The glory and interest of nations professing the Gospel preached at a private fast,…

1. Labour personally, every one of you to get Christ in your own hearts. I am very far from thinking that a man may not be lawfully called to magistracy, if he be not a believer; or that being called, he should be impeded in the execution of his trust, and place, because he is not so; I shall not suspend my obedience whilst I enquire after my Lawful Governors conversion; but yet this I say considering that I cannot much value any good, but what comes in by the way of promise, I confess I can have no great expectation from them whom God loves not, delights not in; if any be otherwise minded, I shall not contend with him; but for this I will contend with all the world, that it is your duty to labour to assure Christ in your own hearts, even that you may be the better fitted for the work of God in the world. It is the promise of God to Zion; that her officers shall be peace, and her exactors righteousness, Isa. 60. 17. and then shall she call her walls salvation, and her gates praise: v. 18. It will be little advantage to any, to have the work of God raised in the world, and not to have the foundation stone laid in their hearts: If there should be in any of you an enmity unto Christ, and the power of Godliness, and hatred and contempt of the people of God, an evil heart of unbelief, an evil course of life, worldliness, oppression, vanity of mind, &c. would it advantage you to be entrusted with power in these nations? Would it not hasten your destruction, and increase your account? It is a noble promise that we have. Isai. 32. 17. And the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever. It is a Gospel righteousness ⟨p. 17⟩that is spoken of; and that not of the cause as such only, but of the Persons; the Persons being righteous, and that with the righteousness of Christ, the effects mentioned, shall follow their righteous undertakings; we have peace now, outward peace; but alas, we have not quietness; and if any thing may be done that may give us quietness, yet perhaps we may not have assurance; we may be quickly shaken again; but when the righteousness of the Persons, and cause meet, all the rest will follow.

1. Labour personally, every one of you to get Christ in your own hearts. I am very far from thinking that a man may not be lawfully called to magistracy, if he be not a believer; or that being called, he should be impeded in the execution of his trust, and place, becanse he is not so; I shall not suspend my obedience whilst I enquire after my Lawful Governors conversion; but yet this I say considering that I cannot much value any good, but whar comes in by the way of promise, I confesse I can have no great expectation from them whom God loves not, delights not in; if any be otherwise minded, I shall not contend with him; but for this I will contend with all the world, that it is your duty to labour to assure Christ in your own hearts, even that you may be the better fitted for the work of God in the world. It is the promise of God to Sion; that her officers shal be peace, and her exactours righteousnesse,