Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us say they Dan. 3. 17. and the event shewed as much Ver. 25. saith the King I see foure men walking in the midst and they have no hurt and the forme of the fourth is like the Sonne of God God is able to keepe the fire from hurting if he please even those that walke in the midst of it And mark what is said of these men Verse 27. That they were such upon whose bodies the fire had no power nor was an haire of their head singed neither were their coates changed nor the smell of fire had passed on them Oh admirable fruit of faith Oh strange effects of piety who would not confes that time spent in Gods service is the best spent time when he seeth and considereth that there is such admirable profit and safety in it Nay he that doth conscionably spend time in Gods service may be sure he shall want nothing that is good Psal 34. 10. So that such a man may boldly say with David Psalm 23. 1. The Lord is my Shepheard I shall not want The greatest Monarch under heaven without piety cannot say so much yea Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord and spendeth much time in his service for riches and plentiousnesse shall be in his house if God see it to be good for him Psal. 112. 1 2. Thus for the body Then for the soule Hee that spendeth time in Gods service Shall never perish but have everlasting life Ioh. 3. 16. Yea hee that spendeth time in Gods service doth follow the advise of our Saviour Ioh. 6. 27. sc. To labour for that meate that perisheth not but endureth unto everlasting life and with Mary chooseth the better part which shall never be taken from him Luk. 10. 42. Yea this is chiefely and especially beneficiall for the soule See an excellent promise to this purpose Isa. 55. 3. Encline your eare and come unto me heare and your soule shall live And I will make an everlasting covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Ver. 4. This is the maine thing to be regarded in point of profit For What is a man profited if he shall gaine the whole world and loose his owne soule saith our Saviour Matth. 16. 26. See an experiment of this in that rich man Luk. 12. 19 20. that had goods laid up for many yeares but could not secure his soule no not for a night but God said unto him thou foole this night shall they fetch away thy soule and then whose shall these goods bee which thou hast provided And this is the case of every man that spendeth his time to get riches instead of Gods service Ver. 21. So is every one that gathereth riches for himselfe and is not rich towards God For What hope hath the Hypocrite though hee hath gained when God shall fetch away his soule Iob 27. 8. When such are ready to call to the mountaines to fall upon them and the hills to cover them from the presence of the Lambe Revel 6. 16. Then shall the godly lift up their heads with joy because their redemption draweth nigh So that by this it appeareth evidently that time spent in Gods service hath the most profit in it every way both for body and soule Oh the difference betweene time spent in Gods service and in the neglect of it Give mee leave to conclude this branch of the Reason with that excellent place in Isa. 65. 13 14. Thus saith the Lord Behold my servant shall eate and yee shall bee hungry behold my servant shall drinke but yee shall be thirsty behold my servant shall rejoyce but yee shall bee ashamed Verse foureteene behold my servant shall sing for joy of heart and yee shall cry for sorrow of heart and shall howle for vexation of spirit c. A sweete cordiall for GODS servants but terrible to the wicked that neglect his service Fourthly and lastly I told you that time spent in Gods service hath the most comfort in it the very time it selfe so spent is full of comfort the very joy and rejoycing of a mans heart But especially this will afford us comfort at our death and at the day of judgment 1. For our death bed nothing will afford us so much comfort then as this if a man can say with the Apostle 2 Cor. 1. 12. Our rejoycing is this the Testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisedome but by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world Time sincerely spent in Gods service wil assure a man that when he dyeth he shall goe to heaven 2 Cor. 5. 1. Wee know that if this earthly house of this tabernacle shall be dissolved we have a building of God not made with hands eternall in the heavens Three singular examples I will give you for this 1. That of Hezekiah Isa. 38. 3. When the Prophet greeteth him with that heavie tydings saying put thy house in order for thou shalt dye and not live What was it that did afford him comfort in that case That you shall see was the consideration of his well spent time Remember Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart and have done that which is good in thy sight Lo the chiefe ground of comfort in death is the conscience of a well led life So that of the Apostle 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand saith the Apostle v. 6. Now see what it was that did afford him comfort in that case Surely consideration of the right and religious spending of his time I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith henceforth there is laid up for me a crowne of righteousnesse Hee that would have the like comfort in his death must have a care to spend much time in Gods service in his life time Oh let me dye the death of the righteous saith wicked Baalam and let my last end be like his he meaneth in regard of sweetnesse and comfort Num. 23. 10. This is the desire of many Now the way to obtaine this is to live the life of the Righteous This appeareth lastly by the example of our blessed Saviour when hee had finished his course how sweetely doth hee conclude Iohn 17. 4 5. I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the worke which thou gavest me to doe i. e. I have spent my whole life in thy service it hath beene my meate to doe the will of thee my heavenly Father Yea see the sweet fruit of this And now ô Father glorifie thou me with thine own selfe with the glory which I had with thee before the world was See here the way to have hope and comfort in death Hee that would have glory with God in heaven must glorifie God here on earth Hee that would
and faithfull servant because thou hast beene faithfull in a few things have thou authoritie over ten Cities Yea who must have the odde Talent but he that had ten before Ver. 24. And he sayd unto them that stood by Take the Talent from him and give it to him that hath ten Talents They said unto him v. 25. Lord he hath ten Talents i.e. he hath enough alreadie now observe the answer ver 26. For unto every one that hath shall be given c. He that hath most grace to spend most time in Gods service on earth shall have the greatest reward and the most glorie in heaven Oh therefore beginne betime to get grace that thou mayest have the more glorie in heaven Fifthly The sooner we beginne to spend time in Gods service the sooner shall we beginne to requite our Parents love and to affoord them comfort The childes well-doing is the Parents comfort Yea many Parents that are not so religious themselves rejoyce yet to see their children zealous and forward that way A wise Sonne maketh a glad Father sayth Salomon Prov. 10. 1. A wise Sonne that is a religious childe one that setteth himselfe to serve God in his youth he rejoyceth the heart of his Father But a foolish Sonne that is an ungodly Impe is the griefe of his Mother Vngodly children like a viperous brood do eate out the very hearts of their parents and doe stab their hearts with sorrow and heavinesse It is a strange speech of Salomon 17. 21. He that begetteth a foole that is an ungracious child for that is Salomons foole doth it to his sorrow and the Father of a foole hath no joy I marvaile not more that old Ely brake his necke with his fall at last then that his sonnes had not broken his heart long before with their vicious courses Oh let us therefore serve God in our youth that it may be a comfort to our Parents in their age Here is the fifth Benefit But besides the Vtilitie let us in the second place consider the Necessitie For besides the expresse charge that wee have from God to this purpose see the dangerous consequences and inconveniences that follow upon the neglect of it So that wee must needs doe it or we must doe worse Now the mischiefes that doe especially flow from the neglect of Gods service in our youth are principally five First If we doe not serve God in our youth we shall serve worse Masters sc. the Devill the world and the flesh He that serveth not God must serve the Devill it is unavoydable observe it Ephes. 2. 2. Wherein in times past ye walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the ayre the Spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience But how came this to passe See Ver. 12. At that time yee were without Christ c. without God in the world He that is without Christ and without God will not nor cannot be without his lustes Vntill we become the servants of God we are all the vassals of Sathan and slaves to our own filthy lustes Titus 3. 3. For wee our selves were sometimes foolish serving diverse lustes and pleasures c. Loe our woefull Masters untill we set our selves to serve God Living in malice hatefull and hating one another sayth the Apostle there Yee cannot serve God and Mammon sayth our blessed Saviour Mat. 6. 24. As if he had sayd Yee cannot but serve one of them He that committeth sinne is the servant of sinne a wofull Master See what lamentable wages such Masters usually give their servants in the end The wages of sinne is death sayth the Apostle Rom. 6. 23. See then how necessary it is to serve God and that speedily for till then we must of necessitie serve wofull Masters for wofull wages But O the happinesse of such as spend time in Gods service Ver. 22. But now being made free from sinne and become the servants of God yee have your fruit unto holinesse and the end everlasting life There is excellent wages Secondly The longer we stay before we set our selves to serve God the more difficult and hard we shall finde it if we doe returne to God at last He that posteth the contrary way is still the farther from his journeys end and will have the lesse minde to returne Continuance in evill breedeth a custome in sinne which is not left without great difficultie Ier. 13. 23. Can the Aethiopian change his skinne or the Leopard his spots then may yee also doe good that are accustomed to doe evill It is exceeding difficult When a man hath gotten a custome of swearing or drinking or gameing how hard is it for such to be reclaimed A twig is easily dealt with which is immoveable if it grow till it become a tree How tractable was Joash in his youth but in his age intolerable He that was guided by Jehojada in his youth killed his sonne Zachariah afterward Much more he that is bad in his youth may be worse in his age Thirdly How just is it with God to reject them in their age which have rejected his service in their youth Men thinke any thing is good enough for God the rotten old age the blinde and the lame and the sicke but how much they are deceived the Prophet sheweth Mal. 1. Offer it now to thy Prince or thy Governour sayth the Lord would he accept it at thy hands Suppose that a Souldier should spend all his youth in service against his Soveraigne and then in his old age should offer his service to his Prince How justly might such a base offer be rejected Why should we spend the flower of our youth in vanitie and yet thinke that God should accept of us in our age He that runneth from God the greatest part of his life God may hide himselfe from him at his death witnesse Spira and the Kentish Apothecarie how wofully did God hide himselfe from them in death that had neglected his service in their life When the Father seeth the childe readie to play with every toy or feather and not to minde his way he steppeth behinde a bush and hideth himselfe a good while before the childe can finde him so dealeth God with his children Verely thou art a God that hydest thy selfe O God of Israel the Saviour Isa. 45. 15. If Gods children will walke so neare hell mouth the greatest part of their life no marvell if at the time of death the Lord take them by the heeles and make them beleeve he will throw them in So I conceive the Lord dealt with Spira and the Apothecarie I love them that love me sayth Wisedome and they that seeke me early shall finde me Pro. 8. 17. To intimate unto us that it is possible for a man to come too late There is a time when God will not be found as is intimated Isa. 55. 6. See an experiment of such as come
