fruits of his Servants do occasion God to be glorified that is to be well thought off and well spoken off and for praise and honour to be ascribed unto him To pursue here the like reasoning which Moses doth in Deut. 4. 6. 7 8. So in this case strangers and those people who as yet know not God will be apt to think and say that God himself must be a very Good and Wise and Holy and Beneficial a being inasmuch as they see evidently with their eyes that such and such people who serve and â—mitate him are very Good and Wise and Holy and â—nblameable in their conversation and they do whatever good they can unto others Said one of the Antients This is true Religion to imitate him whom thou Worshippest For to be Godly is to be like unto God and to be like unto God is to be Godly And so to do good is a true resemblance and likeness unto the God-Head in that He did good giving us Rain from Heaven and it is 〈◊〉 likeness unto Christ also who went about doing good This doing good is a bearing fruit and a bringing forth herbs meet for whom it is dressed For the fruits of the Earth and Tree do nourish and delight us the Corn feedeth us the Barly is made serviceable to quench our â—hirst and gratifie the appetite Wine makes glad the heart of Man and oyl a chearful countenance all which are good unto the Body and the instance of God's doing good in Acts 14. 17. Is there assigned in Giving us Rain from Heaven and fruitfull seasons filling our hearts with food and gladness So that the more good any Man or Woman doth the more he or she is like unto God and Christ When thou seest and observest any one to do good more than ordinary and that same person seems to serve God very much this is an evidence that he doth it in sincerity and reality and that God doth indeed command and require him so to do and also it is an endeavour after his likeness The good works and good fruits which appear forth through any Man or Woman are the actings of God through his Creatures For 't is not so much they but Christ who dwelleth in them that doth this or that good thing and therefore it is meet and right that God should have the Glory and Honour of it Which causeth through us thanksgiving unto God for the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the Saints but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God 2 Cor. 9. 11 12 As indeed such people who are Spiritually knowing when they see any good works they do thereupon glorify our father which is in Heaven for he is indeed the author and original of them and thus it comes to pass that through the instrument who visible the invisible God is glorified thereby The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmamâ—… shâ—… his handy work Even those Creatures which haâ—… no Life nor Speech nor Language yet by their having haâ—… a Being from him and Greatness or Beauty they are stanâ—ing Monuments of his Praise Like as a Curious anâ— well drawn Picture doth always shew forth the skill 〈◊〉 the Painter altho' it hath no Mouth to utter it fortâ—… Even so those great and wonderful Works of the Creaâ—… on of God do declare and shew forth the Glory Hâ—nour and Power of God and their Voice tho' it is â—…lent and inward is heard or rather understood wherevâ—… those wonderful Works of the Creation are seen In thâ— sense The Sun and Moon and Stars of Light and the Hâ—…vens of Heavens do all praise God as in Psal 148. Thâ—… are called upon so to do and they do it accordingâ—… In Ver. 5. the Reason is observable why they should 〈◊〉 it Let them praise the name of the Lord for he commandâ—… and they were Created And so to come down to the loâ—er parts of the Creation Praise the Lord from the Eaâ—…ye Dragons and all Deeps Fire and Hail Snow and Vapoâ—… Stormy wind fulfilling his Word Mountains and 〈◊〉 Hills Fruitfull Trees and all Cedars Beasts and all Câ—…tel creeping things and flying Fowl Ver. 8 9 10. Whiâ—… is the living Creation And in the next Verse he comâ— to the reasonable understanding Creation Kings of 〈◊〉 Earth and all People Princes and all Judges of the Earâ—… both young Men and Maidens Old Men and Childreâ— let them praise the Name of the Lord for his Name aloâ—… is excellent his Glory is above the Earth and Heaven Heâ—… some are sullen and unthankful and do it no more thaâ— according to outward Form but they do it not in the common Discourse As to this matter the Holy Ghoâ—… Exhorts on this wise By him therefore let us offer the Sâ—crifice of Praise to God continually that is the fruit of 〈◊〉 lips giving thanks to his Name Observe that Adverâ—… Continually for it is not said only in the Congregation or at no time but when we are saying our Prayerâ— but continually which extends to our common talk anâ— â—…scourse Observe here again how it is called the fruit 〈◊〉 our Lips Intimating hereby that offering up of Praise â—…d giving thanks unto God is the proper fruit of our Lips 〈◊〉 that if our Lips do not yield and bring forth this â—…uit they are as barren Trees fit for the fire and not â—…r our Master's use We have very often in Scriptures which make known â—…e mind of the Lord Glory and Honour and Praise Asâ—…ibed unto him Now indeed God doth not at all want â—…lory no more than the Sun doth want Light for with â—ee is the fountain of Life so with him is the fountain 〈◊〉 all Glory and Excellency and from him is derived â—…wn whatever Glory and Excellency is in any of the â—reatures He is infinitely happy and allsufficient in â—imself he doth not want the services of Angels much â—…ss of sinful Men. If thou be Righteous what givest thou him 〈◊〉 what receiveth he of thine hand or is it gain that thou â—…akest thy way perfect all which imply a strong Negative â—hat it is not so But yet if God had never Created aâ—y thing there would not have been any thing to have â—iven up and ascribe Glory unto him nor yet to Celeâ—rate his Name For the Grave cannot praise thee Death â—annot celebrate thee and so a state of Annihilation canâ—ot do it But now since he hath created all things for â—is Pleasure and to receive Glory from them this thing â—of Glory is the best and most proper thing which the Reaâ—onable Inhabitants of the Earth can conceive of to asâ—ribe up unto God Give unto the Lord the glory due unto â—is Name Psal 29. 