was imputed that all believers may be reputed before God by vertue of Christs righteousnesse holy and perfect as righteousnesse it selfe Thus you see how souls may be said to be sinners take them as in themselves and in the flesh so sinners take them as reconcil'd to God as having Christs righteousnesse imputed to them and beheld of God in that so without sin without guile no sinners but holy pure undefiled beloved of God blessed Saints 3. They are precious souls precious in this filthy ungodly sinful wicked world that from grace coming in act in wayes of grace and holines without that let the inhabitants of the world be wicked follow their Prince the Devil yet they wil walke in holines following the Lord Jesus Christ the Prince of peace and King of righteousnesse God in all ages hath some to witnesse to his glorious truths so in this age some that are taught of the Spirit led of the Spirit that minde the things of the Spirit that have the Spirit of God dwelling in them and by the power of that Spirit in dwelling doe mortifie the deeds of the body and are raised up and quickned by the Spirit of God within to walke in righteousness true holines to serve God and own his cause though the world with them that dwel therein oppose they are excellent souls that appear for God in bad times in the worst of times yea when 't is not alone a hazarding their names to disgrace and shame but their bodies to be torne in pieces to be burnt to ashes You that are acquainted with scripture and history may see every age every yeare bring forth some such gallant spirits that were ready to lay down their lives to undergoe any cruel vile shameful death for the name of Christ and the testimony of Jesus 4. They are precious for they that are faithful and chosen that are such as Christ is continue good let all the world be bad A precious soule is an excellent Theophilus and wil appeare so let others be never so bad let them be enemies to God fighters against God Times are bad now and like for a while to be worse yet there are pretious Christans so some there wil be as long as the world continues that shal shine out as lights in the world Phil. 2.15 that wil be without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverss nation that wil run right on towards glory let whose wil run crosse that wil keep their garments white though others be soyl'd I commend such to you souls for precious Christians for precious Saints that abstaine from all appearance of evil that in heart and soul and life clear to and follow after what is good Vse 3 Love those precious souls that Christ esteemes precious nay that Christ hath made precious that are before God precious that are the dearely belov'd of his soul that are honourable ones that are borne of the wil of God that are attended on by Angels that are for a short time plac'd in the world and shal ere long be received into glory let your delight be plac'd on those excellent ones let your eyes be on them that Gods eyes are on your heart towards those that Gods heart is towards good children are apt to respect those they see their parents love if you be true children rightly descended of the Royal line of heaven you wil eye the outgoings of your fathers love and as Bees settle where the Queen settles so wil you where God upon what family or soul the Lord hangs his love you wil hang yours where God delights to be you wil delight to be all so Consider I pray who you love what sort of people it is you most affect whether it be carnal worldly unregenerate men or holy heavenly regenerate Saints Do you now desire to know Gods jewels Vse 4 to be able to discern of these precious ones to say such are Gods children such are the friends of Christ like Christ you must have the life spirit wisdome knowledge of Christ you must be taught of God to know who are Gods like God Paul persecuted the precious Saints of Christ and was a deadly foe and enemy to them til such time as he was endued with wisdome from on high til God shone upon him yea into him and then knowing Saints he associated himself with them and was no longer hurtful but helpful Many a soul is a sore and grievous enemy to the people of God I am perswaded much of their enmity ariseth from this because they know not Saints they are ignorant what glorious ones they are in what a high esteem they are with God how God wil punish them that wrong them Ignorance of Saints makes them slighted reviled defam'd accounted as the filth of the world and the off scouring of all things T is want of knowing the worth of a Jewel that makes it not prized so of a Saint that is a member of Christ a child of God The God of wisdome give you wisdome to know such that are holy that are Princes of the bloud-Royal of heaven and to give them such respect that is due and reverence as belongs to them This none can do but such as have the spirit this you wil do if the Lord give out the spirit of truth to guide you in all truth if heavenly light shine into you that