The way to the highest honour a funeral sermon, on John XII, 26, preach'd upon the decease of the Rnd Tho. Jacomb ... April 3, 1687 / by William Bates ...
         Bates, William, 1625-1699.
      
       
         
           1687
        
      
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             The way to the highest honour a funeral sermon, on John XII, 26, preach'd upon the decease of the Rnd Tho. Jacomb ... April 3, 1687 / by William Bates ...
             Bates, William, 1625-1699.
          
           [8], 128 p.
           
             Printed for J. Robinson ...,
             London :
             1687.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
             Advertisement, Errata: p. [8]
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Jacombe, Thomas, 1622-1687.
           Bible. -- N.T. -- John XII, 26.
           Funeral sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           THE
           WAY
           TO
           THE
           Highest
           Honour
           .
           A
           FUNERAL
           SERMON
           ,
           On
           JOHN
           xii
           .
           26.
           
           Preach'd
           upon
           the
           Decease
           of
           the
           R
           nd
           
             THO.
             JACOMB
          
           ,
           D.D.
           April
           3.
           1687.
           
        
         
           By
           
             William
             Bates
          
           ,
           D.D.
           
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             J.
             Robinson
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Golden
           Lion
           in
           S.
           Pauls
           Church-Yard
           ,
           MDCLXXXVII
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           Right
           Honourable
           ELIZABETH
           Countess-Dowager
           OF
           EXCETER
           .
        
         
           
             Madam
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Present
           a
           Sermon
           to
           your
           view
           ,
           that
           drew
           forth
           your
           Tears
           in
           the
           Hearing
           ,
           and
           is
           like
           to
           be
           a
           revival
           of
           your
           Sorrow
           in
           Reading
           ;
           but
           I
           could
           not
           without
           Indecence
           decline
           the
           inscribing
           it
           to
           your
           Name
           .
           'T
           is
           design'd
           to
           the
           precious
           Memory
           of
           one
           ,
           whose
           Piety
           and
           Prudence
           had
           render'd
           most
           worthily
           and
           affectionately
           
           respected
           by
           you
           :
           One
           who
           for
           Forty
           Years
           faithfully
           served
           you
           in
           the
           Affairs
           of
           your
           Soul
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           long
           space
           there
           was
           a
           continual
           Circulation
           of
           Favours
           on
           your
           Part
           ,
           and
           Observance
           on
           his
           .
           As
           his
           Presence
           and
           Counsel
           ,
           and
           Example
           in
           your
           Family
           was
           an
           excellent
           Blessing
           and
           dearly
           prized
           by
           you
           ,
           so
           in
           proportion
           your
           afflicting
           Grief
           rises
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           him
           .
           But
           you
           are
           instructed
           to
           be
           content
           with
           the
           Divine
           Disposal
           :
           And
           our
           Gracious
           God
           by
           withdrawing
           intermediate
           Comforts
           ,
           calls
           you
           to
           more
           intimate
           and
           Heavenly
           Communion
           with
           Himself
           .
        
         
           I
           might
           here
           take
           a
           just
           occasion
           to
           speak
           of
           your
           eminent
           Vertues
           ,
           and
           of
           your
           serious
           Religion
           
           that
           crowns
           the
           rest
           :
           For
           then
           Praise-worthy
           Excellencies
           may
           be
           duely
           and
           safely
           represented
           ,
           when
           he
           that
           Commends
           is
           not
           in
           danger
           of
           falling
           into
           Flattery
           ,
           and
           the
           Person
           Commended
           is
           not
           in
           danger
           of
           being
           swell'd
           with
           Pride
           :
           And
           such
           is
           your
           excellent
           and
           conspicuous
           Goodness
           ,
           that
           it
           reflects
           a
           Lustre
           upon
           your
           Nobility
           ,
           and
           is
           above
           Verbal
           Encomiums
           ;
           and
           your
           rare
           Humility
           is
           most
           relucent
           amongst
           your
           other
           shining
           Graces
           .
           But
           't
           is
           needless
           to
           illustrate
           that
           Worth
           that
           is
           so
           visible
           to
           all
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           only
           observe
           ,
           that
           as
           you
           have
           been
           so
           happy
           as
           
             to
             find
             Wisdom
          
           ,
           the
           true
           Spiritual
           Wisdom
           that
           directs
           us
           to
           our
           Last
           and
           Blessed
           End
           ,
           the
           
             Wisdom
             
             that
             excells
             Rubies
          
           ,
           and
           by
           an
           incomparable
           Comparison
           all
           the
           admired
           Things
           in
           the
           World
           :
           So
           the
           promised
           Reward
           of
           Wisdom
           has
           been
           your
           Portion
           :
           
             Length
             of
             Days
             are
             in
             her
             right
             Hand
             ,
             and
             in
             her
             left
             Hand
             Wisdom
             and
             Honour
             .
          
           You
           are
           now
           come
           to
           Old
           Age
           ,
           and
           are
           apt
           to
           complain
           (
           such
           is
           your
           zealous
           Piety
           )
           that
           ,
           your
           Strength
           being
           spent
           ,
           you
           are
           useless
           ,
           and
           with
           Impatience
           desire
           a
           Dismission
           from
           hence
           .
           But
           as
           a
           Servant
           that
           stands
           and
           waits
           upon
           his
           Master's
           Pleasure
           ,
           as
           truly
           serves
           him
           ,
           as
           he
           that
           is
           most
           industrious
           in
           his
           Business
           ;
           so
           by
           an
           humble
           patient
           waiting
           upon
           your
           Heavenly
           Lord
           ,
           till
           he
           shall
           call
           you
           to
           the
           Blessed
           State
           Above
           ,
           you
           as
           truly
           please
           and
           
           glorifie
           him
           ,
           as
           when
           your
           active
           powers
           were
           fresh
           and
           lively
           ,
           
             and
             you
             went
             about
             doing
             good
             .
          
        
         
           Be
           encouraged
           ,
           Good
           Madam
           ,
           with
           unfainting
           Perseverance
           to
           expect
           the
           final
           Reward
           :
           
             For
             your
             Salvation
             is
             nearer
             than
             when
             you
             first
             believed
             .
          
           Let
           the
           Love
           of
           Christ
           always
           reign
           in
           your
           Heart
           ,
           and
           the
           Crown
           of
           Glory
           be
           always
           in
           your
           Eye
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           finish
           your
           course
           with
           joy
           .
           These
           are
           the
           most
           unfeigned
           Desires
           of
           him
           who
           is
           ,
        
         
           
             Madam
             ,
          
           
             Your
             very
             humble
             and
             faithful
             Servant
             ,
             
               William
               Bates
            
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           ADVERTISEMENTS
           .
        
         
           A
           Short
           Description
           of
           the
           Blessed
           Place
           and
           State
           of
           the
           Saints
           Above
           .
           In
           a
           Discourse
           on
           the
           Words
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           Joh.
           14.2
           .
           Preached
           on
           occasion
           of
           the
           Death
           of
           Mr.
           
             David
             Clarkson
          
           .
           By
           
             W.
             Bates
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           
        
         
           A
           Plain
           Representation
           of
           Transubstantiation
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           received
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ,
           with
           the
           Sandy
           Foundations
           it
           is
           built
           upon
           ,
           and
           the
           Arguments
           that
           clearly
           evert
           and
           overturn
           it
           .
        
      
       
         
           ERRATA
           .
        
         
           PAg.
           29.
           in
           the
           Margent
           ,
           for
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           r.
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           P.
           102.
           l.
           6.
           for
           ruines
           r.
           ruin'd
           .
           P.
           104.
           l.
           11.
           dele
           our selves
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           
             
               St.
               JOHN
               xii
               .
               26.
               
            
             
               If
               any
               Man
               serve
               me
               ,
               let
               him
               follow
               me
               ;
               and
               where
               I
               am
               ,
               there
               shall
               also
               my
               Servant
               be
               :
               If
               any
               Man
               serve
               me
               ,
               him
               will
               my
               Father
               honour
               .
            
          
        
         
           IF
           it
           so
           pleased
           the
           wise
           and
           soveraign
           Disposer
           of
           all
           Things
           ,
           how
           much
           rather
           would
           I
           be
           an
           attentive
           Hearer
           of
           that
           blessed
           Servant
           of
           God
           who
           is
           now
           above
           ,
           than
           preach
           his
           Funeral
           Sermon
           at
           this
           Time.
           That
           my
           sad
           Voice
           should
           be
           reserved
           for
           this
           mournful
           Service
           ,
           is
           both
           contrary
           to
           my
           Desire
           and
           Expectation
           .
           O
           frail
           and
           faithless
           Life
           of
           Man
           !
           Who
           would
           have
           thought
           that
           Dr.
           Jacomb
           ,
           whose
           natural
           vigour
           and
           firm
           Complexion
           promised
           a
           
           longer
           continuance
           here
           ,
           should
           have
           a
           period
           put
           to
           his
           Days
           ,
           and
           that
           I
           should
           survive
           ,
           whose
           Life
           has
           been
           preserved
           for
           many
           Years
           like
           the
           weak
           light
           of
           a
           Lamp
           in
           the
           open
           Air
           ?
           But
           he
           has
           finish'd
           his
           Work
           ,
           and
           was
           more
           fit
           for
           Heaven
           :
           The
           last
           Lord's
           Day
           he
           entred
           into
           everlasting
           Rest
           :
           And
           I
           with
           you
           are
           still
           upon
           the
           Earth
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           make
           a
           better
           Preparation
           for
           the
           Divine
           Presence
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           that
           Holy
           Assembly
           that
           serves
           him
           who
           sits
           upon
           the
           Throne
           without
           Imperfection
           or
           Intermission
           for
           ever
           .
           In
           order
           to
           this
           end
           ,
           I
           have
           chosen
           the
           present
           Subject
           of
           my
           Discourse
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           Verse
           our
           Saviour
           gives
           a
           most
           important
           Command
           and
           indispensably
           obligatory
           to
           all
           Christians
           ;
           
             If
             any
             Man
             serves
             me
             ,
             let
             him
             follow
             me
             :
          
           If
           he
           assumes
           the
           Title
           ,
           and
           enters
           into
           the
           sacred
           Engagement
           of
           being
           my
           
           Servant
           ,
           let
           his
           Carriage
           be
           answerable
           to
           his
           Condition
           ,
           let
           him
           follow
           the
           Divine
           Example
           I
           have
           set
           before
           him
           .
           And
           since
           the
           way
           is
           narrow
           and
           be-set
           with
           Thorns
           ,
           our
           Coelestial
           Leader
           who
           by
           the
           Cross
           ascended
           to
           the
           Throne
           ,
           assures
           us
           of
           a
           blessed
           Retribution
           that
           shall
           infinitely
           out-weigh
           all
           the
           numerous
           and
           heavy
           Troubles
           to
           which
           we
           are
           expos'd
           in
           his
           Service
           ;
           all
           our
           grievous
           Sufferings
           shall
           end
           in
           Eternal
           Joys
           :
           
             Where
             I
             am
             ,
             there
             shall
             my
             Servant
             be
             :
          
           And
           he
           is
           at
           
             God's
             right
             Hand
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             fulness
             of
             Joy
             ,
             and
             Rivers
             of
             Pleasure
             for
             ever
             .
          
           And
           all
           the
           Clouds
           of
           Disgrace
           and
           Contempt
           that
           darken
           our
           present
           State
           ,
           shall
           be
           dispell'd
           and
           overcome
           by
           unfading
           Glory
           :
           
             If
             any
             Man
             serve
             me
             ,
             him
             will
             my
             Father
             honour
             .
          
        
         
           Joy
           and
           Glory
           are
           the
           bright
           Sum
           of
           Heaven
           :
           The
           compleat
           Felicity
           that
           a
           stedfast
           Faith
           in
           
           our
           Saviour's
           Promises
           ,
           opposes
           to
           the
           greatest
           Evils
           ,
           all
           the
           Ignominy
           and
           Reproaches
           ,
           all
           the
           Pains
           and
           Miseries
           that
           can
           afflict
           Life
           ,
           or
           imbitter
           Death
           :
           The
           lively
           hope
           of
           it
           inspires
           his
           Servants
           with
           an
           invincible
           Courage
           and
           Patience
           to
           sustain
           what
           ever
           Evils
           for
           his
           Sake
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           confine
           my
           Discourse
           to
           the
           last
           part
           of
           the
           Verse
           ;
           
             If
             any
             Man
             serve
             me
             ,
             him
             will
             my
             Father
             honour
             :
          
           Having
           upon
           the
           like
           occasion
           treated
           of
           the
           Joy
           that
           shall
           recompence
           all
           the
           Sorrows
           and
           Labours
           of
           the
           Saints
           .
        
         
           The
           Proposition
           I
           shall
           insist
           on
           is
           this
           :
           
             God
             will
             crown
             the
             Fidelity
             and
             Constancy
             of
             Christ's
             Servants
             with
             the
             highest
             Honour
             .
          
        
         
           In
           the
           managing
           of
           the
           Point
           ,
           I
           will
           consider
           ,
        
         
         
           First
           ,
           What
           the
           Service
           of
           Christ
           implies
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Upon
           what
           accounts
           't
           is
           due
           to
           him
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           final
           Reward
           that
           shall
           certainly
           attend
           it
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           Bring
           it
           home
           to
           our
           own
           Bosoms
           by
           Application
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           What
           the
           Service
           of
           Christ
           implies
           .
           In
           the
           general
           Notion
           ,
           to
           serve
           Christ
           ,
           implies
           Obedience
           to
           his
           Will
           as
           the
           Rule
           of
           our
           Actions
           ,
           with
           aims
           at
           his
           Glory
           as
           the
           End
           of
           them
           .
           His
           Will
           revealed
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           is
           a
           Rule
           eminently
           and
           exclusively
           .
           Eminently
           ,
           for
           it
           has
           all
           the
           Perfections
           of
           a
           Rule
           :
           'T
           is
           clear
           and
           compleat
           ,
           sufficient
           
             to
             make
             us
             wise
             to
             Salvation
             ,
          
           and
           to
           direct
           us
           in
           
             the
             Way
             everlasting
          
           .
           'T
           is
           called
           the
           
             holy
             ,
             acceptable
             ,
             and
             perfect
             Will
             of
             God.
          
           'T
           is
           a
           Rule
           Exclusively
           .
           To
           speak
           strictly
           ,
           no
           Creature
           can
           
           be
           a
           Rule
           to
           another
           ;
           for
           they
           are
           all
           in
           an
           equal
           Line
           of
           Subjection
           to
           the
           Creator
           :
           One
           may
           be
           a
           Guide
           or
           Governour
           to
           another
           according
           to
           the
           Rule
           of
           God's
           Word
           .
           The
           Laws
           of
           Men
           cannot
           reach
           and
           bind
           the
           Conscience
           immediately
           ,
           but
           by
           virtue
           of
           God's
           Command
           ;
           nor
           unlimitedly
           ,
           but
           as
           they
           are
           consonant
           with
           his
           Laws
           .
           Now
           a
           universal
           respect
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           Christ
           ,
           as
           the
           Rule
           of
           our
           Lives
           ,
           is
           truly
           to
           serve
           him
           .
           And
           the
           aiming
           at
           his
           Glory
           in
           all
           our
           Desires
           and
           Endeavours
           ,
           either
           actually
           or
           habitually
           ,
           is
           an
           essential
           Ingredient
           in
           his
           Service
           .
           The
           actual
           Intention
           in
           every
           performance
           is
           not
           absolutely
           necessary
           :
           Many
           good
           Actions
           may
           proceed
           from
           the
           Influence
           of
           the
           habitual
           Intention
           :
           An
           Arrow
           that
           is
           directed
           by
           aim
           may
           hit
           the
           Mark
           ,
           tho
           in
           its
           flight
           the
           Eye
           be
           turned
           off
           from
           it
           .
           But
           the
           ultimate
           
           scope
           of
           our
           Life
           ,
           which
           ought
           to
           be
           often
           renewed
           in
           our
           Minds
           ,
           must
           be
           to
           please
           and
           glorify
           Christ
           ;
           according
           to
           the
           Apostle's
           Expression
           ,
           
             To
             me
             to
             live
             is
             Christ.
          
           I
           will
           more
           distinctly
           open
           these
           Things
           under
           the
           following
           Heads
           ;
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Church
           is
           a
           distinct
           Society
           from
           the
           World
           ,
           of
           which
           Christ
           is
           the
           Head
           ;
           and
           the
           State
           of
           Christianity
           is
           
             a
             high
             and
             holy
             Calling
          
           ;
           and
           all
           who
           are
           brought
           into
           it
           by
           the
           outward
           Ministry
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           or
           in
           Conjunction
           with
           it
           ,
           by
           the
           internal
           Grace
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           are
           obliged
           to
           the
           Faith
           and
           Obedience
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           the
           same
           Duties
           and
           the
           same
           Rewards
           are
           common
           to
           all
           :
           And
           living
           according
           to
           that
           Spiritual
           State
           in
           
             Godliness
             ,
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             Sobriety
             ,
          
           is
           to
           serve
           Christ.
           Thus
           the
           Adoration
           ,
           the
           Honour
           ,
           the
           Homage
           we
           render
           to
           God
           ,
           the
           making
           him
           the
           sole
           Object
           of
           
           our
           highest
           Love
           ,
           an
           entire
           relyance
           on
           the
           Mediator
           for
           our
           Salvation
           ,
           an
           earnest
           desire
           to
           please
           him
           in
           all
           Things
           ,
           and
           an
           equal
           fear
           to
           displease
           him
           ,
           the
           exercise
           of
           compassionate
           beneficent
           Charity
           towards
           Men
           ;
           briefly
           ,
           a
           Holy
           and
           Heavenly
           Conversation
           ,
           is
           the
           universal
           Duty
           of
           Christ's
           Servants
           .
           And
           that
           our
           Service
           be
           accepted
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           performed
           with
           Humility
           ,
           Zeal
           and
           Constancy
           .
        
         
           With
           Humility
           and
           Dependance
           upon
           the
           Mediator
           for
           Divine
           Grace
           and
           Acceptance
           .
           Every
           spiritual
           Act
           requires
           a
           Supernatural
           Power
           :
           Not
           a
           holy
           Thought
           or
           Word
           springs
           from
           naked
           Nature
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           tells
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           
             Without
             me
             you
             can
             do
             nothing
             .
          
           As
           the
           Branches
           derive
           Life
           and
           active
           Sap
           from
           the
           Root
           that
           makes
           them
           flourishing
           and
           fruitful
           ;
           so
           from
           his
           sanctifying
           Spirit
           ,
           (
           that
           was
           purchased
           
           by
           his
           meritorious
           Sufferings
           ,
           and
           is
           conferr'd
           by
           him
           in
           his
           Glory
           ,
           )
           we
           are
           made
           fruitful
           in
           every
           good
           Work
           :
           And
           in
           the
           
             beloved
             Son
             we
             are
             only
             accepted
             .
          
        
         
           This
           general
           Service
           due
           to
           Christ
           ,
           must
           be
           done
           with
           Zeal
           .
           We
           are
           commanded
           to
           be
           
             fervent
             in
             Spirit
             ,
             serving
             the
             Lord
          
           ;
           to
           
             work
             out
             our
             own
             Salvation
          
           ,
           
           as
           the
           Apostle
           with
           most
           lively
           Emphasis
           enforces
           the
           Duty
           .
           Our
           most
           ardent
           Affections
           and
           active
           Powers
           are
           to
           be
           imploy'd
           in
           this
           work
           ,
           remembring
           that
           our
           Lives
           are
           short
           and
           uncertain
           :
           Time
           flies
           upon
           the
           swiftest
           Wings
           :
           That
           the
           Work
           is
           of
           infinite
           and
           everlasting
           Consequence
           ,
           in
           comparison
           of
           which
           our
           fervent
           Diligence
           in
           worldly
           Affairs
           ,
           is
           like
           the
           throwing
           of
           Straws
           and
           Feathers
           with
           our
           utmost
           strength
           :
           remembring
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           always
           under
           the
           pure
           Eye
           of
           our
           Divine
           Master
           ,
           that
           will
           call
           us
           to
           an
           exact
           
           Account
           .
           To
           be
           cold
           and
           careless
           in
           his
           Service
           ,
           disparages
           his
           Excellency
           ,
           and
           will
           defeat
           our
           hopes
           :
           
             The
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             is
             taken
             by
             violence
             .
          
        
         
           
           With
           Constancy
           .
           
             He
             delivered
             us
             from
             the
             Hands
             of
             our
             Enemies
             ,
             that
             we
             might
             serve
             him
             without
             Fear
             ,
             in
             Holiness
             and
             Righteousness
             before
             him
             all
             the
             Days
             of
             our
             Lives
             .
          
           The
           travail
           of
           Faith
           continues
           till
           heavenly
           Vision
           be
           brought
           forth
           ,
           and
           the
           Labour
           of
           Love
           till
           the
           Reward
           be
           obtained
           .
           I
           will
           not
           insist
           on
           this
           ,
           being
           to
           resume
           the
           consideration
           of
           it
           afterwards
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           In
           the
           various
           Conditions
           of
           Life
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           we
           are
           to
           serve
           Christ.
           The
           entire
           Man
           is
           the
           Object
           of
           God's
           tender
           Care
           and
           Providence
           ,
           and
           accordingly
           he
           has
           wisely
           ordered
           divers
           Conditions
           ,
           and
           special
           Callings
           of
           Men
           ,
           wherein
           they
           are
           engaged
           ,
           and
           employed
           for
           the
           Support
           and
           
           Comfort
           of
           themselves
           ,
           and
           the
           publick
           Good.
           And
           as
           in
           a
           Circle
           ,
           from
           every
           Point
           of
           it
           ,
           a
           streight
           Line
           may
           be
           drawn
           to
           the
           Centre
           :
           so
           in
           the
           vast
           Sphere
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           from
           every
           lawful
           Calling
           there
           may
           be
           a
           direct
           prosecution
           of
           our
           last
           and
           blessed
           End
           ,
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           in
           conjunction
           with
           our
           Salvation
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           no
           state
           of
           Life
           so
           low
           and
           mean
           ,
           but
           a
           Christian
           may
           so
           manage
           it
           ,
           as
           to
           excel
           in
           Holiness
           ,
           
           and
           consequently
           Honour
           Christ
           :
           As
           Phidias
           that
           famous
           Sculptor
           expres'd
           his
           Art
           to
           Admiration
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           Gold
           ,
           and
           Marble
           ,
           and
           Ivory
           ,
           but
           in
           mean
           Materials
           ,
           in
           Wood
           or
           ordinary
           Stone
           .
           The
           Apostle
           often
           inculcates
           this
           Lesson
           upon
           Servants
           ,
           to
           obey
           their
           Masters
           with
           Fidelity
           and
           Cheerfulness
           ,
           
             for
             ye
             serve
             the
             Lord
             Christ
             ;
             Col.
          
