The saints everlasting rest

If there be any difference betwixt hell, (where we should have been) and earth, (where we now are) yea, or heaven, (which is offered to us) then certainly we have received mercy: yea, if the blood of the Son of GOD be mercy, then are we engaged to GOD by mercy; for so much did it cost him to recover us to himself. And should a people of such deep engagements be lazy in their returns? Shall GOD think nothing too much nor too good for us; and shall we think all too much that we do for him? Thou that art an observing sensible man, who knowest how much thou art beholden to GOD, I appeal to thee, is not a loitering performance of a few heartless duties, an unworthy requital of such admirable kindness? For my own part, when I compare my slow and unprofitable life, with the frequent and wonderful mercies received, it shames me, it silenceth me, and leaves me inexcusable.

7. Consider, all the relations which we stand in toward GOD, call upon us for our utmost diligence. Should not the pot be wholly at the service of the potter, and the creature at the service of his Creator? Are we his children, and do we not owe him our most tender affections, and dutiful obedience? Are we the spouse of Christ, and do we not owe him our observance, and our love? If he be our father, where is his honour? and if he be our master, where is his fear? We call him Lord and Master, and we do well: but if our industry be not answerable to our relations, we condemn ourselves in saying, we are his children, or his servants. How will the hard labour and daily toil that servants undergo to please their masters▪ judge and condemn those men who will not labour so hard for their great master? Surely there is none have a more honourable master than we, nor can expect such fruit of their labours.

8. How close should they ply their work, who have such attendants as we have? All the world are our servants, that we may be the servants of GOD. The sun, and moon, and stars, attend us with their light and influence: the earth, with all its furniture, is at our service: how many thousand plants, and flowers, and fruits, and birds, and beasts, do all attend us? The sea with its inhabitants, the air, the wind, the frost and snow, the heat and fire, the clouds and rain, all wait upon us while we do our work: yea, the angels are ministering spirits for us. And is it not an intolerable crime for us to trifle, while all these are employed to assist us? Nay more; the patience of GOD doth wait upon us: the LORD JESUS CHRIST waiteth, in the offers of his blood; the holy Spirit waiteth, in striving with our backward hearts: besides, all his servants, the ministers of his gospel, who study and wait, and preach and wait, and pray and wait upon careless sinners: and shall angels and men, yea the LORD himself, stand by and look on, while thou dost nothing?