The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Lastly, They are sure to have Gods Protection and Presence to support them in all their labour. The Apostle calls it labour, and that which is accompanied with painfulness: And indeed, the whole work of grace is very troublesome to flesh and blood; their Combats and Conflicts within; and then very troublesome to man without in the world, which makes the world hate and oppose them. Now then, the work of God being thus opposed within and without, did not God protect, did not he draw nigh with his support, and deliver, or strengthen; none were able to abide. Thus you see a three-fold encouragement the godly have to labour for the Lord, even in this life. Oh! Why then should any be so diffident, as to think they shall lose by God, that godliness will be an hinderance to them! Do but be sure, that thy work is Gods work, and thou doest it in Gods manner, and never fear the issue of things. God is not unrighteous (saith the Apostle) to forget your sufferings, Heb. 6.10. You read, that God put up all Davids tears into his bottle: As Christ would not have the least fragment of bread lost, so God will not let thee lose one mite for him: Thou shalt never say, God hath hindered thee. When Abraham, for Gods glory, would take none of the King of Sodoms wealth, God presently said to him, I am thy exceeding great reward, Gen. 15.

Lastly, They are sure to have Gods Protection and Presence to support them in all their labour. The Apostle cals it labour, and that which is accompanied with painfulnese: And indeed, the whole work of grace is very troublesome to flesh and blood; their Combates and Conflicts within; and then very troublesome to man without in the world, which makes the world hate and oppose them. Now then, the work of God being thus opposed within and without, did not God protect, did not he draw nigh with his support, and deliver, or strengthen; none were able to abide. Thus you see a three-fold encouragement the godly have to labour for the Lord, even in this life. Oh! Why then should any be so diffident, as to think they shall lose by God, that godliness will be an hinderance to them! Do but be sure, that thy work is Gods work, and thou doest it in Gods manner, and never fear the issue of things. God is not unrighteous (saith the Apostle) to forget your sufferings, Heb. 6.10. You read, that God put up all Davids teares into his bottle: As Christ would not have the least fragment of bread lost, so God will not let thee lose one mite for him: Thou shalt never say, God hath hindered thee. When Abraham, for Gods glory, would take none of the King of Sodoms wealth, God presently said to him, I am thy exceeding great reward,