The Zealous Christian.

WE are at this time concerned with a people professing a Zeal for the House of God that has Eaten up a Little part of their Estates, which they have devoted unto the Building of the House, wherein We are now Assembled be­fore Him. Our concern with them, is not only to assure them, that what the Zeal has Eaten up, will not be Lost, but also to remind them of o­ther and further Operations, where­in their Zeal is to be demonstrated: That so their Zeal for the House of [Page 4] God, may be uniform, and be univer­sal, & be justified. Hearken, my Be­loved Brethren. I do now some­thing more than fetch a Red hot Stone from the Altar, for this pur­pose, to keep alive the Flame of your Zeal: I bring the pattern of our admirable SAVIOUR, Even, our God, who is a consuming Fire. When the Psalmist, who is Renowned in all Ages for the Zeal of the House of God, which was flaming in him, gave this Account of himself, The Zeal of thy House hath Eaten me up, we may say, I pray thee, of whom spake the Psalmist this? Of himself, or of some other Man? The Answer must be, He was a Type of the Messiah, in what he Spake. It was foretold of the Messiah, That the Lord should come into His Temple, and act as a Refiner there. Our SA­VIOUR coming into the Temple, and purging the Temple of the Mo­ney-changers there, would have drawn the minds of the People unto the [Page 5] Consideration of that famous Pro­phecy. Whether it had this Effect or no, the minds of His Disciples, were drawn to consider another Pro­phecy; and what was to be found in the Sixty ninth Psalm concerning Him. Every Israelite was to pay half a Shekel yearly to the service of the Temple. When any Man brought a Shekel, to change for Two Half-Shekels, there was a profit Exacted by the changer: And when the Shekel was brought for Two, there was a Double profit Exacted for the change. The like unlawful gains were made by selling of Cattle for the Sacrifices there. Our SAVIOUR having His Holy Soul, inflamed with a just Zeal, against the Dishonesties and Oppressi­ons committed by these Ecclesiastical Harpies, appears with a Scourge [...] small Cords in His Hand, threatning of them, and the guilty Thieves fled before Him: GOD in our SAVI­OUR Struck them with such a dread, that they could not stand be­fore Him.

[Page 6] The Zeal which our SAVIOUR Exerted on this Occasion, made His Disciples, to remember the Descripti­on which the Holy SPIRIT had a­bove a Thousand years before given of Him; in this passage, The Zeal of thy House hath Eaten me up. I hope you observe, That they who atten­tively Read the Word of God, will have the advantage from it; A Profitable and a Comfortable Re­membrance of what they have Read. Agreeable passages of what they have Read, will be Occasionally Remembred with them. You also observe; That all the Characters of the promised REDEEMER, given in the Ancient [...], are answered in our Bles­sed JESUS. Nothing was Prophesi­ed concerning the REDEEMER to come, which we don't find answered in our Lovely JESUS.

But the principal Thing to be now observed is this.

[Page 7] The Zeal of the House of GOD, will mightily possess them, who have an Heart after the Heart of GOD.

A David, who was a Man after the Heart of GOD, was one that could say, The Zeal of thy House hath Eaten me up. The Antitype of David, and the Man who was GOD as well as Man, and had an Heart the most after the Heart of GOD, that ever was in the World, could much more say, The Zeal of thy House ha's Eaten me up. Such a Zeal must be in every One, who would have his Heart found after the Heart of GOD.

We will Enquire, first. What is meant by Zeal in General?

To this the Answer is; That Zeal is an Affection to the Honour and Service of God in an Intense De­gree. Zelus est Intensus Gradus affecti­onis. Every Good Man has his Af­fections, towards God and the Things that please Him. Now, as the [Page 8] Word ZELE, comes from a Theme, that Signifies, To be Boiling hot; So, When our well-placed Affections, are Boiling Hot, or, when we are, what we read, Rom. XI. 11. Fer­vent in Spirit, Serving the Lord, then have we a Zeal of GOD. In Zeal, there is first, a Love to GOD: and a very Intense Love, But then this Love must operate in a Sorrow for, and an Anger at what is displeasing to GOD; An Indignation against Every Thing, that is a Provocation to GOD. Zeal is a Composition of Love and Grief, and Wrath: an Holy mixture of all these passions, belongs unto it.

We will Enquire; Secondly, What is meant, by being Eaten up with Zeal?

To this the Answer is; Besure it intends, that the Zeal does mightily possess them in whom it is. Then does the Zeal of a Man Eat him up, when it makes an Entire oblation of his All unto GOD. The Fire did [Page 9] Eat up, what was upon the Altar. An Holy Man, does that thing, Rom. XII. 1. Present your selves unto GOD. He laies his All as on the Altar before the Lord, and Zeal comes like a Fire, so to consume it all, that GOD only shall have the Re­gards of all, the Uses of all. The Honour and Service of GOD, must Engross all our Faculties; must em­ploy all our Thoughts, all our Time, all our Strength. We are to Love the Lord our God with all our Heart; And the Interests of GOD must Swallow up all our Interests. Then the Zeal of GOD has Eaten us up.

Thirdly. Our Main Enquiry is, What is the Zeal of the HOUSE of GOD, which is mightily to possess us! or, How are we to demonstrate our selves mightily possessed, with the ZEAL of the HOUSE of GOD? You shall have the Answer to this, in these Articles.

I. We are to be Zealously Concerned, that we may Enjoy the Church of [Page 10] our SAVIOUR, and have the Enjoy­ment of all the Ordinances, which are in the Church administred unto them who wait upon Him. What is the House of GOD? We are told; 1 Tim. III. 15. The House of GOD is the Church of the Living GOD. There must be awakened in us a Zealous Con­cern, to have the Church-State of the Gospel, Erected, Preserved, Suppor­ted among us. The Zeal of the House of GOD is defective in us, if we delay to come into the Church-State of the Gospel, and to join unto the Societies that associate for the Worship of GOD our SAVIOUR. That such a Church-State may be car­ried on, we should be willing to lay out what should be Necessary. It must be nourished with what we have: Else we cannot say, That the Zeal of it has Eaten us up. A Servant of GOD, was at much Expence, that so the Worship of GOD, might be maintained. It was He, who said, The Zeal of thy House hath Eaten me [Page 11] up. And for this cause he also said, 1 Chron. XXIX. 3. I have set my Affection to the House of my GOD.

