272 The twelfth Sign PART M. nor profane in his Language, nor Slanderer, nor Lyar, nor Furious, nor Malicious, nor Reviler : He is falfely faid to be of a Converfation that becomes the Gofpel, who goes thus far and no farther ; but in order to -this, it is neceffary that he fhould allo be of a ferious, reli- gions, devout, humble, meek, forgiving, peaceful, refpe6tful, con- defcending, benevolent, merciful, charitable and beneficent Walk and Converfation. Without fuch Things as thefe, he don't obey the Laws of Chrift, and Laws that he and hisApoffies did abundantly infiil on, as of greateft Importance and Neceflity. 2. In order to Mens being true Chriftians, it is neceffary that they profecute the Bufinefs of Religion, and the Service of God with great Earneftnefs and Diligence, as the Work which they devote themfelves to, and make the main Bufìnefs of their Lives. All Chrift's peculiar People, not only do good Works, but are zealous ofgood Works ; Tit. 2. 14. No Man can do the Service of two Matters at once. They that are God's true Servants, do give up themfelves to his Service, and make it as it were their whole Work, therein employing their whole Hearts,and the chief of theirStrength ; Phil. 3.13. This oneThing 1 do. Chriffians in their eff anal Calling, are not called to Idlenefs, but to Labour in God's Vineyard, and fpend their Day in doing a great and laborious Service. All true Chriftians comply with this Call, (as is implied in its being an effectual Call) acrd do theWork of Chriftians ; which is every where in the new Teftament compared to thofe Exer- cífes, wherein Men are wont to exert their St, ength, with the greateft Earneftnefs, as Running, Wreftling, Fighting. All true Chriffians are good and faithful Soldiers of Jefus Chrift, and fight the good Fight of Faith : For none but thofe who do fo, do ever lay hold on eternal Life. Thofe who fight as thofe that beat the.4ir, never win the Crown of Vi&ory. They that run in a Race, run all ; but one wins the Prize; and they that are flack and negligent in their Coufe, do not fo run, as that they may obtain. The Kingdom of Heaven is not to be taken but by Violence. Without Earneftnefs there is no getting along, in that narrow Way that leads to Life ; and fo no arriving at that State of glorious Life and Happinefs which it leads to. Without earneftt Labour, there is no afcending the ffeep and high Hill of Zion ; and fo no arriving at the heavenly City on the Top of it. Without a con- ftant Laborioufnefs, there is no ffemming the fwift Stream in which we fwim, fo as ever to come to that Fountain of Water of Life, that is at the Head of it. There is need that we fhould watch and pray al- ways, in order to our efcaping thofe dreadful Things, that are coming on the Ungodly, and our being counted worthy to (land before the Son of Iilan. There is need of our putting on the whole Armour of God, and doing all to (land, in order to our avoiding a total Overthrow, and being utterly deftroyed by the fieryDarts of the Devil. There is need that
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