and his Commandments are express against â—… Hear what the answer of God saith to such To what â—…rpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me saith the â—…ord I am full of the burnt offerings of rams and the fat â—… fed beasts and I delight not in the blood of bullocks or â—… lambs or of he goats When ye come to appear before me â—…ho hath required this at your hand to tread my courts â—…ing no more vain oblations incense is an abomination to me â—…e new moons and sabbaths and the calling of the assemblies cannot away with It is iniquity even the solemn meeting â—…d when ye spread forth your hands I will hide mine eyes â—…om you yea when ye make many prayers I will not hear your hands are full of blood Wash ye make you cleaâ—… put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyeâ— cease to do evil learn to do well Intimating hereby thâ—… until people did actually put away the evil of their doing and cease to do evil all their acts of outward Worship all their going to Church or Meeting on the Lor'ds daâ—… how constant soever they are therein all their maâ—… prayers offered up unto him every morning and eveniâ—… nay if it be at noon each week day are not pleasâ—… and acceptable in the sight of the Lord and consequent they do not at all glorifie him thereby for himself he saith that he will not receive them that he doth â—… require it at their hands who are sinners and works of iniquity to tread his courts but this he requireth his saints and servants so to do that he cannot awâ—… with their calling of the assemblies when such come iâ— to the congregation their appointed times of Worâ—… his soul hateth they are a trouble to me I cannot be them all these sayings do import they do not please Gâ—… and conscequently they do not glorifie him By the way there is no doctrine more necessary aâ—… useful to be continually made known and preached thâ—… this for it is the common and uniuersal deceit which â—… people of this generation and Country yea of all c 〈…〉 stendom go upon If they go constantly to Church Meeting upon the first day of the week and those the richer sort have Worship in their respective famiâ—… every morning and evening they think and say to tâ—… souls all is well enough As the fool said in the gosâ—… Thou hast much goods laid up for many years take thine eaâ— drink and be merry so these foolish and deceived peâ—… who serve divers lusts and pleasures do say to themseâ—… Soul that course of Worship and Religion aforemeâ—… oned will carry thee to Heaven be quiet as to â—… further thoughts or doubts concerning futurity only sure to go on therein eat drink and be merry take gâ—… and enjoy as much of the world and worldly comfortâ— ever thou canst But in the mean while and all along tâ— not do â—rame their doings to turn unto God They do not fraâ—… or square all their doings according to the great Rulâ—… â—…ghteousness in Scripture They do not put away the evil â—… their doings For many of their ways are contrary unto â—… different from the Word and Law of God Until peoâ—…e do actually put away the evil of their doings â—…d doth not accept of their several acts of Worship â—… We are of them that believe to the saving of the soul Heb. â—… 39. And so there is a sort of People who Serve and â—orship God to the saving of their Souls that is such â—…o do it inwardly and who obey constantly from the â—…art all the Words of God's Law and Gospel ' Again â—…ere is another sort whereof are the greater number Broad â—…he way and wide is the gate which leadeth to destruction â—…d many there be who go in thereat who do not serve and â—orship God to the saving of their Souls for these worâ—…ip him outwardly and they do not confirm all the â—ords of God's Gospel to do them and so now they are â—ble unto and will at length fall under that everlaâ—ng destruction which will be unto them that obey not â—…e Gospel For he is not a Jew which is one outwardly and it may be truly Reasoned He is not a Christian or â—…vant of God who is one outwardly neither is that Cirâ—…mcision which is outward in the flesh but he is a Jew who one inwardly and so he is a Christian who is one inâ—ardly and Circumcision is that of the heart in the Spirit and â—… in the Letter whose praise is not of Men but of God Rom. â—… 28 29. For I say unto you that except your Righteousness â—…all exceed the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall â—… no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 5 20. And â—… it may be truly Reasoned and Applyed to the Peoâ—…e of this Generation Except your Religion shall exceed â—…e Religion which is according to the Standard and â—…urse of this World it will be in no wise a Religion â—… the saving of your Souls Let that kind of outward Worshippers aforementioned â—…editate throughly upon the significancy of these followâ—…g Scriptures But unto the Wicked God saith What hast â—…ou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldst take my â—…venant into thy Mouth Seeing thou hatest Instruction and â—…stest my Words behind thee Psal 50. 