consider her wayes and be wise Prov. 6.6 7 8. I might be large in the prosecution of this but these instances may suffice to be as so many glasses to shew us how diligent and active and industrious we should be in our particular Callings and that God would have us busily working in our several places and stations for him Secondly From our selves 1. We are ever best when we are at work our hearts are never in better frame to go to God in duties of our general Calling then when we have been most conscientially careful in being diligent in our particular Calling We can then go with comfort to pray when we have been at work and never are we fitter to offer up this spiritual sacrifice then when sloth hath not seized upon us in our particular Callings And hence it is that these are coupled together Rom. 12.11 Not slothful in business fervent in Spirit serving the Lord. 2. We shall be pronounced blessed if we be found well-doing when our Lord cometh Matth. 24.46 and it is that that we would all desire after to be partakers of that blessedness who would not be found so at that day 3. We are not yet in heaven but on earth and therefore must attend on our outward occasions and businesses that we are called to When we come in heaven we shall rest from all our works here and be wholly imployed in serving God and praising him Rev. 22.3 4. we shall do Angelical work Seraphical work but while we are here we must be doing in ordinary work and it is a good work because commanded of God 4. We need many things for the outward man which by diligence in our ordinary Callings through the blessing of God are brought in to us Prov. 10.4 22. we get our daily bread by the labour of our hearts and hands food and raiment and physick and all necessaries by the Lords mercy are given in to us this way The King himself is served by the field Eccles 5.9 Gods crowning the year with his goodness his steps dropping fatness make our labours successful and bring in all outward blessings to us and therefore diligence in our Callings is that that God approves and looks for from every one of us 5. We are commanded to labour six dayes in the week Exod. 20.9 except upon extraordinary occasion as upon a Fast or by sickness we be hindred or by some other occasion that justly exempts us and keeps us necessarily from it we may not look at it as a permission onely but as a strict command and that calls upon us to be about our business and be doing in our particular Callings 6. We have Gods example in the first Creation set before us to follow he did his work in six dayes and then rested Exod. 20.9 and so would by his example have us to work and to trace his steps So that not onely Earth and Sea and Stars but Heaven it self calls upon us to labour and work diligently in our Callings Thirdly From our outward occasions and imployments 1. They are such as that we cannot serve God comfortably neither in our Bodies nor in our Spirits except we labour and attend our particular Callings and we are bound to serve him and glorifie him in both 1 Cor. 6.20 and how shall this be except we follow our imployments Meat will not fall into our mouthes except we labour Clothing will not be rained down from heaven upon us except we work for it and without these we cannot serve God neither with outward or inward man 2. These imployments in our Callings are such as that we cannot live without them Bread is called The staff of life Isa 3.1 and Clothing is the health of life and neither of these in an ordinary way can be had without labour 3. These imployments in our particular Callings are such as that we cannot expect the blessing of the Lord upon us The blessing of the Lord maketh rich but it is when the hand is diligent Prov. 10.4 22. otherwise there is no blessing of wealth or increase promised 4. These imployments in our particular Callings do fit us to come to God in spiritual duties and fit us for his coming to us either by death or judgement Luke 12.42 43 44. and this is worth something It was the speech of a faithful Minister now with God to one that he found working hard in his Calling Let me be found so doing when my Lord cometh 5. These ordinary imployments keep us from many sins and from many temptations to sin preserve us from many assaults of the Enemy that Idleness will expose us to As we see in Davids example 2 Sam. 11. if he had gone forth to war at that time or had been doing any thing that was good he would not have faln into such snares and sins as he did which idleness exposed him to Satan and his own corruption would not have so prevailed as they then did when he gave himself to that floth that we there reade of A diligent hand prevents the tempters coming or at least hinders him from overcoming Working in our Calling will either keep the