemoaned. *Nempe tenens quod amo, nihil, illum amplexus, timebo. END OF THE EXPOSITORY LECTURES. LONDON:-Printed by W. CLOWES, Northumberland-court. 26Ja FEB 27 LIBRARY APR 27 RETURN TO the circulation desk of any University of California Library or to the NORTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY University of California Richmond, CA 94804-4698 ALL BOOKS MAY BE RECALLED AFTER 7 DAYS 2-month loans may be renewed by calling (510) 642-6753 1-year loans may be recharged by bringing books to NRLF Renewals and recharges may be made 4 days prior to due date DUE AS STAMPED BELOW JAN 4 1994 LD 21-95m-11,' |