in this world, which, if it had been effected, would have brought him to his eternal rest in the other? Secondly, The more ready and prepared the Christian is to suffer from God, or for God, the more God is engaged to take care for him and of him. A good general is most tender of that soldier's life, who is least tender of it himself. The less the Christian values himself and his interests for God's sake, the more careful God is of him, either to keep him from suffer- ing, or in it ; both which are meant, Matt. xvi. 25 : ' Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.' Abraham was ready to offer vip his son, and then God would not suffer him to do it. But if the Lord at any time takes the Christian's offer, and lets the blow be given, though to the severing of soul and body, he yet shews his tender care of him by the high esteem he sets upon their blood ; which is not more prodigally spilt by man's cruelty, than carefully gathered up by God : ' Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.'
Thus we see, that by resigning ourselves up readily to the disposure of God, we engage God to take care of us, and whatever befalls us. And that man or woman sure, if any other in the world, must needs live comfortably that hath the care of himself wholly taken off his own shoulders, and rolled upon God, at whose finding he now lives. The poor widow never was better off, than when the prophet kept house for her ; she freely parted with her little meal for the prophet's use ; and as a reward of her faith in crediting the message he brought from the Lord, so far as to give the bread out of her own mouth and child's to the prophet, she is pi'ovided for by a miracle, 1 Kings xvii. 12, 13. O when a sovil is once thus brought to the foot of God, that it can sincerely say. Lord, here I am, willing to deliver up all I have and am, to be at thy disposal ; my will shall be done when thou hast thy will of me ! God accounts himself deeply obliged to look after that soul.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE NUMBER OF TRUE CHRISTIANS BUT LITTLE, SHEWN FROM THIS READINESS TO SUFFER, THAT IS REQUIRED IN EVERY CHRISTIAN, MORE OR LESS; WITH AN EXHORTATION TO THE DUTY, FROM TWO ARGUMENTS.
Use 1. First, Must the Christian stand thus shod in readiness to march at the call of God in any way or weather ? This will exceedingly thin and lessen the number of true Christians, to what they appear to be at the first view by the estimate of an easy, cheap profession. He that should come into our assem- blies, and see them thracked and wedged in so close with multitudes flocking after the word, might wonder at first to hear the ministers sink the number of Christians so low, and speak of them as so little a company. Surely their eyes fail them, that they cannot see wood for trees ; Christians that stand before them. Tliis very thing made one of the disciples ask Christ, with no little wondering at it, ' Lord, are there few that shall be saved ?' Luke xiii. 23. Observe the occasion of this question: ' Christ,' ver. 22, 'went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.' He saw Christ so free of his pains, to preach at every town he came, and people throng after him, with great expressions of joy that fell from many, ver. 17 : ' Then said he. Lord, are there few that shall be saved V As if he had said. This seems very strange, and almost incredible. To see the way to heaven strewed so thick with people, and the means of salvation in such request, and yet but few saved at last ; how can this be ? Now mark our Saviour's unriddling this mystery : ' And he said to them,' (it seems the man spoke more than his own scruple,) ' Strive to enter in at the strait gate ; for many, I say unto you, shall seek, but shall not be able,' ver. 24 ; as if Christ had said, You judge by a wrong rule. If profession would sei-ve the turn, and flocking after sermons with some seeming joy at the word were enough to save, heaven would soon be full : but as you love your souls, do not bolt or try yourselves by this coarse sieve ; ' but strive to enter,' fight and wrestle, venture life and limb, rather than fall short of heaven. ' For many shall seek, but shall not be able,' that is, seek by an easy profession, and cheap religion, such as is hearing the word, performance of duties, and the like ; of this kind there are many that will come and walk about heaven's door, willing enovigh to enter, if they may do it without ruffling their
THK PUEPARATION OF THE GOSrEL OF PEACE. ^J J