Four sermons publickly delivered at several times in Ecclesfeild Church in Yorke-shire. By Immanuel Knutton preacher of Gods word there.

SERMON IV. (Book 4)

Text, PSALM. 4.3.

But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is g••dly for himself.

THis Psalm was penned by David, as the title prefixed shewes, and was by him commmitted to the cheif Musician on N••gin••th, to be sung in the publike service at the Tabernacle, and afterwards at the Temp••e; for among them that were appointed to sing the Psalmes, and to play on the Instruments, one was appointed cheif, to set the tune, and to begin, who had the charge, because he was most excellent, as you may see in 1 Chron. 15.

21. and 23.4. for the word Neginoth, the godly and learned lights of the Church, un∣derstand it to be meant of musical instru∣ments, and in particular, of stringed instru∣ments, which were played on with the hand onely, as Harps and Cymbals, Nehiloth were wind instruments; in those dayes the Priests and Levites used divers musical instruments in Gods worship, and that onely in the Tem∣ple at Jerusalem, (not in the Countrey Sy∣nagogues) both to cheer up, and to stir up the attention and affection of the hearers to the duties then in hand, and to typisie the sweet spiritual melody and comfort Christi∣ans shall have by Christ and his glorious Go∣spel now in the New Testament; therefore those musical instruments in Gods worship, were part of the ceremonial Law, (being used in the Temple, which was a type of Christs body, John 2.19, 20.21.) and there∣fore ought not to be used in the Gospel-worship now a dayes, because the ceremonial Law was abolished by Christ, therefore we must not revive it; also because the Primitive Church never used such musick in Gods wor∣ship. Austin conceives that David penned all the Psalms, but that is not like; those Psalms which he made have his name prefix∣ed in their title, yet some Psalms which have

no titles prefixed, were made by David, as the ninety fifth Psalm, verse 7, 8. compared with Hebr. 4.7. where its proved, that David made that Psalm, and its probable he made more Psalms that want titles prefixed. The Psalms are not placed in order as they were made, but as they were found by Ezra the Scribe, after the Jews returned from the Ba∣bylonian captivity: the 72. Psalm verse 20. saith, The prayers of David the Son of Jesse are ended: that was the last Psalm that David made, but was there placed as it was found: the 144 Psalm (as the learned conceive, and probably) was the first Psalm that David made, to praise God after he returned from the slaughter of Goliah, though it be placed towards the latter end of the Psalmes, for it was placed there, as it was found, not when it was made. This Psalm (as some conceive) was made by David, when he prayed for de∣liverance from Saul, when he and his Army had almost compassed David in the wilder∣ness of Maon, 1 Sam. 23.25.26. the pur∣pose of David in this Psalm was, to shew his confidence in God for safety, when his ene∣mies troubled him; and this confidence he shewed by three effects.

1. By a general deprecation of the danger which was near him, verse 1.

2. By a grave expostulation with, and in∣struction of his enemies, ver. 2, 3, 4, 5.

3. By a solemn profession of his depen∣dance on God alone, ver. 6, 7, 8.

In his speech to his enemies are the words of my Text, which are a reason moving them to desist from their purpose of abusing Da∣vid, and turning his glory into shame, verse 2. as if he had said, O ye proud enemies, that pride your selves in the favour and counte∣nance of Saul, how long will ye vainly indea∣vour to disappoint that glory, that regal dig∣nity, which God hath by his Prophet fore-promised unto me? which reason is drawn from the cause of that glory which they op∣posed, which was Gods decree, whereby this dignity was conferred on David: in which words are:

1. An Admonition, But know.

2. A Proposition, having the nature of a Promise, That the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: Hence observe.

Doct. That God hath set every godly man apart for himself: 2 Tim 2.21. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sancti∣fied and meet for the Masters use, and prepared unto every good work. 1 Pet.

