Uses.

We see then that they who feare God,* have not their whole portion in this life. Here in∣deed they have the unspeakable riches of grace, and so much of outward things, as is sufficient and fit for them; which things al∣so, as proceeding from Gods second love, are very pretious to them. But celestiall happi∣nesse, which belongs peculiarly to them, as it was prepared for them from all eternity, so after this life ended it shall continue to them unto all eternity.

This dissimilitude they very ill consider,* 1 who preferre this life of a spanne long be∣fore the eternall mercy of God; for the pre∣servation of this life (which yet they can not long preserve) using meanes unlawfull and displeasing unto God, getting or keeping un∣justly the things of this life &c. In so doing they plainly cast away the feare of God, without which His mercy can not be ob∣teined.

Page  299 2 Who preferre the favour of men (whose life is as grasse and a flower) before the fa∣vour of God (whose mercy is from everla∣sting and to everlasting.) So they who feare men more then God.

But for them who truely feare God here is comfort against the shortnesse of this life,* and feare of death. Job 19.25, 26, 27. 2 Cor. 5 1. And no marvell, if (walking not by sight but by faith) they have great consolation against the terrour of death; seeing the mercy of God (which faith apprehends) is extended beyond the terme of this life, even unto eternity. For the farre greatest fruits of it are layd up for us in heaven, out of all danger of ever losing them; nor can we attaine to them but by death. 1 Cor. 15.50. Compare this life, whilest it lasts, with that in heaven, and see whether death be not a gaine, as it is called Philip. 1.21, 23.

Lastly,* this should againe exhort us to the feare of God, the keeping of His covenant, and the remembring of His commandements to doe them.

Motives here 1. This life is very short and fraile, as we have heard, and the Scripture (beside the aforesaid similitudes) many waies expresses. Job 7.6. & 9.25, 26. Psal. 90.9, 10. & 102.11. & 144.4. & 39.5. Jam. 4.14. Page  3002 So we shall obtein Gods mercy; which toward them that are such is from ever∣lasting and to everlasting, and after this life is so immense, that they who are dead in the Lord, as they have cause, so (no doubt) they do rejoice that this temporall life endured no longer. 3. Whereas God out of His hatred of sinne hath His anger no lesse lasting against them who are voyd of His feare, then His mercy toward them that feare Him; unlesse we doe as we are here exhorted, eternall wrath abides for us after this life.