Moses his choice with his eye fixed upon Heaven, discovering the happy condition of…

Thirdly, such as go on in those ways, and are in a good forwardness, and yet prove to be Apostates, and so lose all their labour, and all their reward.

Thirdly, such as go on in those ways, and are in a good forwardness, and yet prove to be Apostates, and so lose all their labor, and all their reward.

First, such as go on in the ways that lead to this ¹reward, the ways of Religion and godliness, they do the same things that Gods people do for this reward, but only this, their ends are different; they pray as much, hear as much, and receive Sacraments, make a great profession in Religion, and their hearts seem to be mightily up in duty; yea, perhaps they suffer much in the ways of God, and are resolute in the ways of godliness, and yet lose all in the conclusion upon this ground, because though they be in the ways that lead to this reward, yet their ends are so base and low, they do not look at ⟨p. 633⟩the glorious reward in these actions, but look at some under thing; as to give content to men, and applause of men; and to be accounted some body in the place where they live, and to gain some outward respect from such and such, and this is the highest pitch their hearts rise unto in the duties of Religion: If ever there were any sottish desperate delusion of heart, this is it, to undertake to do that which others do, that come to enjoy all this glorious reward; and though you do as much as they, and take as much pains as they, yet you in the conclusion miss of all, and lose all upon your base ends: you follow Christ as others do, but a gracious heart follows Christ for Christ, but you follow him only that ²your own minds and wills may be satisfied, it may be you know not how to live: and this is that you aim at in following Christ, and in prayer, and in speaking of good things, all that you aim at, is that you may be accounted those that have parts and gifts; and in giving of alms, you only look upon some low and base ends which you shall attain, and this is like to be all your reward, so says Christ, Woe to you hypocrites, you have your reward: And woe indeed when this shall be said, You are forward in Religion, to gain to your selves such base things, you shall have them, says God, and this is all the reward you shall have. O be ashamed and confounded in your own hearts, that you should perform the duties of Religion, and take such pains in the ways of God, that do lead to such glorious things, and yet your ends are so low; by having such low ends in religious duties, you make Earth your throne, and Heaven your footstool, whereas