Of Christian Prudence, Chapter 10
CHAP. X. Of Reliance on Providence, and of the Benefit Religion makes by outward Sufferings.
FRom what I have before said, of the Folly, as well as Wickedness of the First Rule of worldly Prudence about Means and Method, viz. Doing Evil that Good may come. I shall proceed now briefly, to note further on that Point.
3dly. A Third Rule of Spiritual Wisdom in pursuit of its ends, and that is Faith in Providence, or, in compassing any Effects, to look more to Providence, than to Humane Appearances. The great Virtue and Excellence of Religion, as well … the most general and constant exercise and …ployment of the Life of man, is Faith in God. This Faith, is a Faith in Providence, so … as concerns us in all the things of this Life. Our Faith also respects Futurities, and what God … promised beyond this World, in another Life. But all that God doth accomplish, and … Government thereof in this World, is the Administration of Providence. And all our Regard to God in Earthly Affairs, seeing his …nd in them, and expecting from him their desired issues, is the Faith in Providence. This is that which Spiritualizes this World, and turns all things that affect us here, into Religion. And this therefore is the Life of all truly Good and Religious Men. Through the whole Course of this World, they walk in Faith: and this Faith is in Gods Providence, which they ever look up to, and rely or build most on, in all things. Contrary to the way of the World, who, as though they walked without God in it, look not in every thing to the Living Creatures, i. e. Angels represented in that Vision, with the Face of Living Creatures, standing by the Wheels, or Course of Worldly things, to govern their Motions, as Ezekiel says, c. 1.15, 16.19, 20, 21. and c. 10.9.16, 17. Or to the over-ruling influence of invisible Providence, managed by the Ministry of Angels, which has the leading hand, and gives the last and Ruling stroak to all that happens. But only to what is visible before their eyes, or to humane Preparations and Appearances.
And expecting more from Providence, than from Worldly Appearances, they never seek to compass any Ends, as I have shew'd, by Unlawful ways, Which will lose them more in the Help of Providence, than it will get in that of Humane Preparations. Nor despair of his Protection, or promised Success, in Gods own ways. Nay their trust in Providence here, they account as one of the best Means, being that which will most ingage Providence. The Lord will help them, and save them from the wicked, that are always plotting to Destroy them, because they put their trust in him, saith the Psalmist, Ps. 37.40. They trust it to the last, when there is nothing visible to back it, nor any thing else to trust to. When, on the burning of Ziklag, the People with David spake of stoning him, and he was Greatly Distressed, then did David encourage himself in the Lord his God, 1 Sam. 30.1.6. Our bones are scattered at the Graves mouth, as Chips are when one Cutteth or Cleaveth wood upon the Earth, says he on another occasion, but mine Eyes are unto thee, O Lord, in thee is my Trust, to keep me from the Snares laid for me, Ps. 141.7, 8, 9. When my Soul fainted within me, at what time he was in the Whale's Belly, I Remembred the Lord, saith Jonah, Jon. 2.7. We were pressed above measure, and had the Sentence of Death in our selves, says the Apostle, that we should not trust in our selves, but in God who raiseth the Dead▪ who delivered us, and doth deliver, 2 Cor. 1.8, 9, 10. This proves the Sincerity of our Trust in God, when we have no Reserves of Humane grounds. It shews the commendableness, and Degrees thereof, when we Dare throw our selves wholly on God's Care and Kindness. And this is that, whereby Good men Signalise themselves. They are Abrahams Children, by being Followers of Abrahams Faith, Gal. 3.7. …t is their best Armor and Defence, which they …ver put off, even in the hottest Persecutions. … here, saith St. John, after the seemingly most helpless States, and hardest Tryals, is the Patience and Faith of the Saints, Rev. 13.10. And we are to be Followers of them; who, thro Faith, and Patience, inherit the Promises, Heb. 6.12.
