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

A true Believer is Covetous to do good, as others are to receive it: and studieth for opportunities of laying out his gifts and wealth for God, as others study to gather it for themselves. As a worldling studieth for a good bargain, that he may grow rich; a ⟨p. 302⟩true Believer studieth for opportunities to lay out that he hath for God, and to improve his Masters stock to the best advantage. The Covetous doth not more long to get more, then Believers do to be rid of that they have, in the way and on the terms, as may do most good, and be best accepted: And they are even afraid lest opportunities of doing good should over-slip them, and the seed-time should pass by: A Believer knows that, as his life and soul, so his worldly riches, are nowhere sure but in the hand of God: And therefore if they can procure his security, and get him to receive it, and return it them in Heaven with the promised advantage, they have then secured it indeed: All is lost that God hath not, in one way or other: and all is secured that he hath, and for which we have his promise. This is laying it up in heaven, Matth. 6. 21. While we keep it, we cannot secure it from thieves: When we have disposed of it according to the Will of God, upon the warrant of his promise, it is then in his Custody, and then it is safe: Neither rust or moth can then corrupt it, nor the strongest thieves break through and steal. To be Good, and do Good, is to be likest unto God; and therefore must needs be the sweetest life.

A true Believer is Covetous to do good, as others are to receive it: and studyeth for opportunities of laying out his gifts and wealth for God, as others study to gather it for themselves. As a worldling studyeth for a good bargain, that he may grow rich; a ⟨p. 302⟩true Believer studyeth for opportunities to lay out that he hath for God, and to improve his Masters stock to the best advantage. The Covetous doth not more long to get more, then Believers do to be rid of that they have, in the way and on the terms, as may do most good, and be best accepted: And they are even afraid lest opportunities of doing good should over-slip them, and the seed-time should pass by: A Believer knows that, as his life and soul, so his worldly riches, are nowhere sure but in the hand of God: And therefore if they can procure his security, and get him to receive it, and return it them in Heaven with the promised advantage, they have then secured it indeed: All is lost that God hath not, in one way or other: and all is secured that he hath, and for which we have his promise. This is laying it up in heaven,