[What do you more than others?]
_To the most dearly beloved, the servants of God, in |Taunton|, grace and peace_.
_Most loving and entirely beloved_,
YOU are a great joy to me. I know not what thanks to render to the Lord for you, when I hear of your constancy and fidelity, and zeal, in adhering to him, and his ways, even in such a time as this; you are highly favoured. Blessed be the Lord God of _Israel_, that he hath regarded the low estates of his servants: that he should ever indulge you as he hath, and hover over you, even as the eagle stirreth up her nest, and fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings, for so hath the Lord your God dealt with you: he hath kept you as the apple of his eye, _and since the streams of Cherith were dried up, yet to this day he hath not suffered the handful of meal to waste, nor the oil in the cruise to fail_, but hath continually provided for you. How should I love and bless the Lord for this his great grace towards you? Now I beseech you my brethren, that you consider the kindness of the Lord; for the Lord your God is he that careth for you, and that you love the Lord your God, _and fear him for ever, for he is your life, and the length of your days_. But as _Job_ had a holy fear of his children, lest they should have offended: so I am jealous of you with a godly jealousy, lest any of you should receive this grace of God in vain. I must not cease to put you mind, that God doth look for no small matter from you. Remember my charge, that there be not a barren tree nor a dwarf Christian among you; where the Lord soweth much, he expects to reap accordingly. Whose account, my beloved, is like to be so great as yours? O look about you, and think of the master coming to reckon with you for his talents; when he will expect no small increase. Beloved, what can you do? How much are you grown? What spoil have you made upon your corruptions? What progress in grace?
Suppose Christ should put the awakening question to you, What do you more than others? God doth expect more of his people, than of any others in the world: and well he may. For
First, _He hath bestowed more on them than on others_: now where much is given, much shall be required; can you think of that without trembling? He hath bestowed on them singular love; _Thee only have I known of all the families on earth_: and he looks that his love should be a constraining argument to obedience. Again, he hath laid out a singular care for his people, more than for others: he cares for no men, for nothing in the world, in comparison of them. He reproveth kings for their sakes. He will give nations and kingdoms for their ransom. So precious are they in his sight, and so dearly beloved, that he will give men for them, and people for their life. He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous, he will not endure them out of his sight. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and first the eye of his more accurate observation: God can wink at others as it were, and overlook what they do with little notice, but he has a most curious eye upon his people, he marketh their steps, and booketh their words, he weigheth their actions, and pondereth all their goings. And should they not walk more cautiously than any alive, that are under so exact an eye? Secondly, the eye of special care and protection. Behold the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, I will guide thee with mine eye: and should not they be infinitely tender and careful how to please the Lord, who have his singular care laid out on them? In short, God hath bestowed on them singular privileges: these are a peculiar treasure to him above all people, a kingdom of priests, an holy nation; they dwell alone, they are diverse from all people. When the whole world lies in wickedness, these are called and chosen, and faithful, washed, and justified, and sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. The rest are the refuse; these the jewels. Shall not God’s priests be cloathed with righteousness, and shall not princes live above the rate of peasants?
Secondly, _He hath entrusted them with more than others_: not only with the talents of his grace, (for the increase whereof they must give a strict account) but also with the jewel of his glory. How tenderly should they walk, that are entrusted with such a jewel? Remember, your Maker’s glory is bound up in your fruitful walking.
Thirdly, _He hath qualified them more than others_. He hath put into them a principle of life, having quickened them together with Christ. He hath set up a light in their minds, when others lie in darkness. He hath given them other aids, than others have, even his Spirit to help their infirmities, when others lie like vessels that are wind-bound, and cannot stir.