           3.24
           .
           Eph.
           6.7
           .
           It
           was
           to
           a
           mortal
           Man
           ,
           and
           if
           it
           might
           be
           of
           a
           perverse
           
           humour
           ,
           their
           Service
           was
           immediately
           addres'd
           ;
           but
           if
           from
           Conscience
           of
           their
           Duty
           to
           Christ
           ,
           and
           a
           direct
           intention
           to
           please
           him
           ,
           they
           performed
           it
           ,
           that
           Respect
           sweetened
           and
           ennobled
           the
           Service
           .
           'T
           is
           the
           Spirit
           and
           Perfection
           of
           Christianity
           to
           transform
           and
           elevate
           the
           lowest
           Actions
           :
           it
           makes
           the
           Service
           of
           a
           Slave
           to
           be
           Divine
           Obedience
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           most
           free
           and
           noble
           Act
           of
           the
           reasonable
           Creature
           .
           From
           hence
           the
           same
           Apostle
           enforces
           the
           Duties
           of
           Servants
           ,
           that
           they
           
             may
             adorn
             the
             Gospel
             of
             God
             our
             Saviour
             :
          
           
           The
           faithful
           Discharge
           of
           their
           Service
           redoubles
           the
           Lustre
           of
           the
           glorious
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           recommended
           it
           to
           their
           Pagan
           Masters
           .
           And
           't
           is
           equally
           true
           ,
           that
           in
           every
           lawful
           Condition
           of
           Life
           ,
           when
           Men
           are
           conversant
           in
           the
           Duties
           proper
           to
           it
           ,
           with
           a
           respect
           to
           the
           Command
           of
           Christ
           ,
           when
           their
           civil
           Actions
           
           are
           ultimately
           resolved
           into
           his
           Glory
           ,
           they
           perform
           Religious
           Obedience
           .
           This
           is
           enjoyned
           in
           that
           comprehensive
           Precept
           ,
           
             Whatsoever
             you
             do
             in
             word
             or
             deed
             ,
             do
             it
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           :
           that
           is
           ,
           with
           a
           respect
           to
           his
           Will
           ,
           and
           for
           his
           Honour
           .
           I
           shall
           only
           add
           that
           Diligence
           in
           our
           civil
           Callings
           ,
           must
           always
           be
           in
           Subserviency
           to
           the
           great
           End
           of
           our
           general
           Calling
           ,
           the
           Salvation
           of
           our
           Souls
           ;
           to
           which
           we
           are
           primarily
           and
           indispensably
           obliged
           .
           The
           Life
           of
           a
           Christian
           is
           a
           walking
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           way
           is
           in
           the
           performance
           of
           holy
           and
           civil
           Duties
           .
           And
           as
           Companions
           in
           a
           Journey
           are
           together
           all
           day
           ,
           but
           have
           set
           times
           of
           refreshing
           themselves
           ;
           so
           a
           Christian
           in
           his
           coelestial
           Journey
           ,
           is
           to
           walk
           always
           before
           God
           uprightly
           ,
           in
           all
           temporal
           Affairs
           to
           regard
           his
           Presence
           ,
           and
           every
           day
           at
           set
           times
           
           to
           draw
           near
           to
           him
           by
           Prayer
           and
           Thanksgiving
           ,
           and
           to
           represent
           his
           Greatness
           and
           Glory
           in
           so
           solemn
           a
           manner
           ,
           that
           there
           may
           be
           a
           serious
           habitual
           Constitution
           of
           Spirit
           respecting
           him
           in
           all
           his
           Actions
           .
           If
           there
           be
           a
           neglect
           of
           heavenly
           Communion
           with
           him
           ,
           and
           of
           our
           spiritual
           State
           ,
           and
           a
           perpetual
           Consumption
           of
           our
           Thoughts
           ,
           Time
           ,
           and
           Strength
           for
           secular
           Advantages
           and
           Interests
           ,
           Men
           are
           Slaves
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           not
           Servants
           of
           Christ.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           Service
           of
           Christ
           is
           more
           eminently
           performed
           in
           some
           special
           Offices
           ordained
           for
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           and
           the
           publick
           Good.
           And
           such
           are
           the
           civil
           Magistracy
           ,
           and
           the
           spiritual
           Ministry
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Magistrates
           the
           highest
           and
           subordinate
           in
           the
           Scale
           of
           Government
           ,
           are
           by
           designation
           to
           their
           Office
           to
           serve
           him
           ,
           They
           
           
             are
             called
             the
             Ministers
             of
             God
             ,
             for
             the
             good
             of
             the
             People
             .
          
           
           Princes
           may
           be
           considered
           in
           a
           double
           Capacity
           ,
           as
           Christians
           ,
           and
           as
           Princes
           ,
           and
           in
           both
           they
           are
           obliged
           to
           serve
           Christ.
           As
           Christians
           ,
           by
           an
           inflexible
           necessity
           ,
           without
           Priviledg
           or
           Dispensation
           they
           are
           bound
           to
           obey
           his
           holy
           Laws
           as
           strictly
           as
           every
           private
           Person
           ;
           as
           Princes
           ,
           they
           are
           subject
           to
           him
           not
           only
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           his
           Deity
           simply
           considered
           ,
           but
           his
           Office
           as
           Mediator
           .
           In
           his
           mortal
           State
           he
           did
           not
           exercise
           Regal
           Power
           ,
           nor
           appeared
           with
           conspicuous
           marks
           of
           Royalty
           ,
           for
           it
           was
           incongruous
           to
           his
           End
           :
           The
           Redemption
           of
           the
           lost
           World
           was
           to
           be
           obtained
           by
           Sufferings
           :
           But
           his
           Supremacy
           over
           the
           World
           ,
           is
           a
           Prerogative
           annext
           to
           his
           being
           Head
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           a
           Title
           that
           infinitely
           transcends
           all
           Angelical
           ,
           much
           more
           Human
           Principalities
           .
           
           
             He
             is
             stiled
             the
             Prince
             of
             the
             Kings
             of
             the
             Earth
             .
          
           Princes
           are
           commanded
           
             to
             kiss
             the
             Son
          
           ,
           a
           Token
           of
           the
           Adoration
           ,
           and
           Homage
           they
           owe
           to
           him
           .
           As
           Princes
           ,
           they
           are
           to
           exercise
           their
           Power
           and
           Authority
           to
           repress
           Wickedness
           ,
           and
           preserve
           the
           publick
           Tranquillity
           :
           For
           without
           the
           restraints
           of
           Fear
           ,
           the
           most
           savage
           fierce
           Beasts
           would
           be
           less
           dangerous
           than
           Men
           to
           Men.
           They
           are
           to
           encourage
           Moral
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           not
           only
           to
           promote
           the
           civil
           Prosperity
           ,
           but
           eternal
           Felicity
           of
           their
           Subjects
           .
           Accordingly
           the
           Apostle
           exhorts
           Christians
           to
           
             offer
             up
             Prayers
             and
             Supplications
             for
             Kings
             ,
             and
             all
             in
             in
             Authority
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             lead
             a
             quiet
             and
             peaceable
             Life
             in
             all
             Godliness
             and
             Honesty
             .
          
           When
           Princes
           are
           inspired
           with
           Sentiments
           and
           Resolutions
           ,
           becoming
           their
           Lieutenancy
           to
           the
           Lord
           Christ
           ,
           when
           they
           govern
           their
           Greatness
           ,
           
           and
           employ
           their
           Power
           in
           subserviency
           to
           his
           Interest
           ,
           when
           they
           protect
           and
           encourage
           all
           that
           
             seek
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             the
             Righteousness
             thereof
             ,
          
           as
           the
           clear
           direct
           way
           that
           leads
           to
           it
           ,
           they
           shall
           obtain
           the
           brightest
           richest
           Crowns
           in
           the
           State
           of
           Glory
           :
           But
           those
           who
           are
           a
           Terror
           to
           the
           Good
           ,
           and
           encourage
           evil
           Doers
           ,
           their
           mighty
           aggravated
           Sins
           will
           sink
           them
           into
           the
           deepest
           Damnation
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Those
           who
           are
           consecrated
           to
           the
           Spiritual
           Function
           of
           teaching
           ,
           and
           governing
           the
           Church
           ,
           are
           in
           a
           peculiar
           manner
           the
           Servants
           of
           Christ
           ,
           not
           as
           he
           is
           the
           Lord
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           but
           of
           Heaven
           ;
           considering
           the
           Quality
           of
           their
           work
           and
           the
           End
           of
           it
           :
           For
           't
           is
           wholly
           conversant
           about
           the
           Souls
           of
           Men
           ,
           
             to
             open
             their
             Eyes
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             turn
             them
             from
             Darkness
             to
             Light
             ,
             and
             from
             the
             Power
             of
             Satan
             to
             God
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             receive
             
             forgiveness
             of
             Sins
             ,
             and
             inheritance
             amongst
             them
             which
             are
             sanctified
             by
             Faith
             that
             is
             in
             Christ
             :
          
           And
           as
           't
           is
           express'd
           in
           other
           Words
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           
             to
             translate
             them
             from
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Darkness
             ,
          
           
           
             into
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             his
             dear
             Son.
             
          
        
         
           This
           Relation
           extends
           it self
           from
           the
           highest
           Apostle
           to
           the
           lowest
           in
           the
           sacred
           Office
           :
           St.
           Paul
           frequently
           stiles
           himself
           the
           
             Servant
             of
             Christ
          
           :
           
           and
           by
           that
           Title
           he
           expresses
           any
           that
           are
           by
           office
           employed
           for
           the
           saving
           of
           Souls
           :
           
             The
             Servant
             of
             the
             Lord
             must
             not
             strive
             ,
          
           
           
             but
             be
             gentle
             to
             all
             Men
             ,
             apt
             to
             teach
             .
          
           As
           Christ
           is
           called
           
             the
             Servant
             of
             God
          
           by
           way
           of
           Eminency
           ,
           and
           
             was
             anointed
             to
             to
             preach
             the
             Gospel
          
           ;
           so
           those
           who
           are
           dedicated
           to
           that
           Work
           ,
           are
           his
           Servants
           in
           the
           most
           proper
           sense
           ,
           and
           are
           to
           follow
           him
           ,
           the
           most
           excellent
           Example
           ,
           and
           highest
           Master
           in
           that
           Divine
           Work.
           This
           I
           will
           more
           particularly
           
           insist
           upon
           ,
           being
           suitable
           to
           the
           present
           occasion
           ,
           and
           lay
           down
           some
           Rules
           directing
           how
           the
           Ministers
           of
           Christ
           may
           serve
           him
           acceptably
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           be
           rewarded
           in
           the
           Heavenly
           Glory
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           They
           must
           by
           serious
           study
           furnish
           themselves
           with
           Divine
           Knowledg
           ,
           and
           substantial
           Learning
           ,
           for
           the
           Discharge
           of
           all
           the
           parts
           of
           their
           Office
           :
           To
           instruct
           the
           Ignorant
           ,
           to
           refute
           the
           Erroneous
           ,
           to
           reform
           the
           Unholy
           ,
           and
           to
           comfort
           the
           Humble
           and
           Disconsolate
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           compares
           the
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           
             unto
             a
             Man
             that
             is
             an
             Housholder
             ,
          
           
           
             which
             brings
             forth
             out
             of
             his
             Treasure
             ,
             things
             new
             and
             old
          
           ;
           'T
           is
           his
           Duty
           
             to
             give
             to
             the
             Flock
             Meat
             in
             due
             season
             ,
          
           
           for
           which
           not
           only
           Fidedelity
           but
           Wisdom
           is
           requisite
           .
           'T
           is
           the
           Apostle's
           charge
           to
           
             Timothy
             ;
             Give
             attendance
             to
             Reading
             ,
          
           
           
             to
             Exhortation
             ,
             to
             Doctrine
             ;
             meditate
             
             on
             these
             things
             ,
             give
             thy self
             wholly
             to
             them
             ,
             that
             thy
             profiting
             may
             appear
             before
             all
             .
          
           If
           Timothy
           who
           had
           supernatural
           Gifts
           by
           Inspiration
           ,
           was
           obliged
           to
           be
           intent
           and
           diligent
           in
           the
           application
           of
           his
           mind
           to
           the
           Mysteries
           of
           Godliness
           ;
           how
           much
           more
           should
           those
           who
           must
           acquire
           Knowledg
           by
           search
           and
           Industry
           ,
           and
           the
           Divine
           Blessing
           upon
           it
           .
           As
           Fountains
           by
           secret
           Passages
           derive
           from
           the
           Sea
           the
           Waters
           that
           flow
           in
           their
           Streams
           ;
           so
           Ministers
           by
           reading
           and
           Contemplation
           ,
           and
           Prayer
           in
           their
           Retirements
           ,
           obtain
           the
           Knowledg
           of
           Divine
           Things
           ,
           which
           they
           convey
           in
           their
           Sermons
           to
           the
           People
           .
        
         
           With
           the
           Notional
           ,
           an
           Experimental
           Knowledg
           of
           Divine
           Truths
           ,
           is
           absolutely
           necessary
           to
           a
           Minister
           to
           save
           himself
           ,
           and
           most
           useful
           to
           save
           others
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           not
           a
           perfect
           Systeme
           of
           
           Divinity
           in
           the
           Head
           ,
           not
           an
           universal
           knowledg
           of
           spiritual
           Things
           confined
           to
           the
           Brain
           ,
           that
           has
           a
           saving
           Efficacy
           :
           'T
           is
           not
           composing
           a
           Sermon
           with
           exquisite
           Art
           ,
           and
           the
           delivering
           of
           it
           like
           an
           Orator
           ,
           that
           makes
           him
           accepted
           with
           God.
           For
           without
           a
           cordial
           Sense
           of
           Divine
           Truths
           ,
           he
           only
           lends
           his
           Tongue
           in
           that
           holy
           Service
           ;
           like
           a
           Reciter
           in
           a
           Scene
           ,
           all
           he
           does
           is
           but
           external
           Appearance
           .
           God
           sees
           and
           requires
           the
           Heart
           :
           without
           it
           neither
           the
           Head
           nor
           the
           Tongue
           of
           a
           Minister
           ,
           tho
           his
           Speculations
           are
           sublime
           ,
           and
           his
           Words
           Drops
           of
           Gold
           ,
           are
           of
           any
           value
           .
           And
           usually
           the
           Sermons
           of
           such
           are
           without
           profit
           to
           the
           Hearers
           .
           The
           sound
           of
           words
           only
           reaches
           the
           Ear
           ,
           't
           is
           the
           Mind
           convinces
           the
           Mind
           ,
           and
           the
           Heart
           perswades
           the
           Heart
           .
           He
           that
           is
           strongly
           convinc'd
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           eternal
           Things
           ,
           he
           will
           
           speak
           of
           them
           with
           assurance
           ,
           as
           an
           Eye
           witness
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           lively
           manner
           :
           He
           that
           is
           burning
           in
           his
           own
           Breast
           ,
           will
           inflame
           others
           ;
           but
           if
           there
           be
           no
           Spark
           of
           Celestial
           Fire
           in
           the
           Minister's
           Brest
           ,
           if
           he
           does
           not
           value
           the
           Consequence
           of
           Divine
           Truths
           ,
           he
           speaks
           of
           them
           without
           a
           deep
           concernment
           ;
           and
           a
           cold
           Preacher
           makes
           a
           careless
           Hearer
           :
           and
           the
           Sermon
           is
           lost
           in
           the
           Air
           between
           the
           Lips
           of
           the
           one
           and
           the
           Ears
           of
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Matter
           of
           their
           Sermons
           must
           be
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Gospel
           revealed
           from
           Heaven
           to
           reduce
           Men
           to
           their
           Duty
           ,
           and
           restore
           them
           to
           Felicity
           .
           This
           is
           the
           Tenor
           of
           the
           Commission
           given
           by
           our
           Saviour
           to
           his
           Apostles
           ,
           
             Go
             teach
             all
             Nations
             ,
             to
             observe
             all
             things
             whatsoever
             I
             have
             commanded
             you
             .
          
           The
           preaching
           unrevealed
           or
           trivial
           things
           ,
           impertinent
           to
           the
           Salvation
           and
           
           Perfection
           of
           Souls
           ,
           is
           directly
           contrary
           to
           the
           end
           of
           their
           Office.
           The
           wisest
           Method
           of
           recovering
           lost
           Sinners
           is
           to
           unfold
           the
           two
           Covenants
           ,
           and
           represent
           the
           two
           Worlds
           to
           them
           .
           The
           first
           Covenant
           was
           with
           Man
           created
           in
           natural
           Righteousness
           and
           Holiness
           ,
           but
           was
           of
           a
           short
           continuance
           :
           For
           by
           his
           rebellious
           Sin
           he
           made
           a
           deadly
           forfeiture
           of
           the
           Image
           and
           Favour
           of
           God
           ,
           of
           Communion
           with
           him
           the
           Fountain
           of
           our
           Felicity
           .
           He
           is
           cut
           off
           from
           that
           blessed
           Life
           ,
           and
           must
           remain
           in
           the
           state
           of
           Corruption
           and
           Death
           for
           ever
           without
           redeeming
           Mercy
           .
           'T
           is
           a
           necessary
           preparative
           for
           the
           Conversion
           and
           Recovery
           of
           Sinners
           ,
           to
           convince
           them
           of
           the
           guilt
           ,
           pollution
           ,
           and
           dominion
           of
           Sin
           ,
           and
           the
           everlasting
           Hell
           that
           follows
           it
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           be
           roused
           out
           of
           their
           Security
           
             to
             fly
             from
             the
             Wrath
             to
             come
             .
          
           The
           Terrors
           of
           
           the
           Lord
           make
           the
           first
           Breach
           into
           the
           Hearts
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           Grace
           victoriously
           enters
           ,
           and
           subdues
           the
           reluctant
           Will.
           After
           the
           Conviction
           of
           Sin
           ,
           't
           is
           seasonable
           to
           convince
           them
           of
           the
           all-sufficient
           Righteousness
           of
           Christ
           ;
           that
           he
           is
           the
           Tree
           of
           Life
           ,
           for
           the
           reviving
           dead
           Sinners
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           Wisdom
           ,
           Righteousness
           ,
           Sanctification
           ,
           and
           Redemption
           ,
           a
           universal
           Remedy
           for
           all
           the
           Evils
           that
           lie
           upon
           Man
           in
           his
           fallen
           State.
           And
           't
           is
           requisite
           to
           open
           the
           Terms
           upon
           which
           God
           offers
           his
           Mercy
           ,
           the
           Law
           of
           Faith
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           that
           consists
           of
           
             Commands
             and
             Promises
          
           ,
           both
           to
           check
           Presumption
           that
           flatters
           so
           many
           into
           Hell
           ,
           and
           to
           prevent
           Despair
           that
           works
           as
           dangerously
           ,
           though
           not
           so
           frequently
           ,
           to
           the
           Ruin
           of
           Souls
           .
           That
           men
           may
           not
           from
           corrupt
           minds
           and
           carnal
           Affections
           misinterpret
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           to
           live
           at
           ease
           in
           
           their
           Sins
           ,
           a
           faithful
           Minister
           must
           shew
           them
           ,
           that
           the
           Promises
           of
           Pardon
           and
           Salvation
           are
           made
           only
           to
           a
           certain
           order
           of
           Sinners
           ,
           the
           repenting
           and
           reforming
           Sinners
           ,
           that
           rely
           upon
           Christ
           alone
           for
           their
           acceptance
           ;
           that
           he
           is
           a
           King
           as
           well
           as
           a
           Priest
           ,
           and
           none
           can
           regularly
           depend
           upon
           his
           Sacrifice
           without
           Subjection
           to
           his
           Scepter
           :
           In
           short
           the
           soveraign
           Balm
           of
           his
           Blood
           is
           to
           be
           applied
           only
           to
           those
           whose
           Hearts
           are
           broken
           for
           their
           Sins
           ,
           and
           from
           them
           .
           And
           to
           raise
           and
           encourage
           drooping
           Spirits
           that
           feel
           the
           intolerable
           Burthen
           of
           Sin
           ,
           and
           both
           from
           their
           Guilt
           and
           Unworthiness
           ,
           and
           their
           Impotency
           to
           perform
           the
           Conditions
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           are
           apt
           to
           be
           hopeless
           of
           obtaining
           Salvation
           ,
           the
           Gospel
           assures
           us
           that
           God
           is
           rich
           in
           Mercy
           ,
           ready
           to
           receive
           humble
           contrite
           Suppliants
           :
           That
           although
           
           Sins
           are
           of
           different
           degrees
           of
           Guilt
           ,
           and
           accordingly
           Conscience
           should
           be
           affected
           ,
           and
           the
           Springs
           of
           Godly
           Sorrow
           be
           opened
           ,
           yet
           God
           can
           as
           easily
           forgive
           ten
           thousand
           Talents
           as
           a
           few
           pence
           :
           that
           the
           Blood
           of
           Christ
           cleanses
           from
           all
           Sins
           ,
           those
           that
           are
           of
           a
           Crimson
           dy
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           from
           those
           of
           a
           lighter
           Tincture
           :
           That
           the
           Promise
           of
           Pardon
           is
           without
           limitation
           to
           all
           penitent
           Believers
           .
           And
           although
           in
           the
           fallen
           State
           Man
           is
           destitute
           of
           Spiritual
           Strength
           ,
           
             no
             Man
             can
             come
             to
             Christ
             except
             the
             Father
             draw
             him
          
           ;
           though
           Carnal
           Lusts
           have
           fetter'd
           Nature
           ,
           and
           captivated
           the
           Will
           ,
           that
           Men
           cannot
           rescue
           themselves
           from
           the
           Bondage
           of
           Sin
           ,
           yet
           Divine
           Grace
           is
           offered
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           to
           enable
           us
           to
           do
           what
           is
           impossible
           without
           it
           ;
           and
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           is
           promised
           to
           all
           that
           sincerely
           ask
           it
           ,
           who
           is
           stiled
           the
           
           
             Spirit
             of
             Love
             ,
             and
             Power
             ,
             and
             a
             sound
             Mind
             ,
          
           with
           respect
           to
           his
           Heavenly
           Operations
           in
           the
           Hearts
           of
           Men.
           Therefore
           as
           it
           would
           be
           Folly
           in
           a
           Scholar
           that
           is
           invited
           to
           the
           School
           of
           a
           learned
           Master
           ,
           to
           discourage
           himself
           from
           going
           ,
           because
           he
           wants
           Learning
           :
           For
           that
           is
           to
           be
           obtained
           there
           ,
           and
           only
           his
           Desire
           and
           Capacity
           of
           Instruction
           is
           requisite
           for
           his
           Admission
           :
           so
           't
           is
           unreasonable
           for
           those
           who
           have
           a
           humble
           sense
           of
           their
           Sins
           and
           Misery
           ,
           to
           be
           discouraged
           from
           coming
           to
           our
           Saviour
           ;
           for
           he
           is
           most
           willing
           to
           reconcile
           God
           to
           them
           by
           his
           prevailing
           Mediation
           ,
           and
           to
           communicate
           Divine
           Grace
           that
           they
           may
           perform
           that
           Obedience
           which
           God
           will
           graciously
           accept
           .
           This
           is
           to
           imitate
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           of
           whom
           't
           is
           said
           ,
           
             We
             preach
             not
             our selves
             ,
             but
             Christ
             Jesus
             the
             Lord.
             
          
        
         
         
           'T
           is
           of
           excellent
           use
           also
           for
           Preachers
           often
           to
           represent
           to
           Men
           the
           two
           Worlds
           ,
           so
           vastly
           different
           in
           the
           Qualities
           ,
           the
           Degrees
           and
           Duration
           of
           the
           Good
           and
           Evil
           Things
           that
           are
           enjoyed
           or
           suffered
           in
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           discover
           the
           Errors
           of
           their
           Ways
           before
           they
           come
           to
           their
           End
           ,
           and
           Death
           opens
           their
           Eyes
           to
           see
           and
           lament
           what
           is
           lost
           and
           never
           to
           be
           recover'd
           .
           All
           the
           admired
           Things
           in
           the
           sensible
           World
           ,
           are
           perishing
           Vanities
           ;
           like
           an
           inchanted
           Feast
           that
           feeds
           the
           Eye
           ,
           without
           real
           Nourishment
           :
           But
           in
           the
           Coelestial
           World
           all
           is
           substantial
           ,
           satisfying
           ,
           and
           eternal
           .
           All
           the
           Evils
           ,
           the
           Calamities
           ,
           the
           Injuries
           ,
           and
           Troubles
           suffer'd
           here
           ,
           are
           no
           more
           to
           the
           Plagues
           prepared
           by
           revenging
           Justice
           for
           impenitent
           Sinners
           ,
           than
           the
           slight
           razing
           of
           the
           Skin
           is
           to
           a
           deadly
           Wound
           in
           the
           Heart
           .
           Now
           the
           fundamental
           Delusion
           of
           Men
           is
           
           in
           valuing
           the
           present
           state
           of
           Things
           above
           what
           is
           Future
           ,
           and
           infinitely
           better
           or
           worse
           .
           They
           think
           and
           call
           them
           only
           Happy
           ,
           
           who
           live
           in
           Pomp
           ,
           and
           flow
           in
           Riches
           and
           Pleasures
           ;
           but
           as
           vainly
           as
           the
           Heathens
           dignified
           their
           Idols
           ,
           with
           the
           Titles
           of
           Coelestial
           Deities
           :
           They
           count
           them
           only
           miserable
           that
           are
           in
           Poverty
           ,
           Sickness
           ,
           and
           Afflictions
           here
           .
           And
           as
           't
           is
           observed
           ,
           by
           the
           great
           Physician
           ,
           that
           if
           a
           delirous
           Person
           proposes
           his
           incohoerent
           Fancies
           ,
           seriously
           as
           the
           Product
           of
           Consideration
           ,
           his
           Case
           is
           more
           dangerous
           and
           hardly
           curable
           :
           So
           the
           solemn
           Folly
           of
           Men
           that
           think
           it
           reasonable
           to
           esteem
           what
           is
           present
           and
           sensible
           ,
           above
           what
           is
           future
           and
           spiritual
           ;
           and
           accordingly
           to
           choose
           the
           present
           as
           the
           real
           substantial
           Good
           ,
           and
           neglect
           the
           future
           as
           a
           matter
           of
           Fancy
           and
           Conceit
           ,
           is
           hardly
           cured
           .
           Their
           Minds
           and
           Affections
           ,
           
           their
           Aims
           and
           Desires
           center
           in
           the
           Earth
           :
           their
           Fears
           ,
           Anxieties
           ,
           Sorrows
           terminate
           there
           .
           And
           't
           is
           one
           necessary
           part
           of
           the
           Minister's
           Work
           to
           devest
           the
           World
           of
           its
           Masquing
           Habit
           ,
           that
           appears
           so
           rich
           and
           glittering
           in
           the
           Night
           by
           Torch-light
           ,
           to
           strip
           it
           naked
           as
           it
           shall
           burn
           in
           the
           consuming
           Fire
           at
           the
           last
           Day
           :
           And
           to
           unvail
           the
           Glory
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           represent
           it
           to
           the
           Eyes
           of
           Christians
           so
           as
           to
           ravish
           their
           Hearts
           :
           In
           short
           ,
           to
           make
           such
           a
           convincing
           Discovery
           of
           Things
           unseen
           ,
           that
           Men
           may
           judg
           ,
           that
           only
           the
           Saints
           above
           are
           truly
           and
           perfectly
           Happy
           ,
           and
           only
           the
           Reprobates
           in
           Hell
           are
           really
           and
           finally
           miserable
           ,
           and
           accordingly
           regulate
           their
           Lives
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           add
           to
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           Language
           of
           Sermons
           should
           be
           suitable
           to
           the
           quality
           of
           the
           Matter
           ,
           and
           the
           end
           of
           that
           Divine
           Ordinance
           .
           A
           Minister
           must
           
           speak
           as
           becoming
           the
           Oracles
           of
           God
           :
           With
           solemn
           Expressions
           according
           to
           the
           Sanctity
           and
           Importance
           of
           the
           great
           Mystery
           of
           Godliness
           .
           The
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           
             his
             Speech
             was
             not
             with
             the
             enticing
             Words
             of
             Man's
             Wisdom
             .
          