that he is of the true Religion among all the religions that are in the world Hence is that speech of our Saviour Ioh. 7. 16 17. My Doctrine is not mine but his that sent mee yea but how should a man know that that our Saviour sheweth Ver. 17. If any man will doe his will he shall know of the Doctrine whether it be of God or whether I speake of my selfe A most sweet and admirable benefit a constant and conscionable care to yeeld obedience to what we know is the best meanes to perfect and increase our knowledge This made David wiser then his enemies yea then the Ancient yea then his teachers because he was a constant practitioner of what he knew Psal. 119. 98 99. c. He that would be assured of the truth of his Religion let him be constant in the duties of Gods worship and service for this alone will doe it Hereupon it was that many poore silly men and women in Queene Mary's dayes sealed the truth with their blood when many great Schollers fell away Sixthly and lastly Constancy in the duties of Gods worship and service will affoord a man comfort in time of trouble yea in the houre of death this will make a man able to lift up his head with joy in that case as if his redemption drew nigh Psal. â—7 37. Marke the upright man and behold the just that is he that is constantly just and upright for the end of that man shall be peace sayth the Psalmist See an experiment of this in diverse examples 1. The example of Gods Church in great affliction and persecution Psal. 44. see their woefull miserie Ver. 13 14. c. Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours a by-word a shaking of the head amongst the people My confusion is continually before me Ver. 15. All this is come upon us Ver. 17. Well what was it now that did affoord them comfort in this their extremitie Surely their constancie in Religion Ver. 17 18. Yet have wee not forgotten thee nor have dealt falsely in thy Covenant our heart is not turned backe neither have our steppes declined from thy way Yea though thou hast â—ore broken us in the place of Dragons and covered us with the shadow of death Ver. 19. So what was it that affoorded Iob such comfort in his extremities but his sinceritie and constancie Two excellent places we have for this the one in Job 27. 5. God forbid that I should justifie you sayth he to his friends Why not Were they not honest and religious men Yes surely they were gracious men and full of wisedome but yet Iob would not justifie them in that particular wherein they condemned him for an hypocrite they charged him with inconstancie and hypocrisie and that he would never yeeld unto Till I dye I will not remove my integritie from me my righteousnesse I hold fast and will not let it goe my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live This was the onely thing that did affoord him comfort in his great extremities and calamities and unjust censures of his friends he knew that he had beene sincere and constant in Gods service The other place for this purpose is Iob 23. when God hid himselfe from him that he could not see him Ver. 8 9. whether he went forward or backward on the right hand or on the left yet he could not finde God What was his comfort Yet when he hath tryed me I shall come out like gold I shall be the better for all this at last Ver. 10. Well how came he to be assured of this That yee shall see Ver. 11 12. My foote hath held his steps his way have I kept and not declined neither have I gone backe from the Commandement of his lippes I have esteemed the words of his lippes more then my necessary food Here was his comfort that he had beene constant in Gods service it was grounded upon the consideration of his perseverance The second particular example is that of David Psal. 18. when he was in many waters readie to be drowned environed with strong enemies Ver. 16 17. Now what was his comfort in these cases That yee shall see Ver. 21. For I have kept the wayes of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God Loe here what will affoord us comfort in our greatest miseries and extremities sc. Constancie in cleaving to God and a vigilant watchfull care not to depart from him All his judgements were before me and I did not put away his Statutes from me Ver. 22. I have beene constant in his service So that of Psal. 119. see what dangerous straites that good man was in Ver. 107. I am afflicted very much How much David My soule is continually in my hand I doe even daily cary my life in my hand there is but even a step betweene me and death Well how came that to passe The wicked have layd a snare for me sayth he Ver. 110. Well what was his comfort in all this his Staffe to uphold him in all these dangers Surely his constancie in Gods service I have sworne and will performe it that I will keepe thy righteous judgements V. 106. and Ver. 111 112. Thy Testimonies have I claimed as my heritage for ever for they are the rejoycing of my heart and I have inclined my heart to performe thy Statutes alwayes even unto the end Loe this will affoord us comfort in the greatest troubles that can befall us Yea this will affoord comfort and confidence even in death Though he kill me yet will I trust in him sayth Iob upon this ground Iob 13. 15. See an example of this in that good King Hezekiah What was his comfort when the Prophet brought him the message of death from the Lord Isa. 38. 3 Surely his constancie and sinceritie in the duties of Gods worship and service Remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart and have done that which hath beene good in thy sight i.e. here is my chiefe comfort in this case So this made Paul thinke on death with comfort and rejoycing 2 Cor. 1. 12. So 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. The time of my departure is at hand and I am now readie to be offered sc. in sacrifice to God by death Now see the grounds of the Apostles comfort and confidence in that case I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith I have spent time in Gods service constantly henceforth there is layd up for me a crowne of Righteousnesse And thus you see at large the Vtilitie of the dutie which is the second Motive that may perswade us to be constant in the duties of Gods worship and service Thirdly The third and last Motive that may perswade us hereunto is drawne from the consideration of the necessitie of it It is not onely equall and profitable but exceeding necessary that we should be
the lesse in this case in regard of that which I have already said as also in respect of a Treatise written to this purpose called The Redemption of time Yet because I would not leave the point imperfect I will briefly insist upon some few particulars 1. Therefore all men must very carefully and watchfully subdue and suppresse all those great mispenders of time which like so many gracelesse spend-thrifts doe wast and consume many precious houres and much golden time that was farre better spent in Gods worship and service which are especially sixe 1. Sinning 2. Sleeping 3. Carking and caring 4. Sporting or recreations with immoderate feasting 5. Foolish thinking 6. And lastly idle speaking which is usually a fruit of the former because Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh whereof some of these must bee mortified and put to death and others againe restrained and regulated or bound as it were to the good behaviour 1. The first and the worst and chiefe mispender of precious time is Sinning when we spend time in doing that which is directly naught as lying swearing drunkennesse wantonnesse and such like works of the flesh and of the Devill this is the worst spent time of all as being directly contrary to that which is spent in Gods service as I have already shewed in the first use of the point Now this thiefe is utterly to be mortified and put to death imprisoning or binding to the good behaviour will not serve the turne for indeed this is a desperate ruffian or swaggerer that is not capable of any good behaviour and therefore must needs be put to death and wholly suppressed We must endeavour as much as in us lyeth that wee spend no time in sinning but carefully mortifie the deeds of the body by the Spirit this is the Apostles rule Colossians 3. 1 2 5. If ye then be risen with Christ seeke those things which are above be heavenly minded set your affections upon things above Let your conversation be in heaven Phil. â— 30. But what course must wee take to this end That the Apostle sheweth verse 5. Mortifie therefore your members which are upon the earth Where wee see this truth most clearely manifested that all that would spend much time in Gods service and holy performances must carefully mortifie their members here on earth and put sinfull lusts to death For this horrible thiefe and great mispender of precious time is like some mischievous person or desperate ruffian that flyeth in a mans face and will either kill or bee killed and therefore must needs be killed that hee doth not kill us for the wages of sinne is death Romans 6. 23. So that wee must either kill our corruptions or they will bring our sonles to death Rom. 8. 13. For if yee live after the flesh ye shall dye but if ye through the Spirit doe mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live Where you see that our precious soules cannot live but by the death of our corruptions the life of the one is the death of the other as Ahab lost his owne life for preserving Benhadads Thy life shall goe for the life of him in 1 Kings 20. 42. so our soules must eternally perish if we suffer our corruptions to survive But how should we so mortifie our lusts that we may spend little or no time time in vicious courses and so consequently more time in Gods service An. 1. Let us diligently search that we may plainly discover and finde out that speciall sinne wherewith we have beene formerly most pestered It is impossible to execute a malefactor untill he be found out and apprehended diligent search is first made and Hue and cry sent after him to finde him out so wee must deale with those lusts wherein formerly wee have spent too much time Lamentations 3. 40. Let us search and try our wayes and turne to the Lord our God This was Davids practise Psalme 119. 59. I examined or considered or thought on mine owne wayes and turned my feete unto thy Testimonies yea because he knew his heart was deceitfull and fraudulent Ier. 17. 9. Hee doth beseech God to assist him in it and to doe it for him Psalme 26. 2. Examine me O Lord and prove me try my reines and my heart Like a man that heareth proclamation for the apprehension of such and such a Traytor hee not only searcheth his owne house himselfe but he setteth open the doore and intreateth the officer to enter and make what diligent search he can that if there be any traytor lurking there hee may bee found out and executed so David search me ô Lord examine my heart and house and see if there bee any sinfull lust there and let them bee all mortified To the same purpose is that we have Psal. 139. 23 24. Search me O God and know my heart try me and know my thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting Loe here was sincerity and this was the best way to finde out our most secret lusts and hidden corruptions O therefore let us not be strangers at home but examine our owne hearts as the Psalmiâ—â— speaketh Psalme 4. 4. A sweet place for this purpose is that of the Apostle 2 Cor. 13. 5. Examine your selves whither yee bee in the faith or no prove your owne selves know you not your owne selves i. e. what an absurd thing is it for you to bee skilfull in others affaires and neglect your owne to know other men and not your owne selves what greater hypocrisie The Hypocrite is sharpe sighted abroad but blinde at home He can see a mote in the eye of another but doth not discerne the beame that is in his owne it is our Saviours character of an hypocrite Matthew 7. 5. But on the contrary the advise of the Apostle is excellent Galathians 6. 4. But let every owne prove his owne worke seeke to finde out his owne lusts then shall hee have rejoycing in himselfe and not in another Secondly When we have found out this waster and apprehended this Traytor then let us directly smite it with the two edged sword of the Spirit upon the head which is the Word of God a speciall part of a Christians armour and so much the more excellent in this case because it is a weapon both defensive and offensive Ephesians 6. 16. And take the Helmet of salvation and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Woâ—d of God See what admirable worke our Saviour made with this spirituall weapon in the single combate that he had with Sathan hand to hand Matthew 4. Scriptum est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 verse 4. And againe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 verse 6. And see the event of this combate v. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Then the Devill left him c. This put him utterly to flight And no marvell for the Word of God is quicke and powerfull
