A help to holy walking, or, A guide to glory containing directions how to worship God, and to walk with him in the whole course of our lives / by Edward Bury.

CHAP. I. Motives to holy Dutyes.

HAving in a former, Treatise handled the Doctrine of holy walking, and shewed the excellency and necessity of it, and given you Marks and Motives to perswade you to it, and Directions in it, and answered the Objections that are made against it; I shall come now to treat of it in particular, and shew you how to demean your selves towards God, in the several parts of his Worship, wherein consists the main, though not the whole of holy walking: And in every part of Gods worship, I shall give you Directions for the right perform∣ance. But Reader, wilt thou resolve to follow those Directions? For otherwise 'tis in vain for me to write, or thee to read, it will but make thee sin with a Candle in thy hand, What good will

Meat do if not eaten and digested? Or Physick do if not taken? Or a Plaister if not applyed? So what good will Directions do, if not followed? It is not enough to read thy duty, but thou must do it, nay 'tis not enough to do it, but thou must do it well: Those that worship God, must worship him in Spirit and in Truth, 'tis not a little lip la∣bour, or knee service will serve his turn without the Heart, and the Heart rightly qualified, he re∣gards it not, he will have none of it, for there is none holy as the Lord, 1 Sam, 22. And the Lord ad∣mits of none into his service that are not holy, Lev. 10.3. I will be sanctifyed by those that draw near to me, Lev. 20.7. Be ye holy, for I am holy, He is a living God, and requires living Sacrifice, and will not take up with a dead heart: There must be a principle of life in thee, or thou art nor fit to come into his presence, for he is a consuming fire unto his Enemies, there must be Regeneration, or there can be no Salvation, John 3.5. And without faith 'tis impossible to please him. Heb. 11.6. 'tis not e∣nough to worship him, but it must be in sincerity and truth, Josh. 24.14 What is thy Resolution, wilt thou worship him or wilt thou not? there are few in plain words will deny it, but in actions they do, either they worship him not at all, or give him that he requires not, or do it in a manner he re∣gards not: They are like the Son that said to his Father, I go Sir, but went not, Mat. 21.30. But shall we take it for granted that thou wilt worship him? but wilt thou do it in truth and sincerity? o∣therwise God will not regard it. I fear we may say of many, as Joshua of Israel Josh. 24.19. You cannot serve the Lord, for he is an holy God, but is it your Resolution as theirs was in the verses fol∣lowing,

Nay, but we will serve the Lord, and that you will choose the Lord to serve him, consider what you do, you must take him to be your God, and be willing to have your Souls cleansed from all your sins, and must be willing to take the Lord Jesus Christ as he is offered in the Gospel, to be your Lord and Husband, and be as willing to be ruled by him, as saved by him, and must resolve to obey his Laws, and do his will, and live in the per∣formance of those spiritual duties he requires at at thy hand. Yea, thou must have a setled Reso∣lution to cleave to Christ, and obey him even in the most despised, disgraceful, dangerous, difficult and costly part of duty: Though it be to the loss of thy worldly enjoyments, yea, and life it self: I know many would pick of choose their duties, this they would do, but that they would not; they scum of the Fat and sweet of duty, but leave that which is difficult, or dangerous, but God will have no such Servants: obey him thou must, though thy Father, Mother, and all thy Friends become thine Enemies upon the account; yea, in some cases thou must not only leave, but hate Father and Mother, &c. yea, thy own life for his sake yea, though thou loose thy credit and esteem in the World, and be made a scorn and a reproach for his sake; though thou loose thy pleasure, and never see merry day whilst thou livest; though it endanger thy Estate, and bring thee to Poverty; though thou loose thy Liberty, and be cast into a Prison; yea, though thou loose thy life, and be brought to a Stake to suffer; yea, though thou seest few or none walk that same way with thee: Noah must obey God, though the whole World disobey him; yea, thou must obey him, though his commands be never

so contrary to thy carnal interest, or never so oppo∣site to flesh and blood, and though they are never so hard or difficult, or dangerous, or costly, before ever thou take upon thee the profession of Religi∣on, sit down first and reckon the charges, lest like many thou begin to build, and be unable to finish it; and not like many, put their hands to the Plow, and then look back: or like the stony ground when persecution ariseth, presently are offended: re∣solve to give him thy heart with thy hand, or he will have none of thee, he knows the heart, and trie the reins, and thou canst not deceive him with a dissembling shew, when Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire, he slew them. When Ananias and Saphira played the Hypocrite, he struck them dead. Cleanse thy heart therefore if thou wilt serve him, and serve him thou must, or do worse: Thou canst never err on that hand, in ser∣ving him too well; he deserves more and better than thou canst give him, his wages will be be∣yond thy work: now that I may prevail with thee to serve God, take these following Motives.

