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
sing Psalms unto him â—alk you of all his wondrous works glory ye in his holy name â—e ye mindful always of his covenant shew forth from day to day his Salvation declare his glory among the Heathen â—is marvellous works among all Nations for great is the Lord and greatly to be pâ—aised he also is to be feared above all Gods glory and honour are in his presence strength and gladness are in his place give unto the Lord ye kindreds of the people glory and strength Now there is no giving of strengâ—… to him that is Almighty already but it is only 〈◊〉 speak out that he is so Give unto the Lord the glory dâ—… unto his name 1 Chron. 16. In short it is to acknowledâ—… and speak out of the glory of God and to give thanâ—… and praise to his Holy Name Provided always thâ—… this be done by those who have their conversation ordâ—…ed aright who are of clean lips and obedient heart for therefore it is that those cautionary expressions are heâ—… necessarily intermingled and incerted in this song of praiâ—… Be ye mindful always of his Covenant he is also to be fearâ—… above all Gods intimating thereby that unless people aâ—… also mindfull of his Covenant and fear God above aâ—… other things they cannot then give thanks unto tâ—… Lord nor yet sing Psalms unto him nor declare 〈◊〉 glory nor yet praise him so as for God to be please therewith and accept thereof If we fear any thing â—bove God that is our God also O Lord our God othâ—… Lords besides thee have had dominion over us but by thâ— only will we make mention of thy name It is written of Abraham Who against hope believed 〈◊〉 hope that he might become the father of many nations â—…cording to that which was spoken so shall thy seed be Aâ—… being not weak in faith he considered not his own body noâ— dead when he was about an hundred years old neither yâ— the deadness of Sarah's womb he staggered not at the promâ—… of God through unbelief but was strong in faith giving gloâ—… unto God and being fully perswaded that what he had promâ—sed he was able also to perform From all which maâ— be gathered that to firmly believe and be fully peâ—swaded that such a thing shall come to pass althougâ— according to humane reason it is unlikely to come 〈◊〉 pass provided always that we have the word and promise of God for it as here Abraham had this also 〈◊〉 a giving glory unto God when the thing seems impossible according to the course of Nature as it was in thâ— instance here given Yet here to believe that God both caâ— and also will perform the same this is a Giving glory unto God for it gives God the glory of his truth and the glory of his Almighty power This thing if it be rightly and throughly understood 〈◊〉 Mystery both to the people of the World and also 〈◊〉 the outward Worshippers for as to them at this day â—…en Moses is read and so it is when the Gospel of Christ â—ead The vail is upon their Hearts The written word 〈◊〉 God and the manner of the Dispensation of his â—…gdom towards us is a Mystery It is given unto 〈◊〉 those of the Discipleship to know the mysteries of the â—…ngdom of Heaven Mat. 13. 11. The mystery of God should â—…nished as he hath declared to his servants the prophets 〈◊〉 10. 7. But that part of this mystery which I would 〈◊〉 just mention is that although all Scripture was given â—…nspiration of God and is true and will be fulfilled to â—…ry tittle thereof yea the Truth and Power and Honoâ—… of God do all stand engaged to fulfill all and every â—…t of this same word and God himself hath born â—…ness to it both with signs and wonders and with divers â—…acles and gifts of the Holy Ghost according to his own 〈◊〉 So that we ought to believe it all to be true and â—…t it shall all be fulfilled or we make God a liar if 〈◊〉 believe not the Record which God gave of his Son â—…o saith Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my â—…ds shall not pass away Yet still God being willing to â—…ve and exercise the faith of his Servants and also the mixt multitude of people concerning it hath so â—…ered and suffered it to come to pass Behold herein 〈◊〉 Wisdom and Mystery of God that some things â—…ich this his word of truth speaks of should seem â—…e falsified They are not falsified indeed but only â—…y seem to be so on set purpose to prove to the utâ—…st degree the faith of people herein If they do reâ—… their faith therein nevertheless then it is a giving â—…ry unto God But if an evil heart of unbelief is in â—…m like Cleopas and those with him who said we â—…sted it had been he which should have Redeemed Israel 〈◊〉 seeing and hearing of his miracles in his life time 〈◊〉 when he was put to death like a malefactor than 〈◊〉 their hopes were blasted their faith withered and â—ny might probably say it is all come to nothing â—is and the like is not a giving glory unto God And so a root of unbelief springs up in the heaâ—… many whereby they are defiled For there are in â—… last days many infidels in heart who say Where iâ— promise of his coming for since the Fathers fell aslâ—… things continue as they were since the beginning of the â—…tion And so there are many who although they profess Christianity partly to conform to the faâ—… and custom of the Country they live in or for seâ— ends or to provide for and against the doubtful uncertâ—… if they be of the more considering sort yet they dâ—… the main disbeleive the truth of Revealed Religion But all these do err not knowing the Scripture and pâ—… of God nor yet the way and manner of the dispenâ—… on of his Kingdom towards us Men for they do know throughly how that God doth prove the faiâ—… Mankind all one as the manners of Mankind As he prove them to know what is in their heart whether they keep his Commandments or no Deut. 8. 