A Compleat collection of farewel sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl ... [et al.] ; together with Mr. Ash his funeral sermon, Mr. Nalton's funeral sermon, Mr. Lye's rehearsal ... with their several prayers.

The Seventeenth Sermon.

Matth. 6.33.

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

FRom this Scripture you had a remedy against solicitous thoughts and fears, given in this Proposition, that a serious inquiry, and earnest pur∣suit of the Kingdom of Heaven, and the righteousness thereof, is an ex∣cellent remedy against distracting cares and fears about provision and safety. Seek, First, and trouble your selves no more. Seek first the Kingdom of God, &c. Two questions were propounded, and answered.

1. What is it earnestly to enquire after, and seriously to pursue the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness? In this question three things included; the Object, the Act, the Order.

• 1. The Object; The Kingdom of God; the Kingdom of Heaven, and its Righteousness. The Kingdom of Heaven, that is, the Kingdom of Grace, and the Kingdom of Glory; the Kingdom of Grace, as the means to the Kingdom of Glory. The righteousness of this Kingdom, that is, Sanctification, sincere holiness in heart and life, which is the begin∣ning, or the way to, and a sign or pledge of our interest in the Kingdom of Glory.
• 2. The Act; Seek. i.e. Bestir your utmost thoughts about, your utmost time, care, diligence, upon these things.
  • 3. Seek. i.e. Set your choicest affections upon these things.
  • 3. Seek. i.e. Strive and labour, go forth in utmost endeavours for ob∣taining of these things.
• 3. The Order, Seek first: Seek it first, in respect of time, begin with God, Remember thy Creature in the dayes of thy Youth. Seek it first, with the greatest care, accuratest diligence, industry, with the greatest seriousness. The Kingdom of God is the most necessary thing indeed, that one thing

• necessary: It is the most excellent thing, eternal, all other things are tem∣poral; get this, and you get all; you get above the terrors of the World: The best way to have the things of the World sanctified, is this, Seek first the Kingdom of God, &c.

2. How is this a remedy against distracting cares and fears?

Answ.

• 1. It is a remedy by diversion.
• 2. Present things seem little, compared with eternal things.

Ʋse 1. This reproves those that observe not our Saviours direction.

1. Those that are drowned in earthly things, give them Onions and Garlick, take the Kingdom of Heaven and Righteousness thereof who will: Let me have my part in Paris, what care I for Paradise.

2. Others that are for the Kingdom of God, but not for the Righ∣teousness of that Kingdom: they are for the end, but they do not care for the way; they would have fruit, but they will not climb the Tree.

3. Others that could wish they had a portion in it, but in a slight and perfunctory way; If Heaven could be obtained with a few prayers, this they'd do, but further they will not goe.

2. Is this such an excellent way to cure our carnal fears and cares? What advantage hath a Child of God above all other men in the world, both in this life, and that to come? In this life, under a watchful provi∣dence, not a hair of his head shall perish: but chiefly the priviledges of an everlasting Kingdom; he hath a Bird in the bush, and in hand too; choice enjoyments in the hand, and in hope much more, but much more above; and this hope of his shall not make him ashamed. The vision of his appointed comforts is for an appointed time, and it will come; will come, said I? Faith looks our, and sees it coming already; let but Faith look to Heaven, and he sees his Judge coming. Which brings me to