Book I. OfjBSUSCHRIST.

7J
or at leaft into an Indifpofition toward Goodnefs: But if we cherifli our Zeal, and conftantly blow up -its holy Fires by a vigorous Attendance upon our Bu- iinefs, we fliall foon feel the Comfort of this kindly Warmth ; and all the Difficulties we found or formed to our felves, will wear off quickly. God will give more Grace to him that ufes what he gave formerly • and Virtue every day will difclofe her Charms, and make us more in love with her. Then it is, that the Wife Man s Defcription is experimentally made good to us, That her Ways are Ways of Vlcafant- nefsy and all her Paths are Teace. I readi- -P^'"^' ^^'*- ly acknowledge the Attempt I am now advifing, to be exceeding laborious and great : No bodily Toil is to be compared to it ; nor any Conquefl over Tem- poral Enemies fo hazardous and expenfive, as that which we gain upon our felves, and the Adverfary of Souls. But as the Difficulty exceeds, fo does the Benefit and Glory like wife. This Field mull be fought, and won, or we are loft for ever ; And He, who does not inure himfelf to vanquifhing, by fubduing lefs Temptations, will never be able to grapple with more violent and trying Ones ; and Infirmities once yielded to, grow infeniibly . to ftubborn Habits of Vice. This is a daily Warfare, and we may daily reap the Fruits of it. For every Night will crown us with frefli Lawrels, and the Reflexion upon 2 Day well fpent, furnifli us with Joys more pleafing than ten thoufand Triumphs. S.ince therefore every day's Behaviour is of fuch mighty Confequence, in giving a Turn to our fpiricual Affair: j beware left a- ny pafs unprofitably. Watch continually over thy felf, and let not this neceflary Fervor abate, for want of Care to cherifli and excite it. il ^,membei- that your own Salvation is the Truft committed to your Charge ; a Truft oflmportance greater than th'" whole Vorld; and therefore, whatever becomes of th^. reft, da You
F 4 fec^e
7^ €»f tfjt limitation Book L
fecure One. To admonifh and reprove your Brethren^ while you overlook your felf, is a moft prepofterous Courfe^ 'tis neglecting your own ProyinpQ, and in- vading another Man's. You have no right to take
the Mote out of their V^yc^ till theBeam Mmfj. viu. j^g ^j.Q^ ^^fl. Q^. pf y^j^j, ^^^^ jf j.|^gj^ y ^^
would efcape the Cenfure of Hypocrify, begin at Honie to reforro, and be furq to do that efFedually. For the greater Violence you are content to put up- jon your own Inclinations^ and the forer Conflicts you undergo, the more meritorious is your Virtue^ and th@ niore abundant will be your Joy*
The End of the Fir ft Book.
OF