2. So he â—… Hide his face from them to see what their end shall be they are a very froward generation Children in whom â—… faith Deut. 32. 20. So he doth prove them likewise whiâ—… they will give any credence to his word which saith shall be so but in the mean while God orders and fers it to be so on set purpose that seemingly conâ—… and unexpected events happen and fall out So thâ—… meer natural Man would be apt to think and say it never be so as the word and promise of God saiâ— shall be Examples hereof are common in Scripture So it in the case of Abraham to whom Jsaac was promâ—… in his old Age that Sarah his Wife laughed at the likelihood thereof for which she received a check reproof from the Angel who brought the messagâ—… any thing
and the Devil Captive which before did lead and hold People in captivity who from their inslaving Nature are here expressed not to be only Captivating Men but they are Captivity it self in the Abstract Intimating thereby that these who are under the power of Satan For so the Scripture expresses it to turn from Darkness unto Light and from the power of Satan unto God they are in the utmost Captivity yea worse than that is of those that are bound with Chains and Fetters although these are seen but the others are to be understood and felt by such who are in the Bond of Iniquity Acts 9. 23. For Sin iniquity and lust are as a Chain or Bond which doth hold and hamper People therein that they know not yea they cannot without Christ that strengtheneth them get out and extricate themselves from it Now as Jesus doth save his People from their sins he doth in this sense Preach deliverance to the Captives and set at liberty them that are bound and Redeem them who for their Iniquities had sold themselves Isa 50. 1. Even unto the Devil and Hell the place of Damnation and eternal Punishment And having spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them The Principalities and Powers here meant are the Principalities of the other World the Powers of Darkness and the Devil who is the Prince of the Power of the Air Here Jesus Christ is said to have spoiled the Principality and Power of the Devil which he hath done to such as are Christs for over such the Devil hath no Principality or Power and triumphed over them in himself so that since he hath Redeemed ransomed and preserved us from all the evil and terrible things of the future and invisible world which we immediatly enter into by Death And then we may be willing contended and desirous to dye when we are assured before hand that God hath by his Son Jesus Christ Redeemed us from all the Power of the Enemy and from all the evil things of the other World So that nothing there shall in the least hurt us much less torment and make us miserable And thus these two Expressions Lord lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace according to thy word for mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation Into thine hand I commit my Spirit thou hast Redeemed me O Lord God of truth do fall in and meet together near to same sense and meaning even according to the requiring and earnest desire of the reasonable Creature who would fain not be miserable hereafter The one signifies to be saved and the other to be Redeemed from the wrath to come which are one and the same thing The consequence again is certain if we are saved from the wrath to come then we shall enjoy the Blessedness come ye Blessed of my Father to come as the Scripture saith Whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of fire So it may be reasoned on the other side whosoever shall not be cast into the Lake of fire shall enter into Life so that if we are saved and Redeemed from the Lake of fire we shall enter into life and everlasting happiness Now seeing that the decree of God standeth on this wise we may upon very good reasons not only say so contentedly but also really assent unto the same in our minds being contented willing and desirous from the ground of our heart that it should be so Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace for mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation into thine hand I â—ommit my Spirit thou hast Redeemed me O Lord God of truth The third true and assured ground of a contentment willingness and desire to dye is when we have glorified God on the Earth and finished the work which he gave us 〈◊〉 do Even every one that is called by my name For I have created him for my Glory I have formed him yea I have made him this People have I formed for my self they shall â—hew forth my praise Isa 43. 7 21. Thou art worthy O Lord to receive Glory and Honour and Power for thou hast Created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were Created Rev. 4. 11. Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit John 15. 8. From all these Scriptures considered together it appears that the end and intent of God's creating People is for his own Glory and Praise and that he might have fruit from them or that they should bring forth fruit unto God For the Son of Man is as a Man â—aking a far journey who left his House and gave Authoriâ—… to his Servants and to every Man his Work and commanded the Porter to watch Mark 13. 34. And so it may be conceived after the same similitude of things that Almighty God the great Creator who is now in Heaven the habitation of his Holiness which is afar off and many Millions of miles distance But the Earth his house or one â—art of the House of his Creation He hath left and â—ave to the Children of Men and gave Authority to his â—ervants as Rulers and Ministers have For none are so 〈◊〉 to have Authority as those who are indeed the Serâ—nts of God And to every Man his work and commanded the Porter to watch so that every Man hath received his work from God for him to do and finish on this Earth And accordingly as he doth and finisheth this work here on Earth he can both surrender back his â—pirit and also give up his account with joy and not with grief which would be unprofitable for him Now what is it to glorifie God here on Earth I anâ—wer in General It is to observe to do the statutes and â—udgements of the Lord God of our Fathers in the Land â—hich he giveth us to possess it all the days we live upon Earth Deut. 12. 1. To fear God and keep his Commandments is to be our constant business and work all our life long but there being divâ—rsuies of gifts but the same Spirit and there are differences of Administrations but it is the same God that worketh all in all But the Manifestation of the Spirit is given to every Man to profit withall 1 Cor. 12. 4. 5. 6 7 This spake he signifying by what Death he should Glorifie God John 21. 19. And so according as there are diversities of gifts and differences of operations in People and as one glorifies God by his Death one way and another another So there are divers ways and different manners of Glorifying God according to the several cases circumstances conditions or rather according to the several gifts and endowments in People By what Death he should Glorifie God Now in Death there is bitterness and hardship it being the hardest and most terrible thing in the world to dye from hence we gather that when we poor Creatures submit or subject our selves to hardship or difficulty either in obedience to
the Commandments of God or according to the decree and appointment of God this is a glorifying God and God is Glorifyed thereby When Christ his only begotten Son came to taste of that bitter Cup he saith Now is my Father glorified but for this hour came I into the World In the divers kinds of Death some are more shameful and painful then others as to be hanged on a Gallows or Gibbet or to be nailed on the Cross is more shameful and painful than to dye of a common Disease in our Bed yet from hence it follows that as Jesus Christ our Lord and forerunner was made a curse of God for us as cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree And as himself who suffered for us leaving us an example that we should follow his steps did herein undergo both the pain and the shame therefore the more painful and shameful the Death is provided always that it be in a way of duty and in obedience unto or keeping the Commandments of God So much the more God is glorified thereby Which consideration if it be throughly weighed in our minds should make us earnestly desire Martyrdom and not to be afraid of or decline from it Hence it follows that to take up the Cross yea to take up the Cross daiâ—y saith Christ He that taketh not up the Cross daily â—annot be my Disciple Which is to cross and do conâ—rary to our Natural Inclinations this also is a gloriâ—ying God and God is so much the more glorified According as so much the more the Cross is taken up From hence again it follows on the contrary that where a thing is easie and customary God is not alâ—ogether so much glorified thereby To go on in a course of outward and perfunctory Worship when the Worshippers at the same time commit Sin Iniquity Transâ—ression and Hypocrisy God is not at all glorified â—hereby yea he is rather dishonoured according to â—hat is written Thou that makest thy boast of the law â—hrough breaking of the law dishonourest thou God For the â—ame of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you â—s it is written Rom. 2 23. 24 And when they entred â—nto the heathen whither they went they prophaned my holy â—ame when they said to them these are the people of the â—ord and are gone forth out of his land Ezek. 36. 20. And so Hypocritical Worshippers give great occasion as Nathan told David he did by his Sins of Adultery and â—urther to the Enemies of the Lord to Blaspheme By giviâ—g occasion to the lewd and prophane sort or to the â—eople of the World to cry out and say these be your â—eligions who do such abominable and evil things â—nd it gives occasion to think as if the God whom â—hey pretend and outwardly seem to Worship and serve â—ere altogether such as themselves Psal 50. 