2. So that it is a just debt It is therefore accordingly given and rendred up unto him by â—ll his Saints and Servants throughout the Earth Give â—hanks unto the Lord call upon his name Make known his â—eeds among the people sing unto him
that perish go on blindly aâ—… ignorantly for twenty forty or sixty years yea througâ—out all their life long in this deceit of being Worshiâ—…pers of God and yet not doing his will of hearing 〈◊〉 word and not obeying it nor yet doing thereafter wheâ—… as the Blessedness is to them that hear the word of God aâ—… keep it Saith David by the Spirit if I regard iniquiâ—… in my heart the Lord will not hear me Now iniquiâ—… signifies the thing that is not equal But too many outwaâ—… Worshippers do not only regard iniquity in their heaâ—… but also practice it with their hand Nevertheless liâ—… the Adulterous Woman Who eateth and wipeth her mouâ—… and saith I have done no wickedness they will not ceaâ—…nor desist to offer up their many and customary Prayâ—…s unto God as aforetime and as if they had never â—…one any such thing Such may be found amongst the â—umber of those of whom it is written Not every one â—…at saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingâ—…m of Heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which 〈◊〉 in Heaven Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord â—ave we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name cast out â—evils And then will I profess unto them I never knew 〈◊〉 depart from me ye that work iniquity All will not be â—…ved that go to Church or Meetings and then where shall â—…e ungodly and sinner appear for of four sorts of hearers 〈◊〉 the word there is but one that bringeth forth fruit â—…to everlasting life Herein also God is glorified when â—…ey bring forth fruit but he is not glorified when they 〈◊〉 not bring forth fruit or when instead of Bringing â—…rth grapes they bring forth wild grapes â—o ye think that the Papists do glorifie God by their Mass 〈◊〉 Idolatrous Worship or by their ignorant mumbling â—…er their Beads when it is the revealed will of God that â—eople should pray with the Spirit and with the underâ—…nding also 1 Cor 14. 15. That whole Chapter is aâ—…inst praying in an unknown Tongue God is a â—…irit and they that worship him must worship him in Spiâ—…t and in truth This is opposite unto and shuts out all â—…eir pompous outside Worship and carnal ordinances â—…ter the institutions and Commandments of Men. For â—…eir Worship stands in divers Washings and Bowings â—…d carnal ordinances imposed on them who would wilâ—…gly always remain in their corruption and errour â—…d never let Reformation come among them although â—… Blessed be God many have reformed from their â—…ays Again May it be thought that the Mahometans by going â—…nstantly to their mosque and by their making a great â—…y and howling in their Prayers unto the God of Heaâ—…n although they are never so earnest in Prayer as they â—…em to be in tone and voice and also by their Waâ—…ings before Prayer as the manner of them is whereâ—… common reason would shew them that the inward â—…urifying and cleansing of the heart of the Worshippers is more required by God and more pleasing and acceptable in his sight then the outward washing of theâ—… Bodies with water And so with all their other rites anâ— ceremonies customs and manners do they glorifie God â—… when all the mean while they know not nor believâ—… on Jesus Christ by whom there is access unto the Fatheâ— he being the alone mediator between God and Man And so we may run over and conceive in our minâ—… as to all the Religions Superstitions and ways of Woâ—ship used in the World together with that manifoâ—… Errour and Absurdity that is joyn'd therewith Do thoâ—… Worshippers glorifie God It would be hard to say soâ—… For the Father seeketh such to worship him as worship him 〈◊〉 Spirit and in Truth And seeing that so much Errour aâ—… Folly Ignorance and Vanity is crept in and interminâ—led with the several Worships of the World especialâ—… among those of the Roman-Church and that vast multâ—tude of others who do not at all name the name of Chrâ—… it may be thought as to them that in God's Sight and 〈◊〉 to his Acceptation He that Sacrificeth a Lamb is as if â—…â—ut off a Dogs neck He that offereth an Oblation as if he â—…fer'd Swines blood He that burneth Incense as if he blessâ—… an Idol Which last is the highest degree of provokiâ—… God that can be So that such Worshippers do rathâ—… displease than please God they do rather dishonour thâ—… glorifie him They make God more angry and furthâ—… off then bring him near or reconcile him unto the Wâ—…shippers But to come home and nearer to our selves even 〈◊〉 us who are called Protestants of the pure Reform'd Churâ—… who come yet nearer to the Pattern shew'd to us in 〈◊〉 Gospel than they aforementioned Altho' our Worship 〈◊〉 in some measure Spiritual and True Yet here agaiâ—… a right Faith and a wrong Conversation a good Naâ—… but evil Doings will not save any of us Nor yet is Gâ—… glorified by the work done or only in the outward coâ—…ing to the Places of Worship for if People do therein drâ—…near to God with their Lips but their Hearts are far frâ—… him if they bring only their Bodies to the place but theâ—… in their Souls do mind other Objects besides the Invisibâ—… â—od then as the Body without the Spirit is dead so such may be â—ore truly called carcaâ—e Worship than Spiritual Worâ—…ip for it is the Worship of a dead Body only or of a â—arcase without the Spirit Acting or being concern'd thereâ—… Saith God Now let them put away their Whoredom â—nd the Carcases of their Kings from me and I will dwell in â—he midst of them for ever Ezek. 43. 