snare from being laid for us or keep our feet from being taken by it And have we not cause then to be diligent and faithfully busie in our Calling 6. These labours and imployments preserve us from falling into other dangers and evils for God hath promised that his Angels shall have charge over us to keep us in our wayes Psal 91.11 Let a man but keep himself in his Calling and Gods Angels shall keep him They are Gods host and so long as they are about him a strong host is about him so that neither plague nor sickness nor any other evil shall come near him v. 10. he is safely guarded that hath such a military guard about him he need not fear any danger that hath these fiery charets and horses round about him 2 Kin. 6. These armies will never sly but will stand by us and shield off all dangers and all enemies and have we not good cause then to be in our Callings Cautions about our Imployments in our particular Callings 1. WE must take heed that love of the World set us not on work to be busie in our Callings for that is straitly forbidden 1 Joh 2.15 and such are not true to God but are called Adulterers and Adulteresses and are the enemies of God Jam. 4.4 and the greatest enemies that are to themselves for thereby they plunge themselves into many snares and temptations and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in perdition and destruction 1 Tim. 6.9 10. If the love of the world be the great wheel that sets all a going and puts our hands to labour in our Callings we shall never please God nor benefit our selves or others by what we do this way The World is both an Harlot and a Witch and if we lust after the beauty of this Harlot and suffer
it 3. To prize those that are powerful Pleaders with the Lord in behalf of others they are the children of Abraham and shall be blessed with him We prize those that plead other Causes strongly Oh how should they then be prized that plead strongly with the Lord 4. To be earnest for those that are dear to us for those that are our bone and flesh and our very bowels If Abraham pleaded so for those in Sodom that were Righteous how should we for those that are so near and dear to us the strength of our hearts should be put forth in our Requests for them 5. To call upon us to pray earnestly for England the Land of our Nativity the place of our Fathers Sepulchres Who have we cause to pray for if not for our Mother that bare us and bred us and dandled us upon her knees and nursed us by her sides Oh that England might yet live in Gods sight Oh that the Righteous there may not be forgotten nor destroyed but that the Arm of the Lord may be made bare and be mighty for them 6. To love the Lord that stirs up any to plead for us and to shew their love in being earnest with God on our behalf It is grace and love in the Lord towards us and our love in the utmost extent and latitude of it should be drawn out to him Our hearts should be filled with love that sets his Abrahams to plead for us his fire should kindle ours and cause it to flame and fly upwards Verse 25. Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right Doct. VII THat the Lord Jesus Christ is the Judge of all the Earth So he is styled here in the Text. For opening of which let me shew 1. How it does appear that he is the Judge 2. In what respects he is the Judge of all the earth as Abraham styles him 3. What manner of Judge he is 4. Why he is such a Judge 5. The Vses Q. 1. How does it appear that he is the Judge Ans 1. A Judge rides in Circuit as it is said of Samuel 1 Sam. 7.16 and so other Judges do So does the Lord Jesus he goes his Circuit and judgeth in all places there 's no place on Earth or Sea but he attends the Office of a Judge in it even in this world he is judging some or other every day and is going in Circuit all the world over But this is not mainly nor principally intended though not altogether excluded in this Title that Abraham gives unto the Lord for Psal 94.2 the Psalmist prayes Lift up thy self thou Judge of the earth render a reward to the proud Even in this world he judgeth every where 2. A Judge judgeth at the place of judgement so does Christ and that is in the Clouds Mat. 26.64 there his Throne is to be expected and it will be a glorious Throne Mat. 25.31 3. A Judge judgeth at the time appointed for judgement so does Christ Acts 17.31 and so Rom. 2.16 he speaks of the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ Hence also it is that so frequent mention is made of the Day of Judgement and the Last day Joh. 12.48 and the judgement of the great day Jude 6. 4. A Judge hears all Evidences and judgeth according to them so does Christ according to the evidence of mens Conscience accusing or excusing Rom. 2.15 16. 