1(1.) Trade with God by Christ, make use of this Blessed Correspondent, come to God by him, or you will get nothing, obtain nothing; Hitherto you have asked nothing in my Name; and therefore received no more. (2.) Know and be assured, that by the Peace Christ has made, you may freely Trade and come to God, but be sure see, that 'tis in Faith you come to him, or you will never speed; plead the absolute Promises. (3.) Observe the Motions of the Spirit, Mariners set out with the Wind and Tide,2 so must you, The Wind blows where it listeth: God's Spirit will not always strive with Men. (4.) Mind the Exchange-time, Merchants will not fail here: O! see you do not neglect God's Public Worship; no, lose not one Opportunity, if it be possible; one Neglect in this case had almost ruined Thomas: ⟨p. 279⟩When Ministers Preach, you ought to hear; nay, you must hear. (5.) Be sure you keep up Closet Prayer, much of this Spiritual Trade lies in this Duty; also you must labour to pray in Faith, and also fervently, cold Prayers will never prevail with God. (6.) Keep up your Acquaintance with Jesus Christ, you that are Believers see to this; and you that are Sinners see that you get Union with him, Acquaint thy self with him, and be at Peace, 3thereby good shall come to thee; without Union there can be no Communion with Christ: Brethren, here is great Complaint of Badness of Trade, may be 'tis a Judgment, because this Trade is slighted, or so much neglected: O! remember this is your general Calling, and it must have the preference, whatever business is neglected, this must not: How did God blast the Jews in Trading,4 because his House lay waste? They minded not this Trade. Also know the more you venture the greater Returns you will have, the more you do or suffer for Christ, the greater your Reward of Grace will be; They that turn many to Righteousness, 5shall shine as the Stars for evermore: There are no doubt degrees of Glory in Heaven.
1(1.) Trade with God by Christ, make use of this Blessed Correspondent, come to God by him, or you will get nothing, obtain nothing; Hitherto you have ask'd nothing in my Name; and therefore received no more. (2.) Know and be assured, that by the Peace Christ has made, you may freely Trade and come to God, but be sure see, that 'tis in Faith you come to him, or you will never speed; plead the absolute Promises. (3.) Observe the Motions of the Spirit, Mariners set out with the Wind and Tide,2 so must you, The Wind blows where it listeth: God's Spirit will not always strive with Men. (4.) Mind the Exchange-time, Merchants will not fail here: O! see you do not neglect God's Publick Worship; no, lose not one Opportunity, if it be possible; one Neglect in this case had almost ruined Thomas: ⟨p. 279⟩When Ministers Preach, you ought to hear; nay, you must hear. (5.) Be sure you keep up Closet Prayer, much of this Spiritual Trade lies in this Duty; also you must labour to pray in Faith, and also fervently, cold Prayers will never prevail with God. (6.) Keep up your Acquaintance with Jesus Christ, you that are Believers see to this; and you that are Sinners see that you get Union with him, Acquaint thy self with him, and be at Peace, 3thereby good shall come to thee; without Union there can be no Communion with Christ: Brethren, here is great Complaint of Badness of Trade, may be 'tis a Judgment, because this Trade is slighted, or so much neglected: O! remember this is your general Calling, and it must have the perferance, whatever business is neglected, this must not: How did God blast the Jews in Trading,4 because his House lay waste? They minded not this Trade. Also know the more you venture the greater Returns you will have, the more you do or suffer for Christ, the greater your Reward of Grace will be; They that turn many to Righteousness, 5shall shine as the Stars for evermore: There are no doubt degrees of Glory in Heaven.
- 1Directions to Trade to Heaven.
- 2Joh. 3.8.
- 3Job 22.21
- 4Hag. 1.4.6
- 5Dan. 12.3.