overturne the truth and substance of the Gospell and therefore he giveth this for the reason why hee would not yeeld no not for an houre That the truth of the Gospell might continue with you as if he had said ye cannot retaine long the truth of the Gospell if ye admit this Sixthly and lastly He that would bee constant in Gods service must put on patience and courage in regard of the opposition that he is sure to meete withall in that case In your patience possesse your soules saith our Saviour Luk. 21. 19. And Let us runne with patience the race that is set before us Heb. 12. 1. Yea we have need of patience saith the Apostle Heb. 10. 36. Watch ye stand fast in the faith quit ye like men bee strong saith the Apostle 1 Cor 16. 13. He that will follow Christ constantly and not forsake him must resolve before hand to take up his crosse and arme himselfe with patience Luk. 9. 23. If any come unto me let him deny himselfe and take up his crosse and follow me This made Paul so constant in Gods service after he had once begun to serve him sc. because hee was armed with a patient and couragious resolution to endure what ever could befall in that case My life is not deare to me that I may finish my course and fulfill the ministery that I have received c. Acts 20. 23. Yea I am ready not only to be bound but also to dye at Ierusalem for the Name of the Lord Iesus Acts 21. 13. And thus have I finished the second duty that wee are to be exhorted unto inregard of our selves sc. Constancy in Gods service and have shewed both the Motives why and the meanes how to attaine ability to performe it CHAP. VII Wherein the last duty in regard of our selves is propounded together with the Motives to perswade us thereunto THirdly Seeing time spent in Gods service is absolutely the best spent time This serveth to exhort every one of us not only to begin to serve God 1. Speedily without delay 2. And constantly without ceasing but also plentifully and abundantly let us spend as much time as we can possibly this way we cannot spend our time better then in Gods Courts his House and Ordinances the duties of his publike worship and service Oh therefore let us deale plentifully and abundantly this way Let us give all diligence not some but all diligence is little enough this way 2 Pet. 1. 5. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to doe doe it with thy might saith Salomon Eccles. 9. 10. Alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord knowing that your labour shall not be in vaine in the Lord saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 15. 58. The more paines we take in Gods service the more wages shall we be sure to receive And therefore when we come to the wholsome waters of Gods Sanctuary let us drinke freely and abundantly this is our Saviours owne exhortation when he commeth into his garden of the Church assemblies Cant. 5. 1. Eat O friends drinke yea drinke abundantly O beloved It is an excellent thing when a man can say truely that which Iehu only pretended in another case 2 King 10. 18. Ahab served Baala little but Iehu shall serve him much So such and such serve God a little I will serve him much Surely it must needs be well taken at Gods hands when we have a care to spend as much time in Gods service as we can possibly Now for the perfecting of this duty which is the maine point of all I will shew you 1. Some Motives to perswade us to it 2. Some few Directions how to doe it And first for the Motives The Motives that may perswade us to spend as much time as we can possibly in the duties of GODS publike Ordinances they are principally these foure 1. Because the time present I meane the time of this present life is the onely time that we have to this purpose either now or never must we serve God in these duties and Ordinances as for Purgatory it is but a popish dreame a very fancy the time of this life is the onely time for this purpose Hereupon is that speech of our Saviour Iohn 9. 4. I must worke the workes of God while it is day the night commeth when no man can work by night he meaneth death and the grave there is no worke to bee done then this appeareth by the next verse that this is our Saviours meaning i. e. While I live I must finish the worke that I have in hand death commeth when no man can worke no then we rest from our labours Revel 14. 1â— whilest we have time let us doe good saith the Apostle Gal. 6. 10. There is a set time appointed for well doing which is the time of this life which is by no meanes to bee let slip or omitted if death once come it presently putteth an end to our labour when night commeth men shut up shop Excellent therefore to this purpose Eccles. 9. 10. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to doe doe it with thy might Ply thy worke hard Now marke the reason which he giveth to this purpose For there is no worke nor devise nor knowledge nor wisedome in the grave whither thou goest there is no opportunitie for doing any worke there no that is the evening a time of reckoning but not of working that is a time of receiving wages not of labour What saith the Lord of the Vineyard when the evening was come Matth. 20. 8. Call the labourers and give them their hire not set them a worke but pay them their wages If therefore wee looke for any wages at evening let us ply our worke in the day time This is the first Motive Secondly As the time of this life is the onely time for this purpose so it is very short and very uncertaine the time of him that liveth longest here is but short Iob 14. 1. Man that is borne of a woman hath but a short time and is full of misery Remember Lord how short my time is Our worke is great and our time short and therefore wee had need to be diligent our journey is long and our time short and therefore we had need to runne speedily as well as constantly Time passeth away with a swift foote My dayes passe away as the most swift Ships saith Iob 9. 26. Man is like to vanity his dayes are as a shadow that passeth away Psalme 144. 4. Yea we bring our yeares to an end as a tale that is tould Psalm 90. 9. And our life is very like unto a vapour Iames 4. 14. Seeing then our time is so short and withall so uncertaine wee had need to runne with speed as well as patience the race that is set before us If the time were short yet if it were certaine there were lesse danger in slacknesse but it is not more short then uncertaine like the thiefe that commeth in the
Sampson but the golden Christian is universally gracious head and heart and life as a child new borne hath all the members of a man though they be but weake and it is long before he can use them Or if the hypocrite have so much seeming goodnesse to gild over his outward behaviour that he seemeth to be a right golden Christian indeed yet if it be not true grace it reformeth not the heart whereas true grace purifieth the heart Acts 15. 9. If God begin to wash a man he beginneth with the heart Ier. 4. 14. Wash thy heart from wickednesse ô Ierusalem true grace washes not only the hands but also the heart Here was Simon Magus his defects if ye look upon his outward profession he is turned Christian he keepeth company with the Christian Apostles he was also baptized as a badge of Christian profession c. But where was the fault Surely within his heart was unsound and rotten notwithstanding his gilded out side Acts 8. 21. Thine heart is not right in the sight of God And pray God if it be possible the thoughts of thine heart may be forgiven He was but like a faire Aple that was notwithstanding rotten at core 2. True grace is universall and full weight in respect of the object of it that is it will cause a man to yeeld obedience to all Gods Commandements He that hath true grace indeed will desire and endeavour in all things to live honestly Heb. 13. 18. But counterfeit grace is not currant in this regard also herein it wanteth weight as it did before an hypocrite is not universall in his obedience he is no good Catholike in this respect hee doth but picke and choose some duties he liketh but other he careth not for some sinnes he avoydeth but other he maketh no conscience of Compare David and Iehu together and they seeme at first to be both golden Kings zealous men and couragious Magistrates but then againe weigh their gold severally in the ballance of the Sanctuary and then yee shall finde that Iehu's wanted weight First looke upon Davids aime in his obedience and ye shall finde it universall Psal. 119. 6. Then shall I not be confounded when I have respect to all thy Commandements here is downe weight But now weigh Iehu's gold in the same ballance and yee shall easily perceive that it was found too light like Balthasar Daniel 5. observe it 2 Kings 10. When the Spirit of GOD had set out Jehu's zeale to the full and given him his allowance and all yet he cryeth out still that it was too light verse 31. But Iehu tooke no heed to walke in the Law of the Lord with all his heart for he departed not from the sinnes of Ieroboam and therefore GOD giveth him his temporall reward sc. the thing that he chiefely aimed at sc. the kingdome for himselfe and his children for a time and so sendeth him packing Let us try our gold by this marke let us weigh it in the Ballance of the Sanctuary Doth our grace shew it selfe in every part Are we like the Church Psal. 45. 11. All glorious both within and without All gracious in heart and life Here is a good signe our gold will passe currant with the Merchant because it is full weight in this regard Then againe are we universall in our obedience Doe wee endeavour to walke in all the Ordinances and Commandements of God blamelesse as was said of Zachary and Elizabeth Luk. 1. 6. Doe wee desire in all things to live honestly Here is precious gold indeed even gold tryed in the fire Fourthly True gold will abide the fiery tryall Here is the true tryall of gold when it cometh to be melted Jer. 9. 7. I will melt them and try them for what should I doe for the daughter of my people So that is true grace that holdeth out in the fire of affliction hence that phrase of the Apostle in 2 Pet. 4. 12. Beloved thinke it not strange concerning the fiery tryall as if some strange thing happened but rejoyce rather c. because here is the true tryall of your graces that they are of a right golden nature indeed This was Iobs comfort Job 23. 10. He knoweth the way that I take and when he hath tryed me I shall come out like gold O golden Job that was able to abide the fiery tryall So looke upon the Apostles in the fiery tryall when they were mocked and threatned and imprisoned yea and grievously scourged too yet see how chearefull and constant they were for all that Acts 5. 40 41. They departed from the presence of the Councell rejoycing that they were accounted worthy to suffer shame for his Name Here was right gold tryed in the fire see how bright they shine when they newly come out of the furnace Of such a golden temper was Paul How couragious and undaunted in tribulation Troubles for Gods cause did not trouble this good man for when the Holy Ghost testified of him that bonds and afflictions abode for him Acts 20. 23. But this doth not trouble me neither is my life deare unto me that I may finish my course with joy and fulfill the ministerie which I have received of the Lord Jesus Yea when Agabus the Prophet foretold his afflictions so that his friends began even with teares to disswade him from going up to Jerusalem Acts 21. 11 12 13. Marke his couragious answere a golden resolution What doe yee weeping and breaking my heart I am readie not onely to be bound but to die at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Iesus True gold will abide the fire he that hath true grace will be constant and faithfull even unto death and will cleave unto Gods service in time of danger as well as in time of safetie See an experiment of this in Daniel and the three noble Jewes First for Daniel he did not content himselfe to serve God onely in time of safetie but also in time of the greatest perill and danger Dan. 6. 10. for when he knew that the writing was signed he went into his house c. and prayed and gave thankes before his God as he did aforetime though he adventured his very life in this case to be cast into the Lyons den So that ye see that Daniels graces were pure gold indeed he was the same in time of danger that he was before time in time of safetie So for the three noble Iewes Daniel 3. When they were threatned with the fiery furnace if they would not worship the Kings golden Image marke their couragious answere that same golden resolution of theirs Ver. 17. Our God whom wee serve is able to deliver us c. But if hee will not be it knowne unto thee O King that we will not serve thy gods nor worship the golden Image which thou hast set up and so were cast into the hot fiery furnace Here were three precious pieces of gold that were readie to abide the fiery tryall But as