           A
           Luxuriant
           flourish
           of
           Words
           ,
           a
           vain
           Ostentation
           of
           Wit
           ,
           debases
           the
           Majesty
           ,
           enervates
           the
           Vigour
           ,
           and
           corrupts
           the
           pure
           taste
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           True
           Eloquence
           is
           always
           suitable
           to
           the
           Subject
           ,
           and
           springs
           from
           it
           ;
           as
           the
           native
           Beauty
           of
           the
           Countenance
           that
           springs
           from
           a
           sound
           Complexion
           of
           Body
           ,
           and
           is
           not
           varnish'd
           with
           the
           Paint
           of
           Art.
           When
           the
           Truth
           of
           Eternal
           Things
           is
           planted
           in
           the
           Heart
           ,
           and
           the
           vital
           Sense
           of
           them
           is
           shed
           in
           the
           Will
           and
           Affections
           ,
           it
           will
           furnish
           us
           with
           fit
           and
           powerful
           Words
           to
           express
           them
           .
           Besides
           ,
           in
           the
           managing
           of
           a
           sacred
           Argument
           ,
           
             salus
             populi
             suprema
             lex
             esto
          
           :
           
           The
           Salvation
           of
           Souls
           is
           the
           Rule
           to
           which
           the
           Language
           of
           Sermons
           must
           be
           parallel
           .
           Divine
           Truths
           must
           be
           represented
           with
           those
           clear
           and
           solemn
           Expressions
           ,
           as
           may
           powerfully
           affect
           the
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           excite
           the
           practick
           Faculties
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           with
           such
           weighty
           and
           serious
           Words
           ,
           as
           may
           awaken
           Sinners
           to
           fear
           the
           powerful
           and
           terrible
           Judg
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           to
           hate
           Sin
           that
           provokes
           his
           Displeasure
           .
           The
           curious
           Contexture
           of
           Words
           of
           pleasant
           Sound
           without
           Substance
           ,
           is
           an
           elaborate
           Folly
           :
           'T
           is
           the
           framing
           a
           Net
           only
           fit
           to
           catch
           Flys
           ,
           the
           vain
           Applauses
           of
           the
           injudicious
           ,
           not
           to
           take
           Souls
           ,
           the
           Divine
           Work
           of
           a
           Minister
           .
           And
           the
           Account
           must
           be
           woful
           for
           those
           Ministers
           to
           the
           Redeemer
           of
           Souls
           ,
           whose
           Study
           ,
           Thoughts
           ,
           and
           Time
           are
           wasted
           for
           so
           guilty
           and
           base
           an
           end
           .
        
         
         
           3.
           
           The
           Motives
           of
           their
           Affections
           and
           Endeavours
           in
           this
           Holy
           Service
           must
           be
           the
           Love
           of
           Christ
           and
           precious
           Immortal
           Souls
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           with
           repeated
           Earnestness
           recommends
           this
           to
           St.
           
             Peter
             ,
             Lovest
             thou
             me
             ,
             feed
             my
             Lambs
             ,
             feed
             my
             Sheep
             .
          
           The
           Salvation
           of
           Souls
           is
           his
           dearest
           Glory
           ,
           and
           satisfying
           Pleasure
           :
           As
           it
           was
           prophesied
           ,
           that
           he
           shall
           
             see
             of
             the
             Travel
             of
             his
             Soul
             ,
             and
             be
             satisfied
             :
          
           And
           our
           zealous
           Endeavours
           to
           save
           them
           from
           Death
           ,
           is
           the
           natural
           and
           necessary
           Effect
           of
           our
           Love
           to
           him
           .
           A
           true
           Minister
           of
           Christ
           has
           a
           diviner
           Principle
           ,
           a
           sublimer
           Soul
           ,
           than
           to
           aim
           at
           carnal
           Fruitions
           ,
           at
           temporal
           and
           terrestrial
           Rewards
           .
           The
           blessed
           End
           of
           his
           Office
           must
           be
           the
           End
           of
           all
           his
           studious
           Thoughts
           and
           Labours
           ,
           the
           Honour
           of
           his
           Master
           in
           the
           Conversion
           and
           Salvation
           of
           Sinners
           .
        
         
         
           If
           the
           World
           be
           in
           their
           Eye
           and
           Heart
           as
           the
           Scope
           of
           their
           Ministry
           ,
           they
           are
           guilty
           of
           the
           most
           unnatural
           Disorder
           by
           employing
           the
           most
           excellent
           means
           for
           low
           and
           sordid
           Ends
           ,
           they
           use
           God
           to
           enjoy
           the
           World
           :
           this
           corrupts
           and
           stains
           their
           Service
           .
           Such
           Mercenaries
           
             are
             empty
             Vines
             ,
             that
             only
             bring
             forth
             Fruit
             unto
             themselves
             :
          
           They
           have
           their
           Reward
           here
           .
           But
           the
           Love
           of
           Christ
           and
           Souls
           reigns
           in
           the
           Heart
           of
           a
           faithful
           Minister
           :
           this
           regulates
           his
           Work
           in
           order
           to
           their
           spiritual
           and
           everlasting
           Good.
           
        
         
           This
           will
           make
           him
           descend
           to
           the
           Capacity
           of
           the
           meanest
           ,
           and
           plainly
           to
           instruct
           them
           in
           things
           concerning
           their
           Salvation
           .
           As
           
             Elisha
             put
             his
             Mouth
             upon
             the
             Mouth
             ,
             and
             his
             Eyes
             upon
             the
             Eyes
             ,
             and
             his
             Hands
             upon
             the
             Hands
             of
             the
             dead
             Child
             ,
          
           and
           thereby
           conveyed
           a
           living
           Heat
           into
           
           him
           ;
           so
           a
           Minister
           should
           apply
           himself
           suitably
           to
           their
           Capacity
           ,
           who
           are
           but
           Children
           in
           Knowledg
           .
           'T
           is
           his
           Duty
           to
           raise
           the
           low
           Understandings
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           to
           humble
           the
           high
           and
           swelling
           Passions
           of
           Men.
           
        
         
           This
           Love
           to
           Souls
           will
           inspire
           him
           with
           tender
           melting
           Affections
           :
           without
           which
           ,
           unless
           God
           renews
           the
           Miracle
           of
           Aaron's
           dry
           Rod
           blooming
           and
           bearing
           Almonds
           ,
           our
           Discourses
           will
           be
           barren
           ,
           without
           Fruit
           in
           the
           Hearers
           .
           A
           plain
           Sermon
           dictated
           from
           the
           Heart
           with
           a
           holy
           Heat
           of
           Affections
           ,
           makes
           a
           solid
           Impression
           upon
           the
           Hearers
           :
           When
           an
           elaborate
           Discourse
           ,
           not
           animated
           with
           the
           Affections
           ,
           is
           of
           little
           Efficacy
           .
           As
           a
           blunter
           Iron
           ,
           if
           burning
           hot
           ,
           pierces
           more
           easily
           and
           deeply
           into
           a
           Piece
           of
           churlish
           Wood
           ,
           then
           a
           sharper
           that
           is
           cold
           .
        
         
         
           The
           Love
           of
           Christ
           and
           Souls
           inspires
           with
           Joy
           and
           Alacrity
           in
           his
           Service
           .
           No
           Element
           is
           heavy
           in
           its
           own
           Sphere
           .
        
         
           A
           mercenary
           Spirit
           performs
           the
           Work
           as
           an
           irksom
           Task
           ;
           but
           Love
           sweetens
           all
           the
           Duties
           of
           the
           sacred
           Calling
           ,
           even
           such
           as
           are
           most
           distastful
           to
           the
           Carnal
           .
           This
           entitles
           to
           the
           blessed
           Reward
           .
           The
           Apostle
           saith
           ,
           
             If
             I
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             willingly
             ,
             I
             have
             a
             Reward
          
           :
           Otherwise
           his
           abundant
           Labours
           would
           be
           of
           no
           comfortable
           account
           at
           last
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           Ministers
           of
           Christ
           must
           with
           most
           faithful
           Diligence
           attend
           his
           Service
           .
           The
           Subject
           and
           End
           of
           their
           Work
           challenges
           this
           of
           them
           ,
           The
           Conversion
           and
           Salvation
           of
           Souls
           .
           What
           earnest
           and
           repeated
           Calls
           are
           necessary
           to
           awaken
           those
           who
           are
           involved
           in
           carnal
           Security
           ,
           to
           perswade
           them
           to
           love
           what
           they
           hate
           ,
           and
           to
           hate
           what
           they
           love
           ?
           
           and
           when
           the
           Foundation
           is
           laid
           in
           serious
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           the
           Work
           of
           Grace
           begun
           ,
           what
           Diligence
           is
           requisite
           to
           raise
           it
           to
           Perfection
           ?
           How
           does
           the
           malicious
           incessant
           Enemy
           of
           our
           Salvation
           strive
           by
           a
           thousand
           Temptations
           to
           blast
           our
           Endeavours
           ?
        
         
           The
           Work
           of
           a
           Minister
           is
           not
           like
           the
           Work
           of
           an
           Artificer
           :
           A
           Statuary
           with
           long
           Labour
           cuts
           the
           Marble
           to
           form
           it
           into
           a
           noble
           Image
           ,
           but
           he
           leaves
           his
           work
           at
           his
           Pleasure
           ;
           and
           when
           he
           resumes
           it
           ,
           the
           Matter
           being
           durable
           ,
           't
           is
           in
           the
           same
           state
           towards
           finishing
           as
           when
           he
           left
           it
           .
           But
           the
           Heart
           of
           Man
           is
           of
           a
           strange
           Nature
           ,
           hard
           as
           Marble
           and
           fluid
           as
           Water
           ;
           Heavenly
           Impressions
           are
           with
           difficulty
           made
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           easily
           defac'd
           .
           When
           by
           many
           Prayers
           and
           Tears
           ,
           many
           tender
           Addresses
           of
           Ministers
           the
           Heart
           is
           softened
           ,
           and
           the
           Image
           
           of
           Christ
           ,
           the
           Lineaments
           of
           his
           Divine
           Graces
           and
           Vertues
           are
           first
           drawn
           in
           it
           ,
           without
           a
           continual
           Eye
           and
           Attendance
           upon
           the
           Work
           ,
           how
           soon
           are
           those
           blessed
           Beginnings
           spoiled
           ,
           and
           the
           carnal
           Lusts
           regain
           the
           Heart
           ?
           How
           hard
           is
           it
           to
           prevail
           with
           Men
           to
           enter
           into
           the
           narrow
           Way
           ,
           and
           to
           preserve
           them
           from
           defiling
           Lapses
           in
           it
           ,
           or
           woful
           Excursions
           into
           the
           pleasant
           ways
           of
           Sin
           ,
           and
           to
           bring
           them
           safely
           to
           Heaven
           ?
           The
           solemn
           Adjuration
           of
           the
           Apostle
           to
           Timothy
           should
           excite
           Ministers
           with
           the
           most
           watchful
           Care
           and
           useful
           Diligence
           to
           attend
           their
           Work
           :
           
             I
             charge
             thee
             before
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
          
           
           
             who
             shall
             judg
             the
             quick
             and
             the
             dead
             at
             his
             appearing
             and
             his
             Kingdom
             :
             Preach
             the
             Word
             ,
             be
             instant
             ,
             in
             season
             ,
             out
             of
             season
             ;
             reprove
             ,
             rebuke
             ,
             exhort
             with
             all
             long
             suffering
             and
             Doctrine
             .
          
           What
           Opiate
           can
           stupify
           the
           Conscience
           
           of
           idle
           Ministers
           so
           as
           not
           to
           be
           awakened
           by
           these
           ardent
           Expressions
           ?
           How
           can
           they
           appear
           before
           the
           most
           High
           ,
           and
           Everlasting
           Judge
           ?
           What
           will
           be
           a
           sufficient
           Defence
           before
           his
           inlightned
           Tribunal
           ?
           What
           Apologies
           will
           skreen
           them
           from
           his
           fiery
           Displeasure
           ?
           Will
           their
           Ignorance
           ,
           or
           Abundance
           ,
           or
           Slothfulness
           excuse
           the
           neglect
           of
           their
           Duty
           ?
           They
           may
           deceive
           themselves
           with
           vain
           Allegations
           to
           palliate
           their
           Negligence
           ,
           but
           God
           will
           not
           be
           mocked
           .
           If
           in
           the
           last
           Judgment
           those
           who
           neglected
           to
           feed
           the
           Poor
           with
           material
           Bread
           to
           support
           their
           Bodies
           ,
           shall
           be
           placed
           with
           the
           Reprobates
           at
           the
           Left
           Hand
           of
           Christ
           ,
           how
           can
           those
           whose
           Office
           it
           is
           to
           dispense
           the
           Bread
           of
           Life
           to
           Souls
           ,
           and
           neglect
           to
           feed
           them
           ,
           escape
           Condemnation
           ?
        
         
           The
           useful
           Diligence
           I
           have
           been
           urging
           upon
           Ministers
           ,
           is
           
           not
           only
           necessary
           in
           publick
           solemn
           preaching
           the
           Word
           ,
           but
           in
           seasonable
           applying
           it
           to
           particular
           Persons
           within
           their
           Compass
           and
           Care.
           Of
           this
           we
           have
           an
           excellent
           Pattern
           in
           St.
           Paul
           ,
           who
           gives
           this
           Account
           of
           his
           Spiritual
           Work
           :
           
             We
             preach
             Christ
             ,
             warning
             every
             Man
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             teaching
             every
             Man
             in
             all
             Wisdom
             ;
             that
             we
             may
             present
             every
             Man
             perfect
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             .
          
           A
           Minister
           should
           with
           watchful
           Diligence
           take
           all
           Opportunities
           for
           the
           saving
           of
           precious
           Souls
           ;
           and
           sometimes
           one
           short
           Lesson
           seriously
           applied
           to
           a
           Person
           in
           private
           ,
           more
           powerfully
           ,
           affects
           the
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           moves
           the
           Affections
           ,
           than
           a
           long
           and
           well
           studied
           Sermon
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           The
           Servants
           of
           Christ
           must
           with
           Resolution
           and
           Constancy
           despise
           the
           Allurements
           and
           the
           Terrors
           of
           the
           World
           in
           performing
           the
           Duties
           of
           their
           Office.
           
           The
           Apostle
           declares
           his
           fixed
           Mind
           ,
           
           
             I
             count
             not
             my
             Life
             dear
             to
             me
             ,
             so
             that
             I
             may
             finish
             my
             Course
             with
             Joy
             ,
             and
             the
             Ministry
             which
             I
             have
             received
             of
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             :
          
           Tho
           amongst
           the
           pikes
           of
           a
           thousand
           Dangers
           he
           was
           never
           faint-hearted
           ,
           much
           less
           false-hearted
           ,
           in
           the
           Cause
           of
           Christ.
           The
           two
           principal
           parts
           of
           the
           Minister's
           Duty
           are
           to
           preserve
           the
           Truths
           of
           the
           Gospel
           inviolate
           ,
           and
           to
           open
           and
           enforce
           the
           Commands
           of
           it
           in
           their
           spiritual
           Purity
           and
           Extent
           :
           They
           are
           stiled
           
             the
             Lights
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             the
             Salt
             of
             the
             Earth
             .
          
        
         
           All
           the
           Truths
           of
           the
           Gospel
           are
           of
           precious
           value
           ,
           but
           not
           of
           equal
           clearness
           and
           moment
           :
           And
           Christian
           Charity
           should
           moderate
           between
           Dissenters
           in
           smaller
           Matters
           ,
           who
           agree
           in
           the
           main
           Points
           of
           Religion
           .
           But
           those
           Truths
           of
           the
           Gospel
           that
           are
           primary
           and
           radical
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           
           by
           necessary
           Consequence
           are
           deduc'd
           from
           them
           ,
           require
           our
           most
           vigilant
           Care
           and
           Zeal
           to
           preserve
           them
           entire
           and
           untainted
           .
           'T
           is
           a
           universal
           Duty
           respecting
           Christians
           ,
           to
           search
           out
           the
           Truth
           
             as
             't
             is
             in
             Jesus
          
           ,
           to
           understand
           the
           Reasons
           of
           the
           Religion
           they
           profess
           ,
           and
           to
           
             contend
             earnestly
             for
             the
             Faith
             once
             delivered
             to
             the
             Saints
             .
          
           But
           the
           Ministers
           of
           Christ
           who
           by
           virtue
           of
           their
           Office
           are
           Depositaries
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           are
           chiefly
           obliged
           to
           assert
           and
           defend
           it
           :
           Especially
           when
           there
           are
           many
           Snares
           spread
           abroad
           to
           entangle
           ignorant
           and
           unstable
           Souls
           with
           dangerous
           Errors
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           has
           set
           us
           a
           pattern
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           who
           declared
           ,
           
             For
             this
             end
             was
             I
             born
             ,
             and
             came
             into
             the
             World
             to
             bear
             witness
             to
             the
             Truth
             .
          
           They
           are
           false
           to
           the
           sacred
           Trust
           reposed
           in
           them
           ,
           when
           ,
           by
           Silence
           the
           Truth
           is
           in
           danger
           of
           being
           opprest
           .
           'T
           is
           
           their
           Duty
           and
           Glory
           to
           be
           
             valiant
             for
             the
             Truth
          
           ,
           when
           false
           Doctrines
           boldly
           oppose
           it
           ,
           and
           poyson'd
           Arrows
           are
           shot
           into
           the
           Eyes
           of
           Men
           by
           erroneous
           Teachers
           .
           'T
           is
           said
           of
           John
           the
           Baptist
           ,
           
             He
             was
             not
             the
             Light
             ,
             but
             as
             next
             in
             Dignity
             ,
             he
             came
             to
             bear
             witness
             of
             the
             Light.
          
           But
           if
           they
           withdraw
           their
           Testimony
           when
           the
           Truth
           challenges
           it
           ,
           they
           will
           be
           covered
           with
           Confusion
           at
           the
           last
           Day
           ;
           according
           to
           that
           fearful
           Threatning
           ,
           
             Whosoever
             denies
             me
             before
             Men
             ,
             him
             will
             I
             deny
             before
             my
             Father
             which
             is
             in
             Heaven
             .
          
           The
           ignorance
           of
           Saving-Truths
           will
           not
           excuse
           the
           People
           ;
           and
           Silence
           will
           condemn
           their
           Guides
           who
           should
           illustrate
           and
           defend
           the
           Truth
           even
           in
           the
           Face
           of
           Danger
           .
        
         
           Besides
           they
           are
           guilty
           of
           Unfaithfulness
           to
           Christ
           ,
           who
           by
           colourable
           temperaments
           adulterate
           the
           Purity
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           by
           
           milder
           modifications
           qualify
           and
           lessen
           Errors
           ;
           who
           would
           joyn
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           with
           the
           Traditions
           of
           Men
           ,
           which
           are
           incompatible
           as
           Mid-night
           and
           Mid-day
           .
           None
           are
           more
           artificial
           than
           fearful
           Spirits
           :
           They
           have
           many
           Turns
           and
           Expedients
           to
           compound
           necessary
           Controversies
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           it
           seem
           indifferent
           which
           Opinion
           is
           chosen
           .
           They
           transform
           their
           fearful
           Apprehensions
           ,
           into
           Counsels
           of
           Prudence
           ,
           and
           disguise
           the
           baseness
           of
           their
           Cowardise
           under
           the
           Reputation
           of
           being
           Discreet
           .
           The
           wisest
           of
           Men
           who
           understood
           the
           incomparable
           value
           of
           Truth
           ,
           advises
           ,
           
             Buy
             the
             Truth
             ,
             and
             sell
             it
             not
             :
          
           And
           we
           are
           told
           by
           St.
           
             James
             ,
             The
             Wisdom
             ,
             that
             is
             from
             above
             ,
             is
             first
             pure
             ,
             and
             then
             peaceable
             :
          
           But
           the
           Worldly-wise
           ,
           with
           Art
           and
           Industry
           endeavour
           to
           secure
           their
           outward
           Peace
           with
           the
           violation
           of
           Truth
           .
           How
           contrary
           is
           the
           
           Judgment
           of
           God
           to
           the
           vain
           Opinions
           of
           Men
           ?
           He
           is
           jealous
           of
           the
           Simplicity
           of
           his
           Truth
           ,
           and
           the
           Chastity
           of
           his
           Worship
           ,
           and
           will
           at
           last
           convince
           such
           of
           their
           extream
           Folly
           who
           would
           reconcile
           Religions
           that
           can
           never
           flow
           into
           one
           another
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           therefore
           an
           indispensable
           Obligation
           of
           the
           Servants
           of
           Christ
           to
           adhere
           to
           the
           eternal
           Truth
           in
           Scriptures
           ,
           tho
           vilified
           by
           some
           as
           an
           insufficient
           Rule
           ,
           or
           impertinent
           and
           not
           absolutely
           necessary
           :
           And
           to
           preserve
           the
           pure
           Doctrine
           and
           transmit
           it
           to
           succeeding
           Ages
           .
           And
           this
           divine
           Encouragement
           should
           sustain
           them
           with
           unfainting
           Resolution
           to
           do
           their
           Duty
           ,
           that
           if
           they
           cannot
           save
           the
           Truth
           from
           being
           over-born
           at
           present
           ,
           yet
           the
           Truth
           will
           save
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           will
           pierce
           through
           all
           Opposition
           ,
           and
           be
           victorious
           in
           the
           Issue
           .
           The
           Church
           of
           Christ
           is
           of
           a
           supernatural
           
           Original
           and
           Order
           ,
           and
           contrary
           to
           the
           custom
           of
           Human
           Things
           ,
           is
           enlarg'd
           and
           establish'd
           by
           the
           means
           used
           to
           destroy
           it
           .
           When
           the
           Heathen
           Powers
           with
           the
           utmost
           Rage
           and
           Cruelty
           attempted
           its
           final
           Ruine
           it
           prosper'd
           the
           more
           :
           The
           patient
           Deaths
           of
           the
           Martyrs
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           conspicuous
           Miracles
           ,
           gave
           credit
           and
           conveyance
           to
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           Ministers
           of
           Christ
           must
           with
           Faithfulness
           and
           Courage
           enforce
           the
           Commands
           of
           the
           Gospel
           upon
           all
           .
           Carnal
           Men
           would
           fain
           relax
           the
           strictness
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           and
           endeavour
           to
           make
           their
           Principles
           correspondent
           to
           their
           Practices
           :
           They
           try
           to
           bend
           the
           Rule
           to
           their
           disordered
           and
           licentious
           Appetites
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           regulate
           their
           Hearts
           and
           Lives
           according
           to
           the
           Sanctity
           of
           the
           Rule
           :
           And
           those
           who
           are
           high
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           very
           uneasily
           bear
           the
           Conviction
           and
           Reproof
           
           of
           their
           Sin
           :
           But
           a
           Minister
           must
           be
           faithful
           to
           Christ
           and
           their
           Souls
           ,
           and
           press
           upon
           them
           the
           Commands
           of
           our
           Judg
           ,
           
             to
             pluck
             out
             the
             right
             Eye
             ,
             and
             cut
             off
             the
             right
             Hand
             ,
          
           upon
           the
           heavy
           Penalty
           of
           being
           made
           entire
           Victims
           to
           revenging
           Justice
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           They
           must
           with
           a
           prudent
           temperament
           of
           Zeal
           and
           Meekness
           ,
           insinuate
           and
           open
           a
           Passage
           for
           sanctifying
           and
           saving
           Doctrine
           into
           the
           Hearts
           of
           Men.
           This
           is
           the
           successful
           Method
           to
           convince
           those
           who
           are
           seduced
           with
           Errors
           ,
           and
           to
           reclaim
           the
           
             Disobedient
             to
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             the
             Just.
          