5. A Judge judgeth according to Law so does Christ judge at the last day according to the Law that he hath given Rom. 2.16 Joh. 12.48 The word that I speak to you shall judge you at the last day 6. A Judge passeth Sentence of Absolution and of Condemnation according to the condition of the persons that are judged so does Christ Mat. 25.34 41. 7. A Judge sees to the putting of his Sentence in Execution so does Christ Mat. 25.46 These shall go away into everlasting punishment but the Righteous into life eternal Quest 2. In what respects is he the Judge of all the Earth Ans 1. In that all Nations of the Earth that ever were are or shall be shall be gathered before him Mat. 25.32 2 Cor. 5.10 2. In that all Souls and ranks of men upon the Earth in what Age of the world soever they have lived shall be judged by him the greatest Kings and Emperours of the Earth shall not escape Rom. 14.10 3. In that every particular man must give an account of himself to God Rom. 14.12 which shews that he is the Judge of all the Earth none are exempted 4. In that all of each Sex shall come to judgement the weaker Sex as well as the stronger women as well as men the word All comprehends them as well as others 5. In that all of all Ages must stand before him old and young children youth men of riper years yea those that stoop for age This the word All holds out also 2 Cor. 5.10 Eccles 11.9 6. In that all of all Callings must appear before him Magistrates Ministers Merchants Tradesmen Marriners Husbandmen Lawyers all of every Vocation Occupation and Calling to this or that Imployment must stand before him Paul told the Scholars at Athens that they must be judged Acts 17.31 7. In that all that live idlely without a Calling must appear The Athenians and strangers there spent their time in hearing and telling some new thing and in nothing else Acts 17.21 and these Paul tells Christ will be Judge to ver 31. So all other idle persons that spend their time in gaming and other loose walking must come to judgement 8. In that all of all conditions good and had the righteous and the wicked must be judged by him Eccles 3.17 9. In that all that have been corrupt Judges and have passed unrighteous Sentences in Judgement-seats must be judged by him as Eccles 3.16 17. Judges on Earth must be judged another day and if in the place of Righteousness there hath been Wickedness that will be reserved for another hearing where Bribes will take no place 10. In that all the nearest and dearest Relations must compeer before him Husbands and Wives Parents and Children Ministers and People Masters and Servants Tutors and Pupils and whatever other Relations can be named all must have Him to be their Judge So that Abraham might well style him The Judge of all the Earth Quest 3. What manner of Judge is he Ans 1. A Righteous Judge 2 Tim. 4.8 hence Acts 17.31 He shall judge the world in Righteousness 2. A Dreadful Judge to his enemies Luke 19.27 He will speak dreadfully look dreadfully deal dreadfully with them Mat. 25.41 3. A Comfortable Judge to his friends to those he is a Friend and Saviour to Mat. 25.34 4. A Wise Judge There are some wise Judges upon earth but none like him Solomon was a wise Judge 1 Kings 3 24-27 but none like him for wisdome that styles himself Greater then Solomon 5. An Vnerring Judge Other Judges may erre
upon their Seats of Justice but there is no errour in him no obliquity no iniquity with the Lord no accepting of persons nor taking of gifts 2 Chron. 19.7 Bribes may blinde men and lead them out of the way of righteousness but God regards not gifts he cannot be blinded by them though men may He cannot erre in judgement 6. A Pitiful Judge Some Judges on Earth have been so pitiful as that they never condemned any but they have wept over them but no Judge on earth like him for pity See how he wept over Jerusalem when he foresaw her judgement afar off Luke 13.34 7. A Royal Judge such a Judge as is a King Mat. 25.34 Other Judges may be great men but they are not Kings but he is a King sitting in judgement 8. An All-seeing Judge that knows all hearts Rev. 2.23 and therefore cannot be deceived with vain pretexts and put off with excuses that have nothing in them 9. A Patient Judge that will hold on judging till the work be ended Hence the day of Judgement is called The great day as in other respects so in regard of the length of it as Junius observes which holds out the Judge's patience in seeing all done before he end the work Quest 4. Why is he the Judge of all the Earth Ans 1. From the Father who 1. hath designed him to this work Acts 17.31 2. Knows when it will be Mat. 24.36 3. Hath committed all judgement to him Joh. 5.22 4. Aims at the honour of the Son in so doing ver 23. 2. From Christ himself 1. He hath suffered and is therefore thus honoured Phil. 2.8 9.2 He had the promise of this made to him long before he suffered Isa 53.11 12. 