1. Motive, We should worship and serve the Lord our God, because he hath commanded us so to do, and his command makes it our duty; we are his Creatures, and we owe our selves, and all that we have to him for our Creation. He made us, and therefore hath most right to us; He made us for his service, and therefore 'tis all the reason in the World that we should serve him; for who is the Pot, but the Potters? and this is the service he requires of us, to worship him according to his will, and praise him for his benefits, this is all he requires at our hands, even this Tribute of praise, and shall we be so ingrateful to our great Bene∣factour,

to deny him this? Nay, we are his also by right of Redemption, for we had sold our selves unto slavery, even to Sathan, and were become Bond-slaves to this hellish Pharaoh, who exercised more cruelty to our Souls, than ever Pharaoh did to the Bodies of the Israelites; and in the slavery had remained for ever, had not God sent his own Son to ransome us with the loss of his life, and the shedding of his pretious blood: Satan was the strong man armed that kept his house in peace, till Christ a stronger than he disarmed him, and took away his weapons wherein he boasted. And now being bought with a price, we should glorifie God with our Bodies, and with our Souls which are Gods. The end he aimed at in our Redemption, was his own glory as well as our liberty; and this he ex∣pects from our hands, is, we being delivered from the fear of our Enemies, might serve him without fear, in Holiness and Righteousness before him all the days of our Lives, Luk. 2.74,75. Nay, we are also his by Covenant, under our Hand and Seal in our Baptisme, we were dedicated to his service, which Covenant since we have often ratified at the Sacrament of the Supper, and how can we deny our own act and deed? He is our Lord, and we should worship him, Psal, 45.1••. Now that wor∣ship and service is required of us is evident, Scrip∣ture and Reason speaks as much, 2 Kings 17.36. You shall not fear other Gods, nor bow your selves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them, but the Lord who brought you out of the Land of Egypt with great power, and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, ond him shall ye worship, and to him you shall do sacrifice, and his statutes, and his ordinances ye shall observe. Exod. 34.4. You

shall worship no other God but him, the like we have, Exod. 20.50. 1 Chron. 16.29. Give un∣to the Lord the glory due unto his Name, bring an Offering and an Oblation before him, worship him in the beauty of holiness. Yea, Christ himself preacheth this doctrine, when the Divil tempted him to fall down and worship him; he answered, It is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Mat. 4.8. Yea, he directs us with what worship to worship him, John 4.23,24. The true worshippers worship him in Spirit and in Truth, God is a Spirit, and those that worship him, must worship him in Spi∣rit; and of this spiritual worship we may also read, Phil. 3.3. Or will you hear the counsel of an Angel from Heaven, you have it, Rev. 19.10. Worship God, yea, this is the practice of the Angels, the work they do, and the work that the Angels, and gloryfied Saints shall do through all Eternity, Heb. 1.6. But what are Testimonies in so plain a case? few deny it, though few pra∣ctice it as they ought, we might bring you exam∣ples from the beginning of the World to this day, of the godly in all Ages that have thus worshipped, thus served God, though many in all Ages, the more is the pity, have given that to the Divel, which is due to God alone; many have sacrificed to Devils, and worshiped and served the Creature more than the Creator blessed for ever, Rom. 1.25. To prove that 'tis so, now, I need not instance in the Indians, that know no better, nor in the Papists that worship stocks and stones, and the works of their own hands, which iS forbidden, Exod. 20.5.6. Isa. 2.8. And swear by God and our Lady, as the Israelites did by God and Malchon, and

some other Mediators with Christ, but how many may we find serve the Devil, the World, and the Flesh; though they covenanted to fight against them in their Baptism: if the Devil bid them sweaty they will swear, if he bid them be drunk, they will be drunk; or if he bid them lye, or steal, or decieve, they will obey; let God say what he will to the contrary: Yea, though he set them upon the hardest, difficultest, dangerous work they will do it, though they venture life and limb in his service; but let them at the end brag of their wages, that so love the work, but as with Paul, Acts 24.14. In the way which men call Heresie, so worship the God of your Fathers.