           The
           Defence
           of
           the
           Truth
           must
           be
           managed
           in
           a
           calm
           peaceable
           manner
           ;
           as
           the
           Sun
           scatters
           and
           overcomes
           the
           darkness
           of
           the
           Night
           and
           Clouds
           without
           noise
           .
           'T
           is
           the
           Apostle's
           Counsel
           ,
           
             In
             Meekness
             instructing
             those
             that
             oppose
             themselves
             :
          
           Without
           Contumelies
           
           and
           Revilings
           ;
           for
           Injuries
           convince
           no
           Man.
           The
           Human
           Spirit
           is
           naturally
           proud
           and
           stiff
           ,
           and
           will
           resist
           such
           Arms
           :
           Fierceness
           and
           Scorn
           irritate
           the
           Passions
           ,
           and
           hinder
           impartial
           and
           serious
           Deliberation
           ,
           that
           opens
           the
           Mind
           for
           receiving
           the
           Truth
           .
           To
           perswade
           the
           Soul
           ,
           the
           mild
           and
           placid
           manner
           of
           conveying
           the
           Truth
           is
           as
           effectual
           as
           the
           Irradiation
           and
           Evidence
           of
           it
           .
           And
           to
           reclaim
           the
           disobedient
           there
           is
           nothing
           more
           powerful
           than
           Gentleness
           and
           the
           constraint
           of
           Love.
           The
           most
           fervent
           Reprehensions
           of
           Sinners
           must
           be
           mixt
           with
           tenderness
           to
           their
           Souls
           .
           Under
           the
           Law
           there
           was
           a
           severe
           Prohibition
           of
           offering
           Sacrifices
           with
           the
           common
           Fire
           :
           But
           only
           with
           that
           Fire
           that
           came
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           was
           preserved
           Day
           and
           Night
           in
           the
           Temple
           :
           The
           Allusion
           is
           easy
           and
           fit
           :
           The
           Reprehension
           of
           Sinners
           in
           the
           Pulpit
           must
           be
           
           always
           from
           Zeal
           for
           the
           Honour
           of
           God
           and
           the
           Eternal
           Salvation
           of
           Souls
           ,
           not
           from
           natural
           fiery
           Passions
           .
           If
           a
           Minister
           denounces
           the
           Judgments
           of
           God
           with
           Compassion
           to
           Souls
           ,
           if
           he
           thunder
           and
           lightens
           in
           his
           Sermons
           ,
           a
           Shower
           of
           repenting
           Tears
           will
           follow
           in
           convinced
           Sinners
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           A
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           must
           joyn
           a
           holy
           Life
           with
           found
           Doctrine
           ,
           according
           to
           our
           Saviour's
           Description
           of
           him
           :
           
             He
             that
             shall
             do
             and
             teach
             my
             Commands
             ,
             shall
             be
             great
             in
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             .
          
           He
           must
           not
           only
           be
           free
           from
           Pollutions
           ,
           but
           excel
           in
           Vertues
           ;
           nothing
           in
           his
           Conversation
           should
           be
           worthy
           of
           Reproach
           ,
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           worthy
           of
           Imitation
           .
           He
           must
           lead
           a
           Life
           answerable
           to
           the
           Excellence
           and
           End
           of
           his
           Calling
           .
           He
           is
           to
           preach
           a
           Doctrine
           so
           holy
           divine
           and
           venerable
           ,
           that
           it
           would
           become
           the
           unspotted
           Angels
           
           to
           be
           ministring
           Spirits
           in
           revealing
           it
           to
           Men.
           He
           is
           therefore
           strictly
           obliged
           to
           shew
           forth
           the
           Power
           of
           Godliness
           ,
           and
           the
           Beauty
           of
           Holiness
           in
           all
           his
           ways
           .
           He
           must
           imitate
           and
           honour
           his
           Master
           ,
           who
           inseparably
           united
           
             saying
             and
             doing
             in
             himself
          
           :
           He
           must
           adorn
           the
           Gospel
           by
           expressing
           the
           Efficacy
           of
           divine
           Truths
           in
           his
           Actions
           .
           Under
           the
           Law
           he
           that
           had
           touch'd
           a
           dead
           Body
           ,
           was
           forbidden
           to
           approach
           the
           Sanctuary
           :
           and
           what
           a
           Violation
           is
           it
           of
           all
           the
           Rules
           of
           Decency
           and
           Reason
           ,
           for
           one
           who
           is
           employed
           in
           the
           holy
           Service
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           
           to
           be
           polluted
           with
           dead
           Works
           ?
           Tertullian
           writing
           of
           the
           Excellency
           of
           Patience
           ,
           and
           reflecting
           upon
           himself
           ,
           how
           opposite
           his
           fiery
           Nature
           was
           to
           that
           Vertue
           ,
           was
           deeply
           affected
           with
           Grief
           and
           Shame
           ,
           and
           drew
           up
           his
           own
           Arraignment
           and
           Process
           for
           his
           Impatience
           :
           How
           
           much
           juster
           Cause
           has
           an
           unholy
           Minister
           to
           be
           surprised
           with
           Horrour
           and
           Confusion
           ,
           considering
           the
           irreconcileable
           opposition
           between
           his
           Doctrine
           and
           his
           Life
           ?
           How
           just
           and
           stinging
           is
           the
           upbraiding
           Speech
           of
           God
           to
           such
           ?
           how
           peremptory
           the
           Rejection
           ?
           
             What
             hast
             thou
             to
             do
             to
             declare
             my
             Statutes
             ,
             and
             to
             take
             my
             Covenant
             into
             thy
             Mouth
             ,
             since
             thou
             hatest
             to
             be
             reformed
             ,
             and
             hast
             cast
             my
             Words
             behind
             thee
             ?
          
           The
           End
           of
           the
           sacred
           Ministry
           requires
           Holiness
           in
           those
           who
           perform
           it
           :
           That
           is
           to
           convert
           Men
           to
           the
           Faith
           and
           Obedience
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           Now
           the
           Practice
           of
           a
           Minister
           gives
           Weight
           and
           Efficacy
           to
           his
           Doctrine
           ,
           the
           exemplifying
           of
           it
           in
           his
           Actions
           is
           the
           most
           powerful
           perswasive
           to
           draw
           Men
           to
           their
           Duty
           .
           Therefore
           the
           Apostle
           commands
           
             Titus
             in
             all
             Things
             to
             shew
             himself
             a
             Pattern
             of
             good
             Works
             .
          
           As
           
           the
           Plants
           that
           are
           productive
           of
           Balm
           ,
           and
           Myrrh
           ,
           and
           Incense
           ,
           have
           a
           Fragrancy
           not
           only
           in
           the
           precious
           Liquor
           that
           distils
           from
           them
           ,
           but
           all
           their
           Branches
           ,
           and
           Leaves
           ,
           and
           Bark
           ,
           are
           Aromatick
           .
           Thus
           a
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           must
           be
           Holy
           not
           only
           in
           his
           Doctrine
           ,
           but
           in
           all
           manner
           of
           Conversation
           .
           
             Be
             thou
             an
             Example
             of
             the
             Believers
             in
             Word
             ,
             in
             Conversation
             ,
             in
             Charity
             ,
             in
             Spirit
             ,
             in
             Faith
             ,
             in
             Purity
             ,
          
           is
           the
           solemn
           Charge
           to
           Timothy
           .
           He
           that
           is
           holy
           in
           his
           Profession
           ,
           and
           unholy
           in
           his
           Life
           ,
           both
           discredits
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           hardens
           Men
           in
           their
           Sins
           .
           Though
           his
           Tongue
           may
           direct
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           if
           his
           Life
           leads
           to
           Hell
           ,
           the
           Authority
           of
           his
           Actions
           will
           be
           more
           prevalent
           than
           of
           his
           Instructions
           .
           The
           Vices
           of
           a
           Minister
           are
           more
           conspicuous
           and
           infamous
           than
           of
           private
           Persons
           :
           As
           a
           Blemish
           in
           the
           Eye
           is
           more
           conspicuous
           and
           
           disfiguring
           than
           in
           a
           concealed
           Part
           of
           the
           Body
           ;
           and
           they
           have
           the
           most
           corrupting
           destructive
           Influence
           upon
           others
           .
           For
           there
           is
           nothing
           more
           natural
           than
           for
           Men
           to
           think
           that
           Ministers
           do
           not
           believe
           what
           they
           preach
           ,
           when
           there
           is
           a
           visible
           Contradiction
           between
           their
           Lives
           and
           their
           Words
           :
           That
           their
           most
           zealous
           Sermons
           are
           rather
           Pageantry
           than
           serious
           Piety
           ,
           and
           accordingly
           to
           slight
           them
           .
           This
           is
           a
           principal
           Reason
           that
           the
           Conversion
           of
           Sinners
           is
           so
           rare
           :
           'T
           is
           not
           from
           any
           defect
           in
           the
           word
           ,
           for
           that
           is
           not
           like
           some
           medicinal
           Drugs
           ,
           that
           lose
           their
           Virtue
           by
           Age
           ,
           it
           has
           the
           same
           Divine
           Power
           to
           revive
           dead
           Souls
           ,
           to
           transform
           the
           carnal
           into
           spiritual
           Persons
           ,
           to
           clarify
           the
           Mind
           that
           it
           may
           see
           things
           invisible
           ,
           to
           reconcile
           the
           Will
           to
           the
           Sanctity
           of
           God's
           Law
           ,
           to
           calm
           the
           stormy
           Affections
           ,
           and
           leave
           an
           
           Impression
           of
           its
           Purity
           in
           the
           Hearts
           of
           Men
           :
           but
           the
           admirable
           and
           secret
           Grace
           of
           the
           holy
           Spirit
           is
           not
           usually
           concomitant
           with
           the
           Ministry
           of
           those
           who
           grieve
           him
           ,
           and
           quench
           him
           in
           themselves
           ;
           and
           they
           render
           the
           holy
           Doctrine
           ineffectual
           by
           their
           discordant
           Conversations
           .
           It
           was
           the
           Character
           of
           the
           wicked
           Pharisees
           from
           the
           Mouth
           of
           Christ
           :
           
             They
             say
             ,
             and
             do
             not
          
           :
           and
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           are
           involved
           in
           the
           same
           Guilt
           ,
           the
           Saviour
           of
           the
           World
           threatens
           the
           most
           heavy
           Damnation
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           Humble
           ,
           fervent
           ,
           and
           continual
           Prayer
           to
           the
           
             Father
             of
             Mercies
             ,
             and
             the
             Father
             of
             Spirits
             ,
          
           that
           he
           would
           bless
           the
           outward
           Ministry
           ,
           is
           requisite
           to
           make
           it
           effectual
           .
           The
           Conversion
           of
           Man
           is
           not
           wrought
           by
           Man
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           Energy
           of
           the
           holy
           Spirit
           .
           God
           instructs
           us
           what
           he
           does
           in
           the
           more
           secret
           Operations
           
           of
           Grace
           ,
           by
           what
           he
           does
           in
           the
           more
           visible
           Operations
           of
           Nature
           .
           This
           is
           express'd
           by
           the
           Apostle
           ;
           Paul
           
             plants
             ,
             and
          
           Apollos
           
             waters
             ,
             but
             God
             gives
             the
             Increase
             .
          
           A
           Man
           plants
           a
           green
           Stick
           ,
           and
           waters
           it
           ;
           but
           the
           God
           of
           Nature
           forms
           the
           Tree
           in
           all
           its
           Parts
           ,
           the
           Root
           ,
           the
           Sap
           ,
           the
           Trunk
           ,
           the
           Branches
           ,
           and
           the
           Fruits
           :
           The
           planting
           by
           the
           Hand
           of
           Man
           is
           necessary
           for
           the
           Growth
           of
           a
           Tree
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           that
           to
           the
           Divine
           Blessing
           ?
           Thus
           according
           to
           the
           ordinary
           Method
           of
           Divine
           Grace
           ,
           God
           unites
           his
           marvellous
           Power
           with
           the
           weak
           Ministry
           of
           Men
           for
           the
           Salvation
           of
           Souls
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           the
           Apostle's
           arguing
           ,
           it
           is
           an
           impossible
           Event
           that
           
             Men
             should
             believe
             without
             hearing
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             hear
             without
             a
             Preacher
          
           :
           But
           the
           converting
           and
           saving
           of
           Souls
           is
           to
           be
           ascribed
           to
           God.
           And
           thus
           in
           the
           Spiritual
           Husbandry
           ,
           the
           
           Occasions
           of
           Pride
           and
           Slothfulness
           are
           equally
           removed
           .
           As
           the
           same
           Apostle
           saith
           ,
           
             He
             that
             plants
             is
             nothing
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             waters
             ,
             is
             nothing
             ,
             but
             God
             that
             gives
             the
             Increase
             .
          
           This
           Consideration
           should
           be
           an
           Incentive
           in
           our
           Breasts
           ,
           to
           petition
           the
           God
           of
           all
           Grace
           that
           he
           will
           please
           to
           give
           Life
           and
           Efficacy
           to
           his
           Word
           .
           In
           Jacob's
           Vision
           of
           the
           mysterious
           Ladder
           that
           reach'd
           from
           Heaven
           to
           Earth
           ,
           the
           Angels
           were
           ascending
           and
           descending
           :
           An
           Emblem
           of
           a
           Minister's
           Duty
           ,
           they
           must
           first
           ascend
           in
           Prayer
           and
           Contemplation
           ,
           and
           then
           descend
           in
           preaching
           to
           the
           People
           .
           'T
           is
           observable
           that
           sometimes
           Men
           of
           excellent
           Accomplishments
           are
           blasted
           in
           their
           Ministry
           ;
           and
           others
           of
           meaner
           Abilities
           ,
           but
           of
           more
           holy
           Affections
           ,
           are
           very
           instrumental
           to
           save
           Souls
           :
           The
           Reason
           is
           plain
           ;
           those
           who
           are
           most
           frequent
           and
           fervent
           in
           
           Prayer
           ,
           obtain
           the
           richest
           Abundance
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           are
           usually
           most
           blest
           with
           Success
           .
           When
           the
           Apostles
           were
           filled
           with
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ,
           descending
           in
           the
           significant
           Emblem
           of
           fiery
           Tongues
           ;
           what
           an
           admirable
           Influence
           had
           their
           Preaching
           upon
           the
           obdurate
           Jews
           ?
           The
           first
           Sermon
           presently
           convinc'd
           and
           converted
           three
           thousand
           ,
           that
           were
           Murderers
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           with
           the
           Stains
           of
           his
           Blood
           fresh
           upon
           them
           .
           Tongues
           of
           Flesh
           are
           without
           vigor
           ,
           make
           no
           lasting
           Impression
           upon
           the
           Hearers
           :
           Tongues
           of
           Fire
           have
           a
           divine
           Force
           and
           Operation
           ,
           to
           dispel
           the
           Ignorance
           and
           Errors
           of
           Mens
           Minds
           ,
           to
           quicken
           the
           dull
           Earth
           of
           their
           Affections
           ,
           to
           refine
           and
           purify
           their
           Conversations
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           To
           sum
           up
           all
           in
           one
           general
           Consideration
           ;
           He
           serves
           Christ
           ,
           that
           employs
           all
           his
           Abilities
           ,
           
           and
           uses
           all
           Opportunities
           in
           the
           Circle
           of
           his
           Calling
           ,
           as
           was
           before
           spoken
           of
           ,
           for
           the
           Honour
           of
           our
           Saviour
           .
           This
           is
           represented
           in
           the
           Parable
           of
           the
           Talents
           ,
           which
           the
           Master
           committed
           to
           his
           Servants
           ;
           different
           in
           their
           Number
           ,
           but
           to
           be
           faithfully
           improved
           for
           the
           Master's
           Interest
           .
           Under
           the
           Talents
           are
           comprised
           all
           that
           we
           have
           and
           are
           ;
           whether
           in
           the
           Order
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           with
           respect
           to
           our
           civil
           State
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           all
           our
           intellectual
           and
           sensitive
           Faculties
           ,
           all
           our
           innate
           and
           acquired
           Endowments
           ,
           our
           Time
           ,
           our
           Health
           ,
           our
           Dignities
           and
           Power
           ,
           our
           Estates
           ;
           or
           Spiritual
           Blessings
           ,
           all
           the
           Gifts
           and
           Graces
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           all
           the
           Advantages
           we
           have
           of
           doing
           or
           receiving
           Good
           for
           our
           more
           excellent
           and
           immortal
           part
           ,
           the
           Salvation
           of
           our
           Souls
           .
           Every
           one
           according
           
           to
           the
           Character
           wherewith
           he
           is
           invested
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           his
           Capacity
           of
           doing
           Good
           ,
           must
           be
           diligent
           in
           the
           service
           of
           Christ.
           In
           what
           Relations
           soever
           Men
           are
           ,
           as
           Fathers
           ,
           Masters
           ,
           or
           Magistrates
           in
           a
           superiour
           Rank
           ,
           or
           as
           Friends
           and
           Associates
           in
           an
           equal
           Line
           ,
           and
           as
           they
           stand
           related
           to
           all
           Men
           ,
           they
           are
           either
           by
           Authority
           and
           Command
           ,
           or
           by
           Counsel
           and
           compassionate
           Care
           and
           Encouragements
           to
           promote
           with
           Diligence
           ,
           their
           Temporal
           and
           Eternal
           Welfare
           .
           The
           Apostle's
           Advice
           with
           respect
           to
           Acts
           of
           Beneficence
           for
           relieving
           the
           Poor
           ,
           
             Let
             us
             do
             good
             unto
             all
             as
             we
             have
             opportunity
             ,
          
           is
           by
           just
           Analogy
           binding
           to
           all
           other
           Expressions
           of
           Love
           ,
           to
           direct
           ,
           to
           perswade
           Men
           to
           their
           Duty
           ,
           to
           comfort
           them
           in
           their
           Sorrows
           ,
           to
           assist
           them
           in
           all
           their
           Wants
           and
           Exigencies
           .
           Briefly
           ,
           the
           
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           of
           Christ's
           Servants
           consists
           in
           their
           faithful
           improving
           all
           their
           Talents
           for
           his
           Glory
           ,
           as
           our
           Saviour
           declares
           ,
           
             Who
             is
             that
             wise
             and
             faithful
             Servant
             ;
             and
             ,
             Well
             done
             good
             and
             faithful
             Servant
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           We
           are
           to
           shew
           upon
           what
           accounts
           our
           Service
           is
           due
           to
           Christ.
           If
           we
           seriously
           consider
           things
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           evident
           that
           by
           all
           the
           Titles
           of
           Justice
           and
           Gratitude
           ,
           by
           all
           Divine
           and
           Rational
           Rights
           we
           are
           obliged
           to
           serve
           him
           intirely
           and
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           present
           State
           there
           are
           four
           ways
           whereby
           Men
           become
           Servants
           :
           Some
           are
           born
           Servants
           ;
           some
           are
           by
           ransom
           and
           purchase
           ;
           some
           by
           victorious
           rescue
           and
           deliverance
           ;
           others
           are
           Servants
           by
           Covenant
           and
           Agreement
           .
           Now
           all
           these
           Titles
           concur
           in
           obliging
           us
           to
           serve
           Christ.
           
        
         
         
           1.
           
           We
           are
           his
           Servants
           by
           Nature
           ,
           he
           has
           an
           original
           and
           unalianeble
           Right
           in
           us
           as
           our
           Creator
           .
           God
           to
           satisfy
           the
           Inquiry
           of
           Moses
           defines
           himself
           ,
           
             I
             am
          
           :
           All
           the
           intimate
           and
           eternal
           Attributes
           of
           the
           Deity
           are
           implyed
           in
           that
           short
           Title
           :
           He
           is
           the
           only
           necessary
           Being
           by
           his
           Nature
           ,
           and
           consequently
           has
           all
           Perfections
           in
           himself
           ,
           and
           is
           the
           Fountain
           of
           all
           Being
           .
           
             His
             Hands
             made
             us
             and
             fashioned
             us
             ,
             he
             breathed
             into
             us
             a
             living
             Soul.
          
           All
           our
           Faculties
           and
           their
           Efficacy
           are
           from
           him
           .
           He
           produces
           this
           evidence
           of
           his
           Right
           in
           us
           ,
           
             Remember
             O
          
           Jacob
           
             thou
             art
             my
             Servant
             ,
             I
             have
             formed
             thee
             :
          
           
           The
           Psalmist
           declares
           ,
           
             Know
             ye
             that
             the
             Lord
             he
             is
             God
             ;
             't
             is
             he
             that
             made
             us
             ,
             and
             not
             we
             our Selves
             ;
             we
             are
             his
             People
             and
             Sheep
             of
             his
             Pasture
             :
          
           We
           owe
           to
           him
           an
           Obedience
           as
           ready
           &
           unconstrain'd
           as
           the
           meekest
           Creatures
           pay
           to
           those
           that
           
           feed
           and
           conduct
           them
           .
           His
           Perfections
           qualify
           him
           to
           be
           our
           absolute
           Master
           ,
           for
           his
           Will
           is
           always
           directed
           by
           infinite
           Wisdom
           ,
           't
           is
           the
           Rule
           of
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           his
           Benefits
           in
           making
           and
           preserving
           us
           ,
           acquire
           to
           him
           a
           supreme
           Right
           in
           us
           .
           Now
           if
           there
           be
           a
           Spark
           of
           Reason
           in
           our
           Minds
           ,
           't
           is
           impossible
           to
           have
           the
           least
           Shadow
           of
           doubt
           ,
           that
           a
           derivative
           Being
           has
           a
           dependent
           Working
           ,
           and
           is
           to
           employ
           his
           active
           Powers
           according
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           his
           Maker
           ,
           as
           the
           Rule
           ,
           and
           his
           Glory
           as
           the
           ultimate
           End
           of
           all
           .
        
         
           The
           Connexion
           is
           indissolvable
           ,
           
             for
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             through
             him
             ,
             and
             to
             him
             are
             all
             things
             .
          
           The
           Psalmist
           ardently
           calls
           the
           whole
           World
           ;
           
             Bless
             the
             Lord
             all
             ye
             his
             Works
             ,
          
           
           
             in
             all
             Places
             of
             his
             Dominion
             .
          
           The
           Angels
           who
           by
           Nobility
           of
           Nature
           are
           superiour
           to
           all
           his
           other
           Works
           ,
           yet
           are
           not
           
           
             sui
             juris
          
           ,
           at
           their
           own
           disposals
           ,
           but
           his
           Ministers
           
             that
             do
             his
             Pleasure
          
           :
           They
           employ
           
             their
             excellent
             Strength
          
           in
           humble
           Obedience
           to
           his
           Commands
           :
           they
           fly
           with
           incredible
           Swiftness
           to
           perform
           his
           Orders
           .
           And
           in
           the
           visible
           World
           ,
           
           the
           Heavens
           in
           their
           Motion
           ,
           the
           Earth
           in
           its
           Seasons
           ,
           with
           an
           invariable
           Tenor
           observe
           the
           Law
           impress'd
           upon
           them
           in
           their
           Creation
           :
           As
           the
           Psalmist
           speaks
           ,
           
             they
             continue
             this
             day
             according
             to
             thy
             Ordinance
             ,
          
           
           
             for
             all
             are
             thy
             Servants
          
           .
           And
           if
           the
           Creatures
           without
           Reason
           and
           Sense
           are
           perfectly
           subject
           to
           his
           Will
           ,
           much
           more
           should
           Man
           who
           understands
           his
           Obligations
           to
           the
           Creator
           .
           Now
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           made
           us
           ,
           and
           maintains
           our
           Beings
           by
           his
           powerful
           Providence
           ;
           from
           whence
           it
           follows
           ,
           we
           are
           under
           an
           eternal
           Obligation
           to
           serve
           and
           glorify
           him
           to
           the
           utmost
           of
           our
           Capacities
           .
           
