z72. Chap. zz. An expcfition upes the Rock of J O B. Verf. 27 . And (o the returne or anfwer of inch prayers ingageth us more ffrongly to duty. For wherefover the Lord fuw-eth, there he lookes to reap, and where he bath towed much, he looks to reap much ; but then and there chiefly, when we promife bim fruits of -duty for our receipt, offavour andmercy. Did we take noticeof this, we fhould not be fpund as we are fo much in arreare to the Lord, either for our privateor publique mercies? What promifes have we made in the day ofour diffrcffe? tharwe wouldbe holy, that we would ffrive againft and mortifie our finnes, or the deeds of the body through the Spirit & power of our Lord Jefus Chcift, Now let confcierce fpeake; have we performed our promifes nave we paid our vowes ? we canhardly fay that we have put up a prayer which bath not had an anfwerby blew rgsand fucceffes; God hash been tous a prayer hearing Jod;havewebeen to him a vsmpaingpeoplr ?Who amongff us is nowmore adivefor God? ormore careful! to pleafe him then before ? Who amongff us is more watchful over his heart,or more circumiped in his walking thenhe. was before ? Who is more careful! over his family, that it maybe holy ? or more zealous for the publicke,that it may be re formed, thenwas before ? What manner ofmen fhould we be inall holy converfation & Godlinefs,did we but pay thofe vowes and make good Chafe engagements which have gone out ofour lips, and we have layd upon our (elves before-theLo. d, in the day ofour trouble ? how juft, how pure, how righteous a Nation fhould we be were we what we promifed our utmoff endeavours to be the Lord hath donemuch forus; let us up and be doing for him ; let us make goodwhat we have fpoken to the Lord in vowing and promifing, feting the Lord bath performed what we have fpoken tohim in praying and calling upon his name. God bath anfwered usat the firfi call, yea fornetimes before we called; let us not put God to call a fecond and a third time, much leffe oftenand often for the payment ofour vowes. For though the Lord in - patience waitemanydayes for the payment ofvowes, yet according to righteoufnes we fhould not lethimwait one day for it. All theft fpiritualldebt bills arepayableat fight or span de wand ;God !hews us our own bills and bonds wherein we !land engaged co his Majeffy everyday, and every day (by fame or other ofhis.Atturne}es, that is, by Tome manes or ocher) be makes his demand, therefore pay to day,pay every däy, for we: can
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