3. He is the one Law-giver and therefore the whole Scripture is called The word of Christ Col. 3.16 and being the Law-giver it 's meet he should be Judge also 4. He is our Advocate with the Father and is called Jesus Christ the Righteous 1 Joh. 2.1 and the more righteous he is the fitter he is to be the Judge Obj. But how did Abraham know him to be the Judge of all the Earth so long before his Incarnation Ans 1. Why not as well as Enoch that was long before him Jude ver 14 15. 2. Abraham was called the friend of God Jam. 2.23 and had it revealed to him as we reveal much to friends 3. The Lord knew not how to hide other secrets from him Gen. 18.17 and therefore not this 4. Abraham was an heavenly-minded man Heb. 11.10 that had in his eye a blessed state of glory and could not but know that there was a judgement to come and that He it was that was the Judge of all the Earth Vse 1. for Information 1. We see the great dignity that the Lord Christ is exalted to after his deep humiliation He is the Judge of all the Earth the Father highly honours him After sufferings comes the greatest dignity they usher in glory Luke 24.26 the Father as a reward of his deep abasement advanceth him to this height of honour to be Judge of all the Earth 2. We see that all the Earth had need stand in awe of him for he is the Judge of all the earth especially all wicked ones of the earth Guilty Malefactors fear their Judge so should all the guilty ones of the earth fear this great Judge and not onely they but others also that expect favour from him Psal 4.4 3. We see that the greatest Kings and Judges of the Earth had need be wise and submit themselves to him that is the Judge of all the Earth Psal 2.10 11 12. for he will one day call them to an account and they must stand before the Judge of all the Earth He respecteth not the person of Princes but will call them to the Barre of his Tribunal as well as other men They are all the work of his hands and he will be a Judge to them all He will make no difference between Silks and Leather between Cloth of Gold and the vilest Raiment Men may make difference between great ones and others but the Judge of all the Earth cannot will not they must bow the knee to him as well as other stoop to him kiss him and make obeisance to him 4. We see that the Patriarks of old did not onely know that there was to be a day of judgement but had serious thoughts and meditations of it and knew who the Judge of all the Earth was Thus Abraham and Enoch the seventh from Adam even in the beginning of the world prophecieth of the End of the world and of the Day of Judgement Jude ver 14 15. and if they had such serious thoughts of that day how much more should we upon whom the ends of the world are come We are upon the last hour as John calls it 1 Joh. 2.18 and therefore our thoughts and looks and longings and breathings should be after that and we should meditate much of this Judge's coming They that have but a short time to think of a serious matter had need to think intensely and seriously of it so we of the Judges coming 5. We see what preparation we should all make to meet the Judge at his coming There is great preparation for the coming of other Judges at the Assize Oh how then should we prepare for his coming who is Judge of all the Earth especially considering that the time is short that is allotted to us They that have a great work to do and a very little time to do it in had need bestirre themselves so had we in this solemn work of fitting our selves for the coming of this great Judge we should not let him finde us without our dress but be in readiness Mat. 24.44 A Spouse prepares for her Husbands coming so should we for Christs coming 6. We see that all the Earth have need to make Supplication to their Judge All sorts and ranks of men upon earth had need desire and earnestly intreat that he may be a merciful Judge to them and in this day of grace that they may find grace in his sight There are those that at the Assize will supplicate the Judge and earnestly cry Good my Lord Good my Lord shew mercy to a poor Prisoner but they speak too late So at the last day there will be those that will say Lord Lord and intreat for mercy Mat. 7.21 22 23. but the time is past they come too late and so finde no favour That that we must do in this kinde must be done while the day of grace lasts as it is 2 Cor. 6.2 Heb. 3.7 If the door be shut if the date be out it is not Lord Lord open unto us that will serve the turn Vse 2. for Terrour to all the Earth that have no interest in this Judge that do nothing but provoke this Judge and cast reproach upon him how will they do to stand before him in the great day of his appearing