2.9. But ye are a chosen Generation, a royal Priesthood, an holy Nation, a peculiar People, &c.

Reas. Because every godly man is a god∣like man, he hath part of God in him, the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shew his handy work, but every godly man shewes forth the vertues of him that called him out of darkness to marvel∣lous light; he shines with the beames of Gods Spirit, and is a partaker of the divine nature, therefore he followes God as a dear child: Parents by nature beget children like themselves, much more will God by regene∣ration make his children like himself: a god∣ly man resembles his heavenly Father, for where God loves, he loves, where God hates, he hates: Nature cannot stamp Gods image upon him, for he is a heaven-born Crea∣ture.

2. Because every godly man sets his heart upon God, the stream of his affections runs to him, his heart opens to him, as the Mari∣gold to the Sun: in what condition soever he is, his heart is still with God, and he cries with the Prophet, Psalm 73. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee: Prosperity drawes

him not, adversity drives him not from God, he is no vassall to sin, Satan, or the world.

3. Because a godly man indeavours to do every thing that God commands him, accor∣ding to his knowledge and abillity, he makes Gods will the rule of his, and his word the rule of his life: God puts every godly man into a general and particular calling, and teacheth him how to behave himself in these callings; this makes him a man after Gods own heart, as David for this cause was so called, Acts 13.22.

4. Because every godly man is Gods factour, he lies ligier for God, as Merchants have their factors beyond sea, to lie ligier for them, to truck and barter for them, so doth every godly man for God, he trades for him all he can, Rom. 14.8. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord: and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: Phillip. 1.21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain: that is, the end and scope of my life is to honour and exalt Christ.

5. Because a godly man is best fitted and prepared for Gods work and service; he is one of Gods peculiar people, zealous of good works, Titus 2.14. Gods work is a pure and cleanly work, and should be done with pure

hearts and clean hands; in the time of Mo∣ses Law, the Priests onely might offer sacri∣fice, and before they did it they might wash their bodies: so a godly man is washt with the bloud of Christ, and the grace of the holy Ghost, by vertue whereof he is the fittest to do Gods work: it is not for slovenly clowns to wait upon great men, the work of the de∣vil is filthy, nasty and beastly, wicked men delight in it, and are the fittest for it.

6. Because onely the heart of a godly man will bow and bend to Gods work; it is a work requiring much labour and self-deni∣all; one must stoop low to take up this bur∣den: he that loves God truly, loves him with all his heart and strength, onely the godly man doth this: he that serves God truly, is fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, onely the godly man doth this: he that keeps Gods Commandements aright, hath respect to all his Commandements, and Gods Com∣mandements are not grievous to him, onely the godly man doth this. The Jews say, there be three hundred sixty five negative precepts in the Law, according to the number of dayes in the year; and two hundred forty eight affirmative commanding precepts, according to the number of bones in a mans body,

whereby they would signifie, that we must no day do those things which God hath for∣bidden; and that with all the bones and members of our body we must do all those things which God hath commanded, onely the godly man endeavours and desires to do this.

7. Because God can trust none but the godly man, for the godly man is the faithful man; let an hypocrite have excellent parts of knowledge, he will set up himself, and seek his own ends, as the Pharisees, Mat. 6. gave almes, prayed and fasted, but did all to be seen of men; like an idle unfaithful ser∣vant, that works one hour for his master, and two for himself: but the godly man resolves to defend Gods cause to the utmost of his power, and to bring all the glory he can to God: Numb. 12.7. Moses was said to be faithful in all Gods house, the Martyrs would not for fear or favour of the world betray Gods cause, but parted with their lives, liberties and estates to glorifie Jesus Christ.

8. Because none will doe Gods work so well as the godly man, none have so much care to please God as he; hypocrites slubber over the Lords work; in prayer they draw near to God with their lips, but their hearts

are far from him; when they hear his Word, their hearts goe after their covetousness; in receiving the Lords Supper, they discern not the Lords body, but receive onely the out∣ward signs: but a godly man prayes in pray∣er as Elias did, James 5 17. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; his heart is fixed with David, trust∣ing in the Lord: in hearing the Word, his heart burnes with holy zeal in him, he will be careful and studious both to hear the Word and do it: in receiving the Lords Supper, he will examine himself before he eat of that bread and drink of that cup: he will doe Gods work according to Gods will.

