Directions and persuasions to a sound conversion for prevention of that deceit and damnation…Directions and perswasions to a sound conversion for prevention of that deceit and damnation…

7. Another of our precious benefits by Christ is, that we shall be actually employed in the special, and nearest Service of God, that on Earth is to be performed. Let diseased Souls desire idleness; and swinish sinners take pleasure in the mire, and feed like ravenous beasts on carrion, or as dogs on dung: but the Saints will ever rejoice in God, and take it for the ⟨p. 254⟩most blessed life on Earth, when they can but do him the greatest Service. Let his Enemies that hate his Service, be weary of it, as if it were a toil or drudgery; but his Children will desire no sweeter work: They never think themselves so well as when they are most serviceable to their blessed Lord, though at the greatest cost and labour to the flesh. So sweet is Gods Service, that the more of it we can do, the more is our pleasure, and honour, and content. Other work spendeth strength, but this increaseth it: Other work must have recreation intermixed, but this is it self the most delightful recreation: Other service is undertaken for the love of the wages; but this is undertaken for the Love of the Master, and the work, and is wages it self, to them that go through with it. For other service is but a means, and that to some inferior end; but this is a means to the Everlasting perfection, and blessedness of the Soul; and such a means as containeth, or Presently procureth somewhat of the end. All the Saints are even here a chosen Generation, a royal Priesthood, an holy Nation, a peculiar People, that they should show forth the praises of ⟨p. 255⟩him that hath called them, out of darkness, into his marvellous light: They are an holy Priesthood, to offer up a Spiritual Sacrifice, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ, 1 Pet. 2. 5, 9. Their very bodies are a living Sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, in their reasonable service. What a sweet work is it to live in the daily Love of God? in his Praises; in the hopes, and sweet fore-thoughts of Everlasting Joys: The world affordeth not such a Master, nor such a work.

7. Another of our precious benefits by Christ is, that we shall be actually imployed in the special, and neerest Service of God, that on Earth is to be performed. Let diseased Souls desire idlenes; and swinish sinners take pleasure in the mire, and feed like ravenous beasts on carrion, or as dogs on dung: but the Saints will ever rejoice in God, and take it for the