Page:Strange and wonderful predictions of the Reverend martyr, Mr Christopher Love.pdf/10

 mercies you have, look rather at God's end in afflicting, them to the meaſure and degree of your afflicton.

6thly, Labour to clear up your evidence for heaven, when God takes from you the comfort of earth, ſo that as your ſufferings do abound, your conſolation in Chriſt may abound much more, 2. Cor i. 5.

Though it be good to maintain a holy jealouſy of the deceitfulneſs of the heart, yet it is ill for you to cheriſh fears and doubts touching the truth of your graces: If ever I had confidence touching the grace of another, I have confidence of grace in you, as Peter ſaid of Sylvanus, I am perſuaded that this is the grace of God, wherein ye ſtand 1 Pet.v. 12.

7thly, O, my dear ſoul! wherefore doſt thou doubt, whoſe heart has been upright, whoſe walking has been holy, &c. I could venture, my ſoul, this day, in thy ſoul's ſtead, ſuch a confidence have I in you.

8thly, When you find your heart ſecure, preſumptuous and proud, then pore upon corruption more than grace; then look upon your graces without your infirmities.

9thy, Study the covenant of grace, and merits of Chriſt, and be troubled if you can: you are intereſted in ſuch a covenant that accepts purpoſes for performances, deſires for deeds, ſincerity for perfection, the righteouſneſs of another, viz. that of Jeſus Chriſt, as it were our own alone, Oh, my love! reſt thou in the love of God, in the boſom of Chriſt.

10thly, Swallow up your will in the will of God. It is a bitter cup we are to drink, but it is the cup our Father hath put into our hands. When Paul was to ſuffer at Jeruſalem: The Chriſtians would ſay, The will of the Lord be done. Oh! ſay ye ſo when I go to Tower-Hill, The will of the Lord be done.

11thly, Rejoice in my joy. To mourn for me inordinately, argues, that you either envy or ſuſpect my happineſs. The joy of the Lord is my ſtrength, Oh! let it be yours alſo, Dear wife, farewel, I will call thee wife no more. I ſhall ſee thy face no more, yet I am not much troubled; for now I am going to meet the bridegroom, the Lord Jeſus, to whom I ſhall be eternally married.

12thly, Refuſe not to marry, when God offers you a fair