But contrary to this, is the way of Worldly Wisdom. When it has little, or no humane Prep…ations, or Worldly Appearances, it is, as if it had nothing to depend upon; and gives any things up, even those which God has promised, and for which he is most concern'd, as Desperate. What would have become, say worldly men, of us, or of our holy Religion, if this and that Unlawful Course had not been taken? What would have become of them? had they kept to their Duty, when they went beyond it, That would have become of Religion, or of any good thing, which God pleases. And after all their Breach of Duty to preserve them▪ That must still become of them, which God pleases. So this, in Case of Unlawful Expedients, can only be the saying of those, who have no eye at Providence in these matters: or that Do not rely on God, or put their trust in him, but in visible Preparations and Appearances. When they enquire, what would become? and ask about Events, I would ask them again, whether Events are our Business, or Gods? And if they are under his care, it is only to Distrust God, and to ask him what will become of his Charge, not us what will become of ours? As if he were not able to do his own Business, whithout the help of our Sins: or to bring to pass, what concerns him in his ways, without our breaking what is commanded, and concerns us, both in his way and ours.
A Fourth and last Rule, which I shall note of Christian Prudence, about the Means; whereby its Ends are to be attained, is, The Vsefulness of Sufferings, or seeing how it may highly compass the Ends of Christianity, by Persecutions.
This, indeed, is a Paradox to this world, who cannot think of growing richer by their Losses; or that the Sufferings of men can ever be brought into the Account of their Successes and Advantages. But this is a very certain and great Truth in Religion, which serves its Ends by Suffering, as well as by Thriving, and looks upon Persecutions with other Eyes than this World doth.
Spiritual Prudence, that is wise for the Advancement of our Duty, and the improvement of our Spirits, sees many singular Advantages, which Persecution affords for these. So that it never thinks it self out of its way, but in the high and beaten Road to what it aims at, when it is call'd to Suffer. It is out of the way of worldly Peace and Injoyments; (and those are the things which Persecution takes from us:) but in a very Good way of practising a Number of most acceptable and Honourable Duties, and making Spiritual Improvements. For,
1. Persecutions are the best, and truest Proof, of the Sincerity of our Affection to Religion, or of our Love to Christ. It shews plainly, that we set … above this World, and are thereby, as he s…ys, Worthy of him, when we are ready to Part with any thing of this World, for his sake. And therefore Persecutions are call'd Tryals of our Faith in the Scriptures. Nay, the fiery Tryal, which will separate the Pure Mettal from the Dross, and prove Sound and Right Christians, …s it proves pure and right Mettals, such another way of trying Christs faithful Servants, as … is of trying Silver, or Gold it self. And …his, tho to a worldly mind, as depriving it of worldly injoyments, it appears a heavy Af…ction: to a Christian Spirit, is of Great account. For what so valuable to it, as to prove … self one of Christs faithful Servants, the approbation whereof it sets more by, than by all that is Dear, and desireable to it in this …ife? What so pleasing to a Soul bent on Heaven, as to have given such a clear Proof of its Preferring Heaven before Earth; of its being so set on things above, as, for their sakes, to Overlook and Despise all beneath; of its having suffered with Christ, which the Apostle gives as a Pledge to all Good Souls, that they shall Reign with him?
2. It calls us to the Exercise of many Duties of Religion, yea, such as are the very height and Perfection thereof, which we have no such opportunity to exercise at a quiet time. For now, when Suffering comes, we are put upon shewing, how far we are set above the World, and how able to Contemn it, being call'd to part therewith: Yea we are much prepared thereby, and disposed so to do, nothing being more effectual to Cure our fondness for this World, than Worldly Sufferings. We are call'd to manifest, how Heavenly-minded we are, when our minds have nothing but Heaven to influence and bear them up, and to carry them to quit what is most Dear to them here on Earth. How Resign'd to the will of God; when that Will of his is so hard to Flesh and Blood: How Patient, when we have Heavy Sufferings to try our Patience. How strong our Faith is of unseen things; when in assurance thereof, we must forego all we see here: or, of Gods Grace, and Present Assistances, when, in Expectation of them, we are going out to Encounter the Greatest Tryals and Difficulties. How we can take up the Cross, and bear it after Christ; when the Cross is laid in our way, and we are call'd out to Suffer for Christ, or for Righteousness sake. And lastly, how under all this, we can heartily thank God, and forgive and Love our Enemies, and Pray for our Persecutors, even whilst they are exasperating our Spirits, by all the Provoking Arts of spiteful and injurious Usage. Not to mention, how, instead of rebating, it is found to add Spirit to good mens pious Resolution, and a stedfastness and Complacency therein. And, ind…ed, Brave Minds, are not in so much danger of being threaten'd and forced, as Flatter'd and Caress'd out of their integrity; suffering that Shipwrack of a good Conscience, many times, by the Smiles, which they never could be made to do by the Frowns of Princes.