2. Motive, Thou shouldest serve God, for he is the best Masters; yea, there is no other that de∣serves thy best service but him: The tongue of Men, nor Angels cannot express the excellency that is in God, our Cockle shells cannot compre∣hend this Ocean; what qualifications canst thou desire in a Master? that are not to be found in God as the abstract? for all the excellency that is to be found among the Creatures, is but as a drop of this Ocean, a ray of this Sun, and a spark of this fire. Wouldst thou have one that is able to defend thee, and see that thou art not wronged? Here is Omnipotency it self, if he set thee on work he can bear thee out. The Devil may shake his chain, and wicked Men may gnash their teeth at thee, hurt thee they cannot, all the powers of darkness can do thee no wrong. The Devil could not touch one of Jobs cattel without Commission sealed in Heaven; and if thou faithfully serve him, he will never grant any Commission, but what shall be for thy good, Rom. 8.28. He is El Shad∣dai,

a God able to destroy, or remove all rubs out of his way: But no other Master can defend thee against him, Or wouldst thou have a merciful, lo∣ving, or tender hearted Master? the World can∣not afford thee such another; never was there in∣dulgent Father, or tender hearted Mother, more careful over their only child, than God is over all his servants, Isa. 49.15. Can a Woman forget her sucking child, that she shall not have compassi∣on on the Son of her Womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee saith the Lord. Behold I have engraven thee upon the palms of my hand thy walls are continually before me. Never was Gold∣smith more careful of his gold, that it shall not be in the Furnace longer than need is, than God is of his People, they shall be no longer in the Furnace of affliction, then necessity requires, till their dross is consumed, and they refined: Or wouldst thou serve a wise Master? One able to direct thee and instruct thee in thy work? One able to counsel thee what to do, and what to forbear? Here is one that is Wisdom it self, yea the Fountain of Wis∣dom. The foolishness of God saith the Apostle is wiser than the wisdom of Man. 1 Cor. 1.25. That is that which in the eyes of the World is foolishness, he can over wit, and over work all his Enemies, and thou canst not be in such a strait, but he can help thee, nor in so much danger but he can deliver thee, as he did Israel at the Red Sea; Daniel in the Lions Den, the three Children out of the fiery Furnace, Jonah out of the Whales belly, and Peter out of Prison. Or wouldst thou serve a Master that is faithful and just, that will make good his word, and fulfil his promise? God is such a one, he is more faithful than the Sun and

Moon in their courses, Hath he said it, and shall he not do it, hath he spoken it, and shall he not bring it to pass? Heaven and Earth shall fail, before one tittle of his word shall fail, till all be fulfilled. The experience of five Thousand years cannot produce one example when God hath falsified his word. Or wouldst thou serve some honorable Person, God hath the highest titles of honor, he is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and the Ru∣ler of Princes, he is the Lord of Heaven and Earth, the Castles of a thousand hills are his, yea, all the Beasts of the Forrests, all Nations to him are but as a drop of a Bucket, or the small dust of the Ballance. Never fear then, he is able to pay thee thy wages. David delighted more in being his servant, than in being King of Israel, never a∣ny lost by his service; wouldst thou serve one that is loving and kind? why he is love it self, see one act of his love, John 3.16. God so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoso∣ever believed in him should not dye, but have everlast∣ing life. See the love of the Father in giving, and the love of the Son in dying; and wouldst thou serve a patient Master? He is infinite in Pa∣tie••ce, if thy heart be right, he will bear with much: Now what Master in the World wilt thou compare to him? if none, why wilt not serve him, and yet alas, most men serve the Devil his sworn Enemy: one of these two thou must, thou dost serve, for these are the two grand Commanders, and the one or the other all Men obey. The Devil is thy sworn Enemy, and seeks thy Soul to destroy it, 1 Pet. 5.8. He offers much indeed, but can∣not pay thee, he hath nothing of his own, but his vitious qualities; what he shews thee is but what

he baits his hook with, or with the Fowler his snares, not to feed thee, but to entrap thee; he hunts for thy Soul like a blood hound, and nothing will serve him but thy dishonor. The World also will deceive thee, and promise pleasure, and pay pain, it will never pay thee thy wages, and wilt forsake such a Master as God is, and commit thy self to such known cheats? Heaven and Earth may stand amazed at thy folly: well, remember thy wages they will give thee.

