Ver. i o. the yth Chapter of St. JOHN. 119 Servants to be obedient unto their own Wert, and to pleafe them well in all things, not an- fwering again : Not purloining, but fbewing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the Do- Flríne of God our Saviour in all things. Godly Servants, what an Ornament .are they to the Golpel ! By the firft Inlets of Religion into a_ Family, it is made beautiful and lovely in the Eyes of Carnal Men, who efteem the Do&rine, by the Life and Practice of the Profeffors of it. Servants in chore days, were bought and fold like Beath. The Lord doth not efteem Men by the Places they hold, bit by their Carriage in them. 2. There is no Station fo private, but thou mayeft do fomething for Chrift, to bring up thy Children in the Nurture of the Lord, to infìruct thy Servants, thy Neigh bouts, thy Fellow-Servants. Zeal is like Fire, or like Leaven, it will Bread and dif- fufe it felf. - ObjelJ. 3. I have laboured, but to little purpofe. Anfw. Succefs is not thy Work, but God's: We mutt mind out Duty, and leave.the fuccefs to God ; we (hall not be refponfible for lack of Succefs, but want of Endea- vours. Ifa.49.4. Then I faid, 1 have laboured in vain, I have fpent my flrength for nought, and in vain ; yet finely my Judgment' it with the Lord, and my Work with my God. It was a complaint of Chrift himfelf, his Miniftry was without Fruir, yet not without Reward. We may have the Crown of Faithfulnefs, if not the Fruit. A Minifter is like a Fountain, that always runneth ; whether they will hear, or whether They will forbear. So muft you ad in your Families. Ol jea. 4. I was never called to Martyrdom. I doubt I (hall not glorify him. I Anfwer; t. With not for Troubles, but leave them to God ; and when they come, take up his Crofs. Simon of Cyrene was compelled; we muff not chuce out Crofs, but bear it Chrift himfelf did not carry his Crofs, till it was laid upon him ; we muff not Peek it, but take it up ; not brew our Cup, but drink it : When a Crofs meeteth us in our way, which we cannot efcape without Sin, or breach of Confcience, we muff bear it. 'a. There is feldoma time, when Religion is not difficult, and doth not put us bn tome Inconvenience, if not upon the Difpleafure Of a Magitirate, yet of Carnal Friends ; if not for Come main Truths of Chriflianity, yet for force of Chrifl's leffer Inftitutibns; prefent Truths ufually go crofs to Interdis. 3. The lets Trouble abroad, the more at home ; if you do not conflilt -with a naughty World, yet with a naughty Heart: There are Doubts in point of Comfort, Difficulties in point of Obedience. A Chriftian, in good earnele, never meeteth with a fleepy lazy time, all calm and reft. It is good to be jealous of our (elves; it doth not weaken our confidence inChrif, but our flefily fecurity. Objetl. q. But I have many felf ends, and do what I can, they will be itíterpoftng; and I can do nothing for Chritl, but am ready to be byaffed by Come carnal Aims. Anfw. It is impoffible to think to be without Failings, as to our Ends and Principles, as well as the manner of Duty: But a Chriftian is judged by his main fcope and purpofe of his Life. If this be the main thing, Chrift will own you, and intercede with God for you. SERM.
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