Now, Contempt of the World, and Heavenly mindedness, and Faith, and Patience, and taking up the Cross, and Loving and Forgiving Enemies, and cruel Persecutors, and such Religious Bravery and Gallantry of Spirit in God's Cause, as no menaces and inflictions can shake, much less vanquish, are among the most raised, and elevated Virtues, in all our Religion. And therefore Spiritual Prudence, which rates the beneficialness of Things, as they promote the greatest Virtues, or Carry them on to the Greatest improvements, must needs see, and acknowledge, how Directly and advantagiously it is pursuing its own Ends, tho it be quite out of the way of Worldly Ends, when it is called out to do Honour to God and Religion, and to advance it self, by the exercise of these, and many other noble Virtues, in Persecution.
3. It calls us to do benefit to others by our Sufferings. For our Sufferings for Christ, and in a Christian manner; or with a truly Christian Spirit, in the manifestation of the Virtues before mentioned, will help their Faith. It will beget Faith in some, and Confirm it in others, there being a Witness or Testimony in the Blood, and an Evidence in the Sufferings of Martyrs and Confessors, to make Proselytes, as the Scripture Declares, and they Experienced in the Primitive Church. It will also help their Practice. For the sight of such Sufferings in us, will call them with great Power and Force, to Perseverance in their Duty, when it comes under Tryals; it will awaken those that are lapsed, and help to stop those that are wavering, and about to fall from it, and Confirm and settle others in what they have received, and embolden them in Professing of it, animating them to a like Suffering for it, as they see we Do. Many of the Brethren in the Lord waxing Confident, by Example of my Constancy in Bonds, says St. Paul, are thereby become much more Bold, to speak the word without fear, Phil. 1.14. It makes one known to another: and in time of Distress, it is a Great heartning and encouragement, to see the Number with us; as well as a Good Confirmation of our Judgment, and Guide of our Practice, to see the same Truths resolutely owned by others, especially by some, whom we have cause to esteem better, and wiser, than our selves. And accordingly, St. Paul calls us to shew stedfastness at such times, for these Purposes. Let us hold fast the Profession of our Faith without wavering, and not forsake the Assembling of our selves together, says he to the Hebrews, in Persecuting times, Considering one another, to provoke unto Love, and to Good Works, Heb. 10.23, 24, 25. If we be afflicted, and the Sufferings of Christ abound in us, says he to the Corinthians, it is for your Consolation, and Salvation, which is effectual among you in the enduring of the same Sufferings, which we also suffer, 2 Cor. 1.5, 6. This Free and Stedfast Practice of Suffering Duties, and Resolute Suffering for them before others, is the way to call upon and Exhort them to Edifie and Build them up in the like Practice, according to the Rule of Scripture, which requires us †Rom. 14.19. and 1 Cor. 14.26.to Edifie … another.
Whereas, on the Contrary, our Denying those Duties, or Shrinking from the Sufferings threatned in Persecutions, especialy in Persons of Reputation and Influence, is apt to give mighty S…andal, or Occasion of Falling. It shocks the strong, and turns the Weak out of the way, which otherwise they are inclined to walk in; and has a mighty effect on most, who are Glad of the pretence of having such Examples to Follow, and of any Colourable Ground to go that way. It Encourages those that have Err'd, and Pricks others forward, and hardens those that are Resolved, weakning the hearts of those that Stick to their Duty, and heartning those that Revolt from it, and strengthning the hands of the Wicked, and of the Persecutors thereof, against which God makes such Complaint, Ezek. 13.22.
So that the way of Christian and Resolute Suffering in Persecutions, is a most Charitable, and Edifying Course. It doth Honour to Virtue and Religion, as I formerly Noted, when they are most exploded, and when they are sorest prest, and have fewest to stand by them. It recals some Deserters, and Establishes other wavering Professors, and Animates and Strengthens all its Followers, even at that time, when it has the most need of them. And all this, though it be out of the World, is in the way of Religion, it never goes on more prosperously with its Ends, then at such times.
