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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A49289	An alarm to slumbring Christians, or the parable of the wise and foolish virgins and of the talents, sheep and goats; being a plain and practical exposition of the whole XXV chapter of St. Matthews gospel, calling upon all professors to a strict and constant watchfulness, lest their Lord at his certain and second coming, find them not ready, but with their lamps gone out. By Samuel Loveday	Loveday, Samuel, 1619-1677.; Gosnold, John, 1625?-1678.	1675 (1675)	Wing L3231; ESTC R216910	188,072	322

his Vessel in sanctification and honour that is the Vessel that is applied is life Prov. 4.23 keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life We have in these words five Doctrinal conclusions which are as follows First That hypocrisie and sincerity rightly understood is wisdom and folly five wise and five foolish Secondly That among the multitude of Professors that shall be in the last days there are many bad formal Hyppocrites and unwise who shall never possess what they seem to be pursuing Thirdly Bad and good men meet Assemble and go along together in the outward external part of Religion these all have Lamps alike and went together as David Prophesied of Judas in Psal 55.13 my Familiar that went with me to the House of God in Company that eat Bread with me hath lift up his Heel against me Four h●● That the grea distinguishing of one truly and spiritually wise lyeth in the heart one wants it the other hath it in his heart Fifthly that true Spiritual Profession is then in his right order when it is the product of the heart or thus Spiritually Wise Persons are such whose Lips and lives are supplied from the heart Of these in order not truly thorowly to provide for time to come is folly in this sence all sin is folly and all righteousness is wisdom in Solomons Language Fools makes a mock of sin Fools they lay not up for afterwards those Solomon sendeth to the Sluggard to the Ant Prov. 6.6 Go to the Ant thou Sluggard consider her ways and be Wise Solomon telleth us that wisdom excelleth folly as much as light excelleth darkness and how doth he decipher this wisdom the wise man can see his Eyes are in his head The Vse of Instruction from hence First that all sinful people are unwise people though Gods own people see Deut. 32.6 Do ye thus requite the Lord O foolish people and unwise is not he thy Father that hath bought thee hath he not made thee and established thee Oh foolish and unwise a Person not rich in Spirituals is a Fool in Christs Language Luk. 12.21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God A Fool is set out under three Characters First He knoweth not what is good in it self a Swine trampleth upon Pearls Secondly If he doth at any time see or know yet he hath no heart to lay hold of that which is good he hath a prize but no heart to it Prov. 17.16 Thirdly He knoweth not what is good for himself he refuseth that which is best and chooseth that which is worst for him though he think he is wise yet he is a Fool Psal 49.13 This their way i● their folly yet their posterity approve their sayings he is like the Beast there is some men carry it as if they had engrost all the wisdom in the world to themselves yet when it is too late shall see they are Fools VVisd 5.4 we Fools count their lives madness and their ends without honour A word hence First to those without Secondly to those within First to those without Learn to have another and higher esteem of Wisdom remember the truly wise Person is he that provideth for the longest time to come this is wisdom in Christ's account Math. 7.24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him unto a wise Man which built his house upon a Rock Secondly know this that true wisdom is to depart from sin for he is the only wise Man that departs from evil that flyes from sin as from a Serpent Job 28.28 And unto Man he said behold the fear of the Lord that is Wisdom and to depart from evil is understanding Secondly as to those within to poor weak Persons that think themselves unwise and thereupon are under discouragements art thou one of those that have laid up the word of God in thy heart be of good comfort this is true wisdom if thou art also found doing of his Commandments from the heart And know that the wise shall inherit Glory when shame shall be the promotion of Fools as in Prov. 3.35 Secondly Have a special care of placing your wisdom in your obedience to the external parts of Religion this was the evil of the foolish Virgins Now to the second Doctrin That there will be many bad Professors and Church-Members in the latter days sive foolish Virgins I might in this Point have an Eye to Gods antient people in their declined State but I need not Jerem. 