light shining in wil discover and manifest to you the children of light and whosoever you can find walking heaven-ward you wil be glad of their company Ignorance had a hand in killing Christ and it hath some hand in all the wrong is done to Saints the Lord free you all from it least ye should through ignorance harme the darlings of God and bring swift damnation on your selves God hath grievous threatnings in Scripture against Saint-wrongers and there are recorded some heavy punishments that have been inflicted on them that harme the righteous God keep you from the sin and so from the suffering I might ad how beneficial 't is for you to know who are Saints and how much for your souls advantage to be acquainted with them but I omit it Happy are you that are of the number of these jewels of God of these preciout Vse 5 ones I do not know what your condition is in respect of outward things and creature-enjoyments but I can safely say you are a happy people if precious if such as Christ you shal all be laid up in glory shortly God wil not lose one of his jewels for a world Heaven and earth shal perish but no Saint never a precious soul not a jewel that belongs to the crown Royal of glory These rare souls these souls to whom Angels do service that are carried in the armes in the bosome in the heart of God that are singular souls chosen out from among thousands by royal favour sâ—ch in whom the eye of God can see nothing amisse no defect no excesse no presence of sinne no
encouragment enough to him that truth defendeth favours him Christ hath all his affection and he hath from Christ all power to do what Christ cals him to through Christ that strengthens him he can do all things By the power and strengh of Christ he is carried up on high above sense above reason above the world he is raised above feares above frownes his soul like Jehosaphats is lifted up in the wayes of God 2 Chro. 17.6 Christ puts in a holy magnanimity insomuch that in Christs cause it feares neither fire nor sword cross nor loss breaking of bones tearing of members men or Devils so it may be one with Christ In a word a soul that is truly Christs borne of him living to him is one whom neither poverty nor death nor bonds nor any outward Evils can terrifie Oh! souls you that this day heare me what wil you do in bad daies what in persecuting daies in the daies that fiery trials come wil you then owne truth wil love to Christ make you cleave to Christ suffer for Christ die for Christ if it doth then may it be said that you are Christs and that you are no changelings but true bred spirits children of God in bad places and times like Christ The Lord grant that though friends faile riches faile times alter peace should be remov'd yet your faith may not faile but that you may be baptiz'd with the baptisme wherewith Christ was baptiz'd though a bloudy baptisme and so being like Christ in life and death you may be like him in glory Vse 3 Were I in a more publique place I might speak a word to the Parliament the great counsel of the Kingdom exhorting them praying them to have a care of such that are godly of such that are like Christ to deal wel with them to preserve them make provision for them for they shal be sure of the help of them whilst they stick to Christ the Saints wil stick to them We have seen a miserable defection by abundance of men I will not say all but doubtlesse most have fallen off because they were not like Christ and did not cleave to Christ I shal forbear speaking in this place what I might were the auditory sutable Good men are too much slighted many times and bad men over much favoured Equidem Jehova contempum effudit in Principes God hath in a great measure cast them out with shame that were not friends to his precious Saints but rather to the adversaries I trust God wil give the Parliament a heart to cast their eies upon and have respect of such that are the called the faithful and chosen of Christ Whosoever deserts ths Parliament the Saints will never unlesse they forsake Christ which God forbid If the Parliament should be in straits Saints wil go in with them if they should be oppos'd Saints wil help them with body soul estate their purse prayers strength shall help If they should meet with bad times the Saints would stand with them in the storme I fear if the Parliament should have the need of any hereafter they wil finde few closing faithfully with them but what are the faithfully of Christ Methinks I hear a secret muttering amongst many that are ready to say if troubles come the Parliament wil have but few to take their parts few that wil joyn with them to such whisperings I shal give a loud answer if the Parliament follow Christ and take his part as I trust they wil they shal be sure of the Saints all Christs friends and have they these I beleeve they need not care who is against them or what opposition they meet withal no though all the people of the earth be gathered together against them Zach 12.3 Let