4. And being on all these Accounts, the way to improve and perfect our Virtue: it must answerably be the way to heighten & consummate our Reward. There are Great and Glorious Prerogatives, in the Recompence of Martyrs and Confessors. St. John †Rev. 20.4, 5.Notes an extraordinary Preference, and Priviledge of highest value, to those, who were beheaded for the Witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God; (beheading, being the *Nunc à Praeside Mauritaniae, vexatur hoc Nomen, sed gladio tenus, Sicut & à Primordio Mandatum est animadverti in hujusmodi. Tertul. ad Scap. c. 4.usual Death of Martyrs in those Days, the more Cruel ways of Killing, and exquisiteness of Torture, not being commonly used upon them 'till afterwards:) and had not Worshipped the Beast, nor his Image, nor had received his Mark upon their hands, or Foreheads, i. e. had stood out couragiously under the sorest Tryals, as brave Confessors against all Contrary and Unchristian Practices. Be the Tryals never so Great, for Christ's, or for Righteousness sake, I reckon, saith St. Paul, that the Sufferings of this Present time, are not worthy to be compared with the Glory, that shall be revealed in us, Rom. 8.18. The more we endure for, the more we shall receive from him. †Tert. ad Scap. c. 4.Majora Certamina, Majora Sequuntur praemia▪ The harder the Sufferings, the higher the Recompences, says Tertullian. These Sufferings for Christ, are call'd the Remains, or what is behind of the Sufferings of Christ, Col. 1.24. and the Marks of the Lord Jesus, Gal. 6.17. And the more conformable his Servants are, to the likeness of his Sufferings; the more in Proportion, shall they be conformed to the likeness of his Glories. Answerable to our Suffering, shall be our Reigning with him, 2 Tim. 12. If so be that we Suffer with him, we shall be also Glorified together, Rom. 8.17. The Surplusage of their Glory and Bliss, shall be so much the earlier, and Greater than the Bliss of others; as to render these Sufferings, the most valuable Blessings to all truly Good men, and a Cause of highest Joy and Thankfulness. Rejoyce then, and leap for joy; rejoyce, and be exceeding Glad, says our Saviour, for Great is your Reward in Heaven, Luk. 7.22, 23. Mat. 5.12. Rejoyce, in as much as ye are made Partakers of Christs Sufferings, says St. Peter, that when his Glory shall be Revealed, ye may partake answerably in that too, and be Glad also with exceeding Joy, 1 Pet. 4.13.
Such as these are the Benefits, which Virtue and Religion have, by Persecutions. And accordingly, such is the Estimate, which Christian Prudence makes of them. It Dreads them not, …s hindrances; but when call'd by God thereto, looks upon them with a willing and chearful eye, as fitting means to set on, and most proper and advantageous to bring about its own Purposes. And the Reasons why, at such times Men are so much against Suffering, is because they look not upon them with Spiritual, but with Carnal Worldly eyes.
I do not seek by this, to make men fond of Sufferings, or put themselves upon them before they need to suffer, without waiting Gods leisure. Such rash and hasty zeal there was, which produced ill Effects in some Confessors of the Primitive Church; and which thereupon it ceased to countenance, and fell Canonically to censure and repress, forbidding men to run to suffer before God call'd them, or to give the Judges unnecessary provocation. But when God sends Sufferings, as he doth, when there is no keeping of it off, without acting against the Rules, Interest, or Honour of Religion: I say their Master and mine is not for having us afraid to Suffer; or capable of being forced out of our Principles, or Duty, to avoid it. Nay, he would be glad to see us willing, and chearful under the approach, as well as Constant and Resolute under the pressure thereof: looking on Persecutions, as what will Do no Final hurt, but Do both him, and our selves the most, and best service.
For on this Point I would have it observed, that Christianity is a Passive Religion, or a Doctrine of the Cross. It is a Profession to expect, and to bear Sufferings. Its Author was a Crucified Saviour. He was a Man of Sorrows, and a most absolute Pattern of Patience. And the sharp Tryals thereof, though they begun in the Head, were not to end there, but to Descend Down to the Members, whom God, in such measure as he sees fit, fore-ordains or praedestinates to be conformed▪ to the Image of his Son, viz. in the conformity of Suffering, which is the Argument there treated of, Rom. 8.29. A Share of these, is left for his Church, and Followers; which St. Paul calls the foreign, the Remainders or what is behind of the Sufferings of Christ, Col. 1.24. Accordingly he *Mat. 10.17, 18, 21, 22.34, 35, 36. & Joh. 16.33Foretels Sorrows for his Disciples, and calls them to bear, and prepare for them. Passive times are what he presignifies us; and Passive Duties which we are to Discharge under them, make up a considerable part of his Precepts. If any man will come after …, says he, he must Deny himself, and take up his Cross, and follow me, Mat. 16.24. Through many Tribulations, says his Apostles, we must enter into the Kingdom of God, Act. 14.22. Yea, all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer Persecution, saith St. Paul, 2 Tim. 3.12. So that Sufferings and Persecutions must never seem strange things among Christians.