5.26 For among my People are found wicked Men. But the truth of this Doctrine will appear by what Christ teacheth in the Parable of the Drag-net cast into the Sea which intendeth the Gospel-Ministry it gathereth bad and good so all the Churches Romans Ephesians Colossians and the seven Churches of Asia five in seven blame-worthy so in the 2 Tim. 3.5 Persons very bad yet holding a form of godliness but what need I look so far back our days confirm this truth too fully and whence it ariseth First From that light that breaketh forth Secondly From the hardness of the work as sins Crucifying throughout Godliness Thirdly It ariseth from Satans more than ordinary industry in the latter days to deceive Take an Use of Caution from this head first have a special care of condemning profession it self because there are so many bad under it and in it Christs little Church consisting of but twelve had one bad even a Son of perdition consider the Church of the Corinthians 1 Epistl 5.6 had very bad Members in it Many men are apt to take advantage from this consideration to keep off from Profession but know that the Profession is true and good though bad men may take it up that will not excuse disobedience to the form of Doctrin But I shall hasten to the third Doctrin That Hypocrites formal Professors and bad Members may meet and match go along with the wisest and best in the external part of Religion this Point I shall not insist upon because it seemeth to border upon the former the truth of this Doctrin is abundantly true if we look into the Old Testament sacrifices fastings solemn meetings the worst was as forward as the best and the Lord had no cause to blame them as to that as you may read Psal 50.8 I will not reprove thee for try sacrifices or burnt offerings to have been continually before me and further in Isaiah 58 2. compared with Isaiah 1.11 they sate before him as his people as in Ezekiel 33.31 the Hypocrites in Christs time were found in three choice duties at least in the outward part as Prayer Fasting Alm as in Math. 6. and the first six ver thus I pass this third Doctrin And now we come to the fourth Doctin which was this That the great distinguishing Character that discovereth the wise from the foolish Professor it lyeth in the heart the wise had Oyl in their

reject them with a Depart I know you not My dear and Christian Friends who are entred into the race and are aiming at the Crown so run that ye may obtain it is not every running will serve neither is it the best of running will serve if not persevered in to the end the Galatians did run well yet ceast too soon the very best of Professors had need to set these awakening considerations before their Eyes in this back sliding sleeping slumbring day wherein the best of Virgins if not fallen into a dead sleep yet they slumber they all slumbred and slept and let the consideration of the miscarrying of the former Churches awaken us in time What became of the seven Churches of Asia and the former Apostolical Churches is not their Glory laid in the dust long ago Now as formality without life and power was the very thing that prepared the Church of the Jews Gods circumcised Church for casting out of his presence as a dead Carcase so the same formality was the ruin of these first Churches as we may perceive For this is a certain truth that by how much the nearer any sort of Persons come to God in his worship and yet live not up to it it doth provoke God to the most severe proceedings against such as for example Nadab and Abihu Levit. 10. Ananias and Saphira Act. 5. and many more there is enough in this Chapter so awaken us to consider Persons so near to Christ having such boldness and confidence yet not known by him To consider what a close mixture here is between these persons all as it were of one Society of one Family Christs own Sevants of one Flock till Christ severs them Now our Lords great design in these Parables is upon pain of eternal miscarriage and disappointment to provoke industry and faithfulness in all Christs Talents and intrustments and that from a right root that we may plainly gather if we observe Therefore have a special care of sloth and negligence in Christs service that is greatly distasteful to him and consider my Friends that there is no one grace more acceptable to Christ and conducing more to future profit than Charity and Almes to the Poor those whom Christ hath intrusted with the Talent of this Worlds goods as Stewards he expects should as need require dispense them in his house see how Christ takes it in this Chapter ver 35. For I was an hungry and ye gave me meat thirsty and ye gave me drink naked and ye cloathed me Christ takes it as done to his own person and is