for the wicked it is not so with them they may have a faire golden shew untill they come to the melting but no hypocrite can abide this fiery tryall herein the true Christian out-strippeth the temporarie as our Saviour sheweth evidently Luk. 8. with Mat. 13. 21. Yet hath he no roote in himselfe but endureth for a season Why so He answereth For when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the Word by and by he is offended He is not able to abide the scorching heate of persecution in and for the good cause of God So that this fire of persecution is fit to try every mans worke whether it be gold and silver or hay and straw or stubble Pertinent is that of the Apostle to this purpose in 1 Cor. 3. 12 13. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold silver c. or wood hay or stubble every mans worke shall be made manifest How Because it shall be revealed by fire and the fire shall try every mans worke of what sort it is That is true grace indeed that abideth the fiery tryall But a question may here not unfitly be moved sc. Whether an hypocrite may not hold out even unto death and abide the tryall of the fire Yes He may stifly hold out and persist in some course that he hath begunne and rather give his body to be burned then forsake it This the Apostle seemeth to intimate 1 Cor. 13. 3. Though I give my body to be burned and have not charitie it profiteth me nothing But yet first it is not in or properly for the good Word of God that he thus suffereth but as a busie body out of some odde humour or proud factious disposition Now it is properly the cause and not the punishment that maketh a martyr and therefore sayth our Saviour Mat. 13. 21. When tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the Word he is offended A Christians suffering is and must be well grounded upon the Word else he suffereth not as a Christian but as a busie body 1 Pet. 4. 15 16. Secondly If his cause in which he snffereth be good yet he suffereth without charitie not out of love either to God or his truth but out of selfe-love and so is worth nothing So that he that will hold out in a good cause even unto death and that in obedience to God and out of love to his truth the graces of such a man are pure gold indeed CHAP. IV. Containing the use of Consolation THirdly This Doctrine serveth for comfort and consolation to such as are truely godly and religious whatsoever thy condition be for outward things yet it is splendid and glorious within thou art truely rich rich towards God an heart full of saving grace is more worth then a purse full of gold Put case that in respect of any temporall wealth thou canst truely say with the Apostle Acts 3. 6. Silver and gold have I none yet if thou hast plentie of true saving grace thou art a rich man in Gods account full of spirituall wealth thou art rich towards God Luk. 12. 22. which is the best riches in the world God esteemeth thee more highly for thy inward wealth sc. that thou art truely golden and religious then men can despise thee for thy outward povertie and know this also for thy comfort that though the foolish blind world doe despise thee for thy povertie yet God thinketh never a whit the worse of thee in that regard for he regardeth not the rich more then the poore Iob 34. 19. Yea he thinketh better of every godly poore man then he doth of any ungodly rich man whatsoever Pro. 28. 6. Better is the poore that walketh in his integritie then he that is perverse in his wayes though he be rich A godly poore man is able to say with the Apostle in some measure 2 Cor. 5. 1. Wee know that when the earthly house of this Tabernacle shall be dissolved we have a building of God not made with hands eternall in the heavens But the wicked though never so rich yet if he be impenitent shall be turned into hell and all that forget God Yea every godly poore man that is rich in grace and endued with the true feare of God findeth better acceptance with God then any ungodly rich man whatsoever Acts 10. 35. Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons but in every Nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him sayth the Apostle Oh how this should comfort us against the reproaches and aspersions of the world sc. that in the meane time God himselfe doth kindly accept of us and hath us in singular love for his Sonnes sake yea will manifest this love one day before men and Angels in bestowing no lesse then a Kingdome upon us Luk. 12. 32. Feare not little flocke for it is my Fathers pleasure to give you a Kingdome yea the great and glorious Kingdome of Heaven is provided as well for godly poore men as for the richest persons in the world Jam. 2. 5. Hearken my beloved brethren sayth the Apostle hath not God chosen the poore of the world rich in faith and heires of the kingdome which he hath promised to them that love him Oh how this may comfort us in regard of outward poverty It will keepe no man out of heaven that hath an heart full of the golden graces of Gods Spirit no more then outward wealth of it selfe can keepe a man out of hell Luk. 16. The rich man there notwithstanding all his wealth was deeply plunged into hell and Lazarus even poore Lazarus was caried by the Angels into Abrahams bosome Onely be sure that the gold which thou hast is true and right gold and not counterfeit And therefore againe and againe I exhort every one that desireth to have interest in the comfort now propounded that he be sure he be not deluded nor gulled in this case with feigned gold and counterfeit metall in stead of true saving grace indeed Now because it is on the one side so easie a thing to be deceived withall so exceeding hard and difficult for a man to be well assured that his graces are sincere besides what you have already heard in the former use I will give you two or three other signes by which you may understand that the golden graces of Gods Spirit in you are sound and not counterfeit First He that hath true grace right gold indeed will be carefull to use it to Gods glory and the good of others he is no niggard of it nor layeth it up in a Napkin but is very free and liberall in communicating what he hath for the benefit of others he is not content to be religious himselfe alone but doth earnestly desire carefully endeavour that others may have true grace and become religious as well as himselfe and his very speeches and whole cariage will manifest no lesse Psal. 37. 30 31. The mouth of
be here on earth Jam. 2. 5. Hath not God chosen the poore of the world rich in faith and heires of the kingdome which God hath promised to them that love him Fourthly and lastly He that hath true saving grace and speciall interest in Christ hath a comfortable right and title to the things of this life which God conferres upon him yea unto all the good things of God whether spirituall or temporall all is theirs Gods ordinances are theirs Gods Ministers are theirs all the good creatures and blessings of God are theirs yea even those that seeme to have nothing if they have true saving grace have interst in and possession of all things Observe that speech of the Apostle 1 Cor. 3. 21 22 23. All is yours whether it be Paul or Apollos or Cephas or life or death c. all are yours and yee are Christs and Christ is Gods Here we see that Christians and such as have true grace are no beggars but the richest persons under heaven They that have true grace and title to Christ have a comfortable right and title to all the good things of God spirituall and temporall all is theirs yea which is most strange all is the true christians even in possession 2 Cor. 6. 10. As having nothing and yet possessing all things Loe here the wealth and riches of all true Christians even when they seeme to have nothing they have all things in possession so that get Christ and get all Rom. 8. 32. God that spared not his owne Sonne but delivered him to the death for us all how shall he not with him freely give us all things And therefore all such as have true grace are the richest persons in the world though enjoying little yet in a contentation and competency abounding in all things The houses of all good men being open to the Apostles First This serveth to teach us how much the world is deceived in judging and censuring of the estate and condition of Gods people Oh! the world thinketh Gods people to be the poorest and basest yea and most despicable people in the world whereas here you see that they are best furnished with that most precious commodity which is able to make them truely and spiritually rich even rich towards God Doe but consider of what rich parentage they come they have the God of heaven and earth for their Father the Lord for their portion and their helper and heaven it selfe for their inheritance yea and all the Ordinances and Ministers and all the good things of God are theirs and therefore they are absolutely the most wealthy and the richest persons in the world they are indeed the poore of the world yet rich in faith and inheritors of the kingdome of heaven yea howsoever the world judgeth of them they are the most precious and honourable persons in the world in Gods account they are such of whom the world was not worthy Heb. 11. 37 38. See the high esteeme that God hath of all such as are religious Isa. 43. 5. Since thou art precious in my sight and honourable and I have loved thee sayth God They are the most precious and honourable persons in the world in Gods account See then how the mis-judging world is deceived in this case in accounting Gods people to be the scumme and off-scouring of the world whereas indeed they are the most glorious and most honourable persons in the world The righteous is more excellent then his neighbour Pro. 12. 26. sc. that is not righteous yea and a farre richer and a better man in Gods account as Pro. 28. 6. Better is the poore that walketh in his integritie then he that is perverse in his wayes although he be rich A godly poore man is farre better yea which is strange farre richer in Gods account then any ungodly rich man whatsoever for hee is rich in Christ rich in faith full of the golden graces of Gods Spirit and therefore the world is utterly deceived that doe judge the contrary and thinke and esteeme most basely of him Secondly This serveth to comfort Gods people in respect of the disgrace and pressure of worldly povertie The poore is hated even of his neighbour Pro. 14. 20. Povertie is of it selfe sufficient to bring Gods people into contempt and hatred yet let Gods people and such as are religious comfort themselves in this case upon these ensuing particulars First That howsoever the world speaketh or esteemeth of thee yet thou art truely rich in Gods account full of spirituall wealth and riches even rich towards God as our Saviour himselfe speaketh Luk. 12. 21. Rich in faith Iam. 2. 5. though perhaps poore in respect of gold and silver rich in hope yea full of spirituall wealth and riches in possession all Gods ordinances the Word and Sacraments are thine Gods faithfull Ministers are thine yea the graces of Gods Spirit are thine all the promises recorded in Scripture are thine inheritance Who through faith and patience inherit the promises sayth the Text Heb. 6. 10. So that hence it followeth that Gods promises are the Christians inheritance Looke into the rich wardrobe of Gods promises and then consider how rich you are therein and certainly it will exceedingly comfort you in regard of worldly povertie Secondly Consider that as â—od regardeth no man that more simply for his wealth and riches so he thinketh never the worse of any for his povertie if he be otherwise truely godly and religious Observe it Iob 34. 19. He regardeth not the rich more then the poore sayth the Text sc. for his riches riches availe not in that case nor can procure any the least acceptance with GOD onely the true feare of God and faith in Christ is that which doth procure acceptance with God Acts 10. 35. Of a truth sayth the Apostle I perceive that God is no respectâ—r of persons but in every Nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him sc. how poore soever they may be for outward things Oh! how this may comfort us in respect of the disgrace and contempt that is cast upon us by the world sc. that God himselfe doth highly esteeme and kindly accept of us The Lord maketh choice in speciall manner of such as are godly and religious Psal. 4. The Lord hath chosen or set apart for himselfe the man that is godly yea how poore soever he be if he be also poore in spirit the Lord will never reject him but freely make choice of him to be his sonne and servant Iam. 2. 5. Hath not God chosen the poore of the world rich in faith Onely let our care be to be rich in faith and then let us never doubt of finding acceptance with God notwithstanding our outward povertie Here is the second ground of comfort for all godly poore ones sc. that they finde farre better acceptance and favour with God then any ungodly person whatsoever It is not povertie but sinne onely that can
