The duty and obligations of serving God a sermon preach'd before the Queen at White-hall, July xxix, 1694 / by Christopher Wyvill ...
         Wyvill, Christopher, 1651?-1711.
      
       
         
           1694
        
      
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             The duty and obligations of serving God a sermon preach'd before the Queen at White-hall, July xxix, 1694 / by Christopher Wyvill ...
             Wyvill, Christopher, 1651?-1711.
          
           32 p.
           
             Printed by Tho. Warren for Walter Kettilby ...,
             London :
             M DC XCIV [1694]
          
           
             Running title: A sermon preached before the Queen.
             Contains half-title page with title: The Dean of Ripon's sermon before the Queen, July xxix, 1694.
             "Publish'd by Her Majesty's special command."
             Reproduction of original in the Cambridge University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Bible. -- O.T. -- Joshua XIV, 15 -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           THE
           Dean
           of
           
           RIPON's
           SERMON
           Before
           the
           QUEEN
           ,
           July
           xxix
           .
           1694.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           
             The
             Duty
             and
             Obligations
             of
             serving
             God.
          
           A
           SERMON
           Preach'd
           before
           the
           QUEEN
           ,
           AT
           WHITE-HALL
           ,
           JULY
           xxix
           .
           1694.
           
        
         
           BY
           
             Christopher
             Wyvill
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           And
           Dean
           of
           RIPON
           .
        
         
           
             Publish'd
             by
             Her
             Majesty's
             Especial
             Command
             .
          
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             Tho.
             Warren
          
           ,
           for
           
             Walter
             Kettilby
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Bishop's-Head
           in
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Church-Yard
           ,
           M
           DC
           XCIV
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           SERMON
           Preach'd
           before
           the
           QUEEN
           .
        
         
           
             Joshua
             xxiv
             .
             15.
             
          
           
             And
             if
             it
             seem
             evil
             unto
             you
             ,
             to
             serve
             the
             Lord
             ,
             choose
             you
             this
             day
             whom
             you
             will
             serve
             ,
             whether
             the
             gods
             which
             your
             Fathers
             served
             ,
             that
             were
             on
             the
             other
             side
             of
             the
             Flood
             ,
             or
             the
             gods
             of
             the
             Amorites
             in
             whose
             Land
             ye
             dwell
             ;
             but
             as
             for
             me
             and
             my
             house
             ,
             we
             will
             serve
             the
             Lord.
             
          
        
         
           THESE
           are
           the
           Words
           of
           Joshua
           ,
           which
           he
           spake
           to
           the
           Children
           of
           Israel
           ,
           after
           (
           by
           the
           Providence
           and
           Blessing
           of
           God
           )
           he
           had
           setled
           them
           in
           the
           Land
           of
           Promise
           .
           He
           had
           gathered
           all
           the
           Tribes
           of
           Israel
           together
           at
           
           
             Shechem
             ,
             and
             called
             for
             the
             Elders
             of
             Israel
             ,
             and
             for
             their
             Heads
             ,
             and
             for
             their
             Judges
             ,
             and
             for
             their
             Officers
             ,
          
           and
           they
           presented
           themselves
           before
           God
           ;
           and
           there
           did
           he
           recite
           unto
           them
           the
           Benefits
           which
           God
           had
           done
           unto
           them
           and
           to
           their
           Forefathers
           ,
           the
           Wonders
           which
           he
           did
           in
           the
           Land
           of
           Egypt
           ,
           and
           the
           fearful
           Things
           by
           the
           Red
           Sea
           ;
           how
           he
           had
           preserved
           them
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           delivered
           them
           out
           of
           the
           hand
           of
           their
           Enemies
           ,
           
             given
             them
             a
             Land
             which
             they
             did
             not
             labour
             for
             ,
             Cities
             which
             they
             built
             not
             ,
             Vineyards
             and
             Olive-yards
             which
             they
             planted
             not
             :
          
           And
           from
           thence
           he
           takes
           an
           occasion
           to
           exhort
           them
           to
           fear
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           to
           serve
           him
           in
           sincerity
           and
           truth
           ,
           
             and
             to
             put
             away
             the
             gods
             which
             their
             Fathers
             served
             on
             the
             other
             side
             the
             Flood
             ,
             and
             in
          
           Egypt
           ,
           
             and
             to
             serve
             the
             Lord
             only
             ,
             the
             onely
             true
             God
          
           ;
           and
           then
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           in
           the
           Verse
           of
           my
           Text
           ,
           
             If
             it
             seem
             evil
             unto
             you
             to
             serve
             the
             Lord
             ,
             choose
             you
             this
             day
             whom
             you
             will
             serve
             .
          
        
         
           By
           which
           manner
           of
           expression
           ,
           we
           must
           not
           conceive
           that
           it
           was
           his
           intention
           to
           leave
           it
           as
           an
           indifferent
           matter
           ,
           whether
           they
           served
           God
           or
           not
           ,
           or
           thereby
           to
           free
           them
           from
           the
           Obligations
           they
           already
           lay
           under
           of
           serving
           the
           Lord
           only
           ;
           but
           rather
           that
           it
           was
           his
           Design
           by
           these
           words
           ,
           to
           try
           and
           to
           prove
           their
           Inclinations
           and
           Affections
           towards
           the
           Almighty
           ,
           and
           to
           induce
           
           them
           by
           a
           wise
           and
           a
           deliberate
           Consideration
           ,
           to
           a
           Resolution
           of
           serving
           the
           Lord
           only
           ;
           and
           to
           bind
           them
           the
           more
           strictly
           to
           his
           Service
           ,
           as
           having
           of
           their
           own
           free
           will
           chosen
           him
           to
           be
           their
           God.
           The
           Service
           of
           God
           is
           a
           reasonable
           Service
           ;
           he
           would
           have
           men
           consult
           their
           own
           Reason
           ,
           and
           consider
           what
           they
           do
           ,
           and
           wisely
           and
           seriously
           to
           make
           choice
           of
           him
           .
        
         
           This
           it
           seems
           Joshua
           himself
           had
           done
           ,
           and
           by
           his
           own
           Example
           would
           excite
           the
           People
           to
           do
           the
           like
           ;
           for
           he
           acquaints
           them
           with
           his
           own
           Choice
           and
           Resolution
           upon
           the
           Matter
           :
           For
           
             as
             for
             me
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             and
             my
             house
             we
             will
             serve
             the
             Lord
          
           ;
           and
           a
           brave
           and
           a
           noble
           Resolution
           it
           was
           ,
           that
           although
           all
           others
           by
           a
           base
           Rebellion
           should
           Apostatise
           from
           God
           ,
           although
           they
           should
           choose
           them
           other
           Lords
           ,
           and
           make
           to
           themselves
           other
           Gods
           ,
           whilst
           others
           put
           themselves
           under
           the
           subjection
           of
           wild
           Passions
           and
           vile
           Affections
           ,
           serving
           divers
           Lusts
           and
           Pleasures
           ;
           yet
           he
           with
           his
           whole
           Family
           would
           serve
           the
           onely
           true
           God
           ,
           the
           great
           Creator
           and
           Lord
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           :
           And
           what
           was
           his
           Resolution
           at
           that
           time
           should
           be
           ours
           now
           ;
           for
           we
           have
           the
           same
           God
           to
           serve
           that
           he
           had
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           and
           yet
           far
           greater
           Motives
           to
           induce
           us
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           which
           makes
           his
           Example
           the
           more
           
           remarkable
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           inforcing
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           a
           soveraign
           Prince
           and
           Commander
           in
           chief
           of
           all
           the
           Hosts
           of
           Israel
           ,
           and
           yet
           neither
           the
           Charms
           nor
           the
           Troubles
           ,
           neither
           the
           Pleasures
           nor
           the
           Cares
           ,
           with
           which
           so
           high
           a
           Station
           is
           usually
           attended
           ,
           could
           keep
           him
           off
           from
           a
           vigorous
           prosecution
           of
           the
           great
           business
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           true
           Service
           of
           God.
           And
           when
           such
           as
           he
           ,
           when
           Princes
           and
           noble
           Persons
           ,
           when
           rich
           and
           great
           Men
           make
           an
           open
           profession
           of
           serving
           God
           ,
           when
           they
           make
           it
           their
           choice
           and
           their
           delight
           ,
           and
           their
           business
           ,
           what
           an
           excitement
           and
           encouragement
           must
           it
           be
           to
           inferiour
           people
           to
           do
           the
           like
           ?
        