In the House of GOD, His Ordi­nances are dispensed. The Zeal of that House must make us prize our Opportunities to be partakers of these Ordinances. We must be Glad, when we have Opportunities to draw near unto GOD in His House; and at­tend upon the Exercises wherein GOD is to be there met withal. This was the Zeal of old so Express'd; Psal. CXXII. 1. I was glad, when they said unto me, Let us go into the House of the Lord. We must be Sad, when we are depriv'd of, debarr'd from, Opportunities, to meet with GOD in His House, and there have our Fel­lowship with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. So was the Zeal Express'd of Old; Psal. CXLII. 4. When I remember these things, I pour out my Soul in me; for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the House of GOD. Such ought our [Page 12] Zeal to be for the House of GOD, that we should think much of no pains to come unto it. We should have such a Value for what is to be done, and heard, and had in the Assemblies of the Faithful, that we should begrutch no Labour, no Travel, for coming at them. A small matter should not be made our Excuse for not Coming at them. We should esteem an Hour there, to be better than a thousand elsewhere. Our Esteem for what is to be found there, should overcome all the Diffi­culties of Coming thither. Then does the Zeal of the House indeed Eat us up, when no Difficulties in the Way can stand before it. The Zeal of the House of GOD, will Ena­ble a Man to say with him, Psal. XXVI. 8. I have Loved the Habitati­on of thy House. It will make a man Delight in such Devotions as are performed at the House of GOD. It will give him a Delight in praying to GOD, in Hearing from GOD, in [Page 13] Praising of GOD, in sitting at the Holy Table, and in observing all that our Lord has required there. And a Zeal for the House of GOD, will be accompanied with a Zeal for the Day of GOD: The Lords▪ Day, which is a Day Principally set apart for these Devotions. 'Tis a welcome Day to a Man, who has the Zeal of the House of GOD Eating him up. The Sab­bath is a Delight unto him. When the Ordinances in the House of our SAVIOUR, are more to us, than our Necessary Food, and our Souls feed up­on them, then the Zeal of His House hath Eaten us up.

II. We should be Zealously Con­cerned, that the Church of our SAVI­OUR may be purified from all Cor­ruptions, and nothing that will Corrupt Religion may be remaining there. When was it, that our Saviour said, The Zeal of thy House hath Eaten me up: It was when He was chasing out of the Temple, the Corruptions which had crept into it. There is [Page 14] now in the Minds of Men, a Natural Tendency to Error and Folly. The Spirit which works in the Children of Disobedience, improves the Tendency with a Cursed Efficacy. Hence it comes to pass, that Things Abomi­nable to the Holy GOD, Speedily and Easily get into His House: The Church of GOD can't continue long undefiled; but Roots of Bitterness are continually springing up in it, where­by many are defiled. Now, we must have in us a Zealous Concern, to see the Church rescued from the Abo­minations which the Man of Sin, or the Sin of Man, has introduced into it. The Zeal of the House of GOD, is very notably to be employ'd on that work; Dan. VIII. 14. The Sanctuary shall be cleansed. Zealous Reformers are they that have the Zeal of the House of GOD acting of them.

We must have a Zeal for the Re­formation of Abuses that are got into the Church of GOD, and prosecute the Reformation with a Vigour in our [Page 15] Application to it; with a Venture of our All for the Accomplishment of it. When the Zeal of the House of GOD, was burning in the Soul of Elijah, he could say, 1 Kings XIX. 10. I have been very Jealous for the Lord of Hosts; for the Children of Israel have forsaken thy Covenant, and thrown down thine Altars. The Zeal of the House of GOD must make us Industrious to restore and preserve Sound Doctrine there. We must Vin­dicate the Truth, and Suppress Here­sies by using all proper Methods of Conviction upon them. Our Zeal is thus called for; Jude 3. Earnestly contend for the Faith, which was once delivered to the Saints. Gospel Truths must be precious to us. We are to buy the Truth at any rate, but sell it at no rate in the World. We are to be Valiant for the Truth upon Earth; And strive to an Agony rather than part with it, and spend All in the Defence of it, and suffer any Death rather than Deny it. The Liberties [Page 16] of the Church are to be livelily de­clared for, livelily adher'd to. We are to Stand fast in them. If any make unjust Invasions on them, we are to withstand the Invaders. The Zeal of the House of GOD must make us do our part, that the Worship of GOD may be there managed, only according to the Divine Appointments, and not be polluted with Humane In­ventions. Our Zeal must Signalize our Dislike of that Iniquity; Mat. XV. 9. In vain do they Worship me, teaching the Commandments of Men. We are to be for Purity of Worship; and go as far as we can, and under­go any thing rather than have our Conscience polluted with any False Worship whatsoever. The Zeal of the Great GOD Himself is peculiarly display'd, in the matters of the Se­cond Commandment. And our Zeal must make us thoughtful, that the Images may not be brought unto the House of GOD, which may Violate His Holy Commandment there. Once [Page 17] more: The Zeal of the House of GOD must make us do our part that no Ill-manners may be prevailing and Indulged there; and that there may not be room for that complaint, A­mong my People there are found Wicked Men. Our Zeal must be like that in Ephesus; Rev. II. 2. Thou canst not bear with them that are Evil. We must be for keeping up a Godly Dis­cipline; a Discipline that shall be a Terror to Evil Doers, and a Praise to them who do well; a Discipline, that shall put away a wicked person from a­mong us. With Zeal we are to re­buke Offenders; with Zeal to cen­sure miscarriages; and countenance nothing that is punishable; not suf­fer it, that the House of GOD be a Den of Thieves. When we are vehe­mently carried this way, then the Zeal of the House of GOD has Eaten us up.

