2. While their work remains unfinished, and the Lord hath got little or no ⟨p. 102⟩Glory from them, though they may have clear evidence of the Lords love: Christ himself desired it not till now, John 17. 5. If thou couldest scale Heaven before thy work was done, the Lord would send thee down from thence again, as he did the soul of Lazarus, and truly to do the work of Christ one moment here, is better than to have a thousand years felicity in Heaven, nakedly considered in it self, in as much as the Honour of Christ is a thousand times better than our own good. It may be there is much work within doors, many odd distempers to be cashiered, spiritual decays, &c. It may be there is work without, Christ hath many enemies in the world, many prayers are yet to be spent against them, much good to do for his Church, many tears to be shed for them, for praying trade is past in Heaven. It may be some friends yet to be converted, thou hast been a scandal to them, it may be as yet few have been, or can say they be the warmer or better for thee; that work is yet to be done: It may be God hath some secrets to reveal by thee before thou diest, stay therefore a while, while your work is done; 'Tis true, thou hast but one Talent, but little thou hast or canst do; yet God looks you should improve it whilst he is gone. A man that will needs to bed at noon-day, before night comes, what deserves he but a cudgel? So he that will die before his night comes, and while 'tis light to see and work by. When therefore you apprehend your work even done, then as not only Christ, but Pa•l, not only Paul, but Gods watchful servants have secret warnings of death. And as Mariners when they can see no Land, yet by their soundings can tell they are near Land or Sands, then you may desire it, for then you are ripe, but its sin to do it otherwise. And verily happy is that man that accounts not his life dear, but only the finishing of his course with joy. To conclude all, we are to desire our fellowship with Christ, as a man desires his last end, which desire doth not exclude but include desire after all the means and the means first, before the end. Now many things are to be done by God upon us, and by us for the Lord again, before we appear before Christ, which we may desire firstly for this our last end.
2. While their work remains unfinished, and the Lord hath got little or no ⟨p. 102⟩Glory from them, though they may have clear evidence of the Lords love: Christ himself desired it not till now, Iohn 17. 5. If thou couldest scale Heaven before thy work was done, the Lord would send thee down from thence again, as he did the soul of L•zarus, and truly to do the work of Christ one moment here, is better than to have a thousand years felicity in Heaven, nakedly considered in it self, in as much as the Honour of Christ is a thousand times better than our own good. It may be there is much work within doors, many odd distempers to be cashierd, spirituall decaies, &c. It may be there is work without, Christ hath many enemies in the world, many prayers are yet to be spent against them, much good to do for his Church, many tears to be shed for them, for praying trade is past in Heaven. It may be some friends yet to be converted, thou hast been a scandal to them, it may be as yet few have been, or can say they be the warmer or better for thee; that work is yet to be done: It may be God hath some secrets to reveal by thee before thou diest, stay therefore a while, while your work is done; 'Tis true, thou hast but one Talent, but little thou hast or canst do; yet God looks you should improve it whilst he is gone. A man that will needs to bed at noon-day, before night comes, what deserves he but a cudgel? So he that will die before his night comes, and while 'tis light to see and work by. When therefore you apprehend your work even done, then as not only Christ, but Pa•l, not only Paul, but Gods watchful servants have secret warnings of death. And as Mariners when they can see no Land, yet by their soundings can tell they are near Land or Sands, then you may desire it, for then you are ripe, but its sin to do it otherwise. And verily happy is that man that accounts not his life dear, but only the finishing of his course with joy. To conclude all, we are to desire our fellowship with Christ, as a man desires his last end, which desire doth not exclude but include desire after all the means and the means first, before the end. Now many things are to be done by God upon us, and by us for the Lord again, before we appear before Christ, which we may desire firstly for this our last end.
