278 THE £BSOLUTE DOMINION pie sink or swim, rather than they should be hindered in the way of ambition ! I shall leave it to the trial of another day, whether all the publicactions of thisage, with their effects, have been for God or for self. This doth not belong to my examination, but to his that will thoroughly perform it ere long, and search these matters to the quick, and open them to the world. There were never higher pretenses for God in an age than have been in this': had there been but answerable intentions and performances, his affairs and our own had been in much better case than they are; but enough of this. Should we descend to men's particular families and conversations, we should find the matter little better with the most. Are they all forGod that follow the world so eagerly, that they cannot spare him a serious thought ? An hour's time for his worship in their families, or in secret ? That will see that their own workbe done ; but for the souls of those that are committed to their charge, they regard them not ? Let them be ever so ignorant, they will not in- struct them, nor cause them toread the word, or learn.a catechism ; nor will spend the Lord's peculiar day in such exercises; and it is much if they hinder not thosé that would. Is it for God that men give up their hearts to this world, so that they cannot have once a day, or week, to think soberly what they must do in the next? Or how they maybe ready for their great approaching change. Is it for God that men despise his ministers, reject his word, abhor reformation, scorn a church government, and deride the persons that are addicted to his fear, and the families that call upon his name? These men will shortly understand a little better than now they will do, whether, indeed, they live to God or to themselves. 2. If you are devoted to God, what do you for him ? Is it his business that you mind ? How much of your time do you spend for him ? How muchof your speech is for him ? How much of your estates yearly is serviceable to his interest? Let conscience speak, whether he have your studies and affections; let your fami- lies be witnesses whether he have your speeches and best endeav- ors ; let the church witness what you have done for it ; and the poor witness what you have done for them ; and the souls of ignorant and ungodly men what you have done for them. Show by the work you have done whom you have lived to, God or your carnal selves. If, indeed, you have lived to God, somethingwill be seen that you have done for him ; nay, it is not a something that will serve the turn ; it must be the best. Remember that it is by your works that you shall be judged, and not by your pretenses, professions, , or compliments : your Judge already knows your case ; he needs no witnesses ; hewill not be mocked with saying you are for 'him : show it, or saying it, will not serve.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=