         
           And
           indeed
           the
           Duty
           of
           serving
           God
           is
           so
           just
           ,
           and
           so
           reasonable
           ,
           the
           Obligations
           and
           Motives
           to
           it
           so
           many
           and
           so
           weighty
           ,
           that
           if
           we
           seriously
           consider
           the
           matter
           ,
           it
           will
           appear
           to
           be
           the
           wisest
           and
           the
           best
           choice
           that
           we
           can
           make
           .
        
         
           In
           discoursing
           therefore
           upon
           this
           excellent
           Subject
           ,
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           through
           God's
           assistance
           briefly
           to
           do
           these
           Two
           Things
           .
        
         
           
             I.
             To
             shew
             what
             it
             is
             to
             serve
             God
             ;
             and
          
           
             II.
             To
             shew
             what
             Obligations
             and
             Motives
             there
             are
             that
             can
             induce
             a
             man
             to
             resolve
             so
             to
             do
             .
          
        
         
         
           And
           may
           that
           great
           and
           good
           God
           whom
           we
           serve
           ,
           give
           such
           a
           Blessing
           upon
           what
           I
           shall
           now
           say
           ,
           as
           that
           his
           Name
           may
           be
           thereby
           glorified
           ,
           and
           our selves
           advantaged
           !
        
         
           I.
           Now
           then
           as
           for
           the
           First
           of
           These
           ,
           
             to
             serve
             God
          
           ,
           is
           not
           only
           to
           
             profess
             God's
             true
             Religion
          
           ,
           but
           
             to
             live
             according
             to
             it
          
           ,
           and
           to
           behave
           our selves
           in
           such
           a
           course
           and
           way
           of
           living
           ,
           whilst
           we
           are
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           as
           may
           evidence
           the
           sense
           we
           have
           of
           the
           great
           Majesty
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           Soveraignty
           over
           us
           .
           This
           in
           general
           is
           the
           meaning
           of
           serving
           God
           as
           it
           is
           taken
           in
           the
           largest
           sense
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           full
           extent
           ;
           for
           I
           shall
           not
           confine
           it
           to
           any
           one
           particular
           part
           of
           Piety
           ,
           but
           look
           upon
           it
           as
           it
           takes
           in
           the
           whole
           compass
           of
           Religion
           ;
           and
           that
           we
           may
           the
           better
           understand
           when
           we
           observe
           this
           Duty
           ,
           and
           when
           we
           decline
           from
           it
           ,
           I
           shall
           shew
           how
           we
           may
           serve
           God
           ,
           in
           what
           things
           God
           may
           be
           served
           by
           us
           ,
           and
           what
           are
           the
           proper
           Qualifications
           of
           That
           Service
           .
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           First
           then
           ,
           We
           serve
           God
           by
           obeying
           his
           Commands
           ,
           and
           by
           executing
           his
           Will
           and
           Pleasure
           ,
           in
           those
           things
           which
           he
           requires
           of
           us
           .
           For
           Obedience
           to
           the
           Commands
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           one
           great
           part
           ,
           nay
           the
           first
           ,
           the
           very
           chief
           and
           principal
           part
           of
           that
           Service
           which
           we
           owe
           him
           ,
           and
           which
           
           he
           ,
           who
           is
           resolved
           to
           serve
           God
           acceptably
           ,
           must
           be
           sure
           to
           mind
           ;
           without
           This
           our
           Service
           of
           him
           is
           very
           lame
           and
           imperfect
           ,
           or
           rather
           in
           truth
           nothing
           at
           all
           .
           There
           can
           be
           no
           better
           proof
           of
           Service
           than
           Obedience
           ;
           
             Know
             ye
             not
          
           ,
           saith
           
           St.
           
             Paul
             ,
             that
             to
             whom
             ye
             yield
             your selves
             servants
             to
             obey
             ,
             his
             servants
             you
             are
             whom
             you
             obey
             ?
          
           And
           it
           is
           his
           Advice
           ,
           that
           
             Servants
             should
             be
             obedient
             to
             their
             Masters
             :
          
           and
           therefore
           if
           we
           would
           approve
           our selves
           the
           true
           Servants
           of
           God
           ,
           we
           must
           heartily
           and
           sincerely
           endeavour
           to
           obey
           all
           his
           Commands
           ,
           whether
           they
           be
           against
           our
           present
           Inclinations
           and
           worldly
           Interest
           or
           not
           .
           With
           what
           chearfulness
           did
           the
           Servant
           of
           the
           Centurion
           in
           the
           Gospel
           conform
           himself
           to
           the
           Commands
           of
           his
           Lord
           ;
           who
           ,
           if
           he
           did
           but
           say
           
             Do
             this
          
           ,
           went
           instantly
           ,
           without
           any
           more
           adoe
           ,
           about
           it
           ?
           And
           should
           not
           we
           then
           testifie
           our
           Subjection
           to
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           and
           make
           as
           full
           proof
           of
           our
           being
           his
           Servants
           ,
           by
           yielding
           as
           great
           a
           deference
           to
           his
           Injunctions
           ?
           With
           what
           readiness
           do
           Men
           usually
           obey
           the
           Commands
           of
           their
           Masters
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           even
           sometimes
           in
           wicked
           and
           unrighteous
           Actions
           ?
           And
           should
           not
           we
           then
           as
           readily
           obey
           the
           Commands
           of
           the
           great
           Majesty
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           who
           commands
           us
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           just
           and
           reasonable
           ;
           nothing
           but
           what
           
           tends
           to
           our
           present
           and
           future
           Happiness
           ?
           If
           mortal
           and
           sinful
           Men
           expect
           entire
           Obedience
           from
           their
           Dependants
           ,
           upon
           the
           account
           only
           of
           their
           own
           bare
           Word
           ;
           how
           much
           more
           reasonably
           may
           the
           Eternal
           and
           Righteous
           God
           lay
           claim
           unto
           ,
           and
           expect
           the
           like
           Obedience
           from
           all
           of
           us
           ?
           If
           we
           pretend
           to
           be
           his
           Servants
           ,
           Him
           we
           must
           obey
           without
           dispute
           ;
           the
           least
           intimation
           of
           whose
           Commands
           (
           none
           of
           which
           can
           be
           any
           other
           than
           holy
           ,
           and
           just
           and
           good
           )
           is
           a
           sufficient
           Warrant
           for
           our
           immediate
           Compliance
           with
           them
           .
           And
           what
           those
           Commands
           of
           his
           are
           ,
           he
           hath
           so
           plainly
           ,
           and
           so
           fully
           revealed
           and
           declared
           in
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           that
           it
           must
           be
           our
           own
           fault
           if
           we
           are
           ignorant
           of
           them
           ;
           but
           then
           we
           must
           withal
           remember
           what
           our
           Blessed
           Lord
           hath
           told
           us
           ,
           That
           
             he
             that
             knoweth
             his
             master's
             will
             ,
             and
             doth
             it
             not
             ,
          
           
           
             shall
             be
             beaten
             with
             many
             stripes
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           the
           Commands
           of
           God
           are
           such
           as
           enjoyn
           some
           things
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           or
           forbid
           us
           the
           doing
           of
           others
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           would
           serve
           him
           as
           we
           ought
           do
           ,
           we
           must
           have
           a
           special
           regard
           to
           all
           these
           ;
           we
           must
           take
           care
           to
           perform
           all
           those
           things
           which
           he
           positively
           commands
           ,
           and
           decline
           from
           all
           those
           things
           which
           he
           expresly
           forbids
           ;
           he
           commands
           us
           to
           be
           
             holy
             as
             he
             is
             holy
          
           ,
           to
           be
           temperate
           
           and
           chaste
           ,
           charitable
           and
           kind
           ,
           upright
           and
           just
           in
           all
           our
           Dealings
           ;
           and
           he
           forbids
           Intemperance
           and
           Luxury
           ,
           Sensuality
           and
           Pride
           ,
           and
           all
           kind
           of
           Uncharitableness
           and
           Injustice
           one
           to
           another
           .
        