3. Motive, As he is the best Master, so he sets his servants about the best work, when the Devil sets his about the basest drugery: A wise servant before he is hired, would know his work, that he may demand answerable wages: Now the work which God sets his servants upon is reasonable, and easie, and pleasant, and delightful, 'tis the works of Piety and Charity that he requires, to love God above all, and our Neighbours as our selves: These are the two great commands, and upon these hang all the Law and the Prophets, Mat. 22.37. &c. Love is the fulfilling of the Law. Rom 13.10. And is not this a pleasant and delightful du∣ty, and is it not reasonable that we should love God our great Benefactor, in whom we live, and move, and have our being; and our Brethren that are of the same flesh and blood: To believe in him also is our duty, and is it not reasonable when we can ne∣ver prove that ever he deceived any. To praise him also is our work, this is an Angelical work, fit for Heaven, and Heaven-born Souls, and will be the work of Eternity, where Saints and Angels shall make up one quire, to Trumpet out the pray∣ses of God: To hold communion with him, this is a Christians happiness here, and to converse with

him in Glory is Heaven it self. 'Tis no wonder then that the Service of God is called perfect Free∣dom, and his Servants are called his Free-men, 1 Cor. 7.21. 'Tis no wonder that Christ tells us, his Yoak is easie, and his Burthen is light, Mat. 11.30. for all those that feel it find it so, through Divine Assistance. I know, to a Carnal Heart, and un∣sanctified Soul it appears otherwise; but 'tis the Galls, Sores, and Putrified Corruption of Nature that makes it so; the easiest Yoak upon a galled Neck seems uneasie: Learn but this one Lesson, get but this one Qualification, to love God above all, and all the rest will prove easie; Love makes Labour light: the Love of Christ constrained the Apostle Paul, and made him willing, not only to be bound, but to dye for Christ; then Prayer would be no difficult Duty, for who would not willingly go to him he Loves, and pour out his re∣quests into his Bosom? when he knows he shall have a supply, and hath such promises as those; ask, and you shall have; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you, Psal. 50.15. Praise also then will be a delightful Duty; how apt are we to Commend those we Love, and speak well of them? Hence it is, that the Saints and Angels in Heaven are not weary of this work, even to Eternity; Communion with God is no toylful, but delightful Duty, for Union, and Communion with God is the Souls Happiness; nay, 'tis here a Heaven upon Earth, and will be their Heaven for ever, which is sweet here, though much in∣terrupted; what will it be then when we enjoy him Face to Face, and see him as he is? here it fills the Heart full of such Joy, as no Stranger shall ever meddle with, Prov. 14.10. I know the world brags

of their pleasures in the Devils Service, and are afraid to be Christians for fear of losing them, but this is but one of the Devils Lime-twigs, in which he fetters them, and one of the deceits of the Father of Lyes: a true Christian finds by Expe∣rience more true Joy, more ravishing delight in one days Communion with Christ, than ever he did in the Service of sin; for, in the midst of laugh∣ter the sinners heart is sorrowful, and the end of that mirth is Heaviness. But a Believer may eat his Meat with Joy, and drink his Wine with a merry Heart, for God accepteth his Work, Eccl. 9.7. And with joy they can draw waters out of these Wells of Salvation, Isa. 12.3. Yea, shout for joy if he be of an upright Heart, Psal. 32.11. There is none in the world that has more true Cause of Joy than they have; here they are under the Divine Pro∣tection of God, and are sure to want nothing that is good; and when this Earthly Tabernacle shall be dissolved, they have a Kingdom prepared for them. But what is the Devils work which he imploys his Servants about? 'Tis the basest drudgery, the most servile Slavery, the most sordid, unreasona∣ble, Dangerous work in the world; he sets them to hate God, who is the chiefest good, to hold up weapons of defiance against him, from whom they have their Life and Breath, and Being; to Blas∣pheme his Name, abuse his Creatures, break his Commandments, Persecute his Children, both by Hand and Tongue; pluck the Stars out of his Right Hand, the Signet of his Finger, the Apple of his Eye, his Jewels, those whom his Soul Lo∣veth; yea, to de-throne him, and set up the Devil in his place; yea, he makes them so mad upon it, that they will venture Life and Limb in the Prose∣cution;

yea, Liberty and Estate, and Ruine their own Souls, and as many more as they are able; and will not be perswaded by Ministers, Parents, or their Godly Friends, from such Courses; when the Devil enters into these Swine, they run head∣long till they Ruine themselves.

4. Motive. Thou shouldst serve the Lord, be∣cause he best deserves thy Service; he hath done more for thee than all the World besides, and that which all the World cannot do. It was he that Created thee, and gave thee a Being when thou wast nothing. It was not long since there was no∣thing heard of thee, and God had no need of thee; he was Infinite in his Perfection, and Glory before thou wast, and thou hast added nothing to his Hap∣piness, and wilt not own him for thy Creator? Yea, he hath made thee a Rational Creature, when he might have made thee a bruit Beast; he made thee capable of Communion with himself, yea, in his own Image, when he might have made thee a Dog, or Toad, or Serpent, or the most de∣spicable Worm that crawls under thy Feet: what Excellent Faculties hath he bestowed upon thee? As Undestranding, Will, Affections, Memory, Conscience, and such like. Yea, he hath made thee Little lower than the Angels, Psal. 8.4,5. Thou wast the Clay, and he was the Potter; he might have made thee a Vessel of dishonour, and shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus? Not only so, but he hath given thee thy Limbs, and thy Senses, when thou might∣est have been Blind or Lame, or Deaf or Dumb; and is not this a Mercy, thou hast the use of Rea∣son, when others run raging in the street, Mad, Frantick, or Lunatick? Yea, 'tis he that main∣tains