Ʋse. The Uses I shall spin out of the Reasons: the first reason is, Because every godly man is a god-like man: the first Use springing out of this Reason, will be for con∣solation to all that be truly godly; its ground of great comfort to thee that thou art like to God; now thou mayest be assured of Gods dear love, that he hath loved thee with an everlasting love, which is better than life: likeness is the cause of love, this godliness is an infallible fruit of thine election, and once elected, alwayes beloved: as earthly parents most affect those children which resemble them most, so will thy heavenly Father ex∣ceedingly love thee for being so like to him;

the world derides and hates thee for godli∣ness, but be not dejected, for godliness will be thine eternal honour and comfort.

2. It may serve for admonition; take heed of despising any man for being like to God, for in despising him for godliness you despise God, because godliness is his image.

Many excuse themselves, and say, they hate not a godly man for his godliness, but for his hypocrisie.

I answer: 1. Why doest thou not hate hypocrisie in thy self, and in others, who make no shew of godliness, but live in hypo∣crisie, and openly declare it?

2. Godliness with some hypocrisie is bet∣ter than hypocrisie without any godliness at all; as corn with chaffe is better than chaffe without corn; gold with dross is better than dross without gold; you have more reason to love and honour them for their godliness, than to hate them for hypocrisie, because they hate hypocrisie and strive against it, but they love godliness, and labour to grow in it.

3. It may serve to exhort you all to en∣deavour to be like to God in godliness both in heart and life.

Consider 1. what an honour it will be to you, it will make your memories blessed,

when the names of the wicked shall rot: ve∣ry honourable and precious to this day are the names of Abraham for faith, Moses for meekness, Joseph for chastity, Job for pati∣ence, David for zeal, Daniel for integrity of life, Paul for love to Christ, Peter and Mag∣dalen for godly sorrow.

2. Consider what a comfort it will be to your consciences, when you follow God as dear children, so that God is in you of a truth: it was a greater comfort to blessed Hezekiah, that he had walked before God in truth with a perfect heart, than that he was honourable and wealthy: none have so much cause to rejoyce and to be of good chear as the godly man, for he is the friend of God, his sins are pardoned, Christ is his treasure, the holy Ghost is his Comforter, and heaven is his inheritance: Psalm 32.11. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoyce ye righteous; and shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart.

Ʋse 2. I told you the second reason was, because every godly man sets his heart upon God: The Uses arising out of this Reason, serve, first, for information, to let us see the reason why Gods children enjoy such preci∣ous peace of conscience, and rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory; namely, because they set their hearts on God, and

their entire love to him will assure them of his eternal love to them; Prov. 8.17. I love them that love me: now this is the principal ground of true peace and joy: worldly fa∣vour makes carnal people merry outwardly, and feeds them with vain hopes, it makes them build Castles in the air, and puts them into a fooles paradise; but the assurance of Gods love fills the heart of the upright with such joy as no man can take from them, John 16.22. wicked men may take their lives from them, their estates from them, their liberty from them, but true peace and joy they can∣not take from them, for they set their hearts on the God of hope, who fills them with joy and peace.

2. It may inform us one reason why Gods children will not be drawn away from him and his wayes, because their hearts are set up∣on God, and they account it their best way to draw near to God: all the wealth and honour of Egypt could not draw Moses from God and his People; the King of Babylon with all his power, terrour, and pollicy could not make the three Children worship his Idol, nor restrain Daniel from praying to God.

3. It serves to exhort you all to get your hearts fixed on God, let out all your love to

him in as ample a manner as you can, let your love be so hot as many waters cannot never quench it, nor flouds drown it.

