XVI. *It is a doctrine of scripture, and highly agreeable to reason, _That unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required_. Consider therefore that a life of leisure and freedom from want and hardships is as much as can well be given you in this world, as it is giving you an opportunity of living wholly to God, and making all the parts of your life useful to the best purposes. As sure therefore as it is a state, that has so many advantages that furnishes you with so many means of being eminent in piety, so sure it is, that it is a state from which God expects fruits that are worthy of it. Had it been your lot to labour in a _mine_, or serve under some cruel master, you must have served as unto God; and in so doing you had finished the work which God had given you. But as you are free from all this, you must look upon yourself as God’s _servant_, as called to chuse that way of labouring and spending your time, which may most promote that which God desires to be promoted. God has given you liberty to chuse, but it is only that you may have the blessedness of chusing the _best ways_ of spending your time. Though therefore you are at liberty from servile and mean labour, yet you are under a necessity of labouring in all good works, and making all your time, and fortune, and abilities serviceable to the best ends of life. You have no more time that is your own, than he has that is to live by constant labour; the only difference betwixt you and him is this, that he is to be diligent in a poor, slavish labour, that oppresses the body, and dejects the mind; but you in a _service that is perfect freedom_, that renders your body a _fit temple_ for the Holy Ghost, and fills your soul with such light, and peace, and joy, as is not to be found in any other way of life.
XVII. Do you think that a _poor slave_ would displease God by refusing to act in that painful drudgery that is fallen to his share? And do you think that God will not be more displeased with you, if you refuse to act your _full part_ in the best of labours, or neglect that happy business of doing good, which your state of life has called you to? ♦Is it expected that _poor people_ should make a right use of their condition, and turn all their labour into a service unto God? And do you think you are not obliged to make a proper improvement of your condition, and turn all your _rest_, and _ease_, and _freedom_ from labour, into service unto God? Tell me therefore no more that you indulge yourself in idle amusements, in vain, corrupt, and unedifying books, because you have _spare time_? For it is absolutely false to say that you have any such thing; it is saying, that because God has given you _spare time_ from servile labour, time for all the instances of a holy and heavenly life; therefore you presume to throw it away in idleness and impertinence.
♦ ‘It is’ replaced with ‘Is it’
The End of the Fourth VOLUME.