would be careful to get the knowledge of the cauſe that we profeſs; for indeed a dark night is ill to ſail in, when the wind blows, and when there are quick-ſands before us.
And laſtly. We would be careful to have our ſhip well ballaſted with the faith and patience of the ſaints.
Uſe 4. We would conſider what grounds of conſolation we ſhall have for ſtrengthening our hearts, if we bide faſt by the cauſe of Jeſus Chriſt for the bideing out of a ſtorm, if ſo be, God be pleaſed to bring it on us.
We might name many, only at this time take theſe few. The firſt ground of encouragement, is, that you have a good cauſe, I mean the cauſe of God, and the intereſt of Jeſus Chriſt, ſpeak againſt it who will, forſake it who will, reproach it who will, doubtleſs good is the cauſe, the cauſe is worth the contending for, worth the ſuffering any thing that can come for it.
2. Another thing to be a ground of comfort to us, is we have a good cauſe, ſo we have a good Captain too, Jeſus Chriſt the Lord, who is the Captain and Prince of ſalvation, who was never put to the worſe, and who ſits at the right hand of the Father, and will reign there till he make all his enemies his footſtool.
3. Another thing to be a ground of conſolation to us, is, as we have a good cauſe; and a good Captain, ſo we have good company too, all in whoſe hearts the fear of the Lord is, in theſe three nations, yea, more we have all the ſaints that have lived ſince the beginning of the world; for all the cauſes they have owned and ſuffered for, is one and the ſame, though there be ⟨ſundry⟩ branches of it; we have alſo our own experiences, and many things more of that kind. O that we knew our privileges, for ſtrengthening our hearts to be ſincere and ſtedfast in his work. And ſo we loſe.
THE END.
