Eight Sermons, Sermons · Sermon 6
What our Work is, And how to be done.
Eccleſ. 9.10.
Whatſoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might: for there is no work, &c.
SOme think that Solomon ſpeaks theſe words in the perſon of an Epicure; as if he ſhould ſay, Let us eat and drink; for to morrow we ſhall dye. But an Epicure doth not uſe to ſpeak ſo religiouſly. An Epicure doth not mind the acceptance of God. But Solomon here ſaith, v. 7. Eat and drink with joy, for God accepteth thy works. An Epicure doth not look upon this life; and the days thereof as vanity, Which Solomon here doth, v. 9, An Epicure doth not look upon theſe outward things and bleſſings of this life, as the gift of God, Solomon here doth, v. 9. But in this Scripture Solomon tells us, That a man ſhould chearfully take all the good that God doth put into his hand to have, v. 7, 8, 9. And that he ſhould induſtriouſly do all that work which God hath put into his hand for to do, v. 10. Whatſoever thy hand findeth to do, &c. Where ye have an Injunction, and the reaſon of that Injunction. The Injunction in theſe words, Whatſoever thy hand findeth to do, or is in the power of thy hand to do, as ſome Tranſlations have it, do it with thy might. The Reaſon in theſe words, For there is no work, &c. that is, There is nothing in the Grave which you can turn your hand unto; for the Word foreign is ſometimes put for Work, ſometimes for Device, ſometimes for Knowledge, and ſometimes for Wiſdom. So that from theſe words you may obſerve thus much; That it is our duty to do that work with all our might, which is in the power of our hand to do. For the clearing whereof, we muſt firſt enquire what this phraſe, Whatſoever thy hand findeth to do, or whatſoever is in the power of thine hand, doth import. Now if ye conſult the Scripture, it implies three things, Authority, Ability, Opportunity
Firſt, It imp…ies Authority or Commiſſi…n. That which falleth within the compaſs of our Commiſſion and Authority, is, In the power of our hand. Upon this account Abraham ſaid unto Sarah concerning her maid Hagar. Gen. 16.6. Behold thy maid is in thine hand, that is, within the compaſs of thine authority. Illud vere poſſumus, quod jure poſſumus; Though a man be able to do a work, yet if it be not lawful, or within the compaſs of his calling …d commiſſion; it is not in the power of his h … to do it.
Secondly, As the words do imply Authority, ſo they do imply an Ability. For though a m…n have the power of Authority to do a work, yet if he have not the power of Ability to do it, it is not in the power of his hand to do it. Knoweſt thou not, ſaid Laban to Jacob, Gen. 31.29. that it is in the power of my hand to do thee hurt; that is, Knoweſt thou not that I have power, and ſtrength, and ability for to do thee hurt. But,
Thirdly, As the words do imply an Ability, ſo they do imply Opportunity and Occaſion; for though a man have both power of Authority and of Ability to do a work, yet if he have not Opportunity to do it, that work is not in the power of his hand to do. 1 Sam. 10 7. And let it be when theſe ſigns are come unto thee, that thou do as occaſion ſhall ſerve. In the Hebrew, as your Margent tells you, it is, as thy hand ſhall find to do. And if ye look into Scripture, you ſhall find that a man is ſaid to do that work which he doth occaſion, though that work be done by another. See Acts 1.18. It's ſaid of Judas, That he purchaſed a field with the reward of iniquity. In Mat. 27.3, 5. He brought the thirty pieces of ſilver to the Prieſts, and threw them down in the Temple, and departed. If he threw them down in the Temple, and left them with the Prieſts, how did he purchaſe the field? Yes, ſays the interlineary Gloſs, Poſſidit quia poſſideri fecit, He purchaſed it, becauſe he did that work which did adminiſter the occaſion of this purchaſe. Look therefore when a work is within the compaſs of our commiſſion, and which we have ability and opportunity to do, then it is truly ſaid to be in the power of our hand, and that is the work which our hand finds to do; So that whatever work, that is, which God doth betruſt us with, if we have ability and opportunity to do it, that we are to do with all our might.
