A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

5. That the especial way of this Trial doth most eminently set out this Grace and Mercy. A way it is full of infinite Wisdom, Goodness, Love, Mercy and Grace. Such as wherein all the Divine Perfections will be Eternally glorified, whether it be accepted or refused.

6. When the Gospel is preached unto any, God telleth sinners, that although they have destroyed themselves and are ready every moment to sink into Eternal Misery, yet he will out of infinite Grace and Compassion try them once more, and that by the holy terms of the Gospel. And in the preaching of the Word he doth it accordingly. And although the season of this Trial be determined with God, yet it is unto us uncertain on many Accounts: for (1) the continuance of our Lives, during which alone we are capable of enjoying it, is so; (2) We see that the Preaching of the Gospel is so also. The Lord Christ doth oft-times remove the Candlesticks whilst they continue alive in the world among whom it was once fixed: And (3) there is a time when a Period is put unto the Efficacy of the Word for the Conversion of some, although the outward Dispensation be continued unto them, Isa. 6. 9, 10, 11. Wherefore the present season and present enjoyment of the Gospel are our Duty to consider and improve: for what is the work that therein God hath in hand towards us? Is it not to give us our Trial in the use of means as to what shall be our future condition? He hath therein undertaken us as his Vineyard, as his Husbandry, and causeth the Rain to fall upon us, and hath done so often and long; And who almost doth consider aright how great his concernment is herein? would men be so careless, negligent, formal, slothful, as they are for the most part, under the hearing of the Word, if they duly remembered that it is their Trial for Eternity? and they know not how soon it may be over. If we lose this season, we are gone for ever. It is therefore our Wisdom to know whether our fruitfulness in Faith, Repentance and Obedience, do answer the Rain and Dressing we have had by the Dispensation of the Word. The Axe is laid at the Root of the Tree, if we bring not forth good Fruit, we shall ere long be hewed down and cast into the Fire. It is true, there is none of us do answer as we ought the Love and Care of God towards us herein, nor can we so do; When we have done our utmost, we are but unprofitable Servants. But there is a wide difference between a defect in degrees of Obedience, and the neglect of the whole. Where the first is, we ought to walk humbly in the sense of it, and labour after more Perfection.