Friend, ponder the work of positive Godliness, and then judge whether diligence be not requisite. Closet-Duties, as praying, reading, self-examining, and Family-Duties must daily be performed, and that with life and vigour, and all the Soul, and all the strength: Thy earthly ⟨p. 404⟩Calling must be followed with heavenly affections; and whilst thy Occupation is amongst men, thy Conversation must be with God. In all Companies, and at all Seasons, and in all Conditions, thou art to be in the fear of God, and watchful over thy self, that thou dost nothing to displease him, and solicitous how thou mayst do that which is most pleasing to him. Thou must love God with all thy heart, when he seems most angry with thee; and trust in his goodness, when he inflicts never so great or so many evils on thee. Thy duty is to believe in a crucified Christ, and so venture thy Soul on the death of another, upon the bare warrant of Scripture; thou art required to deny, and bemoan, and abhor thy self, as near and dear as thou art to thy self, to mortify thy earthly members, and to cut off thy right hand, and pluck out thy right eye. Not a Relation, not a Condition, not an Ordinance, not a Providence, but calls for Duties, suitable Duties to be performed, and not one of these Duties but calls for suitable Graces to be exercised. Besides, ere these Duties can be performed, and ⟨p. 405⟩these Graces exercised, many strong and sturdy lusts must be subdued; the allurements on one hand of a flattering, gaudy, giddy, skin-deep World, as Babies to please Children, trampled on; and its affrightments, as Cloths stuffed with straw, to scare Birds, must be despised. I, and all the Powers and Policies of Hell combated with, and conquered. And, Friend, can all this be done with thy hands in thy Pocket, or without pains. It's in vain to think of freedom from Omissions, whilst thou liest on the bed of Security. Water corrupteth, and breeds venomous Creatures, whilst it standeth still; it is preserved sweet by motion, as we experience in running-streams. The unused Iron rusteth, whilst that which is used groweth daily more bright. Neither Nature nor Art will afford us any thing that is good without labour. The ground will not yield its fruit, unless the Husbandman dung, and plough, and dress, and harrow it. Can any Artist make an excellent Clock, or Watch, or curious Vessel without pains?
Friend, ponder the work of positive Godliness, and then judge whether diligence be not requisite. Closet-Duties, as praying, reading, self-examining, and Family-Duties must daily be performed, and that with life and vigor, and all the Soul, and all the strength: Thy earthly ⟨p. 404⟩Calling must be followed with heavenly affections; and whilst thy Occupation is amongst men, thy Conversation must be with God. In all Companies, and at all Seasons, and in all Conditions, thou art to be in the fear of God, and watchful over thy self, that thou dost nothing to displease him, and solicitous how thou mayst do that which is most pleasing to him. Thou must love God with all thy heart, when he seems most angry with thee; and trust in his goodness, when he inflicts never so great or so many evils on thee. Thy duty is to believe in a crucified Christ, and so venture thy Soul on the death of another, upon the bare warrant of Scripture; thou art required to deny, and bemoan, and abhor thy self, as near and dear as thou art to thy self, to mortifie thy earthly members, and to cut off thy right hand, and pluck out thy right eye. Not a Relation, not a Condition, not an Ordinance, not a Providence, but calls for Duties, suitable Duties to be performed, and not one of these Duties but calls for suitable Graces to be exercised. Besides, ere these Duties can be performed, and ⟨p. 405⟩these Graces exercised, many strong and sturdy lusts must be subdued; the allurements on one hand of a flattering, gaudy, giddy, skin-deep World, as Babies to please Children, trampled on; and its afrightments, as Cloths stuft with straw, to scare Birds, must be despised. I, and all the Powers and Policies of Hell combated with, and conquered. And, Friend, can all this be done with thy hands in thy Pocket, or without pains. It's in vain to think of freedom from Omissions, whilst thou liest on the bed of Security. Water corrupteth, and breeds venemous Creatures, whilst it standeth still; it is preserved sweet by motion, as we experience in running-streams. The unused Iron rusteth, whilst that which is used groweth daily more bright. Neither Nature nor Art will afford us any thing that is good without labour. The ground will not yield its fruit, unless the Husbandman dung, and plow, and dress, and harrow it. Can any Artist make an excellent Clock, or Watch, or curious Vessel without pains?