respect of God Himselfe 1. Not with God but without God in the world and without Christ according to that of the Apostle Eph. 2. 12. That at that time yee were without Christ being Aliens from the common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no hope and without God in the world where the Apostle speaketh of the time that they had spent in the state of nature according to the Prince of the aire after the lusts of the flesh c. Ver. 2. 3. Now see how wofully and fearefully hee concludeth as touching all that time that is so spent namely That it is time spent without Christ without the Pale of the Church wirhout promise without hope and lastly without God in the world no time better spent then that time which is spent with God and therefore no worse time then that which is spent without God Thus Cain spent his time after hee had slaine his brother Abel He went out from the presence of the Lord saith the Text Gen. 4. 16. and this is a chiefe branch of the eternall punishment of the wicked in hell They shall bee punished with everlasting perdition from the presence of God saith the Apostle 2 Thes. 1. 9. Hereupon was that earnest and importunate sute of David Psa. 51. 11. Cast me not Lord out of thy presence to intimate untous what a woful thing it is to be without God or to be cast out of his presence 2. Time spent in the devils service in vicious courses is it not spent for God but against him not for his glory but to his dishonour Thou that boastest of the Law through breaking the Law dishonourest thou God saith the Apostle Rom. 2. 23. Time spent in the breach of Gods Law is spent unto Gods dishonour robbeth God of his honour and glory that is due unto him and therefore the worst spent time that can be Thirdly Time spent in sinning is not spent to Gods pleasure but the contrary it doth even provoke the eyes of his glory Isa. 3. 6. Their tongue and their doings are against the Lord to provoke the eyes of his glory yea the Lord is not only offended at it but even grieved and wearied with time so spent How can a child spend his time worse then in grieving and breaking the hearts of his loving Parents This is the very case of all those that spend time in vicious courses Observe it Isa. 7. 13. Is it a small thing for you to wearie men but yee will weary my God also O wofull thing to weary and grieve God with our sinfull courses Fortie yeares long was I grieved with this generation saith the Lord Psalm 95. 11. I am broken with their whorish heart which is departed from me Ezec. 6. 9. Yea his very heart is broken with the griefe of it as the Prophet speakes Ier. 23. 9. Yea the Lord is oppressed with our sinnes as a cart is pressed with sheaves it is the Holy Ghosts expression Amos 2. 13. Yea the Lord is so farre from being well pleased or delighted with it that on the contrary hee hateth and abhorreth it yea he smiteth his hands together in detestation of it I have smitten my hands at thy dishonest gaine saith the Lord Ezec. â—2 1â— the Lord will not spare that man which so spendeth his time but his wrath and jealousie shall smoke against him to blot his name out from under heaven Deut. 29. 20. 1. It is the worst spent time that can be in regard of ourselves for there is neither profit nor credit nor safety nor pleasure nor comfort in it but the contrary to all these as is easie to manifest in sundry particulars 1. Time spent in the devils service is the worst spent because there is no profit in it a man is alwayes on the loosing hand now this is most evident that all sinfull courses are unfruitfull and unprofitable courses Have no fellowship with the unfruitfull workes of darknesse Ephesians 5. 8. All sinfull workes are both workes of darkenesse and unfruitfull workes hence that of the Apostle Rom. 6. 21. What fruite had ye in those things whereof yee are now ashamed Observe the confession and expression of every true penitent according to that wee reade Iob 33. 37. God looketh upon men and if any say I have sinned and perverted that which is right and it profited me not Every true convert is able to tell you out of his experience that all sinfull courses are unprofitable courses in conclusion for they loose Gods favour they loose their interest in Christ they loose the comfort of a good conscience they looâ—e their soules Matth. 16. 26. and in a word they loose heaven these are the fruits of time spent in sinning Iudge then if all such bee not damned loosers in the end unlesse they repent speedily and turne to God Againe there is no true pleasure but vanity and vexation of spirit Take the sinne of uncleannesse which seemeth to have the most pleasure in it and you shall finde at last there is no pleasure in it but the gall of bitternesse In the end it biteth like a Serpent and â—urteth like a Cochatrice See a notable place for this purpose Pro. 5. where the Wiseman disswading from the sinne of uncleannesse Ver. 8. Remove thy way farre from her and come not nigh the doore of her house and then see what excellent arguments He useth to this purpose Verse 9. 10 11. Lest thou give thy honour to others and thy yeeres to the cruell there is losse of credit Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth c. there is losse of goods and outward estate Thus sinne bringeth beggery And thou mourne at last when thy flesh and thy body is consumed there is losse of pleasure and comfort and say How have I Oh how have I mispent my time in the service of sinne and Sathan Oh let us strive to see this in time and labour to prevent it Lastly there is no safety but death and danger in it for the wages of sinne is death Rom. 6. 2â— The like I might say in regard of others but this is enough to prove that time spent in sinning is absolutely the worst spent time for body and soule Secondly For Humiliation Seeing time spent in Gods service is the best spent time This serveth to teach us what cause wee have even the best of us to be humbled that we have spent so little time in the duties of Gods service and have beene so lavish and prodigall of our precious time in other things For. 1. What a great deale of most precious time have we spent before our conversion before we spent in effect any time at all in Gods service All the time of our unregeneration hath beene utterly spent in the service of sin and Sathan wee were vassalls to the Prince that ruleth iâ— the ayre the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience Ephes. 2.
thus wee are children of wrath and in the state of nature as the Apostle sheweth Ephes. 2. 3. All the while wee live thus we can looke for nothing but the wrath of God to come upon us as it doth upon the children of disobedience as the Apostle speakes Ephesians 5. 6. The wrath of God is even revealed from heaven against such Romans 1. 18. See a notable place for this purpose in Romans 2. 8 9. But unto them that are contentious and doe not obey the truth but obey unrighteousnesse marke the condition of all such indignation and wrath tribulation and anguish upon every soule of man that doth evill upon the Iew first c. See here the estate of such as spend time in the devils service instead of Gods Secondly Consider that all such have cause to feare that God will deny to helpe and succour them when they stand in the most need of it and seeke for it with greatest earnestnesse If I regard wickednesse in my heart God will not heare my prayer saith David Psalme 66. 18. Yea we know that God heareth not sinners saith the blind man Iohn 9. 31. and therefore if God doe not heare wicked mens prayers in their extremities but lets them perish in their sinnes it is not for want of power or mercy in God but onely for want of piety and repentance in them according to that excellent place which wee have to this purpose in Isa. 59. 1 2. Behold the Lords hand is not shortned that he cannot save neither is his eare heavie that he cannot heare where is the fault then that you shall see in the next verse verse 2. But your iniquities have separated betweene you and your God and your sinnes have hid his face from you that he cannot heare Oh the wofull estate of all such as cry unto God in their extremities and are nothing at all regarded Yea God hath told them already that hee will not heare them observe it Proverbs 1. 28 29. Then shall they call c. that is in their extremity but I will not answer they shall seeke me early but they shall not finde mee because they hated knowledge and did not choose the feare of the Lord. Yea the Lord hath sent them word before hand that he will not helpe them Iob 8. 20. Behold God will not cast away a perfect man neither will hee helpe the evill doers saith the Text there O the wofull estate of all such when sicknesse commâ—n or troubles come or death then they are glad to cry out Helpe Lord or else I am damned for ever Not I may the Lord say I will helpe no evill doers such as you are and therefore thou art now like to perish and dye in thy sinnes Iohn 8. 20. Yea the Lord is so farre from regarding the prayers of such people in such cases that he rather refuseth them see upon what warrant I speake it Proverbs 15. 8. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord. The sacrifice what is that Surely his prayers as appeareth by the Antithesis in that place for so it followeth But the prayer of the upright is his delight God hateth and abhorreth the prayers of all such as live in their sinnes and hate to be reformed Hee that turneh away his eare from hearing the Law even that mans prayer shall be an abomination saith the Wiseman Prov. 28. 9. O wofull estate If men had but eyes to see it and hearts to consider it aright the Lord takes no pleasure in the very best services which they can doe him And no marvell for in the third place So long as men live in their sinnes without repentance and spend time in the Devils service instead of Gods there is a direct and an expresse enmity betweene God and them If when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne saith the Apostle Romans 5. 10. Yea especially those that live and goe on in their sinnes have just cause to be assured of this and that they shall smart for it accordingly See a place or two to this purpose Psalme 37. 20. But the wicked shall perish why so surely because they are Gods enemies And the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of Lambes easily melted into smoke shall they consume away Where we see first that the wicked are Gods enemies Secondly that they shall consume away like smoke and the fat of Lambes So in that Psalme for the Sabbath Psalme 92. 9. For lo thine enemies O Lord lo thine enemies shall perish and who are they that yee shall see in the same verse All the workers of iniquity shall bee scattered where we see both the description and the condition of wicked men They are Gods enemies there is their description dissipation and perishing there is their condition But above all to this purpose is that of Psalme 68. 21. God will surely wound the head of his enemies and the hairie scalpe of such a one as goeth on still in his trespasses O consider this ye that forget God and live in your sinnes lest God teare you in peeces and there be none to deliver you Psal. 50. 22. What estate can be more dangerous then an estate of enmity against God The adversaries of the Lord shall bee broken in peeces out of heaven shall be thunder upon them saith Hannah Samuel's Mother 1 Samuel 2. 10. Mee thinkes I have said enough if effectuall to afright men out of their service of sinne and Sathan especially if I shall adde but one thing more which shall be the fourth and the last remedy that I purpose to propound Fourthly Therefore consider that the devill is the worst master that any man can serve and giveth the most wofull and accursed wages What baser Master then the devill that great red Dragon Revelations 12. 12. That roaring Lion that goeth about continually seeking whom he may devoure A murtherer from the very beginning Iohn 8. 44. and the most damnable liar that ever was yea the very father thereof What baser Master then the Devill Yea and see what base wages he giveth Romans 6. 23. For the wages of sinne is death spirituall temporall and eternall both the first and the second death They that spend time in the devils service must goe to hell with the Devill for company Psalme 9. 17. The wicked shall be turned into hell and all that forget God They are utterly deceived that thinke to live like devils upon earth and yet for all that become glorious Saints in heaven when they dye that thinke they shall get into the new Ierusalem hereafter without being New Creatures for the present No no God hath revealed the contrary already as is evident Revel 22. 14 15. Blessed are they that doe his Commandements that spend time in Gods service for they shall enter in through the gates into the City of the new Ierusalem But without shall be dogges and Inchanters and Whoremongers and
