2. God doth it, that he may be the more eminently seen in the cairying on his own works, which in their season he commits to them. Should he leave his work always on one hand, it would seem at length to be the work of the instrument only. Though the people opposed Moses at the first, yet it is thought they would have worshipped him at the last : and therefore God buried him where his body could not be found. Yet, indeed, he had but the lot of most who faithfully serve God in their generations ; — despised whilst they are present, — idolized when they are gone. I do not know of any great work that the Lord caiTied out the same persons to be the beginners and enders of He gave them all their seasons, that his power and wisdom miglit the more evidently appear in can'ying it from one hand to another.
3. God makes room, as it were, in his vineyard for the budding, flourishing, and fruit-bearing of other plants which he hath planted. Great employments call for great exercise of gi'aces. Even in employ- ments in and about providential things, there is the exercise of spiritual grace; — as much faith and prayer, as much communion with God, walking before him, and wrestling with him, may be used in casting down of armies, as in setting up of churches. God exerciseth all the graces of his in the work he calleth them out unto. He principles
DISMISSION TO EEST. S55
them by faith and fellowship with himself for their employment; and therefore he gives each individual but his appointed season, that others, in whose hearts he hath lodged the same spirit wherewith they are endued, may come forth and show the fruits thereof Daniel lieth down in the dust in rest and peace. And why so ? The spirit of prophecy is poured out on Hagga;i and Zechariah, &c. ; they must also carry on this Avork, and bear my name before my people. Con- sider the use of this.
Use 1. Of exhortation unto all that are employed in the work of God, especially such as with eminent abilities are engaged in eminent employments. You have but your allotted season for your work; — your day hath its close, its evening; your night cometh, wherein none can work. The grave cannot praise the Lord; death cannot cele- brate him : it is the living, the living that are fitted for that work, Isa. xxxviii. 18, 19. It is true, men may allot you your season, and all in vain ; but your times are in the hand of God, — that which he hath appointed out unto you shall stand. Be you never so excellent, never so useful, yet the days of your service " are as the days of an hireling,'" that will expire at the appointed season. Be wise, then, to improve the time that is in your hands. This is the praise of a man, the only praise whereof in this world he is partaker, that he doth the will of God before he fall asleep; that he faithfully serves his gene- ration, until he be no more. For a dying man to wrestle with the rebukes of God and the complaints of his own conscience, for meet- ing with the end of his days before he hath attained the midst of his duty, is a sad condition. You have your season, and you have hut your season; neither can you lie down in peace, until you have some persuasion that your %vork as well as your life is at an end. Whatever, then, you lind to do, do it with all your strength; for there is neither wisdom nor power in the grave, whither you are going, Eccles. ix. 1 0.
Some particular rules may direct you herein.
(1.) Compare yourselves with the saints of God, who were faithful in their generations, and are now fallen asleep. What a deal of work did Josiah do in a short season ! what a light did John set up in a few years ! with what unwearied pains and industry did our deceased friend serve his generation ! It is said of Csesar, that he was ashamed of his own sloth, when he found that Alexander had conquered the eastern world at the age wherein he had done nothing. Behold here one receiving his dismission about the age of forty years ; and what a world of work for God and the interest of the Lord Christ did he in that season! and how well, in the close, hath he parted with a tem- poral life for Him who, by his death, procured for him an eternal life ! And now rest is sweet unto this labouring man. Provoke one an- other by examples.
o5G THE LABOURING SAINT's
(2.) Be diligent to pass through your work, and let it not too long liang upon yonr hands; your appointed season may come before you bring it to the close; — yea, search out work for God. You that are intrusted in power, trifle not away your season. Is there no oppressed person that with diligence you might relieve? — is there no poor dis- tressed widow or orphan whose righteous requests you might expe- dite and despatch? — are there no stout offenders against God and man that might be chastised? — are there no slack and slow counties and cities in the execution of justice, that might be quickened by your example? — no places destitute of the gospel that might be furnished and supplied by your industry and wisdom ? Can you not find out something of this or the like nature to be despatched "wdth vigour and diligence? nay, do not innumerable particulars in each kind lie upon 5'^our hands? and is not your non-performance of them such a sacri- fice as wherewith God is not well pleased ? Your time is limited and appointed ; you know not how soon you may be overtaken with it ; and would it not be desirable unto you, that you had done these things? will it be bitterness in the end, that you so laid out your en- deavours?