920 GODLINESS coMPARED TO A TRADE. Book IV. Rom. vii. 1 r. yet by thaLDeath he revived, and lived. A Man mufl: die to felf, or he can nevec live himfelf. (5.) God makes Men blind by giving Sight, and turns that Darknefs into Liaht· and is not this a Myfl:cry! 0 ' (6.) The Way to Honor and Exaltation, is to be abafed, and fuffer ourfelves to be trod up~n; this is opened alfo in the Perfon and Life of Chrift. To enjoy God's Favor, ts firfl: to bear Ius feemtng Frowns. And many fuch like Myfteries there are in Godlinefs. Sixthly; There is a Myftery in Ordinances, which thofe who follow this Trade lbould tmderftand, a Myftery in Baprifm, a My!lery in rhe Lord's Supper. But thefe Thinas I cannot enlarge upon tor want of Room. 0 Ufe r. Let all take heed they do not flight or reproach thefe Myfterie9. 2. Let them not think to underftand them in their own flelbly Wilaom. 3 . Let them labor to ger the Power and Operation of them upon their Hearts, and then they will elleem them, and lay, there is a Truth in what we affirm and teach. VI. He that would drive a Trade to gain by it, or thrive upon it, muft follow it clofeJy, he mufl: make it his chief Bufinds, nothing will be done in it to purpofc with– out Diligence. So every Chriftian, who would gain by the Trade of Godlinef1, mufl: keep clo!e to it, he mufr follow it Day and Night, and manage ir wifely, throucrhout all his other Aff•irs. Gocllinefs muft be followed without Intermillion, it mufr be ~very Day's Work; the Head, Heart, Hands, Feet, Time, Strength, Difcourfe, Contrivance, mufc be taken up about it. No Man can thrive in Godlinefs, if his Heart be not in ir. ·when thy HJnd is in the World, thy Heart lhould be in Heaven. V!1. ,He·that drives a Trade with Difcretion, muft rake heed he runs nor too far in Debt, and that he keeps his Books carefully, or elfe he may foon run out of all: So muft a Chriftian take heed he run not far in Debt. Debts will be contracted : In many 'J'hings we offend all: But be fi.tre to fee thefe Debts paid, left the Creditor come on a fudden upon thee. If any Man Sin, we have an Advocate, &c. 1 John ii. L Re– new Repentance every Day, and labor after frelh Acts of Faith; k<ep thy Accounrs even with God, obferve the Mercies thou receiveft from him, nod be fenfible of thy 'Faults and Mifcarriages. VIll. There is no Man that follows a great Trade, but ought to fee he hath a Stock fufiicient to truft; he that cannot Trufr, in fome Callings, flull have but a poor Trade: 'So a Chrifrian muft be careful to get a good Stock of Faith and_ Experience; for if a Saint cannot truft God, he will never make any Earnings of Godlinels. It is true, it behoves a Trader to take heed whom he rrufreth; fo it behoverh a Chriftian; he muft not rruft his own Heart, nor in his own Righteoulncfs, nor put too much confidence in Princes. We can never truft Men too little, nor God too much. IX. A man that would follow a Trade to Advantage, mufr be much at home, and keep hi> Shop, and, as the Proverb is, his Shop will keep him ; bur he that is more abroad 1han at home, will foon come to Beggary: So a Saint muft be much at home, and ketp his own Heart well. Some Profelfors are more abroad, fpying Faults in orher Men, than they are in takmg Notice of their own. X. A Man that drives a Tracle, ought to take heed he go nor behind-hand, and in– ftead of getting, 1ofe by his Trading: Sogught a Saint to take heed he go·not back– wards infread of gomg forwards, and lole IOftead of gatmng., 'J'hou haft loft thy firft Love. Rmmnber from whence thou art fallen, and repent, Rev. ii. 4, 15. XI. Some Men rrade upon other Mem Stocks, as Factors, Stewards, &c. And f11ch Traders are Chriftians, they trade upon Chrift's Stock, they regulate their Affairs by Chrift's Advice, they drive on Chrili's Intereft. All that Saints have is their Mafter's Money, .and it behoverh them to lay it our, that it may bring in the moft Increafe. Re– member all your Graces, Gifts, and t-emporal Goods too, are the Lord's. Xli. Some Trades require great Layings out; and if a Man is fparing in his Lay– ings out, he mufr expe.Cl his Comings in will be accordingly: So the Trade of Godli· nefs requires great Laymgs out. A Chnfnan, who w!ll not lay out hiS Strength, Ttme, and Parrs, and what he harh, tor God, will never grow rich in Faith and Godlinefs. XIII. Quick Returns arc the Life of a Trade, and animate a Man in his Calling and Bufinefs exceedingly: So qUJck Returns do·enhven and greatly encourage a Ch~·t{:.. uan
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