Secondly This will be a crowne of glorie to us in our old age sc. if we be constant See the testimony of Salomon for this Pro. 16. 31 The hoarie head is a crowne of glorie when it is found in the way of Righteousnesse That will not onely be a great honour and credit for a man in that case but also the Lord will set a crowne of glorie upon the hoarie head that is found in the way of Righteousnesse and is constant in Gods service Here was Pauls crowne of glorie that though in his youth he was a persecuter and injurious for they that stoned Stephen layd downe their cloathes at a young mans feete whose name was Saul Act. 7. 58. Chap. 8. 1. And Saul was consenting unto his death sayth the Text. But after he was once truely converted and was entred into Gods service see how constant he was in it even untill old age yea death it selfe as appeareth by his owne speech to Philemon Ver. 8 9. Though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoyne thee that which is convenient yet for love sake I rather beseech thee being such a one as Paul the aged and now a prisoner of Iesus Christ. Here was Pauls crowne of glorie sc. that in his old age he was a prisoner and a constant Martyr of Iesus Christ here was a right tree of righteousnesse which bringeth forth fruit in their age yea in their old age and even then be fat and flourishing Psal. 92. 14. This was Mnaasons crowne of glory that he was justly called an old Disciple They brought us to the house of one Mnaason an old Disciple with whom we should lodge sayth the Text Act. 21. 16. Let this also perswade us to constancie and perseverance Thirdly Constancie in Gods service is that which will assure us that wee are the true Disciples and followers of Iesus Christ. Oh what an admirable thing is this Who would not but labour to be assured that he is of the number of Christs true Disciples and no hypocrite Why now constancie in Gods service will assure a man of this See an excellent place for this purpose Joh. 8. 31 32. If ye continue in my Word in yeelding of constant obedience unto my Word then are ye my Disciples indeed and yee shall know the truth and the truth shall make yee free sayth our Saviour But on the other side he that wavereth and is unconstant hath great cause to suspect himselfe to be no better then an hypocrite See an excellent place for this purpose Psal. 106. 3. Blessed are they that doe judgement and he that doth righteousnesse at all times they are onely happie that are constant in Religion but the hypocrite is fickle and inconstant Job 27. 8. What is the hope of the hypocrite though he hath gained when God taketh away his soule He is in a woefull estate at that time Why so And who are these that have cause to suspect themselves to be but hypocrites That yee shall see Ver. 10. Will he delight himselfe in the Almightie Will he alwayes call upon God Will he be constant in Gods service No sure in time of temptation they fall away and so discover their unsoundnesse and hypocrisie for so argueth the holy Apostle 1 Ioh. 2. 19. They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had beene of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us Will yee also goe away sayth our Saviour to his Disciples Joh. 6. 67. He that is a true Disciple of Christ will be constant in his service and never depart from him yea he will be readie to say with Peter though without boasting of his owne strength Though all men should forsake thee will I never forsake thee yea though I should dye with thee yet will I not deny thee Mat. 26. 35. No question Peter spake as he thought when he said so though his owne strength failed him when it came to the poynt But he that resolveth the like in the strength of the Lord and out of the sight and sense of his owne weaknesse if he should be left to himselfe that man may comfortably assure himselfe that he is a true Disciple of Christ Jesus Fourthly Constancie in Gods service will assure us of the Lords gracious readinesse to heare our prayers the Lord will be constant in hearing the prayers of that man which is constant in doing him service 1 Ioh. 5. 14. This is the confidence that wee have in him that if we aske any thing according to his will he heareth us Oh what an happie thing for a man to be assured in his soule that his prayers are heard and finde acceptance with the Lord Now if a man be constant in Gods service he may be assured of his interest in those gracious promises Mat. 7. 7. Aske and yee shall have seeke and yee shall finde knocke and it shall be opened unto you Or that in Isa. 65. 24. It shall come to passe that when they call I will answer and while they are yet speaking I will heare Now nothing will more certainly assure us of this then constancie in Gods service See that excellent speech of our Saviour Joh. 15. 7. If yee abide in me and my Word abide in you yee shall aske what yee will and it shall be done unto you Constancie in Gods service assureth us that God heareth our prayers and will grant our requests so farre as shall be expedient Hereupon is that admirable speech of the blind man Ioh. 9. 31. We know that God heareth not sinners but if any man be a worshipper of God and a doer of his will him he heareth Loe another speciall benefit Fifthly He that is constant in Gods service shall be taught of God and directed in the truth amongst all the multiplicitie of opinions that are in the world he shall know the Doctrine of Christ and be able in some sort to distinguish it from false Doctrines and opinions that are in the world My sheepe heare my voyce and follow me sayth our Saviour Joh. 10. 27. Yea they know his voyce and are able to distinguish it from the voyce of strangers ver 4 5. The Sheepe follow him that is the good Shepheard for they know his voyce and a stranger will they not follow but flee from him for they know not the voyce of strangers sayth the Text. Here is the happinesse of a true Sheepe of Christ one that is constant in Gods service So Psal. 25. 12. 14. What man is he that feareth the Lord him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose Yea the secret of the Lord is with them that feare him and he will shew them his Covenant They that feare and serve God constantly shall be acquainted with the secrets of Religion O what an happinesse is it for a man to be assured in his soule
confessed his owne guiltinesse and the justice of God 2. Vindicated the innocency of Christ. 3. Was affected with the judgement and brought to feare God 4. Earnestly desired to worke upon his fellow servant Doest thou not feare God c. i.e. ô feare God consider what a wofull estate thou art plunged into Reasons or Motives io perswade us hereunto are foure 1. In regard of God 2. In regard of our selves 3. In regard of others 4. In regard of the excellency of Gods Ordinances 1. In regard of God because the Lord is much honoured and his Name is highly magnified and therefore hereby we shall shew our zeale for Gods glory and our â—ove unto his Majesty Gods glory in all things should be respected in the first place Whether ye eate or drinke or whatsoever ye doe doe all to the glory of God saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 10. 31. Now surely the more people and the greater the company is that joyne together in the duties of Gods service the more glory must needs hereby redound to God for the enlarging of Christs kingdome is a chiefe meanes of advancing Gods glory This our Saviour teacheth in the very mould and course of the Lords Prayer it appeareth in the very order of the petitions 1. Hallowed be thy Name to shew that in all things in the first place Gods glory must be respected 2. Thy kingdome come there is the chiefe meanes to shew that the comming of Gods kingdome is one chiefe meanes for the hallowing of his Name and the enlarging of Christ's kingdome is a chiefe meanes for the advancing of Gods glory Matth. 6. 10 11. certainely much glory must needs hereby redound to God when we are not content only to serve God our selves but also exhort and excite and stirre up others hereunto Secondly There is another Motive to perswade us which is drawne from our selves Hereby we shall manifest the work of grace wrought in our own hearts This is a good testimony that we are truely religious indeed when wee are not content to serve God our selves but are ready to provoke and stirre up others hereunto for goodnesse is a spreader of it selfe it is ready to disperse and communicate it selfe for the good of others Yee heard what the Holy Ghost said of Barnabas Acts 11. 23. That he exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would cleave to the Lord ver 24. for he was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost A good man and one that is full of the Holy Ghost is and will be ready to excite and stirre up others unto that which is good When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren said our Saviour Luk. 22. 32. He that is truly converted himselfe will be ready to be a meanes to convert and turne others to God See it in David Psalme 51. 13. Then shall I teach thy wayes to the wicked and sinners shall be converted unto thee Where there is abundance of grace in the heart it will manifest it selfe in our gracious speeches and holy communication Psal. 37. 30 31. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisedome his tongue will bee talking of judgement the Law of his God is in his heart c. for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh saith our Saviour Matth. 12. 34. I have hid thy Word in my heart saith David Psalme 119. 11. See the fruit of this Psalm 95. 6. O come let us worship and fall downe and kneele before the Lord our maker c. True grace maketh a man ready to doe good offices for others especially to perswade them to serve God and be religious Thirdly In regard of others For hereby we shall best manifest our love and respect to others yea we doe not know how much good we may doe them this way for by this we may come to save a soule from death and cover a multitude of sinnes Iam. 5. 20. Hereby we may come to be acquainted with the wayes of God our selves and others whom we perswade may be hereby converted to walke in his pathes for Psal. 19. 7. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soule c. See how confidently David assureth himselfe of the conversion of others upon his best endeavour to teach them Gods wayes Psal. 51. 13. Then shall I teach thy wayes to the wicked and sinners shall be converted unto thee How much more if we come to the house and Ordinances of God and bring others with us This argument Gods people have used to perswade others to goe with them to Gods house Come let us goe up to the mountaine of the Lord for he will teach us of his wayes and we will walke in his pathes Isa. 2. 