'nother Acceptation: And together with 'the Contempt of Riches, and Living a'bove the Love of this World's Wealth, '(which I muft confefs is a very needful,

as well as eminent Attainment) It must 'alfo take in that Lowlinefs of Mind, which 'makes a Man very Mean in his own Eyes, and fo think contemptibly of himself, as if none were viler and worse than he: None. 'more Unworthy and Abject, yea and 'Loathfome, before the holy Majesty of 'Heaven. Therefore can he calmly and 'contentedly bear Rebuke, Difgrace and Contempt, as his due Defert. So does the fenfe of Sin ftrip a Man of Pride and Self-conceit, that he is very forward to Efteem each other better than Himself; and is fo far from Glorying with the Pharifee, that he bewails his own Wretchedness and Beggary; Lies low, and earnestly cries 'for Mercy.

And to be of fuch an Humble and Contrite Spirit, I cannot but take it to be Poor in Spirit; and on the furer fide too: For there may be a Pride even in Throwing away one's Wealth, and the Vain-glory of Prodigality. Yea, many that are Indigent and Beggarly, yet may be very Highminded, great Braggadocio's, and none more Self-conceited. While we fee fome that have all the Fulnefs of the World, not value themfelves at all upon it; but

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Condefcend to men of Low eftate, and put themselves upon a Level even with the Meaneft; Inclin'd and ready to serve the Pooreft body. And fuch, I cannot but think my self oblig'd to reckon some of the Poor in Spirit, tho' Rich in Eftate; and the more to Honour 'em, for fo little Infifting upon their Honour. Yea, according to the fentence of God's own Word, 'I muft count them in the ready way to be Exalted, for fo Humbling themselves; and not far from the Kingdom of Heaven, because fome of the Humbleft upon Earth.

CHA P. IX.

The Third Path to the Kingdom of God.

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HE next Path mark'd out by our Divine Infallible Guide is, Mat. 5. 10. Blessed are they that are Perfecuted for Righteousness fake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Here's the wonderful Wisdom from above but fuch as is quite hid from the Wife of this World. For who would ever Believe, were he not God who said it, That 'twere good to be Poor in Money, but Rich in Adverfity? Yet fo indeed we fhall find it: and nothing more conducing to the true Riches, (fuch as are our Qualifications for the Heavenly Kingdom,) than

a Mind empty of the Love of this World's Good, and full of Defire to Suffer, as well as to Do, for our Lord. Hear Himself in the Cafe, Luke 6. 24, and 5. Wo to you that are Rich; for ye have received your Confolation: Wo to you that are Full; for ye shall Hunger. And a little before, Bleffed are ye Poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blef fed are ye that Hunger and Weep, and are Hated, and Reproached, and Caft out for my fake: Rejoice ye in that day, and Leap for Joy: For behold your Reward is great in Heaven.

Hear alfo what his Apoftle fays of Riches and of Sufferings, Jam. 1. 2, 3, 12. My brethren Count it all For, when ye fall into divers Temptations: Knowing that the tryal of your Faith worketh Patience. Bleffed is the man that endureth Temptation; For when he is Tryed, he shall receive the Crown of Life. Where he not only calls to Endure and be Quiet, but to Rejoyce; yea, and count it all Foy. Take it for the matter of your greateft Gladness. But Chap. 5. 1.

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has a forrowful meffage for them who think they are fo well Provided and fortify'd, as to put all forrow far enough from 'em. Go to now ye Rich; weep and howl for the Miferies that shall come upon you. And Chap. 4.9. Be Aflicted, and Mourn, and Weep: Let your Laughter be turn'd to Mourning, and your Joy to Heaviness.

This carries a ftrange found: But many things might be offer'd for the Reason, why Perfecution fhould make a man Bleffed; which looks more likely to make him moft wretched. I will content my felf with this One, Because Perfecution is like the fiery Furnace, which Boyls Meat, Refines Silver, and Tries theGold. For thus the fiery Tryal, patiently endured, quite changes the Sinful, Purges the Imperfect, and Approves the Juft: So proving wonderfully Beneficial to all.

For instance, The Sinner is like Rawflesh, which (you know,) unless prepar'd with the Fire, is not to be eaten by men, but caft to the Dogs: So full is he of crude ill Humours, The Luft of the Flesh, which is Senfuality; The Luft of the Eyes, which is Covetousness; and the Pride of Life, which is Ambition; that nothing can be more contrary and Loathfome to the moft Holy Lord. But the Fiery Tryal comes, and fetches out the Raw offenfive Humours, and makes him fo forget and Loath his Fleshly Lufts, his filthy Lucre, and his Proud Afpiring after Honour, that he becomes quite of another Mind and Temper.

But then, for the next, He that is free from Scandal, and the great Tranfgreffion, yet ftill very Imperfect, and wanting in many things; Too fond of his Flesh, ftill hunting after vain Pleafures, Greedy of Gain and

and not come to Loath the Follies of the World; He is like the Silver, that has a great deal of drofs mingled with it: But when thrown into the Furnace of Perfecution, and there quietly bearing the Indignation of the Lord, he finds a Separation of that drofs, and the Carnal defires falling off; and his Mind rais'd to Contemplate and Affect the things Above. He thinks.it Time then, to Live Righteously, Soberly, and Godly in the prefent World; Look! ing for the bleffed Hope, and Glorious Appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jefus Chrift.

Yet further, He that is as the Gold, grown to fuch a Perfection of Love, as is attainable in this Life, yet may be Try'd in the Fire of Perfecution, leaft he fhou'd be cenfur'd by others, or fear'd by himself, to be but Brass. For in paffing thro' the Fire, the Tryal of his Faith may be found more precious, than of Gold that perisheth, to Praife, and Honour, and Glory. i Pet. 1. 7. And thus, his Hopes are rais'd to be full of Immortality; and the moft comfortableExpectation of everlasting Glory. For Tribulation worketh Patience; and Patience Experience; and Experience Hope; and Hope maketh not ashamed. Rom. 5. 5.

Thus the God infinitely Wife and Good, even when he may feem to Spoil and Deftroy, Promotes and Advances his Friends

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