thee at his own Cost and Charges; 'tis his Corn, and his Wine that feeds thee; his Wool, and his Flax that Cloaths thee; 'tis his Silver, and his Gold that inriches thee; all is his, and all is his free-gift; thou deservest not the Crumbs that fall under thy Table; and is all this nothing? Hos. 2.5. &c. Yea, hadst thou these things of thy own, they could do thee no good, without his Blessing; Food could not nourish, nor Cloaths keep thee warm; he gives thee Peace, when thou mightest have been in bloody War; Health, when thou mighest have been on thy sick Bed; and Plen∣ty when thou mighest have been in pinching want; and is all this nothing? Why now doth he do this for thee, but that thou mightest Serve him? Hast thou now a better Friend, or greater Benefactor to bestow thy Service upon? Can the Devil, or the World, or thy Friends, or thy Wealth do thus for thee? I know they cannot; why then are they preferred before him? Nay, this is not all; when thou hadst Revolted from God, and sold thy self a Slave to Satan; when thou wast in thy Bloud, and no Eye pityed thee; when thou couldst not help thy self, and wast unworthy to be helpt; he sent his own Son to Redeem thee out of thy Slavery, to suffer what was due for thy sins, even the pains of Hell, and the cursed Death up∣on the Cross, and that when thou wast his Enemy, and all to free thee from the guilt and filth of sin, and from the punishment due for sin, from the Curse of the Law, the wrath of God, the Slave∣ry of Satan, and from everlasting damnation; and is all this nothing? Yea, all this was done that thou mightest Serve him in Holiness and Righ∣teousness all the days of thy Life, Luke 1.75. Nay,

further, he bestows upon thee many helps and furtherances; he gives thee his Word, his Ordi∣nance, his Sacraments, his Ministers, the moti∣ons of his Spirit, the checks of thine own Consci∣ence, and the Example of his People; Promises, Threatnings, Mercies, Judgments, and all to this End; and yet doth he not deserve thee? Hath the Devil, or the World done more for thee than he hath? Why then wilt thou serve them? Did they Create thee, or art thou theirs by right of Re∣demption? Do they preserve, or maintain thee? Do they Feed, or Cloath thee? Or pay thee Wa∣ges? No, no, all thy Friends in the World, nor all the Angels in Heaven could not satisfie for our sin; did they Love thee better than he that laid down his Life for thee? Or, will they make bet∣ter Provision for thee than God will? Or pay thee better Wages? Then Serve them and spare not; but deceive not thy self, they cannot do it; what canst want if thou be God's Servant? He is every way furnished to help thee; art thou ten thousand Talents indebted, and canst not pay a farthing? Christ will be thy Surety, and discharge thy debt; hast thou Scarlet sins lying upon thy Conscience? Here is Blood to wash them away, 'tis he, and he alone that can forgive sins. Here is the Bread of Life to feed thee, and the Water of Life to refresh thee, the Spiritual Manna, fit Food for thy Soul; the true Nectar and Ambrosia: he that eats of this, shall never Hunger; and he that drinks of this, shall never Thirst. Here is Rich Robes to Cloath thee, and Eye salve to make thee see; and Gold tryed in the Fire, to make thee Rich, Rev. 3.17,18. Here are Graces as Jewels to adorn thee, the Wedding-Garment to make thee a welcom Guest;

he is, Mecor Majim Chajim, A Fountain of Liv∣ing Water, Jer. 2.13. Tzur gnolanim, a Rock of Ages, Isa. 26.4. All the water of Consolation is in this Sea, all the Light is in this Sun, and all Comfort in this God; Canst find such another Ma∣ster that hath done, and will do for thee, as he hath, and will do? the Devil and the World will deceive thee, if they promise to do it.

