A pleasant walk to heaven, through the new and living way, which the Lord Jesus consecrated for us, and his sacred Word reveals unto us. Published by Claudius Gilbert, B.D. minister of the Gospel at Limrick.

Ʋse. 5.

A Vigorous exhortation should be hence also pressed on all Christians. Are not all eminently obliged to walk worthy of their Vocation, both general and particular? Do we need Arguments to move us thereto? Are not Ingenuity, Con∣gruity and Expediency of sufficient force to perswade all sorts to this signal Duty, so pleasurable and profitable, so sutable and seasonable, so honourable and so comfortable? Shall wicked men toil early and late to walk after sin, Satan and self, in observing the Lusts of the flesh, and shall good men think much of any cost or care in walking after Christ, and observing the motions of his Spirit ratified to them by his Word and Providence? Should not the time past suffice us, that hath been so wofully mispent in fulfilling the will of the flesh? Is it not high time for every one to redeem the Time, and walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, because the the days are evil? Why should any Christian be found walk∣ing as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having their Understanding darkened, being alienated from the Life of God, through the Ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; who being past feeling, have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to commit Iniquity with greediness? If we have learned Christ better, let it appear in our worthy walking, for many walk, of whom we must wit∣ness with a bleeding heart, that their God is their belly, their Glory their shame, who mind earthly things? Should not our Conversation witness our corporation to be in Heaven, from whence we expect a Saviour? If we live in the Spirit, lets also walk after the Spirit, that we may no longer follow our fleshly Lusts. What pitty it is, that this Divine Walk should be so unfrequented, whilst sinfull, worldly walks are continually crouded with multitudes? What a shame is it, that so much labor should be still bestowed upon this car∣case, this bag full of filth and bones, whilst so little care is taken of our Immortal souls? Shall Jews and Turks, Papists and Pagans walk more sutably to their profession, then reform∣ed

Christians? Shall not Gods Interest and honor prevail ef∣ficaciously with us, to walk worthy of his great and glorious Name, which is called upon us? Are not we all eminently concerned therein, according to our Respective Stations and motions, publique and private, Civil and Sacred? Let all Su∣periors and Inferiors study and pray, believe and consult, re∣solve and endeavour more effectually for this Gospel-du∣ty, so Important and necessary.

1. Superiors are eminently called thereto, that they may walk worthy of the Lord, who dignifies them with the Title and function of his Deputies and Representatives. He would have them to do most for him, and be most like him, who receive most from him, and have most account to render to him. They bear his Image and Authority, natural and moral in a singular way, that they may be directed, excited and enabled to honor and promote his Power and Will, more spiritually and efficaciously. Their Work and Burthen, trou∣bles and snares, are much more then others; they therefore need still to be most watchfull and diligent in their Christian Walk. His Promises and Encouragements, Preceps and Di∣rections, Menaces and Judgements are eminently dispensed towards them for good against evil. They are his Lieutenants and high Stewards, to Rule under him, according to his Word, for his Glory, and their Inferiors good. Boleslaus, King of Bohemia, was wont to carry his Fathers Image in his Bosom, and often to kiss it, with a solemn wish, that he might do nothing unworthy of such an eminent Parent and Pattern. Should not all Superiors be often viewing and em∣bracing the Lords Divine Image, carrying in their heads and hearts, the gracious Characters of Christs Righteousness and Holiness, that they may still act and walk worthy of such a Father? Magnates will still be Magnetes; persons of Ho∣nor and Power are great Loadstones, that will draw many either to good or evil. Superiors are the Looking-glasses of their Families, City and Country, by whose president, most will dress themselves. Like heavenly Bodies in superior Orbs, they still carry a forcible Influence, whether benign or ma∣lign, by their multiplicious Aspects and Motions. Like the

grand wheels of Clocks and Watches, they Regulate or di∣sturb all the rest. Like Jeremies figs, they do much good, or much hurt. The Jews were once banished out of England for poisoning the publique-springs, to hasten an Epidemical Ru∣ine. Our Governors whether Oeconomical, or Political, Military or Ecclesiastical, are our publique Springs, which if poisoned, will prove most pernicious to all. Ingentia benefi∣cia, Ingentia maleficia, Ingentia supplicia. The aggravations of Divine favours abused, aggravate mens sins and sufferings. They that have most of the sweets of the world, have their sutable snare of the bitters thereof, to prevent abuse and sur∣feiting. Crowns are still lined with cares, and onus is never severed from honos, Duty being still an inseparable companion to Dignity. The servant intrusted with his five Talents, hath the greater account to give up at last of his Improvements. Promotion comes not from the East or West, it rises not from the Dust, its God himself that puts up some, in pulling others down. He advances none to feather their Nest, to please themselves, and to serve their Lusts, but to serve him and his. He expects most Rent from the greatest Farms. The greatest of men are his Tenants at Will, holding▪ in capite from him, quoad se bene gesserint. They are at his disposal, as the Counters in the Calculators hand, some whereof he places for Units and Tens, others for hundreds and thousands. When the supputation is over, and this Life at an end, they are alike again, as to Externals. This world is but a stage, wherein all sorts have their part to act, being ushered in by Divine Providence in their several orders and Ranks. That which makes the real difference between men and men, is their worthy walking, wherein consists the true Grandure and noble Gallantry of Superior Persons. What Agesilaus, King of Sparta said of the Persian King, he is indeed greater, if better then I, is worth considering among all persons of Authority. Whilst Superi∣ors walk worthy of their Calling, they prove choise Instru∣ments in the Lords own hand, to diffuse the Communications of his goodness proportionably to their greatness. When our Maximi appear Optimi, in their higher Spheres, as they resem∣ble him most from whom they receive all, so do they most ad∣vance