the Parliament set up Christ and favour those are Christs and then if all the Nations of the world were gathered together against them they need not fear for Christ would help them and take part with them and if he be of their side they need not fear what man can do unto them for Christ wil make their enemies fall before them God wil make our Parliament-worthies such to all their enemies Isti incredibili ardore atque successu gentes omes de bell aâ—unt subjicient vel potius stirpitus cacindeut Zach. 12.6 as is spoken of the Governor of Judah they shal be like a hearth of fire among the wood and like a torch of fire in a sheaf And they shall devour al the people round about on the right hand and on the left All that oppose them shall be but as a little wood laid on fire or straw put upon fire coales which would soon be consumed God grant the Saints may be favoured they that are truly godly be respected and car'd for by the Parliament then I doubt not of their flourishing and having friends to side with them for they shal have all the faithful and they are through Gods blessing many If this come to any of those worthies sights I pray God it may be a means to advise them to have a care of Christs people and then let them be sure those people of Christ wil have a care of them And though they must venture all nay die they wil stand with them God grant our Parliament-worthies may consid er that though they have not the most with them yet they have the best though the Saints be least for numebr yet they are the strongest for might and such that can though but a few subdue many five shall chase an hundred Lev. 26.8 and an hundred shall put ten thousand to flight Great hath been the experience that this Kingdome hath had of the Saints victories of those that went against their enemies 1 Sam 17.45 as David against Goliah in the name of the Lord of hoasts Keep close together Saints keep with the Parliament Deus favet justis piis consiliis and then I doubt not but all wil be wel for God wil blesse the proceedings of good-men in a good cause and what better cause can be taken in hand then what is now in hand in England the bringing Christ to his Throne Let me conclude all with a word of consolation to such that fear bad times and that have spirits troubled with the various tossings in the world and defections of men from truth and other molestations that are all ready in the world and that they fear wil come on to the further grief and suffering of Saints Indeed there are troubles the dayes are evil times bad and 't is likely may be worse yet be sure of this they that are Christs people wil continue his people they that are gracious there will be some good still in sad times in the worst times some that in assured hope and confidence of Gods mercy in all necessities and tribulations cleave to the truth knowing that Gods power is Allmighty his promises most true his mercies infinite and that 't is for their souls everlasting happinesse to follow Christ let what sufferings soever come yea though they loose their lives There are a remnant that are enlightened and from that enlightening they know what is best to be embraced they know that whatsoever of troubles come now yet to al that are in Christ that are like Christ that love his appearing there will berest there will be peace there wil be blessednesse there wil be glory Those that are engrafted really into Christ wil by vertue receiv'd from Christ flourish Bad times make not them bad they will be good in any times in any company in any place If exalted good if abased good if rich good if poor good if in distresse good if in prosperity good Christ was a precious Christ in every condition and they precious Saints in every condition I know not what the times may be but I know what they that are Christs will be they wil be like Christ As some trees continue green in every season of the year in winter and summer in heat and cold so some men good in all times they are no changelings they are stedfast unmoveable alwaies abounding in the work of the Lord. Immobiles sunt super solido fundamento Christo Dominum in ipsum sincera fide perfecta recumbertes Let others totter they stand others shake they are unmoveable others fal they rise others be idle they Labour others be against God they are for him Consider of this I pray and let it cheer up your spirits I know you are apt to say times are so bad you know not whom to trust al ready men are so deceitful wicked and if they should be worse you know not what to do nor what wil become of you Christ comfort you and encourage you and let what wil happen in the world and let whose wil desert you if he never leave you nor forsake you you wil do well enough you wil be brought at the last to glory You may receive comfort in hopes of meeting with some friendly souls some Saints in the most naughty times but suppose you be left alone and there be none to be found yet in this be glad in this rejoyce in this be comforted that you shall find Christ and he will be to you insteed of friends and helpers and companions he wil be all to you The Lord grant that none of you be disheartned nor fal backe nor asham'd of the Gospel of the Lord but that you may beare witnesse to the testimony of Jesus and of this be confident your labour wil not be in vaine nor any suffering unrewarded that is undergone for Christ and his truth Christian friends whatsoever may make for your comfort I pray God give it you let it be peace within good company without the benefit of ordinances any mercy that so you may be Christs and continue like Christ let places times men the world with what is therein be never so bad FINIS