5. Motive. Thou shouldst serve God, for as he hath the best work, so he gives the best Wages, and Servants usually seek for such Masters; some∣thing he gives in hand, as earnest of the Bargain, and incouragement in the work; and reserves most to the Years end, when he will plenteously recompence all thy pains, and remove all cause of repining; in hand he gives his Servants his Spi∣rit, this is the mark he knows them by, those that have not the Spirit of God are none of his, Rom. 8.9. This is called, the Spirit of Adoption, Rom. 8.15. Ye have received the spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry, Abba Father; 'tis called the earnest of the Spirit in our Hearts; this is called the Comforter, John 15.27. and 'tis given to instruct us, and to lead us into all Truth, John 18.13. And doubtless those cannot want Comfort that have such a Comforter, they cannot lose their way, that have such a Guide; he it is that dictates their Prayers for them, for they know not what to ask; yea, God for the Comfort and Consolation of his Ser∣vants here in the World, gives them an Interest in the Promises Recorded in the Word of God, which are more worth than the World; the grea∣test King on Earth cannot make and perform such Promises to his greatest Favourite, they are well called great and precious Promises, 2 Pet. 1.4. For

great things are promised in them that believe, that apprehends an interest in them, may live up∣on his faith, and his hope in the absence of all Creature enjoyments; these are his Fathers Lega∣cy: 'tis true, Believers have but little in hand, yet much in a Promise; but little in Possession, yet much in Reversion; they have Heaven and Earth in a Promise; here they have a Promise they shall not lack, but at Death they shall receive their In∣heritance; yea, Eye hath not seen, nor Ear heard, neither is entred into the heart of Man, to conceive what God hath provided for those that love him, 1 Cor. 2.9. Here they have a Promise, and God hath put his hand to it, they shall not want protection, nor provision, God hath promised he will never leave them nor forsake them, Heb. 13.5. And if God be for us, who can be against us, yea, that they shall want nothing that is good, Psal. 34.9. The young Lions lack and suffer hunger, but those that fear the Lord shall want no good thing. Psal. 84.11. The Lord is a Sun and a Shield, he giveth Grace and Glory; and no good thing will he withold from them that live uprightly: If we have sincere hearts, if wealth be good for us, we shall have it; and if poverty be good, why should we not be content? somtimes Physick is as necessary as food. They have a Promise of Deliverance out of Trouble, Many are the Troubles of the Righteous, but the Lord de∣livers them out of all, Psal. 34.19. and 50.15. Take one place for all; Rom. 8.28. All things shall work together for good to those that love God. What matter then is it what our sufferings are, when we are sure we shall get by them? God that brought Light out of Darkness, and Order out of Confusion, can work Good to us out of Evil,

there is no Condition a servant of God can be in, but in the Scripture he may find Comfort, or Com∣pany, or both; yea, God bestows his graces up∣on his servants, which are better than the most O∣rient Pearls, or costly Jewels; these they are a∣dorned with, and no other did ever wear them: they have the rich Robes of Christs Righteousness, the Garments of Holyness, this is Gods Livery, and all his servants wear it; yea, he adopts them, and makes them not only his servants, but his children, 1 John 12.2 2 Cor. 6.18. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my Sons and Daugh∣ters, saith the Lord Almighty, he makes them not only Sons, but Heirs, Heirs of God, and joint Heirs with Christ, Rom. 8.17. Gives them the Wed∣ding Garment, Mat. 22.12. Yea, marries them to his Son, Cant. 6.3. Thus we see there is good wages if there were no more, but they have much more in Reversion, a Kingdom, a Kingdom of glo∣ry, they shall enter into their Masters joy, Mat. 25.24. Yea, into a Kingdom prepared for them, from the foundation of the World; yea, into life eternal, Mat. 25.34.46. See now if thou canst meet with a Master that gives better wages, the Devil indeed promiseth much, but performeth little; all this saith he will I give thee, when he can give just nothing: but suppose he had the World at his dis∣pose, what good would it do thee? it cannot give co••tent, and make thee happy. Indeed there was one dream't of happiness in a prosperous Estate, but when he wak't it was but a Dream, Luk. 12.16. &c. Content grows not in the Worlds Gar∣den, these outward things bear no proportion to an immortal Soul; they are of too base a birth and breeding to give it content, but if it could satisfie

at present, what wilt thou do at Death? then they must down to the Chambers of Death, to Hell it self, there to remain for ever and ever; this is the Devils wages which he will certainly give all those that serve him.

6. Motive, To serve God in the sincerity of our Hearts, is the only way to true happiness; and to serve any other Master but him, or to serve him Superstitiously, or Hypocritically, is the certain way to Ruine and Destruction; all those that have served God in sincerity, not one of them have miscarried; and of all other, there is not one that ever attained Heaven and Happiness; the way of Holiness is the only Road to true Happiness; and how can the end be attained, if the means be not used? 'tis Godliness that hath the Promise of this Life and that to come; Happiness is that which all men seek, but few men find, because few sought it in a way of Holyness.