the publique Weal, and their own Comfort, in promot∣ing his honor and Interest. Their countenance and discounte∣nance carry still a great stroke for good or evil.

2. Inferiors should also be stirred up to walk worthy of their Vocation. The meanest Member in the body Natural, Poli∣tick and Ecclesiastical hath its proper place, work and use∣fulness. The Lord despises not the weakest Children, nor the poorest Lambs of his house and flock. Much service may be done by the lowest persons for God and their Country. It was the poor man that saved the great City, though very few took notice of him, or of his Wisdom. The smallest Wheels in a Clock and Watch, are of need and use. We cannot spare the least finger or Toe. Faith and Prayer pre∣vail most in secret, when little discerned. The Graces and Gifts of Christs holy Spirit, are variously dispensed for Im∣provement, in order to the benefiting of the whole by the contribution and concurrence of every part thereof. Its not by Chance, Fortune or Luck, that any are brought to a low condition, but by the wise. Providence of God, who best knows what place is fit for every one to stand and more in. He sets the Limits of mens habitations, and gives every one his Task to perform in his great family of the Universe. He gives special Rules to all Inferiors, as well as to Superiors, whether private or publique, civil or sacred, witness Pauls Epistles, and all other parts of Divine Records. He expects Returns sutable to mens Receipts, and rewards the Improve∣ment of the two Talents, as well as of the five. The beau∣ty and strength of every Society, consists mainly in the proper motions of the lesser, as well as of the greater parts. The wor∣thy walking of Inferior Christians conduces very much to the adorning of their Profession. Moral vertues and spiritual Graces, shew their native Beauty best in a plain dress and familiar Garb. Christian humbleness and self-denial, Dili∣gence and Patience, Sobriety and Contentation. Laborious∣ness and Fidelity, Submission and Dependency shine clearly in a low estate, as the stars in a frosty night. There is a Sym∣pathy and reciprocation so necessary among all the greater and lesser members of the Body, that one cannot say to the

other, I have no need of thee. Christ himself passed through all the conditions of man in his progress of Humiliation, from his Conception to his Ascention, stooping to the lowest and most abject, that he might sweeten and sanctifie them all to his Peo∣ples Comfort, and for Gods Glory. He emptied himself; took on him the form of a servant, became a Worm, and denied him∣self continually for a Pattern to all. They that have least of the Worlds Profits, Pleasures, and Preferments, have least of the cares and snares, troubles and account that accompany them. Providence so orders and attemperats all conditions below, that the Bitter sweets of every relation, may be still effectual motives, inducing all sorts, to walk worthy of their Calling. The mysterious Theologie of the Ancients represented this by the two famous Tuns, standing continually before Jupiters Throne, the one full of Hony, the other of Gall: out of both which, he is still sprinkling and distributing among all Mortals, such proportions, as best fit their several states and relations. Inferiors are commanded strictly by the Apostle, as well as Su∣periors to abide with God in that calling whereunto they were called, that they may walk worthy of their vocation, as becomes Christians. He repeates his Charge and Instructions to them, to demonstrate the Necessity and Utility, the conveniency and excellency of that eminent Duty, whereto corrupt Na∣ture is still so backward and so contrary.

Thus should all Christians mind their obligations to Christ, and be vigorously pressed to study their Calling, and seek his face with industrious Diligence, that in the faithfull use of all due means through faith in his name, serving his Spirit, Word and Providence, they may be found to walk with him, and like him in the constant exercise of a good Conscience, sutably to their various relations for a further help thereto: consider we the next observation for improvement thereof.

Notes

• 1 Pet. 4. 2, 3.
• Eph. 5. 15, 16,
• Eph 4. 17, 18, 19, 20.
• Phil. 3. 17, 18, 19, 20.
• Gal. 5. 25.
• Psal. 75. 6.
• Eccles. 9. 15.
• Eph. 4.
• 1 Cor. 12.
• Col. 2. 19.
• Act. 17. 26.
• Mat. 25. 15, &c.
• 1 Cor. 12. 21.
• Phll. 2. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
• Psal. 22. 6.
• Isa. 53.
• Iohn 13.
• 1 Cor. 7. 20.
• Act. 24. 16.