OfDiligence in ourgeneral Vol.Ile ' I have infifted the longer upon this, that thofe who are thought to be above any Calling, and to have no obligation upon them, but to pleafe themfelves, may be made fenfible, that according to their ability and opportunity, they have a great work upon their hands, and more bufinefs to do than other Men; which if they would but feribully mind, they wouldnot only pleafe God, but I dare fay, fatisfie and pleafe themfelves much better than they clo in any otherrcourfe. I know it is a Duty particularly incumbent upon the lower part of Mankind, to be diligent in their particular Calling, that fo they may provide for themfelves and their Fa- milies ; but this is not fo proper for this place, and if it were, the neceffityof hu- man lifewill probably prompt and urge Men more powerfully to this, than any argument and perfuafion that I can ufe. I proceed therefore in the Second place, to offer fome confiderations to excite our care and diligencein this great work, whichGod hath given us to do in this World, I mean chiefly thebufi- nefs of Religion, in order to the eternal Happinefs and Salvation of our Souls. And to this purpofe, i flail offer five or fix Arguments, referving the great Mo- tive and Confideration in theText to the Taft, Becaufe, there is no work, nor de- vice, nor knowledge, nor wifdorn in the grave, whither thou goeft. I. Let us confider the Nature of our work, which is fuch, as mayboth excite andencourage our diligence and care about it. It is indeed a fervice, but fuch as is ourperfefl freedom ; 'tis the fervice ofGod, whom to ferve is thegreateft ho- nour that Man or any other Creature is capableof it is Obedience, but even Obe- dience, confidering our ignorance and frailty, is much wifer and fafer for us, than a total exemption from all Law and Rule; for the Laws which God hash given us, are not impofed upon us merely for his will and pleafure, but chiefly for our benefit and advantage. So that to obey and pleafe God, is in truth nothing elfe but to do thofe things which are really belt for our felves. Befides that this work of Religion will abundantly recompence all the labour and pains it can colt, if we confider the fruit and end of it, which is the Salvation of our Souls; fo St. Paul affures us, Rom. 6. 22. that if we have ourfruit unto ho- linefs, our end !hall be everla/ling life. Nay, this work doth not want its prefent encouragement and reward, if we confider the peace and pleafure which attends it ; Great peace, faith David, have they which love thy law, and nothing (hall of- fend them. ReligionBoth not defign to rob Men of the true delights of life, of any lawful pleafure and enjoyment, it onlyappoints them their due place, and fea- fon, and meafure, without which they cannot be truly tafteful and pleafant : If we snake pleafure and recreation our bufinefs, it will become a burden, and leave a"fling behind it; but if wemake it our great bufinefs to be good, and to do good, We !hall then take truepleafure in our recreations and refrefhments, we (hall eat our bread with joy, and drink our Wine with a merry heart, as Solomon expreffeth it, a little before the Text. Religion doth not .ordinarily debar Men of any content- ment, which they can wifely and fafely take in any of the enjoymentsof this life, but direfts us to do, thoib things which will yield the trueft and molt refined pleafure, and fo governs us in the ufe and enjoyment of worldly comforts, that there (hall be no bitternefs in them, or after them; and in truth, after all our fearch and enquiry after pleafure and happinefs, we find that there is no fo- lid and la(ling pleafure, but in living righteoufly and religioufly; and the plea- fure of this is fo great, that a Heathen Philofopher, fpeakmg of a virtuous life according to the true Precepts of Philofophy, breaks out into this rapture and tranfport concerning the wonderful pleafure of it, Vel unus dies vere & ex pra- ceptis tuis abissi peccandi immortalitati eft anteferendus, Evenone day truly fpent ac- cording to thyprecepts, is to be valued abovean immortality offinning. There is no life fo pleafant as that of the pious and good Man, who being contented with himfelf, every thing about him contributes to his chearfulnefs, Gratior it dies, Soles melius nitent, The day pa/feth more pleafantly, and the Sun fhines brighter to him; and every Objeft which he beholds is more delightful, becaufe the Man is at peaceand eafe within himfelf. Il. Let 2
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=