pleased to found their blessedness upon that foundation if any omission in these near to Christ renders them Goats it is that they had not fed nor cloathed Christ in his Brethren or members If what I have said in my following labour may be a means but to awaken one Person to look to his or her standing and examine their State for eternity I shall be bound to bless God for his assistance in the work I cannot but say I did experience some quickning in my study of it the same I desire for you in the reading of it But I would not hold you too long in this Porch or Preface I shall refer you to the Book it self which I desire you to read with care and consideration I shall only leave Five or Six general rules as to the work of self-examination and provision First Have a special care you mistake not in the two great fundamental points of Repentance and Faith for there may be a counterfeit Repentance and Faith see they be true of the right kind Many miscarry upon this mistake thinking they have them when indeed they have them not Secondly Know this for a truth that where one miscarries through despair hundreds perish through presumption which is the State of those pointed at by Christ in these Parables Thirdly Improve present means and opportunity to get Oyl you see there is a time when it is too late Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven is Christs Counsel and to such seeking is a certain promise made see Prov. 2.8.17 Fourthly Have a special care of too much love to present things that is very dangerous if any man love the World the love of God cannot be in him this hinders Charity no sin so contrary to true Saintship a Saint is much in Heaven Philippians 3.20 Fifthly ●est not content with the measure of grace received but add to and labour to grow in grace Trade for Heaven it is Gods mind that besides getting into Christ we should grow in him to whom much is given of him much is required as we see in this Chapter and he that hath least must make it more one Talent must increase to another grace if true is communicative also to others Sixthly Study much the near approach of the day of reckoning it is not long at the longest before Christ will come to reckon with you set your accounts ready against that day that you may give your account so as that Christ may say Well done good and faithful Servant thou hast been faithful in a few things I will make thee Ruler over many things or as Luke Ruler over Ten Cities Now Reader if thou meetest with any thing strange in this exposition know this that my design is not to impose upon the Scriptures a sense not consonant to the currant of Scriptures or impose upon the judgment of any man I only humbly tender my Judgment in these things to the tryal of the unbyassed Reader Sam. Loveday To the READER THE Prophets have foretold that in the last days the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord and knowledge shall be increased And blessed be God we see these prophesies in great measure fulfilled though not to that degree and universal extent they shall be but the light is growing on more and more unto the perfect day Now among other ways and means whereby this knowledge hath been spread the writings of the Servants of God in all ages have greatly advanced and propagated the knowledge of the truth And they especially are to be commended who by their diligent and faithful labours have opened the Holy Scriptures unto us that by the light thereof we may see light Among the rest of the number of Gods faithful Servants that have imployed their Talents this way the Author of this Treatise is one according to the Subject he hath handled And though every word of God is pure and highly to be prized yet it must be confessed that some protions of Holy Scripture are more useful and profitable than others Such is the wisdom that God hath given to this Author in directing his heart to pitch upon one of the most seasonable Subjects for the day and age we live in The Parable of the Virgins What can be more necessary For the discovery of Hypocrisie in the foolish Virgins For the awakening of sleepy drowsy Christians in the wise Virgins So for