III. We should be Zealously con­cerned, That we may obtain the Bles­sings, which in the House of DOD, [Page 18] we have a Tender of: Have a Strong Appetite, for what is going in the House. In the House of GOD, and in the Assemblies of Zion, there is an admirable variety of Blessings, wherewith GOD will be the Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him there. One who was eminent for his Res­pects to the House of GOD, could say; Psal. V. 5. I will come into thy House in the multitude of thy Mercy. There is a multitude of Blessings, a great Number of no small Blessings, for which we are to come into the House of GOD. Here we are Ad­vised of the Blessings; Here we are Enriched with the Blessings; Here we are Directed, and here Assisted, for our Arriving to the Blessings. We are to be Zealously concerned for a share in these Blessings: And our Zeal must be such, that nothing shall sa­tisfy us without the Blessings. Then, the Zeal of the House of GOD has Eaten us up! Our Business at the House of GOD, must be for a sweet [Page 19] Experiment of that Word; Lam. III. 25. The Lord is Good unto them that wait for Him, unto the Soul that seeks Him. There are the Blessings which the Covenant of Grace does mainly Consist of, and Insist on; The Blessings of Transgression forgiven, and Sin covered; The Blessings of a Turn from all Iniquities; The Blessings, which we are Indeed Blessed of GOD, when we have them Secured unto us. Our Zeal, and an Insatiable Hunger for the Blessings, must carry us to the House of GOD; Else the Zeal of the House has not Eaten us up. In coming to the House of GOD, we are zealously to Propound and Expect, the Assuring of such Blessings unto us. When our GOD calls us to His House, it is for this purpose; Isa LV. 3. Come unto me; Hear and your Souls shall Live; and I will make an Everlasting Covenant with you, even the sure Mercies of the Be­loved One. The Blessings to be ac­quired in the House of GOD, are [Page 20] those Blessings; the Merchandise whereof, is better than the Merchandise of Silver, and the Gain thereof than fine Gold. Most certainly, to Secure all Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly pla­ces, is a thing well worthy of the most ardent Zeal in the World; Worthy of a Greater than any thing in this World, yea, than to Gain the whole World. In the House of GOD are those Courts of the Hea­venly places, where we Lay Hold on all Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly pla­ces, and Lay Hold on Eternal Life. In Coming to the House of GOD, we must have a Zeal for the Good Things of the House, and a mighty Concern for that Blessedness: Psal. LXV. 4. We shall be satisfied with the Goodness of thy House, even of thy Ho­ly Temple. Come to the House, with such a Zeal as this; I come hither, that I may know more of Him, whom to know is Life Eternal. Come with such a Zeal as this; I come hither, that I may be United unto my Savi­our, [Page 21] and Reconciled unto God. Come with such a Zeal as this; I come hither, that I may have the Lovely Graces of the Holy Spirit conferred on me, and Increased in me; and be made meet for the Inheritance of the Saints in Light. And come with such a Zeal as this; I come hither, that I may be Instructed in my Duty, and Strengthened against my Temptations, and Comforted under my Calamities, and filled with the Peace of GOD. A mighty Concern to make sure of the Salvation, whereof the Wells are O­pened in the House of GOD: This is the Zeal of the House. To come thither with a Soul Hungring, and Thirsting after the Righteousness, which is Revealed, and Offered, and Bestowed there; This is to be Eat­en up with the Zeal.

IV. A Zeal Enkindled in the House of GOD; Is not this the Zeal of His House? And when that Zeal puts us upon Sacrificing our [Page 22] All to GOD, may it not be said, The Zeal hath Eaten us up? We read of Notable Things to be done; and it is said, Isa. IX. 7. The Zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this. It may partly be understood of a Zeal Enkindled by the Lord of Hosts. Thus a Zeal Enkindled in the House of GOD, and by what passes there, may be called, The Zeal of the House. But the Zeal of Piety is no where more conspicuous, than in the Zeal of Sacrificing. With a Zeal of GOD mightily filling of our Souls, and flaming in them, we are to Surren­der and Consecrate Our selves unto the Glorious GOD; Chuse to be Wholly the Lords; Long to be Entire­ly for the Lord: Beg of His Holy Spirit, Oh! Do thou take possession of me. Yea, we are to bring our All under a Dedication unto the Glori­ous GOD. Make a Sacrifice of All, by having HOLINESS TO THE LORD, written upon ALL; and by a perpetual projection, that All may be applied unto the Service of [Page 23] GOD: Have nothing, but what shall have the Character of a Sacri­fice upon it; A Thing set apart for the Use of GOD. Yet more; We should be willing to Give up all our Good Things whenever GOD shall call us to it. Look upon all our Good Things with a Sacrificing Eye. Whatever we have any Relish for, we should come to this Disposition; Lord, If thou wilt have this Good Thing to be denied unto me, I am willing to go without it! Thy Will be done concerning it! Our Will should be Sacrificed unto the Lord; Be Extinguished and Abolished in the Lords. Yea, We should count a Sacrificing Heart, which can Resign Every Good Thing; This we should count a Better Thing, and more Desirable than any Thing that we have Sacrificed. Such a Sacrificing Zeal, is what the House of GOD calleth for; 'tis what the Children of GOD sometimes find Enkindled in His House, when they find there, the Things that make their Hearts [Page 24] to burn within them. And is not the Zeal now such as even to Eat us up? The Sacrifices of Old, were devoured, by a Fire Enkindled from Heaven upon them. The Lion of GOD, [The Altar, was called, Ariel, or, The Lion of GOD!] then did Eat up the Sacrifices. A Zeal Enkindled from Heaven in a Soul, Baptised with the Holy Spirit and with Fire, the Holy Spirit Shoo­ting a Fire from above into the Soul, even like what was darted from the Shechinah upon the anci­ent Sacrifices: (and like the Flame often visibly seen descending, and call'd the MANIFESTATION of the Spirit, on the Baptised in the Pri­mitive Times,) does offer up it self and its All unto God in a Flame of Love. The Zeal of the House of GOD hath Eaten up such a Soul!

