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A62109
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Saints like Christ: or, somewhat of truth delivered to the congregation at headly in Hampshire By Jo. Symmonds, M.A.
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Symonds, Joseph.
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1650
(1650)
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Wing S6357; ESTC R222482
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66,641
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157
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his goodness they wil say as the Lepers we do not well to hold our peace indeed they cannot but make mention of the name of the Lord. Christians are not tongue-tied in setting out Christs worth they may be in speaking of themselves sound and Gratious Souls are sparing in speaking things tending to their own praise but when occasion is offered to set out any thing for the honour of their Saviour they want no words at least no will to inlarge themselves on such a theame You people that would not be deceiv'd in owning those that are right that are afraid of a Devil appearing as an Angel of light that faine would have a christian indeed your acquaintance such souls are very likely to fit you that are industrious in enlarging Christs dominions and are joyful when soules come in apace to Christ for true Saints would have all men savd and come to the knowledge of the truth Christians whatsoever I have said of this use I must yet wish you to beware Pickpockets will be amongst honest men cheaters amongst just dealers and if the sons of men present themselves before God Satan is ready to be amongst them Vse Secondly There may be an use of information given out the Doctrine will affor'd it and indeed the times consider'd it may be seasonable and it manifesteth the ground and rise of persecution against Saints wheresoever there are godly soules be sure there is some stir Is 50.15 there is some fire a Kindling He that departs from iniquity makes himself a pray hee 's the but at which all the shooting is all the hooting is at him We hear of Pauls persecuting but not of being persecuted all the time he walked according to the course of the world but Christ being reveal'd in him wrath is revealed against him hee being for Christ enemies of Christ set against him in every place Act. 20 23. The more like Christ any is and the more they own him and follow him the more is the trouble that riseth against them the sea-waves give the greatest dash against what opposeth them The wind roareth most amongst those trees that t is stifly opposed all wicked people rage against such that any may hinder them in their wickednesse I dare challenge people in any city Country or village that if they will speak truth that they that are most Godly amongst them are subject to most slanders 2. Tim. 2. reproaches and wrongs I know wicked men have pretences for what they do against Saints So had the Jews against Christ Jo. 18.30 They tell Pilate if he were not a malefactour they would not have delivered him up unto him Christ might have said to them as Themistocles to the Athenians are ye weary of receiving so many benefits by one man Paul had many grevious faults laid to his charge as turning the world upside downe Act. 27.6 setting all out of order his enemies spake as if all had been well had it not been for him and such as he were This Paul was a pestilent fellow a mover of sedition all the world over Act. 14.5 high crimes to be accus'd of and why was this because Godly that was the main thing that troubled Satans slaves Stepnen is accus'd for blasphemy what was his blasphemy Act. 6.14 part is he should speak against the holy place and the law and That Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place and change the customes which Moses delivered us False witnesses and men suborned laid this in against him Knowing that it would mightily incense the people to hear of losing their customes These carnall customes are so dear to carnall men that they are all in a rage if they heare any thing of losing them Let Gospel go and Gospell owners perish they care not if they may keep their customes It was a custome to have this and that I count it not worth the naming what many contend about and persecute the Saints for I could experimentally speak in this particular but I forbear Doubtlesse the spirit of men is in every age spit out against truth they that now persecute Saints would persecute Christ as really as ever the Jews did were his appearance now in flesh as then Suppose Christ would not observe Christmas as the Popish generation cals it suppose he would not read over a Dead corps suppose he would not give the Lords Supper to any but holy and godly souls shutting out the covetous ignorant swearer drunkard reviler unclean person c. What would the world say of him I speake low to your capacity I might speake higher to men in higher place fully clear it why good men are so persecuted But hear Christ himself I have given them thy word Joh. 17.14 the world hath hated them because they are not of the world as I am not of the world See the cleaving to the word what it meets withal it was not having the word in their houses or hand made them hated but in heart and life and walking contrary to the course of the world for in body they were in the world but in conversation they were averse to the world in a word they through grace received did endeavour to glorifie the God of all grace this was fault enough for all that wil live godly must suffer tribulation Christ was persecuted so shal they be that are Christs Cum ipso in angustia Mat. 18.8 O bone Jesu qic ure hic percute ut parcas in futuro thornes and briers are in the way to heaven and they will scratch Be not dismaid Christ is gone thorow and he will help you you were better goe to heaven in a torn skin then to hell in a whole Every skar that a Christian wears for Christs sake is heavens badge be not ashamed of them if you be found in Christs livery you will be received into blisse Erigat sese fidelis anima parata sibi consideret bona Thinke of this you souls of honour if you suffer with Christ you shall reign in glory with him ponder of the glory when you are under the crosse it may quicken your almost tir'd spirits I wish you may hold out in the suffering and then I question not your glory That you faint not nor be weary the Lord grant that your hearts frame may be chang'd from what it is by nature and turn'd into a Christs frame what it should be by grace your corrupt mind into a pure mind passion turn'd into patience pride into meeknesse loftinesse into lowlinesse weaknesse into strength fearfulnesse into courage that so you may undauntedly undergo sufferings Souls I wish you well howsoever you deal with me I pray for you and hope I shall that God would count you worthy to suffer for his sake which you shall certainly undergo in some measure if Godly The Devils birders are abroad 't is the best birds they aime at Quis noriâ— Daemonis astus his nets