9 Lip labour in Prayâ—r or Worship is properly Whordom for it takes away â—he heart from God the right beloved and places it â—n another wrong beloved and so it is a carkase of Worâ—hip for the reason aforeassigned Both which God requires â—o be put away before he will dwell in the midst of us Having abundantly and at large discoursed by what kind of Worship God is not glorified it will easily â—ppear by what Worship he is indeed glorified For if â—…e is not glorified by meer outside Worship as indeed he â—s not it follows that he is glorified by such Worship as is spiritual which denotes inward Worship for if it is performed by the Spirit it must be inward because the Spirit is within and true God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth For the Father seeketh such to worship him and consequently he is glorified thereby so that to Worship God in Spirit and in truth is a part of our glorifying God here on Earth Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the Salvation of God Pal 50. 23. Seeing that they who order their conversation aright will have the Salvation of God shewn unto them it follows hence also that
which they suffer to go and proceed no farther not to bring forth fruit unto Death as they would if they were not hindred and restrained and if care was not taken against them For when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth Death But in unregenerate people these motions of sins do break forth into outward act and Lust in them goes forward and conceives and brings forth sin and sin in them is finished and bringeth forth Death and involves them into ruin of Body and destruction of Soul As for instance in the Regenerate it is concupiscence or a little inward Lust which they are sure to let go no farther but in the Unregenerate the same concupiscence issues forth into Lasciviousness Uncleanness Fornication and Adultery Even in the Regenerate concupiscence is sin this being one kind of those motions of sins the Apostle speaks of 〈◊〉 Rom. 7. And it is one on those secret faults which David Psal 19. 12. Prayes to be cleansed from and also one of â—ose Secret sins which God doth set in the light of his countenaâ—e and which he will bring into Judgement Do ye think â—…at the Scripture saith in vain the Spirit that dwelleth in 〈◊〉 lusteth to envy the Apostle speaks in behalf of himself and of the other Regenerate for in truth there are â—…en in them Lustings and tendencies to envy and hatred â—hich in Unconverted people do break forth into actual â—…nvy and Hatred And so there is likewise in the Reâ—nerate motions and inclinations lustings and tendâ—…cies to almost all manner of sin and evil to gluttoâ—… and drunkenness a longing after the Fleshpots of Aegyâ—… and a secret inward liking of them by the fleshly corâ—…pt Nature and by the old Man but still and along â—…ey prevent that they do not come forth into the seveâ—…l acts of Sin to which again way is given by sinners â—…d the Children of disobedience Nevertheless it is the will of God and accordingly â—s word which is very pure doth direct it so That his â—hildren and Servants should strive and sincerely enâ—eavour what they can Cursed is he that doth the work of â—…e Lord deceitfully Against all these motions of sins that are in our members and against these inclinations evil and against the inward lusting and tendency transgression The Commandment of God is not only this wise Cease to evil but extends farther Abstain frâ—… all appearance of evil Which takes in all the occasioâ— beginnings enticements and tendencies to evil 〈◊〉 as he which hath called you is Holy so be ye Holy all manner of conversation Now there being in God motions to sin nor inclinations to evil it being Im 〈…〉 sible for God to lye or to commit sin or evil it follows certain consequence that we can never obey and 〈◊〉 fil this his Commandment of being Holy as he is Holy 〈◊〉 we get utterly rid off and clear from these motions sins and inclinations to evil and yet we should whatever we can that we may partake of his Holinesâ— we would partake of his blessedness for without Holiâ—… no Man shall see the Lord. Again it is Commanded Stand in aw and sin not 〈◊〉 the word of God doth not rest there as only to proâ—… against the outward act of sin but it goes yet farâ—… Mortifie therefore your members that are upon the Earth 〈◊〉 if the members are mortified upon the Earth then there no motions of sins in these members according to 〈◊〉 other Scriptures witness If Christ be in you than i 〈…〉 Body dead because of sin or as to sin Now again 〈◊〉 certain that in a dead Body there are no motions of 〈◊〉 at all and it being the will of God that Christ 〈◊〉 be formed in us Little Children of whom I travail in 〈◊〉 till