V. We will not allow, that the Zeal of the House of GOD, has any Force upon a man, Except he be [Page 25] Zealously and Mightily concerned, that He may himself be an House of GOD. Our Zeal must be concerned for this; Exod. XV. 2. My God, I will pre­pare Him an Habitation. But how? Our Zeal must come into this Flame of the Fire of God; My GOD, I will my self be thy Habitation. A Good Man is himself a Living Temple of GOD. And it is most certain, One such Living Temple, is of more Account with the Glorious GOD, than any of Wood and of Stone, and of the most Exquisite Artifice that is to be seen, in the most Superb and Stately Cathedrals upon Earth. An humble Spirit, that is become an Habitation of God thro' the Spirit, is of more Account with GOD, than a Temple of meer matter without a Soul; tho' there should be more than Four Thousand Tun of Gold, and more than Forty Thousand Tun of Silver, laid out upon it: As according to the present Reading of the Text, there was upon one of old. A Good Man has [Page 26] GOD so dwelling in him, that he becomes an House of GOD. But what must be our Zeal for such a Blessedness? It must be this. We must Exceedingly bewail and bemoan the condition, which by our Fall from GOD, mankind is fallen into. With Tears in our Eyes, we must see it the condition of a Temple in Rubbish; An House of GOD in Ru­ines. Hereupon, we must heartily desire yea, very zealously, to be Raised out of this Deplorable Condition. In our JESUS we see the matchless Temple of GOD become a Sacrifice, as the price of that Favour, that we may be re-edified a Temple of GOD. We are now to behold the SPIRIT of GOD, profering to Restore us, and Enter us, and Possess us, as an Holy Temple. We are Joyfully to accept of the proffer; Joyfully consent to the proffer; and say, Oh! Holy One, Do thou come into me, and Rectify all that is out of order within me; and fulfil in me all the Good pleasure of thy [Page 27] Goodness. What remains is, That we be always Employ'd in those Things, to which an House of GOD is to be devoted; and that we abhor and avoid those things by which an House of GOD would be debased. The Zeal of coming at this Blessed­ness, Oh! Let it make a wonder­ful Impression upon us. It can't be said, That the Zeal of the House of GOD ha's eaten us up, Except the zeal and wish and care to be an House of GOD, be such as to Swallow up all our Temporal Concernments. Ex­cept all our Temporal Concernments give way to this Grand Work of GOD: this Grand Aim of Christianity.

THE CHURCHES Shall Know that CHRIST Searcheth the Hearts.

THese words, are part of the Message which our Lord Jesus Christ sent to the Angel of the Church of Thyatira, & to that Church, v. 18. There were some things among them much commended, others as plainly [Page 2] condemned. The Commendation is, 19. I know thy works, and charity, service, and faith, and patience, [...] thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Note, we should grow more and more such as God com­mands us to be: our succeeding works should be more and better than our preceeding ones. We should grow in grace, 2 Pet. 3. 18. It's not enough to be stedfast and unmovea­ble, but we should be always abound­ing in the work of the Lord, 1 Cor. 15. 58. We ought so to walk as to please God, and abound more and more therein. 1 Thes. 4. 1. Our last works should be more than our first. Tho' there were in this Church at Thya­tira, some things very commendable, yet there were others very blame­worthy. v. 20. I have a few things a­gainst thee. Note by the way, If particular persons or Churches have very good things in them, that's not sufficient ground to cry them up and applaud them, as tho' there were no fault to be found with them: there may be very good things in them, yet possibly some very bad ones too. On the other [Page 3] hand, if particular persons or Church­es have some very bad and abomina­ble things in them, that's no sufficient ground to cry them down, as though there were nothing good in them. There were in the Church of Thyati­ra (as well as in several others of the Asian Churches) very good things, which our Lord commends; yet there were a few things which he had a­gainst them.

The fault our Lord finds with Thya­tira is, v. 20. Thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth her self a Prophe­tess, to teach and to seduce my Servants to commit Fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to Idols. This Woman pre­tended to be a Prophetess, tho' really she was not. Some think she's call'd Jezebel, from her likeness to the Wife of King Ahab in promoting Idolatry, and other Wickedness. She had a space given her to repent, but she re­pented not. v. 21. Her Impudent Wickedness, in seducing the Servants of Christ to those great Crimes of Fornication and Idolatry; should have been witnessed against by Church-Cen­sures, the neglect of this, and so the suffering of (and bearing with) her [Page 4] in her wickedness, was their great sin, and very provoking to Christ. Note,

The Lord Jesus would have good Dis­cipline upheld in his Churches. The Angel of the Church of Ephesus was commended for this. Rev. 2. 2. Thou canst not bear them which are evil. Those who are known to be Heretical in Opinion, or grosly scandalous in Practice, ought not to be allow'd in the Churches of Christ: if by proper means they won't be reform'd, they should be Excommunicated Where­fore put away from among your selves that wicked person. 1 Cor. 5. 13. A man that is an Heretick, after the first and second Admonition, reject. So, those Scandalous in Practice that won't be reform'd, are to be treated as Heathens and Publicans. Mat. 18. 17. It's a thing very provoking to our Lord Jesus, that those known to be grosly scandalous in Opinion or Prac­tice; should be allow'd in Fellowship and Communion in any of his Chur­ches.

Our Lord nextly proceeds to threat­en this Jezebel. v. 22. I will cast her into a Bed, and them that commit A­dultery with her into great tribulation, [Page 5] except they repent of their deeds. v. 23. And I will kill her Children (which may comprehend her Disciples, Fol­lowers, those that were seduc'd by her) with death. That is, with the Plague, (as some think) or the Second Death, (as others) or the phrase may be look'd on as an Haebraism, In killing I will kill; that is, our Lord would cer­tainly and terribly destroy them. Next to this clause, comes in our Text, All the Churches shall know, that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you ac­cording to your works. This plainly implies, that the Churches should serve Christ with their hearts and reins, that is, sincerely, uprightly. This being suppos'd, 'tis asserted, that Christ knows whether they do so or no, for he searches the hearts and reins: 'tis also asserted, that the Churches shall know this, they shall know that he searches the hearts, for he will give to every one according to his works. Accordingly, we may take these three heads for the Subject of our present Discourse, viz. (1.) The Churches should serve the Lord Jesus Christ with their hearts. (2.) He knows whether they do so or [Page 6] to. (3.) All the Churches, shall know this, because he'll give to every one ac­cording to his works.