The Covetuous man thinks if he could get Riches, he should attain Happiness; and this makes him Moil and Toil, and Cark and Care; yea, make himself miserable, that he may be happy; and yet never attains so much as con∣tent: and wounds his Conscience to get an Estate, and is but like a Sumpter Horse that goes loaden all the day with as much Treasure as he can carry, and at night stript of all, and turned into a dirty stable, with his gall'd back; so after Death they shall be turned into Hell with their gall'd Consci∣ences.

The Voluptuous man that placeth his happiness in pleasure, thinks if he can but obtain his desire, he shall be happy; but how little satisfaction can he find here? all his pleasure ends in a snuff, and the

end of his Mirth is Sadness; and all this while he deprives himself of true pleasure.

The Ambitious man thinks to ascend the steps of Honor, is to attain Happiness; when alas this is the emptiest of all Bubbles, and how oft do we see men break their necks from the top of Promo∣tion?

These men build the Fabrick of their Hopes and Happiness upon a Sandy foundation; where one dashing shower, or stormy tempest throws down their Babel: but a Christian laies a sure foundati∣on in Holyness, and in the fear and service of God; they build upon the Rock which never fails them, they seek Happiness in Gods way, Psal. 128.1. Blessed is every one that serveth the Lord, and walk∣eth in his way; not every one that is Rich or Hono∣rable, this is the Worlds language, and not Gods; Deut. 7.14. If thou walk in his way, thou shalt be blessed above all People; that is, if thou serve him according to his will, Psal. 33.12. Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord; that is, they chose God for their God, and serve him as God, Mat. 5.3,4. &c. We may see who it be that in Christs account are blessed; not those that are Rich and Potent, Honorable, or Mighty, but the poor in Spirit, those that mourn for their sins, the Meek, the Merciful, the Pure in heart, those that hunger and thirst after Righteousness, those that are reviled and persecuted for righteousness sake, &c. that is, those that live holily towards God, and righteously to∣wards Men, that make the word of God, the rule of their Lives; that servant that did his Ma∣sters will in sincerity, shall be blessed by him at his coming, Mat. 24.46. He that in his Masters abscence improved his Talents well, shall be made

Ruler over much; and enter into his Masters joy, Mat. 25.21. He that refreshed the People of God according to the Will and Covenant of God, shall receive a Kingdom prepared for him by God, Mat. 25.34.46. Read Deut. 28. through out, And see there the Promises made to the obedient; and the Curses denounced against the disobedient, and see which are in the most hopeful way to happiness; yet there are many that are apt to say with those, Job. 21.15. Who is the Almighty that we should serve him, or what profit is it to pray unto him? or as Pharaoh in the like words, Exod. 5.2. Who is the Lord that I should obey him? I know not the Lord, neither will I obey him: but the Lord after made himself known in his destruction. There are many that have business they tell us to follow, and cannot live by the Scriptures, or hearing Sermons, neither have they time to pray in their Families, &c. But let these prayerless Families beware of the Curse, Jer. 10.25. Psal. 79.6. Hast any greater business to do than to serve thy God, and secure thy Soul? as thou makest the world thy bu∣siness, so 'tis like to be thy Portion; but it will leave thee short of happiness: the best of Saints, and the wisest of Men, have taken another course, and have sailed in a course of Holiness, to the Port of Happiness; for no other Wind blows thither. E∣noch walked with God, and God took him. Gen. 5.24. That is, he walked in the waies of God and obeyed the command of God: the like we read of Noah, He was perfect in his Generation, and walked with God, Gen. 6.9. This course of life, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob followed. David also, and Hezekiah, Johosophat and Josiah, and many more; 'tis said of these they served God with a per∣fect

heart. Job, was a just man and one that fear∣ed God, Job 1.8. So was good Obadiah, 1 King. 18.3. thus Daniel and his fellows, Dan. 3.17. and 6.2. thus Paul, Cornelius, Zachary, and E∣lizabeth, Act. 27.23. and 10.22. Luk. 1.6. and thus was Christ himself, no guile was found in his mouth, 1 Pet. 2.22. All these walked in the way of Holiness to Heaven, Read a List of more, Heb. 11. But there is no word of encouragement to any other to expect Heaven; nay, God tells us in plain words, they shall never come there; 1 Cor. 6.9,10. Neither is there any one example of any that lived and dyed in their sinful course, that ever was saved: what may we gather hence? but this, if ever you would attain to true happiness, serve God with a sincere heart.

