Fourthly, _He hath provided for them other manner of things than for others_. These are the little flock to whom it is his good pleasure to give the kingdom: great are the preparations for them. The Father hath prepared the kingdom for them from the foundations of the world: the Son is gone to heaven on purpose to prepare a place for them: the Spirit is preparing them, and making them meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: and should these be like other people?
Brethren, God and men expect you should do more than others, see that you be indeed singular. For
1. If you do no more for God than others, he will do more against you than others: _You only have I known, therefore will I punish you_. The barren tree in the vineyard must down, whereas had he been in the common he might have stood much longer. God looketh for grapes from his vineyard, on which he had bestowed such care more than ordinary, but when they bring forth wild grapes, he will lay them waste in a worse manner than the forest.
2. If you do no more than others, you must look for no more than others: If you should put off God with a common obedience, you must expect to be put off with common mercies.
3. Except you do more than others, God will be dishonoured by you more than others.
And truly, as God looks for more from his own than others, so he looks for more from you than others, even of his own, because he hath done more: see that you be shining Christians, that you be strong in the grace of God, that you press towards the mark. But I must conclude; I give my love among you all, being able to add no more, but that I am
_Your’s in fervent love and longings_,