I. The Churches should Serve the Lord Jesus Christ with their hearts. The Lord Jesus Christ is a Divine Person, God as well as Man; there­fore the highest Service and Obedi­ence are due to him. Joh. [...] 23. All men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father; they that ho­noureth not the Son, honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 'Tis the duty indeed of the very Heathen, to Serve God according to the best knowledge of his Perfections, and of his Will, which they can attain to; but inasmuch as our Text speaks of the Churches, those Societies or Assemblies of men and women who have God's Revealed Will, profess to believe it, and [...] shall at present confine my Dis­course only to [...].

Our Lord Jesus [...] but One Ca­tholick [...] the Church [...] All that are [...] had be) Savingly [...] and with him. Our Lord said, [Page 7] Joh. 6 37. All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me; and him that cometh I will in no wise cast out.

Our Lord Jesus has but One Catho­lick Visible Church in the World; comprehending all those, (with their Children) who profess him to be their Prince and Saviour, their Pro­phet, Priest and King; and own his Word to be the Rule of their Faith, Worship and Conversation. But those who make this Profession, be­ing very numerous, and dwelling in places far distant from one another, can't possibly meet in any one place to attend Divine Worship; they are therefore necessitated to meet in sun­dry distinct Bodies and Societies, if they would Worship God as he di­rects them. And such particular Bo­dies or Societies of Christians, thus meeting to Worship God in Christ Jesus, according to the Rules of his Word, are in the Plural Number cal­led Churches. So we read of the Churches of Galatia. 1 Cor. 16. 1. The Churches of Judea. Gal. 1. 22. Now all such particular Churches, should Serve Christ with their hearts, sincere­ly and uprightly. Let every one that [Page 8] nameth the name of Christ, depart from iniquity, 2 Tim. 2. 19. And now Isra­el, what doth the Lord thy God re­quire of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, Deut. 10. 12. So David said to his Son Solomon. 1 Chron. 28. 9. Know thou the God of thy Fathers, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind. Their Serving of Christ with their hearts, may comprehend,

1. Their sincere repentance of Sin, and faith in Christ Jesus. Sin is the work of the Devil, Christ came to de­stroy the works of the Devil, to save his people from their sins, to make them holy and happy. When the Apostle Preach'd the Gospel, he principally Inculcated on his Hearers, the duty of Repentance towards God, & Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, Acts 20. 21. Persons must repent or perish; must grieve and mourn for their sins, hate and forsake them, or be miserable for ever. They must re­pent and turn from all their transgressi­ons, else Iniquity will be their ruin, Ezek. 18. 30. Together with their loa­thing [Page 9] of sin, they must trust in the me­ritorious righteousness of Christ for their Justification before God. 1 John 3. 23. This is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Je­sus Christ. And whosoever believes in him, shall have remission of sins, (Acts 10. 43.) but he that believeth not, shall be damned, Mark 16. 16. The Lord Je­sus requires, that all under the Gospel should heartily repent of their sins, hate and turn from them; trust in his meritorious righteousness, and power­ful Intercession, for the acceptance of their persons and sincere (tho' Imper­fect) performances with God.

2. Their ordering their Conversation in general, as the Gospel directs. The heart is the spring & fountain of mens tho'ts, words and actions. Therefore as their hearts should hate sin, trust in Christ, love and obey God; so, from such a prevailing principle within, the whole outward behaviour should be conform'd to the Precepts of the Gos­pel. They should fear God and keep his Commandments, (Eccl. 12. 13) Glorifie him with their bodies and spirits; what­soever they do, they should do it to his glory. 1 Cor. 6. 20. and 10. 31. They [Page 10] should deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, live soberly, righteously, godlily in this present world, (Tit. 2. 12.) clean­sing themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7. 1.

3. Their attending Divine Worship, and managing the affairs of God's House according to the Rules of his Word. In matters of Religion, we do but Wor­ship God in vain, if we take Humane Inventions for our Rule. We must to the Law and to the Testimony, (Isa. 8. 20.) and try Doctrines and Practices by the Word of God, if we would hold fast that which is good. 1 Thes. 5. 21. We should keep close to the Pat­tern in the Mount, lest God should say to us of this or that practice, Who hath required this at your hands? Wor­ship should be paid to God, for the pleasing and honouring of him, and the profiting our own Souls; and the latter of these depends on the former; in these things, nothing can profit us, but what is pleasing to God. Therefore we should make his Word our Rule, in all the Affairs of his House and Worship, and indeed in all other things. Therefore if we would prove and evi­dence [Page 11] our love and friendship to Christ, we must do whatsoever he commands us (Joh. 14. 15. & 15. 14.) and we need do no more. Therefore we should carefully Sanctifie the Sabbath or Lord's Day; in a constant course seasonably attend the Preaching of God's Word; and receive the Sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's Supper, as the Scripture directs. It's a very great sin (what­ever some think of it) to neglect ei­ther Baptism or the Lord's Supper, as too many of the professed Disciples of Christ do. So, in our several Stations and Capacities, we should do what we can that the Doctrine, Worship, Disci­pline of Christ, may be upheld in their purity in his Churches according to his Word. Indeed in all things, we should make his Word the Lamp of our feet, & the light of our paths, Ps. 119. 105.

4. Their carrying it becomingly in the several Relations they sustain. 1 Cor. 7. 24. Let every man wherein he is called, therein abide with God. As in general, Christians should love their neighbours as themselves, so (which is truly com­prehended in it) they should faithful­ly perform the duties of those several Relations and Capacities they sustain, [Page 12] whether as Husbands or Wives, Pa­rents or Children, Masters or Servants, Ministers or Hearers, Magistrates or Subjects. For they should behave them­selves, as good Stewards of God's mani­fold grace, (1 Pet. 4. 10.) and as they have opportunity, do good to all men, Gal. 6. 10. and should do to others, as they would that others (in like cases) should do to them, Luk.6 31.