Merchants are vending as good Merchandize now as ever the world had held out and the devils as bad he will keep market where God doth he hath his cheats to vend where God hath his truths It is too hard a labour for me to find all the deceits that are abroad what lies in the heart of one man is not known Ierem. 17.9 the bottom cannot be search'd every heart hath its deceits and they are many the world is full the devil hath many large shops and many wares I shall give you the Evangelists counsel Look to your selves 2 Ep. Ioh. 8. were you going to a fair and one should say to you look to your purses there are many cut-purses and cheats how cautious would you be Take heed of your souls Christians 't is for them Satan goes about he hath what he aimes at if he gets them and he never hath his aime till he hath them But it is men not things that I have in hand you say you cannot tell who to trust and I say so too Christ can discover all the Lord hasten this work he can find out the man without the wedding Garment though the Guests perceive him not Matth 22.11 he can shew you which are the foolish Virgins which the wise though they lie together for a whiles undiscerned 'T is usual with men to think God such as themselves Psal 5.21 no wonder then that they take them for Saints that are like themselves Too too many go hand in hand to destruction Your Carnal worldly men they take none to be godly but themselves and such as they are that are good Husbands and correspond with the world doing as they say no man wrong paying every man his own no Saints to them but these so people that are got into such a form of worship they look upon none in Zion but they that do as they do all others are in Babylon Many will not pray nor performe any duty of Religion with those that are not of their opinion Oh strange If this be not to have the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons what is Could the Apostle esteem highly of those that were gracious and shal not we whether they were by nation Jews or Gentiles whether circumcised or not circumcised if holy Souls pray you may discern where Christ dwels they are true soules love such Christ is holy they that have him are holy Christ is truth they have truth tha have him Christ is mercifull so are they that are Christs Trust not to my words you may be deceiv'd and so may I yet I shall give you some hint of Saints that are so like Christ 1. There are some that are very useful souls these are like Christ you know how useful Christ is 1. The prayers of Christ are usefull so are the prayers of Saints Christ was much in prayer for the Churches good Psal 127.6 so are Saints Jerusalem is preferred above their chiefe joy Nehemiah Daniell Ezekiell David were praying soules they were alwaies mindfull of the church and so were others that were gratious Saints are very like Christ in this he prayed for his very enemies so do they he prayed for the Lords strength to strengthen his church so do they Ioh. 17.15 he prayed his church might be kept from the evil of the world Saints have this among their petitions 2. The company of Christ is useful How usefull was Christ when in the flesh to many distressed souls what place came he unto that he did not do some good in how blessed are they that have his presence now to cheere them heale them helpe them according to their severall needs are not Saints thus to their power do they not exercise the gift given them for others good 'T is a blessed condition I assure you a Saint that knows best how to judge thinks it so to live in such places where it may have the company of those that are truly godly 3. Christ is so useful that he holds out all he hath to Saints what he possesseth in grace or glory 't is presented to souls all is ready to do them good Here 's liberality 't is so with those that are Christs they think nothing too dear to be spent for their brethrens good a free Christ Act. 3.32 34. and free Saints ready to sell and part withall to help the necessities of fellow-members The hand will not keepe money in it when the foot or other parts need it the foot will not fit still when the body requires ' its help There is a naturall helping amongst members so amongst Saints There are few like Christ in this indeed few that are like him all They are more like