Indeed, sometimes through the Goodness and Indulgence of God, we have a long enjoyment of quiet and encouraging times; and so actual Sufferings are Greater Strangers to us. But it never is a Stranger to our Profession and Principles, being one of Religion's chief Businesses. And the b…st Souls, and most Religious men are gone to Heaven that way, bearing the Cross, before they g…t the Crown, and suffering for Christ e're they were taken to Reign with him. So went the Antient Prophets, and Worthies, some stopp…ng the Mouths of Lyons, others quenching the violence of Fire; some having Tryal of Cruel Mockings and Scourgings, yea, moreover, of Bonds and Imprisonments; others, wandering about in Sheep Skins and Goat Skins, being Destitute, Afflicted, Tormented; some being stoned, others Sawn asunder, others slain with the Sword; others, Tortured, and not accepting Deliverance, when proffer'd them upon their Apostacy, that they might obtain a better Resurrection, as St. Paul says, Heb. 11.33, 34, 35, 36, 37. So went also, not only our Blessed Lord himself; but his Apostles, and the best Souls and Saints of the Suffering Ages; who are set off as much by their Patience, as by any thing else. I John your Brother and Companion in Tribulation, and in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ, says St. John to the Seven Churches, Rev. 1.9. And as they followed Christ, so must we be ready upon occasion to follow them; our Calling being, as St. Paul notes, to be Followers of them, who through Faith and Patience, inherit the Promises, Heb. 6.12.
And Professing thus a Passive Religion, we should all have Passive Spirits. The Spirit of Suffering or Patience, is one of our most necessary Qualifications. The Gospel, which we profess, is call'd, as sometimes the word of Faith; So, at others, the word of Patience. Thou hast kept the word of my Patience, saith Christ to the Angel of the Church of Philadelphia, Rev. 3.10. And accordingly, the Professors of this Gospel, must be Signaliz'd, and Remarkably Eminent, as for the Spirit of Faith, so for the Spirit of Patience. Your Companion, saith St. John of himself, in the Patience of Jesus, Rev. 1.9. And we are Followers of those, who got the Promises through Faith and Patience, as St. Paul says. And here, says the Spirit, calling on every one that has an ear to attend, is the Patience and Faith of the Saints, Rev. 13.9, 10. The Scars on his Body, which were the Tryals of his Patience, St. Paul calls the Marks of the Lord Jesus, Gal. 6.17. And the Miseries and Dangers he every where underwent for him, he terms, bearing about in his Body the Dying of the Lord Jesus, 2 Cor. 4.10. So that Sufferings for Righteousness, are the Livery and Badge, which must be wore by his Retainers.
For ingenerating this, I shall briefly note some … of Spiritual Prudence.
1. The First is, For Christians to be above this World. There is no expectation, that any man should suffer much for Christ, 'till this Foundation is first laid. A man tied to this World, will not give up Worldly Interests for a Good Conscience: but, will either violently burst …ough all the Ties and Remonstrances of Conscience; or, artificially blind the eyes, and corr…pt the sence thereof, and by studied Salvo's, and nice Distinctions, impose upon himself, 'till he has brought over his Conscience to his Worldly Convenience. Whosoever will be a Friend of the World, in such Cases as the Script…re says, must needs be the Enemy of God, Jam. 4.4. You cannot serve both God and Mammon, saith our Saviour, Mat. 6.24. If we will be his Disciples, he tells us, we must be ready to Leave Houses and Lands, Fathers and Mothers, Luk. 14.26. Mar. 10.29. Till our Hearts sit loose to them, they are not like in Tryals to stick fast to him. These seem hard Sayings, but they should not seem strange among Christians, who have renouced the World at their Baptism, when they were first Listed under Jesus Christ, and profess to be Men of another World, not of this. The Sayings are most reasonable in themselves, and easie to such Disposed Hearers, and fall hard only on Worldly minds, who have a stronger impression of seen than of unseen things; and are more influenced by Present Advantages, than by the hopes of Religion, and Faith of Eternal Happiness.