5. Their living as becomes Strangers in this World, and Heirs of Heaven. To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace Therefore they should set their affecti­ons on things above, not on things on the earth, Col. 3. 2. They should mortifie and subdue their carnal earthly affecti­ons; and lay up for themselves not treasures on earth, where moth & rust corrupt, and thieves break thro' and steal; but treasures in heaven, which are not liable to such hazards. Mat. 6. 19. They should pass the time of their Sojourning here in fear, 1 Pet. 11. 17. Their treasures, hearts and Conversati­ons should be in heaven. Such a dispo­sition of Soul towards God as the Psal­mist express'd, very well becomes them, Psal. 73. 25, 26. Whom have I in heaven [Page 13] but thee,? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee: My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Thus, Churches and Christians should serve Christ with their hearts; what has been briefly hinted, proves it to be their duty to do so; tho' it might also be more abundantly evidenc'd, were it needful, or would time permit the doing it. We therefore proceed to the next general head, viz.

2. He knows whether they do so or no. Christ Jesus is God as well as man, and therefore necessarily knows whether persons are hypocrites or sincere, in the profession they make of Religion. This is necessarily imply'd or intended in those words of our Text, I am he that searcheth the reins and the hearts. In a literal sense, the reins and hearts are Internal parts of the body, & quite out of the sight of men; yet God sees them. For there is not any Creature that is not manifest in his sight, all things are naked and opened to the eyes of him with whom we have to do, Heb. 4. 13. But the reins and hearts, in our Text are taken in a metaphorical or figura­tive sense, to signifie the Rational Souls [Page 14] of men, with their immediate designs, purposes, thoughts, &c. For tho' these are secret from the view of other men, yet they lie open to Christ's view. He searches them, the meaning is, he per­fectly sees, knows, and is acquainted with them. Persons often pretend to have those designs and inclinations, which are not really in them; and thereby they may deceive men who can judge only by outward appearance. They may outwardly appear righteous to men, while inwardly they are full of iniquity and hypocrisie, Mat. 23 28. But the Lord Jesus, whose eyes are a flame of fire, cannot be thus impos'd upon, or de­ceived. He not only knows mens words and outward actions, but also as fully knows their hearts, all their de­signs, desires and purposes. He knows the things that come into their minds, e­ven every one of them, Ezek. 21. 5. If they act agreeably to his Will, sincere­ly desiring and designing to glorifie him; he sees and approves their since­rity, tho' men possibly may tax them with Formality, Hypocrisie, and by si­nister ends in what they do. So on the other hand, if they make the most pious shows and pretences, and shine [Page 15] like Angels, in the opinion of men; yet if they secretly and chiefly aim at their own applause, outward profit or advantage in the matter; then the Lord Jesus plainly sees and greatly ab­hors, their cursed mockery and hypo­crisie. Therefore he could say of the Pharisees, who made wondrous shows of Piety; all their works they do to be seen of men, Mat. 23. 5. It was for a pretence that they made long prayers; they made great shews of piety, that they might the more easily devour Wi­dows houses. Their pretence to Serve God, was made use of to serve & gratifie their own cursed lusts and corruptions. So that when men may almost esteem such and such (on the account of their pious pretences) to be Angels of light; possibly the Lord may know (because of their secret hypocrisie) that they are more like Devils Incarnate. It is most certain, that the Lord Jesus per­fectly sees and knows the hearts of all men, and all that is in them. He sees not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart, 1 Sam. 16. 7. Jesus knew all men; and needed not that any should testifie of man, for he knew what was in [Page 16] man, Joh. 2. 24, 25. And as the Lord Jesus knows the hearts and thoughts of all men; So the last generad head tells us,

3. All the Churches shall know this, be­cause he'll give to every one according to his works.

It's probable that this latter part of our Text, does more immediately and directly intend, that the Lord Jesus would bring upon Jezebel & her wick­ed followers, such remarkable destruct­ive Judgments for their wicked works; as should demonstrate to all the Church­es that heard of them, that he knew their hearts. Jezebel pretended to be a Prophetess, extraordinarily Inspired and taught of God, tho' indeed she was not. So, calling her self a Pro­phetess, she pretended that her Doct­rines were Divine; and might very likely insinuate, that 'twas but a part of Christian Liberty to practice such Fornication and Idolatry, as she incou­couraged. But the Lord Jesus knew all the deceit, pride, presumption, wick­edness of her heart, and of the hearts of her followers; and would in his spotless all governing Providence make such discoveries thereof, and bring such [Page 17] Judgments therefor, as should fully con­vince the Churches (for their awaken­ing, warning, caution) that he knew the wickedness of their hearts, and was righteous in the Judgments he inflict­ed for their Crimes. God sometimes executes such remarkable vengeance on the wicked, that a man shall say, Veri­ly he is a God that Judgeth in the earth. Psa. 58. 10,11. The Lord is known by the Judgments which he executeth, the wick­ed is snared in the work of his own hands, Psa. 9.16. Thus God sometimes remar­kably and evidently manifests his Om­niscience, Holiness, Righteousness, in the visible Judgments he brings on particu­lar persons or Societies of men here in this World. And probably this (as was hinted but now) is what is more immediately, primarily and directly intended in our Text.

Yet our Text is by no means to be confined, limited or restrained to this sense. For in this World God does not always make a manifest evident di­stinction between the good and bad, by giving to every one according to his works. We're plainly told, Eccl. 8. 14.—There be just men to whom it happeneth accord­ing to the work of the wicked; & again, [Page 18] there be wicked men, unto whom it hap­peneth according to the work of the righ­teous. Sometimes the way of the wick­ed does prosper, Jer. 12. 1. The wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he, (Hab. 1. 13.) while the godly are plagued all the day long, and chastened every morning, Psal. 73. 14. Well, but the Lord Jesus who knows perfectly well all the thoughts, words and actions, of all men; will be the Universal Righ­teous Judge of the whole world; and in the Judgment-day he'll make it ma­nifest & known to all persons, all Chur­ches, yea to all Nations, (for they shall he cited before him. Mat. 25. 32.) that he searches the reins and the hearts, and that by his giving to every one accord­ing to his works. At that time Christ will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, & the counsels of the heart shall be made manifest. 1. Cor. 4. 5. At that time most fully and remarkable, he will render to every man according to his deeds. To them who by patient conti­nuance in well doing, do seek for glory, honour and immortality, eternal life. But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey un­righteousness, indignation and wrath, tri­bulation and anguish, on every soul of [Page 19] man that doth evil. Rom. 2. 6—9. God says, Jer. 17. 10. I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. 2 Cor. 5. 10. We must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in the body; according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Then the secret (as well as open) Sins of the Wicked, tho' they had been cloak'd with never so splendid preten­ces of Piety, shall be laid open to the view of all men and Angels; & have just punishment inflicted for them Then also shall the secret (as well as o­pen) duties of the Saints, their holy desires, designs, secret prayers, sincerity of heart in those actions which men were ready to charge with formality and hypocrisie; I say, these things shall be laid open, made publick to the view of all; and shall be graciously reward­ed by Christ the Judge of all. The Last Day, the Great Day of Judgment, will be the great day of distinction & separation between the Sheep and the Goats, the Wheat and the Chaff, the Godly and Ungodly. Then, even at that time most evidently, fully and [Page 20] remarkably, will the Lord Jesus give to every one according to his works.