Queſt. 2. Well, but then ſecondly, When may a man be ſaid to do this work of God with his might, or with all his might.
I anſwer, it imports five things, Firſt, He that will do the work of God with all his might, muſt do it with all his ſoul in oppoſition unto heart-diviſion. As in the New Teſtament, there is mention of foreign, a double-minded man: So in the Old Teſtament ye read of a divided heart, foreign An heart and an heart. And the word foreign Heart is ſometimes put for the affections, and ſometimes for the conſcience: Yea, the Hebrew hath no other proper word for conſcience, but the word heart. Therefore ſays the Apoſtle. If thy heart condemn thee, that is, if thy conſcience condemn thee, that's an Hebraiſme. Now the heart of the affection may run one way, and the heart of the conſcience may go another way. The heart of Herods conſcience went with John Baptiſt, but the heart of his affection went with the Dancing damſel. The heart of a Drunkards conſcience is to leave his Drunkenneſs, but the heart of his affections is to his drunken company. But where a man doth the work of the Lord with all his might, he doth it with all his ſoul, in oppoſition unto Heart-diviſion.
2. And ſecondly, As he muſt do it with all his ſoul in oppoſition unto heart-diviſion, ſo he muſt do the work of the Lord with all his underſtanding, in oppoſition unto unskilfulneſs. For ſ…ys Solomon, It is the property of a fool, not to know the way to the city, Eccleſ. 10. The labour of the fooliſh wearieth every one of them; becauſe he knows not how to go to the city; That is, ſaith Luther, He wearieth out himſelf in difficult things and queſtions, when he doth not know that which is ordinary and neceſſary for him to know; he knows not the way to the city: But as for the Wiſeman, ſaith he, His heart is at his right hand, ver 2 A wiſemans heart is at his right hand: That is, he doth his work with dexterity, in oppoſition unto all unskilfulneſs.
3. And thirdly, As he doth God… work with dexterity, in oppoſition to all unskilfulneſs, ſo he doth it with all his affections, in oppoſition unto Lukewarmneſs and Remiſneſs. For as the Philoſopher obſerves, All remiſneſs doth ariſe from the mixture of ſome contrary: Now where there is a mixture of the contrary, a man cannot do his work with all his might. But,
Fourthly, As he muſt do Gods work with all his affection, in oppoſition unto Luke-warmneſs; ſo he muſt do it with all his ability, in oppoſition to all Reſerves. Ananias and Sapphira did not do Gods work with all their might; Why? becauſe they had their Reſerves: But Moſes did Gods work with all his might, when he brought the people out of Egypt; Why? becauſe he left not an hoof behind him, he had no Reſerves. So now, when a man will not leave an hoof behind him, but doth Gods work without all reſerves; then he doth it with all his might. Yet
Fifthly, As he muſt do it with all his ability, in oppoſition unto all Reſerves; ſo he muſt do it with his diligence and induſtry, in oppoſition unto ſloth and negligence. For he that is ſlothful in his buſineſs, is brother to the ſcatterer, ſaith Solomon Do you therefore ask when a man may be ſaid to do Gods work with all his might? I anſwer it implies theſe five things. He muſt do it with all his ſoul, in oppoſition to all diviſion of he…rt: With all his dexterity, in oppoſition unto all unskilfulneſs: With all his affections, in oppoſition unto all luke-warmneſs and remiſneſs: With all his ability, in oppoſition unto all reſerves: And with all his induſtry and diligence, in oppoſition unto all ſloth and negligence.
Well, but then thirdly, Why and upon what account or reaſon muſt we do Gods work with all our might?
