But until

"herd," John x. 16. these other Sheep are gathered, and brought by the great Shepherd into the Fold, although they are known to the Lord, yet are they not so known to his People, as to be capable of being admitted into Church-Communion, or Fellowship with. them; much less into that MarriageUnion with them, of which we have been treating.

But to have done, at length, with this Objection, I fhall now remind the Reader, that when the Sons of God, in the old World, had degenerated, and were apoftatized, as hath been before obferved, their Motive to these mixt Marriages was, They "faw the Daughters of Men, that they were fair, and they took them "Wives of all that they chofe," Gen. vi. 2. So that to gratify the Luft of the Eye, was the Inducement to their Marriages. And to fuch an Eye now (as alfo to thofe as have a covetous Mind, reaching un

B 5

duly

duly after the Things of this World) this may seem an unneceffary Scruple; especially, when it ftands in their Way, to hinder them from obtaining their defired End. But the truly Conscientious will always find themfelves obliged, for the Sake of Religion and Duty to God, to do nothing that may hinder their Perfeverance and Progreffion therein : Which Difagreement about Religion will naturally do, more or lefs, according to the Proportion of the Difference.

Wherefore, though our Cafe be not the fame, as old Ifrael's was, in every Degree; yet, if it be fo in Degree, and have the fame Tendency in Measure (which that it has, is undeniable) then it brings our Times under the Force of the Prohibition, and that for the fame Reafon, namely, Because they will turn away thy "Son from following me," faith the Lord, Gen. vi. 4.

"

And

And now, my dear Friends (for to you who bear the Name of Qua-kers, whether ye be such as the Lord hath been graciously pleafed to call,. and gather out of any other religious Profeffions, or fuch as are the Off. fpring of believing Parents in this Profeffion, do I now more particularly turn my Difcourfe) if ye would not be overtaken in that extremely hurt-ful Cafe of mixed Marriages, keep. out of the Way that leads to it.. Shun, as much as may be, the too frequent and familiar. Converfe with: thofe of other Profeffions; fuch ef pecially, as may be most likely to allure and draw your Minds out. Be not cold and indifferent about Religion. Halt not between two Opinions. "If God be God, follow

him," and keep clofe with him, that you may know your Minds ftayed and established upon him; and then. will ye fee, for your Encouragement, the Advantages and Comfort that fuch have and enjoy, who make it their Bufinefs to please him. And B. 6. what-

whatever your Condition and Circumstances in this World be, let your chiefeft Treasure and Pleasure be in Heaven and heavenly Things; and then your Hearts will be there alfo, as our Saviour taught, Mat. vi. 21. And, above all Things, ye will defire to be Servants and Difciples of him, who faid, "Where I am, "there fhall alfo my Servant be," John xii. 26.

But all whofe Minds are fet upon Things below, whether Pleasures or Profits, more than upon their Saviour Jefus Chrift, who died for them,

are not worthy of him," Mat. x. 37. And fuch, whatever they may profefs, do moft frequently mifs of the heavenly Bleffing (which God referves for his obedient People) notwithftanding they may partake largely of temporal Mercies and Bleffings, in common with others. For God, who is the Fountain of Goodness, caufeth his "Sun to fhine on the "Evil, and on the Good, and fend<<eth.

"eth Rain on the Juft,

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and on the Unjuft," Mat. v. 45. But to be a Difciple of Chrift, and Heir of the heavenly Kingdom, is a great and glorious Privilege. The Way to this Happiness is fet forth, by him who is the TRUTH itself, Luke xiv. 27. (and in many other Places of Holy Scripture, in which it is neceffary we should be very converfant)

Whofoever," faith Chrift, "doth "not bear his Crofs, and come after

me, cannot be my Difciple." And we read, 1 John iv. 10. that he is not only "the Propitiation for our "Sins" but also, that he hath " left us an Example, that we should "follow his Steps," 1 Pet. ii. 21. who faid, "Learn of me, for I am "meek and low in Heart; and ye "fhall find Reft unto your Souls," Mat. xi. 29.

And now, my Friends, I would come near to you by way of Inquiry. Have you indeed been convinced of the Truth, and made fenfible of the

Crofs