         
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           he
           commands
           us
           ,
           
             that
             denying
             ungodliness
             and
             worldly
             lusts
             ,
             we
             should
             live
          
           
           
             soberly
             ,
             righteously
             ,
             and
             godly
             in
             this
             present
             world
             .
          
           These
           are
           the
           Divine
           Sanctions
           and
           Edicts
           which
           
             are
             good
             and
             profitable
             unto
             men
             ,
          
           which
           tend
           to
           the
           Welfare
           and
           Happiness
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           which
           He
           ,
           our
           great
           Lord
           and
           Master
           ,
           doth
           expect
           and
           require
           should
           be
           observed
           and
           obeyed
           by
           us
           .
           And
           how
           then
           do
           they
           approve
           themselves
           to
           be
           his
           Servants
           ,
           that
           all
           along
           go
           contrary
           to
           these
           his
           just
           and
           equal
           Commands
           ?
           How
           can
           they
           hope
           to
           enter
           into
           their
           Master's
           Joy
           ?
           What
           can
           they
           expect
           hereafter
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           shall
           be
           cast
           ,
           with
           all
           such
           wicked
           and
           evil
           Servans
           ,
           into
           That
           place
           of
           
             utter
             darkness
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             weeping
             ,
             and
             wailing
             ,
             and
             gnashing
             of
             teeth
             .
          
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           Secondly
           ,
           We
           may
           serve
           God
           ,
           by
           promoting
           his
           Glory
           and
           Honour
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           by
           shewing
           ,
           upon
           all
           occasions
           ,
           a
           zealous
           and
           a
           prudent
           regard
           for
           it
           .
           An
           honest
           and
           good
           Servant
           ,
           that
           loves
           his
           Master
           ,
           will
           be
           ready
           to
           do
           such
           things
           as
           may
           tend
           to
           his
           Honour
           ,
           and
           further
           his
           Credit
           ;
           he
           will
           preserve
           and
           support
           his
           
           esteem
           so
           far
           as
           it
           is
           in
           his
           power
           ,
           and
           endeavour
           to
           vindicate
           and
           assert
           it
           when
           he
           finds
           it
           is
           assaulted
           .
           No
           less
           should
           the
           Servants
           of
           the
           Almighty
           God
           be
           concern'd
           for
           his
           Honour
           ,
           yea
           rather
           much
           more
           ,
           inasmuch
           as
           his
           Honour
           is
           far
           to
           be
           preferred
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           dearer
           unto
           us
           ,
           than
           that
           of
           any
           mortal
           Man
           :
           and
           therefore
           if
           we
           be
           resolved
           to
           serve
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           approve
           our selves
           unto
           him
           his
           true
           and
           faithful
           Servants
           ,
           we
           must
           make
           the
           Advancement
           and
           Preservation
           of
           his
           Glory
           a
           great
           part
           of
           our
           care
           .
           We
           should
           endeavour
           to
           promote
           his
           Glory
           and
           Honour
           in
           all
           Places
           ,
           and
           among
           all
           Persons
           we
           converse
           with
           .
           To
           the
           doing
           of
           which
           we
           have
           several
           ways
           and
           means
           that
           may
           conduce
           very
           much
           ,
           and
           we
           may
           meet
           with
           divers
           Occasions
           and
           Opportunities
           for
           it
           ,
           which
           ,
           without
           great
           Blame
           to
           our selves
           ,
           and
           wrong
           to
           God
           ,
           we
           cannot
           pass
           by
           ,
           or
           let
           slip
           from
           us
           without
           their
           due
           Improvement
           .
           To
           this
           end
           ,
        
         
           We
           should
           embrace
           and
           lay
           hold
           of
           ,
           or
           rather
           ,
           we
           should
           look
           for
           and
           seek
           out
           all
           fit
           Times
           and
           proper
           Occasions
           of
           speaking
           honourably
           of
           him
           ,
           publishing
           and
           declaring
           his
           noble
           Acts
           ,
           and
           praising
           him
           with
           our
           lips
           ,
           according
           to
           his
           excellent
           Greatness
           ;
           extolling
           and
           magnifying
           his
           holy
           Name
           ,
           for
           the
           great
           Works
           of
           Creation
           and
           Providence
           ,
           for
           his
           admirable
           Wisdome
           ,
           
           in
           contriving
           the
           Means
           of
           our
           Redemption
           ;
           for
           his
           great
           Mercies
           and
           Blessings
           at
           any
           time
           conferred
           upon
           us
           ;
           ascribing
           all
           happy
           Events
           ,
           and
           prosperous
           Successes
           to
           his
           Goodness
           only
           ,
           and
           rendring
           him
           all
           Praise
           and
           Glory
           for
           the
           same
           .
        
         
           We
           should
           testifie
           our
           Dependence
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           our
           Acknowledgment
           of
           his
           Dominion
           and
           Power
           ,
           by
           entirely
           submitting
           our selves
           to
           his
           blessed
           Will
           ,
           humbly
           expressing
           our
           Content
           and
           Satisfaction
           with
           our
           Allowances
           and
           Provisions
           ,
           those
           wages
           ,
           which
           he
           ,
           as
           our
           Master
           ,
           affords
           ●s
           ,
           as
           knowing
           him
           to
           be
           Lord
           of
           all
           ;
           patiently
           also
           enduring
           all
           Afflictions
           and
           Crosses
           ,
           those
           Corrections
           and
           Punishments
           which
           he
           shall
           think
           fit
           to
           inflict
           upon
           us
           ,
           as
           knowing
           that
           they
           come
           from
           him
           ;
           in
           all
           such
           Cases
           being
           ready
           to
           say
           with
           good
           old
           
             Eli
             ,
             It
             is
             the
             Lord
             ,
             let
             him
             doe
             what
             seem
             eth
             him
             good
          
           ;
           or
           rather
           with
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           
             not
             my
             will
             but
             thine
             be
             done
             .
          
        
         
           We
           should
           use
           with
           especial
           Respect
           all
           things
           peculiarly
           relating
           unto
           God
           ;
           such
           as
           are
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           which
           deliver
           to
           us
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ;
           the
           Holy
           Sacraments
           ,
           which
           convey
           to
           us
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           ;
           the
           Holy
           Places
           of
           God's
           Publick
           Worship
           ,
           those
           Places
           where
           his
           Honour
           dwelleth
           ,
           together
           with
           whatever
           else
           is
           dedicated
           
           and
           set
           apart
           for
           the
           peculiar
           Service
           of
           God.
           These
           we
           should
           never
           prophane
           ,
           speak
           ill
           of
           ,
           or
           misuse
           ;
           it
           doth
           not
           become
           those
           who
           make
           profession
           of
           
             Serving
             God
          
           ,
           to
           use
           these
           things
           any
           otherwise
           than
           with
           very
           great
           Esteem
           and
           Veneration
           ,
           because
           the
           Honour
           of
           God
           is
           very
           much
           concerned
           in
           the
           right
           ,
           or
           ill
           Use
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           we
           may
           be
           happy
           Instruments
           of
           glorifying
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           causing
           him
           to
           be
           glorified
           and
           honoured
           by
           all
           Persons
           ,
           we
           should
           heartily
           endeavour
           to
           promote
           the
           sincere
           Practice
           of
           P●●●y
           and
           Religion
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           for
           nothing
           can
           more
           naturally
           tend
           to
           
           God's
           Glory
           than
           That
           .
           'T
           is
           the
           universal
           Practice
           of
           Piety
           ,
           and
           the
           sincere
           Profession
           of
           
           God's
           true
           Religion
           ,
           that
           will
           make
           his
           Name
           venerable
           ,
           and
           cause
           it
           to
           be
           blessed
           and
           reverenced
           among
           Men
           ;
           when
           Men
           are
           eminently
           good
           and
           vertuous
           ,
           regulating
           their
           Lives
           and
           Actions
           according
           to
           the
           Laws
           of
           God
           ,
           they
           thereby
           make
           it
           manifest
           ,
           That
           they
           reverence
           his
           Authority
           ,
           which
           enacted
           them
           ;
           that
           they
           admire
           his
           Wisdome
           ,
           which
           contrived
           them
           ;
           that
           they
           dread
           his
           Justice
           ,
           which
           can
           punish
           Men
           for
           the
           neglect
           of
           them
           .
           There
           is
           a
           kind
           of
           Lustre
           and
           Brightness
           in
           the
           Works
           of
           Piety
           and
           Religion
           ,
           done
           with
           a
           good
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           in
           Obedience
           to
           
