Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace…

TO do no harm, is an honour which is common to a stone or a clod of Clay, with the most innocent man. If this were all the excellency that you aim at, it were better that you had never been born; for then you would certainly have done no harm: Remember that to do good is the highest imitation of God, supposing that it proceed from Holy Love, and be done to the Pleasing and Glorifying of God, that the Principle and the End be suitable to the work. Remember who hath told you that it is more blessed to give than to receive, Acts 20.35. And hath promised that He that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet, shall receive a Prophets reward; and he that receiveth a Righteous man in the name of a Righteous man, shall receive a Righteous mans reward: and whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones, a Cap of cold water only, in the name of a Disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward (supposing that he have no better to give), Matth. 10.41, 42. Give ⟨p. 146⟩to every man that asketh of thee (according to thy ability), Give and it shall be given to you, Luke 6.30, 38. and 12.33. Take that day or hour as lost in which you do no good (directly or preparatorily): And take that part of your estate as lost, with which directly or remotely) you do no good. Remember how the Judgment must pass on you at last, according to the improvement of your several Talents, Matth. 25. When your time is past, and your estates are gone, or your understandings or your strength decayed, and your power and greatness is levelled with the poorest, it will be an unspeakable comfort to you, if you are able to say, We laid them out sincerely to our Masters use; and an unspeakable terror to you to say, They were lost and cast away on the service of the Flesh. If therefore you are Rulers, and are entrusted with Power, study how to do all the good with your Power that possibly you can: If you are Ministers of Christ, lay out your time and strength and parts in doing good to the Souls of all about you; study how you may be most serviceable to the Church and Cause of Christ. If you are rich men, study how to do all the good with your Riches that possibly you can do (not violating the order appointed you by God): In your Neighbourhoods, and in all your Families and Relations, study to do the greatest good you can.