Think not, therefore, to dress yourselves up in the ornaments of a good nature, and civil education, and say with _Agag_, “surely the bitterness of death is past:” for GOD’s justice, notwithstanding that, like _Samuel_, shall hew you to pieces. However you may be highly esteemed in the sight of men, yet, in the sight of GOD, you are but like the apples of _Sodom_, dunghills covered over with snow, mere whited sepulchres, appearing a little beautiful without, but inwardly full of corruption and of all uncleanness: and consequently will be dismissed at the last day with a “Verily, I know you not.”
But the word of GOD is profitable for comfort as well as correction.
_Thirdly_, Therefore I address myself to those who are under the drawings of the Father, and are exercised with the Spirit of bondage, and not finding the marks before mentioned, are crying out, Who shall deliver us from the body of this death?
But fear not, little flock; for notwithstanding your present infant state of grace, it shall be your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. The grace of GOD, through JESUS CHRIST, shall deliver you, and give you what you thirst after: He hath promised, he will also do it. Ye shall receive the spirit of adoption, that promise of the Father, if you faint not: only persevere in seeking it; and determine not to be at rest in your soul, till you know and feel that you are thus born again from above, and GOD’s Spirit witnesseth with your spirits that you are the children of GOD.
_Fourthly_ and _Lastly_, I address myself to those who have received the Holy Ghost in all his sanctifying graces, and are almost ripe for glory.
Hail, happy saints! for your heaven is begun on earth: you have already received the first fruits of the Spirit, and are patiently waiting till that blessed change come, when your harvest shall be compleat. I see and admire you, though, alas! at so great a distance from you: your life, I know, is hid with CHRIST in GOD. You have comforts, you have meat to eat, which a sinful, carnal, ridiculing world knows nothing of. CHRIST’s yoke is now become easy to you, and his burden light. You have passed through the pangs of the new birth, and now rejoice that CHRIST JESUS is spiritually formed in your hearts. You know what it is to dwell in CHRIST, and CHRIST in you. Like _Jacob_’s ladder, although your bodies are on earth, yet your souls and hearts are in heaven: and by your faith and constant recollection, like the blessed angels, you do always behold the face of your Father which is in heaven.
I need not exhort you to press forward, for you know that in walking in the Spirit there is a great reward. Rather will I exhort you, in patience to possess your souls yet a little while, and JESUS CHRIST will deliver you from the burden of the flesh, and an abundant entrance shall be administered to you, into the eternal joy and uninterrupted felicity of his heavenly kingdom.
Which GOD of his infinite mercy grant, through JESUS CHRIST our LORD: To whom, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, three Persons and one GOD, be ascribed all honour, power, and glory, for ever and ever.