To move you to it, consider, first, how infi∣nitely amiable and perfect God is; when you understand, that from everlasting to everla∣sting he is God, without beginning, mutati∣on and end, strive to love this eternal God: when you consider that God fils heaven and earth, yea, inhabiteth eternity, no place can comprehend his incomprehensible essence, set your selves to love this omni-present God: when you see how easily, powerfully and wisely God made heaven and earth with all things else strive to love this omnipotent God: when you see how God pitties, re∣leives and succours his people in their mise∣ry, and gives them help in their time of need, O set your heartiest love upon this merciful God.

2. Consider how eternally and unchange∣ably he hath loved thee, Jerem. 31.3. I have loved thee with an everlasting love: before thou wast born he loved thee, yea, when thou wast his enemy he loved thee, and he will love thee for ever, nothing in this world, nor in the world to come, shall separate thee from his love.

3. Consider what comfort thou shalt have

by loving God, 1 John 4.16. God is love, and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him: happy is that soul that hath such a guest, for God will make any place a heaven to it: Prov. 8.17. I love them that love me: thy true love to him will assure thee of his love to thee, which worldly wealth and ho∣nour cannot do, Psalm 91.14. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: God will be thy defence against dan∣ger, he will be a wall of fire about thee. Rom. 8.28. And we know that all things work to∣gether for good, to them that love God: nothing shall fall out amiss to thee, but God by his wisdom and power will give thee an holy comfortable use of all mercies, with an holy use of, and a comfortable issue out of all mi∣series.

Ʋse. 3 I told you the third Reason was, because the godly man indeavours to do eve∣ry thing that God commands him: The Uses springing out of this reason serve, first, to in∣form us, the reason why the godly man is a man after Gods own heart, namely, because he sets himself to do all Gods will; for this cause David was so called, Acts 13.22. I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will, O that every one of us had an heart to do all

Gods will, then we should be such as God would have us to be; a hypocrite doth but some part of Gods commands, therefore he is not a man after Gods own heart.

2. It informes us one Reason is, why God so willingly heares and grants the prayers of his people, that is, because they indeavour to do all Gods commands, 1 John 3.22. And whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandement, and do those things which are pleasing in his sight: Humanity teacheth friends to grant one anothers suits, when they please one another, much more will the God of nature, grace and glory, gra∣ciously answer the prayers of his people that study to please him.

2. It serves to exhort us to endeavour to do all that God requires us to do.

Motives. 1. All his commands are holy, just and good, Rom. 7.12. Prov. 30 5. Eve∣ry word of God is pure: though carnal nature may cavil against some of Gods commands because they crosse it, yet there is no defect in them, but the Law of the Lord is perfect.

2. To do all Gods will is the ready way to prosperity, Job 36.11. If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their dayes in prospe∣rity, and their yeares in pleasures: God is the best Master to serve, his work is the best, and

his pay is the best: And above all Gods com∣mandements, I exhort you all to keep the Lords day holy, because he in the fourth Commandement bids us remember to keep it holy. 2. Because in Isaiah 58.13, 14. he makes it an excellent way of honouring him, and promiseth spiritual and temporal prosperity to such as do it; but if that place be meant of an extraordinary Sabbath, that is, a fast ap∣pointed by man, then doubtless the Lord would have us much more keep holy the or∣dinary Sabbath appointed by God.

If any object, Col. 2.16. Let no man there∣fore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the Sab∣bath dayes? verse 17. which are a shadow of things to come, &c.

I answer, he meanes, he would not have them observe the Jewish ceremonial Sab∣baths of dayes, as the three great feasts, Pass∣over, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, and the feast of blowing the trumpets, and the feast of expiation; he would not have them ob∣serve the Sabbath of yeares, which was every seventh year, Levit. 25,4, 5, 6. nor the Sab∣bath of sevens of years, the Jubile, verse 8, 9, 10, 11. which returned every fiftieth year, but he speaks not here of the Sabbath day that is morall: 1. Because the word is in the