Christ be formed in you And except Christ be in yâ—… are reprobates it follows therefore that we should be 〈◊〉 as to sin and then also we should have no motions sins in us in which sence also it is that the Apostle 〈◊〉 I dye daily That is he did dye daily unto sin He not only cease from the outward act of sin but also had less and less motion and inclination to sin unt 〈…〉 length he had no motion nor inclination to it at which is like dying continually untill one is actu 〈…〉 dead For as than life goes away and lessens by liâ—… and little so in such not only the acts but the ha 〈…〉 bit also yea the Life and Power of Sin goeth and â—isheth away until it becomes none at all This is be diligent that is by still labouring and endeavour 〈…〉 after it until we attain it That we may be found â—…m in peace without spot and blameless 2 Pet. 3. 14. God 〈◊〉 his people in Hosea 8. 5. How long will it be ere they â—…in to innocency Which though it be long and he exâ—…s much before they arrive unto it yet at length â—…e of his Peculiar people Redeemed from all iniquity after much labour and endeavour first had and used â—…rds it attain to that measure and degree of inâ—…ncy till they become Israelites indeed in whom is no 〈◊〉 and they arrive unto that state in this life for â—…ven must be begun here though it be perfected and â—ummated hereafter to which God shall add and annex â—he highest Heavens that in their mouth was found no 〈◊〉 for they are without fault before the Throne of God 〈◊〉 die unto sin and to be alive again unto God to â—ur after till we actually attain unto Holiness and â—…cency of Life is one main part of doing and fini 〈…〉 that work which God sent us on this Earth to do subdue the Power and Acts yea the very motions inclinations to sin and to root out utterly as far possible the corrupt Nature For flesh and blood shall not â—it the Kingdom of God neither shall in any wise enter â—in any thing that defileth As aforesaid Heaven must â—egun here in us if we will enter into Heaven here 〈…〉 And in order to that this is our business and 〈◊〉 which God sent us on this Earth for to do By â—ing together with his grace to labour and endeavour â—ever we can that we may become meet to be par 〈…〉 of the inheritance of the Saints in light His word therefore given to Build us up and give us an inheri 〈…〉 amongst all them which are sanctified and to make 〈◊〉 a people prepared for the Lord. This work we are â—o and finish By the help of the same word our â—s are to become ready a people prepared for â—ord And while they went to buy the Bridegroom came they that were ready Observe that went in with him 〈◊〉 marriage and the door was shut We are to be ready and prepared against what time God shall call a summon us to appear before himself Like as the s 〈…〉 of the Earth grow on till they become ripe and
â—s and is afar off in the Habitation of his Holiness yet we are to seek after and apprehend him by saiâ—… The Lord looked down from Heaven upon the Children of Mâ—… to see if there were any that did understand and seek G 〈…〉 He doth Command and require it that we should obey Commandments and serve and please him all one as if did now see him with open face as we do our Goveâ—… ours Fathers and Masters after the Flesh That the seâ—… and fear of him that is invisible should be always biding upon our Spirits The desire of our Soul is to 〈◊〉 and to the Remembrance of thy name Have Faith in Goâ—… which same Faith should overcome the World in all 〈◊〉 Temptations Terrours and Allurements We shou 〈…〉 prefer God above the Creature in all things Althouâ—… God is out of sight his works are not yet he shouâ—… be always in our mind When we are in company aâ—… in the herd of our fellow Creatures We are than 〈◊〉 our shame be it spoken most apt to forget God 〈◊〉 Creator But even in the midst of them his Excelleâ— should make us afraid Yea an Holy reverential fear aâ—… dread of his invisible Majesty should overshadow us aâ—… remain always sensible upon our Souls And as it is Râ—… corded that At the going down of the Sun an horrour of a 〈◊〉 sleep fell upon Abraham Even so towards the going dowâ—… of the Sun of our life A great horrour and dread of the 〈…〉 visible God should be yet more upon us as we come near in time when we shall actually appear before hiâ— This is to bring down God and Christ from above thâ—… he may be nigh unto us For so he is when we have 〈◊〉 sence and fear of God always remaining upon our hearâ—… that it shall prevail against and overcome all Temptatâ—… ons arising either from Men or from the things of thâ—… World That as Joseph did withstand the Temptation of his wanton Mistress with this consideration How 〈◊〉 I do this great wickedness and sin against God So whâ—… thou art Tempted to Gluttony or Drunkenness or 〈◊〉 the sin that doth most easily beset thee here Reason wiâ—… thine own Soul How can I do this wickedness and sin â—… gainst God And let this thought actually restrain thâ— from the Sin It signifies or avails but little to think aright unleâ—… we also do accordingly for Grace and Knowledge dâ—… increase the guilt and render yet more inexcusable if they are not effectual preservatives and remedies against sin For as it is sin in its Power and Reigning which doth hurt So likewise it must be Grace in its Power and Reigning which will do good and save us Wishes and Wouldings only towards good will never â—ring any one to Heaven unless they come forth into act accordingly Indeed we should be excellent Christiaâ—s if we would so speak and act accordingly as we think â—esolve and