Certainly this is one principal Reason of all Immoderation amongst Men, of Despondence in Adversity, of Insolence in Prosperity, of Excess in Delights, of Perturbation in Passions, of vindictive Retaliations; one principal Reason why they do not with a single Eye and an unbiased Heart manage all their Actions and Designs to the Glory of God, the Credit of the Gospel, the Interest of Christianity, the Edification and Salvation of the Souls of Men, but often suffer weak Passions, Prejudices, Interests to State, model and overrule their Designs; the Reason I say of all ⟨p. 42⟩is, Because the Terror of the Lord hath not persuaded them, because they are not sufficiently awed with the All-seeing Eye, and near approach of the Lord of Glory, before whom all their ways are naked, with whom all their Sins are laid up in store, and sealed amongst his Treasures. Let us therefore seriously resolve to regulate all our Actions by our Great Account. To say with Job, What shall I do when God riseth up, and when he visiteth what shall I answer him? Job 31. 14. He hath entrusted me with many Talents, with a Rich Treasure of Power and Interest, of Wisdom and Honour, of Wealth and Learning, he hath deposited with me the Custody of his Eternal Gospel, the Grand Interests of the Church of Christ, and of the Precious Souls which he redeemed with his own Blood. God forbid that I should ever suffer any Immoderate Passions, or Prejudices, or Partialities, or low and narrow Interests of mine own so far to transport me, as that I should betray so great a Trust, and provoke the wrath of so Holy and Just a Judge. God enable me with that Equanimity ⟨p. 43⟩and Singleness of Heart, without Hypocrisy, and without Partiality, with a direct Eye to the Glory of God, the Kingdom of Christ, the Edification and Peace of his Church, the Flourishing of his Gospel, and the Prosperity of the Souls of his People; so to discharge every Trust reposed in me, as that I may be able to give up mine Accounts with Joy, and when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, I may lift up my Head in the day of Redemption, and receive a Crown of Glory which fadeth not away.
Certainly this is one principal Reason of all Immoderation amongst Men, of Despondence in Adversity, of Insolence in Prosperity, of Excess in Delights, of Perturbation in Passions, of vindictive Retaliations; one principal Reason why they do not with a single Eye and an unbiassed Heart mannage all their Actions and Designes to the Glory of God, the Credit of the Gospel, the Interest of Christianity, the Edification and Salvation of the Souls of Men, but often suffer weak Passions, Prejudices, Interests to State, model and overrule their Designes; the Reason I say of all ⟨p. 42⟩is, Because the Terror of the Lord hath not perswaded them, because they are not sufficiently awed with the All-seeing Eye, and near approach of the Lord of Glory, before whom all their wayes are naked, with whom all their Sinnes are laid up in store, and sealed amongst his Treasures. Let us therefore seriously resolve to regulate all our Actions by our Great Accompt. To say with Iob, What shall I do when God riseth up, and when he visiteth what shall I answer him? Job 31. 14. He hath entrusted me with many Talents, with a Rich Treasure of Power and Interest, of Wisedom and Honour, of Wealth and Learning, he hath deposited with me the Custody of his Eternal Gospel, the Grand Interests of the Church of Christ, and of the Precious Souls which he redeemed with his own Blood. God forbid that I should ever suffer any Immoderate Passions, or Prejudices, or Partialities, or low and narrow Interests of mine own so farr to transport me, as that I should betray so great a Trust, and provoke the wrath of so Holy and Just a Judge. God enable me with that Equanimity ⟨p. 43⟩and Singleness of Heart, without Hypocrisie, and without Partiality, with a direct Eye to the Glory of God, the Kingdom of Christ, the Edification and Peace of his Church, the Flourishing of his Gospel, and the Prosperity of the Souls of his People; so to discharge every Trust reposed in me, as that I may be able to give up mine Accompts with Joy, and when the Chief Shepheard shall appear, I may lift up my Head in the day of Redemption, and receive a Crown of Glory which fadeth not away.
