A26687:140
Christian letters full of spiritual instructions tending to the promoting of the power of…
Christian letters full of spiritual instructions tending to the promoting of the power of godliness, both in person and families.
London : Printed for and sold by Nevil Simmons and Dorman Newman, 1673
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, If you set your hearts to please the Lord, you are sure you shall please him. It is not so with men, all the care in the World will not suffice to please some men. How often do Princes forsake their greatest Favourites? so that if you set ⟨p. 56⟩to please men, you are not sure to attain your end at last; yea, rather you are sure not to attain it. But if the Lord doth see your very hearts be set to please him, he will accept you, though you come short, 2 Cor. 8. 12. Read that sweet passage, 2 Chron. 6. 75.
Thirdly, It will be a certain sign of your sincerity, when the pleasing of the Lord is your greatest business, Phil. 1. 20. To such the Promise runs, Isa. 56. 4. 5. It is a distinguishing evidence truly to seek and prize Gods favour, more then Corn, Wine, Psal. 4. 6. 7.
Fourthly, This will set all in order, and bring all your business to a Head, when you have set down this as the one thing necessary, that you are resolved to please the Lord, this will regulate your whole lives, and bring all your business into a little compass. A Christian hath but one thing to do in all conditions, and that is to carry it so in his present state, as that he may please God. A man-pleaser: O how many hath he to please! what an endless work hath such an one to do?