We may now proceed to the Use, and may Infer from what has been said.

1. We should never content our selves, meerly with Externals in Religion. It's true, we should acquaint our selves with the Gospel of Christ, believe it, profess our belief of it and subjection to it. We should atttend Gods Holy Worship and Ordinances, and so con­form our words and outward actions to the precepts of the Gospel, as that Men may have nothing remarkable to say against us, Phil. 2. 15. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the Sons of God without rebuke. But we should by no means content our selves, meer­ly with what is outward and visible in Religion. There may be a form of godliness, where there's nothing of the power of it. To have a name to live, and yet be dead; is a terrible condition to be in.

2. We should not think our selves [Page 21] sincere, Saints, meerly because Men e­steem us so. Men can Judge only by outward appearance, 1 Sam. 16. 7. Even good men may be mistaken about us, and think much better of us than we really are. Did not holy Abraham charitably hope, that there might be fifty righteous persons in Sodom, when God the searcher of Hearts knew there were not ten there? Gen. 18.

3. Our great business should be, to approve our Hearts right and sincere before God. Without this, all our shows of Religion will avail nothing to our Salvation. Not one hypocrite shall go to Heaven. Many of the Children of the Kingdom (those who belong to Christ's visible Church in this world) shall be cast into outer darkness, Mat. 8. 12. Many Professors, many Church-members will be dam­ned in Hell for ever; yea and many Preachers as well as Professors of the Gospel. Many will say to Christ, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name (that is, preach'd his Word) [Page 22] and yet he'll say to them, I never knew you, depart from me ye that work Iniqui­ty, Mat. 7. 22, 23. We should there­fore see to it, that we heartily re­pent of Sin, believe in Christ, love and obey God. We must have Faith that purifies the Heart and works by love, else we must perish for ever. No outward shows of Re­ligion, Intitle us to Heaven; none but the pure in Heart shall see God. If there were a great Assembly of Professors together, and but one hypo­crite among them; he should perish & all the rest be saved. So, if there were among them but one sincere Saint, he should be saved; and all the rest should be damned. We should there­fore strive (like the Apostle) to please God who trieth our hearts, 1 Thes. 2. 4.

4. Particular Churches should make Christ's glory their end, and his Word their rule in all they do. The Lord Jesus knows the heart designs and In­tentions of all, not only consider'd in their single capacity as individual [Page 23] persons; but also consider'd as parts or members of any Society or Com­munity. Therefore Churches as such, should Endeavour to approve them­seves to Christ in all they do: For he is the Head of the body the Church, the Builder and Owner of the Church which is his House. And if they would approve themselves to him, they should aim at his glory & make his word their rule, in all they do.

1. This is their duty. They should observe all things whatsoever Christ has Commanded, Mat. 28. 20. He is thy Lord, and Worship thou him, Psal. 45. 11. Christ has purchas'd his Church with his own blood, and since he has so bought them with a price; they should glorify him with their bodies and Spirits which are his, Act. 20. 28. 1 Cor. 6. 20

2. This is their Honour. When per­sons make a true and right professi­on, tis their honour to act agreeably thereto; for therein they show their Integrity and Uprightness. Churches [Page 24] (as well as particular Christians) can't honour themselves more, than in walking and acting as Christ (whom they profess to be their Lord and Master) commands them to do. Christ said to the Angel of the Church of Philadelphia, thou hast kept my word; and the Exhortation he then gave was, hold that fast which thou hast that no man take thy crown, Rev. 3. 8, 11. While Ministers and Churches, keep close to the Word of Christ and act agreeably thereto, 'tis a crown of honour and glory to them; and their so doing leads to an eternal crown of glory in the future World.

3. This is their safety and Advantage. All Power in Heaven and Earth is com­mitted to Christ, he's Head over all things to the Church (Mat. 28. 18. Eph. 1.22.) he walks in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks (the Churches) and holds the stars (his Ministers) in his right hand, Rev. 1. 13, 16. 20. In­deed he rules and governs [...] according to his Infinite Wise and [Page 25] Soveraign pleasure. Therefore it must needs be for the safety and welfare of particular Churches (as well as particular Christians) to obey and honour Christ in all things. He's King in Zion, has a rod of Iron to dash his enemies to pieces, as a Potter's vessel; therefore it's wisdom to serve him with holy fear; lest his anger being kindled against us, he destroy us for ever, Psal. 2. It's unspeakably dangerous for Persons or Churches, to provoke the Lord Jesus by acting contrary to his Word; for he can remove the can­dlestick out of it's place, fight against them with the rod of his mouth, come on them (suddenly) as a thief, kill them with death, and spue them out of his mouth (as he threatens in case of Im­penitence and non amendment) Rev. 2. 5, 16, 23. and 3. 3, 16. If they provoke him to anger, he can tear them to pieces so that none shall deli­ver them; he can terribly plague and punish them both in this World and in the next. On the other hand, if [Page 26] they keep the word of Christ's pati­ence, uphold and maintain his Doc­trine, Worship, Discipline as his word directs; and in all things approve themselves to him; he can and will do for them, all that infinite Wisdom (accompani'd with Infinite Love) sees best for them. What great and precious Promises in these Epistles to the Asian Churches, are there made to those that are faithful in serving of Christ? Promises very great and precious Indeed. Truly, godliness hath the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4. 8. All things shall work together for good to them that love God, and are cal­led according to his purpose, Rom. 8. 28.