but these are gone out up and doing these are gone to seek gone to meet 4. They are gone to meet Christ as a Bridegroom with some hope joy and expectation as they that have an interest in him Having thus opened the words I shall take notice of those observable Doctrines that flows from the words 1. That near to the second coming of Jesus Christ the Gospel of the kingdom is preached many shall take upon them professed friendship to him then shall there be ten Virgins even multitudes take up profession 2. The Church here on Earth doth or ought to bear a resemblance to the kingdom of Heaven to come 3. All that are waiting for Christ aright are or ought to be Virgins 4. Those only are wrightly waiting for Christ who are gone forth 5. They that go forth to meet Jesus Christ as they ought have Lamps with them 6. All those that are gone to meet and wait for Christ do go to meet him as a Bridegroom I shall give a brief hint to each of these 1. As to the great number of Professors that shall come in the latter days I have in the explication of this number ten shewed you that it is taken for a large indefinent number This was prophesied Esa 60.5 The abundance of the Sea shall be converted unto thee and the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee ver 8. They shall flock like Doves to the windows Christs house will be furnished with Guests Math. 22.10 Many are called Jesus Christ did foresee that the harvest would be very great Math. 9.37 But some may object was not this fulfilled in the beginning of the Gospel when there were 3000 converted at one Sermon of Peters Acts 2. I answ No First because those then converted were Jews but these prophesied of are Gentiles and Secondly this plentiful flowing in is contemporary with those signs and immediate fore-runners of Christs coming Ch. 24. Now that which shall occasion this large flowing in in that juncture of time may be these circumstances First From that great increase of light that shall break out in that Day which was prophesied of by the Prophet Daniel Chap. 12.4 Many shall run to and fro and knowledg shall be increased which doth refer to that time a● we may perceive by the Context We read also of an Angel coming down from Heaven by whose means the Earth is enlightned Rev. 18.1 the first fruit whereof we see in our days Secondly These may arise from the great noise of Christs second coming which shall be made more than formerly which shall awaken many and cause them to run forth The Doctrin of the latter days near Christs second coming will run much upon this Subject this was foreseen by Malachy Chap. 3 as we may also gather out of the Book of the Revelations Thirdly those dreadful and amazing dispensations of God that shall take place in the latter days when those signs spoken of Math. 24. Luk. 21. shall begin to come to pass this shall make all the Tribes of the Earth to mourn Math. 24.30 Luk. 21.25 26. Mens hearts failing at the sight hereof From hence we may be informed that we are upon the borders of the latter days we have not only seen some forerunners of Christs coming in other respects but we have in some part seen this also great numbers of persons have flowed in in these 20 years past much more than formerly So much for the first Doctrin The second is drawn from this appellation kingdom of Heaven Christ doth not inconsiderately but with good consideration so call it From whence I draw the second part That the Church of Christ here on Earth ought to bear a lively resemblance of the State of glory and that in four Circumstances 1. From their compactness the Church of Christ are imbodied together and compact we have this very word used Eph. 4.16 Speaking there of the Church saith it is compact as the Natural Body is so is this therefore called a City Ephe. 2. Fellow Citizens of the Saints so the glory to come called a City Heb. 11.1 ver 16. He hath prepared for them a City 1 Pet. 2.5 Bu●● up a spiritual house 2. The Church resembles the State of glory in that purity and holiness 〈◊〉 ought to be in it or members of it Plas 93.5 Holiness becometh thy house for ever the Church is as to holiness stiled Golden Candlesticks which answers to the State of Glory in which no unclean thing shall enter 3. The Church on Earth bears a meet resemblance to the State of Glory and may be called here by Christ the kingdom of Heaven because as Christ is King and Lawgiver in that kindom of Glory so Christ is King and Lawgiver to his Church James 4.12 One Lawgiver 4. As Christ will be resident in his kingdom with his Saints he shall then dwell amongst them Rev. 22.3 he ●abernacle of God is with men and he will dwell amongst them so in the Church the Lord hath promised to walk and dwell amongst them 2. Cor. 6.16 He walketh amongst the Churches under the name of Golden Candlesticks Rev. 1. Thus the Church bears a resemblance with the Kingdom of Glory and the Church is the Porch or entrance into Glory according to Acts 2. last The Lord added to t●e Church daily such as should be saved This consideration well weighed may serve to provoke holiness in the Church of Christ both in Ministers and members it is prophesied as to the State of the Church to come Esa 63.21 the people shall be all righteous that we are sure will be a holy time a holy State and without holiness no man shall see God Heb. 12.14 You that are Church members labour after holiness