If Malefactors should rail upon an earthly Judge and cast dirt and dishonour upon him could such expect any favour How then can it be that they should finde any favour that rail upon the Judge of all the Earth and throw dirt and dishonour upon this glorious and dreadful One Vse 3. for Humiliation to the Saints that are too inordinately afraid of the day of Judgement why should they when their Redeemer is to be their Judge He that hath bought them with his Blood and paid such a Ransome for them will not cast them away that he hath paid so dearly for Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To honour this Judge and let all the Earth do it Other Judges are honourable and have honour put upon them Oh how much more then should he 2. To tremble to sin against him Who would provoke and exasperate him that is to be his Judge let all the Earth then fear before him 3. To sue for grace at the Throne of Grace in the day of grace that this Judge may be a Friend to us in the day of Judgement What suits are made to Earthly Judges Oh how much more to him 4. To plead with him to do right as in the Text. But of that more in the next Note 5. To us Ministers to preach the Word to be instant in season out of season as ever we will answer it at the great day of his appearing 2 Tim. 4.1 2. 6. To pray alwayes that we may escape the Judges severity at the last day Luke 21.36 Vse 5. for Consolation 1. To those that he is a Redeemer to this Judge will acquit them 2. That he will take all unrighteous to do that have perverted justice 3. That all the wicked of the earth shalll be judged 4. That all the righteous shall be delivered Verse 25. Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right Doct. VIII THat the Judge of all the Earth cannot but do right and we may plead it with him as he is such a Judge to do right Thus did Abraham Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right For opening of which let me shew 1. Why he cannot but do right 2. Why we are to plead it with him as he is such a Judge to do right 3. The Vses Reasons of the first Branch 1. He cannot but do right because he is a Righteous Judge 2 Tim. 4.8 He is called the just one Acts 7.52 and just Judges do that which is right how much more he 2. Because he loveth Righteousness in us Psal 11.7 and therefore sure he cannot but do right himself That which we love we put in practice we cannot do contrary to what we love so it is with Christ the Judge of all the Earth he loves Righteousness in us and therefore cannot do contrary to what he loves 3. He commands other Judges to do right Deut. 1.16 judge righteously between every man and his brother So 2 Chron. 19.6 7. And he that commands other Judges to do right will certainly do right himself 4. He complains of wrong dealing and of the proceeding of wrong judgement Hab. 1.4 The law is slacked and judgement doth never go forth for the wicked doth compass about the righteous therefore wrong judgement proceedeth Now if the Lord finde fault himself with wrong dealing he cannot do wrong himself but will do right 5. He punisheth those that do pervert judgement and justice The Caldeans were sent against the injustice of the Land of Israel and God took vengeance of them by them with great severity Hab. 1.6 10. Now if the Lord punish iniquity and injustice in men he must needs as Judge of all the Earth do right himself 6. He is with those that are just Judges in the righteous judgement that they pass in their Judgement-seats 2 Chron. 19.6 He is with them to assist them to direct them to protect them to encourage them to uphold them to exalt and honour them to bless them and if so then he cannot but do right himself 7. He respect's no persons takes no gifts cannot be bribed or blinded with rewards Some Judges may but he cannot some others may pervert judgement by such wayes but he will not 2 Chron. 19.7 and therefore he cannot but do right Let men do wrong and deal unjustly and do violence yet this Judge will not cannot he treads never a step but in the way of Righteousness 8. He will bring such to judgement at the great day as have done iniquity in Judgement-seats Eccles 3.16 17. I saw under the Sun sayes Solomon the place of judgement that wickedness was there and the place of righteousness that iniquity was there I said in my heart God shall judge the righteous and the wicked for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work Now if God will be severe against unrighteous Judges at the last day how can it be but that as Judge he must do right himself Reasons of the second Branch Why we are to plead it with him as he is Judge to do right 1. Because it is not meet that his Name should have any dishonour put upon it and therefore we are to plead with him to do right for if he could possibly do any iniquity which he cannot it would reflect dishonour upon him Petit. 