the devill then Christ they put out all they have to do mischiefe body Estate all goes if they thinke they may displeasure Saints let them buy hell they may have time enough to complain of their bargain They that are so unlike Christ and Saints here shall have sutable company but it shall be neither Christ nor any of his holy ones The Lord grant you grace that in this you may imitate Christ and be like him in using what you have so for him his that you may give up an account of your stewardship with joy and not with griefe 2. Some are very pittiful souls they are pittifull from a Principle of grace these are like Christ If they see a poor creature in an ignorant sottish state how do they bemoan him take all opportunities possible to bring him to the knowledge of the truth Misericordia est vicina miseriae Sen. l. 2. de Clem. A merciful man strives to be Neighbour to him that is in need and who more then the ignorant Paul was very pittiful affected this way so are they that are like Christ compassionate to their bodily needs they strive to be merciful as their heavenly father is merciful They are excellent for shewing pitty that are Christs 2. They commiserate the wilful and strive to bring them to obedience they have learned Christs language crying out why wil you die O obstinate souls why will you crosse Christ and at length bring an eternall curse upon your selves Psal 35.14 they have such Yearning bowells after them that it many times drawes teares from them They may be ill dealt withal and have many a mock and jeere and suffering for their good will yet this beates them not off it makes them not desist but hold out with Christ seeking their Good that cannot endure them Isa 65.23 You may see how Christ was served yet what he did I stretched out my hands all the day to a rebellious people a people that provoketh me to anger continually to my very face 'T is so with many Saints do not many preach the word to such that are deadly adversaries to them that abuseth them to the very face nay in the very time they are perswading them 2 Cor.
God or man he acts right that bids his enemy be judge of his doings if any spy faults enemies will Saints are for pleasing God that 's their aime they are company for such whose journey is heaven-ward Christ is gone before they follow after He goes fastest to heaven that goes on most speedily in Gods worke that as it tends to Gods glory so to the actors glory A soul will soone be glorified it selfe that glorifies God they that are for God shall be with God heavenly work is recompens'd with good wayes Christ did his work is entred into his joy doe yours and enter also like doers shall have like pay 5. Christ is for fellowship and communion with his people Mat. 18.20 where two or three are gathered together in his name there he is in the midst of them so Saints the friends of Christ desire fellowship with those that are Christs christians this Lesson hath not been well learn'd of late outward appearances like our selves t is feard have drawne us many times more then Christ in Spirit dwelling in souls That part of Arethmeticke division hath beene in use too much at least Numeration too little we should be more like Christ were we more for society I meane with Saints Davids Spirit was gratious and was much affected with such company if like Christ sociable but 't is with Saints 6. Christ delights to see men holy embracing truth in this Saints are like Christ Saint John rejoyced greatly that he found the children of the Elect Lady walking in truth Epist Ioh. 2.4 so this exercise was pleasing to Paul Col. 1.3 4. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ praying alwayes for you since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus of the love which ye have to all the Saints As he rejoyced to see this amongst the Colossians for it pleased him to see others followers of the Lord 1 Thes 1.6 and embracing that truth which the churches of God embraced 1 Thes 1.14 to the exceeding growth of faith and the abounding of charity each towards others 2 Thes 1.3 They that were holy amongst the Jews rejoyced at the Gentiles conversion And at this day there is no greater joy to Saints then to hear of others turning to the truth and living holily That which makes carnal men displeas'd which is newnesse of life pleaseth those that have received of the same life Ezech. 