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

When God doth use a man in a way of Judgment, he hath ordinarily more skill at pulling down, and destroying what is mans, than in setting up, and building what is Gods. But when God doth use him in a way of Love and Mercy to his own soul, he hath a dexterity in, and a heart to the setting up of what is Gods; witness Jehu on the one hand, and Nehemiah on the other hand. How is it therefore with thee? Hast thou a skill at pulling down what is mans, and no skill, nor heart, to set up what is Gods? ⟨p. 300⟩Hast thou been employed, and used in Gods Service, and have you done your own work fully, and Gods work by halves? Art thou not contented to be laid by, and that God should use another? Doest thou make a noise in the work, and thy hands not under thy wings? Hast thou made a goodly outward Bargain of the Lords Work? and his Service as a shooing-horn to thine own ends? Hast thou not grown in Experience, Faith, and Holiness by this work? but in Pride rather? Hast thou not been very tender of the Name of God in thy Service? nor been acquainted with Gods Design? nor thine heart drawn out the more to love the Lord? Then surely God hath not used or employed thee in Love and Mercy to thine own soul: But if thine heart have been drawn out with Love to God by thy very Service, and Employments, and thou hast been in some measure acquainted with Gods Design in that Service, and hast been very tender of the Name of God, and more willing to hazard thy self, than to defile his Name, and hast grown in Grace by the exercise of thy Gifts, and hast made no Bargain of the Lords Service, but hast had thy hands under thy wings, and hast not done Gods Work by halves, and now after all, art contented that God shall lay thee by, and make use of others; then surely the Lord hath used and employed thee in a way of Love and Mercy to thine own Soul; and therefore why shouldst thou be discouraged in this respect? Certainly you have no just cause, or true reason for it.

When God doth use a man in a way of Judgment, he hath ordinarily more skil at pulling down, and destroying what is mans, than in setting up, and building what is Gods. But when God doth use him in a way of Love and Mercy to his own soul, he hath a dexterity in, and a heart to the setting up of what is Gods; witness Jehu on the one hand, and Nehemiah on the oth•r hand. How is it therefore with thee? Hast thou a skil at pulling down what is mans, and no skil, nor heart, to set up what is Gods?