purpose If we would continually from time â—o time turn our purposes into performances and our â—ood thoughts into sutable Actions If ye know these things â—appy are ye if ye do them which implyes on the other and that such are miserable who approve the things that â—…e excellent and do not follow after and practice them The finishing of the work which God gave us on this Earth for to do is by his grace and by our working toâ—ather with his grace to render our selves fit for Heaven â—nd to be meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the â—aints in light To be as good and Godlike as ever we â—…an to be alvvays a growing in Grace and Knowledge â—o be making further Proficiency and Attainments in â—…e Christian-Life to go forvvard and from Strength to â—trength tovvards Zion And vvhen any are rendred â—t for Heaven and meet to be partakers of the inheriâ—ance of the Saints in light there he is to keep and preâ—erve himself so Keeping your selves in the love of God â—…ude 21. And also in a Readiness and in a state of Watching and Waiting against that God shall call â—r and summon â—e by Death Be ye therefore ready for 〈◊〉 a day and an hour that ye look not the Son of Man comâ—…h And so people should first endeavour to get themâ—elves in a preparation for Death and Judgment and â—…hen they have got in a preperation for Death and â—udgment then they are to keep and preserve themselves â—herein and to be ready and prepared for it yet more â—nd more But some may be apt to say Hovv shall vve be ready â—nd prepare our selves for Death and Judgment I ansâ—ver in general by a constant course of Righteousness and Holiness throughout the days of our Life vvhich Ri 〈…〉 teousness must not be in part only but a Righteoâ—… ness in all things It must be by answering unto 〈◊〉 complying with all the requirings of God in thy 〈◊〉 and conscience to do and obey according to all the thoughts of Good and duty which God at any time 〈◊〉 into thy heart and to abstain from all those motiâ—… to sins and from all appearance of evil which thou any time preceivest within thee This again must done universally conscientiously and constantly unâ—… you come up to that state of Holiness and Innocenâ—… whereof Paul witnesseth I know nothing by my 〈◊〉 yet I am not hereby justified I Press towards the mark of Prize of the High calling of God in Christ Jesus And where Read any where in Scripture of the higher attainm 〈…〉 t s in Christanity or the description of such as are deed the Saints and Servants of the Lord God there us examine and prove our selves whither they do deed belong to us Are our selves such as is there 〈…〉 scribed As we Read those many Precious Promises 〈◊〉 are scattered up and down in the Bible do they 〈◊〉 long unto us Have we an interest and share in theâ—… which we have according as we obey the several 〈…〉 cepts and keep the sayings which are contained theâ— in Order my steps in thy word that no iniquity mâ— have dominion over me When we once find our whâ—… Life and Conversation ordered according to the woâ—… of God's Lips than we have finished the work whiâ—… he gave us on this Earth to do God knows all things and when he sees that the 〈…〉 veral reasonable Creatures inhabiting on this Earth ha 〈…〉 finished the Work which he gave them to do thereoâ— than he takes them off again from the Earth That 〈◊〉 according to his own Divine method Such as are 〈◊〉 Death to Death and such as are for Captivity to Captivity and such as area for the Sword to the Sword Jer. 43. 1â— Which is not only true as to what kind of Death eaâ—… one shall glorify God by but also as to the succeedinâ— and after state such as God knows and sees to 〈◊〉 meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints i◠〈…〉 ht As from that hour that Disciple
took her unto his â—…n home Even so the eternal God takes such from that our of Death and Judgment unto his own home â—…at is he receives such up into the Habitation of his â—oliness and into the mansions of bliss In my Fathers â—ouse are many mansions And then truly it is that such 〈◊〉 us as are his elect and Servants are at our own Home 〈◊〉 when we are at home in the Body we are absent from â—…e Lord. Than only and never till then may we be truly â—…id to be at home when we come to be ever with the â—…rd Man goeth to his long home and the mourners go aâ—…t the streets Such again as God shall see know and â—…dge to be worthy of stripes who are appointed to â—eath or for Death will be assigned over unto it For by â—…e time God allots to each person upon this Earth he â—n as well and also doth actually prove and try them â—hether they will be fit for Heaven or Hell all one as they should live out to the period of Seventy Years â—or as the Scripture saith of Jesabel I gave her a space to â—pent of her Fornications and she repented not And again â—et favour be shewed to the wicked and he will not learn Righâ—…usness in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly â—…d will not behold the Majesty of the Lord. And as hath â—…en observed by others that if the sinner were to live â—…ernally he would sin eternally So it is contrariwise 〈◊〉 the other better hand If the Godly were here to â—…ve longer or eternally they would serve God yet longer â—nd eternally The case of Infants and Children dying â—efore they come to the knowledge of good and evil is â—ard to be asserted aright But it is probable that God â—ill Judge and Recompence unto them according as â—…e doth see by his infallible foreknowledge they would â—e if they should live longer But for those who arrive