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

And did he reward them for his peoples sake, and will he let these his own people sit down with loss, who out of pure Conscience and Love to him, do his work, and fight his Battles against Flesh, World, and Devil? It cannot be, he doth indeed make them stay longer, than the other, for their reward; but they are sure to speed better at last; they, like Ishmael, are sent away presently with bread and bottle. Temporal rewards, they have their Consolation here; but when their portion is spent, then the Saint shall receive his reward, an Inheritance incorruptible, and Eternal. Be patient (saith the Apostle) and establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draws nigh. And when he cometh, their reward ⟨p. 95⟩comes with him. Again, Do you not cross the experiences of all the Saints, do they not they all give God and his service a good word? proclaiming him the best Master they ever served.¹ In keeping thy commands is great reward, (saith David) And again, Oh taste and see how good the Lord is; once, I confess, in the Paroxysm of a sore Temptation, he spake like one of the foolish world; I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency, Psalm 73.13. But will ye believe what a man saith, when his head is hot and light in the fit of a Fever, rather than when he is in his true and right temper? No sooner was this fit off, but he befools and be beasts himself, and blesseth himself in his approaching happiness. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me unto Glory, verse 24. And from this hope takes faster hold of God and his Holy ways; But it is good for me to draw near to God, ver. 28. And surely one affirmative testimony of a Saint, in vindication of God and ⟨p. 96⟩Religion, is of more weight than a thousand negative testimonies of the wicked world to the contrary, who speak evil of what they understand not; condemn Religion before they have tried it, and disgrace that service they were never in. Whereas the godly man hath served both Masters, and speaks from his own experience, where most is to be got; professing that he hath nothing to show of his gettings in the service of sin, but shame. But in the Lords service,²