I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

Object. 5 But I am not troubled, afflicted, or discouraged in regard of my Call; for I am persuaded that God hath called me to his work and Service: But I am most unserviceable, I do not do that work and Service which I am called unto; I lie like a dry log, or chip, in the family and place where I live: O! I am most unserviceable, and therefore I am thus discouraged.

Object. 5 But I am not troubled, afflicted, or discouraged in regard of my Call; for I am perswaded that God hath called me to his work and Service: But I am most unserviceable, I do not do that work and Service which I am called unto; I lie like a dry log, or chip, in the family and place where I live: O! I am most unserviceable, and therefore I am thus discouraged.

Answ. That's ill indeed; for every good, and gracious man, is a serviceable man, more or less, he is serviceable in his Place and Condition: Onesimus before converted, was unprofitable; but being converted, now profitable, says the Apostle. A good man in Scripture, is compared to those things that are most profitable: Is the wicked compared to the green Bay-tree, which doth bring forth no Fruit? the godly is compared to the Olive Tree, which is all profitable, the Fruit profitable, the Leaves, Bark, and the Tree profitable: Is a wicked man compared to the Goat? a good man is compared to the Sheep, and what is in a Sheep not profitable? its Flesh is profitable, its Wool profitable, its Skin is profitable, yea, its very dung is profitable: and such a Sheep was Paul, nothing in Paul not profitable and serviceable: will ye instance in his Jewish and Natural Privileges? he makes use of them, Phil. 3. to advance the righteousness and knowledge of Christ, yea, All these (says he) I count as dung and dross in regard of Christ. Will ye instance in his Conversion to Christ? he doth make use of ⟨p. 295⟩that to convert others, and to establish others,