if you arrive not at holiness here you shall never have it hereafter the truth of this Doctrin is confirmed by the third Doctrin which I shall only name 3. Doct. That all that truly wait for Christ are or ought to be Virgins I have already shewed you in the explication what is intended by Christ in this appellation they that the Scripture gives this appellation to or name of Virgins unto such as are holy Persons First as to a blameless holy conversation Secondly Such as are separate from false worship as I shewed you from Rev. 14.4 but I proceed to the fourth doctrin which is this 4. Doct. That all that truly wait for Christ are gone forth they are raised from their Bed of carnal security The Apostle writing to the Hebrew Church Chap. 13.13 doth emphatically call their sufferings for Christ going forth Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp bearing his reproach The Spouse of Christ Cant. 3.1.2 While she seeks Christ upon her Bed found him not she must arise and go forth to seek her beloved whom her Soul loves this going forth supposeth a sequestration in a great measure from earthly injoyments and this the Prophet Joel calls for Joel 2 16. Let the

use it your selves but others must have a benefit and David meaneth no more than this not to part with the principal The First Vse My counsel from this Doctrine is in two branches First The same that St. Paul gives 1 Cor. 12.31 Covet earnestly spiritual indowments The Second use When you have it hold it fast let none go to friend none for take the counsel to Philadelphia Rev. 3.11 Hold fast that thou hast let no man take thy Crown We now come to the Second Doctrine which was this that the best and wisest and Holiest of Saints have none of their stock to spare they have ground to question whether they themselves have enough if they should part with any We have in this Doctrine contained the reason of the former denial we will give you none because we have none to spare lest we expose our selves to want we have little enough for our selves and Charity begins at home we must see our selves served first that which Ezek. speaketh upon another account is certainly true here Ezek. 14.24 He shall only deliver himself by his own Righteousness though it were Noah Daniel and Job Ezek. 18.20 the Righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him and it is plain that when Christ comes the nearest acquaintance and relations can afford no relief therefore it is said Luk. 17.34 In that night there shall be two in one Bed one taken the other left Consider this you that think you can speed the better for your wife or Husbands sake because they are righteous the wife of the righteous Lot is not saved for Lots sake she is made an example she is turned into a pillar of Salt and if nearest acquaintance and relations would have done any good these might these were of one Society went out together to meet our Lord upon the most worthy design yet such of the company are received the other rej●cted b● Christ The First use from hence Oh then get Oyl of your own take the Counsel of the wise Virgins now buy for your selves whilst it is to be had take the Counsel of the Prophet Esa 55. from verse the I to the 7. See● the Lord while he may be found cal● upon him while he is near in that proper season Buy Wine and Milk without money and without price The Second use of Ex●ortation make what use you can of the wise and truly righteous at present for when Christ comes then they even the wisest of them can do you no good their righteousness now may be beneficial to you the lips of the righteous now feeds many but not ●hen I now come to the Third Circumstance in this Text the reply which I told you before is taken two ways First Ironically as most understand and the assembly of Divines so called so understand it some understand it is a simple proper Counsel but I shall speak unto it as it is ironically taken and from thence I laid down this proposition or Doctrine That one part of the punishment of negligent and foolish persons in spirituals is this They shall be the Subjects of derision as well as rejection God himself is said to mock when their fear cometh upon them Proverbs 1.25 which must refer to this day Object But some may say it seems not to be ironical because they took the counsel and went To which I answer So did Baal's Prophets take Elijah's Counsel when he mocked them and said Cry aloud your God is in a journey or talking they did as he bid them 2 King 18.28 This manner of speaking is usual in Scripture so Solomon speaks to the young man Eccl. 11.9 walk after the sight of thine eyes and desire of thine heart which cannot be taken for proper and simple Councel after this manner St. Paul speaks to the Corinthians 1 Cor. 4.11 Now ye are full