Is it so that the Saints of God ought to do their duties in season, 1then let this be for trial to every one of our ⟨p. 165⟩souls, and let us examine our selves whether we have seasonably discharged those duties that the Lord requireth of us both in our general, and particular Callings, and be humbled if we find our selves blame worthy. If we do consider our ways, and look back upon our former carriages, and view over the whole course of our lives, I doubt that the best of us shall find, that many opportunities, many blessed seasons, for the hoarding up of comfortable provision against the evil day have bin neglected, how often hath this gracious Proclamation from heaven sounded in the ears of us notorious Rebels, that whatever our sins have bin, for the nature, for the number of them, yet if we would but ⟨p. 166⟩come under the garment of Christ & stoop to that Royal Sceptre of Christ, and accept of the promise of life in Jesus Christ, we should be saved by Christ, yet how many of us have refused these glorious proffers of grace, and unspeakable loving kindness offered to our souls. How many Markets for the buying of Spiritual food hath the Lord vouchsafed unto us, and yet still we have come empty away. Let us now look back & consider, how many Sermons we have heard, how many times we have received the Sacrament, and there renewed our covenants with the Lord, how many motions Gods Spirit hath made at our hearts to repent, and return, when we have bin hearing of the word, ⟨p. 167⟩and likewise in our private meditation, saying unto our souls why will ye dye; yet (sinful wretches that we are) have we not flighted these motions, and cast them behind our backs, as though they did not concern us? let us now look back upon all slightings of grace, and mercy offered unto us, and say with Pharaohs Butler, 2I will call to remembrance my faults this day, and let our souls be deeply humbled under the remembrance thereof before the Lord.
Is it so that the Saints of God ought to doe their duties in season, 1then let this be for triall to every one of our ⟨p. 165⟩soules, and let us examine our selves whether we have seasonably discharged those duties that the Lord requireth of us both in our generall, and particular Callings, and be humbled if we finde our selves blame worthy. If we doe consider our waies, and looke backe upon our former carriages, and veiw over the whole course of our lives, I doubt that the best of us shall finde, that many opportunities, many blessed seasons, for the hoarding up of comfortable provision against the evill day have bin neglected, how often hath this gratious Proclimation from heaven sounded in the eares of us notorious Rebells, that whatever our sins have bin, for the nature, for the number of them, yet if we would but ⟨p. 166⟩come under the garment of Christ & stoopeto that Royall Scepter of Christ, and accept of the promise of life in Jesus Christ, we should be saved by Christ, yet how many of us have refused these glorious profers of grace, and unspeakable loving kindnes offered to our soules. How many Markets for the buying of Spirituall foode hath the Lord vouchsafed unto us, and yet stil we have come empty away. Let us now look back & confider, how many Sermons we have heard, how many times we have received the Sacrament, and there renued our covenants with the Lord, how many motions Gods Spirit hath made at our hearts to repent, and returne, when we have bin hearing of the word, ⟨p. 167⟩and likewise in our private meditation, saying unto our soules why will ye dye; yet (sinfull wretches that we are) have we not flighted these motious, and cast them behinde our backs, as though they did not concerne us? let us now look backe upon all slightings of grace, and mercy offered unto us, and say with Pharaohs Butler, 2I will call to remembrance my faults this day, and let our souls be deeply humbled under the remembrance therof before the Lord.
- 1Use 1.
- 2Gen. 41.5.
