The Fountain of Life Opened

Thirdly, Your Father hath further obliged you to this holiness §3and purity of life, by signifying to you (as he hath frequently done) the great delight and pleasure he hath therein. He hath told you that such as are upright in the way are his delight, Pro. 11.20. That he would not have you forget to do good and to communicate, for with such sacrifices he is well pleased, Heb. 13.16. You know you cannot walk worthy of the ⟨p. 606⟩Lord to all pleasing, except ye be fruitful in every good word and work, Col. 1.10. And oh what a bond is this upon you to live holy lives! Can you please your selves in displeasing your Father? If you have the hearts of Children in you, sure you cannot. O you cannot grieve his spirit by loose and careless walking, but you must grieve your own spirits too. How many times hath God pleased you, gratified and contented you, and will not you please and content him? This mercy you have asked of him, and he gave it, that mercy and you were not denied: in many things the Lord hath wonderfully condescended to please you, and now there is but one thing that he desires of you, and that most reasonable, yea, beneficial for you, as well as pleasing to him, 1 Phil. 27. Only let your conversation be as becometh the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the one thing the great and main thing he expects from you in this world, and will not you do it? Can you expect he should gratify your desires, when you make no more of grieving and displeasing him? Well, if you know what will please God, and yet resolve not to do it, but will rather please your flesh, and gratify the Devil, than him; pray pull off your visors, fall into your own rank among hypocrites; and appear as indeed you are.

Thirdly, Your Father hath further obliged you to this holiness §3and purity of life, by signifying to you (as he hath frequently done) the great delight and pleasure he hath therein. He hath told you that such as are upright in the way are his delight,