           His
           unexcited
           and
           most
           free
           Goodness
           decreed
           our
           Beings
           from
           everlasting
           ,
           and
           in
           time
           brought
           us
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           whereas
           he
           might
           have
           created
           innumerable
           other
           Persons
           ,
           for
           Omnipotence
           is
           without
           Bounds
           ,
           and
           left
           us
           in
           the
           pure
           Possibility
           of
           Being
           ,
           without
           the
           giving
           actual
           Being
           to
           us
           .
           The
           natural
           Law
           that
           shines
           in
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           ,
           in
           the
           Knowledg
           of
           what
           is
           just
           and
           good
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Conscience
           of
           what
           is
           evil
           ,
           binds
           them
           with
           the
           deepest
           Humility
           to
           acknowledg
           the
           Greatness
           and
           Goodness
           of
           our
           Creator
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           sense
           of
           this
           first
           and
           fundamental
           Benefit
           to
           consecrate
           our selves
           for
           ever
           to
           his
           Service
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           We
           are
           his
           Servants
           not
           only
           upon
           the
           general
           Title
           of
           Creation
           ,
           but
           in
           a
           more
           peculiar
           manner
           by
           Redemption
           .
           Man
           by
           his
           Disobedience
           was
           fallen
           
           into
           a
           woful
           Bondage
           ,
           his
           Guilt
           subjected
           him
           to
           the
           threatning
           ,
           that
           contained
           two
           Deaths
           in
           one
           Sentence
           ,
           the
           temporal
           and
           present
           of
           the
           Body
           ,
           and
           the
           eternal
           of
           the
           Soul.
           The
           righteous
           Judg
           of
           the
           the
           World
           ,
           whose
           Law
           was
           broken
           ,
           required
           an
           honourable
           Reparation
           of
           it
           :
           the
           most
           costly
           Sacrifices
           of
           Beasts
           ,
           a
           Sea
           of
           Blood
           could
           never
           atone
           his
           Displeasure
           :
           Nay
           ,
           the
           Obedience
           and
           Sufferings
           of
           Men
           and
           Angels
           were
           of
           no
           value
           to
           satisfy
           his
           injured
           Justice
           :
           Thus
           Mankind
           was
           desperately
           lost
           ,
           our
           Ruines
           (
           if
           I
           may
           so
           speak
           )
           were
           sowed
           with
           Salt
           ,
           we
           were
           concluded
           under
           his
           most
           righteous
           and
           fearful
           Wrath
           :
           If
           the
           Love
           and
           Wisdom
           of
           God
           had
           not
           accorded
           to
           find
           out
           that
           astonishing
           expedient
           of
           uniting
           the
           eternal
           Son
           of
           God
           with
           the
           human
           Nature
           in
           one
           Person
           ,
           that
           as
           Man
           he
           might
           voluntarily
           
           submit
           to
           bloody
           Sufferings
           ,
           and
           as
           God
           give
           an
           infinite
           Merit
           and
           Value
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           thereby
           purchase
           our
           Redemption
           .
           This
           is
           accomplished
           by
           Jesus
           Christ
           ;
           
             The
             Lord
             laid
             on
             him
             the
             Iniquity
             of
             us
             all
             ;
             he
             gave
             his
             Life
             a
             ransom
             for
             us
             :
          
           From
           hence
           a
           new
           Right
           springs
           of
           his
           Dominion
           over
           us
           ;
           as
           the
           Apostle
           invincibly
           argues
           ,
           
             Ye
             are
             not
             your
             own
             ,
             for
             ye
             are
             bought
             with
             a
             price
             ,
             therefore
             glorify
             God
             in
             your
             Bodies
             ,
             and
             in
             your
             Spirit
             ,
             which
             are
             God's
             .
          
           The
           naked
           representing
           of
           this
           to
           the
           serious
           Mind
           must
           awaken
           a
           dear
           Sense
           of
           our
           Obligations
           to
           our
           Saviour
           :
           but
           if
           we
           solemnly
           and
           deliberately
           contemplate
           this
           amazing
           Benefit
           ,
           out
           of
           what
           Rock
           is
           the
           Heart
           framed
           ,
           that
           is
           not
           soften'd
           and
           melted
           in
           Love
           and
           Obedience
           to
           our
           Blessed
           Redeemer
           .
           To
           heighten
           the
           Sense
           of
           our
           Obligations
           ,
           Consider
           ,
        
         
         
           1.
           
           A
           more
           excellent
           Goodness
           is
           visible
           in
           the
           redeeming
           Man
           than
           in
           creating
           the
           Angels
           ,
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           the
           distance
           of
           the
           Terms
           and
           the
           Difficulty
           of
           the
           way
           to
           effect
           it
           .
           In
           the
           Creation
           of
           Angels
           ,
           Goodness
           was
           rich
           indeed
           ,
           there
           being
           no
           Possibility
           of
           desert
           in
           pure
           nothing
           ,
           but
           it
           was
           simply
           free
           ;
           whereas
           in
           our
           Salvation
           it
           is
           merciful
           beyond
           all
           Imagination
           ,
           for
           by
           our
           Rebellion
           we
           were
           justly
           fallen
           under
           the
           Wrath
           of
           God
           :
           Their
           Creation
           was
           without
           the
           least
           strain
           of
           his
           Power
           ;
           
             He
             spake
             ,
             and
             it
             was
             done
          
           :
           But
           there
           was
           a
           legal
           Bar
           against
           our
           Restitution
           :
           To
           remove
           it
           ,
           
             his
             Son
             endured
             the
             Curse
             of
             the
             Law
             for
             us
             ,
             and
             bore
             our
             Sins
             in
             his
             own
             Body
             on
             the
             Tree
             .
          
           Divine
           Love
           in
           our
           Redemption
           not
           only
           exceeds
           what
           was
           shewed
           in
           the
           Creation
           of
           Angels
           ,
           but
           is
           admirably
           illustrated
           by
           a
           higher
           comparison
           :
           
           For
           the
           Father
           seemed
           to
           love
           us
           above
           his
           only
           begotten
           Son
           ,
           
             whom
             he
             spared
             not
             ,
             but
             delivered
             him
             up
             for
             us
             all
             ;
             and
             the
             Son
             loved
             us
             above
             his
             Life
             ,
             which
             he
             laid
             down
             for
             us
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           By
           the
           way
           of
           our
           Redemption
           he
           has
           infinitely
           honoured
           our
           Nature
           that
           was
           so
           vilified
           by
           the
           Fall.
           Man
           ,
           whose
           Soul
           was
           an
           immortal
           Spirit
           ,
           stamped
           with
           the
           lively
           Image
           of
           God
           ,
           capable
           of
           everlasting
           Communion
           with
           him
           in
           Glory
           ,
           was
           sold
           for
           nought
           .
           
             Be
             astonished
             O
             ye
             Heavens
             at
             this
             ,
             and
             be
             very
             desolate
             :
          
           That
           Man
           ,
           who
           had
           the
           two
           great
           Lights
           of
           Natural
           Reason
           and
           Divine
           Faith
           ,
           should
           prefer
           the
           pleasing
           an
           irregular
           Appetite
           before
           the
           Favour
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           for
           a
           vain
           Fancy
           lose
           the
           most
           substantial
           Happiness
           .
           Thus
           
             Man
             being
             in
             Honour
             ,
             and
             understood
             not
             ,
             became
             like
             the
             Beasts
             that
             perish
             ,
             nay
             viler
             
             than
             the
             Earth
             .
          
           And
           all
           the
           Children
           of
           Adam
           sin
           
             according
             to
             the
             Similitude
             of
             his
             first
             Transgression
             .
          
           O
           the
           cheap
           Damnation
           of
           Sinners
           !
           For
           transient
           Pleasures
           ,
           and
           mean
           Profits
           they
           venture
           upon
           eternal
           Death
           .
           This
           guilty
           and
           woful
           Folly
           not
           only
           defiles
           ,
           but
           debases
           Men
           to
           Hell.
           Now
           the
           Lord
           of
           Life
           and
           Glory
           by
           suffering
           an
           ignominious
           Death
           for
           us
           ,
           has
           with
           the
           clearest
           evidence
           discovered
           the
           true
           Worth
           of
           Souls
           :
           That
           they
           are
           precious
           beyond
           comparison
           ,
           since
           the
           whole
           World
           is
           not
           a
           valuable
           Compensation
           for
           them
           :
           
             We
             are
             not
             redeemed
             with
             corruptible
             things
             ,
             as
             Silver
             and
             Gold
             ,
          
           
           
             but
             with
             the
             precious
             Blood
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             of
             a
             Lamb
             without
             spot
             and
             blemish
             :
          
           That
           sacred
           Treasure
           of
           Heaven
           that
           was
           laid
           down
           for
           us
           ,
           exceedingly
           increases
           our
           Obligations
           to
           the
           Blessed
           Redeemer
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           By
           giving
           himself
           for
           us
           ,
           
           he
           has
           not
           only
           freed
           us
           from
           the
           Wrath
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           restored
           us
           to
           his
           dearest
           Favour
           :
           We
           are
           translated
           from
           the
           fearful
           State
           of
           being
           God's
           Enemies
           into
           the
           amiable
           joyful
           State
           of
           his
           Children
           :
           And
           consequently
           our
           Redeemer
           has
           purchased
           for
           us
           not
           only
           Salvation
           from
           Hell
           ,
           but
           eternal
           Glory
           ,
           a
           Life
           more
           divine
           and
           durable
           than
           the
           natural
           Life
           in
           Paradise
           .
           How
           can
           we
           seriously
           think
           of
           this
           transcendent
           Benefit
           without
           a
           rapture
           of
           Affection
           ?
           He
           infinitely
           deserves
           our
           Love
           and
           Service
           who
           has
           bought
           us
           with
           so
           dear
           a
           price
           ,
           and
           purchased
           for
           us
           a
           glorious
           and
           incorruptible
           Inheritance
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           We
           are
           his
           Servants
           by
           his
           Deliverance
           of
           us
           from
           our
           Spiritual
           Enemies
           ,
           Satan
           ,
           Sin
           ,
           and
           Death
           .
           Since
           the
           Devil
           obtained
           a
           woful
           Victory
           over
           us
           in
           the
           Fall
           of
           Adam
           ,
           great
           was
           the
           Triumph
           
           of
           Hell
           :
           And
           though
           he
           be
           an
           Usurper
           of
           God's
           Right
           ,
           which
           could
           never
           be
           extinguished
           ,
           yet
           by
           our
           Overthrow
           he
           has
           a
           kind
           of
           a
           Title
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           keeps
           us
           as
           the
           Spoils
           of
           his
           Victory
           :
           And
           having
           revolted
           from
           God
           ,
           we
           are
           justly
           though
           miserably
           under
           the
           Powers
           of
           Darkness
           .
           We
           are
           chained
           in
           the
           lowest
           and
           the
           vilest
           Bondage
           :
           The
           Soul
           and
           Body
           are
           under
           his
           tyrannous
           Dominion
           ,
           and
           suffer
           the
           deepest
           Wounds
           of
           Infamy
           and
           Cruelty
           .
           He
           fetters
           our
           Minds
           with
           dangerous
           Delusions
           ,
           our
           Wills
           with
           divers
           Lusts
           and
           Passions
           ,
           and
           leads
           Men
           Captives
           in
           the
           ways
           of
           Sin
           ,
           till
           they
           fall
           into
           Hell
           the
           Centre
           of
           Misery
           .
           Now
           as
           in
           redeeming
           a
           Captive
           ,
           there
           must
           be
           the
           paying
           the
           Ransom
           ,
           and
           the
           breaking
           his
           Chains
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           be
           restored
           to
           Liberty
           :
           So
           ,
           besides
           the
           Price
           that
           was
           payed
           to
           God
           
           the
           Supreme
           Judg
           ,
           for
           our
           Discharge
           ,
           our
           Saviour
           has
           broken
           our
           Chains
           ;
           he
           by
           the
           sanctifying
           Spirit
           dispels
           the
           Darkness
           of
           our
           Minds
           ,
           softens
           the
           Hardness
           of
           our
           Hearts
           ,
           subdues
           the
           Rebellion
           of
           our
           Wills
           ,
           rectifies
           the
           Disorder
           of
           our
           Affections
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           be
           freed
           from
           the
           Domion
           of
           Sin
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           from
           the
           Obligation
           and
           Terrors
           of
           the
           Law.
           He
           has
           broken
           the
           Powers
           of
           Darkness
           that
           conspired
           to
           keep
           us
           fast
           in
           the
           Intanglements
           of
           our
           Iniquities
           ,
           he
           has
           freed
           us
           from
           the
           spiritual
           Pharaoh
           ,
           
           and
           his
           cruel
           Task-Masters
           ,
           the
           imperious
           violent
           Lusts
           that
           are
           seated
           in
           the
           Heart
           ,
           and
           restores
           
             us
             to
             the
             glorious
             Liberty
             of
             the
             Sons
             of
             God
             ;
             By
             dying
             he
             destroyed
             him
             that
             had
             the
             Power
             of
             Death
             ,
             and
             triumphed
             over
             Principalities
             and
             Powers
             on
             the
             Cross.
          
           We
           have
           Freedom
           of
           Pardon
           and
           of
           Grace
           ,
           and
           the
           natural
           and
           necessary
           
           Consequence
           is
           ,
           that
           we
           cheerfully
           serve
           him
           that
           set
           us
           free
           .
           This
           is
           expressed
           by
           Zacharias
           in
           his
           divine
           Thansgiving
           ,
           that
           
             being
             delivered
             from
             the
             Hands
             of
             our
             Enemies
             ,
             we
             might
             serve
             him
             withour
             Fear
             in
             Holiness
             and
             Righteousness
             all
             the
             Days
             of
             our
             Lives
             .
          
           In
           what
           a
           holy
           Extasy
           does
           the
           Psalmist
           break
           forth
           ,
           
             O
             Lord
             ,
             truly
             I
             am
             thy
             Servant
             ,
             I
             am
             thy
             Servant
             ,
             and
             the
             Son
             of
             thy
             Handmaid
             ,
             thou
             hast
             broken
             my
             Bonds
             :
          
           Yet
           this
           was
           but
           the
           rescuing
           of
           him
           from
           some
           temporal
           imminent
           Danger
           :
           How
           much
           dearer
           and
           stronger
           Ingagements
           bind
           us
           to
           serve
           our
           Redeemer
           ,
           who
           has
           freed
           us
           from
           the
           Power
           as
           well
           as
           Punishment
           of
           Sin
           ?
           Love
           should
           correspond
           with
           Love
           :
           As
           Love
           descends
           in
           Favours
           and
           Benefits
           ,
           it
           should
           ascend
           in
           Thankfulness
           and
           Duty
           .
           St.
           Paul
           had
           such
           a
           lively
           apprehension
           of
           our
           Saviour's
           Love
           ,
           that
           
           it
           had
           an
           absolute
           Empire
           in
           his
           Heart
           and
           Life
           ;
           he
           expresses
           it
           in
           the
           most
           significant
           manner
           :
           
             The
             Love
             of
             Christ
             constrains
             us
             ,
             because
             we
             thus
             judge
             ,
             that
             if
             one
             dyed
             for
             all
             ,
             then
             were
             all
             dead
             ;
             and
             that
             he
             dyed
             for
             all
             ,
             that
             they
             which
             live
             ,
             should
             not
             henceforth
             live
             to
             themselves
             ,
             but
             unto
             him
             which
             dyed
             for
             them
             and
             rose
             again
             .
          
           The
           Word
           constraineth
           ,
           signifies
           properly
           to
           be
           intirely
           under
           the
           Power
           of
           another
           :
           As
           the
           Prophets
           inspired
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           
           only
           spake
           and
           acted
           according
           to
           his
           extraordinary
           Motions
           in
           them
           .
        
         
           Thus
           the
           Love
           of
           Christ
           had
           such
           an
           absolute
           Empire
           in
           his
           Heart
           ,
           that
           his
           whole
           Life
           was
           spent
           as
           a
           vowed
           Oblation
           to
           his
           Service
           and
           Glory
           .
           And
           whoever
           does
           not
           live
           a
           spiritual
           Life
           ,
           as
           the
           Servant
           of
           Christ
           ,
           never
           yet
           felt
           the
           Misery
           of
           this
           Bondage
           of
           Sin
           ,
           nor
           the
           sweetness
           of
           that
           Liberty
           which
           the
           Son
           of
           
           God
           has
           purchased
           for
           his
           People
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ;
           We
           are
           the
           Servants
           of
           Christ
           by
           solemn
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           sacred
           Ingagement
           .
           In
           the
           Covenant
           of
           Grace
           God
           and
           Man
           are
           the
           Parties
           :
           And
           such
           was
           his
           condescending
           Love
           ,
           that
           he
           came
           down
           from
           Heaven
           and
           assumed
           our
           Nature
           ,
           on
           purpose
           to
           seal
           his
           part
           in
           his
           own
           Blood
           ,
           the
           Promise
           of
           his
           pardoning
           Mercy
           ,
           of
           his
           sanctifying
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           his
           rewarding
           Goodness
           ,
           to
           all
           that
           with
           unfeigned
           Consent
           and
           firm
           Resolution
           will
           seal
           the
           Counterpart
           of
           their
           Duty
           and
           Obedience
           to
           him
           .
           We
           are
           entred
           into
           his
           Family
           and
           the
           Relation
           of
           his
           Servants
           in
           Baptism
           ;
           and
           vowed
           universal
           Obedience
           to
           our
           new
           Master
           ,
           in
           defiance
           of
           all
           Temptations
           whether
           inviting
           or
           terrifying
           in
           the
           World
           :
           For
           this
           reason
           Baptism
           is
           called
           
             the
             Answer
             of
             a
             good
             Conscience
          
           
           
           
             towards
             God.
          
           We
           wear
           his
           Colours
           ,
           are
           distinguished
           from
           the
           Heathens
           by
           the
           Title
           of
           Christians
           :
           We
           ratify
           in
           a
           most
           solemn
           manner
           our
           Covenant
           by
           the
           Seal
           of
           the
           Lord's
           Supper
           ,
           wherein
           we
           sacramentally
           eat
           and
           drink
           the
           Body
           and
           Blood
           of
           our
           Saviour
           .
           Now
           from
           hence
           arises
           a
           new
           Obligation
           to
           serve
           Christ
           :
           He
           had
           a
           Soveraign
           Right
           in
           us
           antecedently
           to
           our
           dedicating
           our selves
           to
           his
           Service
           ,
           but
           from
           our
           voluntary
           Consent
           accrues
           another
           Title
           ,
           whereby
           he
           claims
           our
           perpetual
           Service
           .
           The
           Law
           of
           God
           binds
           us
           without
           our
           Consent
           ,
           but
           our
           Consent
           increases
           the
           Obligation
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           are
           careless
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           and
           desert
           his
           Service
           ,
           we
           break
           double
           Bonds
           ,
           and
           are
           guilty
           not
           only
           of
           Disobedience
           to
           the
           Law
           ,
           but
           of
           perfidious
           Violation
           of
           our
           Covenant
           .
           'T
           is
           observable
           in
           the
           Parable
           of
           the
           Talents
           ,
           they
           were
           
           committed
           to
           Servants
           ,
           from
           whence
           a
           double
           Obligation
           springs
           ,
           to
           employ
           them
           with
           intire
           Fidelity
           for
           the
           Master's
           Profit
           .
           A
           Merchant
           sends
           Goods
           to
           his
           Correspondent
           ,
           who
           is
           bound
           to
           make
           faithful
           returns
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           commutative
           Justice
           that
           reaches
           all
           :
           but
           a
           Servant
           is
           under
           a
           special
           Obligation
           ,
           and
           if
           he
           wasts
           or
           neglects
           the
           improving
           his
           Master's
           Goods
           ,
           he
           does
           not
           only
           break
           this
           Trust
           reposed
           in
           him
           ,
           but
           violates
           the
           Duty
           of
           a
           Servant
           ,
           that
           obliges
           him
           to
           manage
           them
           according
           to
           his
           Master's
           Will
           ,
           and
           for
           his
           Profit
           .
           The
           Account
           will
           be
           particular
           and
           exact
           for
           all
           our
           Talents
           at
           the
           last
           :
           None
           so
           high
           that
           shall
           be
           excused
           ,
           none
           so
           mean
           that
           shall
           escape
           that
           strict
           Inquiry
           :
           For
           he
           that
           knows
           all
           things
           ,
           shall
           be
           our
           Judg.
           The
           Servant
           that
           had
           
           but
           one
           Talent
           was
           called
           to
           account
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           condemned
           for
           neglecting
           to
           improve
           it
           :
           He
           pretended
           that
           he
           hid
           it
           out
           of
           caution
           lest
           it
           should
           be
           lost
           ,
           knowing
           his
           Master's
           Severity
           ;
           but
           his
           vain
           excuse
           was
           retorted
           upon
           him
           ,
           to
           aggravate
           his
           Sin
           and
           Sentence
           :
           
             Cast
             the
             unprofitable
             Servant
             into
             outer
             Darkness
             ;
             there
             shall
             be
             weeping
             and
             gnashing
             of
             Teeth
          
           :
           A
           Judgment
           as
           righteous
           as
           terrible
           :
           For
           the
           Guilt
           of
           his
           Rebellion
           ,
           in
           not
           using
           his
           Talent
           according
           to
           his
           Master's
           Order
           ;
           and
           Unthankfulness
           ,
           in
           despising
           his
           Gifts
           ,
           and
           an
           unrighteous
           depriving
           of
           others
           of
           that
           Benefit
           ,
           that
           was
           by
           the
           Master's
           Will
           due
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           We
           are
           to
           consider
           the
           final
           Reward
           of
           Christ's
           Servants
           under
           two
           Heads
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             The
             Order
             of
             the
             Reward
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Excellency
             of
             it
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Order
           ,
           in
           giving
           it
           after
           
           the
           Service
           of
           Christ
           faithfully
           and
           constantly
           performed
           .
           'T
           is
           the
           revealed
           Will
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           
             all
             Men
             should
             honour
             the
             Son
             as
             they
             honour
             the
             Father
             :
          
           The
           Son
           is
           the
           Heir
           of
           his
           Love
           and
           Glory
           ,
           and
           in
           serving
           him
           the
           Father
           is
           honoured
           and
           obeyed
           .
           And
           as
           our
           Saviour
           reigns
           eternally
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           after
           the
           finishing
           his
           Work
           injoyned
           him
           by
           the
           Father
           ,
           so
           according
           to
           his
           Example
           ,
           we
           receive
           the
           Crown
           of
           Life
           after
           the
           course
           of
           our
           Obedience
           .
           This
           is
           the
           Tenor
           of
           the
           Promise
           :
           
             To
             him
             that
             overcometh
             will
             I
             grant
             to
             sit
             with
             me
             in
             my
             Throne
             ,
          
           
           
             even
             as
             I
             also
             overcame
             and
             am
             sat
             down
             with
             my
             Father
             in
             his
             Throne
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Order
           in
           dispensing
           the
           blessed
           Reward
           ,
           does
           not
           in
           the
           least
           eclipse
           the
           Honour
           of
           God's
           Grace
           ,
           or
           afford
           the
           least
           shadow
           of
           presuming
           upon
           any
           Merit
           in
           our
           best
           Services
           .
           
             The
             Wages
             of
             Sin
             is
             Death
             ,
          
           't
           is
           the
           just
           Desert
           
           of
           it
           ;
           
             but
             the
             Gift
             of
             God
             is
             eternal
             Life
             in
             Jesus
             Christ
             our
             Lord.
          
