them his chief and choicest companions; and this will be a happy means to keep him close to Christ and his service, in those times wherein many turn their backs upon him, under pretence of being highly interested in the great and glorious things that have been wrought by him, &c.

Rem. 2. Consider, that the great and glorious things that Jesus Christ hath done, and is doing for us, should be so far from taking us off from religious services, and pious performances, that they should be the greatest motives and encouragements to the performance of them, as the scriptures do abundantly evidence. I will produce only a few instances; as, That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear; in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives;' Luke i.. 74, 75. Christ hath freed you from all your enemies, from the curse of the law, the predominant condemning power of sin, the wrath of God, the sting of death, and the torments of hell; but what is the end and design of Christ in doing these great and marvellous things for his people? It is not that they should throw off duties of righteousness and holiness, but that their hearts may be the more free and sweet in all holy duties and heavenly services:* so the

* This I am sure of, that all man's happiness here is hoJiness, and holiness shall hereafter be his happiness.Christ hath therefore broke the devil's yoke from off our necks, that his Father might have better service from our

hearts;

'

apostle, 'I will be their God, and they shall be my people: and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.' (Mark what follows) Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord.' 2 Cor. vi. 17, 18. chap. vii. 1. compared. And again, Tit. ii. 11-14. 'The grace of God that bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men, teaching us, that denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Ah souls! I know of no arguments to influence you to a lively and constant performance of all heavenly services, like those that are drawn from the consideration of the great and glorious things that Christ hath done for you; and if such arguments will not win upon you, I think preaching of hell-fire to you will never do it.

Rem. 3. Seriously consider, that those precious souls which Jesus Christ hath done and

"Talk not of a good life, but let thy life speak." Your actions in passing pass not away; for every good work is a grain of seed for eternal life.

suffered as much for, as he hath for you, have been exceedingly active and lively in all religious services and heavenly performances:* he did and suffered as much for David as for you, and yet, who is found more in praying and praising God than David? Seven times a day will I praise the Lord.' Who more in studying and meditating on the word, than David? Thy law is my meditation day and night.' The same truth you may run and read in Jacob, Moses, Job, Daniel, and in the rest of the holy prophets and apostles, for whom Christ hath done as much for as for you. Ah! how have all those worthies abounded in works of righteousness and holiness, to the praise of free grace? Certainly Satan hath done great and glorious things for us, therefore we need not make conscience of performing such religious services as men say the world calls for: if this logic be not from hell, whence is it? Ah! were the holy prophets and apostles alive to hear such reasoning come out of the mouths of such as profess themselves to be interested in the great things that Jesus Christ hath done for his chosen ones, how would

* The saint's motto in all ages hath been, "Let's be do ing." "God loves the runner, not the questioner, or disputant," saith Luther.

†The day is at hand when God will require of men, "not what they have read, but what they have done; nor what they have spoken, but how much they have conquer. ed or overcome."

they blush to look upon such souls? And how would their hearts grieve and break within them, to hear their language and observe their conduct!

Rem. 4. Consider this, that those who walk not in the ways of righteousness and holiness, (who wait not upon God in the several duties and services that are commanded by him) cannot have that evidence to their own souls of their righteousness before God,* of their fellowship and communion with God, of their blessedness here, and their happiness hereafter, as those persons have, who love and delight in the ways and works of the Lord. Little children,' saith the apostle, 'let no man deceive you; he that doth righteousness, is righteous, even as he is righteous.' 'In this, saith the same apostle, the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil; whosoever doth not righteous

Certainly it is one thing to judge by our graces, another thing to rest, or put our trust in them. There is a great deal of difference between declaring and deserving.

† As David's daughters were known by their garments of divers colours, so are God's children by their piety and sanctity. A Christian's emblem should be a house walking towards heaven. High words surely make a man neither holy nor just; but a virtuous life, a circumspect walk, make him dear to God. A tree that is not fruitful, is for the fire. Christianity is not talking, but walking with God, who will not be put off with words; if he miss of fruit, he will take up his axe, and then the soul is cut off for ever.

ness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother: if ye know that he is righteous, saith the same apostle, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. He

that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whosoever keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected. Hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another; and the blood of Christ cleanseth us from all sin,' saith the same apostle. So James ii.' What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works, can faith save him?' i. e. it cannot. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. To look after holy and heavenly works, is the best way to preserve the soul from being deceived and deluded by Satan's delusions, and by sudden flashes of joy and comfort: holy work being a more sensible and constant pledge of the precious spirit, begetting and maintaining in the soul more solid, pure, and lasting joy. Ah souls! as you would have in yourselves a constant and blessed evidence of your fellowship with the Father and the Son, and of the truth of grace, and of your future happiness, look that you are dili