I anſwer. 1. It is Gods will we ſhould do ſo; it is his Commandment, Deut. 4.5, 6. Thou ſhalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, with all thy ſoul, and with all thy might. Here are three Alls; All thy ſoul, all thy heart, and all thy might. And leſt you ſhould think that there may be ſome abatement in New Teſtament-times, ye ſhall find, that when Chriſt cites thoſe words in Luke 10.27. he addes a fourth All. Thou ſhalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy ſoul, with all thy ſtrength, and with all thy mind. Here are four Alls. There is no abatement then in our Goſpel times. Now if this be the mind and will of God, is not this reaſon enough for us? I have read of one Biſhop in the Primitive Times, whoſe name was Quodvulteus, that is, Quod vult Deus, What God will. And indeed methinks that this ſhould be the name of every Chriſtian, Quodvulteus, What-God-will. We all profeſs our ſelves the Children of Abraham: He went blindfold into Gods Commandments, and ſubſcribed to a Blanck. Now we have Commandment for this both in the Old and New Teſtament. It is Scriptural.
Secondly, As is is Scriptural, ſo it is a rational thing that we ſhould do Gods work with all our might. For is it not a reaſonable thing that we ſhould give God his due, his own?
1. Now all our might is Gods due. Non eſt devotionis, ſays Proſper. It is not matter of devotion to give all unto God within a little, ſed fraudis eſt, it's matter of fraud to keep a little from God.
2. And is it not a reaſonable thing for us to love God, who hath loved us, and given himſelf for us and to us? Who is the proper Object of our love, and altogether lovely. Who only gives the affection of love, and the thing loved; and who only can recompenſe your love with love again. Now it is the only meaſure of true Love to know no meaſure. Non amat, qui non zelat.
3. And is it not a reaſonable thing that we ſhould do Gods work as fully as our own? Now if you have any buſineſs to do in the world, you will turn every ſtone, you will do it with all your might. Have you not ſinn'd with all your might? and ſhall your ſins be crying ſins, and your prayers whiſpering prayers? Will you run when the world calls, and wil you creep when God calls? You will not bear it that a man ſpeak to you when you ſpeak to another; and will you bear it, that the world ſhould ſpeak to you while you ſpeak to God. But,
Fourthly, Is it not a reaſonable thing that we ſhould do that work with all our might which is our only work, and the work which we came into the world for? Now we did not come in…o the world to get riches or credit. We h…ve nothing here to do but to ſerve the Lord; all other things are ſubordinate to that. And if you look into Scriptu…e, you ſhall find that the Lord only ſtands upon this work. Thou ſhalt worſhip the …ord, and him onelyonly ſhalt thou ſerve, onelyonly let your converſation be as becometh, &c. Here doth the onelyonly ſtand. Yea, ſays Solomon, this is the whole of man, Eccleſ. 12.13. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole of man. The word duty is not in the Original: But fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole of man. Now is it not rational that we ſhould give God his due? That we ſhould love God; That we ſhould do his work as fully as our own; That we ſhould do that work with all our might, which is our onelyonly work. Surely therefore it's very rational that we ſhould do Gods work with all our might. Yet
Thirdly, As it is rational that we ſhould do thus, ſo it is a dangerous thing not to do it. For curſed is every one that doth the work of the Lord negligently. Sloth and the Curſe grow together upon one ſtalk. The Jewiſh Rabbins do obſerve, that there is a threefold Amen that is not right, which, ſay they, is followed with a threefold anſwerable puniſhment. There is Amen amputatum, Amen acceleratum, and Amen Pupillare, or Orban Amen: Amputatum Amen, when a man doth cut ſhort his duty, and ſay Amen unto half duty: Amen acceleratum, Is when he doth huddle over his duty and ſay Amen, to an haſtened duty: Amen Pupillare, As when a man doth perform his duty without underſtanding & heart, and doth ſay Amen, to he knows not what. Now ſay they, If a man ſhall cut ſhort his duty, God ſhall cut ſhort his comforts; If a man ſhall haſten and huddle over his duty, God will haſten and not prolong his days; And if a man ſhall perform his duty without heart and underſtanding, then his Children ſhall be Orphans; as his duty was without heart and knowledge, ſo his Children ſhall be without Parents. Thus they expreſs the puniſhment of doing Gods work negligently; but ye know what the Prophet Malachy ſaith, Curſed is every one that hath in his Flock a Male, and offers a corrupt thing to God; as if he ſhould ſay, Curſed is that man or woman who hath Maſculine affections for the world, and Female affections for the work of God. O now if it be the will and mind of God that we ſhould do his work with all our might; & a rational thing to do ſo; And a dangerous thing not to do it; Then ſurely it is our duty and matter of great concernment to do the work that God hath given us to do, with all our might.