plural number, Sabbaths. 2. If he had meant the moral Sabbath, and consequently the Lords day now observed, then it would fol∣low, that it is unlawful to observe the Lords day, now under the Gospel, for an holy Sab∣bath to God, because he saith, Let no man judge or condemne you in meat or drink, &c. where Paul shews, that we are delivered from the bondage of the observation as of meats, so now of Sabbaths. But such as op∣pose the morality of the Sabbath, hold it not unlawful to observe a Sabbath now, but one∣ly indifferent and arbitrary: likewise the A∣postles kept the Lords day, John 20.19. Acts 20 7. 1 Cor. 16.2. therefore the Sabbath day was mutable from the last day to the first day of the week, and that by the authority and power of Christ, for he is Lord of the Sab∣bath, and he onely hath power to appoint and change it, which it is like he opened to his Disciples, Acts 1.3 or if the Apostles altered it, they did it by authority and direction from him, for Christ promised, John 16.13. the Spi∣rit should guide them into all truth, there∣fore into this truth: the Sabbath was not cerimonial, for the word ceremony comes from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 cherem, which is a thing consecra∣ted and devoted to God, typifying something to be accomplished in the new Testament;

but the Sabbath day was no type of the Lords day: Paul said, the Jewish Sabbaths were shadows, but the body is of Christ, Col. 2.17. or else the word ceremony comes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 because ceremonies were to in∣dure but for a time, therefore remember to keep holy the Sabbath day, now called the Lords day, and God will blesse you with great pro∣sperity and comfortable success the week fol∣lowing.

Ʋse 4. I told you the fourth Reason was, because every godly man is Gods factor; the Use arising out of this Reason serves to ex∣hort you all to lie ligier for God, be his faith∣ful factors.

Motives. 1. Consider God hath few god∣ly servants in many places, Psalm 12 1. Help Lord, for the godly man ceaseth, for the faithful fail from among the children of men, and where they be wanting Satans followers sow the tares of errour and impiety: from the dayes of the Prophet Malachy until the birth of Christ were four hundred and fifty yeares, during which time the Jews had no extraor∣dinary holy Prophet to guide them, then sprang up the three sects of Pharisees, Saddu∣ces and Essenes.

2. Consider how many trade for Satan; in most places many swear oathes, few fear

oathes; many prophane the Sabbath, few keep it holy; many hate and persecute holi∣ness in Christians, few do love and honour them for it: Christ hath been persecuted three wayes. 1. In his person, when he lived upon earth, we read how his enemies abused him many times. 2. In his name, for three hundred yeares after his ascention, such as bare the name of Christians suffered much misery during the ten persecutions under those bloudy Emperours of Rome. 3. For the power of godliness is Christ persecuted in his members, and that is now adayes; for our enemies, Papists and Protestants at large, put on a form of godliness, and would be ac∣counted Christians, but the life of God, the power of godliness, they hate in the righte∣ous, and persecute their persons for it.

3. God gives you gifts of knowledge and grace for this end, to trade for him, imploy your talents diligently for your heavenly Masters honour, and at your death he will say, Well done, good and faithful servant, &c.

Ʋse 5. I told you the fift Reason was, be∣cause the godly man is best fitted and prepa∣red for Gods work: The Use springing out of this Reason, serve, first, for comfort to the truly godly.

For first you shall find God ready to save,

succour and defend you in time of distress, Psalm 32.6. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee, in a time when thou mayest be found; surely in the flouds of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him: and though thine enemies be mighty to wrong thee, yet God is Almighty to protect thee. Three kinds of afflictions Gods children meet with here: first, corrections or chastisements which God inflicts upon them for their sins: next are tri∣als which God inflicteth on them to try the truth of their graces, as he dealt with Job: Last are persecutions when God suffers wicked men to abuse them for holiness, yet God in his wisdom useth these three kinds of afflicti∣ons to drive them farther from sin, as Iona∣than shot three Arrows to warn David to beware of Saul, 1 Sam. 20.20.