1. in Mat. 6.9 2. Because if he did not right he could not judge the world it is essential to his Office of being Judge to do righteously Rom. 3.5 6. and that we may plead with him 3. Because his honour is exalted by doing right If Righteousness exalt a Nation then much more the Judge of all Nations and therefore we may well plead it with him 4. Because all mouthes are stopped when right is done It is so when Judges on earth do right they that would cavil cannot tell how to do it So it is when the Judge of all the Earth does right then no man dare open his mouth against him 5. Because when this Judge doth right there will be loud acclamations made As when a King upon the Throne judgeth righteously all his People will sound forth his praise so when this King judgeth righteously all will sing aloud his praise Psal 98. throughout 6. Because when he doth right he will be feared It is said of Solomon when he did that that was right between the two women that contended about the living and dead childe that All Israel heard of the judgement that the King had judged and they feared the King 1 Kin. 3.28 Oh how will then the Judge of all the Earth when he does right be feared of all his people and this we may well plead Vse 1. for Information 1. We see how unlike they are to Jesus Christ that sit on judgement-seats and do not that which is right but pervert judgement and no not execute justice in the earth There are those that will turn aside the right of the poor and will not help the afflicted in the gate
but will deal unrighteously when it is in the power of their hand to help and succour helpless ones The Judge of all the Earth cannot but do right Oh how little then do these resemble him He shines with the rayes and beams of his Righteousness but they have not so much as one beam of this Sun to shine forth with but are black and dark all over and covered with Injustice as the sky is covered with thick Clouds and darkness In stead of putting on righteousness and being clothed with it as Job speaks Job 29.14 and making judgement a robe and a diadem they put on unrighteousness and tye it fast as a garment to them Many such there are in the world but they have nothing of the Image of Christ upon them The Judge of all the Earth cannot but do right 2. We see that this Judge will cause all unjust Judges to stand before His Judgement-seat and pass a righteous Sentence upon them Though they would do no right yet they shall have right and justice from him at the great day of his appearing Then he will reckon with them for all their cruelty and injustice for all the wrong that they have done to his poor ones for all the tricks and querks that they have devised to put off Law and Justice and Equity then they shall hear his righteous Sentence pronounced upon them and feel the stroke of his righteous hand against them The Judge of all the Earth that doth right will pay them for all their wrong they have done and the proudest of them shall know it Eccles 3.16 17. 3. We see what all their Bribery will come to that they have perverted justice by and all the Gifts they have been blinded with to go out of the way of Righteousness with the Judge of all the Earth that doth right will reward them according to their works Those Bribes that they have taken will be fire to consume all they leave behinde them Job 15.34 and kindle hell fire by the breath of God against them to consume them to all eternity Bribes are to them as the Worm was to Jonas's gourd that smote it and withered it they smite and wither their Estates Names Families Bodies and Souls and bring ruine and destruction upon them for ever 4. We see what need Kings and all the Judges of the Earth have to be wise and to kiss the Son for he that is Judge of all the Earth cannot but do right and they shall have right and justice from him as well as other men If they honour him not obey him not yield not homage and subjection to him live not according to his Laws lay not down their Crowns and Scepters and Robes at his feet if their Laws be contrary to his and their Sentences that they pronounce in their judgement-seats come cross to the right Rules of his holy Word in clearing the guilty and oppressing the innocent without a cause let them know that this Judge will do right to them in condemning them and there is no respect of persons with him 5. We see that surely he will not slay the Righteous with the Wicked in the day of the destruction of the Wicked for the Judge of all the Earth cannot but do right he will put a difference between the one and the other he will not consume Gold and dross together But of that we spake before 6. We see that we may not marvel though sometimes temporal afflictions befall the righteous and wicked