           God's
           Commands
           ,
           which
           cannot
           but
           attract
           
           the
           Eyes
           ,
           and
           captivate
           the
           Hearts
           of
           all
           Beholders
           ;
           which
           will
           make
           them
           clearly
           discern
           ,
           and
           openly
           acknowledge
           the
           great
           Excellency
           ,
           the
           awful
           Majesty
           ,
           the
           admirable
           Wisdome
           of
           our
           Law-giver
           ,
           will
           consequently
           induce
           them
           to
           magnifie
           and
           praise
           him
           .
           The
           Practice
           therefore
           of
           Piety
           and
           Religion
           ,
           if
           we
           resolve
           to
           serve
           God
           ,
           we
           should
           endeavour
           to
           advance
           and
           propagate
           ,
           by
           the
           best
           and
           the
           wisest
           means
           that
           we
           can
           ,
           by
           discountenancing
           Vice
           and
           Prophaneness
           ,
           by
           encouraging
           Vertue
           and
           Holiness
           ,
           by
           removing
           Mens
           Prejudices
           against
           it
           ,
           by
           recommending
           it
           to
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           from
           its
           great
           Worth
           and
           Loveliness
           ,
           its
           general
           Usefulness
           ,
           its
           absolute
           Necessity
           ,
           its
           solid
           Comfort
           and
           Peace
           ,
           which
           it
           brings
           to
           the
           Souls
           and
           Consciences
           of
           Men
           :
           but
           chiefly
           by
           practising
           it
           our selves
           ,
           and
           shewing
           a
           good
           Example
           ;
           for
           the
           World
           is
           very
           much
           led
           and
           guided
           by
           Example
           ;
           and
           when
           Men
           see
           others
           ,
           especially
           their
           Betters
           and
           Superious
           ,
           to
           be
           sincerely
           religious
           and
           good
           ,
           Men
           fearing
           God
           ,
           and
           serving
           him
           ;
           they
           will
           be
           apt
           to
           endeavour
           to
           be
           so
           too
           .
        
         
           Those
           Talents
           also
           with
           which
           God
           hath
           entrusted
           us
           ,
           (
           our
           Wit
           ,
           and
           Reason
           ,
           and
           natural
           good
           Parts
           )
           ;
           and
           those
           temporal
           Blessings
           which
           he
           hath
           confer'd
           upon
           us
           ,
           (
           our
           Wealth
           ,
           our
           Honour
           ,
           
           and
           Authority
           )
           ;
           we
           should
           make
           use
           of
           and
           improve
           for
           the
           Advancement
           of
           God's
           Glory
           ;
           in
           setting
           forth
           the
           Praises
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           promoting
           Works
           of
           Charity
           ,
           and
           doing
           good
           ,
           in
           bringing
           Religion
           into
           Credit
           and
           Esteem
           with
           Men.
           
        
         
           And
           as
           we
           should
           studiously
           and
           industriously
           endeavour
           to
           promote
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           our selves
           ,
           so
           we
           should
           express
           our
           just
           Grief
           and
           Resentment
           ,
           when
           others
           do
           contrary
           unto
           it
           ;
           and
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           we
           can
           ,
           we
           should
           vindicate
           and
           assert
           it
           ,
           and
           not
           patiently
           suffer
           the
           least
           Affront
           done
           unto
           Him
           ;
           otherwise
           we
           do
           but
           falsly
           usurp
           the
           Title
           of
           his
           Servants
           ,
           and
           become
           more
           like
           Deserters
           of
           him
           .
        
         
           Now
           by
           these
           ways
           and
           means
           we
           may
           eminently
           set
           forth
           God's
           Glory
           ,
           procure
           many
           Proselytes
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           Worshippers
           of
           him
           ;
           and
           render
           his
           Religion
           ,
           in
           the
           Eyes
           of
           all
           Men
           ,
           very
           lovely
           and
           acceptable
           :
           in
           doing
           of
           which
           we
           do
           really
           and
           truly
           serve
           God
           ,
           and
           God
           will
           accept
           of
           and
           own
           us
           for
           his
           Servants
           .
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           Thirdly
           ,
           God
           may
           be
           served
           by
           us
           ,
           by
           our
           being
           diligent
           and
           faithful
           in
           our
           several
           Vocations
           and
           Employments
           .
           For
           the
           whole
           World
           is
           but
           ,
           in
           a
           manner
           ,
           one
           great
           Family
           ,
           wherein
           God
           ,
           the
           great
           Master
           of
           it
           ,
           hath
           placed
           us
           all
           ,
           according
           
           to
           his
           good
           Pleasure
           ,
           assigning
           unto
           every
           one
           some
           particular
           Employment
           ;
           and
           he
           that
           with
           Diligence
           ,
           and
           Industry
           ,
           and
           Faithfulness
           doth
           his
           Duty
           ,
           in
           That
           state
           of
           Life
           in
           which
           God
           hath
           placed
           him
           ,
           doth
           therein
           serve
           God
           :
           and
           although
           some
           are
           placed
           in
           an
           higher
           Sphere
           ,
           and
           made
           more
           capable
           of
           serving
           God
           than
           others
           are
           ;
           yet
           all
           of
           us
           were
           design'd
           by
           our
           wise
           Master
           for
           some
           kind
           of
           work
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           in
           an
           inferiour
           Order
           ,
           that
           so
           no
           room
           should
           be
           left
           for
           Idleness
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           and
           though
           some
           have
           a
           nearer
           relation
           to
           God's
           Service
           than
           others
           ,
           and
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           nature
           of
           their
           Calling
           ,
           are
           more
           usually
           and
           properly
           honoured
           with
           the
           Title
           of
           
             God's
             Servants
          
           ,
           (
           such
           as
           are
           all
           
             chief
             Rulers
          
           and
           Magistrates
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Ministers
             of
             God's
             Holy
             Word
          
           and
           Sacraments
           ,
           both
           which
           sort
           of
           Persons
           are
           emphatically
           called
           the
           
             Servants
             of
             God
          
           ;
           those
           in
           governing
           and
           protecting
           ,
           these
           in
           teaching
           and
           instructing
           the
           People
           )
           :
           yet
           every
           honest
           and
           lawful
           Employment
           doth
           give
           a
           Man
           a
           Title
           to
           That
           Honour
           too
           .
           And
           what
           Calling
           or
           Profession
           soever
           a
           Man
           be
           of
           ,
           whether
           it
           be
           honourable
           or
           ignoble
           in
           outward
           Appearance
           ,
           yet
           if
           he
           do
           but
           prosecute
           his
           Business
           (
           provided
           that
           it
           be
           a
           lawful
           Business
           )
           industriously
           and
           diligently
           and
           faithfully
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Rules
           of
           
           Christian
           Prudence
           ,
           with
           Sobriety
           and
           Moderation
           ,
           he
           is
           even
           then
           about
           the
           
             Service
             of
             God
          
           ,
           although
           he
           seems
           most
           busie
           about
           his
           own
           Concerns
           .
           But
           ,
        
         
           (
           4.
           )
           Fourthly
           ,
           The
           last
           thing
           which
           I
           shall
           mention
           ,
           wherein
           God
           may
           be
           served
           by
           us
           ,
           is
           a
           Religious
           Worshipping
           of
           him
           ,
           which
           consists
           in
           putting
           up
           our
           fervent
           Prayers
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           hearty
           Praises
           of
           him
           ;
           supplicating
           his
           Mercy
           and
           Grace
           ,
           deprecating
           his
           Wrath
           and
           Vengeance
           ,
           calling
           upon
           his
           Holy
           Name
           ,
           and
           attentively
           reading
           or
           hearing
           his
           Holy
           Word
           ;
           and
           that
           not
           only
           publickly
           ,
           when
           we
           are
           in
           the
           House
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           privately
           also
           ,
           when
           we
           are
           secluded
           from
           Company
           :
           and
           all
           this
           is
           to
           be
           done
           in
           the
           most
           humble
           and
           devout
           posture
           ;
           the
           bending
           of
           our
           Knees
           ,
           the
           bowing
           of
           our
           Bodies
           ,
           the
           lifting
           up
           of
           our
           Hands
           and
           Eyes
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ;
           which
           are
           the
           most
           proper
           Acts
           whereof
           God's
           outward
           Worship
           doth
           consist
           ,
           and
           whereby
           we
           testifie
           our
           inward
           Acknowledgment
           of
           that
           Great
           and
           most
           Adorable
           Majesty
           which
           we
           come
           to
           worship
           .
           The
           doing
           of
           all
           which
           ,
           doth
           often
           of
           its
           self
           bear
           the
           Name
           of
           
