An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

Secondly, God hath this in design, by all his works, to make us better. If it be a work of Judgment, it is to make us better, and then we exalt his works of Judgement, when we are bettered by them, when we are more humbled and weaned from the world by them. And as 'tis the design of God to make us better by his works of Judgment, so by all his works of mercy. The Apostle beseecheth us by the mercies of God, to present our bodies (that is, our whole selves) a living sacrifice, in all holy service to himself (Rom. 12.1.) What will it advantage us to be bettered in our outward enjoyments, by what God works or doth for us, unless we learn to be better, and do his work better? that is, unless our hearts be more holy, and we more fruitful in every good word and work. Some will magnify the work of God by keeping a day of thanksgiving, because they are richer or greater by what God hath wrought for them, who yet are not a whit more holy or spiritual by it. Woe to those who magnify the work of God because they think it shall go better with them, when themselves are not better. Enquire therefore what lust hath the work of God moved you to mortify, wha• grace hath the work of God put you upon the exercise of: They only indeed magnify the work of ⟨p. 365⟩God who have such workings towards God. It were better not receive a mercy, than not to be bettered by a mercy. It is not our crying up the works of God in our words, but in our works, which is the magnifying of them. It is more safe for us to say nothing of what God hath wrought for us, than to publish it, or make our boast of it, when we our selves do •••hing worthy of it, in a way of condecency and proportion to it. 'Tis the design of God in giving promises to make us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor. 7.1.) Much more having given us any great performances of his promises, doth he expect that we should be clean and holy. O then what a pitiful course do they take, who pretending to magnify the works of God, do such things as are a defilement both to flesh and spirit!

Secondly, God hath this in design, by all his works, to make us better. If it be a work of Judgment, it is to make us better, and then we exalt his works of Judgement, when we are bettered by them, when we are more humbled and weaned from the world by them. And as 'tis the design of God to make us better by his works of Judgment, so by all his works of mercy. The Apostle beseecheth us by the mercies of God, to present our bodies (that is, our whole selves) a living sacrifice, in all holy service to himself (