A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ...…

Quest. 9. Dare you say that God is not only so unwise, but so unrighteous and tyrannical, as to give the world unnecessary Laws, and set them upon a needless work? What King so tyrannical as would require his subjects on pain of death to go pick straws against the wind? What Master or Parent so foolishly cruel as to command their servants or children, to weary themselves with hunting butter-flies, and following their own shadows? And darest thou impute such foolish tyranny to the God of heaven? as if he had made a world, and set them upon a needless work? and commanded them to tire themselves in vain?

Quest. 9. Dare you say that God is not only so unwise, but so unrighteous and tyranical, as to give the world unnecessary Laws, and set them upon a needless work? What King so tyranical as would require his subjects on pain of death to go pick straws against the wind? What Master or Parent so foolishly cruel as to command their servants or children, to weary themselves with hunting butter-flies, and following their own shadows? And darest thou impute such foolish tyrannie to the God of heaven? as if he had made a world, and set them upon a needless work? and commanded them to tire themselves in vain?

Quest. 10. Can a man be too diligent about that work which he was made for, and is daily preserved and maintained for, and for which he hath all the mercies of his life? Thou hadst never come into the world but on this business, even to serve and please God, and prepare for everlasting happiness: And are you afraid of doing this too diligently? Why is it, thinkest thou, that God sustaineth thee? Why dyedst thou not many years ago? but only that thou mightest have time to seek and serve him. Was it only that thou mightest eat, and drink, and sleep, and go up and down, and fill up a room among the living? Why beasts, and fools, and mad-men do all this, as well as thou. Why hast thou thy Reason and understanding, but to know and serve the Lord? Is it only to know how to shift a little for the commodities of the world? Or is it not to know the way to life eternal? Look round about thee on all the creatures, and on all the mercies which thou dost possess; every deliverance, and privilege, and accommodation; every bit of bread thou eatest, and every hour of thy precious time, are all given thee for this One thing needful: And yet wilt thou say that this One thing is needless, for which thou hast all things? Thou mayest then say, that God made the world in vain; and preserveth and governeth it in vain. For all this is but for his service, which thou callest vain.