33 7. Jesus Christ hates sin in every one yet no mans person he pitties their persons Why will you die O house of Israel He loath'd Jerusalems sin yet he wept over the city as pittying the people sorrowing through foreseeing of the misery that was coming towards them ' and did afterwards befal them They that are like Christ are thus qualified they hate sin in all men yet hate not the persons of any no not of their deadly enemies but with Stephen they can desire eternal life for those that will not let them enjoy a temporal life a crown for their enemies that hale them to the crosse There 's much of the image of Christ in those that to the utmost do good to the men whose sins they hate And though they seek the death of their sin yet desire life the life of Christ for their souls Christ shewed man most mercy when he shewed sinne none he kill'd sin and quickn'd man A man may be merciful to his neighbour yet strive to be a slaughter-man to his sin They must needs be like Christ that from a gratious pitty are helpful to others and omit no meanes to do them any kindnesse furthering the salvation of their souls and good of their bodies helping them in any thing or way but what is sinful 'T is the calling of Saints to do good yea to all you have none of a more free spirit then they they go up and down on this imployment 't is the errand that Christ sends them on Like Master like Servants all good and their actions like themselves The master cannot erre the servants may but they shall be set right again These are no cheats that do good to all as much as possible they may harm none no not enemies render to none evill for evil but contrariwise blessing 8. Saints are very much like Christ in that they are couragious souls couragious in what is good not bad some men have too much courage in an evil way but to what is good they have no heart 'T is not so with the children of God they die rather then yield to any basenesse shall such a one as I flie a gallant speech of a noble soul Neh. 6.11 of one that believed God had given commandment to save him Psa 71.3 Salvum me facias ab inimicis meis Daniel would not omit his duty though he knew the Lions den was to be his punishment God should have his honour whatsoever he suffered The three children feared not the wrath of the King nor the fiery Furnace God should not be dishonoured by them they would die rather Tyrants may kill Saints but not conquer them Christ was slaine but not overcome so it may be with those are Christs That 's good mettal will endure the fire a good Ship that holds sound and firm in all storms good cloth that shrinks not in wetting wel-grounded colours that fade not brave souls that nothing can daunt discourage or turn from the truth one of these is better then a thousand that have great words but when hardship comes to be undergone prove low and weake he 's a friend that owns a man in need and in a strait he 's a Saint that from inward grace is made so couragious that nothing shall separate him as from the love of Christ 2 Tim. 1.7 so from the worke of Christ The Mettall of a souldier is tried in the Battel the spirit of a Christian in times of opposition 9. Christ is all for drawing souls to himself Joh. 12.32 if he be lifted up from the earth he will draw men to him he is not a scatterer but a gatherer I mean of souls His businesse is to seeke and to save to find and preserve he woes and willing he is to marry soules that they might be his for ever christians in this are spirited like Christ they endeavour to drive a trade for Christs gain they are for their masters profit they love Christ find exceeding benefit by him and they think others should love him also Pretious Christ is pretious to them and faine would they have him so to others They have an enlarg'd heart and an open mouth crying to souls oh love the Lord all ye people turne in hither souls come buy wine and milke without noney and without price we have found Excellent entertainment from Christ come he will shew you kindnesse good soules will not conceale the bountifull mercy of the Lord 2 Chro. 7.9 if they neglect to publish
compelled to serve one of the most abject and base of his own servants to whom the King of Persia gave the said noblemans wife that by this meanes he might cause him to deny the faith But he not at all moved kept his faith See Burroughs in Moses self deniall where you have many examples stuck close to Christ willingly did he undergo all this wrong and indignity for Christ Many such precious soules have been in the world many there are and if persecution should arise even to death it would be seen that there are Gallant-spirited men now that would suffer any torments rather then forsake the Lord Jesus They would not harken to what flesh and bloud should say Verus Christi-discipulus propriae voluntati renunciat et divinam voluntatem sequi desiderat c. but to what the spirit should say and they would strive against what is evill in themselves and search what the wil of the Lord is and obey that 'T is the part of a good steward that is intrusted with much of his masters substance to laie out al for his master when his master requires it the best of us all are but Stewards and what we have of life parts beautie riches honour libertie any thing 't is lent us of God if God cal for it we ought to give it all up for his service and honour You that have truth of grace wil be ready so to do saying Lord all I have I received from thee it came of thee Io here I am ready to returne all to thee My deare friends consider what you do now for Christ what heart you