â—nto years of Discretion whither they die in youth Manâ—ood declining years or old Age whither they live long â—r a little while by that space he gives them for Reâ—entance and accordingly as they repent or not so will â—e deal with and Recompence unto them throughout â—ll eternity According to their deeds accordingly he will â—epay He doth know and prove them by that allowance of time which rank and Denomination they wiâ— come under either of Come ye Blessed or go ye Curseâ— According as they have done Good or Evil so thâ— will rise up to the Resurrection of life or to the Resuâ— rection of Damnation Seeing that we know not how short a time God maâ— give unto us to prove us and to render unto us for aâ— Eternity What manner of persons ought we to be in 〈◊〉 Holy Conversation and Godliness How oughtâ— we 〈◊〉 serve the Lord with fear and trembling To stand in aw and 〈◊〉 not For we know not how short the time will 〈◊〉 before we are snatched and taken away from hence Wâ— are always upon the brink of Eternity but we shouâ— so live whilst we are in time as we shall wish we haâ— done when we come to enter into Eternity We maâ— continued advances and approaches towards it wâ— do move step after step every Day and Night Frâ— Day even to Night wilt thou make an end of me Aâ— so from Day even to Night yea and from Night uâ— Day God is making an end of us severally as to thâ— World He is continually and always a doinâ— of it and never ceases Like as the Sun is always iâ— motion so when God hath once Created and gave 〈◊〉 being he is again continually bringing this being towards its end And when the Reasonable Creature 〈◊〉 brought to its end then he hath finished that woâ— which God gave him on this Earth for to do For aâ— aforementioned God takes none from this Earth befoâ— he or she hath finished that work which he gave theâ— hereon for to do or he sees they would finish it or bâ— Idle therein And accordingly he doth proportion oâ— his Judgment and final Retribution to each of them For the method of God is before he proceeds to Rewaâ— or Punishment with the inhabitants of the Earth 〈◊〉 will go down now and see whither they have done altogethâ— according to the cry which is come to me and if not I wiâ— know Gen. 18. 21. And so God will go down into thâ— Vally of Jehoshaphat to meet with and Judge all Nationâ— of every Generation and see whither they have done according to the report of their doings which came up 〈◊〉 the Ears of the Lord God of Sabaoth He will punish â—e World for their Evil and the Wicked for their Iniquity â—ut Glory Honour and Peace to every Man that worketh â—od to the Jew first and also to the Gentile Seeing than that these things are so that we must â—r all Eternity receive as we behave our selves during â—is short time And again knowing not how short â—is time will be in which God will prove us What earâ—est care and diligent endeavour should this stir up 〈◊〉 us to approve our selves and be reconciled unto God â—his should not only influence all of us in the general â—t every Soul in particular It is I and thou and â—ch of ye calling ye severally by your Names that â—e so nearly concerned in this thing Suppose thy self 〈◊〉 be the very person whom God will call out next to â—eath and Judgment If thou wert sure and didst veriâ— thinke that thou wert the next person of all thy Neighbourhood and acquaintance whom God would call forth unto Judgment thou wouldst be another kind of Person in thy living even more Serious and Holy â—nd more Godlike and Heavenly minded more Spiritual and Pure in heart yea thou wouldst yet more stand 〈◊〉 aw and sin not Thou vvouldst make hast and deâ—ay not to set about to fill up and supply the things â—hat are vvanting and to do vvhat as yet thou leavest unâ—one Wherefore the rather Brethren give all diligence to make your calling and election sure Such a valuable and infinite good can never be made too sure of That ye be not slothful but followers of them who through Faith and Patience inherit the promises As it is vvritten Let us search and try our ways and turn again to the Lord. Even so let us search and try our vvays and examine our selves vvhither vve have severally finished that vvork vvhich God gave us to do For now is our Salvation nearer than when we Believed But as vve dravv nearer in time so are vve fitter for Heaven And have vve done any thing more in finishing that vvork vvhich God gave us on this Earth for to do Are vve novv more meet than vve vvere such a time since to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light Are vve become better as vve grovv older And as 〈◊〉 increase in years so do vve accordingly and agreeablâ— grovv in
stature tovvards a perfect Man in Christ Jesus Do vve in course and succession of time become more God like and more Christ-like and do vve make further proficiency and further attainments in the Christian-Life Do vve grovv in grace and knovvledge And 〈◊〉 vve become Wiser and Better Are vve meet for Heaven And are vve sure that if God should take avvaâ— any of us this moment to have an entrance and admission therein Let none be too selfconceited or considerâ— herein for the Lord may reject such confidences Yeâ— still I do hereby exhort people to use the utmost meaâ— endeavour and diligence that ye may become meet fâ— Heaven and never to give over nor yet stand still iâ— this same good vvork Not as though you had already aâ— tained or were already perfect but ye are still to preâ— tovvards the mark of the high calling of God in Chriâ— Jesus To be still Travailing and making on in the