           The
           eternal
           Election
           of
           Persons
           to
           Life
           ,
           the
           preparing
           of
           them
           by
           sanctifying
           Grace
           for
           Glory
           ,
           and
           the
           actual
           possession
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           from
           the
           most
           free
           Favour
           of
           God.
           Election
           is
           
             the
             first
             Fountain
             of
             Water
             springing
             up
             to
             eternal
             Life
             :
          
           For
           what
           could
           induce
           God
           when
           all
           Mankind
           was
           equally
           involved
           in
           Guilt
           and
           Misery
           ,
           to
           choose
           some
           to
           be
           Vessels
           of
           Grace
           and
           of
           Glory
           ,
           but
           his
           soveraign
           Pleasure
           and
           pure
           Grace
           ?
           The
           Elect
           were
           in
           the
           Eye
           and
           Heart
           of
           God
           from
           Eternity
           ,
           appointed
           to
           supernatural
           Happiness
           ,
           but
           that
           free
           and
           insuperable
           Decree
           is
           accomplished
           according
           to
           the
           
             Law
             of
             Faith
          
           ,
           the
           unchangeable
           Order
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           and
           that
           is
           ,
           that
           Heaven
           shall
           be
           the
           Reward
           of
           the
           faithful
           Servants
           of
           Christ
           ;
           not
           for
           the
           true
           Desert
           of
           their
           Service
           ,
           
           but
           the
           most
           gracious
           and
           rich
           Bounty
           of
           God.
           The
           Angels
           of
           Glory
           cannot
           from
           a
           Plea
           of
           Justice
           claim
           any
           Reward
           from
           God
           :
           For
           the
           Rights
           of
           Justice
           suppose
           some
           Equality
           between
           those
           who
           respectively
           are
           obliged
           by
           them
           ,
           tho
           not
           in
           all
           regards
           ,
           yet
           so
           far
           as
           a
           certain
           common
           Rule
           makes
           them
           equal
           :
           But
           there
           is
           such
           an
           immense
           distance
           between
           the
           Divine
           Majesty
           and
           the
           highest
           Creatures
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           Foundation
           for
           such
           a
           Plea
           between
           them
           .
        
         
           Besides
           ,
           the
           Duty
           of
           Obedience
           is
           absolute
           :
           For
           all
           our
           natural
           Powers
           and
           supernatural
           Strength
           are
           his
           Gifts
           ,
           and
           were
           there
           no
           Reward
           assured
           to
           us
           ,
           are
           to
           be
           faithfully
           employed
           in
           his
           Service
           .
           Now
           the
           Paiment
           of
           a
           Debt
           cannot
           deserve
           a
           Reward
           .
           Our
           best
           Services
           are
           blemished
           with
           many
           Imperfections
           ,
           and
           without
           the
           Mercy
           of
           the
           Gospel
           
           that
           mollifies
           the
           strictness
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           would
           make
           us
           liable
           to
           Punishments
           ;
           
             God
             spares
             us
             ,
             as
             a
             Father
             spares
             his
             Son
             that
             serves
             him
          
           :
           Now
           Pardon
           and
           Merit
           are
           utterly
           inconsistent
           .
           And
           what
           Proportion
           can
           there
           be
           between
           our
           mean
           and
           short
           Services
           ,
           and
           
             the
             eternal
             weight
             of
             Glory
          
           ?
           Even
           Martyrdom
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           most
           signal
           Act
           of
           Love
           and
           Obedience
           to
           our
           Redeemer
           ,
           the
           highest
           Advancing
           of
           his
           Glory
           ,
           the
           most
           noble
           Testimony
           of
           his
           Truth
           ;
           when
           our
           Example
           works
           upon
           others
           ,
           and
           engages
           them
           to
           Christ
           ,
           and
           entitles
           us
           to
           a
           kind
           of
           Interest
           in
           all
           they
           do
           and
           suffer
           for
           his
           Name
           ,
           yet
           even
           the
           laying
           down
           our
           Lives
           is
           by
           infinite
           degrees
           below
           the
           Glory
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           promised
           Reward
           to
           it
           .
           This
           St.
           Paul
           testifies
           from
           his
           deliberate
           Judgment
           ,
           
             I
             reckon
             that
             the
             Sufferings
             of
             this
             present
             time
             are
             not
             worthy
             
             to
             be
             compared
             with
             the
             Glory
             that
             shall
             be
             revealed
             in
             us
             .
          
           From
           hence
           in
           Scripture
           the
           Reward
           is
           often
           expres'd
           by
           Mercy
           :
           The
           Apostle
           prays
           for
           Onesiphorus
           ,
           whose
           valiant
           Love
           in
           visiting
           and
           supplying
           him
           in
           the
           time
           of
           his
           Imprisonment
           ,
           was
           set
           off
           illustriously
           by
           the
           Discouragements
           and
           Inconstancy
           of
           others
           who
           neglected
           him
           ;
           
             The
             Lord
             grant
             to
             him
             that
             he
             may
             find
             Mercy
             of
             the
             Lord
             in
             that
             day
             .
          
           And
           we
           are
           exhorted
           to
           
             keep
             our selves
             in
             the
             Love
             of
             God
             ,
             looking
             for
             the
             Mercy
             of
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             unto
             eternal
             Life
             .
          
           But
           although
           there
           is
           no
           Merit
           in
           our
           Service
           of
           the
           Reward
           ,
           yet
           God
           has
           wisely
           established
           an
           Order
           and
           Consequence
           between
           them
           ,
           as
           the
           most
           conducing
           for
           his
           Glory
           and
           our
           Good.
           For
           not
           only
           the
           superabundant
           Mercy
           ,
           but
           the
           Righteousness
           and
           Truth
           of
           God
           appear
           with
           an
           eminency
           of
           Glory
           
           in
           this
           way
           of
           making
           us
           happy
           .
           The
           Promise
           of
           the
           Reward
           was
           from
           excellent
           Goodness
           ,
           but
           the
           performing
           it
           to
           his
           faithful
           Servants
           is
           from
           his
           Justice
           and
           Fidelity
           .
           He
           was
           unlimitedly
           free
           ,
           but
           having
           pleased
           with
           such
           condescending
           Favour
           to
           make
           a
           Covenant
           with
           us
           ,
           up-our
           sincere
           Compliance
           with
           the
           Terms
           of
           it
           ,
           he
           is
           obliged
           for
           the
           Honour
           of
           his
           Truth
           and
           Righteousness
           to
           accomplish
           it
           :
           though
           in
           strictness
           he
           can
           owe
           nothing
           to
           us
           ,
           yet
           he
           is
           a
           Debtor
           to
           his
           Promise
           .
           From
           hence
           the
           Apostle
           saith
           ,
           
             I
             have
             fought
             the
             good
             Fight
             ,
             I
             have
             finish'd
             my
             Course
             ;
             from
             henceforth
             there
             is
             laid
             up
             for
             me
             a
             Crown
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             which
             God
             the
             righteous
             Judg
             shall
             give
             unto
             me
             .
          
           The
           Honour
           of
           his
           Truth
           is
           sacred
           and
           inviolable
           :
           Thus
           he
           is
           proclaimed
           in
           a
           stile
           expressing
           how
           glorious
           his
           Truth
           is
           ,
           and
           how
           dear
           to
           him
           ,
           
           
             The
             Lord
             thy
             God
             ,
             he
             is
             God
          
           ;
           
           and
           the
           only
           Attribute
           that
           is
           annext
           is
           ,
           
             the
             Faithful
             God
             ,
             keeping
             Covenant
             and
             Mercy
             .
          
           At
           the
           last
           day
           he
           will
           be
           glorified
           not
           only
           as
           the
           free
           and
           magnificent
           Donor
           of
           all
           the
           Treasures
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           but
           as
           the
           God
           of
           Truth
           ,
           who
           has
           fulfilled
           all
           the
           exceeding
           great
           and
           precious
           Promises
           made
           to
           his
           Servants
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           Connexion
           between
           our
           Duty
           and
           the
           Reward
           ,
           has
           a
           powerful
           influence
           to
           excite
           our
           sincere
           and
           earnest
           Endeavours
           to
           please
           God
           :
           'T
           is
           the
           strongest
           Engagement
           to
           Universal
           Sanctity
           and
           Obedience
           .
           For
           the
           Gospel
           is
           an
           everlasting
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           Condition
           of
           it
           is
           unalterable
           :
           Heaven
           is
           not
           promised
           as
           an
           absolute
           irrespective
           Gift
           ,
           but
           as
           a
           Reward
           consequent
           of
           Services
           .
           There
           can
           be
           no
           lively
           regular
           hope
           of
           future
           Happiness
           ,
           but
           according
           to
           the
           Revelation
           
           of
           God's
           Will
           ,
           who
           gives
           it
           :
           The
           Accomplishment
           of
           his
           Promise
           has
           a
           dependance
           upon
           our
           Duty
           .
           The
           Crown
           of
           Life
           is
           promised
           to
           
             those
             that
             love
             God
             ;
             and
             Love
             is
             the
             fulfilling
             of
             the
             Law
             :
          
           If
           any
           one
           aspires
           to
           that
           Dignity
           ,
           he
           must
           from
           Love
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           internal
           Character
           and
           Disposition
           of
           a
           Saint
           ,
           obey
           and
           serve
           God.
           To
           presume
           of
           obtaining
           our
           last
           and
           blessed
           End
           ,
           without
           a
           diligent
           use
           of
           the
           means
           prescribed
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           is
           such
           idle
           preposterous
           Folly
           that
           Men
           would
           be
           ashamed
           of
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           gaining
           of
           temporal
           things
           .
           Can
           he
           that
           sows
           no
           Seed
           ,
           expect
           a
           Harvest
           ?
           or
           that
           plants
           no
           Vineyard
           ,
           expect
           a
           Vintage
           ?
           Can
           a
           Merchant
           hope
           for
           rich
           Returns
           from
           a
           foreign
           Countrey
           ,
           without
           trading
           thither
           ?
           And
           't
           is
           as
           vain
           to
           hope
           for
           the
           eternal
           Reward
           ,
           without
           following
           Holiness
           .
           
           The
           Presumption
           is
           heightened
           and
           more
           fatal
           ,
           when
           any
           shall
           think
           ,
           if
           they
           are
           predestinated
           to
           Glory
           ,
           they
           shall
           obtain
           it
           without
           their
           best
           Diligence
           in
           making
           
             their
             Calling
             and
             Election
             sure
          
           .
           This
           is
           to
           make
           a
           diametrical
           Opposition
           between
           the
           Decrees
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Record
           of
           his
           Will
           in
           the
           Gospel
           .
           Election
           is
           a
           Chain
           that
           reaches
           from
           Heaven
           to
           Earth
           ,
           to
           draw
           Men
           from
           Earth
           to
           Heaven
           :
           It
           has
           intermediate
           Links
           that
           must
           not
           be
           left
           out
           .
           Between
           Election
           and
           Glorification
           the
           Faith
           and
           Obedience
           of
           the
           Gospel
           intervenes
           :
           The
           Apostle
           informs
           us
           ,
           
             that
             we
             are
             chosen
             to
             Salvation
             ,
             through
             the
             Sanctification
             of
             the
             Spirit
             and
             the
             Belief
             of
             the
             Truth
             .
          
           The
           Decrees
           of
           God
           are
           a
           secret
           we
           cannot
           dive
           into
           .
           We
           can
           discover
           what
           is
           secret
           only
           by
           what
           is
           revealed
           ;
           our
           Election
           by
           our
           effectual
           Calling
           ,
           which
           
           is
           the
           infallible
           and
           sensible
           Effect
           of
           it
           .
           To
           lie
           down
           securely
           in
           the
           secret
           Decree
           ,
           neglecting
           to
           
             work
             out
             our
             own
             Salvation
          
           ,
           is
           such
           pernicious
           Sophistry
           ,
           as
           can
           only
           be
           inspired
           from
           the
           Father
           of
           Lies
           .
           If
           ever
           such
           a
           Thought
           is
           suggested
           ,
           That
           if
           I
           am
           elected
           ,
           I
           shall
           be
           happy
           though
           careless
           of
           my
           Duty
           ,
           chain
           it
           up
           ,
           there
           is
           Folly
           and
           Frenzy
           in
           it
           .
           Heaven
           is
           bestowed
           as
           a
           Gift
           of
           his
           infinite
           Grace
           and
           Power
           ,
           but
           according
           to
           the
           wise
           and
           immutable
           Order
           set
           down
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           which
           is
           so
           far
           from
           lessening
           and
           obscuring
           the
           Glory
           of
           his
           Mercy
           ,
           that
           it
           makes
           it
           more
           conspicuous
           :
           For
           Holiness
           ,
           to
           which
           we
           are
           so
           strictly
           obliged
           as
           preparatory
           for
           Heaven
           ,
           is
           our
           most
           Divine
           Perfection
           ,
           and
           qualifies
           us
           for
           the
           Enjoyment
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Excellence
           of
           the
           Reward
           is
           to
           be
           considered
           :
           
             He
             that
             serves
             me
             ,
             him
             will
             my
             Father
             honour
             .
          
           
           Such
           is
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           Equity
           of
           God
           in
           his
           moral
           Government
           ,
           that
           he
           has
           by
           a
           graceful
           Order
           annexed
           Honour
           as
           the
           Reward
           to
           Vertue
           .
           The
           general
           Rule
           is
           ,
           
             Those
             that
             honour
             me
             ,
             I
             will
             honour
             ;
             and
             those
             that
             despise
             me
             ,
             shall
             be
             lightly
             esteemed
             .
          
           There
           is
           such
           a
           Majestick
           Beauty
           in
           Holiness
           as
           commands
           the
           Esteem
           and
           Affections
           of
           Men
           ,
           unless
           they
           are
           prodigiously
           degenerate
           and
           corrupted
           by
           their
           Lusts.
           The
           Heathens
           were
           convinc'd
           that
           Honour
           is
           the
           extrinsick
           Tribute
           always
           due
           to
           Vertue
           ;
           and
           some
           were
           so
           strict
           and
           had
           such
           Divine
           Thoughts
           as
           to
           maintain
           that
           Vertue
           is
           the
           only
           true
           Nobility
           .
           'T
           is
           foretold
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           
             The
             righteous
             shall
             be
             in
             everlasting
             remembrance
          
           :
           They
           leave
           an
           honourable
           Evidence
           of
           their
           Graces
           and
           Vertues
           in
           their
           Works
           ,
           and
           are
           of
           precious
           memory
           ,
           
             when
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Wicked
             
             shall
             rot
             .
          
           But
           the
           Reward
           our
           Saviour
           promises
           ,
           is
           
             the
             Honour
             that
             comes
             from
             God
             only
          
           :
           And
           as
           his
           Majesty
           infinitely
           transcends
           all
           Earthly
           Principalities
           ;
           so
           in
           proportion
           ,
           the
           Honour
           that
           he
           confers
           upon
           his
           Servants
           is
           above
           all
           the
           Titles
           of
           Honour
           ,
           all
           the
           swelling
           Praises
           of
           Men.
           This
           Reward
           is
           given
           in
           the
           next
           World.
           Here
           the
           Servants
           of
           Christ
           are
           sometimes
           darkened
           with
           many
           Afflictions
           ,
           and
           buried
           in
           sad
           Obscurity
           before
           they
           are
           dead
           ;
           They
           are
           the
           Objects
           of
           Scorn
           and
           Contempt
           :
           St.
           Paul
           who
           was
           an
           incarnate
           Seraphim
           ,
           whose
           Zeal
           in
           the
           Service
           of
           his
           Divine
           Master
           exceeded
           all
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           yet
           was
           ,
           as
           he
           declares
           ,
           vilified
           as
           the
           off-scouring
           of
           the
           World.
           Now
           such
           is
           the
           excellent
           Goodness
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           certainly
           in
           the
           next
           Life
           reward
           with
           the
           highest
           Honour
           all
           who
           have
           advanced
           his
           Honour
           .
        
         
         
           The
           Honour
           and
           Glory
           of
           the
           future
           state
           is
           concealed
           at
           present
           ,
           't
           is
           wrapt
           up
           in
           a
           Cloud
           ;
           only
           some
           glimmerings
           of
           it
           glance
           upon
           our
           Eyes
           :
           
             Light
             is
             sowed
             for
             the
             Righteous
             ,
          
           the
           plenary
           Revelation
           is
           hereafter
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             that
             Life
             and
             Immortality
             are
             brought
             to
             Light
             through
             the
             Gospel
             :
          
           But
           that
           is
           only
           to
           be
           understood
           of
           a
           Comparative
           Revelation
           ,
           to
           what
           was
           under
           the
           Law
           :
           'T
           is
           brought
           to
           the
           Light
           of
           Faith
           ,
           which
           is
           like
           to
           Break
           of
           Day
           ,
           when
           the
           Shadows
           of
           the
           Earth
           and
           the
           Light
           of
           Heaven
           are
           mixt
           .
           There
           is
           a
           Veil
           between
           us
           and
           the
           Glory
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           partly
           to
           try
           our
           Faith
           ,
           whether
           we
           will
           believe
           the
           Promise
           of
           God
           without
           sensible
           Discoveries
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           to
           try
           the
           sincerity
           of
           our
           Love
           ,
           whether
           we
           love
           God
           for
           Himself
           ,
           without
           the
           distinct
           unfolding
           of
           that
           excellent
           Glory
           :
           and
           to
           comply
           with
           the
           weakness
           
           whilst
           we
           are
           in
           such
           temper'd
           Tabernacles
           of
           Flesh.
           If
           the
           Beams
           of
           his
           Glory
           were
           display'd
           before
           our
           Eyes
           ,
           we
           should
           be
           struck
           with
           blindness
           ,
           as
           Saul
           was
           at
           the
           brightness
           of
           Christ's
           appearing
           to
           him
           :
           The
           Flood
           of
           Light
           would
           swallow
           us
           up
           in
           Extasy
           and
           Amazement
           .
           Our
           faint
           Faculties
           cannot
           sustain
           his
           Glorious
           Presence
           .
           As
           God
           told
           
             Moses
             ,
             No
             Man
             can
             see
             my
             Face
             and
             live
             .
          
           St.
           John
           tells
           Believers
           ,
           
             Now
             we
             are
             the
             Sons
             of
             God
             ,
          
           and
           it
           doth
           not
           yet
           appear
           what
           we
           shall
           be
           :
           
             Now
             our
             Names
             are
             written
             in
             the
             Book
             of
             Life
             ,
          
           in
           the
           Rolls
           of
           Eternity
           ;
           now
           we
           are
           Adopted
           into
           the
           Line
           of
           Heaven
           ;
           now
           we
           are
           cloathed
           with
           the
           Righteousness
           of
           Christ
           ,
           the
           Royal
           Purple
           Robe
           dyed
           in
           his
           Blood
           ;
           we
           have
           the
           Priviledges
           of
           the
           justified
           State
           ;
           we
           have
           a
           Right
           to
           the
           Eternal
           Kingdom
           by
           our
           Saviour's
           Purchase
           ,
           
           and
           the
           firm
           Covenant
           of
           Grace
           ;
           we
           have
           the
           Holy
           
             Spirit
             of
             Promise
          
           ,
           who
           is
           
             the
             earnest
             of
             our
             Inheritance
             ,
             and
             the
             Seal
             of
             God's
             Love
             to
             us
             :
          
           But
           the
           full
           partaking
           of
           that
           Glory
           is
           reserved
           till
           we
           leave
           this
           visible
           World.
           
        
         
           I
           will
           briefly
           glance
           at
           the
           several
           Degrees
           of
           the
           Reward
           that
           shall
           be
           conferred
           upon
           all
           whom
           
             the
             King
             of
             Glory
             delights
             to
             honour
             in
             the
             next
             World.
             
          
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Scripture
           reveals
           ,
           that
           
             the
             Souls
             of
             just
             Men
          
           first
           
             come
             to
             the
             perfection
             of
             Glory
             .
          
           If
           Adam
           had
           continued
           in
           his
           holy
           State
           after
           a
           short
           Immortality
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           he
           had
           been
           translated
           Alive
           ,
           and
           entire
           in
           Soul
           and
           Body
           ,
           to
           Heaven
           :
           The
           everlasting
           Doors
           had
           been
           opened
           wide
           for
           his
           Reception
           :
           But
           since
           our
           Disobedience
           ,
           tho
           our
           Guilt
           be
           pardoned
           ,
           the
           Gate
           is
           so
           strait
           that
           the
           gross
           Spoils
           of
           our
           Flesh
           must
           be
           left
           behind
           us
           .
           Now
           immediately
           
           upon
           the
           dissolution
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           God
           sends
           a
           Guard
           of
           Angels
           ,
           his
           most
           noble
           Creatures
           ,
           to
           convoy
           their
           Souls
           into
           
             the
             Courts
             of
             his
             Honour
          
           ,
           into
           the
           Chamber
           of
           his
           glorious
           Presence
           .
           Divine
           Dignity
           !
           This
           is
           the
           priviledg
           of
           his
           chosen
           Friends
           and
           Favourites
           ,
           of
           the
           most
           illustrious
           and
           blessed
           Creatures
           .
           In
           Heaven
           the
           Divine
           Majesty
           is
           seen
           in
           its
           Glory
           :
           And
           if
           one
           Ray
           of
           it
           ,
           reflecting
           upon
           Suffering
           Stephen
           ,
           adorn'd
           him
           with
           Angelical
           Glory
           ,
           how
           much
           more
           will
           the
           Face
           of
           God
           most
           radiant
           and
           resplendent
           transform
           the
           Soul
           into
           an
           admirable
           Similitude
           of
           his
           Perfections
           ?
           
             When
             we
             shall
             see
             him
             as
             he
             is
             ,
             we
             shall
             be
             like
             him
             ,
          
           by
           his
           everliving
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           principle
           of
           the
           Divine
           Life
           and
           Beauty
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           as
           the
           Soul
           is
           of
           the
           natural
           Life
           and
           Beauty
           in
           the
           Body
           .
           There
           will
           remain
           no
           shadow
           of
           Error
           in
           the
           Mind
           ,
           no
           mixture
           of
           
           Evil
           in
           the
           Will
           ,
           no
           Pollution
           in
           the
           Affections
           ,
           but
           the
           full
           Likeness
           of
           God
           in
           Holiness
           and
           Joy.
           This
           is
           the
           highest
           Honour
           an
           immortal
           Spirit
           is
           capable
           of
           .
           The
           State
           of
           Innocence
           wherein
           Man
           was
           created
           is
           call'd
           
             a
             State
             of
             Honour
          
           :
           The
           Angels
           are
           dignified
           with
           the
           Title
           of
           Saints
           :
           And
           God
           is
           
             glorious
             in
             Holiness
          
           :
           It
           follows
           therefore
           ,
           when
           
             the
             Spirits
             of
             just
             Men
             are
             made
             perfect
          
           they
           partake
           of
           the
           Heavenly
           and
           Divine
           Honour
           .
           If
           the
           Joy
           that
           springs
           from
           believing
           whilst
           we
           are
           in
           this
           Vale
           of
           Tears
           be
           
             unspeakable
             and
             full
             of
             Glory
          
           ,
           how
           glorious
           is
           the
           Joy
           that
           springs
           from
           the
           clearest
           Sight
           and
           the
           most
           intimate
           Fruition
           of
           the
           blessed
           God
           ,
           the
           Joy
           that
           is
           without
           defect
           or
           end
           ?
           as
           the
           Psalmist
           expresses
           ,
           
             In
             thy
             Presence
             is
             fulness
             of
             Joy
             ,
             at
             thy
             right
             Hand
             are
             Pleasures
             for
             evermore
             .
          
        
         
         
           2.
           
           At
           the
           last
           day
           their
           Bodies
           shall
           be
           raised
           and
           refined
           to
           a
           Spiritual
           Excellency
           ,
           and
           transformed
           into
           the
           Likeness
           of
           Christ's
           glorious
           Body
           .
           The
           Apostle
           declares
           ,
           That
           the
           Consummation
           of
           the
           Saints
           Glory
           shall
           be
           at
           Christ's
           Appearance
           .
           
           Then
           their
           Souls
           shall
           be
           reinvested
           with
           shining
           Robes
           of
           Immortality
           :
           They
           shall
           be
           placed
           at
           the
           right
           Hand
           of
           the
           everlasting
           King
           ,
           which
           implies
           the
           highest
           Honour
           ;
           as
           God's
           being
           at
           our
           right
           Hand
           ,
           implies
           Protection
           and
           Defence
           :
           They
           shall
           then
           receive
           a
           most
           glorious
           Testimony
           of
           his
           Acceptance
           ,
           
             Well
             done
             ,
             good
             and
             faithful
             Servants
             ,
             enter
             into
             your
             Master's
             Joy
             :
          
           After
           they
           are
           approved
           ,
           they
           shall
           sit
           upon
           Thrones
           ,
           and
           judg
           the
           the
           World
           ,
           even
           the
           Prince
           of
           Darkness
           with
           all
           his
           Apostate
           Trains
           ;
           they
           shall
           give
           their
           solemn
           Suffrages
           to
           the
           Judgment
           
           pronounced
           by
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             Hallelujah
             ,
             Salvation
             ,
             and
             Glory
             ,
             and
             Honour
             ,
             and
             Power
             unto
             the
             Lord
             our
             God
             ;
             for
             true
             and
             righteous
             are
             his
             Judgments
             .
          