21. Or as 〈◊〉 his Commandments which are Holy just and good â—nd Religion did teach and allow them to do such evil â—nd shameful things And many shall follow their perniâ—ous ways by Reason of whom the way of truth shall be Evil â—oken of 2 Pet. 2. 2. In verse 14. They are called curâ—d Children as indeed cursed are all they that err from â—is Commandments Instead of bringing glory unto God â—s they would seem by their outward Worship like â—em that bended the knee and cryed hail Master and yet crucified him so do these Crucifie the Lord of Gloâ— afresh and put him to an open shame Of such it is said What judgment of a long timâ— lingreth not and their damnaâ—… on slumbreth not Hypocrites are ranked in their coâ—demnation before unbelievers Said Jesus Christ who to be judge of all the Earth and therefore knows hoâ—… it will go at the last day Give him his Portion with Hâ—… pocrites and unbelievers Now an Hypocrite is one who outwardly Worshiâ—… God whereby he seems to be Religious and yet at â—… same time lives in the continued breach of his Coâ—… mandments Like as a stage Player acts the Person another then really himself is Even so the Hypocâ—… acts the Person of another for he seems Religious his constant outward Worship and to be an obediâ—… Servant of God when in truth he is neither If Man among you seemeth to be Religious and bridleth his Tongue but deceiveth his own Heart A true scription of an Hypocrite for none deceives his oâ—… Heart so much as he For such take up the outwâ—… Profession out of some hope to go to Heaven when tâ—… will not as well as to get credit and Reputation amoâ—… Men That Mans Religion is vain James 1. 26 Sâ—… may be applied and reasoned as to the neglect or â—… ure in any other duty For all their seeming to be â—…ligious this or that Mans Religion is vain And for his seeming to be an obedient Servant of the Lâ—… God when he despiseth his Word and Commandmâ—… and when he doth according to his own will and â—…mour any Law or Ordinance of God to the contâ—… notwithstanding when he transgresseth this or that â—…cept according as his pleasure or profit swayes and â—…clines him Even knowing and understanding Men â—… plainly see and discern his Hypocrisy and Dissimulaâ—… herein much more will the alwise God who is a Goâ— knowledge and by him actions are weighed Who searâ—… the Heart and tryes the Reins to render unto every â—… according to his ways and according to the fruit oâ—…doings Men may yea they do deceive their own sâ—… and others also But they can never deceive God â—… â—…o the alwise God will never be imposed upon as if â—…ch did serve and Honour him notwithstanding all â—…eir outward Pretences who do in truth dishonour him â—nd make his name polluted and evil thought of and â—…il spoken of among the Heathen or ungodly sort of â—ankind I have heard it related concerning the Turks that then they have promised a thing if they are asked to â—…nfirm it further by writing they will answer with â—…dignation Do ye think that I am a Christian to falsify â—… word that I must be forced to perform it by giving somewhat â—…derhand For they observe more truth and just dealing between Man and Man when it is only by word of mouth â—…en many called Christians but worse then heathen and â—…fidels in practice for many who name the name of â—rist will falsify their word and bond also when it â—… in their power so to do Which seems to be to the utter â—ame and reproach of Christianity it self but rather it is â—… the utter shame and reproach of such false pretenâ—ers to Christianity Such who wrongfully take upon â—…emselves the name of Christians do make the name â—… Christ the Lord of Glory evil spoken of amongst 〈…〉 e Turks and unbelievers and it carries a suspicion â—… if the God and Christ whom they seem outwardly â—… serve and worship did teach and allow them in â—…ch falshood and unjust dealing which the soul of â—od hates
fit their Masters use So it is accordingly expected 〈◊〉 us that we work together with his Grace and Sp 〈…〉 which would work in us mightily if we do not rebel 〈◊〉 vex his Holy Spirit that we may become meet re 〈…〉 prepared fit and ripe for God the great proprietou 〈…〉 our Souls who gathereth them up to himself He b 〈…〉 the Father of Spirits and accordingly the faithful speak Into thine hand I commit my Spirit That they 〈◊〉 become also when our Bodies drop into the grave shock of Corn in its season That when it is slipt 〈◊〉 dislodged from the Body it may be such as himself spe 〈…〉 of Behold mine Elect in whom my Soul delighteth 〈◊〉 42. 