2. You have the promises of this and a bet∣ter life; you are heires of them, and they are your portion, Hebr. 6.17. and they are a wor∣thy portion, 1 Tim 48. Godliness is profita∣ble unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

2. It may serve to exhort you all to labour to be fitted for your heavenly Masters use, and prepared to every good work: the way and meanes is in 2 Tim. 2.21. If a man there∣fore purge himself from this, &c. that is, from

these cursed heresies, and corrupt teachers, and keep himself unspotted from the world, by the grace of the holy Ghost dwelling in him, then he shall be a vessel unto honour, be like the Sun, whose body stayes in the heaven, yet his light shines upon earth, neither can any stinking dunghil, on which it shines, in∣fect it: live so purely, that such as be without may in time honour and affect thee for thy vertue, not infect thee with their vice.

Ʋse 6. I told you the sixt Reason was, be∣cause onely the heart of a godly man will bow and bend to do God his work: The U∣ses arising out of this Reason serve, first, to reprove the pride and stubbornness of such hearts as will not bow and bend to do Gods work, but say as the Jews to Ieremiah, Jer. 44.16. As for the word that thou hast spoken to us in the Name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee: these pray in the Lords Prayer, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven, yet in their lives they set themselves to do their own wils, and to cross Gods will: what cur∣sed dissembling hypocrites are these? they cry out of Gods service, what a weariness is it, they think his service an irksome yoke, an intolerable burden, but these that will not obey Gods word, shall feel his power.

2. It may serve to exhort you all to bow

and bend heartily to do Gods work, with∣draw not your shoulder from it, but be for∣ward to do it with all your might, think it not too mean, for it is the work of God; think it no loss or prejudice to do it, for God will reward thee.

Directions to help you: 1. Set your love exceedingly upon God, and it will be your meat to do his will, and finish his work; love makes labours light: indeavour to be able to say truly as the Prophet, Psalm 73.26. My flesh and my heart faileth: that is, for love of the Lord; of the same sense with the Chur∣ches speech in Canticles, I am sick of love: if thou hadst ten thousand hearts, they are too little and too few to love God with; if Christ should ask thee as he asked Peter, Doest thou love me more than these do love me? let thy heart answer truly without guile, Lord, thou knowest I love thee.

2. Deny thy self in all things that be near and dear to thee; our Saviour, Math. 16. couselleth every one that would follow him to deny himself: from whence we may ob∣serve, that a mans own self is the greatest ene∣my to himself: self-denyal is a preferring of God before ones self, a preferring Gods command before thine own will, and his glo∣ry before thine own ends.

3. Have respect to the recompence of re∣ward; this will encourage thee against all difficulties you shall meet withal in Gods work; hope of spoil makes the Souldier venture his dearest bloud; hope of gain makes the Merchant venture over the deep seas: let the Papist with all his merits passe through Purgatory to Heaven if he can, look thou, and labour thou for an eternal habita∣tion in the highest heavens by the merits of Christ alone: the Papists to prove Purgato∣ry urge that in Math. 5.26. Thou shalt by no meanes come out thence, till thou hast paid the ut∣termost farthing But if this place be meant of Purgatory, then these words are taken ei∣ther in a metaphorical sense, or in a litteral: if in a metaphorical sense, then purgatory fire is but a metaphorical fire, that is, none at all; but if these words be taken literally, then let any Papist answer me these two questions: first, how much money will serve to pay for ones ransome out of Purgatory? for here is the uttermost farthing to be paid. 2. How must poor people do that go into Purgatory, but want money to pay for their ransome? this place is meant of civil debts in this world between man and man, Christ would have debtors to pay what they owe to their credi∣tors, for fear of imprisonment; but this by the way.

Ʋse 7. I told you the seventh Reason was, because God can trust none but the godly man; the Use from hence arising, serves to exhort you all to be faithful to God in all the works he sets you about.

Motives, 1. A faithful man shall abound with blessings, Prov. 28 20 Joseph was faithful to God and to his Master Potiphar, and God raised him to great honour and wealth; Ja∣cob, Nehemiah, David and Daniel, were blessed men of faithful spirits, and you may read in the Scripture how God blessed them.