2 3. This is the way to bring others to the true feare of GOD as well as our selves if we can perswade them to accompany us in the constant and frequent use of Gods Ordinances Observe an excellent place to this purpose Deut. 31. 11 12. When all Israel is come to appeare before the Lord in the place that he shall choose thou shalt reade this Law before all Israel in their hearing Gather the people together men women and children and the stranger that is within thy gates Why so What good will they get this That they may heare and that they may learne and feare the Lord your God to doe all the words of this Law Where we see that the house or place of Gods worship and service must be constantly frequented and that it is not enough for us to come thither our selves but we must also bring our whole families men women and children yea the very stranger that doth but occasionally come unto us we must bring all to Gods Ordinances And lastly that hereby we are likely to be instruments of working the feare of God in the hearts of those whom we bring and so to bring them to obedience Let no man say What neede we trouble our selves with others Is it not enough for every man to looke to himselfe and to have a care that he spend time himselfe in Gods service though he doe not meddle with others For though Christian charitie begin at home yet it doth not end there but he that is truely carefull to serve God himselfe will be readie to exhort and admonish others especially those of his familie and such as are committed to his charge And if any thinke much at this yet let him know that it is no more then his dutie Heb. 3. 13. But exhort one another dayly while it is called to day Nay no man can have any good assurance that he draweth nigh to God with a true heart himselfe if he doe not doe his best endeavour to excite and stirre up others to doe so too See an excellent passage to this purpose Heb. 10. 22. 24. c. Let us draw neare with a true heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evill conscience and our
Sacrament is meant the very Body and Bloud of Christ which are verily and indeed taken and received of the faithfull in the Lords Supper And for the proofe of this we have the expresse words of our Saviour Take eate this is my Body So that herein Christ Iesus with all the merits of his Body and Bloud are offered unto us and bestowed really and effectually on all worthy receivers 2. By receiving of this Sacrament we joyntly professe our common interest in Christ and our communion with him and one with another and hereupon this Sacrament is fitly called the communion 1 Cor. 10. 16. 3. Hereby the promises of God and the merits of Christ are sealed up unto us So that hereby we come to have both Gods Hand Seale to assure us of the pardon of our sins and of eternall happinesse in which respect the Sacraments are called the Seales of righteousnesse Rom. 4. 11. Fourthly Hereby our corruptions are mortified and the graces of Gods Spirit greately augmented and confirmed in us These Ordinances through the speciall blessing of God doe nourish and feede our soules unto life eternall So that most true we shall finde that speech of our Saviour Ioh. 6. 55. For my Flesh is meate indeed and my Bloud is drinke indeed Yea ver 51. I am the living Bread which came downe from heaven if any man eat of this bread hee shall live for ever and the bread which I will give is my Flesh which I will give for the life of the world Only remember that all this must bee understood of spirituall eating as our Saviour Himselfe in the same place giveth us expresly to understand for when his grosse hearers made that carnall question saying How can this Man give us his flesh to eate verse 52. Our Saviour doth earnestly confirme it still ver 53. Except ye eate the Flesh of the Sonne of Man and drinke his Bloud you have no life in you c. Yea when many of the Disciples were offended and murmured at it see how he giveth them satisfaction ver 63. It is the Spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words which I speake unto you they are Spirit and they are life to shew that all this must be spiritually understood for the foode is spirituall and so of necessitie the eating and drinking must needs be So that this is enough to perswade us to value and highly to esteeme this Ordinance because therein Christ Iesus is verily and indeed taken and received to the eternall benefit and comfort of all worthy receivers an argument sufficient not only to perswade us to take all opportunities of receiving this Sacrament our selves but also to perswade others hereunto in regard of the great benefits that are here offered and exhibited to the soules of all worthy receivers Fifthly Hereby we have the commemoration of Christs death most lively and effectually represented unto us So that we may in this case use the benefit of our eyes to see the Bread broken and the Wine powred out to signifie the death of Christ and the shedding of his Bloud so that our hands do as it were handle the Word of life Christ as 1 Iohn 1. 1. The Word foundeth in our eare but in the Sacrament the same is most lively represented unto our eyes sc. the death of Christ So that as often as wee eate that bread and drinke that cup we shew the Lords death till he come faith the Apostle 1 Cor. 11. 26. Yea and this is a speciall end for which this Sacrament was ordained at the first Doe this in remembrance of me saith our Saviour Matth. 26. Yea the Sacraments are most lively representations of the sufferings of Christ as if therein Christ was really againe crucified before our eyes according to that speech of the Apostle to the Galathians chap. 3. 1. O foolish Galatians Who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth before whose eyes Iesus Christ was evidently set forth even crucified amongst you How was he crucified among them but only in the Word and Sacraments So that where the Word is faithfully preached and the Sacraments duly celebrated there is Iesus Christ so evidently set forth as if he was even crucified among that people Oh how this also should perswade us not only to serve God our selves but also to doe our best to perswade others to spend time in Gods service especially if we remember the Doctrine which is the ground of this whole discourse namely this that time spent in the duties of Gods service is absolutely and incomparably the best spent time then certainely we would easily be perswaded not only to spend much time in Gods service our selves but also earnestly to doe our best endeavour to cause others to doe the like especially 〈◊〉 â—amilies and those which are more especially committed unto our charge that so we may not only save our selves but also them that belong unto us 1 Tim. 4. 16. FINIS The context and coherence Division parts of the Text. Explication 3. Doct. 1. Doct. 2. Doct. 3. Doct. Doctrine 1. That Christ and the saving graces of his Spirit are fitly compared unto Gold tried in the fire Reason Precious like gold 2. Reason Fit to pay debts or keepe out of prison 3. Reason Because pure like gold 4. Reason Because fit for purchase 5. Reason In respect of beautie and ornament 6. Reason Of sweet smell Dulcis odor luâ—â—â—â—e re qualibet 7. Reason Vses 1. Instruction The worth and excellency of true grace Grace better then gold 1. Gold is fading and perishing but grace is permanent and lasting 2. Grace is able to help in the day of wrath Grace leadeth to glory 2. Instruct. Gracious Religious people most excellent 1. They come of excellent parentage The wicked children of wrath Are borne to a most excellent inheritance A most rare and excellent portion Have most excellent attendance 3. Instruct. To justifie the care paine to get grace Diligence to get true grace Be not discouraged by the opposition of wicked men Grace will bring joy comfort in death Vse 2. For Reprehension of such as neglect and despise the meanes to get grace Folly of such as neglect to get grace 2 Cor. 4. 3. Contempt of the means of grace a fearefull signe of perdition or reprobation 3. Vse Examination whether wee have true grace yea or no. Motive 1. Toperswade us to examine whether we have true grace sc. the difficulty All sorts of men apt to be deceived in judging in this case The wicked deceived Godly deceived in thinking he hath no grace when indeed hee hath Grace a Treasure hid in the field Much counterfeit grace in the world Melting the chiefe meanes to discerne which is the true gold Some kinde of Innocency without true grace 2. Motive The danger of being mistaken 3. Motive The possibilitie of prevailing notwithstanding the difficultie Reason Of the possibility of being assured that wee have true
diâ—â—racteth us in them Simile Or else keepeth us from proâ—iting by them Quest. Meanes and Remedies Ans. Consider How Needlesse these excessive cares are How vaine and fruitlesse Dangerous and hurtfull 1. Mischiefe They lâ—â— us open to Sathans foule temptations 2 Mischiefe They will eat out the true love of God out of our hearts 3. Mischiefe Depriveth us of Gods love to us 4. Mischiefe Keepeth many from entring upon the pro 〈…〉 Religion 5. Mischiefe Maketh men fickle and inconstant in Religion 6. Mischiefe Bringeth the wrath of God upon a mans posteritie 4. Let. sc. Carnall feasting Remedies To consider the great hurt that commeth by it 1. Mischiefe Abuse of Gods creatures 2. Mischiefe A breeder of quarrells and unquietnesse 3. 〈…〉 4. Mischiefe And also to forget God 5. Mischiefe Increase our torments in hell if we repent not 5. Let. sc. Carnall pleasures how hurtfull and dangerous Remedies See that the matter of our pleasures bee lawfull Remedy Seasonable Remedie 3. Moderate and not excessive 4. Rule or Remedy Meditat. To consider the vanity of carnall pleasures Medit. 2. Fickle and uncertaine Meditat. 3. Hurtfull dangerous Vaine speeches 6. Let. Remedies Meditat. 1. That God doth curiously observeour-speeches Metitat 2. God will call us to a strict account for them 2. Remedy Consisting in practise Keepe thy mouth and tongue with all diligence 7. Let. Is vaine thoughts Remedies Consisting in meditation 1. God searcheth the heart seeth our thoughts God will bring our very thoughts into judgment 3. Dutie Not only to spend much time in Gods service our selves but also to doe our best to prevaile with others to doe so It hath bin the practise of Gods people to doe so Reasons or Motives In regard of God because hereby we shall shew our zeale to his glory which is hereby advanced 2. Motive In regard of our selves because 1. This is a good Testimony that we our selves are religious 3. Motive In regard of others hereby we shall manifest our love discharge our dutie to others This hath beene the practise of Gods people Else we hate oâ—r brother in our heart The Iayler Acts 16. Abraham Ioshua None but such can be truely assured of their owne conversion This is the way to bring Gods blessing upon our families 4. Motive To perswaâ—â— us to endeavour to prevaile with others to spend time in Gods service sc. The worth and excellency of the duties of Gods publike worship and service 1. Publike praâ—ers lawfull and excellent M. Sam. Hieron Preface before Helpe to Devotion M. Hildersham on Psal 51. pag. 810. 811. Idem on Psal. 51. page 68. Hildersham Fast. page 37. Illustration In regard of the Companie that is present there The presence of Gods people The Angels are present there Chrysostom Pareus in locum Hildersha on Iohn 4. page 117. Not onely the Saints and Angels but also the Lord himselfe is there present 2. Illustrat Such prayers are usually most powerfull and prevalent 3. Illustrat Such prayers redound most to Gods glorie 4. Illustrat Most sweet and comfortable The excellency of the Sacraments 1. Baptisme the excellency of it It was instituted by Christ himselfe The administration of it is 2 Beneficiall to us 1. Benefit 1. Hereby we are put in minde of our owne Baptisme and the benefits which we then received 2. Benefit This may put us in mind of the vow wee made then to God 3. Benefit Hereby witnesses in Baptisme may bee put in minde of that which they undertooke in the behalfe of others 4. Benefit An opportunity of performing a good office in the behalfe of the Infant baptized Lords Supper The excellency of it An Ordinance of Christ. Beneficall to us Benefits Hereby we doe receive Christ with his merits Our corruptions are mortified and the graces of Gods spirit increased 5. Benefit The commemoratton of the death of Christ most lively represented unto us