ones escape for the Judge of all the Earth cannot but do right in all his dispensations to his own dear ones Something he sees that it is just with him to afflict them for and it is in love and faithfulness to them and they see it Psal 119.75 and for the wicked that escape these there 's more behinde for them and they shall have right done them in another manner they are reserved men to another day and for another time 2 Pet. 2.9 Job 21.30 and those afflictions of the Righteous are but as the prickings of a pin compared with the punishment of the damned in Hell which shall be stung with Scorpions to all eternity 7. We see what love we owe to the Lord Jesus that is the Judge that cannot but do right All men love such a Judge as does right to every man Oh what love then is this Judge worthy of that cannot but do right to all Every one sayes Solomon shall kiss his lips that gives a right answer Prov. 24.26 and if so how should we in way of love kiss those blessed lips that as a Judge gives a right answer and cannot but do right in all his dispensations of himself to us 8. We see what cause we have to speak good of his Name All men speak well of such a Judge as does right to all his name is renowned all the Country over his fame spreads all a Kingdome over Oh how well should we then speak of the Judge of all the Earth how renowned should his Name be how should his Fame spread all the world over that cannot but do right to all we should make his Name to be remembred to all generations Psal 45.17 9. We see that if we would be like to him we must do right to all we converse with do right to them in their Names take need we wrong them not there Exod. 23.1 Thou shalt not raise a false report Do right to them in their Estates take heed we wrong them not there 1 Thess 4.6 Do right to them in their Families take heed of wronging them there Do right to them in their Consciences take heed of wronging them there impose nothing upon them there that Conscience cannot bear Conscience like the Eye is a tender thing and may not be touched too hard beware of this Do right to them in their Callings and Conditions of life give Magistrates that that is their due in honour obedience homage and support in their places Titus 3.1 Give Ministers their due 1 Tim. 5.17 take heed we wrong them not in reference to their Callings and so we are to do them right every way if we would be like to the Judge of all the Earth that cannot but do right 10. We see that they that do not right shall not have him a Friend to them be they who they will be They that wrong their Brethren in their Names Estates Families or any other way shall be sure to have him to be an Avenger to them He cannot be a Friend to any but such as do right to every one that they have occasion to converse with and to have the Judge of all the Earth to be our Friend will be worth something at the great day of his appearing Vse 2. for Terrour 1. To all injurious wrongful-dealing persons that know not how to do right but all the wrong that ever they can invent they are willing to do against those that deserve well at their hands Oh
I will speak but this once 7. We see what a sad imprecation that is that we reade of Psal 109.7 Let his prayer become sin For Prayer-sins have great guilt in them and godly men of all other sins wish that they may not displease the Lord by them 8. We see what our duty is when we come to pray before the Lord to look to it that our prayers be pure and undefiled prayers that God may not finde any thing in them that may provoke him to be angry with us for them 9. We see that to displease God when we pray to him argues that we do not pray in faith for this prime Believer Abraham is very tender of displeasing him Oh sayes he let not the Lord be angry and I will speak yet but this once 10. We see that we may not wonder that unbelievers when they pray get nothing of the Lord Jam. 1.6 7. for how should they when they displease him when they pray to him Vse 2. for Terrour to those that provoke the Lord in praying to him they are unbelievers and in a state of damnation Mark 16.16 Joh. 3.36 if it be frequent Vse 3. for Humiliation to those of the Saints that are not so tender of displeasing the Lord as they ought to be when they pray to him these forget Abraham their father and trace not his steps in a way of believing as they ought or at least come not up to that pitch of it that they should aspire after Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To be ashamed of our Prayer-sins that so displease him Who would displease a Prince that petitions to him and looks for any great matter from him 2. To shew our selves Heirs of Abrahams faith by being tender of displeasing the Lord when we pray to him 3. To exalt Grace when the Lord accepts our Prayers