2. Consider what a comfort and honour it is, here in thy life, and will be at thy death, when the Lord shall say, Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord, Math. 25.23. Hebr. 3.5. Moses verily was faithful in all his house, &c. its recorded to his honour.

3. Consider how few are faithful to God, we may cry out, Psalm 12.1. The faithful fail from among the children of men: for in many places, all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christs▪ let the perfidious∣ness of others incite you to faithfulness; be∣tray not Gods cause, if you have power and opportunity to advance it; rob not God of

his honour, but whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

4. Consider what a blessed friend God is to you; hath he not made you? redeemed you? a long time preserved you from many perils? enriched you with many spiritual and earthly blessings? can you have an heart to deal perfidiously with him? when your earthly friends forsake you, God failes you not, he will be a friend in need, and a friend in deed to you; let all this make you trusty and faithful to him.

Ʋse 8. I told you the last Reason was, be∣cause none will do Gods work so well as the godly man: the Use springing from hence is, to exhort you godly ones to do Gods work as exactly and as compleatly as ever you can.

Directions: 1. Do his work according to his word, for that is the rule of righteousness, Gal. 6.16. As many as walk according to this rule, &c. rule all your thoughts, words, and deeds by this word, Isaiah 8.20. to the Law and the Testimony, &c. that is, to the Gospel, which is called Testimony in John 32.33. to these must we repair for direction about the doing of Gods work; and this is called our reasonable service, Rom. 12.1. that is, such a service as we can give a reason for, out of Gods word: it is opposed to will-worship,

which is a serving of God after the inventi∣on of man, not according to Gods word: let the holy Scriptures be your directory, if you do not, you will never please God.

2. Do Gods work for his own glory; his glory is his infinite worthiness, whereby he doth far surpass the worthiness of all crea∣tures; it is so dear to him, that he ordained and made all things for it; he would not have made the world but for it; he will not give his glory to another, Isaiah 42.8. he gives us the comfort of all his mercies and blessings, but the glory of them all he re∣serves to himself; matter not what becomes of your own ends, so that Gods glory may be advanced; think it your greatest honour to honour God: the Pharisees gave almes, fasted and prayed, and all to be seen of men, but Christ called them hypocrites for it.

3. Do Gods work constantly, for to them who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality, eternal life, Rom. 2.7. Col 1.23. Continue in the faith. Col. 4.2. Continue in prayer. Hebr. 13.1. Let brotherly love continue. 2 Tim. 3.14. Continue thou in the things thou hast learned, and hast been assured of. Acts 13.43. Continue in the grace of God. Titus 3.8. I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have beleived

in God might be careful to maintain good works: a hypocrite can do some works for a fit and a start, but when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

4. Do Gods work with an upright heart, then he will make thee ruler over much; blessed is that servant, whom when his Ma∣ster cometh shall find so doing: a hypocrite can do Gods work with his hand, but not with his whole heart; but this God chiefly requires: a hypocrite is like a wind-mill, whose sails turn about, but the body of it stands still; so a hypocrite serves God with his lips and hands, but his heart moves not, it is dead within him: but a child of God is like a ship sayling on the Sea, whose sails and body both move together; so his heart, hands, lips and tongue go together about Gods work, and he is better within then he seems to be without; whatsoever work of God ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, Col. 3.23. 2 Tim. 2.22. call on the Lord with a pure heart: Hebr. 10.23. draw neer to the Lord with a true heart: 1 Peter 1.22. love one another with a pure heart fervently: Rom. 6.17. obey from the heart that form of d••ct••ine which was delivered to you: Math. 22.37. love the Lord with all thine heart:

Luke 8.15. having heard the word, in an ho∣nest and good heart keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Labour to be of one heart, and of one mind, and serve God with gladness and singleness of heart, then your heart shall rejoyce in God, and your joy shall no man take from you.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

FINIS.