Watts - Houston-Packer Collection BX5207.W3 S4x 1805 v.3

SECT. IIL) THÉ HAPPINESSOE SEPARATE SPIRIT$. Sot tèacheth in all good things:.. Be not. deceived, God is not mocked; for ivhatsoever a man soweth, that shall hé also reap For he that soweth to theflesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption ; but he that soweth to the spirit, shall of the spirit reap l f e everlasting. And let us not be weary inwell-doing ; for in due season we shall reap, ifwefaint not. When God distributes the riches of his glory amongst the saints in heaven, he pours them out in a large and bountiful manner upon those who have distributed the good things of this life bountifully to the poor : but he rewards the narrow-souled Christian with a more sparing hand. With the same design does the apostle encourage chris- tians to great watchfulness against sin and heresy, as welt as ministers to a solicitous cai.e of their doctrine and preaching : 1 Cor. iii. 12, 13, 14, 15. If any man build gold, silver, or precious stones upon the true foun- dation Jesus Christ, and raise a glorious superstructure Of truth and holiness, he shall receive a reward answer- able to his skill and care in building ; for hiswork shall stand, when it is tried by the fire of the judgment-day: But if he build wood, hay, and stubble.upon it, evil infe- rences, and corrupt practices, or trifles, fruitless contro- versies, idle speculations, and vain ceremonies; his works shall be burnt, and he shall suffer loss, shall obtain a far less recompence of his labour : Yet, since he has!laid Christ for the foundation, and-has taught and practised the fundamental doctrines and duties of Christianity, though mingled with much folly and weakness, he himself shall be saved; yet in so hazardous a manner as a man that is saved by fire, who loses all his goods, and just escapes with his life. When you hear St. Paul or St. John, :speaking of the last judgment, they give hints of the same distinction of rewards ; 2 Cor. v. 10. For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hash done, whether it be good or bad. Eph. vi. 8. Whatsoever good Thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive oftheLord, whether he be bond orfree ; Rev. xxii. 12. And behold, I come quickly andmy- reward is with me, to give every mean according as his work'shall be. Though the highest and holiest saint in heaven can claim nothing there by

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