Supplication, in which I do not mind his Greatnefs, Majefty, and Holinefs? Or, can I think, God is fo fond of answering my Request, that he matters not with what frame of Heart I approach his Throne? When the Primitive Chriftians, that certainly knew best what was to be done in order to Salvation, as having converfed with the Disciples and Apoftles of our Lord, when they confecrated that time, when their Spirits were moft lively to pious Exercises, and looked upon that Religion as dead, that had not Fervency for its Ingredient; Shall I hope to come off at a cheaper rate? Is the King Immortal, Invisible, Bleffed for evermore to be put off with the chips and fhavings of Devotion? Should not I give him the cream and marrow of my Endeavour, that hath greater Power over me than my Master, my Father, or my Prince? So great a God, and fo mean a Sacrifice? So infinite a Majefty, and fo pitiful a Prefent? Can I reflect with what zeal and fervour he is adored in the Manfions above, and can I put him off with Ice and Froft below? He makes his Angels Spirits, and his Ministers flames of Fire; Flames indeed; their Love, their Delight, their Obedience, burns bright and steady for ever; and fhall I not learn of

on Earth? Minifters above, to worship him

on Earth? Can I have better Tutors? Who fo fit to be my Schoolmafters, as they that wait upon the Almighty day and night? How deliberate, how circumfpect am I in my Addreffes to my King, and is not God a greater Prince than he? What is my careless Devotion, but mocking

of

of God; and my drowsy Prayer, what is it, but playing with him at whofe prefence the Mountains tremble? Am not I afraid of Vengeance; or can I think, God will fuffer a Wretch that lives upon his Mercy, and makes no better return, go unpunished? How juftly may he deny me his Grace and Affistance, who do not feek it more earnestly? How juftly may he fay, Depart from me, I know thee not, who am fo indifferent whether I enjoy the light of his countenance, or no? How justly may he refuse to be found by him, who feeks him as if his Favour deserved no pains or trouble? Strive, as it were for your Lives,to enter in at the ftraitGate, faith the great Redeemer of Man; and is this taking the Kingdom of Heaven by force, when I look upon it as a thing that may be had at any time, upon a Lord have mercy upon me? Is this wrestling and striving, when I fuffer any outward worldly concern, tho' never fo flight and trivial, to take me off from minding the great Concern of my Soul? Is this giving all diligence to make my Calling and Election fure, when I am infinitely more concerned how to fecure a fmall Sum of Money, than I am to fecure those Treasures which fade not away? My God is not weary of doing good to my Soul and Body, and fhall I be weary of Obedience? My Saviour was not weary of fuffering for me, and fhall I be a weary of adoring him? The holy Angels are not weary of attending me, and fhall I be weary of Love and Self-denial? Will God give a Reward to Men that stand yawning and stretching themselves in his Vineyard,

yard, unrefolved whether they shall work or no? A Reward indeed they fhall have, but such a Reward as Hypocrites receive, a Reward from which Good Lord deliver us. And am I fo ftupified that nothing of all this can move me, neither the Glory of God, nor the Interest of my Soul, nor all that can be said against my want of Zeal and fervency of Spirit?

Ah! I am to run for my Life, and shall I make ftops by the way, or look about, or think that by flow steps I am like to fave my self from the wrath to come? Death haftens, the Devils haften to make a Prey of me, and shall not I make hafte to escape their Talons?

Were these Reafons laid home by ferious Confideration, they would rouze the Soul from her Slumber, and make her fee how dangerous her Reft is, and how dear that Sleep will cost her fhe is for the prefent lull'd in, if it be not fuddenly difpelled and fcattered; but want of Confideration makes the careless Sinner fancy God a Being without Gall, one that hath no fense of Honour, and that is pleased with his indifferency in Religion, as well as himself : This is it makes him entertain very grofs, abfurd and unreasonable Conceits concerning that All-wife, moft Excellent, and moft loving Being, despise a Treasure of infinite Value, trample on the Pearl of Price, and forget what the hope of God's Calling is, and what the Riches of the Glory of his Inheritance is in the Saints.

He that miftrufts God's Providence limits the holy One of Ifrael; yet havel known fuch a Sin blown

blown away,and turned into heroick Confidence in God, by fuch ferious Ratiocinations as thefe; And am I indeed afraid of Want, and being deftitute of Neceffaries and Conveniences which other Men enjoy! Am I God's Creature, and can I think God will take no care of his Creature! He that fed the young Ravens, will he deny me my daily bread! He that gives all Creatures their Meat in due feafon, will he forget me when he unlocks his univerfal Store-house! He that opens his Hand, and satisfies the defire of every living thing, will he shut me out of the Number of the Living? He that cloathed the Lilies of the Field, will not he much more cloath me? Is God concerned for the meanest of his Creatures, and will not he be concerned for the nobleft Work of the Creation? Dolfee, how the Birds of the Air do all depend upon him, and the Sparrow that hath dined, and knows not where to get his Supper, yet chearfully waits upon God's Providence; and fhall not I? He that provides for Beafts and Fowls of the Air, and Fifhin the Sea,will he fhake off his Care and Thoughts of me? How impoffible is all this, if I believe God to be the great Preserver of Men? Nay, he that hath provided for me hitherto, why fhould I miftruft he will not provide for me for the future? Is his hand shortned, or his ftrength abated? Is not he the fame God now he was fome years ago? Is his Plenty decayed, or is God at a lofs how to supply me for the time to come? My unbelief, indeed, may make him hold his hand, and hinder him from doing any mighty work for me, but what can I

fear,

fear, if in the ufe of lawful means I throw my felf upon him? May be I get not what I would have; but if I get what he thinks fit for me, is it not much better? How often have I been in straits and exigencies, and God hath found out fome way or other to deliver me, and shall I, by my unbelief, hinder him from doing fuch another mighty work for me? If I trust him, I honour him, and fhew forth his Glory; and to fuch God cannot but fhew his Salvation. I do not want for the prefent, why fhould I believe I fhall want hereafter, when I know not whether I fhall live a day to an end? How careful is God of mine ease, when he would not have me trouble mine head with anxious Cares? What do I get by my immoderate carkings but torment of Mind? Is it not much sweeter to reft upon God's Goodness, and enjoy Content? I am never the nearer a supply, when I have afflicted and vexed my mind, and why should I put my Spirits into an Agony for nothing? Is this mistrustful Caring and Carking a Character of Heathens, and shall I apoftarize from Chriftianity, and turn Infidel? Is this the temper of Men that know not the true God, and fhall I difgrace my Religion,and imitate their Unbelief? Had not I better rely upon God's Word, who hath faid, I will not leave thee, nor for fake thee, than make my life a Hell upon Earth? With all my folicitous Thoughts I cannot add one Cubit to my Stature, and fhall I spend so much Labour and Industry in vain? What must the Spirits above think to fee me torment my felf about that I cannot help, and to fee me roll Sifiphas