There are three points yet remaining. 1 shall speak only to the first of them, and that as an use of the doctrine last proposed, and I have done.
Observation IV. There is an apjjointed determinate season, wherein all things and persons, according to the will of God, ^vill run into their utmost issue and everlasting condition.
Thou art going, whoever thou art, into an aljiding condition and
8C2 THE LABOURING SAINT's
there is a lot appointed for thee, wherein hes an estate everlastingly unchangeable. It is the utmost end whereunto thou art designed, and when once thou art entered into that lot, thou art everlastingly engaged : no more change, no more alteration; if it be well with thee, it will abide; if otherwise, expect not any relief. In our few days we live for eternity ; in our mutable estate we deal for an unchange- able condition. It is not thus only in respect of particulars, but God hath " appointed a day, wherein he will judge all the Avorld by the man whom he hath ordained." An end is coming unto all that whole dispensation under which we are ; — to you who, by the riches of free grace, have obtained union and communion with the Lord Jesus, rest and peace, when God shall everlastingly rain snares, fire and brim- stone, upon the workers of iniquity. Some mock, indeed, and say, "Where is the promise of his coming?" But Ave know "the Lord is not slack, as some men count slackness," but exerciseth patience until the appointed season for the bringing about of his own glorious ends, which he hath determined concerning his creatures. Why should we, then, complain, when any one, perhaps before ovir expec- tation, but yet according to God's determination, makes an entrance into the end of all? All things Avork to that season. This state of things is not for continuance. That Avhich is incumbent is in this uncertain space of time allotted to us, to give all diligence to make our calling and election sure, as also to serve the Lord faithfully in our generations, Avherein Ave cannot be surprised. We have an ex- ample in him Avho is gone before. It is true, the Lord Jesus is our primitive pattern and example; but those also Avho have folloAved him, Avherein they have followed him, are to be eyed and marked as provocations to the same labour of faith and love wherein they Avere exercised. And, that this use may be made by this assembly, I shall add one Avord concerning him from Avhom is the occasion thereof
Every man stands in a threefold capacity, — natural, civil, religious. And there are distinct qualifications that are suited unto these seve- ral caj)acities.
L To the first, as the ornaments and perfections of nature, are suited some seeds of those heroical virtues, as courage, pennanency in l)usiness, etc.; Avhich being in themselves morally indifferent, haA^e their foundations eminently laid in the natures of some persons, Avhich yet hinders not but that tlieir good improvement is of gi-ace.
2. To the second, or man's civil capacity, there are many emi- nencies relating as peculiar endowments, which may be referred unto the three heads of abiliti/, faithfulness, and ivdustry; that through tliem neither by Aveakness, treacheiy, nor sloth, the Avorks and em- ployments incumbent on men in their civil state and condition mny suffer.
DISMISSION TO REST. 863
8. Men's peculiar ornament and imj^rovement, in their religious capacity, lies in those fruits of the Spirit which we call Christian graces. Of these, in respect of usefulness, there are three most emi- nent, y\z., faith, love, and self-denial. I speak of them upon another account than the apostle doth, where he placeth hope amongst the first three of Christian graces. Now, all these, in their several kinds, were as eminent in the person deceased, in his several capacities, as perhaps is usually found in any one in a generation. My business is not to make a funeral oration, only I suppose that without offence I may desire, that in courage and permanency in business (which I name in opposition to that unsettled, pragmatical, shuffling disposi- tion which is in some men), — in ability for wisdom and counsel, — in faithfulness to his trust and in his trust, — in indefatigable industry in the pursuit of the work committed to him, — in faith on the promises of God, and acquaintance with his mind in his mighty works of pro- vidence,— in love to the Lord Jesus and all his saints, — in a tender regard to their interest, delight in their society, contempt of him- self and all his for the gospel's sake, with eminent self-denial in all his concernments, — in impartiality and sincerity in the execution of justice, — that in these and the like things we may have many raised up in the power and spuit wherein he walked before the Lord and the inhabitants of this nation. This (I say) I hope I may speak without offence here upon such an occasion as this. My business being occasionally to preach the word, not to carry on a part of a funeral ceremony, I shall add no more, but commit you to Him who is able to prepare you for your eternal condition.
SERMON IX. CHEIST'S KIiq^GDOM
AND TUB
MAGISTRATE'S POWER.