vvaâ— tovvards Sion Although as it often happens in our journeying to places vvhich vve vvere never at before vvâ— may Err and vvander But here seek out of the Booâ— of the Lord and attend unto what things are openeâ— and alledged from thence and thus enquire and gâ— into the right vvay again as soon as ever ye caâ— and so order the business that hovvever ye go about or athvvart yet in process of time ye may be neareâ— advanced unto the Haven and place vvhere ye would bâ—… And thus ye may ask and examine your selves upon thâ— finishing part of your Work If it is finished and ye are ready expect then that God will call for ye Now would it be with fear or contentedness of mind if God should hurry thee away this very moment into the unknown and invisible World Behold I have told you before Suppose novv thou art finishing thy course hovv it vvould be vvith thee even with thee if thy course was actually finished and thou wert to Behold Man no more with the inhabitants of the World That is on this Earth and in this state of things This is the Sum and Requiring of all Religion if we vvould be such in the midst of and â—hroughout all our Life as we think and purpose we â—ould do upon a dying Bed or as we shall wish we â—ad done when we are actually in the state of the dead For we shall than be sensible and reflect and Remember Luke 16. 25. All one yea much more than we do now Hope we have which entreth into that within the vail And â—o we should have continually such Thoughts and such 〈◊〉 Mind which entreth within the vail of these outward and visible things into and amongst such things that are not seen We should step forth into the other World aâ— thought before we are actually entred therein indeed â—nd have our Conversation in Heaven before our Souls are admitted there We should be no otherwise employed about present things then as we are in an inn for then our thoughts are taken up Wholly and Principally about the Place we are journeying unto And so this Earth is but a through fare which we are just to pass through before we come to Heaven or Hell Again as we apptoach nearer to the end of our journey and to the finishing of our Work See that ye walk circumspectly Yea with what exactness and care should we go through with it having continued thought and Remembrance of mind that each of us severally are â—o glorify God on the Earth and to finish the Work which he gave me to do The same should be our labour and endeavour accordingly This is certain that Idleness Sloth or to live in pleasure or sensuality as to which the inspired Apostle â—ruly saith The Widow that liveth in pleasure is Dead while she liveth Which also is applicable unto all other people who do so or who are lovers of pleasures more than â—overs of God Nor yet to live so as to snort out our days 〈◊〉 say and testify again all this is not a glorifying God on the Earth nor yet a finishing the Work which he gave â—s to do The reason whereof is manifest because all this or the like is for no real and good end or purpose But God gave us this life that we should live unto him who hath Created us To understand and seek after the Lord To fear God and keep his Commandments and do good and so shalt thou dwell in the land Psal 37. 3 To serve our Generation as I do this day in Publishing these and many other words of truth which would be profitable unto them if they would receive them to be imployed in doing the will of our Heavenly Father that whenever he cometh and calleth for us by Death he may find us so doing Blessed are those Servants whom when the Lord cometh he shall find so doing Who are sure to be about that Work which God gave them on this Earth for to do and finish So that they are either finishing it or they have it actually finished And than they may make this comfortable return when they come to the end of their course as the forerunnerâ— did even Jesus who shewed us the way and left us an example that we should follow his steps I have glorified thee on the Earth I have finished the Work which thou gavest me to do Blessed are those Servants of the Lord God whom when he calleth for by Death he shall find either to be upon the finishing I mean who are trimming their Lamps Mat. 25. 7. For the wise Virgins had got their Oyl long before or rather who shall then have actually finished the Work which he gave them on this Earth for to do Blessed is he that Readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophecy and keep those things that are written therein for the time is at hand Rev. 1. 3. Which may be understood as to those things also which are truly opened and alledged from thence To God only wise be Glory through Jesus Christ for ever Amen
Spirit anointing which we have received of him abideth you and ye need not that any Man teach you But as same Anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is lye and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him â—nd now little Children abide in him that when he shall apâ—…r we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him 〈◊〉 his coming As the Apostle said I am determined know nothing among ye but Jesus Christ and him cruciâ—… So for my part I am determined and purposed 〈◊〉 pray God to enable me that herein I may turn my â—…poses into performances and to pay my vows to the most â—hest To turn ouer a new leaf and during the few 〈◊〉 evil days remaining of my Pilgrimage to serve God 〈◊〉 more diligently and earnestly and constantly in the â—…nistry than I have heretofore and to finish that part of 〈◊〉 Ministry which I have received and to