           And
           after
           the
           last
           Act
           of
           his
           Regal
           Office
           ,
           our
           Saviour
           will
           lead
           them
           into
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           his
           Glory
           to
           reign
           with
           him
           for
           ever
           and
           ever
           .
           Who
           is
           able
           to
           unfold
           this
           excellent
           Glory
           ?
           all
           Humane
           Words
           are
           unworthy
           and
           too
           narrow
           to
           express
           it
           ;
           only
           the
           lively
           and
           ravishing
           Experience
           of
           that
           Glory
           can
           fully
           reveal
           it
           to
           us
           .
           The
           meanest
           Saint
           in
           that
           Kingdom
           shines
           in
           Glory
           that
           infinitely
           exceeds
           all
           the
           most
           solemn
           and
           magnificent
           Representations
           of
           Earthly
           Majesty
           ,
           all
           the
           Trophies
           and
           Triumphs
           of
           the
           most
           famous
           Conquerors
           .
           To
           raise
           our
           Thoughts
           by
           a
           distinct
           Comparison
           of
           them
           ,
           consider
           ,
        
         
         
           The
           Glory
           of
           Saints
           is
           substantial
           and
           solid
           ,
           't
           is
           inherent
           in
           them
           .
           The
           Apostle
           says
           ,
           
             'T
             is
             a
             Glory
             that
             shall
             be
             revealed
             in
             us
          
           :
           A
           plenary
           Infusion
           of
           all
           glorious
           Endowments
           both
           in
           Soul
           and
           Body
           shall
           conform
           us
           to
           the
           Son
           of
           God.
           The
           Glory
           of
           this
           World
           is
           but
           an
           aiery
           Opinion
           ,
           a
           verbal
           Sound
           without
           Substance
           ,
           empty
           Titles
           ,
           external
           Appearance
           ,
           and
           confers
           no
           real
           Dignity
           to
           the
           Person
           that
           receives
           it
           .
           There
           is
           no
           Greatness
           in
           worldly
           Honour
           :
           'T
           is
           Fancy
           heightens
           some
           by
           comparison
           with
           those
           that
           are
           below
           them
           .
           But
           Heaven
           is
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           true
           Glory
           ,
           and
           every
           Saint
           there
           is
           truly
           glorious
           .
           The
           Psalmist
           declares
           God's
           Judgment
           of
           all
           the
           Honour
           and
           Prosperity
           of
           the
           World
           :
           
             As
             a
             Dream
             when
             one
             awakes
             ,
             so
             O
             Lord
             ,
             when
             thou
             awakest
             thou
             wilt
             destroy
             their
             Image
             .
          
           
           They
           are
           painted
           Shadows
           ,
           splendid
           Toyes
           .
           What
           difference
           there
           is
           between
           the
           clear
           and
           sound
           Judgment
           of
           a
           Person
           throughly
           awake
           ,
           and
           the
           vain
           fugitive
           Fancies
           of
           one
           that
           dreams
           ,
           there
           is
           ,
           and
           much
           more
           between
           the
           swelling
           Images
           of
           Worldly
           Honour
           ,
           and
           the
           real
           Heavenly
           Honour
           of
           the
           Saints
           .
        
         
           The
           Heavenly
           Glory
           brings
           entire
           Satisfaction
           .
           
             As
             for
             me
          
           ,
           saith
           
             David
             ,
             I
             will
             behold
             thy
             Face
             in
             Righteousness
             ,
             I
             shall
             be
             satisfied
             when
             I
             awake
             with
             thy
             Likeness
             .
          
           When
           the
           Morning
           of
           Glory
           arises
           ,
           and
           the
           Soul
           awakes
           from
           the
           heavy
           Eye-Lids
           of
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           sees
           the
           King
           of
           Spirits
           in
           his
           Beauty
           ,
           and
           the
           Impression
           of
           the
           Divine
           Excellencies
           conspicuous
           in
           it self
           ,
           what
           a
           joyful
           Satisfaction
           ,
           as
           sweet
           as
           Life
           ,
           is
           diffused
           through
           all
           its
           Powers
           ?
           What
           a
           Heavenly
           Sabbath
           composes
           all
           
           its
           vast
           and
           restless
           Desires
           ?
           The
           Glorified
           Saint
           sings
           with
           the
           Psalmist
           ,
           
             Return
             to
             thy
             Rest
             ,
             O
             my
             Soul
             ,
             for
             the
             Lord
             has
             dealt
             bountifully
             with
             thee
             .
          
           But
           how
           unsatisfactory
           is
           all
           secular
           Greatness
           and
           Honour
           ?
           Of
           this
           we
           have
           the
           fullest
           Testimony
           from
           some
           who
           ascended
           to
           the
           top
           of
           Worldly
           Glory
           :
           Solomon
           whose
           calm
           and
           flourishing
           State
           was
           scarce
           ever
           parallel'd
           ,
           yet
           declares
           that
           all
           was
           Vanity
           :
           And
           the
           Roman
           Triumphs
           ,
           wherein
           the
           World
           was
           represented
           in
           its
           highest
           Glory
           ,
           was
           but
           an
           empty
           Shew
           :
           Vespasian
           the
           Emperor
           in
           his
           triumphant
           way
           often
           reflected
           upon
           his
           Folly
           in
           being
           induc'd
           to
           suffer
           such
           a
           tedious
           Vanity
           ,
           'T
           is
           true
           the
           dreaming
           Minds
           of
           Men
           are
           deceived
           with
           vain
           complacence
           in
           it
           for
           a
           while
           ,
           and
           this
           makes
           them
           unwilling
           to
           be
           convinc'd
           of
           their
           foolish
           prizing
           
           it
           ;
           
           yet
           they
           cannot
           find
           any
           solid
           true
           Satisfaction
           :
           They
           are
           charm'd
           with
           a
           superficial
           Pleasure
           ,
           that
           cannot
           reach
           to
           the
           Center
           of
           the
           Soul.
           
        
         
           To
           sum
           up
           all
           ,
           The
           Honour
           of
           the
           Servants
           of
           Christ
           is
           Eternal
           :
           They
           will
           shine
           like
           the
           Stars
           ,
           that
           never
           faint
           in
           their
           Watches
           and
           Influences
           ,
           with
           a
           durable
           Glory
           .
           But
           the
           Glory
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           like
           a
           blaze
           in
           Straw
           ,
           presently
           vanishes
           :
           Not
           one
           Ray
           of
           secular
           Glory
           shall
           enlighten
           the
           highest
           Monarchs
           ,
           in
           the
           shady
           Valley
           of
           Death
           ,
           nor
           in
           the
           Regions
           of
           Darkness
           beyond
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           proper
           and
           main
           use
           of
           what
           has
           been
           spoken
           ,
           is
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           To
           direct
           our
           Ambitious
           Desires
           and
           Endeavours
           to
           seek
           Heavenly
           Honour
           .
           Nature
           has
           instilled
           the
           Desire
           of
           Praise
           and
           
           Glory
           :
           And
           this
           is
           like
           some
           Plants
           that
           in
           their
           native
           Soil
           have
           a
           poysonous
           Quality
           ,
           but
           transplanted
           into
           another
           Soil
           and
           Climate
           ,
           are
           not
           only
           innocent
           ,
           but
           healthful
           .
           Pride
           ruines
           both
           Worlds
           :
           The
           Angels
           were
           expelled
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           Adam
           from
           Paradise
           for
           their
           Pride
           .
           And
           ever
           since
           't
           is
           a
           seminal
           Sin
           productive
           of
           innumerable
           Evils
           and
           Mischiefs
           :
           
             Pride
             of
             Life
             is
             one
             of
             the
             great
             Corrupters
             in
             the
             World
          
           :
           'T
           is
           the
           cause
           of
           Envy
           and
           Emulation
           :
           Of
           Envy
           that
           would
           degrade
           those
           that
           are
           above
           ;
           of
           Emulation
           that
           urges
           those
           who
           are
           below
           by
           any
           guilty
           means
           to
           ascend
           higher
           :
           'T
           is
           one
           of
           the
           great
           Destroyers
           of
           Men
           here
           and
           hereafter
           .
           The
           Affectation
           of
           the
           Praise
           of
           Men
           makes
           so
           many
           ashamed
           
             of
             the
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
          
           ,
           of
           owning
           its
           Truths
           ,
           or
           subjecting
           themselves
           
           to
           its
           pure
           Rules
           .
           This
           Account
           is
           given
           of
           the
           Infidelity
           of
           some
           in
           our
           Saviour's
           time
           ,
           
             they
             sought
             the
             Honour
             of
             Men
             ,
             and
             not
             the
             Honour
             that
             comes
             from
             God
             only
             .
          
           But
           let
           the
           Desire
           of
           Glory
           be
           consecrated
           ,
           let
           our
           Aspirings
           be
           transported
           to
           a
           new
           and
           heavenly
           Object
           ,
           to
           the
           Incorruptible
           Crown
           ,
           and
           't
           is
           a
           Saintly
           Ambition
           becoming
           the
           Breast
           of
           a
           Christian.
           The
           changing
           of
           the
           Object
           will
           be
           an
           excellent
           means
           to
           rectify
           our
           inordinate
           Desire
           of
           Honour
           ,
           of
           what
           is
           pompous
           and
           specious
           in
           this
           World.
           There
           is
           some
           Resemblance
           in
           curing
           the
           Diseases
           of
           the
           Mind
           ,
           and
           those
           of
           the
           Body
           .
           A
           Disease
           is
           not
           only
           cured
           by
           what
           is
           manifestly
           contrary
           ,
           but
           sometimes
           by
           what
           seems
           like
           to
           it
           ,
           yet
           has
           a
           secret
           Contrariety
           .
           The
           feverish
           Heat
           is
           not
           only
           spent
           by
           cooling
           Julips
           ,
           but
           by
           Cordials
           that
           fortifie
           the
           natural
           Heat
           that
           
           consumes
           those
           Humours
           that
           are
           the
           inflamable
           Matter
           which
           foments
           the
           Fever
           .
           Thus
           the
           sensual
           Desire
           of
           worldly
           Honour
           is
           extinguished
           by
           a
           pure
           Aethereal
           Affection
           ,
           the
           Desire
           of
           that
           Honour
           that
           comes
           from
           the
           God
           of
           Glory
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           absolute
           and
           eternal
           Fountain
           of
           Honour
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Let
           us
           be
           effectually
           excited
           our selves
           to
           choose
           Christ
           for
           our
           Master
           ,
           and
           devote
           our selves
           to
           his
           Service
           for
           ever
           .
           Tho
           his
           Dominion
           is
           Supreme
           ,
           and
           his
           Right
           in
           us
           unalienable
           ,
           yet
           he
           will
           be
           glorified
           by
           our
           free
           Obedience
           .
           Our
           Resolution
           and
           Consent
           to
           serve
           him
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           be
           acceptable
           ,
           must
           be
           deliberate
           ,
           intire
           ,
           and
           everlasting
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Deliberate
           from
           the
           Conviction
           and
           Sense
           of
           our
           Duty
           and
           Interest
           :
           For
           the
           Ignorance
           and
           Deception
           of
           the
           Mind
           ,
           the
           suddain
           Surprisal
           of
           the
           Will
           is
           contrary
           to
           that
           clear
           Consent
           
           that
           is
           requisite
           to
           establish
           a
           Covenant
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           a
           Competition
           between
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           God
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           who
           shall
           reign
           over
           us
           :
           One
           we
           must
           serve
           :
           't
           is
           therefore
           our
           highest
           Wisdom
           to
           choose
           a
           gracious
           Master
           ,
           and
           most
           just
           to
           serve
           him
           who
           by
           full
           Right
           may
           claim
           due
           Service
           .
           If
           with
           free
           Judgment
           we
           ponder
           things
           ,
           if
           our
           carnal
           Senses
           and
           Passions
           have
           not
           the
           decisive
           Vote
           ,
           we
           shall
           readily
           yield
           our selves
           to
           Christ
           ,
           who
           by
           so
           many
           dear
           Titles
           has
           a
           Right
           in
           us
           :
           
             For
             to
             this
             end
             Christ
             dyed
             ,
             and
             rose
             ,
             and
             revived
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             be
             Lord
             both
             of
             the
             dead
             and
             of
             the
             living
             .
          
           He
           
             is
             the
             true
             Vine
          
           that
           left
           
             his
             Sweetness
             ,
             the
             good
             Olive
             that
             left
             his
             Fatness
             to
             reign
             over
             us
          
           ;
           and
           shall
           we
           choose
           the
           Bramble
           to
           domineer
           ?
           He
           requires
           our
           Service
           not
           for
           his
           Profit
           ,
           but
           that
           his
           Love
           and
           
           Bounty
           may
           take
           a
           rise
           to
           reward
           us
           :
           But
           Satan
           will
           torment
           them
           most
           who
           are
           most
           obsequious
           to
           him
           :
           And
           what
           Charm
           ,
           what
           Impression
           upon
           the
           human
           mind
           can
           induce
           us
           to
           prefer
           a
           Murderer
           before
           our
           Saviour
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           Our
           Consent
           must
           be
           intire
           ,
           without
           exception
           against
           any
           of
           his
           Laws
           ,
           or
           his
           Providential
           Will
           ,
           and
           any
           Reservation
           of
           our
           own
           Lusts
           and
           Appetites
           .
           He
           has
           told
           us
           ,
           
             No
             Man
             can
             serve
             two
             Masters
             ;
             for
             either
             he
             will
             hate
             the
             one
             ,
             and
             love
             the
             other
             ;
             or
             else
             he
             will
             hold
             to
             the
             one
             ,
             and
             despise
             the
             other
             .
          
           The
           Commands
           of
           Christ
           and
           Satan
           are
           absolutely
           inconsistent
           :
           Obedience
           to
           the
           one
           is
           direct
           Rebellion
           against
           the
           other
           .
           We
           may
           not
           capitulate
           with
           him
           ,
           and
           think
           by
           some
           good
           Works
           to
           compound
           for
           our
           Exorbitancies
           ,
           and
           that
           strictness
           in
           some
           Duties
           will
           excuse
           
           our
           Indulgence
           of
           some
           Sins
           :
           He
           will
           not
           accept
           of
           bankrupt
           Obedience
           ,
           but
           strictly
           requires
           the
           payment
           of
           sincere
           Obedience
           to
           all
           his
           Commands
           .
        
         
           The
           Apostle
           expresses
           our
           universal
           Duty
           in
           active
           and
           passive
           Obedience
           to
           Christ
           ;
           
             None
             of
             us
             liveth
             to
             himself
             ,
             no
             Man
             dyeth
             to
             himself
             ;
             for
             whether
             we
             live
             ,
             we
             live
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ;
             and
             whether
             we
             dye
             ,
             we
             dye
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ,
             whether
             therefore
             we
             live
             or
             dye
             ,
             we
             are
             the
             Lords
             :
          
           That
           is
           ,
           our
           Lives
           must
           be
           employed
           in
           his
           Service
           ,
           and
           our
           Deaths
           be
           at
           his
           Order
           and
           Disposal
           .
           Is
           the
           external
           acknowledging
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           a
           specious
           Homage
           worthy
           his
           most
           precious
           Sufferings
           ?
           Can
           his
           Death
           excuse
           our
           Disobedience
           ?
           Can
           his
           Sufferings
           that
           purchas'd
           his
           Dominion
           to
           Rule
           us
           ,
           procure
           a
           Licence
           for
           us
           to
           rebel
           against
           his
           Commands
           ?
           Such
           a
           Thought
           is
           Blasphemy
           .
        
         
         
           And
           our
           Consent
           must
           be
           entire
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           we
           must
           serve
           him
           with
           all
           the
           freedom
           and
           force
           of
           our
           internal
           Faculties
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           diligence
           of
           our
           outward
           Members
           ,
           with
           all
           possible
           industry
           to
           advance
           his
           Glory
           .
           'T
           is
           not
           the
           empty
           Title
           of
           Lord
           ,
           nor
           the
           performing
           some
           slight
           Observances
           that
           will
           please
           Christ.
           The
           Commands
           of
           the
           Gospel
           frequently
           urge
           us
           to
           be
           fervent
           in
           our
           Heavenly
           Calling
           ,
           
             First
             seek
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             the
             Righteousness
             thereof
             :
             Strive
             to
             enter
             in
             at
             the
             strait
             Gate
             :
             Take
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             by
             Violence
             :
             Work
             out
             your
             own
             Salvation
             with
             fear
             and
             trembling
             :
             Abound
             in
             the
             Work
             of
             the
             Lord
             :
             Be
             rich
             in
             good
             Works
             :
             Add
             to
             Faith
             Vertue
             ,
             to
             Vertue
             Knowledg
             ,
          
           and
           every
           Grace
           in
           degrees
           of
           Eminence
           :
           
             Give
             all
             Diligence
             to
             make
             your
             Calling
             and
             Election
             sure
             :
             We
             must
             walk
             circumspectly
             and
             exactly
             becoming
             
             the
             Dignity
             and
             Purity
             of
             our
             high
             and
             holy
             Calling
             .
          
           We
           have
           many
           Duties
           to
           perform
           ,
           many
           Sins
           to
           subdue
           and
           mortify
           ,
           many
           Graces
           to
           perfect
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           intent
           application
           of
           Mind
           ,
           the
           most
           zealous
           industry
           is
           requisite
           for
           such
           great
           Ends.
           By
           Diligence
           and
           Culture
           our
           Souls
           will
           be
           as
           fruitful
           Gardens
           abounding
           
             in
             the
             Fruits
             of
             Righteousness
          
           ;
           but
           if
           we
           are
           remiss
           and
           careless
           ,
           they
           will
           be
           barren
           as
           the
           Sands
           of
           Africa
           .
           We
           should
           with
           as
           much
           Zeal
           and
           Vigour
           serve
           Christ
           as
           ever
           we
           served
           our
           Lusts
           ,
           those
           imperious
           Exactors
           of
           our
           Time
           ,
           and
           Strength
           ,
           and
           Affections
           .
           'T
           is
           the
           Proportion
           St.
           Paul
           enforces
           ,
           
             As
             you
             have
             yielded
             your
             Members
             Servants
             and
             Weapons
             to
             Vncleanness
             ,
             so
             yield
             your
             Members
             Weapons
             and
             Servants
             of
             Righteousness
             .
          
        
         
           But
           how
           many
           that
           have
           made
           a
           Trade
           of
           Sin
           ,
           are
           as
           careless
           in
           
           Religion
           as
           if
           it
           were
           a
           slight
           Recreation
           ?
           How
           many
           please
           themselves
           with
           a
           Mediocrity
           in
           Religion
           ,
           and
           pretend
           if
           they
           be
           but
           saved
           ,
           they
           are
           content
           :
           They
           do
           not
           aspire
           to
           excellent
           degrees
           of
           Glory
           ,
           nor
           to
           higher
           degrees
           in
           the
           favour
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           are
           luke-warm
           and
           remiss
           in
           his
           Service
           ,
           presuming
           what
           they
           do
           will
           be
           sufficient
           to
           secure
           their
           Souls
           :
           But
           was
           ever
           any
           Person
           so
           deserted
           of
           Reason
           ,
           that
           in
           Worldly
           Trade
           when
           he
           might
           gain
           a
           hundred
           Pounds
           he
           is
           contented
           with
           ten
           ?
           Besides
           this
           Disposition
           and
           Language
           is
           of
           one
           that
           principally
           desires
           Heaven
           ,
           to
           escape
           Hell
           :
           and
           all
           that
           he
           does
           Religiously
           is
           the
           effect
           of
           servile
           Fear
           ,
           which
           is
           no
           Saving
           Grace
           :
           For
           were
           it
           not
           for
           the
           terrible
           Punishment
           ,
           such
           a
           Person
           would
           securely
           commit
           the
           Sin.
           Briefly
           ,
           as
           the
           Lord
           Christ
           
             has
             sav'd
             us
             to
             the
             uttermost
             ,
          
           we
           
           should
           serve
           him
           to
           the
           uttermost
           :
           We
           should
           with
           such
           Alacrity
           and
           Diligence
           ,
           with
           such
           willing
           Hearts
           and
           Earnestness
           serve
           him
           on
           Earth
           as
           he
           is
           served
           in
           Heaven
           :
           If
           we
           had
           the
           Powers
           of
           the
           Angels
           ,
           yet
           our
           Service
           would
           be
           short
           of
           our
           Obligations
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Our
           Service
           of
           Christ
           must
           be
           upon
           firm
           Principles
           and
           permanent
           Reasons
           to
           our
           Lives
           end
           .
           Sometimes
           there
           are
           Desires
           and
           Resolutions
           kindled
           in
           the
           Breast
           ,
           and
           the
           Carnal
           Passions
           blow
           so
           violently
           as
           to
           quench
           them
           .
           Like
           some
           Cursed
           Women
           ,
           that
           by
           violent
           Potions
           destroy
           the
           living
           Conception
           in
           their
           Bowels
           .
           
           Others
           in
           the
           Sunshine
           of
           Prosperity
           will
           adhere
           in
           Profession
           to
           Christ
           ,
           but
           when
           Storms
           arise
           ,
           they
           withdraw
           themselves
           .
           Others
           
             begin
             in
             the
             Spirit
          
           ,
           run
           well
           for
           a
           time
           ,
           but
           
             end
             in
             the
             Flesh.
          
           Our
           Saviour
           has
           spoke
           the
           doom
           of
           all
           such
           ,
           
             No
             Man
             having
             put
             
             his
             Hand
             to
             the
             Plough
             ,
             and
             looking
             back
             ,
             is
             fit
             for
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             :
          
           He
           is
           not
           worthy
           the
           Honour
           of
           being
           Christ's
           Servant
           ,
           and
           he
           will
           quickly
           find
           the
           fearful
           Consequences
           of
           Christ's
           Rejection
           in
           the
           next
           World.
           We
           read
           of
           Shimei
           ,
           that
           upon
           Solomon's
           confining
           him
           to
           Jerusalem
           ,
           with
           the
           threatning
           of
           Death
           if
           he
           went
           forth
           :
           And
           Shimei
           
             said
             to
             the
             King
             ,
             The
             Saying
             is
             good
             :
          
           
           
             As
             my
             Lord
             the
             King
             hath
             said
             ,
             thy
             Servant
             will
             do
             .
          
           What
           an
           easy
           Confinement
           was
           it
           to
           remain
           in
           the
           Holy
           City
           ,
           where
           all
           the
           Tribes
           came
           twice
           a
           Year
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           returned
           left
           their
           Hearts
           behind
           them
           :
           It
           seems
           to
           be
           a
           Priviledg
           and
           Favour
           rather
           than
           a
           Punishment
           .
           Yet
           a
           petty
           Interest
           drew
           him
           out
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           Violation
           of
           his
           Promise
           he
           lost
           his
           Life
           .
           This
           is
           a
           representation
           of
           those
           who
           for
           Temporal
           Respects
           desert
           the
           Service
           of
           Christ
           ,
           violate
           their
           
           Promises
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           leave
           the
           New
           Jerusalem
           ,
           the
           City
           of
           the
           Living
           God.
           Our
           Saviour
           will
           accept
           of
           none
           into
           his
           Service
           but
           upon
           his
           own
           Terms
           ;
           
             Whoever
             will
             be
             my
             Disciple
             ,
             let
             him
             take
             up
             his
             Cross
             and
             follow
             me
             .
          
           Who
           would
           not
           be
           ambitious
           to
           be
           the
           Copy
           of
           such
           a
           Divine
           Original
           ?
           We
           should
           rejoyce
           if
           call'd
           forth
           to
           sharp
           Tryals
           for
           his
           Name
           ,
           as
           having
           an
           occasion
           to
           give
           the
           clearest
           Testimony
           of
           our
           Superlative
           Love
           and
           intire
           Fidelity
           to
           our
           Blessed
           Lord.
           