16 17. And so this â—…nd of outward worshippers do hate him that Rebuketh in the Gate they abhor him that speaketh uprightly Saith tâ—… Apostle The time will come but I who live nearer unâ—… the ends of the World do Testifie that what he theâ—… foretold of is now fulfilled for at this day the time 〈◊〉 come that they will not endure sound Doctrine but after theâ—… own lusts shall they heap to themselves Teachers having Itchiâ—… Ears 2 Tim. 4. 3. Which say to the Seers see not and to 〈◊〉 Prophets Prophesie not unto us right things speak unto 〈◊〉 smooth things Prophesie Deceits Isa 30. 10. This day 〈◊〉 this Scripture fulfilled in our Ears for they go constanâ—ly to them who speak smooth things and Preach Deceitâ—… And they will not come to hear him that Preacheth rigâ—… things which is verified as to the People of this Generaâ—…on and Country And as to him who Writeth these thingâ—… for they do not receive his Testimony John 3. 32. But â—…ject his Words John 12. 48. Because he speaketh and puâ—…lisheth unto them right things Nevertheless such worâ—… as I have truly alledged from the Scriptures will judâ—… them at the last day But whether they will hear or forbear whether they wâ—… Read or not these Scriptures of Truth are again laid bâ—fore them Now we know that God heareth not sinners but any man be a worshipper of God and doth his will him 〈◊〉 heareth John 9. 31. Notwithstanding this is writtâ—… so plainly that every capacity may understand it yâ—… nevertheless many Men and Women Satan acting wiâ—… all deceivableness in them
that perish go on blindly aâ—… ignorantly for twenty forty or sixty years yea througâ—out all their life long in this deceit of being Worshiâ—…pers of God and yet not doing his will of hearing 〈◊〉 word and not obeying it nor yet doing thereafter wheâ—… as the Blessedness is to them that hear the word of God aâ—… keep it Saith David by the Spirit if I regard iniquiâ—… in my heart the Lord will not hear me Now iniquiâ—… signifies the thing that is not equal But too many outwaâ—… Worshippers do not only regard iniquity in their heaâ—… but also practice it with their hand Nevertheless liâ—… the Adulterous Woman Who eateth and wipeth her mouâ—… and saith I have done no wickedness they will not ceaâ—…nor desist to offer up their many and customary Prayâ—…s unto God as aforetime and as if they had never â—…one any such thing Such may be found amongst the â—umber of those of whom it is written Not every one â—…at saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingâ—…m of Heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which 〈◊〉 in Heaven Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord â—ave we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name cast out â—evils And then will I profess unto them I never knew 〈◊〉 depart from me ye that work iniquity All will not be â—…ved that go to Church or Meetings and then where shall â—…e ungodly and sinner appear for of four sorts of hearers 〈◊〉 the word there is but one that bringeth forth fruit â—…to everlasting life Herein also God is glorified when â—…ey bring forth fruit but he is not glorified when they 〈◊〉 not bring forth fruit or when instead of Bringing â—…rth grapes they bring forth wild grapes â—o ye think that the Papists do glorifie God by their Mass 〈◊〉 Idolatrous Worship or by their ignorant mumbling â—…er their Beads when it is the revealed will of God that â—eople should pray with the Spirit and with the underâ—…nding also 1 Cor 14. 15. That whole Chapter is aâ—…inst praying in an unknown Tongue God is a â—…irit and they that worship him must worship him in Spiâ—…t and in truth This is opposite unto and shuts out all â—…eir pompous outside Worship and carnal ordinances â—…ter the institutions and Commandments of Men. For â—…eir Worship stands in divers Washings and Bowings â—…d carnal ordinances imposed on them who would wilâ—…gly always remain in their corruption and errour â—…d never let Reformation come among them although â—… Blessed be God many have reformed from their â—…ays Again May it be thought that the Mahometans by going â—…nstantly to their mosque and by their making a great â—…y and howling in their Prayers unto the God of Heaâ—…n although they are never so earnest in Prayer as they â—…em to be in tone and voice and also by their Waâ—…ings before Prayer as the manner of them is whereâ—… common reason would shew them