now ye are rich ye reign as Kings without us when in good earnest it was nothing less from hence may arise a case of conscience whether ironical speeches may be used among Saints Answ First They may not be used meerly to please the flesh Secondly Such speaking must not be the fruit of hatred but pitty Thirdly The design must be to reduce foolish Persons out of their folly this kind of speaking the Lord himself seems to use to Adam Gen. 3.22 The Man is become as one of us it could not properly be understood But far be it from us to allow of a vain kind of mocking and scoffing to please the flesh as many use the wise here seems to upbraid the folly and negligence of the foolish you would not buy when you might have had it go now and see if you can get it the wise answer them according to their folly as Micaiah did Ahab Go up to Ramoth Gi●lead and prosper when nothing less is meant to him than that Now we proceed to the use of this Doctrine First Vse Study the sadness of this punishment Can there be a greater aggravation to a poor afflicted disappointed Person than to be an object o● mocking and derision This is the state of the foolish Virgins in the last day this is prophesied o● in Psal 2.4 He that sitteth in heaven will laugh the Lord will have them in derision the same is threatned Prov. 1.26 But suppose we should take this for simple honest counsel Go and buy for your selves Then it affords us this observation That true saving grace and wisdom is then rightly come at when it is bought and purchased not begged or borrowed therefore Christ counsels the Church of Laodicea Rev. 3.18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold raiment and Eye-salve this is Solomons manner of speaking Prov. 23.23 Buy the the truth and wisdom and understanding and this is the Language of the Evangelical Prophet Esa 55.1 Come buy wine and milk we have this language twice used in that Parable Math. 13. the treasure and the pearl must be bought Reason But why is this language of Scripture so frequent First To set forth that sensible need that a soul rightly receiving Christ hath upon him Persons buy when they are sensible of their needs Persons will not usually purchase that which they see no need of if Laodicea in the forecited place could be brought off from her self conceitedness of being rich and could see her self poor blind and naked she might readily be brought to take Christ's counsel now this language of buying is made use of ●o accomodate that state Second Reason Because that such a Person that is a buyer is one that knows the worth of that which he goeth to buy so did the Merchant in the Parable that sold all to buy the Pearl he saw the excellency makes him buy Third Reason He is at a very great price for it it is said he sold all to buy the Pearl see Math. 13.44 46. Luk. 14.33 He that forsaketh not all that he hath cannot be my Disciple Paul judged all dung Phil. 3.9 in comparison of Christ These

received of this kind To grow in grace is a positive duty 2 Pet. 3.18 And that this is wonderfully acceptable to God where there is an addition we may perceive if we seriously read 2 Pet. 1. to the tenth verse this is called Fruit Phil. 4.17 Not that I desire a Gift saith Paul but I desire fruit that may abound to your account Secondly Then are you gainers with acceptance when your Talent by improving hath gained souls to Christ more Servants into the Master's family This is Christ's glory Heb. 2. Here am I and my Children how many Servants hast thou Gained and begotten to Christ This shall be thy Glory and Crown in the day of Christ this is Paul's glory 1 Thes 2. last Thirdly That which is thy acceptable Gain is when thou hast walked so as to gain glory to God and Christ by thy walkings Matth. 5.16 That they may glorifie thy Father which is in heaven It was that which Jesus Christ pleaded to his Father Joh. 17. I have glorified thee on earth and these will God glorifie in heaven This is to walk worthy of God 1 Thes 2.12 and worthy of Glory 2. How may a Servant of Christ deserve the name good None is good but God I Answer None is good in the abstract but God good so as to have no mixtures of evil but some are called good as Barnabas Acts 11.24 is said to be a good man but good in the fence of the text must be taken for one profitable and beneficial so we understand a good Servant to us is a profitable Servant one that is faithful in our business to our profit the good Servant here is as much as if he had said profitable Servant 3. What are these few things By few things we must refer to the Talents as before the few things are the five Talents the Master undervalues his intrustments to magnifie the profit of the Servant Christ speaks with the least byway of diminution from what he had