Selected quad for the lemma: friend_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A39775
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The one necessary thing to be sought briefly touched in a four-fold dialogue upon some of the great and most concerning truths of practical religion.
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Fleming, Robert, 1630-1694.; Fleming, Robert, 1660?-1716.
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1679
(1679)
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Wing F1283; ESTC R28632
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47,023
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70
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distressed Job 29 v. 16. Eccles 11 2. for thus the liberal man deviseth liberal things c. even in seeking Objects that so excellent a grace may not want its exercise each according to his Talent where it may be truely said thev receive more than they give Which was a choice word of one what ever I give that I have whilst the withholding of that which is thus required hath visiblv tended to poverty in many signal instances 8. To be faithful here is to have a serious respect to the end that it be to a Disciple in the name of a Disciple with a due regard to their present distress and not by partiality on some private interest and respects that may rise thereto else they have cause to feare that both Principal Interest is lost nor can they put this debt on the Lord where such a sad bvass is with it Matth. 10 v. 42 9. To be faithful here is to follow this closly so as not to be seen of men else such have their reward where this is an influencing motive yea not to let the left hand know what the right hand doth Matth 6 3. Here the giver should shut his eyes when he opens his hand with desire that it may never be known untill the dav of the Lord that great day of retribution when that which hath been done in secret shall be rewarded openly Mat. 6 v. 4 10. Here also is to be understood to give without grudging cheerfully as the true way to lay up treasure to themselves knowing that the Lord loves a cheerful giver 2 Cor. 9 7. 11. To be faithful here is to be given to Hospitality with a tender regard forentertaining of strangers for in such habite Angels have been entertained Heb. 13 v. 2. 12. The bounds and limites of our actings here must not ouly be the houshold of faith but a Tenderness Condescendence and Readiness to help and relieve any distressed even the Worst of men as they have opportunity which is so expresly required 1 Thes 3 ver 12. to abound in love towards all men so as to do good to be useful and exerce Tenderness toward all which should be found a more effectual mean to gaine credit to the Gospel than what is the way of many who have a name and repute of Religion in this age QU. VI. VVhat you have now spoke anent those who have a large interest in the world and in what termes they have it is undeniable I confess from the Scripture but this concernes a few in respect of such as are of a Low and meane Condition in the VVorld and what can these have to compense the want of such a Talent and make their lot desireable or sweet ANSW I hope you will not bring these things under question which may convincingly answer this 1. That a serious Christian could yet never be so Low but he hath much more than he wants though he should be put to such a reckoning with Job I have now neither Children Friends Honour or Estate in the world to call mine own but I know and am sure that my Redeemer lives Job 19 v. 25. and do you think that a mans lot or the comfortable enjoyment thereof consists in the abundance of the things he possesseth Luk. 12 15. 2. Have the poor and despised cause to quarrel with their lot if they be in truth partakers of the Grace of God when it is so clear there can be no substantial good in riches or honour which the Lord hath cast out of the Counsel of his Love towards those on whom he hath set his heart from eternity 3. Yea hath he not designed the most of the Elect to a poor Low and afflicted Condition here For you see your calling Brethren how not many wise not many noble c. according to the flesh hath he chosen 1 Cor. 1 26 27. 4. Hath not such a peculiar income in the way of the Promise which these who are full and abound most in the world cannot understand and is not owned in the Scripture to be under such a necessity to live by faith which made the Apostle give such a strange account 2 Cor. 12 9 10. I take pleasure in my infirmities in distress inpersecutions c. that the power of Christ may rest on me O what strong and vigorous acts of faith and love have oft followed the Christians low and meane state in the World whereto such as were at ease have been wholly strangers 5. Have such cause to quarrel with a low and despised lot who the less they have here whilst they have a sure evident for Heaven knowes they have the more before them And whilst others may reckon what they have by year and property can make another account what is their interest for all eternity and not grudge the hireling's wages who know they are Sons and to abide in the house for ever Joh. 8 35. 6. Would such were it put to their choice have their good things in this life or do they expect to find a Heaven out of Heaven and is not that lot with greatest advantage suited to each of his Saints that is most for promoting their eternal interest and to make them meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light Col. 1 ver 12. 7. It is not by the bulk you can judge on the Christians condition here in the World a little gold is of more value than a great heap of some other metals and a little that the righteous hath is more than the riches of many wicked Psal 37 ver 16. For there lyes the blessing and what a difference is there betwixt such whose heart is gone up after his treasure that is laid up for him in Heaven and those who mind earthly things and have their heart in their belly Phil. 3 ver 19 QU. VII Such have a sweet and comforting part whether the VVorld smile or frown who know there is an eternity of joy before them But you see how many are not more low in their outward state than dreadfully wicked and loose without thc least serious weight of Religion on their soul ANS This may shew that no affliction or the saddest lot here can of it self lead into Jesus Christ without the efficacious and irresistible power of grace but as to their part whoâ— are so visibly active to their own ruine I must say there seemes not a more sad and astonishing sight than such are 1. Who thus follow the world with a weeping eye and have their heart cleave so fast to it which will scarce bestow one flattering smile on them knowes not what gain theyâ—might make of their present Affliction and strait 2. Who thus seek the living among the dead their reliefe from the airth from whence they see they cannot have it who have such greatest things laid in their offer to make them here and for ever blessed 3. That the very report of the gain of Godliness