CHAPTER X. Considerations to encourage us in the Discharge of our Christian Duty; with a Caution to the Reader. A LL this, and much more to the same purpose, which I have read and observe in the Sacred Book of the New Testament, hath convinced me that it is the design of the Christian Religion to make me meek and humble, sober and contented, just and charitable, devout and religious, virtuous and holy this I own to be my duty, and I will endeavour myself heartily to perform the same. And that I may do it with cheerfulness and affection, I will stir and quicken the holy fire of love in my heart, by pious considerations. When any duty to GoD or man calls upon me for action and performance, and I find in my soul too much of dulness or reluctancy, I will again by meditation suppose my dying SAVIOUR present, telling me how much He hath done and suffered for me, and desiring me, as I love Him, to do that duty which lies before me. "Christian, if thou dost understand the greatness of My love which brought Me here to die for thee; if thou art sensible of it, and wouldst make any return for it, do this, obey this command; this may be the last thing thou shalt ever do for Me, this may be the last trial of thy love: sure it would grieve thee to have denied this small request to Him that gives His life, that gives Himself for thee." Or else I will suppose myself in the presence of my DIVINE MASTER, sitting on His heavenly throne with His glorified servants about Him, showing me the crown He hath assigned to me, and saying; "N.N., Wilt thou deny to do this at My earnest request? wilt thou be so unkind to Me? Sure I have deserved better at thy hands; sure I, Who am much above thee, have done more for thee than that comes to; but besides, I would highly recompense thee. friends I have rewarded with the bliss and glory they enjoy, for having done such things for Me: and I would reward thee as bountifully; here is eternal life, eternal rest, These my eternal glory for thy recompence: as thou lovest Me, as thou lovest thyself, obey, that thou mayst be happy." To this, what answer could I make, but such as this? LORD, not only this, but anything else thou hast commanded, I am willing to fulfil and obey. I bewail my dulness and depraved nature that makes me so unready, so inactive in Thy service; but, LORD, Thou knowest that I love Thee I would indeed undertake any labour, any trouble to make it appear; I would die to justify it. Yet, sweetest JESU, I beg of Thee to increase my love; to increase it to such a degree, that, like Thy heavenly attendants, I may burn with that Divine fire, and be all love to Thee: that so I may be always prepared and desirous to do Thy will. "Stir up, we beseech Thee, O LORD, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of Thee be plenteously rewarded; through JESUS CHRIST Our LORD. Amen." Christian, I would here advise thee, before I pass further, that thou wouldst not judge of several things in this book by thy present liking of them. Devotional things are discerned more · by the affections than by the judgment; the relish of them doth depend upon the temper of the soul. And so those resolves and meditations which now, it may be, please thee not, may hereafter be very acceptable, when thou art otherwise disposed; to be sure when thou art ready to leave the world, and enter thy portion of Eternity. If now, therefore, thou wilt bring thy mind to such a frame as then it will be in, I need not fear but that what I have written thou wilt also read and repeat heartily in the first person: for to that end I have thus contrived it to engage thine affections, to make thee speak, as of thyself, these soliloquies, acts of love, and acts of resolution, which run throughout the whole discourse. It may affect thee much, and to good purpose, frequently to confer with thy soul and with thy SAVIOUR, about thy happiness. However, be sure thou art serious and sincere. For certain it is, that for thee, N.N. by name, JESUS was crucified, and died; and certain it is, that thou thyself shalt die and be judged, and rise again to an intolerable eternity, if by carelessness and inconsideration thou hast been unmindful of thy LORD and thy |