             God's
             Service
          
           ;
           and
           indeed
           we
           cannot
           be
           truly
           said
           to
           serve
           him
           ,
           whilst
           we
           wilfully
           neglect
           ,
           or
           are
           very
           deficient
           in
           this
           Duty
           ;
           and
           he
           that
           never
           ,
           or
           perhaps
           but
           
           seldom
           ,
           doth
           thus
           worship
           the
           Lord
           his
           Maker
           ,
           he
           that
           is
           so
           intent
           upon
           his
           worldly
           Concerns
           ,
           as
           that
           he
           cannot
           ,
           or
           will
           not
           allow
           himself
           some
           time
           for
           the
           Publick
           and
           Private
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           doth
           not
           in
           truth
           
             serve
             GOD
          
           ,
           but
           Mammon
           .
        
         
           Now
           in
           these
           Particulars
           doth
           the
           Duty
           of
           
             Serving
             God
          
           chiefly
           consist
           ;
           which
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           be
           the
           more
           acceptable
           unto
           him
           ,
           should
           be
           attended
           with
           such
           Qualifications
           as
           these
           ;
        
         
           First
           ,
           With
           Reverence
           ,
           for
           we
           should
           continually
           carry
           about
           with
           us
           such
           an
           awful
           Sense
           and
           Apprehension
           of
           him
           ,
           as
           to
           make
           us
           walk
           humbly
           with
           him
           ;
           such
           honourable
           and
           worthy
           Thoughts
           ,
           as
           are
           suitable
           to
           the
           Eminency
           of
           his
           State
           ,
           to
           his
           Divine
           Perfections
           ,
           to
           all
           his
           wise
           Works
           and
           Actions
           ;
           such
           as
           are
           due
           unto
           ,
           and
           befitting
           the
           Majesty
           of
           so
           holy
           ,
           so
           pure
           ,
           and
           so
           glorious
           a
           God.
           
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           With
           
             Godly
             Fear
          
           ,
           not
           a
           servile
           or
           a
           slavish
           Fear
           ,
           such
           as
           the
           Devils
           and
           all
           wicked
           Men
           have
           (
           for
           in
           that
           respect
           we
           should
           serve
           God
           without
           Fear
           )
           but
           a
           Fear
           which
           proceeds
           from
           a
           Love
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           a
           Desire
           to
           please
           him
           ,
           such
           a
           Fear
           as
           makes
           us
           dread
           nothing
           more
           than
           to
           offend
           and
           displease
           him
           .
           And
           ,
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           With
           Gladness
           ,
           and
           
             Chearfulness
             of
             heart
          
           ,
           for
           it
           doth
           not
           become
           the
           Servants
           of
           God
           ,
           (
           the
           
           greatest
           and
           the
           best
           of
           Masters
           ,
           
             whose
             Service
             is
             perfect
             Freedom
          
           )
           to
           do
           his
           Business
           ,
           and
           to
           go
           about
           his
           Work
           ,
           with
           heavy
           and
           mournful
           Hearts
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           served
           a
           cruel
           and
           austere
           Master
           ;
           but
           rather
           with
           all
           the
           Chearfulness
           and
           Alacrity
           that
           they
           can
           .
           And
           God
           himself
           ,
           in
           several
           places
           in
           his
           Holy
           Word
           ,
           hath
           exhorted
           us
           to
           rejoice
           ,
           to
           
             be
             glad
          
           ,
           to
           
             delight
             our selves
             in
             him
          
           ,
           making
           it
           thereby
           sufficiently
           evident
           ,
           that
           to
           serve
           him
           with
           Gladness
           and
           
             Chearfulness
             of
             Heart
          
           is
           agreeable
           to
           his
           Will
           ,
           so
           as
           that
           we
           may
           
             serve
             God
          
           ,
           and
           
             be
             chearful
          
           too
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           having
           shewn
           what
           it
           is
           to
           serve
           God
           ,
           wherein
           That
           Duty
           doth
           consist
           ,
           and
           what
           are
           the
           proper
           qualifications
           of
           it
           ,
           I
           come
           now
           to
        
         
           II.
           The
           
             second
             thing
          
           which
           I
           proposed
           to
           do
           ,
           and
           that
           was
           ,
           to
           shew
           
             what
             those
             obligations
             and
             motives
             are
             that
             may
             induce
             us
             to
             resolve
             to
             serve
             him
             .
          
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           And
           first
           I
           shall
           begin
           with
           That
           which
           Joshua
           made
           use
           of
           as
           an
           Argument
           to
           engage
           the
           Israelites
           to
           the
           service
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           the
           consideration
           of
           the
           goodness
           of
           God
           and
           of
           those
           Blessings
           and
           benefits
           which
           we
           receive
           from
           him
           .
           And
           it
           is
           certainly
           a
           very
           enforcing
           Argument
           that
           carries
           weight
           ,
           and
           strength
           ,
           and
           reason
           along
           with
           it
           .
           The
           consideration
           of
           the
           Mercy
           ,
           of
           the
           Favour
           ,
           
           of
           the
           goodness
           of
           God
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           accounted
           a
           great
           motive
           to
           do
           him
           service
           ,
           and
           cannot
           but
           be
           very
           prevalent
           with
           those
           that
           have
           any
           ingenuity
           or
           sense
           of
           gratitude
           in
           them
           .
           For
           who
           but
           he
           that
           is
           a
           stupid
           ungrateful
           Man
           ,
           will
           kick
           and
           spurn
           at
           his
           best
           Friend
           ,
           will
           refuse
           to
           do
           him
           any
           service
           ,
           will
           not
           use
           his
           best
           endeavours
           to
           fulfil
           the
           will
           and
           pleasure
           of
           such
           a
           Benefactor
           as
           hath
           done
           him
           the
           greatest
           Kindnesses
           ;
           and
           is
           still
           able
           and
           ready
           to
           do
           him
           more
           ?
        
         
           Now
           the
           Benefits
           and
           Blessings
           which
           our
           most
           merciful
           God
           hath
           confer'd
           upon
           Mankind
           ,
           are
           many
           and
           great
           .
           We
           owe
           our
           Life
           and
           our
           present
           Being
           to
           him
           ;
           all
           this
           great
           and
           beautiful
           World
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Comforts
           and
           Conveniencies
           we
           enjoy
           in
           it
           ,
           proceed
           solely
           from
           his
           Goodness
           .
           There
           is
           nothing
           that
           we
           have
           ,
           which
           may
           be
           for
           the
           Pleasure
           and
           Content
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           for
           the
           Help
           and
           Support
           of
           Man
           ,
           which
           comes
           not
           most
           liberally
           from
           him
           .
           We
           all
           live
           upon
           his
           Provisions
           ,
           and
           are
           sustain'd
           by
           his
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           preserved
           by
           his
           Bounty
           .
           The
           air
           wherein
           we
           breathe
           ,
           the
           ground
           whereon
           we
           tread
           ,
           the
           comfortable
           influence
           of
           the
           Sun
           ,
           the
           Moon
           and
           the
           Stars
           ,
           all
           the
           Happiness
           which
           we
           now
           have
           ,
           or
           may
           hope
           for
           hereafter
           ;
           all
           these
           are
           the
           Effects
           of
           his
           great
           love
           to
           us
           .
           Every
           where
           we
           meet
           with
           sensible
           demonstrations
           
           of
           his
           Kindness
           ,
           in
           every
           moment
           of
           our
           Lives
           we
           have
           great
           pledges
           of
           his
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           ;
           nay
           (
           That
           which
           is
           the
           greatest
           Endearment
           of
           all
           ,
           and
           which
           aloud
           proclaims
           his
           Love
           and
           Favour
           to
           the
           Sons
           of
           Men
           )
           he
           hath
           given
           his
           only
           Son
           to
           die
           for
           us
           .
           And
           now
           what
           shall
           we
           
             render
             unto
             the
             Lord
             for
             all
             the
             benefits
             he
             hath
             done
             unto
             us
             ?
          