that the inward â—…urifying and cleansing of the heart of the Worshippers is more required by God and more pleasing and acceptable in his sight then the outward washing of theâ—… Bodies with water And so with all their other rites anâ— ceremonies customs and manners do they glorifie God â—… when all the mean while they know not nor believâ—… on Jesus Christ by whom there is access unto the Fatheâ— he being the alone mediator between God and Man And so we may run over and conceive in our minâ—… as to all the Religions Superstitions and ways of Woâ—ship used in the World together with that manifoâ—… Errour and Absurdity that is joyn'd therewith Do thoâ—… Worshippers glorifie God It would be hard to say soâ—… For the Father seeketh such to worship him as worship him 〈◊〉 Spirit and in Truth And seeing that so much Errour aâ—… Folly Ignorance and Vanity is crept in and interminâ—led with the several Worships of the World especialâ—… among those of the Roman-Church and that vast multâ—tude of others who do not at all name the name of Chrâ—… it may be thought as to them that in God's Sight and 〈◊〉 to his Acceptation He that Sacrificeth a Lamb is as if â—…â—ut off a Dogs neck He that offereth an Oblation as if he â—…fer'd Swines blood He that burneth Incense as if he blessâ—… an Idol Which last is the highest degree of provokiâ—… God that can be So that such Worshippers do rathâ—… displease than please God they do rather dishonour thâ—… glorifie him They make God more angry and furthâ—… off then bring him near or reconcile him unto the Wâ—…shippers But to come home and nearer to our selves even 〈◊〉 us who are called Protestants of the pure Reform'd Churâ—… who come yet nearer to the Pattern shew'd to us in 〈◊〉 Gospel than they aforementioned Altho' our Worship 〈◊〉 in some measure Spiritual and True Yet here agaiâ—… a right Faith and a wrong Conversation a good Naâ—… but evil Doings will not save any of us Nor yet is Gâ—… glorified by the work done or only in the outward coâ—…ing to the Places of Worship for if People do therein drâ—…near to God with their Lips but their Hearts are far frâ—… him if they bring only their Bodies to the place but theâ—… in their Souls do mind other Objects besides the Invisibâ—… â—od then as the Body without the Spirit is dead so such may be â—ore truly called carcaâ—e Worship than Spiritual Worâ—…ip for it is the Worship of a dead Body only or of a â—arcase without the Spirit Acting or being concern'd thereâ—… Saith God Now let them put away their Whoredom â—nd the Carcases of their Kings from me and I will dwell in â—he midst of them for ever Ezek. 43. 9 Lip labour in Prayâ—r or Worship is properly Whordom for it takes away â—he heart from God the right beloved and places it â—n another wrong beloved and so it is a carkase of Worâ—hip for the reason aforeassigned Both which God requires â—o be put away before he will dwell in the midst of us Having abundantly and at large discoursed by what kind of Worship God is not glorified it will easily â—ppear by what Worship he is indeed glorified For if â—…e is not glorified by meer outside Worship as indeed he â—s not it follows that he is glorified by such Worship as is spiritual which denotes inward Worship for if it is performed by the Spirit it must be inward because the Spirit is within and true God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth For the Father seeketh such to worship him and consequently he is glorified thereby so that to Worship God in Spirit and in truth is a part of our glorifying God here on Earth Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the Salvation of God Pal 50. 23. Seeing that they who order their conversation aright will have the Salvation of God shewn unto them it follows hence also that
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
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
stature tovvards a perfect Man in Christ Jesus Do vve in course and succession of time become more God like and more Christ-like and do vve make further proficiency and further attainments in the Christian-Life Do vve grovv in grace and knovvledge And 〈◊〉 vve become Wiser and Better Are vve meet for Heaven And are vve sure that if God should take avvaâ— any of us this moment to have an entrance and admission therein Let none be too selfconceited or considerâ— herein for the Lord may reject such confidences Yeâ— still I do hereby exhort people to use the utmost meaâ— endeavour and diligence that ye may become meet fâ— Heaven and never to give over nor yet stand still iâ— this same good vvork Not as though you had already aâ— tained or were already perfect but ye are still to preâ— tovvards the mark of the high calling of God in Chriâ— Jesus To