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

He makes no great outward bargain of Gods Service, neither doth he labour to pocket up much for himself. God employed Moses in a great Work, but where do you read of any great Estate that he got for himself? We read of Joshua, That when he had brought the Children of Israel into Canaan, and divided the Land by Lot to them, then when he had served others, in the last place he did serve himself, and that in no great matter. What did Nehemiah get by his Service? not as the former Governors did, Why? Because he feared the Lord. So then, if a man be employed in way of Love and Mercy to himself, he doth not make his Employment a shooing-horn to his own Preferment: 'Tis enough for me, my Masters work is done, saith he; neither doth God use to pay them all their wages here, whom he employs in mercy to themselves. ⟨p. 299⟩But as the Merchant, if he have to deal with a stranger for a less Commodity, he pays him down presently; but if with a friend for some great priced Commodity, he takes time, and doth not pay down his money presently. So, if God have to do with a stranger, as Nebuchadnezzar, he will pay him wages presently; but if God deals with a friend, whom he employs in mercy to himself, then he doth put off his full payment till afterwards.

He makes no great ou•ward bargain of Gods Service, neither doth he labor to pocket up much for himself. God employed Moses in a great Work, but where do you read of any great Estate that he got for himself? We read of Joshua, That when he had brought the Children of Israel into Canaan, and divided the Land by Lot to them, then when he had served others, in the last place he did serve himself, and that in no great matter. What did Nehemiah get by his Service? not as the former Governors did, Why? Because he feared the Lord. So then, if a man be employed in way of Love and Mercy to himself, he doth not make his Employment a shooing-horn to his own Preferment: 'Tis enough for me, my Masters work is done, saith he; neither doth God use to pay them al their wages here, whom he employes in mercie to themselves. ⟨p. 299⟩But as the Merchant, if he have to deal with a stranger for a less Commodity, he paies him down presently; but if with a friend for some great priced Commodity, he takes time, and doth not pay down his money presently. So, if God have to do with a stranger, as Nebuchadnezzar, he wil pay him wages presently; but if God deals with a friend, whom he employes in mercy to himself, then he doth put off his ful payment til afterwards.