The fountain of life opened, or, A display of Christ in his essential and mediatorial glory wherein the impetration of our redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun, carryed on, and finished by his covenant-transaction, mysterious incarnation, solemn call and dedication ... / by John Flavell ...

Inference 2.

* 1.1Hence likewise it follows, That the greatest services perform∣ed to Christ accidentally, and undesignedly; shall never be ac∣cepted, nor rewarded of God. Pilate did Christ an eminent piece of service. He did that for Christ that not one of his own Disci∣ples at that time durst do, and yet this service was not accepted of God; because he did it not designedly for his glory, but from the meer over rulings of providence.

If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted, according to what a man hath, saith the Apostle, 2 Cor. 8.12. The eye of God is first and mainly upon the will; if that be sincere and right for God, small things will be accepted; and if not, the greatest shall be abhor∣red. So 1 Cor. 9.17. If I do this thing, (i. e.) (Preach the Gospel) willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, a dispensation is committed to me, q. d. If I upon pure principles of Faith and Love, from my heart, designing the glory of God, and delighting to promote it by my ministry, do chearfully and willing∣ly apply my self to the Preaching of the Gospel, I shall have ac∣ceptance and reward with God: but if my work be a burden to me, and the service of God esteemed as a bondage; why then provi∣dence may use me for the dispensing of the Gospel to others, but

I my self shall lose both reward and comfort. As it doth not excuse my sin, that God can bring glory to himself out of it: so neither doth it justifie an action, that God hath praise and honour acciden∣tally by it. Paul knew that even the strife and envy in which some Preached Christ, should turn to his salvation; and yet he was not at all beholding to them for promoting his salvation that way. So Pilate here promotes the honour of Jesus Christ to whom he had no Love, and whose glory he did not at all design in this thing; and therefore hath neither acceptance nor reward with God.

O, therefore what ever you do for Christ do it heartily, design∣edly, for his glory. Of a ready and willing mind. With pure and sincere aims at his glory. For this is that the Lord more re∣spects, than the greatest services by accident.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Infer. 2,