have to what is good now what delight in Christs services now you are likeliest to hold out in suffering that are diligent in the businesse of the Lord and in the work of your God now Some men thinke they can suffer for Christ yet now they have no heart to the present service of Christ which God cals unto they are negligent and loose in present duties Suerely such soules who faile thus in present service and duty are not like to hold out in suffering times whatsoever they may say He that in summer and fair weather is a slothfull carelesse idle servant is not likely to be a diligent laborious paines-taker in the cold pinching wet stormy time of winter They that are bred up in labour are best able to endure it 1 Tim. 4.7 Non ocio indulgendum sed totis viribus eonnitendum Christians excercise your selves unto Godlinesse do what God now sets before you do it faithfuly do it with your might you wil the better endure harder businesse if your God cal you to it They are men endued with a precious blessing that use their al to the glory of God that let not a hough be idle or unserviceable Reas 5 There are some that are clensed and made free from all unrighteousnes and uncleannes Ps 32.1.2 that have no wickednes imputed unto them these are blessed soules these are precious souls Christ paid a ful price for their deliverance from sin making peace through the bloud of the crosse they are by Christ brought home to Christ their life is hid with Christ in God they are rais'd up with Christ and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus even already Indeed in themselves there is a body of lust corruption and sin and there is a law revealing sin accusing and condemning so as it beleevers live onely by sense reason and experience of themselves and as they live to men they live both under the power and feeling of sin and the Law but if they live by faith in Christ beleeving in the life righteousnesse obedience satisfaction and glory of Christ they live out of the power of all condemnation and unrighteousnesse This is a precious life and they are pretious souls that live this life of faith that have all their assurance confidence comforts flowing into them through a channel of faith believing themselves happy for what another even Christ hath done for them and not what they have done or can do for themselves In brief they are precious for take them as in Christ as justified they are as pure in the sight of God as the righteousness of Christ can make them because God sees his onely in Christ not in themselves he loves them not in the glory and excellencie of Christ these appear glorious to God and in his sight because they have put on Christ that is glorious There are as many precious souls now as there are souls cloath'd with the righteousnesse of Christ they that were precious formerly and could say As he is so are we in this world they were such by having Christ by being perfect in his perfection they were chosen in Christ lov'd in Christ they that are in Christ are precious now and may say As he is so are we in this world All believers are very like one another and also like Christ Reas 6 There are some that are the Sister Spouse Wife of Christ that have ravished his heart that he rejoyceth over as the Bridegroom over his Bride these doubtlesse are precious A precious Christ wil have a precious Consort He is an excellent one and wil have his Wife his Love his other-self to be precious also Christ glorious his Spouse glorious Christ beautiful his Love beautiful they are alike Bridegroom and Bride alike their trimming is of one piece and fashion the righteousnesse of God It may be a word of comfort and consolation Vse 1 to such that live in places where they can find no good people none that they can take comfort in none that are lovers of truth none that delight in the things of Christ 'T is sad to Saints spirits to live in such places 't is irkesome to a man as a man to live in a place where he can have no society no company fellowship with none so with Saints to live where they can have none to confer with none to discourse withal none to joyn with them in prayer and fasting and holy communion To such let me speak it may be you can find none for society none that are gracious yet be assured God hath some When the Prophet cried out he was alone and that he could see none but Idolaters none but what went on in wickednesse yet God saw some that were free some that were haters and loathers of Baal that had never bowed the knee to him The Lord hath here there some that are precious souls Be not disheartned christians be not dismai'd there are I acknowledge many briars and thornes yet there are some Lillies many weeds yet some though but a few precious flowers you may find none in great houses there may be some in cottages none in silken garments there may be some in rags none on the high places of the earth yet there may be some in the vallies 'T is indeed a thing to be bewail'd that there should be