Page:Brief historical relation of the life of Mr. John Livingston Minister of the Gospel.pdf/65

( 65 ) signifying his ſtrong expectations that he would be quickly removed from that people, and that he might not get another opportunity to salute them,(which fell out according to his fears) he doth with a great deal of fervour and affection teſtify his love to them, and his prayer that the Lord who bleſseth the feed that is ſown in the ground, might bleſs his labours among them, and make the fruit thereof to appear when he was gone.

Next he read to them Matth.x.32. where Chriſt ſays, Whosoever therefore ſhall confeſs me before men, him will I confeſs alſo before my Father who is in heaven; and there-from had a ſpeech to this effect, "Chriſtianity is nothing elſe now than it was formerly. There are four pillars in it, to ſpeak ſo, A man believeth with the heart, and that bringeth in another, viz. Righteouſneſs: A third, Man confeſſeth with his mouth, and that brings in a fourth, which accompliſheth all, viz. Salvation. There are two main ways whereby Satan prevails over poor creatures, ſometimes he allures, and at other times he terrifies them. There are the luſts of the fleſh, and the love of the world, and of honour; theſe engines hate a kind of enticing quality, and if they fail, he bends up terrors, and maketh them afraid. Now, as an antidote againſt theſe our Lord holds forth the Words which we have read; and, becauſe many are ready to find out ſtrange ways to ſave themſelves, their means and their life, he propones it very sharply, Whoſoever denieth me (ſays he) before men, him will I deny, &c. Now this is the moſt tickliſh point in all divinity, and the rock on which many beat out their brains; Satan way-lays people and enticeth them to deny, and alas that his influence is so great in the time wherein we live; Some think if it were , and if it were a fundamental point they were called to confeſs, they would ſtand for it with life and eſtate; but it is thought that Chriſtians now ſtand upon ſome things, that are but fancies and nice ſerupuloſities, and if there be any thing in them, it is but a small matter; and ſhall a man venture his life and all upon a ſmall thing? Well, if they be none of ’s small things, let them go; but if they be one of his truths, will Rh