Now here in is the mercy of God greatly commended unto us, that when he might use no other argument to enforce obedience, then his own sovereign authority over us, is pleased to encourage us by our own benefit. The chief reason of obedience, saith Tertullian, is the authority of the Lord, not the utility of the servant.1 He made all things for himself, and might have looked no farther then his own glory: we do so with the creatures which serve us, we labour our Oxen, and then we destroy them; first we make them drudge, and then we make them die. But God is pleased to encourage us unto duties by our self-love, commands us to fear him for our own good, Deut 6.24. sets the blessing of obedience, and the curse of ⟨p. 12⟩disobedience before our eyes, Deut. 11.26, 28. The work of Christianity is a difficult work, there are many enemies many temptations, Satan and and the world resist us without corruption wrestles and rebels within. But here is the comfort, Gods servants work for a Master that remembers all, who looks to their profit, as well as to his own honour, who keeps a book for our prayers, a bottle for our tears, a register for them that fear him, Mal. 3.16, a memorial of but a cup of cold water, given to a Prophet as a Prophet. This is encouragement indeed unto Gods service: Christ is willing to put it to this issue. Though I have a right and power over you, which Satan hath not, I made you, I bought you, he never had title unto you, either by dominion or purchase, as I have; But I shall wish you to look to your own interest, see which service is most advantageous to your selves, mine or his: If he can make you more precious promises, if he can prefer you unto greater happiness, if he have an immarcescible crown, an eternal kingdom to bestow upon you, if he have shed any blood, laid down any life, to purchase blessedness for you, I am willing where your gain is greatest, there your trade and service be directed. But if my wages be much better then his, and my love much greater then his, and my right in you, and authority over you much more then his, not only for love and duty to me, but for your own sakes, limit and confine your negotiations there, where your own advantages will be more abundant, and your own ⟨p. 13⟩comforts more durable and glorious.
Now here in is the mercy of God greatly commended unto us, that when he might use no other argument to enforce obedience, then his own soveraign authority over us, is pleased to incourage us by our own benefit. The chief reason of obedience, saith Tertullian, is the authority of the Lord, not the utility of the servant.1 He made all things for himself, and might have looked no farther then his own glory: we do so with the creatures which serve us, we labour our Oxen, and then we destroy them; first we make them drudge, and then we make them die. But God is pleased to encourage us unto duties by our self-love, commands us to fear him for our own good, Deut 6.24. sets the blessing of obedience, and the curse of ⟨p. 12⟩disobedience before our eyes, Deut. 11.26, 28. The work of Christianity is a difficult work, there are many enemies many temptations, Satan and and the world resist us without corruption wrestles and rebels within. But here is the comfort, Gods servants work for a Master that remembers all, who looks to their profit, as well as to his own honour, who keeps a book for our prayers, a bottle for our tears, a register for them that fear him, Mal. 3.16, a memorial of but a cup of cold water, given to a Prophet as a Prophet. This is encouragement indeed unto Gods service: Christ is willing to put it to this issue. Though I have a right and power over you, which Satan hath not, I made you, I bought you, he never had title unto you, either by dominion or purchase, as I have; But I shall wish you to look to your own interest, see which service is most advantagious to your selves, mine or his: If he can make you more precious promises, if he can prefer you unto greater happines, if he have an immarcescible crown, an eternall kingdome to bestow vpon you, if he have shed any blood, laid down any life, to purchase blessedness for you, I am willing where your gain is greatest, there your trade and service be directed. But if my wages be much better then his, and my love much greater then his, and my right in you, and authority over you much more then his, not onely for love and duty to me, but for your own sakes, limit and confine your negotiations there, where your own advantages will be more abundant, and your own ⟨p. 13⟩comforts more durable and glorious.
- 1Prior est Auteritas imperantis quam utilitas servientis. Tertul.
