A42350:53
The Christians labour and reward, or, A sermon, part of which was preached at…
The Christians labour and reward, or, A sermon, part of which was preached at the funeral of the Right Honourable the Lady Mary Vere, relict of Sir Horace Vere, Baron of Tilbury, on the 10th of January, 1671, at Castle Heviningham in Essex by William Gurnall ...
London: printed by J.M. for Ralph Smith, 1672
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Like as a Father pitieth his Children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him, Psalm 103.13.
I come now to the Second Part of the Text, which presents us with the ⟨p. 53⟩reward that attends the Christians labour; it is not in vain in the Lord; they shall not be put off with their labour for their pains: no, there is a reward laid up in Heaven, which will abundantly compensate all the pain and pains they were put to on Earth; but we must not understand this, as if the Christian received no gain or advantage, in this life, from the service of God, while he is labouring in it: Godliness hath the promise of this life, as well as the other. There are promises of which payment is made here; and though these be inferior to what the Christian shall receive hereafter; yet be they so precious, as prove Religion even in this life, no hospes asymbolus. No guest that lodgeth on free cost, but such as pays well, and that in present Coin for its entertainment. It affords Bread to the eater, as well as Seed to the sower; there is fruit unto Holiness, which the Christian may now feed on to his comfort, as well as an hope of Eternal life to be received at the end ⟨p. 54⟩of this. The very vales which the Christian hath given him, while at his work, afford him enough for his present expense, to maintain him in a port becoming his high hopes for afterwards. First, His conscionable labour in the Lords work, will gain him more ability, and holy skill to do his work still better; by exercising of himself daily unto Godliness, he becomes more ready and prepared for every good work; by daily combating with his corruptions, and resisting temptations, he learns more easily to overcome his Enemy. And if in worldly trades this be accounted a sufficient reward to an Apprentice, for serving out his time, to learn the mystery of his Calling; Oh what a reward is it, by the daily practice of Godliness, to learn more fully the Mystery of it? This I am sure holy David set down for great gains, I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept thy Law; this I had because I kept thy Precepts,