â—ave fully preached the Gâ—â—peâ—l of Christ yea he was content to spend his dearest life in this cause Acts 20. 24. My life is not deare unto me that I may finish my course with joy and fulfill the Ministery that I have received of the Lord Iesus to testifie the Gospell of the grace of God yea and when he was preaching upon occasion being to depart on the morrow He continued his speech untill midnight saith the Text Acts 20. 7. Hereupon also was that godly resolution of the Apostles But we will give our selves continually to prayer and to the ministery of the Word Acts 6. 4. an excellent patterne for all faithful Ministers And why all this but only to testifie the truth of this Doctrine which wee have in hand namely that of all other that is the best spent time that is spent in Gods service Lastly To this purpose observe the practise of our blessed Saviour Christ Iesus it appeareth by his daily practise that he was of this opinion Hereupon it is that he spent so much time in preaching praying and such like exercises of religion nay his whole life was nothing else but a reall and exact practise of piety after hee had taken upon him his propheticall office see with what unwearied industry hee proceeded this way Iesus went about teaching and preaching the Gospell of the kingdome and healing every sicknesse and every disease among the people saith the Evangelist Matth. 9. 35. Hee went about doing good continually this way see what hee could say of himselfe I ever taught in the Synagogues Ioh. 18. 20. And againe I sate daily with you teaching in the Temple Mat. 26. 55. Yea to this purpose it is that wee reade Luk. 6. 12. That he continued all night in prayer to God and afterwards upon occasion wee read that hee spent three whole dayes together in prayer and preaching according to that we finde Mar. 8. 2. I have compassion upon the multitude because they have now beene with me three dayes c. We may observe 1. That the multitude had now beene with our Saviour 3 dayes together to heare him preach 2. They must needs spend some time also in going and comming to this end 4. That hee had compassion upon them and would rather worke a miracle in feeding them then suffer them to fainte by the way c. So that by the practise of our Saviour it appeareth evidently that time spent in Gods service is absolutely the best spent time CHAP. II. Containing the Reasons of the point NOw the reason of the point is especially three-folde 1. In regard of God 2. In respect of our selves 3. In regard of others In regard of God Time spent in his service must needs be the best spent 1. Because it is spent with Him 2. To Him 3. For Him Time spent in Gods service is the best spent because it is spent with God Wee account that time well spent that is spent with our dearest friends that time is very pleasant and delightfull to us now God is our best friend and therefore time spent with him must needs bee the best spent Now that God is with his servants thus busied observe it Matth. 18. 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the midst of them O happie company where Câ—rist himselfe is in the 〈◊〉 Thus he encourageth his Disciples when he sendeth them out to preach the Gospell Matth. 28. 20. Goe and teach all Nations c. teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and loe I am with you alwayes even unto the end of the world Time spent in the speciall presence of Christ must needs bee the best spent time but time spent in Gods service is spent in the speciall presence of Christ so that a man may say with David while he is so employed Neverthelesse I am continually with thee Lord Psal. 7â— 23. and therefore time spent in Gods service must needs be the best spent 2. Because time spent in Gods service is spent to God that is to his pleasure to his contentment he is marvellously delighted with it In these things I delight saith God Ier. 9. 24. And with such sacrifices God is well pleased it is an excellent place to this purpose Heb. 13. 15 16. By him let us offer the sacrifices of praise to God continually And to doe good and to communicate forget not as if he had said doe not forget to spend your time in duties of pietie to God and charity to men for for with such sacrifices God is well pleased saith the Apostle It is time spent for Gods pleasure c. 3. Because Time spent in Gods service is spent for God that is for his honour and glory which is the supreame end of all 1 Cor. 10. 31. Whether ye eate or drinke or whatsoever yee doe howsoever yee spend your time doe all to the glory of God This is the chiefe end of our creation Isa. 43. 7. For my glory have I created him saith the Lord O come let us worship and fall downe and kneele before the Lordour Maker saith the Psalmist Psal. 95. 6. O let us employ our time so as may be most for Gods glory now time spent in holy duties in well doing is spent to Gods glory Herein is my Father glâ—rified that ye bring forth much fruit saith our Saviour the more fruitfull we are in good duties the more glory redounds to God This should make us abundant in the worke of the Lord. Hence is that speech of our Saviour Matth. 5. 16. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good workes spend much time in Gods service and become patternes for others why so And glorifie your Father which is in heaven i. e. this doth much glorifie your heavenly Father So Phil. 1. 11. The Apostle prayeth that they might bee filled with the fruits of righteousnesse and marke the reason which are by Iesus Christ to the glory and praise of God so that time spent in Gods service is spent for his glory Now lay all these three together and they will make a strong twine to confirme this truth like Solomons threefold cord which is not easily broken That time which is spent with God or in his presence 2. and to his pleasure and delight and thirdly for his glory must needs bee the best spent time but so is all that time that is spent sincerely in GODS service and therefore time spent in Gods service must needs be the best spent time Thus in regard of God Secondly consider it is the best in regard of our selves 2. Time spent in Gods service is the best spent time in respect of our selves 1. It is most for our credit 2. For our profit 3. For our pleasure 4. For our comfort in life and death 1. Time spent in Gods service is most for â—ur credit God will ever
make good his promise 1 Sam. 2. â—0 Them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed See what the Holy Ghost saith of those Boâ—reans that received the Word with all readinesse of minde and searched the Scriptures daily Acts 17. 11. These were more noble then those in Thessalonica saith the text And why so Wherein did their chiefe Nobility appeare sc. in their outward quality they had this spirituall excellency to regulate their hearing by the Word In that they received the Word with all readinesse of minde as appeareth in the words following and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so Every religious godly person that spendeth much time in Gods service is a noble person in Gods account It was one of Solomons titles of honour to be called The Preacher one that spent much time in Gods service and in teaching others Eccles. 1. Yea and see how David glorieth in this that he was Gods servant one that spent much time in Gods service Psal. 116. 16. O Lord truly I am thy servant I am thy servant and the son of thy handmaid Lo a mans greatest honour sc. to bee Gods servant to shew that time spent in â—ods service is the most for a mans credit and therefore the best 2. Time so spent affordeth the most sound solid pleasure all other pleasures are but vaine and mad mirth in comparison of this This will satisfie a mans soule as with marrow and 〈◊〉 as David speakes See what pleasure Gods servants have taken in this I â—steemed â—he words of his mouth more thâ—n my necessary foâ—de saith Job Iob 23. 12. O what pleasure and sweetnesse did Iob finde in the Word of Gods mouth it was sweeter and more pleasant in taste then his appointed or necessary foode It did him more good then his meate and drinke So likewise see it in David Oh how I love thy law it is my meditation continually Psalm 119. 97. How sweet are thy words unto my taste sweeter then honey unto my mâ—uth Ver. 103. So likewise to Ieremiah chap. 15. 16. Thy words were found and I did eate them and how did they taste They were unto me the very joy and rejoycing of my heart saith the Prophet Yea so it was to Paul Rom. 7. 24. I delight in the Law of God according to the inner man But above all observe that speech of our Saviour Joh. 4. 34. There you shall finde that our Saviour at that time was hungry and thirstie and the Disciples were gone to the City to buy meate in the meane time commeth a woman to draw water and our Saviour tooke that opportunity to instruct her and convert her to God yea and was so serious in it and so much delighted with it that when the Disciples come with meate they say unto him M. eate Ver. 33. See what he answereth I have meate to eate which yee know not of and then explaineth the meaning Verse 34. My meate is to doe the will of Him that sent mee and finish his worke Lo this was his very meate it did him more good Hee found more sweetnesse in it and so farre preferred it before his meate and drinke so that if our mouth be not out of taste time spent in Gods service hath the most pleasure in it and therefore in that regard is the best spent time Thirdly Time spent in Gods service is the most full of profit every way both for body and soule Godlinesse is profitable unto all things saith the Apostle 1 Tim. 4. 8. having the promise of the life that now is and also of that to come This is the good and the right way as Samuel calleth it 1 Sam. 12. 24. It is that one thing needfull as our Saviour himselfe calleth it Luk. 10. 42. This is the only thing the very boone that David would begge at Gods hands Psalm 27. 4. One thing have I desired of the Lord that I will seeke after But one thing David surely it is some rare thing some extraordinary profitable matter What is it That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life and behold the beautie of the Lord and to enquire in his Temple This is Davids one thing sc. that hee might spend all the greatest part of his life in Gods service he knew the benefit and the profit of it He might well say then as Psalm 23. 6. Surely goodnesse and mercy shall follow me all the dayes of my life Time spent in Gods service is the only way to procure safety and profit both for body and soule 1. There is safety in this course even when their seemeth to be most danger Hee that looseth his life for Christ's sake shall be sure to finde it Mat. 16. Yea see that excellent promise v. 11. of this Psalme The Lord will give grace and glory and no good thing will he withhold from them that walke uprightly Let no man think that Religion is the High-way to danger and beggery No no It is the only safe way and the most profitable An excellent place to this purpose is that we have Exo. 34. 24. Where the Lord enjoyneth that all the Males should appeare before him thrise in the yeare at Ierusalem as if all the Males in England were to appeare thrise in the yeere before God at London Now whereas a man would think that this was very dangerous in regard of invasion from their cruell neighbours that might take the opportunity to set upon their borders in the absence of all the Males Now mark what the Lord promiseth in that case No man shall desire thy land such an envious covetous malicious thought shall not once enter into their heart as to thinke Now we have a fit opportunity to invade Israel So the equity of this promise remaineth still Time sincerely spent in Gods service bringeth safety with it or if any danger or outward hurt come in this case God will dispose it for our good Rather then Daniel shall loose by his time spent in Gods service the Lord will keepe him in safety in the Lions denne and send his Angels to shut the Lions mouthes that they may not hurt him as wee see Dan. 6. Marke that speech of the King to him Verse 20. O Daniel servant of the living God Is thy God whom thou servest continually able to deliver thee from the Lions Is there safety in the service of thy God See how Daniel answereth according to the event of it Ver. 22. My God hath sent his Angell and shut the Lions mouthes that they have not hurt me Lo what impregnable safety in Gods service So Daniel 3. What danger were the three noble Iewes in But see how God made good that promise Isa. 43. 2. When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee c. when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee