SHINE IN. OUR WORKS. 465 ing seekers of it, and as those that have there their treasure and their hearts, (Matt. vi. 20, 21.) and are comforted more by the hopes of the life to come, than by all their possessions or pleasures in the world. If we will . glorify. God, our lives mustpersuade men that he will certainly be our everlasting portion, and the sure and plentiful rewarder of them that diligently seek him; Heb. xi. 6. It is much of the use of a true Christian's life to convince un- believers that there is a heaven for saints; and the scandalous worldling persuadeth them that there is none ; Matt. v. 5. 11, 12. Phil. iii. 26. 21. Col. iii. 1, 2, 3, 4,5. V. Therefore it glorifieth God and our religion when Christians live in greater joy, or at least in greater contentedness and peace than other men. When they can answer all the crosses in the world sufficiently with this, that God is their God, and his love shall be théir endless joy ; " (Psalm lxxiii. 1. and lxxxiii. 25, 26. and . when they can live by faith and not by. sight ; (2Cor.. v. 7. and can rejoice in hope, of the glory of God; (Rom. v. 3. 5. and can comfort themselves and one another with this, that they shall forever be with the ,L'o'rd ; (1 These. iv. 17, 18.) and can trust him to the death, who bath said, I will never fail thee nor forsake thee ; Heb. xiii. 5. If you would have other men honor your God and your religion, and desire to be such as you, you must really show them that you are on safer grounds, and in a happier state than they; and that you will hardly do, if you be not more comfortable than they, or at least settled in more peace and contentedness of mind, as those that have a certain cure for the fears of death, and the danger that ungodly men are in of the revenging justice of the final Judge. I confess it is possible for trembling, troubled, and distressed Christians to be saved. But O that they knewwhat a scandal they are to unbelievers, and what a dishonor to God, whom their lives should glorify 1 What man will fall in love with terrors and unquietness of mind? If. you would glorify God by your fears and tears, they must be such as are .accompanied with faith and hope and you must not only show men what would make you happy, if you could obtain it, but also that it is attainable. Hap- piness is every man's desire, and none will come W Christ unless they believe that it tendeth to their happiness: they take up with the present pleasures of the flesh, because. they have no satisfying apptehensions of any better. And if no man show the first-fruits of any better here, they will hardly believe that they may have better hereafter: it is too hard a talk tá put a poor drunkard, for- nicator, or a poor, covetous worldling on, to believe that a poor, complaining, comfortlessChristian is happier than he ; and that so sad and unquiet a life must be preferred before all his temporal voa. H. 59
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