364 Zre ;r25. anExpofition upon the Sookpf Jc, B. Chap, 36. But ifany ask, What are the ends of God in his work .a 1 anfvver, They are very various. Firfl,The chief end of all that Goddoth,is the advancement of his ownName and Glory. As he made all things for hinfelf in Creation, fo he Both all things for himfelf in Providence. That which is the fin of man is the holinefs of God, to feek himteIi. It is troll proper for God, who is the chief good, and whofe glory is the ultimate end of all things, o fet up hint-elf in all things(Prov. 16.4.) the Lord bath made all things for himPelf, faith Solomon. And the Apoftiefaith as much (Rom. r t.36.) Ofhim and through him, and to him, are all things : to whombeglory for ever, Amen. All things are of him, therefore all things fhouid return unto him. It we wouldmagnifieany work of God, we muff be fureto give him this end, the glory of it. Let it not fatisfie us, that we are advanced,or get up by the works of God,unlefs we our (elves advance his glory by them. Many advance themfelves, and are lifted up withpride, when Godworks for themor by them, net at all minding that which they fhould chiefly mind,the glorifying of God in&by what he bath wroughr,either for themfelvesor others. Secondly, God hark, this in deign, by all his works, to make us better. If it be a work of Judgment, it is tomake usbetter, and thenwe exalt his works of Judgement-, when we are bettered by them , when we are more humbled and weaned from the world by them. And as 'Cis the deignofGod tomake us better by his works of Judgment, fo by all his works of mercy. The Apoflle befetchethus by the mercies of God, to prefcnt par bodies ( that is,_ our whole felves) a living farmface, in all holy fervice to himfelf ( Rom. 12. I.) What will it advantage us tobe bettered in our outward enjoyments, by what God works or doth for us, unlefs- we learn tobe better,and dohis work better ? rlrtat is, unlefs our hearts be more holy,and we more fruitful inevery good word and work. Some will magnifie the wok of God by keeping a day of thankfgivibg, çíecaufe they are richer or greater by what God bath wrought for them, whoyet are not a whit more holy or fpi- ritual by ir. W© to thofewho magnifie the work of God becaufe they think it flail go better with them, when themfelves arenot better. Enquire therefore what lull bath the work of God mo- ved you to mortifie , what grace bath the work of trod put you upon die exercife of : They only indeed magnifie the work of God
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