against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father: the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother: the mother-in-law against her daughter-inlaw, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Luke 12, 51. 52. 53. This can easily be observed at the present day; for as soon as a man turns from dead works to serve the living God, forsakes his former life, begins in earnest to hunger and thirst after righteousness, and out of pity and christian compassion reproves his carnal friends in their dissolute course, they will not bear it; for he that is born after the flesh, persecutes him that is born after the spirit, (Gal. 4, 29.) for the flesh and the spirit are contrary the one to the other. Chap. 5, 17. If a person, at length, obtains, through grace and the mercy of God, a pure heart, which enables him to see God; if he discovers the new and living way which entereth within the veil, and observes the sanctuary of God, wherein is the mercy seat, which is Christ overshadowed by the cherubim of the glory of God, where also is to be seen the high priest once offered up for our sins, whereby we have obtained eternal redemption, (Heb. 9, 12.), then such a person receives Christ, by true faith in his strength, for his head; his testament, sealed by his own blood, for his rule; the Holy Spirit for a safeguard and conductor; and thus prepared he marches onward in the narrow but pleasant way of life, not merely that he may see the kingdom of God, but that he may, in truth, arrive in it and take possession of it. John 3, 3. 5. Luke 17, 21. Not as though he was apprehended by Christ, but that he hasten, run, follow and apprehend him as he hath apprehended us. Phil. 3, 12. 13. Here a person forgets those things which are behind, and reaches forth toward the mark, for the heavenly prize; here we can say with the holy apostle Peter, in the 4th ch. 3. and 4. verses, "For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries." But this the world thinks strange that we run not with them to the same excess of riot and abuse, especially when we forsake idolatry and corrupted sectarianism and testify against them with the word of God: then the scribes and the self-righteous and formal christians begin to cry out and exclaim, as was done in former times to Christ, He is mad, he is an enthusiast, or is possessed with a devil, why do ye hear him? (John 10, 20.) for he will only raise a tumult. Yea, they are afraid that their Diana will be destroyed; therefore they cry out, Great is Diana. Acts 19. In other words, they endeavor by wrong means to defend their idolatrous church and society, and get up an excitement against such persons, speaking all manner of evil against them, yet without the shadow of a foundation. But this reflection consoles such persons, that they have so done to the prophets who were before them, nay, even to Christ himself and to his holy apostles; for through much tribulation must we enter into the kingdom of God. And as the Father hath allotted to Christ his kingdom under the cross, even so hath Christ allotted it unto us: for if we were of the world, the world would love its own; but because Christ hath chosen us out of the world, therefore the world hateth us (John 15, 19.); because one cannot, like the false prophets, prophesy good concerning idolatrous christendom, saying, Go and prosper, for this rea son are they wroth against us. 1 Kings 22. But all this must not retard our progress; we must keep our eye constantly on the footsteps of our forerunner, who hath taken possession of heaven, till all things be brought to pass which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets from the beginning of the world, (Acts 13, 21.) from whence he shall come the second time to judge the quick and the dead; and then every man shall be rewarded according to his works, whether they be good or whether they be evil. Matt. 16, 27. 2 Cor. 5, 10. Wherefore let no faithful soldier become dejected, but let him run with patience the race that is set before him. Heb. 12. Take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand, having your loins girt about with truth; and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying al ways with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Eph. 6. Here thou hast the whole panoply of God, weapons well tried, which never fail in the hand capable of wielding them.Therefore, observe and learn from thy field officer, Christ Jesus, who will himself instruct thee; for he hath overcome and liveth, wherefore thou also shouldst and wilt overcome and live. John 14, 19. Rev. 3, 21. In the world thou shalt have tribulation but be of good cheer, he hath overcome the world. John 16, 33. He hath given thee his word, therefore the world hateth thee, because thou art not of the world, even as he is not of the world; therefore he hath sanctified himself for thee, that thou mightest be sanctified thro' his truth. John 17. He will not leave thee comfortless, but will come unto thee. John 14, 18. He will comfort thee as a mother comforteth her child; and though a mother may forget her child, yet he will not forget thee; for he hath graven thee upon the palms of his hands. Isaiah 49, 15. 16. Therefore, fear not, for he hath redeem- |