2. Subservient to this, is another Rule, of Mortifying, and not Pleasing our Appetites. Worldly Losses, are like to fall hard on those, who seek to live in Ease and Pleasure, and study Worldly Enjoyments. To accustom and indulge our selves in these, doth mightily corrupt the mind, and ties it Down to worldly things. So that a Voluptuous and Luxurious Age, and a Course of Ease and Fulness is not like to furnish out many Confessors. And therefore Religion, that calls us to Suffer, disposes us thereto by Mortifications, and bringing Down the Body, and Self-Denials, not Self-Pleasings. If we would prepare our selves for Good Souldiers of Jesus Christ, in trying Days, it must be, as St. Paul tells Timothy, by enduring hardness, 2 Tim. 2.3. He that striveth, as the Apostle says in reference to the Heathen Games, is temperate in all things; such Persons always preparing themselves, by a prescribed course of strict Labours and Abstinence, both from Wine and Pleasures. For which purpose, adds he, I my self keep under my Body, and bring it into subjection, 1 Cor. 9.25.27. And accordingly, this was the Method of the Holy Martyrs, in the days of Persecution, to prepare themselves for Sufferings, not by self-satisfactions, but foreign by congruous exercise of stricter abstinence, or by Austerities, and afflicting of the Flesh, as †De Mart. Palaest. c. 4. p. 323.Eusebius says of young Apphian. This Course of Abstinences and Self-Denyals, will give us Power over our selves, when we cannot have it over outward things: and then our Satisfactions, do not stand to their Courtesie. We …ffect, not to have what we like, but always to …ke what we have, and what God is pleased to allot, which is the true Christian Spirit. And he who is of that mind, is both secure against Discontent, and above the Reach and Power of this world.
3. As a further Help, after we have thus pared … the Pleasures, it will be a serviceable piece of wisdom to this Purpose, by a virtuous Frugality and …ovidence, to prevent Straits and Necessities of … world. Worldly Losses, can never seize us … more Disadvantage, than when we have before …warily run our selves into worldly Necessities, …hich render us, as the more unprovided to …ear, so the more loath to fall under them. And therefore it is, as a Great Point of Wisdom at all …, so especially a Preparation for Sufferings, …or all Good Christians carefully to live within the compass of their Fortunes. Not to spend …pon Hopes and Expectancies, or live upon things before they come to possess them, or to live to …he utmost of their Incomes, which will be the ready way to go beyond them, or, by any Extra…gance and superfluous Expences, throw themselves into Debts and Worldly Difficulties: which …ust needs make the voice of worldly Losses, of p…rting with Lands, or Livelyhoods, more unwelcome, and a Greater Tryal, even to an Honest and well Disposed mind.
These Suffering Spirits thus prepared, are now, God knows, much out of vogue amongst us. Christians were once most Eminent, and Distinguishable by Passive Virtues, and as a suffering Generation. But now, a Soft and Delicate Spirit is come in place thereof, and the Generality had rather Sin than Suffer, and instead of chearfully taking up the Cross, and bearing it themselves; are for any way that will transfer it, and lay it with Triumph upon their Persecutors; and are all for being known, not as a Suffering, but as a Secular thriving sort of Men. This is a sad case, and lamentable Consequences it produces. For this want of Passive Spirits, and abhorrence of the Cross, is the Root of all the ill, and the true Cause of all the foregoing wicked Devices, and ungodly Rules of the wisdom of the Flesh; and that, which in trying times, makes our Carriage, so unlike that of our Saviour Christ, and the Primitive Christians. But as the Power of Christianity revives, this Suffering Spirit will be retrieved among Christians. And they, that profess a Doctrine of the Cross, will have Spirits to bear and take up Crosses, whensoever they lye in the way of Religion, or a Righteous Cause.
But now most opposite to this, is the Wisdom of this world. To be wise for this world, is to be so wise, as to keep it. And not to suffer the Loss of the Good things thereof, so long as any Compliance can avoid losing. The Wisdom of the Flesh, can believe no Good in Fleshly Sufferings, but only in Fleshly Injoyments. And therefore on any occasion, it is ready to give up a Good Conscience, for Carnal Ease; to comply in what is required, tho' very Unrighteous, to save it self; and to break any Duty, even what it holds fastest, and has professed highest, rather than, … the Phrase of some at such times is, to be undone for it.