           He
           requires
           our
           Service
           ,
           and
           we
           shall
           be
           vilely
           ungrateful
           if
           we
           yield
           it
           not
           unto
           him
           .
           Shall
           we
           repay
           all
           his
           Goodness
           with
           disrespect
           to
           him
           ,
           or
           disregard
           of
           him
           ?
           shall
           we
           slight
           his
           Commands
           ,
           and
           be
           disobedient
           unto
           his
           Will
           ,
           or
           turn
           our
           backs
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           refuse
           to
           do
           him
           Service
           ?
           If
           we
           thus
           requite
           the
           Lord
           ,
           may
           we
           not
           be
           truly
           called
           in
           the
           Language
           of
           
             Moses
             ,
             Foolish
             people
             and
             unwise
             ?
          
           O
           let
           us
           in
           the
           abundance
           of
           the
           Mercies
           we
           injoy
           look
           up
           to
           Almighty
           God
           the
           great
           Author
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           let
           the
           repeated
           acts
           of
           his
           Goodness
           and
           Bounty
           prevail
           with
           us
           to
           do
           him
           Service
           !
           The
           Goodness
           of
           God
           extendeth
           it self
           to
           all
           the
           Corners
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           who
           dispenseth
           the
           temporal
           Blessings
           and
           Comforts
           of
           this
           Life
           (
           although
           not
           equally
           ,
           yet
           )
           so
           universally
           and
           justly
           ,
           as
           that
           he
           that
           has
           least
           of
           them
           has
           enough
           to
           oblige
           him
           to
           serve
           God
           faithfully
           all
           the
           days
           of
           his
           Life
           .
           But
           then
           ,
           as
           for
           those
           that
           have
           a
           greater
           share
           of
           the
           
           Blessings
           and
           Mercies
           of
           God
           ,
           they
           that
           have
           an
           affluence
           of
           these
           Worldly
           goods
           ,
           what
           an
           Engagement
           do
           they
           lie
           under
           to
           this
           duty
           ?
           When
           God
           extendeth
           his
           bountiful
           hand
           in
           affording
           us
           an
           abundance
           of
           good
           things
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           to
           add
           superfluities
           to
           the
           necessities
           of
           nature
           ;
           This
           lays
           still
           a
           greater
           obligation
           upon
           us
           to
           do
           him
           service
           .
           He
           therefore
           whom
           God
           hath
           raised
           to
           an
           higher
           degree
           in
           Wealth
           and
           Honour
           than
           other
           Men
           ,
           is
           infinitely
           bound
           for
           the
           plentiful
           accommodations
           and
           comforts
           of
           his
           Life
           ,
           to
           be
           more
           diligent
           and
           faithful
           in
           serving
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           employ
           all
           the
           Advantages
           of
           his
           State
           to
           advance
           the
           Honour
           of
           his
           munificent
           Benefactour
           ,
           to
           whose
           good
           Providence
           alone
           he
           doth
           owe
           them
           ,
           from
           whose
           Goodness
           only
           he
           receives
           them
           .
        
         
           But
           we
           should
           not
           only
           consider
           our
           own
           private
           Blessings
           ,
           but
           those
           also
           which
           God
           hath
           conferred
           on
           the
           Publick
           ,
           obliging
           thereby
           every
           particular
           Member
           thereof
           to
           a
           dutiful
           Observance
           towards
           him
           ;
           for
           we
           should
           not
           be
           so
           narrow-spirited
           ,
           as
           to
           respect
           only
           our
           own
           private
           Advantages
           ,
           but
           should
           withal
           regard
           those
           of
           the
           Publick
           ,
           of
           which
           every
           Man
           is
           a
           Part
           ;
           and
           (
           if
           it
           be
           not
           through
           his
           own
           Demerit
           )
           may
           partake
           of
           the
           Happiness
           and
           Prosperity
           of
           it
           .
           And
           among
           all
           the
           many
           Mercies
           ,
           with
           which
           
           God
           hath
           blessed
           this
           Nation
           ,
           certainly
           it
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           accounted
           one
           of
           the
           least
           considerable
           ,
           That
           at
           present
           we
           enjoy
           the
           great
           blessing
           of
           Peace
           amongst
           our selves
           at
           home
           ,
           although
           we
           are
           engaged
           in
           a
           just
           War
           with
           our
           Enemies
           abroad
           .
           And
           if
           we
           consider
           that
           there
           are
           a
           great
           many
           who
           would
           willingly
           disturb
           this
           our
           Peace
           ,
           but
           through
           the
           good
           Providence
           of
           God
           are
           withheld
           from
           doing
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           are
           not
           exposed
           to
           those
           Miseries
           and
           Devastations
           under
           which
           our
           Neighbouring
           Countries
           do
           groan
           ,
           which
           are
           now
           made
           the
           Seat
           of
           the
           War
           ;
           if
           we
           call
           to
           mind
           the
           many
           Providential
           and
           Wonderful
           Deliverances
           we
           have
           had
           from
           the
           restless
           but
           fruitless
           Endeavours
           of
           our
           Enemies
           to
           subvert
           and
           ruin
           us
           ;
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           if
           we
           reflect
           upon
           the
           happiness
           we
           have
           ,
           in
           enjoying
           the
           freedom
           of
           our
           Laws
           ,
           together
           with
           all
           our
           just
           Rights
           and
           Privileges
           ,
           whether
           we
           consider
           the
           Mercies
           of
           the
           past
           ,
           or
           of
           the
           present
           Age
           ,
           we
           cannot
           but
           thankfully
           acknowledge
           ,
           that
           the
           goodness
           of
           God
           hath
           been
           great
           towards
           us
           ;
           and
           if
           the
           consideration
           of
           these
           things
           cannot
           prevail
           with
           us
           to
           serve
           him
           in
           truth
           ,
           and
           with
           all
           our
           hearts
           ,
           how
           righteous
           a
           Controversy
           with
           us
           hath
           ,
           not
           only
           his
           Justice
           ,
           but
           ,
           his
           very
           Grace
           and
           Mercy
           ?
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           But
           farther
           ,
           we
           have
           another
           Obligation
           and
           a
           strong
           Motive
           to
           serve
           God
           ,
           arising
           from
           the
           
           consideration
           of
           the
           Divine
           Perfections
           those
           glorious
           Attributes
           which
           reside
           in
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           and
           whereby
           he
           hath
           been
           pleas'd
           to
           make
           himself
           known
           to
           us
           ,
           the
           which
           do
           demand
           the
           Observance
           of
           this
           Duty
           from
           us
           ,
           and
           are
           of
           themselves
           perswasives
           sufficient
           enough
           to
           excite
           Men
           to
           it
           ,
           whether
           they
           receive
           good
           or
           evil
           at
           his
           hands
           .
           Although
           God
           should
           not
           exert
           his
           goodness
           in
           conferring
           External
           Blessings
           upon
           us
           ,
           although
           he
           should
           withhold
           even
           good
           things
           from
           us
           ,
           and
           inflict
           on
           us
           evils
           ,
           as
           great
           as
           were
           those
           of
           Job
           ,
           yet
           he
           is
           infinitely
           worthy
           of
           all
           the
           service
           that
           either
           Men
           or
           Angels
           can
           do
           unto
           him
           .
           His
           absolute
           ,
           and
           entire
           ,
           and
           compleat
           Perfections
           ,
           do
           indispensably
           require
           it
           of
           us
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           we
           can
           do
           in
           serving
           him
           ,
           is
           but
           of
           right
           due
           unto
           him
           .
           For
           he
           is
           a
           God
           (
           and
           there
           is
           none
           else
           beside
           him
           )
           of
           Infinite
           Majesty
           ,
           Power
           and
           Might
           ,
           of
           Infinite
           Wisdom
           ,
           Justice
           and
           Mercy
           ,
           Righteousness
           and
           Truth
           .
           
