Divers practical cases of conscience satisfactorily resolved ... to which are added some counsels…

Secondly, Every thing you do shall be found upon your account with God. Brethren, are you Believers, or are you not? Do you believe the Immortality of the Soul, and the Life to come, or do you not? The ways of the most do declare them to be real Infidels, though professed Christians. If you think there be an eternal State to come, will it not be your highest wisdom to be providing for it, and laying up what possibly you can, that you may inherit it in the other world? Will not every wise man that knows he is shortly to be removed into another Country be careful to transport all that he can, that he may enjoy it at his coming? Beloved, if you do believe indeed that you must be for ever in another world, will it not be your best course to be doing that, the fruit whereof you shall enjoy for ever? Were not he a mad man that having but a very short term upon a Living, should yet go to building and planting there when he had Land of Inheritance to build upon? Infinite is the mischief that comes of self-seeking and self-pleasing. You are eternal losers by it: God will say, you have your reward, Matth. 6. 5. Something you may have in hand, but the eternal reward is lost. Brethren, I am ambitious for you, that what you do, you should do for ever: that all you do should meet you in the other world, and ⟨p. 40⟩that there you should reap the everlasting fruit of what you are a doing now. A wise Builder will build for ever, and not only that which shall last for a day or for a year. O that you would be wise Builders! Do all for God, and you shall have eternal advantage. Learn but this Lesson, to set your selves in all things to please God, and you will be promoting and advancing your selves in all that ever you do, always laying up a treasure in heaven still adding to the heap. And O what riches will you come to, when by every day, and every hour, and every action you are gainers? For God will not let the least thing that is done for him, no not a cup of cold water go without an everlasting reward, Matth. 10. 42. not your labour be in vain, 1 Cor. 15. 58.