be still Travailing and making on in the vvaâ— tovvards Sion Although as it often happens in our journeying to places vvhich vve vvere never at before vvâ— may Err and vvander But here seek out of the Booâ— of the Lord and attend unto what things are openeâ— and alledged from thence and thus enquire and gâ— into the right vvay again as soon as ever ye caâ— and so order the business that hovvever ye go about or athvvart yet in process of time ye may be neareâ— advanced unto the Haven and place vvhere ye would bâ—… And thus ye may ask and examine your selves upon thâ— finishing part of your Work If it is finished and ye are ready expect then that God will call for ye Now would it be with fear or contentedness of mind if God should hurry thee away this very moment into the unknown and invisible World Behold I have told you before Suppose novv thou art finishing thy course hovv it vvould be vvith thee even with thee if thy course was actually finished and thou wert to Behold Man no more with the inhabitants of the World That is on this Earth and in this state of things This is the Sum and Requiring of all Religion if we vvould be such in the midst of and â—hroughout all our Life as we think and purpose we â—ould do upon a dying Bed or as we shall wish we â—ad done when we are actually in the state of the dead For we shall than be sensible and reflect and Remember Luke 16. 25. All one yea much more than we do now Hope we have which entreth into that within the vail And â—o we should have continually such Thoughts and such 〈◊〉 Mind which entreth within the vail of these outward and visible things into and amongst such things that are not seen We should step forth into the other World aâ— thought before we are actually entred therein indeed â—nd have our Conversation in Heaven before our Souls are admitted there We should be no otherwise employed about present things then as we are in an inn for then our thoughts are taken up Wholly and Principally about the Place we are journeying unto And so this Earth is but a through fare which we are just to pass through before we come to Heaven or Hell Again as we apptoach nearer to the end of our journey and to the finishing of our Work See that ye walk circumspectly Yea with what exactness and care should we go through with it having continued thought and Remembrance of mind that each of us severally are â—o glorify God on the Earth and to finish the Work which he gave me to do The same should be our labour and endeavour accordingly This is certain that Idleness Sloth or to live in pleasure or sensuality as to which the inspired Apostle â—ruly saith The Widow that liveth in pleasure is Dead while she liveth Which also is applicable unto all other people who do so or who are lovers of pleasures more than â—overs of God Nor yet to live so as to snort out our days 〈◊〉 say and testify again all this is not a glorifying God on the Earth nor yet a finishing the Work which he gave â—s to do The reason whereof is manifest because all this or the like is for no real and good end or purpose But God gave us this life that we should live unto him who hath Created us To understand and seek after the Lord To fear God and keep his Commandments and do good and so shalt thou dwell in the land Psal 37. 3 To serve our Generation as I do this day in Publishing these and many other words of truth which would be profitable unto them if they would receive them to be imployed in doing the will of our Heavenly Father that whenever he cometh and calleth for us by Death he may find us so doing Blessed are those Servants whom when the Lord cometh he shall find so doing Who are sure to be about that Work which God gave them on this Earth for to do and finish So that they are either finishing it or they have it actually finished And than they may make this comfortable return when they come to the end of their course as the forerunnerâ— did even Jesus who shewed us the way and left us an example that we should follow his steps I have glorified thee on the Earth I have finished the Work which thou gavest me to do Blessed are those Servants of the Lord God whom when he calleth for by Death he shall find either to be upon the finishing I mean who are trimming their Lamps Mat. 25. 7. For the wise Virgins had got their Oyl long before or rather who shall then have actually finished the Work which he gave them on this Earth for to do Blessed is he that Readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophecy and keep those things that are written therein for the time is at hand Rev. 1. 3. Which may be understood as to those things also which are truly opened and alledged from thence To God only wise be Glory through Jesus Christ for ever Amen