3. Expreffed by outward Signs, Gen, xli, 6. A&. xxvi. 25.

2. How are we to prefer one before another?

do.

1. By having low and modest Thoughts of ourfelves, Prov. xxvi. 12.

2. By having a juft Efteem of others Excellencies, 1 S. Pet. ii. 17.

3. By accounting all others better than ourfelves, Phil. ii. 3. Ifa. lxv. 5.

USE.

Prefer one before another.

Confider,

1. This is necessary for preferving Peace. 2. For avoiding Confufion.

3. For the manifefting ourselves Chriftians.

III. DUTY.

Not fothful in Business.

1. Here is fuppofed we have all Business to

1. In our particular Calling and Station in
the World, 1 Theff. iv. 11.

2. In our general Calling, Phil. ii. 12.
1. Repentance, S. Luk. xiii. 3.
2. Faith, Att. xvi. 30, 31.
3. To get our Sins pardoned;
4. And fo GOD reconciled;

5. And our Souls in a Capacity for Hea-
ven, Hebr. xii. 14.

2. How are we not to be flothful in Business? 1. Not to live as if we had nothing to do. 2. Not to be flothful in doing what we do, Ecclef. ix. 10.

3. Efpecially, not to be indifferent as to the grand Affairs of our Souls, Rev. iii. 16.

D 3

USE.

13.

USE.

Be not flothful in Business..
Confider,

1. You have a great deal of Work to do.
2. But a little Time to do it in, S. Jam. iv.

3. Eternity depends upon your doing your Work here.

ROM. xii. 11.

Fervent in Spirit, ferving the Lord.

I. DUTY.

Ervent in Spirit,

1. What is it to be fervent in Spirit? To be ferious and earneft in Matters of Re

ligion.

1. In the Exercise of Graces.

Fervent,

1. In our Love to GOD, Deut. vi. 5.
S. Matth. xxii. 37.

2. In our Defires of Him, Pfal. xlii. 1, 2.
3. In our Trust on Him, Job xiii. 15.
4. In our Rejoicing in Him, 1 S. Pet. i. 8.
5. In our Zeal for His Glory, 1 Cor. x. 31.
Which yet,

1. Must be tempered with Knowledge,

Rom. X. 2.

2. Regulated by His Word.

6. In Repentance for our Sins, Job xlii.

7. In Faith in Jefus Chrift, S. Jam. ii.

26.

2. In the Performance of Duties.

1. Fervent in Prayer, 1 Cor. xiv. 15. 2. In Hearing, Ezek. xxxiii. 31. 3. In Meditation, Pfal. xxii. 2. Why thus fervent in Spirit?

I.

1. This is the End of GOD's giving us fuch active Spirits, that we might employ them for Him, Prov. xvi.

4.

2. These are Businesses of the greatest Concern, Deut. xxx. 15.

3. Whatsoever is not done with Zeal and Fervency, is no good Work, Ecclef.

USES.

ix. 10.

1. Bewail your former Indifferency in Matters. of Religion.

2. Be more ferious for the future.

Confider,

1. They are great Works you perform, 2 Cor. ii. 16.

2. You cannot be too ferious in them, S. Luk. xvii. 10.

3. Heaven will recompence all your Labours, 1 Cor. xv. 58.

II. DUTY.

Serve the Lord.

1. What is it to ferve GOD?

It implies,

1. Our devoting ourselves wholly to Him and His Way, 2 Cor. viii. 5. S. Matth.

vi. 24.

2. Subjecting ourfelves to His Will and Laws, Pfal. ii. 11, 12.

D 4

3. Wor

3.

4:

Worshipping Him with all Acts of Divine
Worship, S. Matth. iv. 10. S. Luk. ii.

37.

4. Our walking in Holiness and Righteoufnefs before Him, S. Luk. i. 74, 75.

5. Our improving all for His Glory, S.Matth.

XXV. 21.

2. How fhould we ferve Him?

1. Reverently, Hebr. xii. 28, 29. Pfal. ii. 11.
2. Obedientially, 1 Sam. xii. 14.

3. Sincerely, S. Joh. iv. 24. Pfal. li. 6.
4. Readily and willingly, 1 Chron. xxviii. 9,
5. Only, S. Matth. iv. 10.

6. Wholly, Deut. x. 12. Pfal. cxix. 6.
7. Continually, S. Luk. i. 75.

3. Why ferve the Lord?

1. He made us, Prov. xvi. 4.

2. Maintaineth us, Act. xvii. 28.

3. Hath redeemed us, 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20.

USE.

Serve the Lord.

Confider,

1. Unless you ferve the Lord, you must serve Sin and Satan, S. Matth. vi. 24.

21.

2. His Service is the only Liberty, Rom. viii.

3. The highest Honour in the World, 1 Sam. ii. 30.

4. You all vowed to ferve Him in Baptifm, Deut. xxvi. 17, 18.

5. All you can do, is much less than you owe Him, S. Luk. xvii. 10,

6. If you ferve Him, He will protect and caufe all Things to ferve you, Rom. viii. 28.

7. Serve Him here, and He will reward you hereafter, S. Matth. xxv. 21.

ROM.

ROM. xii. 12.

Rejoycing in Hope, patient in Tribulation.

I. DUTY.

WE

E ought to rejoice in Hope.
1. What is it to rejoice?

1. Negatively.

1. It is not to have the Senfes pleased. 2. Nor doth it confift in the Imagina tion.

2. Pofitively. It confifts,

1. In the Removal of Sorrow from the Heart, Pfal. xlii. 5.

2. In the Soul's Content and Satisfaction, S. Luk. i. 47.

2. What is Hope? It confifts,

1. In the Belief of good Things to be had, 1 S. Pet. i. 13.

2. In the Expectation of them, Pfal. Ixii. 5. 3. In making ufe of all lawful Means for the obtaining them, Hebr. x. 23, 24, 25. Efth. iv. 14.

3. What is it. to rejoice in Hope? To reft fatisfied with the Expectation of the good Things GOD hath promised.

I. An Interest in Chrift, 1 S. Pet. i. 8. Rom. viii. 32, 33, 34.

2. Pardon of Sin, Pfal. xxxii. 5.

3. The Love of GOD, Rom. v. 1.
4. The working together of all Things for
our Good, Rom. viii. 28.

5. Continual Supplies of Grace, 2 Cor. xii. 9.
6. A joyful Refurrection, i Cor. XV. 19, 20.