             He
             is
             That
             high
             and
             lofty
             one
             that
             inhabiteth
             Eternity
             ,
             whose
             name
             is
             Holy
          
           ;
           He
           ruleth
           all
           things
           both
           in
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ,
           and
           governs
           the
           World
           by
           an
           Infinite
           Wisdom
           and
           Infinite
           Goodness
           ;
           his
           Majesty
           is
           so
           Wonderful
           ,
           that
           the
           Angels
           themselves
           in
           Presence
           of
           it
           do
           hide
           their
           Faces
           ,
           and
           the
           Devils
           for
           fear
           of
           it
           do
           shake
           and
           tremble
           .
           And
           what
           kind
           of
           persons
           then
           are
           they
           ,
           that
           in
           Contemplation
           of
           so
           Excellent
           and
           so
           Glorious
           a
           Being
           ,
           can
           refuse
           to
           serve
           him
           with
           their
           utmost
           Power
           ?
        
         
         
           (
           3.
           )
           Besides
           we
           should
           consider
           that
           we
           are
           obliged
           to
           this
           Duty
           by
           the
           Example
           of
           all
           the
           rest
           of
           our
           Fellow-Creatures
           ;
           who
           ,
           if
           we
           should
           be
           neglectful
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           deficient
           in
           it
           ,
           might
           all
           upbraid
           us
           for
           it
           .
           For
           do
           we
           not
           see
           ,
           how
           all
           the
           Creatures
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           all
           the
           Works
           of
           God
           ,
           though
           never
           so
           much
           void
           of
           Sense
           and
           Reason
           ,
           do
           bear
           their
           parts
           in
           serving
           the
           Author
           of
           their
           Being
           ;
           inasmuch
           as
           they
           prosecute
           the
           design
           for
           which
           he
           made
           them
           ?
           And
           if
           we
           Men
           ,
           whom
           God
           hath
           endow'd
           with
           Reason
           and
           Judgment
           ,
           whom
           he
           hath
           every
           way
           qualified
           and
           made
           fit
           for
           his
           Service
           ;
           if
           we
           should
           not
           have
           a
           share
           in
           this
           high
           and
           most
           important
           Work
           ,
           how
           justly
           might
           our
           Stupidity
           be
           reproved
           by
           their
           Subjection
           ?
        
         
           (
           4.
           )
           We
           should
           also
           further
           consider
           ,
           what
           just
           Right
           and
           Title
           God
           Almighty
           hath
           to
           our
           best
           services
           .
           We
           are
           or
           should
           be
           his
           Servants
           by
           Right
           of
           Creation
           ,
           for
           
             He
             hath
             made
             us
             ,
             and
             not
             we
             our selves
          
           ;
           by
           Right
           of
           Purchace
           and
           Redemption
           ,
           for
           he
           hath
           bought
           us
           and
           redeemed
           us
           ,
           not
           
             with
             corruptible
             things
             ,
             as
             silver
             and
             gold
             ,
             but
             with
             the
             precious
             Blood
             of
             Christ
          
           ;
           by
           Right
           of
           Conquest
           and
           Deliverance
           ;
           for
           God
           ,
           by
           sending
           his
           Son
           to
           die
           for
           us
           ,
           conquer'd
           Sin
           ,
           and
           Satan
           ,
           and
           Hell
           ,
           and
           hath
           delivered
           us
           out
           of
           their
           Power
           and
           Rage
           ;
           that
           
             we
             ,
             being
             delivered
             such
             Enemies
             ,
             might
             serve
             him
             without
             fear
             in
             Holiness
             and
             Righteousness
             before
             him
             all
             the
             days
             of
             our
             life
             .
          
           He
           
           therefore
           having
           such
           and
           so
           great
           Right
           ,
           and
           so
           many
           ,
           and
           so
           strong
           Titles
           to
           our
           Service
           ,
           how
           can
           we
           with-hold
           it
           from
           him
           ?
           If
           we
           are
           obliged
           to
           give
           
             unto
             Caesar
             the
             things
             that
             are
             Caesar's
             ,
          
           why
           should
           we
           not
           give
           
             unto
             God
          
           what
           doth
           so
           justly
           belong
           unto
           him
           ?
           In
           not
           doing
           of
           which
           we
           shall
           be
           unjust
           and
           sacrilegious
           in
           the
           highest
           degree
           .
        
         
           (
           5.
           )
           To
           this
           we
           may
           also
           add
           that
           it
           is
           an
           honourable
           thing
           to
           serve
           God
           ,
           the
           best
           and
           the
           noblest
           Employment
           ,
           That
           which
           is
           the
           proper
           work
           of
           reason
           ,
           That
           wherein
           consisteth
           the
           greatest
           Honour
           ,
           and
           from
           whence
           doth
           redound
           the
           truest
           Glory
           that
           the
           Sons
           of
           Men
           can
           be
           capable
           of
           .
           'T
           is
           not
           a
           service
           which
           we
           need
           be
           ashamed
           of
           ,
           or
           blush
           to
           own
           ,
           or
           seek
           to
           decline
           ,
           but
           rather
           such
           as
           we
           have
           the
           greatest
           reason
           in
           the
           World
           to
           be
           glad
           and
           proud
           of
           .
           'T
           is
           an
           Employment
           that
           ennobles
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           wherein
           the
           Angels
           themselves
           do
           rejoice
           and
           glory
           .
        
         
           The
           wisest
           and
           the
           best
           of
           Men
           ,
           have
           all
           along
           esteem'd
           it
           a
           great
           title
           of
           Honour
           to
           be
           stiled
           the
           Servants
           of
           God.
           St.
           Paul
           in
           his
           Epistle
           to
           Titus
           calls
           himself
           the
           
             Servant
             of
             God
          
           ;
           and
           the
           Epistle
           of
           St.
           James
           begins
           thus
           ,
           
             James
             the
             servant
             of
             God
          
           ;
           and
           Moses
           who
           was
           a
           great
           Prince
           ,
           and
           a
           Ruler
           under
           God
           of
           all
           the
           Tribes
           of
           Israel
           ,
           hath
           this
           honourable
           Character
           given
           of
           him
           (
           as
           also
           Joshua
           his
           immediate
           
           Successor
           had
           )
           
             that
             he
             was
             the
             servant
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           and
           (
           that
           I
           may
           mention
           no
           more
           of
           this
           kind
           )
           David
           himself
           ,
           who
           was
           an
           Anointed
           King
           ,
           in
           many
           places
           of
           the
           Book
           of
           Psalms
           ,
           makes
           mention
           of
           his
           being
           the
           
             servant
             of
             God
          
           ,
           as
           a
           matter
           wherein
           his
           greatest
           Glory
           and
           Renown
           did
           consist
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           't
           is
           That
           which
           adds
           a
           Lustre
           and
           a
           Glory
           to
           the
           Crowns
           of
           Princes
           ,
           and
           makes
           them
           shine
           with
           the
           greater
           Brightness
           ;
           't
           is
           That
           which
           advanceth
           the
           poor
           Man
           to
           an
           high
           Degree
           in
           the
           Love
           and
           Favour
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           which
           adorns
           and
           beautifies
           the
           Soul
           ,
           more
           than
           all
           the
           external
           Appendages
           of
           State
           and
           Grandeur
           ,
           without
           it
           ,
           can
           set
           off
           ,
           or
           advantage
           the
           Body
           :
           't
           is
           That
           only
           which
           can
           make
           the
           rich
           Men
           truly
           honourable
           ,
           and
           gain
           them
           the
           truest
           Esteem
           and
           Veneration
           .
           
             Them
             that
             honour
             me
          
           (
           saith
           God
           )
           
             I
             will
             honour
             ,
             and
             they
             that
             despise
             me
             shall
             be
             lightly
             esteemed
             .
          
           To
           serve
           God
           ,
           is
           to
           honour
           him
           ;
           and
           they
           that
           do
           so
           shall
           be
           honour'd
           by
           him
           :
           not
           to
           serve
           God
           ,
           is
           to
           despise
           him
           ;
           and
           they
           that
           do
           so
           shall
           be
           rejected
           of
           him
           .
           Honour
           and
           Esteem
           ,
           both
           with
           God
           and
           Men
           ,
           do
           constantly
           attend
           the
           Observance
           of
           this
           Duty
           ;
           Disreputation
           and
           
             everlasting
             Contempt
          
           are
           the
           natural
           Consequents
           of
           neglecting
           it
           .
        
