perfect in its kind, there may be many degrees. We are allow∣ed, if we may be free, rather to be free; if rich and honourable in the world, by good and lawfull means, rather to be so, then poor and contemptible. That common soldier is not commen∣ded, who to shew his valour, runs into dangers, wilfully; or sets upon the enemy without a command. In this our Christian warfare some are Captains and Generals, that must leade and command: the greatest part, are common soldiers, who if they readily follow, & execute, when called, it is as much as needs. S. Paul himself could say, I know how to be abased; and I know how to abound. If there be a firm resolution, and answerable due preparation, if God shall call us to it, to say with S. Paul, I account all things but dung, &c. such a resolution, and such a preparation may in the eyes of God (who as he onely can see, so most observes the heart) stand for the deed it self.
And so may those generall expressions, as, Whosoever doth not bear his crosse, &c. and, Whosoever will live godlily, &c. and that through many tribulations, &c. and the like, be qualified and understood: of the resolution & preparation, (if true and reall) as well as of the deed and event it self. And certainly some re∣ligious men, who actually and personally never tasted, either not at all, (if such may be found) or very little, of the troubles and miseries of this life, by this kind of preparation, as also by their fellow-feeling (as in hearty compassion, so in readinesse to assist and relieve to their power) in the sufferings of others, might be as great sufferers before God, as some others, who suffer much more, but happily not so patiently, nor with so much reflexion upon others, as they should. But where nei∣ther actuall patient enduring, nor this hearty preparation is found, there we may certainly from this doctrine of Christ his Exinanition conclude, that there is no reall communion with Christ, nor true sense of Christianity.
FINIS.