1. Or which is to the same benefit or significat 〈…〉 for the Lord Jesus who is the Son of God to say 〈◊〉 ye Blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for from the foundation of the World What comfortable w 〈…〉 are here We would unless we be such fools as not to k 〈…〉 the worth thereof give Thousands of Rams and ten T 〈…〉 sand Rivers of oyl yea all we have in the world for assurance thereof But though Rich people have the vantage as to this world they have none as to the wâ—… to come for the corruptible things of Gold and Sâ—… We were not Redeemed by these but by the precious Blood of Lamb of God will not purchase Heaven nor yet pr 〈…〉 the favour of God Which is to be had by no 〈◊〉 way then that of Obedience and Holiness Obey my 〈◊〉 and live An Holy God loves an Holy Soul For thâ—… fore it was that God speaks this of Jesus Christ Behold Servant whom I uphold Mine elect in whom my Soul del 〈…〉 eth Because he than knew from the beginning 〈◊〉 his Son Jesus Christ would finish the work that God 〈◊〉 him to do as Christ makes the return thereof thâ—… had finished it Wherefore when he cometh into world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not a Body hast thou prepared me In burnt offerings and Sâ—… fices for Sin thou hast had no pleasure than said I Lo 〈◊〉 In the volume of the Book it is written of me Tâ—… will O God From which and many other places of â—…pture it may be truly Reasoned that God hath not much pleasure in outward acts of Worship neiâ—…r doth he so much insist upon and require them I 〈◊〉 not reprove thee for thy Sacrifices or thy burnt offerings have been continually before me as in the doing his will â—…is is the chief thing which God requires of Man Hath 〈◊〉 Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and Sacri 〈…〉 as in obeying the voice of the Lord Behold to obey is 〈…〉 r than Sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of Rams â—ow this is true Christianity to imitate Christ For as was the first Born amongst many Brethren so he â—…self saith I have given you an example that you should 〈◊〉 I have done Seeing therefore that Christ did all which 〈◊〉 his Father sent him about and finished his work 〈◊〉 did his will So we ought also severally as we his Creatures but more especially as we profess our â—…es to be the Servants of God For his Servants shall â—e him Do all which he sends us about on this Earth 〈◊〉 finish his Work and do his Will all the days of our 〈◊〉 For 't is not sufficient to be good or godly for a seaâ—… but the promise is To them who by patient continu 〈…〉 in well doing seek for Glory and Honour and Immorta 〈…〉 Eternal Life that towards the end of this present 〈◊〉 we may also make the like comfortable return unto 〈◊〉 I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do 〈◊〉 the other Blessed consequent may be also And now 〈◊〉 I to thee â—o him that shall hear or Read these lines the word â—exhortation saith Go thou and do likewise Be upon 〈◊〉 and finishing the work which God gave thee on 〈◊〉 Earth for to do and finish For if this should be â—…ected Wo unto us for the day goeth away for the shadows â—he Evening are stretched out Thou nor yet I know 〈◊〉 little sand there is the Glass of our life as yet to 〈◊〉 out A great deal of our life is past and the day Immortality is at hand The night is far spent let us â—efore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the â—our of light I say again Be upon the finishing part your work endeavour to have them polished and compleat The Church of Sardis was admonished Be watâ—… ful and strengthen the things which remain that are reâ—… to dye for I have not found thy works perfect before Gâ—… Now this finding fault doth instruct us on the other haâ—… that we should have our works perfect before God which we do endeavour with all our Heart and with all our Sâ—… and all our might God himself will perfect and add uâ— it untill it become acceptable in his sight Being confidâ—… of this very thing that whatever good work he hath beguâ—… any of you he will perform it untill the day of the Lord â—…s And again it is written Lord thou wilt ordain 〈◊〉 for us For thou also hast wrought all our works in us 〈◊〉 der which word peace the things that belong to our pe 〈…〉 are comprehended and included even future Salva 〈…〉 and Glory Who are kept by the power of God thr 〈…〉 faith unto Salvation ready to be revealed in the last tiâ—… Receiving the end of your faith even the Salvation of 〈◊〉 Souls I do hereby exhort the people of this my Gener 〈…〉 on and Country to be upon the finishing part of yâ—… work which God hath given you severally on the E 〈…〉 for to do For so an entrance shall be ministred unto abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord Saviour Jesus Christ Wherefore I will not be negligent to you always in Remembrance of these things though ye 〈◊〉 them and be established in the present truth Yea I think it 〈◊〉 as long as I am in this Tabernacle to stir you up by putting yoâ— Remembrance knowing that shortly I must put off this my â—…bernacle even as our Lord Jesus Christ who is the word of Gâ—… hath shewed me Moreover I will endeavour for which saâ—… reason I desire that this profitable Book of a contentâ—… and willingness to dye may be Printed and Published 〈◊〉 you may be able after my decease to have these things always remembrance And seeing that it is but a very little while fore that I shall certainly depart of from the Stage of 〈◊〉 Earth I commend you to God and to the word of his grâ—… which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritanâ—… mong all them which are Sanctified I commend you also the teaching of the Spirit Lord evermore give us this Brâ—… Lord evermore give us the teaching of thy
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