7. Motive, Thou shouldest serve the Lord, be∣cause as he is best able to reward thee for thy obe∣dience, and pay thee for thy work; so is he best able to punish thee for thy disobedience: For as all his promises are yea and a men, faithful and true to his People, so are his threatnings to his Enemies: thou art not at liberty to choose thy own Master, who thou wilt serve, thou art ingaged to him, and serve him thou must or do worse; thou art his by right of Creation, for whose is the Pot but the Potters? And by right of Redemption he paid a price for thee, and bought thee dear: So also by Covenant right, thou hast devoted thy self to his service, and taken Press mony to fight his Battels, and if thou revolt, he will avenge the quarrel of his Covenant against thee: Hence it is, thou mayst well fear his wrath, and expect his judgments, if thou perfidiously betrayest thy trust, and revoltest to the Enemy. Christ himself bids thee not to

fear those that can kill the Body and can do no more, but fear him that can cast Body and Soul into Hell, Luk. 12.5. If he be not glorifyed by thee, he will be glorifyed upon thee; if he have not the glo∣ry of thy Salvation, he will have the glory of thy Destruction, Luk. 19.27. Those mine Enemies that would not that I should raign over them, bring them and slay them before my face: God takes those for his Enemies that will not be ruled by him, and will prove a sore Enemy to them: And didst thou know what it is to be an Enemy unto God, and what it is to have God to be an Enemy unto thee, it would send thee trembling to thy grave: 'tis he that hath the keys of life and death at his girdle; He kills and he makes alive, he brings to the gates of death and back again, and there is none that can deliver out of his hand: He need not muster an Army against thee, to destroy thee, the least Fly, or Gnat, or Hair may end thy life, if it have a Com∣mission from God: thou art but a Worm, if he tread upon thee, he leaves the dead behind him; if he with∣hold thy breath thou returnest to the dust, for thou hast no more breath than what he puts into thee; how then canst thou grapple with the Almighty? or contend with God? were thy flesh of Brass, and thy Sinnews of Iron, were thy foundations as the Earth, or as the Pillars of Heaven, thou wert yet too weak: who ever hardned himself against God and prospered? whilst thou remainest his Enemy, well mayst thou fear his heavy hand, there is no judgment that ever thou readest threatned, or ever executed upon sinful wretch, that thou canst be secure from; Thou knowest not but the Waters may drown thee, as they did the old World, or as the Red Sea did Pharaoh, or fire from Heaven may

consume thee as it did Sodom and Gomorrah; and al∣so Nadab and Abihu, and the two Captains and their Fifties at the prayer of Elijah; thou knowest not but the Plagues which fell upon Egypt may fall upon thee and consume thee, or that thy life may be ended by the Sword, the Famine, or the Pesti∣lence: thou knowest not but an Angel may smite thee as Herod, and thou mayst be devoured with Worms; or that the Earth may open and swallow the quick, as it did Corah, Dathan, and Abiram: thou knowest not but thou mayst be struck dead for the next lye thou tellest, as Ananias and Sa∣phirah were; or whether Bears may not de∣vour thee, as they did those Children that mocked the Prophet; or whether thou mayst not be struck∣en with Leprosie as Gehazy; or thy house may not fall upon thy head as upon Jobs Children. In a word, whatever a man destitute of Grace and Di∣vine Protection may be brought to suffer, thou hast no assurance but it may be thy Portion, Read Deut. 28.15. &c. Where thou mayst see thy own miserable condition; but this is not all, those spiritual judgments which are worse than these are seized upon thee: Blindness of Mind, Hard∣ness of Hart, Searedness of Conscience, &c. And eternal judgements dog thee at the heels, and will certainly seize upon thee, except Repentance prevent it; as soon as Death makes a separation between Soul and Body: never any Unregenerate, Unrepenting, Unrighteouss, or Unclean Person shall ever go to Heaven, John 3.7. Luk. 13.3. 1 Cor. 6.9,10. Rev. 21.13. and there is no middle place, for the Scripture owns no Purga∣tory, Psal. 9.17. The wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the Nations that forget God. See the

doom of the wicked servant, Mat, 24. last. He was cut in peices, and his Portion was appointed with the Hypocrites: and that unprofitable Servant that im∣proved not his Talent, Mat. 25.30. He was bound hand and foot, and cast into utter darkness; and all the wicked, ungracious servants that improve not their Talents as God appointed shall then be bid; De∣part ye wicked into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels, Mat. 25.41.48. This is Gods judgments to his Enemies, and this is the Devils wages to his friends and servants; who then would have such an Enemy, or such a Master? learn directions to serve God, as followeth in those duties mentioned.