and is not angry with us for them 4. To love the Lord for his regarding of them Psal 116.1 for our Prayers have their spots and are defiled the best of them 5. To take heed of those sins that displease God when we pray to him They have been formerly mentioned and need not be again spoken of 6. To long for the time when we shall displease him no more Verse 33. And the Lord went his way after he had left communing with Abraham And Abraham returned unto his place Doct. XXXI THat when Believers have been praying to the Lord and have received gracious answers to the requests that they have put up to him he then allows them to go about their other lawful occasions and businesses that they have to do So we see here after Abraham had ended his Prayer then the Lord went his way and Abraham returned to his place God allowed him to go about his ordinary occasions Though Prayer be an acceptable service and that that we should be frequent and serious in yet the Lord would have us do something else besides this and not spend all our time in this duty but fall to some other work As we must be fervent in Spirit serving the Lord so we must not be slothful in business Rom. 12.11 Our particular Callings must be attended as well as our generall we must have regard principally to the duties of Gods Worship but withall must look to our other Concernments in the matters of this life and holy duties such as Prayer is must give way to them Reasons 1. From the Lord. 2. From our selves 3. From our other outward occasions and imployments First From the Lord. 1. He hath enjoyned and appointed to every one that they should be in some Calling and that they should abide therein 1 Cor. 7.20 24. the greatest on Earth are not exempted The Magistrate is to attend to his great Work Rom. 13.6 the Minister to his Acts 20.28 2 Tim. 4.1 2. 1 Pet. 5.2 and so of the rest There 's none must think to live an idle life without a Calling he hath appointed to every man his work Mark 13.34 he is the great Lord and Master that hath set every one his task he will have us all be up and doing We must not any of us think to live and do nothing but to be busily imployed in our Callings for him 2. He hath of old shadowed out this to us under the Law the clean beasts were not onely to chew the cud but to divide the hoof Levit. 11.3 Now this dividing the hoof holds out our right dividing between our general and particular Calling and that one should not cross or interfere with another but diligently and carefully to attend the duties of both Our general Calling and the duties of it must not justle out our particular Calling nor our particular Calling must not justle out the duties of our general Calling but we must divide aright between them 3. He reproves Idleness in our particular Callings as in that Parable Mat. 20.6 and therefore would have us diligently employed and faithfully busie in our Callings that he hath set us in 4. He abhors Idleness being one of Sodoms sins which provoked him to rain fire and brimstone upon them to destroy them Ezek. 16.49 Gen. 19.24 and to send them to Hell to suffer the vengeance of eternal fire Jude ver 7. 5. He is ever at work himself he is alwayes doing working Creating work Providential work he is never idle but full of activity pure act Joh. 5.17 and therefore his will sure is that we should work The Servants must not be idle when the Master is at work So here 6. He hath put activity in the other Creatures The Angels how full of activity are they and therefore are described to have wings to fly with Isa 6.2 and they rest not day nor night but are alwayes busily imployed in Heaven and in Earth and where-ever their Commission is to do any work for the Lord. The Sun never stands still but is as a Bridegroom coming out of his chamber and rejoyceth as a strong man to run a race Psal 19.5 And the like may be said of the other Celestiall Bodies they are in continual motion and alwayes casting forth their influences The Sea is working constantly ebbing and flowing and bearing those great burthens of Ships and other Vessels upon its back and carrying them hither and thither from one Country to another and is in motion by producing such innumerable Creatures as are therein and by Leviathan playing therein Psal 104.25 26. The Earth though it stand still yet is it not idle being the Theatre of all the Acts that are done by the sons of men and specially because it is the breeder and feeder of all the active Creatures that are upon it and because it is unwearied in bearing seed and fruits and herbs and grass and corn c. The Springs and Fountains are ever working and bubling up their water The Bee is a busie and laborious Creature and so is the Ant that little Creature and therefore Solomon adviseth the sluggard to go to her to