        
         
           To
           conclude
           the
           Argument
           ,
           Let
           us
           be
           persuaded
           to
           dedicate
           our selves
           wholly
           to
           the
           Service
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           to
           live
           according
           to
           our
           Dedication
           .
           This
           should
           be
           the
           early
           act
           of
           the
           reasonable
           Creature
           ;
           for
           is
           it
           equal
           to
           put
           him
           off
           with
           the
           Reliques
           of
           the
           World
           to
           whom
           the
           First-Fruits
           ,
           the
           best
           of
           all
           we
           are
           and
           have
           is
           due
           ?
           But
           if
           we
           have
           been
           careless
           
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           let
           us
           not
           any
           longer
           defer
           to
           make
           a
           voluntary
           Consecration
           of
           our
           Lives
           to
           his
           Glory
           :
           Remember
           that
           Life
           is
           but
           a
           
             Spans
             breadth
          
           ,
           our
           opportunity
           of
           serving
           Christ
           is
           short
           ,
           and
           the
           omission
           of
           it
           is
           irreparable
           .
           What
           is
           there
           to
           recommend
           a
           Service
           to
           us
           ,
           but
           is
           to
           be
           found
           in
           the
           Service
           of
           Christ
           ?
           'T
           is
           the
           most
           honourable
           Service
           ,
           whether
           we
           consider
           the
           Divine
           Majesty
           of
           our
           Master
           ,
           who
           is
           
             King
             of
             Kings
             ,
             and
             Lord
             of
             Lords
             :
          
           The
           Quality
           of
           our
           Fellow-Servants
           ,
           the
           Angels
           of
           Light
           ,
           and
           the
           Glorified
           Saints
           ,
           who
           are
           the
           Princes
           of
           his
           Court
           ,
           and
           the
           Heavenly
           Nobility
           :
           And
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           Work
           that
           is
           sublime
           and
           excellent
           ,
           becoming
           an
           Intellectual
           Soul
           ,
           that
           is
           Spiritual
           by
           Nature
           ,
           and
           Divine
           by
           Grace
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           the
           most
           sweet
           and
           easy
           Service
           :
           This
           will
           seem
           incredible
           to
           those
           who
           judg
           of
           the
           Delights
           
           of
           the
           Spirit
           by
           the
           Principles
           of
           the
           Flesh.
           In
           this
           Sense
           also
           ,
           the
           
             Carnal
             Man
             understands
             not
             the
             things
             of
             the
             Spirit
             :
          
           Who
           can
           discover
           the
           Pleasure
           of
           Musick
           to
           one
           that
           was
           born
           Deaf
           ?
           or
           describe
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           Sun
           to
           one
           that
           was
           ever
           Blind
           ?
           who
           can
           see
           a
           Taste
           ?
           The
           Truth
           is
           ,
           the
           Life
           of
           Carnal
           Men
           has
           the
           appearance
           of
           Joy
           ,
           but
           not
           the
           reality
           :
           And
           the
           Life
           of
           the
           Saints
           has
           a
           gloomy
           Melancholly
           appearance
           ,
           but
           has
           an
           inward
           cordial
           Joy
           incomparably
           above
           all
           the
           vain
           flashy
           Delights
           of
           the
           World.
           A
           Carnal
           Man
           
             that
             serves
             divers
             Lusts
             and
             Pleasures
             ,
          
           
           is
           sometimes
           rack'd
           and
           vex'd
           betwixt
           contrary
           Passions
           .
           Every
           Lust
           has
           a
           secret
           Sting
           with
           its
           Honey
           .
           And
           as
           the
           corrupt
           Heart
           is
           its
           own
           Tempter
           ,
           so
           the
           guilty
           Conscience
           is
           its
           own
           Tormenter
           .
           Besides
           the
           fearful
           apprehension
           of
           what
           shall
           follow
           in
           the
           next
           World
           ,
           when
           the
           revenging
           
           Justice
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           cruel
           Malice
           of
           Satan
           shall
           concur
           to
           make
           the
           Sinner
           miserable
           ,
           is
           sufficient
           to
           poyson
           the
           sweetest
           Pleasures
           of
           Sin.
           But
           the
           Life
           of
           a
           Saint
           is
           regulated
           by
           a
           Law
           that
           is
           always
           at
           Union
           in
           its
           Precepts
           .
           He
           has
           Divine
           Assistance
           to
           enable
           him
           to
           perform
           it
           .
           His
           gracious
           Master
           will
           pardon
           his
           Infirmities
           .
           The
           Content
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           the
           Joy
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ,
           that
           rewards
           our
           Duty
           here
           ,
           far
           exceeds
           all
           the
           Severity
           and
           Difficulty
           that
           the
           Carnal
           Nature
           complains
           of
           in
           obeying
           the
           Divine
           Law.
           
             The
             Yoke
             of
             Christ
             is
          
           truly
           easy
           ,
           and
           
             his
             Burthen
          
           truly
           light
           .
        
         
           His
           Service
           is
           the
           most
           profitable
           :
           He
           will
           protect
           ,
           maintain
           ,
           and
           everlastingly
           reward
           his
           Servants
           .
           Is
           there
           any
           Master
           so
           rich
           ,
           so
           liberal
           ,
           so
           faithful
           as
           Christ
           ?
           How
           often
           do
           the
           Slaves
           of
           the
           World
           complain
           that
           they
           have
           spent
           themselves
           in
           vain
           ?
           As
           Jacob
           
           reproached
           
             Laban
             ,
             Thou
             hast
             deceived
             me
             ,
             and
             changed
             my
             Wages
             ten
             times
          
           ;
           so
           may
           the
           Worldlings
           say
           ,
           whose
           Hopes
           have
           been
           often
           charm'd
           with
           the
           specious
           Promises
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           deluded
           in
           the
           end
           .
           Dear
           bought
           Experience
           at
           last
           convinces
           them
           of
           their
           woful
           Folly
           ,
           in
           seeking
           for
           Happiness
           where
           it
           was
           not
           to
           be
           found
           ,
           and
           neglecting
           to
           seek
           it
           where
           it
           was
           .
           But
           the
           Servants
           of
           Christ
           have
           at
           the
           present
           
             their
             Fruit
             unto
             Holiness
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             end
             everlasting
             Life
             .
          
           The
           Service
           of
           Christ
           here
           ,
           is
           Freedom
           ,
           Victory
           ,
           Empire
           ,
           and
           hereafter
           a
           triumphant
           Felicity
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           now
           address
           my self
           to
           the
           present
           Occasion
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           pay
           our
           last
           solemn
           Respects
           to
           the
           Memory
           of
           the
           Reverend
           Dr.
           
             Thomas
             Jacomb
          
           :
           who
           was
           so
           universally
           known
           ,
           esteem'd
           ,
           and
           beloved
           in
           this
           City
           ,
           that
           his
           Name
           is
           a
           noble
           and
           lasting
           Elogy
           .
           
           I
           shall
           not
           give
           an
           account
           of
           the
           time
           he
           spent
           in
           Cambridg
           ,
           where
           he
           was
           Fellow
           of
           
             Trinity
             Colledg
          
           ,
           and
           worthily
           esteemed
           in
           that
           flourishing
           Society
           :
           But
           confine
           my
           Discourse
           to
           his
           Ministry
           in
           London
           .
           Here
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           disposed
           him
           into
           the
           Family
           of
           a
           Right
           Honourable
           Person
           ,
           to
           whom
           he
           was
           deservedly
           very
           acceptable
           ,
           and
           whose
           real
           and
           most
           noble
           Favours
           conferred
           upon
           him
           ,
           were
           only
           to
           be
           equalled
           by
           his
           grateful
           and
           high
           Respects
           ,
           and
           his
           constant
           Care
           to
           promote
           serious
           Religion
           in
           her
           Family
           .
        
         
           He
           was
           a
           Servant
           of
           Christ
           in
           the
           most
           peculiar
           and
           sacred
           Relation
           :
           And
           he
           was
           true
           to
           his
           Title
           ,
           both
           in
           his
           Doctrine
           and
           in
           his
           Life
           .
           He
           was
           an
           excellent
           Preacher
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           had
           a
           happy
           Art
           of
           conveying
           Saving-Truths
           into
           the
           Minds
           and
           Hearts
           of
           Men.
           
        
         
         
           He
           did
           not
           entertain
           his
           Hearers
           with
           Curiosities
           ,
           but
           with
           Spiritual
           Food
           :
           He
           dispens'd
           the
           Bread
           of
           Life
           ,
           whose
           vital
           Sweetness
           and
           nourishing
           Vertue
           is
           both
           productive
           and
           preservative
           of
           the
           Life
           of
           Souls
           .
           He
           preach'd
           
             Christ
             Crucified
             ,
             our
             only
             Wisdom
             and
             Righteousness
             ,
             Sanctification
             and
             Redemption
             .
          
           His
           great
           design
           was
           to
           convince
           Sinners
           of
           their
           absolute
           want
           of
           Christ
           ,
           that
           with
           flaming
           Affections
           they
           might
           come
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           
             from
             his
             Fulness
             receive
             Divine
             Grace
             .
          
           This
           is
           to
           water
           the
           Tree
           at
           the
           Root
           ,
           whereby
           it
           becomes
           flourishing
           and
           fruitful
           ;
           whereas
           the
           laying
           down
           of
           Moral
           Rules
           for
           the
           exercise
           of
           Vertue
           ,
           and
           subduing
           vicious
           Affections
           ,
           without
           directing
           Men
           to
           derive
           Spiritual
           Strength
           ,
           by
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           use
           of
           Divine
           Ordinances
           ,
           from
           the
           Mediator
           the
           Fountain
           of
           all
           Grace
           ,
           and
           without
           representing
           his
           Love
           as
           the
           most
           powerful
           
           motive
           and
           Obligation
           to
           Obedience
           ,
           is
           but
           pure
           Philosophy
           ,
           and
           the
           highest
           effect
           of
           it
           is
           but
           unregenerate
           Morality
           .
           In
           short
           ,
           his
           Sermons
           were
           clear
           ,
           and
           solid
           ,
           and
           affectionate
           .
           He
           dipp'd
           his
           Words
           in
           his
           Soul
           ,
           in
           warm
           Affections
           ,
           and
           breath'd
           a
           Holy
           Fire
           into
           the
           Breasts
           of
           his
           Hearers
           :
           Of
           this
           many
           serious
           and
           judicious
           Persons
           can
           give
           Testimony
           who
           so
           long
           attended
           upon
           his
           Ministry
           with
           delight
           and
           profit
           .
        
         
           His
           constant
           Diligence
           in
           the
           Service
           of
           Christ
           ,
           was
           becoming
           his
           Zeal
           for
           the
           Glory
           of
           his
           Master
           ,
           and
           his
           Love
           to
           the
           Souls
           of
           Men.
           He
           preach'd
           thrice
           a
           Week
           whilst
           he
           had
           Opportunity
           and
           Strength
           .
           He
           esteemed
           his
           labour
           in
           his
           sacred
           Office
           both
           his
           highest
           Honour
           and
           his
           Pleasure
           .
        
         
           At
           the
           first
           appearance
           of
           an
           Ulcer
           in
           his
           Mouth
           ,
           which
           he
           was
           told
           to
           be
           Cancerous
           ,
           he
           was
           observed
           
           to
           be
           not
           much
           concerned
           about
           it
           ,
           than
           as
           it
           was
           likely
           to
           hinder
           his
           Preaching
           that
           was
           his
           delightful
           Work
           :
           and
           when
           he
           enjoyed
           Ease
           ,
           and
           after
           wasting
           Sickness
           ,
           was
           restor'd
           to
           some
           degrees
           of
           Strength
           ,
           he
           joyfully
           return'd
           to
           his
           Duty
           .
           Nay
           ,
           when
           his
           Pains
           were
           tolerable
           ,
           Preaching
           was
           his
           best
           Anodyne
           when
           others
           fail'd
           :
           And
           after
           his
           Preaching
           ,
           the
           reflection
           upon
           the
           Divine
           Goodness
           that
           enabled
           him
           for
           the
           discharge
           of
           the
           Service
           ,
           was
           a
           great
           relief
           of
           his
           Pains
           .
        
         
           His
           Life
           was
           suitable
           to
           his
           Holy
           Profession
           .
           His
           Sermons
           were
           Printed
           in
           a
           fair
           and
           lively
           Character
           in
           his
           Conversation
           .
           He
           was
           an
           
             Example
             to
             Believers
             ,
             in
             Word
             ,
             in
             Conversation
             ,
             in
             Charity
             ,
             in
             Spirit
             ,
             in
             Faith
             ,
             in
             Purity
             .
          
        
         
           He
           was
           of
           a
           staid
           Mind
           ,
           and
           temperate
           Passions
           ,
           and
           moderate
           in
           Counsels
           .
           In
           the
           managing
           
           of
           Affairs
           of
           Concernment
           ,
           he
           was
           not
           vehement
           and
           confident
           ,
           not
           imposing
           and
           over-bearing
           ,
           but
           was
           receptive
           of
           Advice
           and
           yielding
           to
           Reason
           .
        
         
           His
           compassionate
           Charity
           and
           Beneficence
           was
           very
           conspicuous
           amongst
           his
           other
           Graces
           .
           His
           Heart
           was
           given
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           his
           relieving
           beneficent
           Hand
           to
           the
           living
           Images
           of
           God
           ,
           whose
           pressing
           wants
           he
           resented
           with
           tender
           Affections
           ,
           and
           was
           very
           instrumental
           for
           their
           Supplies
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           his
           Life
           so
           his
           Death
           adorn'd
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           which
           was
           so
           exemplary
           to
           others
           ,
           and
           so
           gracious
           and
           comfortable
           to
           himself
           .
           The
           Words
           of
           Men
           leaving
           the
           World
           make
           usually
           the
           deepest
           Impressions
           ,
           being
           spoken
           most
           feelingly
           ,
           and
           with
           least
           Affectation
           .
           Death
           reveals
           the
           Secrets
           of
           Mens
           Hearts
           :
           And
           the
           Testimony
           that
           dying
           Saints
           give
           ,
           how
           gracious
           a
           Master
           they
           have
           served
           ,
           
           how
           sweet
           his
           Service
           has
           been
           to
           their
           Souls
           ,
           has
           a
           mighty
           Influence
           upon
           those
           about
           them
           .
           Now
           the
           Deportment
           and
           Expressions
           of
           this
           Servant
           of
           Christ
           in
           his
           long
           languishing
           Condition
           ,
           were
           so
           holy
           and
           heavenly
           ,
           that
           though
           his
           Life
           has
           been
           very
           useful
           ,
           yet
           he
           more
           glorified
           God
           dying
           than
           living
           .
        
         
           When
           he
           was
           summoned
           by
           painful
           Sickness
           ,
           his
           first
           Work
           was
           to
           yield
           himself
           with
           resigned
           Submission
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           God.
           When
           a
           dear
           Friend
           of
           his
           first
           visited
           him
           ;
           he
           said
           ,
           
             I
             am
             in
             the
             use
             of
             Means
             ,
             but
             I
             think
             my
             appointed
             time
             is
             come
             ,
             that
             I
             must
             dye
             :
             If
             my
             Life
             might
             be
             serviceable
             to
             convert
             or
             build
             up
             one
             Soul
             ,
             I
             should
             be
             content
             to
             live
             ,
             but
             if
             God
             hath
             no
             work
             for
             me
             to
             do
             ,
             here
             I
             am
             ,
             let
             him
             do
             with
             me
             as
             he
             pleaseth
             :
             But
             to
             be
             with
             Christ
             is
             best
             of
             all
             .
          
           Another
           time
           he
           told
           the
           same
           Person
           ,
           
             That
             now
             it
             was
             visible
             
             it
             was
             a
             determined
             case
             ,
             God
             would
             not
             hear
             the
             Prayer
             ,
             to
             bless
             the
             means
             of
             his
             Recovery
             ,
          
           therefore
           desired
           his
           Friend
           to
           be
           willing
           to
           resign
           him
           to
           God
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             It
             will
             not
             be
             long
             before
             we
             meet
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             never
             to
             part
             more
             ,
             and
             there
             we
             shall
             be
             perfectly
             happy
             ,
             there
             neither
             your
             Doubts
             and
             Fears
             ,
             nor
             my
             Pains
             and
             Sorrows
             shall
             follow
             us
             ,
             nor
             our
             Sins
             ,
             which
             is
             best
             of
             all
             .
          
           After
           a
           long
           continuance
           in
           his
           languishing
           Condition
           without
           any
           sensible
           Alteration
           ,
           being
           asked
           how
           he
           did
           ,
           he
           replied
           ,
           
             I
             lie
             here
             ,
             but
             get
             no
             ground
             for
             Heaven
             or
             Earth
             :
          
           Upon
           which
           one
           said
           ,
           
             Yes
             in
             your
             Preparations
             for
             Heaven
             ,
             O
             yes
          
           said
           he
           ,
           
             there
             I
             sensibly
             get
             ground
             I
             bless
             God.
             
          
        
         
           An
           humble
           Submission
           to
           the
           Divine
           Pleasure
           was
           the
           habitual
           Frame
           of
           his
           Soul
           :
           Like
           a
           Dye
           that
           thrown
           high
           or
           low
           ,
           always
           falls
           upon
           its
           Square
           :
           thus
           whethe
           hope
           of
           his
           Recovery
           were
           
           raised
           or
           sunk
           ,
           he
           was
           content
           in
           every
           Dispensation
           of
           Providence
           .
        
         
           His
           Patience
           under
           sharp
           and
           continuing
           Pains
           was
           admirable
           .
           The
           most
           difficult
           part
           of
           a
           Christian's
           Duty
           ,
           the
           sublimest
           degree
           of
           Holiness
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           is
           to
           bear
           tormenting
           Pains
           with
           a
           meek
           and
           quiet
           Spirit
           .
           Then
           
             Faith
             is
             made
             perfect
             in
             Works
             :
          
           and
           this
           was
           eminently
           verified
           in
           his
           long
           Trial.
           His
           Pains
           were
           very
           severe
           ,
           proceeding
           from
           a
           cancerous
           Humour
           ,
           that
           spread
           it self
           in
           his
           Joynts
           ,
           and
           preyed
           upon
           the
           tenderest
           Membranes
           ,
           the
           most
           sensible
           Parts
           ,
           yet
           his
           Patience
           was
           invincible
           .
           How
           many
           restless
           Nights
           did
           he
           pass
           through
           without
           the
           least
           murmuring
           or
           Reluctancy
           of
           Spirit
           .
        
         
           He
           patiently
           suffered
           very
           grievous
           things
           
             through
             Christ
             that
             strengthned
             him
          
           ;
           and
           in
           his
           most
           afflicted
           Condition
           was
           thankful
           .
        
         
         
           But
           what
           Disease
           or
           Death
           could
           disturb
           the
           blessed
           Composure
           of
           his
           Soul
           ,
           which
           
             was
             kept
             by
             the
             Peace
             of
             God
             that
             passes
             all
             Vnderstanding
             .
          
           Such
           was
           the
           Divine
           Mercy
           ,
           he
           had
           no
           Anxieties
           about
           his
           future
           State
           ,
           but
           a
           comfortable
           Assurance
           of
           the
           favour
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           his
           Title
           to
           the
           Eternal
           Inheritance
           .
        
         
           He
           had
           a
           substantial
           double
           Joy
           ,
           in
           the
           reflection
           upon
           his
           Life
           spent
           in
           the
           faithful
           Service
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           Prospect
           of
           a
           blessed
           Eternity
           ready
           to
           receive
           him
           .
           This
           made
           him
           long
           to
           be
           above
           .
           He
           said
           with
           some
           Regret
           ,
           
             Death
             flies
             from
             me
             ,
             I
             make
             no
             haste
             to
             my
             Father's
             House
             .
          
           But
           the
           wise
           and
           gracious
           God
           ,
           
             having
             tried
             his
             faithful
             Servant
             ,
             gave
             him
             the
             Crown
             of
             Life
             ,
             which
             he
             hath
             promised
             to
             those
             that
             love
             him
             .
          
           His
           Body
           ,
           that
           poor
           Relick
           of
           Frailty
           ,
           is
           committed
           in
           trust
           to
           the
           Grave
           ,
           
             His
             Soul
             sees
             the
             Face
             of
             God
             in
             
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             is
             satisfied
             with
             his
             Likeness
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Hope
           of
           this
           should
           allay
           the
           Sorrows
           of
           his
           dearest
           Friends
           .
           When
           the
           Persons
           we
           love
           and
           have
           lived
           with
           ,
           are
           to
           be
           absent
           a
           few
           Months
           ,
           it
           is
           grievous
           ,
           but
           at
           the
           last
           lamenting
           Separation
           ,
           all
           the
           Springs
           of
           our
           tender
           Affections
           are
           opened
           ,
           and
           Sorrows
           are
           ready
           to
           overwhelm
           us
           .
           But
           the
           stedfast
           Belief
           of
           the
           Divine
           World
           ,
           and
           that
           our
           Friends
           are
           safely
           arrived
           thither
           ,
           is
           able
           to
           support
           our
           fainting
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           refresh
           all
           our
           Sorrows
           .
           The
           truth
           is
           ,
           we
           have
           reason
           to
           lay
           to
           heart
           the
           Displeasure
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           our
           own
           Loss
           ,
           when
           his
           faithful
           Ministers
           are
           taken
           away
           .
           When
           the
           Holy
           Lights
           of
           Heaven
           are
           Eclips'd
           ,
           it
           portends
           sad
           Things
           :
           When
           the
           Saints
           are
           removed
           from
           Earth
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           their
           Souls
           freed
           from
           the
           interposition
           of
           their
           dark
           Bodies
           ,
           
           they
           truly
           live
           ,
           but
           we
           that
           remain
           ,
           dye
           ,
           being
           deprived
           of
           their
           Holy
           Lives
           ,
           their
           Examples
           ,
           that
           are
           a
           preservative
           from
           the
           Contagion
           of
           the
           World.
           A
           due
           Sense
           of
           God's
           afflicting
           Providence
           is
           becoming
           us
           :
           But
           always
           allayed
           with
           hope
           of
           our
           being
           shortly
           reunited
           with
           our
           dearest
           Friends
           for
           ever
           in
           the
           better
           World.
           O
           that
           our
           serious
           Preparations
           ,
           our
           lively
           Hopes
           ,
           and
           the
           Presence
           of
           the
           great
           Comforter
           in
           our
           Souls
           ,
           may
           encourage
           us
           most
           willingly
           to
           leave
           this
           lower
           World
           ,
           so
           full
           of
           Temptations
           and
           Trouble
           ,
           to
           ascend
           into
           the
           World
           Above
           ,
           where
           perfect
           Peace
           ,
           full
           Joy
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           excellent
           Glory
           are
           in
           Conjunction
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A26816-e460
           
             Rom.
             12.11
             .
          
           
             Luke
             1.74
             ,
             75.
             
          
           
             Et
             si
             adhuc
             viliorum
             materiarum
             obtulisses
             ,
             fecisset
             quod
             ex
             illa
             fieri
             optimum
             possit
             .
             Sic
             sapiens
             virtutem
             si
             licebit
             ,
             in
             divitiis
             explicabit
             ,
             si
             minus
             ,
             in
             exilio
             .
             Quamcunque
             fortunam
             acceperit
             ,
             aliquid
             ex
             illa
             memorabile
             efficiet
             .
             
               Senec.
               Ep.
            
             78.
             
          
           
             Tit.
             2.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             13.
             
          
           
             Acts
             26.18
             .
          
           
             Col.
             1.12
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             1.
             
             Phil.
             1.
             
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             2.14
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             13.52
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             24.45
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             4.14
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             Cui
             ideo
             reor
             veteres
             pagani
             tam
             speciosae
             appellationis
             titulum
             dederunt
             ,
             ut
             quia
             in
             eo
             non
             erat
             numen
             ,
             vel
             nomen
             esset
             .
             Et
             quia
             non
             habebat
             aliquam
             ex
             potestate
             virtutem
             haberet
             saltem
             ex
             vocabulo
             divinitatem
             .
             
               Salv.
               de
               Provid
               .
               l.
            
             8.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             
               Hippoc.
               Aphor.
               Lib.
            
             6.
             
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             4.1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Col.
             1.28
             .
          
           
             Acts
             20.24
             .
          
           
             Miser
             ego
             semper
             aeger
             caloribus
             impatientiae
             .
             Confiteor
             ad
             Dominum
             Deum
             ,
             satis
             temere
             me
             ,
             si
             non
             etiam
             impudenter
             de
             patientia
             componere
             ausum
             ,
             cui
             praestandae
             idoneus
             omnino
             non
             sim.
             
          
           
             Esa.
             44.12
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             103.
             
          
           
             Dan.
             9.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             118.181
             .
          
           
             Idoneus
             sui
             operis
             aestimator
             ,
             magno
             pretio
             nos
             redemit
             .
             Arnob.
             
          
           
             Luke
             11.21
             .
          
           
             Acts
             18.5
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             3.12
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             3.21
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             7.8
             .
          
           
             Col.
             3.
             
          
           
             Nam
             ut
             mens
             per
             diem
             veris
             visionibus
             avocatur
             ne
             dormiat
             ,
             ita
             falsis
             nocte
             ne
             excitetur
             .
             
               Lactant.
               de
               Opific
               .
               Dei.
               c.
            
             18.
             
          
           
             Quae
             in
             ipsis
             visceribus
             ,
             medicaments
             epotis
             Originem
             futuri
             hominis
             extinguunt
             &
             paricidium
             faciant
             antequam
             pariant
             .
             
               Minus
               .
               Fel.
            
             
          
           
             1
             King.
             2.38
             .
          
           
             Jussisti
             Domino
             sic
             &
             est
             ,
             ut
             poena
             sit
             sibi
             omnis
             inordinatus
             animus
             .
             Aug.