The Christians labour and reward, or, A sermon, part of which was preached at…

The second way I propounded for setting forth the Saints reward, was, to compare the Saints work and labour with the reward. For though the reward be great, yet if the labour bear any considerable proportion to it, so much of its greatness is taken away. But the Christians labour here bears no proportion at all, with his reward hereafter; and therefore the Apostle saith, It is not worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed. His labour is finite, but his reward infinite; and there is no proportion between finite, and infinite. There is but little proportion, you will say, betwixt a drop of water, and the Sea; yet there is some, because though vastly greater, yet not infinitely greater: but betwixt these finite, and infinite, there is none at all. The Christians reward is infinite; First, Intensive, God himself is ⟨p. 79⟩his reward, as well as his rewarder, who is infinite in all his Divine Perfections. And what proportion between a poor nothing Creature, and his nothing Service, to the having this infinitely Glorious God his portion? So far are these from bearing any proportion to God, that compared with him, they are denied to be, I am, and there is none besides me, saith God, or to have any excellency; he is the Holy one, the only wise God. Mans wisdom, is no wisdom; his holiness, no holiness compared to God. Secondly, It is infinite extensivè, or in duration. Their reward is an everlasting life; but their work and labour for the Lord, how short? how soon is it dispatched? If there be no proportion between Time, and Eternity; then none between the Christians labour, which is performed in so little a point of time, and the reward which endures for ever and ever. The Christian is a few hours in the Field at his work, and then called into an everlasting rest in ⟨p. 80⟩his Fathers house. He carries a light cross, a little way on his back, which death at the furthest takes off; and then an Eternal Crown of Glory is set on his Head. It aggravated King Lysimachus his sorrow, that he had lost so great a Kingdom, for so little a matter as a draught of water. How will it ravish the Saints Heart, to receive so great a reward, at the end of so short a labour? Jonathan wondered that a little Honey, should cost him so dear as death. I did (saith he) but taste a little Honey, with the end of the Rod, that was in mine hand, and lo I must dye.

The second way I propounded for seting forth the Saints reward, was, to compare the Saints work and labour with the reward. For though the reward be great, yet if the labour bear any considerable proportion to it, so much of its greatness is taken away. But the Christians labour here bears no proportion at all, with his reward hereafter; and therefore the Apostle saith, It is not worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed. His labour is finite, but his reward infinite; and there is no proportion between finite, and infinite. There is but little proportion, you will say, betwixt a drop of water, and the Sea; yet there is some, because though vastly greater, yet not infinitely greater: but betwixt these finite, and infinite, there is none at all. The Christians reward is infinite; First, Intensive, God himself is