And as all particular Churches, should make Gods glory their end and his Word their rule; so should you who purpose (God willing) to attend and uphold his Worship and Ordi­nances in this place. To you there­fore that have been at considerable pains and cost, in building this House [Page 27] for the Worship of God, I would say a few things.

1. Examine your selves concerning what you have done in this matter. Was it with a true and hearty aim, at the furtherance of Gods glory and the In­terest of Religion; that you engag'd in this affair, and have been at such pains and expence in it? I would not be mistaken, I do not charge nor chal­lenge any of you in this matter; how­ever I think it's not improper, for you to examine your own hearts in this affair. If upon examination you find, that you have regularly and sincerely approv'd your hearts to God in this affair; then be thankful that God has enabled you to expend so much for his service, and that he has Inclin'd you thus to honour him with your Substance; and you should humbly hope and trust, that these your gifts and offer­ings do and shall find acceptance with God thro' Christ. It's a good and great thing, when in matters of this nature persons can truly say, as David [Page 28] about his Preparations to build the Temple, 1 Chron. 29. 17.—As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things. And as you should be thankful, so far as you have approv'd your selves to God in this affair; so you should be thank­ful also for the success you have had. The best means can't command suc­cess, Eccl. 9. 11. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favour to men of skill: but time and chance happeneth to all men. Men might labour in the fire, and spend their strength for very vanity, if God did not smile on and succeed their Endeavours, Psal. 127. 1. Except the Lord build the House, they labour in vain that build it. It is therefore owing to kind Providence, not only that persons have contributed of their estates to build this House; but also that Materials have been provi­ded, Labourers and Artificers preserved and assisted, and that the House is thus [Page 29] finished and perfected. Be thankful to God for this. But if upon examina­tion any of you find, that you have acted from by, sinister ends, not truly aiming at the furtherance of Gods glory and the Interest of Religion, or not chiefly aiming at these things; this calls for your humiliation before God, and flying to the blood of Jesus for pardon.

2. Approve your selves to God for the future. Be Christians not only in word, but in deed and in truth, Dont content your selves, with any thing short of true unfeign'd repen­tance of sin, and faith in Christ Jesus. A New Meeting-Huuse (if it were as costly and magnificent as Solomons Temple) New Seats, New Pews, with­out a New Heart; can never Intitle you to an habitation or seat in the New Jerusalem which is above. Sabbaths, Meeting-Houses, Ordinances, Ministers; as to Man's profit, are all of them ap­pointed to this end viz. to bring Souls nearer to God in Christ, and make them [Page 30] more meet for glory. If you content your selves with externals in Reli­gion, without having your hearts sin­cere and upright with God; then you satisfy your selves meerly with means, neglecting the end, they were appointed for; and thus to do, would be great folly and wickedness indeed. Live therefore as becomes the Chil­dren of God, the members of Christ, the living Temples of the Holy Spi­rit; being holy in heart and life, holy in all manner of conversation.

3. Maintain Religion in your Fami­lies. Be religious in your own hou­ses, as well as in the House of God. Maintain a constant course of secret Prayer, Mat. 6. 6. Enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Maintain a constant course of Family-Prayer every morn­ing and evening. Resolve as Joshua of old, Josh. 24. 15. As for me and my House we will serve the Lord. Let [Page 31] the word of God be read daily in your Families, Joh. 5. 39. Search the Scri­tures, Josh. 1. 8. This Book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayst observe to do according to all that is written therein. Again, set good examples before, give fre­quent wholesome Instructions to, maintain good Government over, your Children and Servants. Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, Eph. 6. 4. Like Abraham, charge your Children and Household, that they may keep the way of the Lord, Gen. 18. 19. Do your utmost that those un­der your family care, may serve God faithfully while you live, and also after you are dead; that one Genera­tion may praise Gods works to another, Psal. 145. 3.

4. Keep close to Christ's word as your Rule, in all your publick and Church af­fairs. Do all you can, that his holy Truths, Worship, Discipline may be up­held among you. The more hearty [Page 32] and diligent you are in this, so much the more you may expect that Christ will bless you. Do what you can to get a Learned, able, holy and faithful Minister; even such an one as is de­scribed, 1 Tim. 3. 1—7. Tit. 1. 6,—9. When God shall set such an one over you, diligently attend on his Mini­strations. Esteem him very highly in love for his works sake, 1 Thes. 5. 13. obey him and submit to him, as your spiritual watch­man, Heb. 13. 17. Afford to him an honourable maintainance. Honour the Lord with thy substance, Pro. 3. 9. So hath the Lord ordained, that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel 1 Cor. 9. 14. Let him that is taught in the word, communicate to him that teacheth in all good things, Gal 6. 6. Constanly and earnestly Pray for him, that God would abundantly assist and succeed him in his work. Christians should make Conscience of thus pray­ing for their Ministers; the Scrpture frequently Inculcates this duty on them, Eph. 6. 18 19. Col. 4. 3. 1 Thes. 5. 25

[Page 33] 5. Live in peace among your selves. If you want direction in any case, be not backward to advise with Neigh­bouring Ministers in the Town; I be­lieve they all wish your welfare, that you may have much of the gracious presence and Spirit of Christ with you, & would heartily & readily give you the best advice they could. But the best advice from others, would signify but too little if you should contend among your selves. It's not easy to describe, the woful and grie­vous fruits of contention: Our Bles­sed Saviour plainly Intimates, that an House, City or Kingdom, divided a­gainst it self, is in danger of desolati­on, Mat. 12. 25. Mark 3. 25 If ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another, Gal. 5. 15. Where envying and strife is, there is confusion, and every evil work, Jam. 3. 16. And therefore, let nothing be done thro' strife or vain glory, Phil. 2. 3. only by pride comes contention, Prov. 13. 10. Therefore subdue pride [Page 34] and self-will; study self denial, that first Lesson of Christianity, Mat. 16. 24, Be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you, 2. Cor 13. 11. In a word, ap­prove your hearts to Christ in all you do. I can't give you better Counsel than this, carry it at all times and in all things toward the Lord Jesus; as considering and firmly believing, that (as our text declares) he searches the reins and hearts, and will give to every one according to his work.