testifie the â—…spel of the grace of God to the people of this Geneâ—…ion For I assuredly know that a dying hour will come â—…d I sensibly feeling within my self a fear of Death â—…ich doth hence arise either because I live in some reâ—ved or known sin or I leave some duty undone which â—ought to do So that the way to take off and remove â—s same fear and bitterness of Death in me is not to â—e in any manner of sin or appearance of evil as far â—…d as often as I apprehend such a thing to be the â—…mmand and will of God that I should do The same applicable to other people also to live in no sin of â—…ission or commission which if we observe accordâ—…gly and finish severally the work which God gave us 〈◊〉 do than at length we shall be ever with the Lord 〈◊〉 receive the reward of so doing Wherefore comfort â—…e marginal reading is exhort one another with these â—ords 1 Thes 4. 18. 〈◊〉 Christ did finish the work which God the Father gave â—…n to do as he took upon himself to be the Saviour and â—edeemer of Mankind and as he was the mediatour beâ—…een God and Man and as he executed that threefold â—…ffice of King Priest and Prophet Yet have I set my â—ing upon the Holy Hill of Zion Psal 2. 6. The Lord hath â—…orn and will not repent Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech Psal 110. 4. For Moses truly saâ— unto the Fathers a Prophet shall the Lord God raise up unâ—… you of your Brethren like unto me him shall ye hear in all thinâ—… whatsoever he shall say unto you Acts 3. 22. This Peter did a 〈…〉 ply unto Christ and as Christ did perform and finiâ—… these three several Offices he did finish the work thâ—… God gave him to do Wherefore himself said on the Croâ—… It is finished That is so much and that part of the woâ—… which God had given him on this Earth for to do anâ— finish he did finish accordingly But as to his deliveâ—… ing up the Kingdom to the Father and as to his sitting 〈◊〉 the right hand of God making intercession for us thâ—… is not finished as yet nor will be finished until the enâ— of the world when time shall be no longer What kind of work it was which Christ did finish we maâ—… gather and understand from what himself aftervvards dâ—… clares I have manifested thy name unto the Men which thâ—… gavest me out of the world For I have given unto them 〈◊〉 words which thou gavest unto me and they have received theâ— John 17. 6 8. This Christ did as he was a Prophet 〈◊〉 Preacher From whence we may gather and observâ— that to manifest the name of God to people out of thâ— World and to make known the words which Goâ— first gave unto us is the best and most excellent woâ—… that one can be imployed in And however other peopâ—… are busied Martha Martha thou art careful and troublâ— about many things but one thing is needful Yet that 〈◊〉 the best employment and the best business which haâ— relation immediately to God himself and is about thâ— things partaining to endless Life And this is life eternâ—… that they might know thee the only true God and Jâ—… sus Christ whom thou hast sent From hence again it aâ—… pears that to manifest or make God known or to Puâ—… lish those words which contain the knowledge of Goâ— is the best of Works and Employments Verily thâ—… art a God that hidest thy self O God of Israel the Savioâ—… And many times we lose the sence of him Noâ— what brings to the sight or rather apprehension of him or what reneweth the knowledge of him this is thâ— one thing needful for the Children of Men for in thâ— â—nowledge of God all their well being doth consist at â—resent and their Life eternal in the world to come â—ow much God himself doth require and is delighted herewith may be understood from what is written For 〈◊〉 desired mercy and not Sacrifice and the knowledge of God â—ore than burnt offerings The world make their Estimate accordingly and think â—hem happy whose Silver and Gold is multiplied or who â—ave fine and plentiful Estates But as the Psalmist â—ith Thou hast put gladness into my heart more than in â—…e Time that their Corn and their Wine increased So I â—ad rather than all those good things to have most of â—…e knowledge of God and the things pertaining to his â—ingdom to have the manifestations of himself otherâ—ise then he manifests himself unto the World to have â—ore of his Heavenly truths Communicated and revealed â—nto me I will praise thee with the Psaltery even thy truth 〈◊〉 my God The Law of thy mouth is better unto me than â—ousands of Gold and Silver I rejoyce at thy word as one â—at findeth great spoil And seeing that the secret of the â—ord is with them that fear him and he revealeth his secret â—nto his Prophets I had therefore rather that his will â—nd secret be revealed unto me than all the mony or â—states of the Earth For these and such like are eâ—…dences of his favour and loving kindness which is â—…tter then life it self in that it reaches and extends Yet â—rther Those who know and apprehend God by Faith â—o as much desire and labour to have the favour of God â—s others do to get Riches and the favour of great Men. â—or the favour of God in this life is a seal and earnest â—f his Salvation in the World to come Who hath also â—aled us and given the Earnest of the Spirit in our hearts Cor. 1. 21. To get retain or recover when lost the favour of God 〈◊〉 a doing and finishing that work which God gave us â—o do For the work we have to do in this life is to â—erve and obey God and to do the things that are pleaâ—…ng in his sight and thus to become reconciled unto â—…im Though God doth hide himself here on Earth from