         
           Being
           therefore
           that
           all
           Men
           are
           naturally
           desirous
           of
           Honour
           ,
           being
           nothing
           can
           be
           a
           greater
           Honour
           to
           us
           ,
           than
           to
           be
           employ'd
           in
           the
           Service
           of
           
           God
           ,
           why
           should
           not
           this
           be
           one
           good
           Motive
           to
           induce
           a
           Man
           to
           resolve
           to
           serve
           him
           ?
        
         
           (
           6.
           )
           And
           then
           we
           should
           consider
           farther
           ,
           in
           the
           
             last
             place
          
           ,
           that
           our
           State
           ,
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           is
           not
           of
           a
           very
           long
           continuance
           ;
           our
           Life
           is
           upon
           the
           wing
           ,
           and
           every
           moment
           hasting
           to
           its
           Period
           ;
           every
           day
           that
           we
           live
           ,
           we
           draw
           nearer
           to
           our
           End
           ;
           and
           many
           Instances
           of
           Mortality
           we
           meet
           with
           ,
           which
           may
           put
           us
           in
           mind
           of
           our
           Death
           .
           But
           then
           what
           will
           become
           of
           us
           in
           the
           other
           World
           ,
           if
           our
           Life
           be
           not
           spent
           in
           the
           Service
           of
           God
           in
           this
           ?
           We
           are
           sure
           that
           we
           shall
           not
           be
           eternally
           extinct
           ,
           like
           the
           Beasts
           that
           perish
           ,
           we
           shall
           not
           cease
           to
           have
           a
           Being
           ,
           even
           when
           we
           are
           departed
           hence
           ,
           but
           we
           shall
           assuredly
           live
           either
           in
           Eternal
           Misery
           ,
           or
           Eternal
           Happiness
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           no
           way
           for
           the
           avoiding
           the
           one
           or
           obtaining
           the
           other
           ,
           than
           by
           serving
           God
           whilst
           we
           are
           on
           this
           side
           the
           Grave
           .
           If
           we
           serve
           Sin
           ,
           the
           wages
           we
           shall
           reap
           thereby
           (
           besides
           the
           terrours
           of
           an
           afflicted
           Conscience
           )
           will
           be
           Eternal
           Death
           ,
           That
           will
           be
           our
           Misery
           ;
           
             but
             if
             ,
             being
             made
             free
             from
             sin
             ,
             we
             become
             the
             servants
             of
             God
             ,
             we
             shall
             have
             our
             fruit
             unto
             holiness
             ,
             and
             ,
             the
             end
             ,
          
           (
           besides
           the
           comforts
           of
           a
           good
           Conscience
           )
           
             everlasting
             life
          
           ,
           (
           Rom.
           6.
           22.
           
           )
           that
           will
           be
           our
           Happiness
           and
           our
           everlasting
           Reward
           .
           This
           whosoever
           doth
           seriously
           consider
           ,
           he
           must
           be
           egregiously
           stupid
           and
           senseless
           ,
           if
           he
           prefers
           not
           the
           Service
           of
           God
           
           to
           all
           the
           vain
           Pleasures
           and
           Enjoyments
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           chuseth
           rather
           to
           serve
           him
           faithfully
           whilst
           he
           lives
           here
           ,
           than
           ,
           by
           neglecting
           so
           to
           do
           ,
           to
           run
           the
           hazard
           of
           being
           eternally
           miserable
           hereafter
           .
           We
           know
           not
           how
           soon
           we
           may
           die
           ,
           and
           go
           into
           another
           World
           ;
           and
           we
           shall
           be
           very
           unwise
           ,
           if
           we
           take
           not
           care
           that
           our
           portion
           may
           be
           amongst
           the
           Blessed
           ,
           even
           in
           those
           happy
           Mansions
           above
           ,
           where
           all
           the
           true
           Servants
           of
           God
           enjoy
           never-fading
           Felicity
           ,
           and
           reap
           those
           Pleasures
           which
           are
           at
           God's
           right
           hand
           ,
           and
           endure
           for
           evermore
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           ,
           from
           these
           few
           Considerations
           (
           many
           more
           I
           might
           alledge
           ,
           but
           from
           these
           few
           )
           we
           may
           sufficiently
           discern
           what
           great
           Motives
           and
           Reasons
           there
           are
           ,
           that
           may
           perswade
           us
           to
           this
           Duty
           of
           serving
           God.
           There
           may
           perhaps
           be
           such
           unreasonable
           Persons
           ,
           who
           ,
           like
           those
           in
           the
           Prophet
           Malachi
           ,
           speak
           against
           the
           Lord
           with
           
             stout
             words
          
           ,
           and
           either
           say
           openly
           with
           their
           mouths
           ,
           or
           think
           secretly
           in
           their
           hearts
           ,
           that
           
             it
             is
             in
             vain
             to
             serve
             God
             ,
             and
             what
             profit
          
           is
           it
           ,
           
             that
             we
             have
             kept
             his
             ordinances
             ?
          
           (
           Mal.
           3.
           13
           ,
           14.
           )
           or
           with
           those
           wicked
           Men
           in
           
             Job
             ,
             What
             is
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             serve
             him
             ,
             and
             what
             profit
             shall
             we
             have
             if
             we
             pray
             unto
             him
             ?
          
           (
           Job
           21.
           14
           ,
           15.
           )
           But
           ah
           ,
           miserably
           deluded
           Men
           !
           how
           do
           they
           speak
           ?
           How
           do
           they
           think
           ,
           without
           all
           Truth
           and
           Reason
           ?
           For
           never
           any
           Man
           did
           truly
           serve
           God
           ,
           who
           was
           not
           a
           great
           Gainer
           thereby
           ,
           either
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           
           other
           ,
           which
           is
           far
           better
           .
           Wherefore
           whatever
           the
           sentiments
           of
           wicked
           Men
           may
           be
           ,
           whatever
           may
           befal
           us
           in
           the
           World
           upon
           This
           account
           ,
           let
           us
           take
           up
           a
           firm
           Resolution
           with
           Joshua
           ,
           and
           put
           That
           Resolution
           into
           practice
           ,
           
             of
             serving
             ,
             honouring
             ,
             and
             obeying
             the
             Almighty
             Lord
             that
             made
             us
             .
          
        
         
           And
           that
           we
           may
           be
           the
           better
           enabled
           to
           serve
           him
           as
           we
           ought
           to
           do
           ,
           it
           is
           very
           necessary
           that
           we
           should
           daily
           have
           recourse
           unto
           him
           for
           a
           continual
           supply
           of
           his
           Grace
           and
           Holy
           Spirit
           ,
           which
           we
           are
           infallibly
           assured
           he
           will
           not
           deny
           to
           those
           that
           humbly
           crave
           it
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           we
           must
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           our
           ever-blessed
           Redeemer
           ,
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           ,
           beg
           God's
           Acceptance
           of
           our
           Persons
           and
           our
           Endeavours
           .
           But
           then
           ,
           when
           we
           have
           done
           all
           that
           we
           can
           in
           serving
           him
           ,
           we
           must
           beware
           that
           we
           boast
           not
           of
           it
           ,
           nor
           pride
           our selves
           upon
           that
           account
           ,
           for
           we
           are
           still
           but
           
             unprofitable
             Servants
          
           ;
           and
           we
           must
           be
           so
           far
           from
           taking
           to
           our selves
           the
           praise
           of
           any
           thing
           that
           we
           do
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           give
           Praise
           and
           Glory
           to
           God
           only
           ,
           who
           hath
           given
           such
           power
           unto
           Men
           to
           serve
           and
           glorifie
           him
           .
        
         
           
             Now
             unto
             The
             King
             Eternal
             ,
             Immortal
             ,
             Invisible
             ,
             the
             only
             Wise
             God
             ,
             be
             Honour
             and
             Glory
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
             .
             Amen
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A67234-e200
           
             Rom.
             6.
             16.
             
             Ephes.
             6.
             5.
             
          
           
             Luke
             12.
             47.
             
          
           
             Tit.
             2.
             12.