566 now TO DO GOOD TO MANY. others. To do good is to receivegood ; and yet he will reward such for doing and receiving. 5. Self-love, therefore, should persuade men to do good to all. You are not the least gainers by it yourselves. If you can trust Christ, sure you will think this profitable usury.. Is not a cup of cold water well paid for, when Christ performs his promise? And is it not a gainful loss which is rewarded in this life an hundred fold, and in the world to come with life eternal? Those that live in the fullest exercise of love, and doing good, are usually most loved, and many are ready to do good to them. And this exercise increaseth all fruitful graces; and.there is a pres- ent delight in doing good, which is itself a great reward. The love of others makes itdelightful to us; and the pleasing of God, and the imitation of Christ, and the testimonyof conscience, make it delightful. An honest physician is far gladder to save men's lives orhealth than to get their money. And an honest soldier is gladder to save his country than to get his pay. Every honest min- ister of Christ is far gladder to win souls than toget money or pre- ferment. The believing giver bath more pleasure than the re- ceiver ; and this without any conceit of commutative meriting of God, or any false trust to works for justification. 6. Stewards must give account of all. What would you wish were the matter of your true account, if death or judgment were to-morrow? Would younot wish you had dong all the good you could ? Do you believe that all shall be judged according to their works ? Did you ever well study that great prediction of Christ? Matt. xxv. And it is some part of a reward on earth, that men thatdo much good, especially that towhole nations, are usually honored by pos- terity, however they be rewarded by the present age. 7. Every true Christian is absolutely devoted to do good. What else is to be devoted to God, our Creator and Redeemer? What live we for, or what should we desire to live for, but to do good? But this exhortation is especially applicable to them that have . special opportunity. i. Magistrates are the capitals in the societies and public affairs of mankind. They are placed highest that they may havean uni- versal influence. Though it be too high aword to call them gods or God's vicegerents, (unless secundum quid) yet they are his officers and regent ministers ; but it is for the common good. In them God shows what order can do in the government of-the world. As the placing the same figure before many, doth accord- ingly advance its value in signification, so it is a wonder to note
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