intrusted him with I trusted thee with but a few things Christ takes notice of all disadvantages in quality and quantity that he might advance the Faithfulness of his Servants to him Thou hast been faithful in a few things 4. What Rule shall this be as part of the Servants reward I Answer The same that Christ's shall be as the Joy so the Rule It is material Command and Government Rev. 2.27 Rule over the nations with Christ as here over ten Cities 5. When-as here it is called the Masters Joy it implys a very large and unspeakable Joy Joy in this fence is not only Goodness but Glory Christ is said to be anointed with the oile of Gladness above his fellows Psal 45. but his fellows shall have some of the same anointings though not so much in quantity yet the same in quality and kind it is the Joy of the Lord. There are ten Parts observable in these words 1. That the best and highest intrusted Servants of Christ must be accountable for their stock received such as have received five Talents 2. A True and Faithful Servant of Christ is very free and apt to acknowledg all his Enjoyments and Intrustments to be of God Thou deliveredst unto me five Talents 3. Where Christ hath given Stock he doth indispensibly require Improvements 4. Winning and gaining is the required and acceptable life of a Christian 5. That Jesus Christ is exceedingly pleased even to satisfaction with delight with an industrious Servant one that doubles his Stock 6. Faithfulness and industry sloathfulness and wickedness are taken on for another by Christ 7. Christ's way of trying his Servants is by trusting them with a little first called here few things 8. The well improvement of a little in Spirituals doth infallibly introduce and bring in increase 9. Future Rule is one great part of Christ's future Reward to his Faithful Servants for their industry 10. That the state and Condition of Christ's Servants at his Coming is a state of great Joy Of these a few words I shall pass these Observations very briefly because I have spoken something in the opening of the words to some of them First That the best and highest of Christ's Servants must be accountable to Christ at his Coming This is often hinted in the Scriptures those two Scriptures Rom. 14. 2 Cor. 5.10 Paul takes in himself We must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ to receive the things done in the body whether they be good or bad the good must be brought there as well as the bad This Truth is at least implicitely held forth in the message of Christ to Pergamos Those that are praise-worthy must receive a white-stone a token of their Acquitting and Justification which is spoken in a borrowed speech from the manner of the proceedings of the Courts of Judicature in those days when persons were acquitted they had a white-stone given into their hands Which doth teach us that the innocent as well as the guilty the faithful as well as the wicked Servant must be reckoned with this is the day of blotting out the sins of true converted persons See Acts 3.19 this is the proper time when those praise worthy shall receive praise of God 1 Cor. 4.5 The Consideration of this truth serves to teach humility and holiness thy actions must be examined by Jesus Christ before thou art commended whatsoever men say of thee or account of thee that is the day of manifestation of thy Faithfulness This well considered will much promote Holiness and Carefulness 2 Cor. 5.9 Wherefore we labour that we may be accepted of him So much for the First Part. 2. Part. The true and Faithful Servants of God are free and ready to acknowledg all their enjoyments and intrustments are of God This I might largely prove from the Current of Scriptures but I forbear to be large only see what Paul saith 2 Cor. 3.5 but our sufficiency is of God And as they are ready to acknowledg whilst they are here so they are as ready to acknowledg it to Christ at his appearance as in our Text. And all this ariseth from that principle of humility dwelling in them which makes them little in their own eyes both now and then Read the frame of Spirit that dwelt upon Holy and Humble Paul 2 Cor. 4. I shall only leave this one word of instruction from hence Study how acceptable this frame of Spirit is to Christ when he findeth it either now or then Part. 3. When Stock is given there is improvement indispensibly required the Contrary will not be born by God or Christ This I have spoken unto before Part. 4. That the right state of Christ is a Winning Gaining state If thy State be right as it ought to be thou art gaining increasing and adding in the inward man This is a true and a proper Character of a righteous and holy person Job 17.9 he grows stronger and stronger The Father who is the husbandman purgeth his vine John 15. that