Why? But will ſome ſay this ſeems contrary to Scripture, Reaſon, and our own Judgment; to Scripture, for the Scripture ſaith, Ʋſe the world as if you uſed it not; To Reaſon, for the Magiſtrate is to do Juſtice, and if he do it with all his might, there will be ſummum jus, and ſummum jus, is ſumma injuria; and to our own Judgment, for according to our own principles we are able to do nothing; but according to this Text and Doctrine, there is ſomething in the power of our hand to do. How can this therefore agree either with Scripture, Reaſon, or our own Judgment and Principles?
Yes, very well, for doth the Scripture ſay that we are to uſe the world as if we uſed it not? and doth it ſay here, whatever is in the power of thine hand to do, do it withall thy might; Then put theſe together, and what is the reſult but this, That we ſhould uſe all our skill and might, to uſe the world as if we uſed it not. And as for the re…ſon about the Magiſtrate, though the Magiſtrate is to do juſtice, yet he is to ſhew mercy alſo; if he have righteouſneſs in the one hand he is to have mercy in the other; I will ſing of mercy and judgment ſaith David; Seneca tells us, that many puniſhments are as much diſparagement to the Magiſtrate, as many Funerals are to the Phyſician. Ye know that Moſes was the firſt Magiſtrate that Iſrael had, and did not he doe juſtice? yes, yet he was the meekeſt man upon earth; Why ſo? but to ſhew that the diſpenſations of juſtice will grow very well upon the diſpoſition of meekneſs. And as for our own principles and Judgment who doth not ſay, and ſay true, That every man hath power to do more then he doth; and what if I ſhould ſay with ſome, That God will condemn no man for that ſin, which he hath not a power to avoid. The Heathens ye know are judged by the law of nature, but though they are not able to keep the whole law of nature, yet they are able to avoid theſe ſins againſt nature, for which they are condemned; ſo under the Goſpel, though a man be not able to convert and turn unto God, and to keep the whole law of the Goſpel; yet he may be able to avoid the ſins againſt the Goſpel, as poſitive unbelief and reſiſtance, for which he ſhall be condemned, thus ſome; But I need not ſay thus, neither ſhall I need to enter into this debate here, for whoever liveth under the Goſpel is either Godly or ungodly; if he be ungodly, he hath power to do more then he doth; and if he be Godly his will is freed; for whom the ſon makes free, he is free indeed, though his will be not libera, free, yet his will is liberata freed; as Auſtin ſpeaks, So that thus now you ſee there is nothing in this truth that is contrary to Scripture, Reaſon, or our own Principles; yet give me leave to bound it with two Cautions.
1. Though you muſt do Gods work withall your might, yet your moderation muſt be known unto all men; Some will not let Gods work paſs through their hands, but they will have ſome tole for their own intereſt. Joſhua did not ſo, he conquered the land of Canaan, and when he came to divide it, what a little Thong did he cut out of that Leather for himſelf and Family; Some will not do Gods work, but they will carry it on with their own paſſion. It's ſaid of Scanderbeg, that great Souldier, that when he ſpake ſometimes of Chriſt, he would be ſo earneſt that the bloud would ſpirt out of his lips: But as Gods grace has no need of our ſin, ſo his work hath no need of our paſſions; Though therefore you do the work of the Lord with all your might, yet you are to manage it with mildneſs and ſweetneſs, therein alſo your moderation is to be known to all.
2. Though you do the work of your hand with all your might, yet you muſt not look upon the ſucceſs of your work as the fruit of your hand, but of Gods hand; when Iſrael went out againſt Amaleck, Moſes lift up his hands, and Iſrael prevailed; then Joſhua built an Altar, and called it Jehova-niſſi; for ſays the Text, Exod. 17.15. The Lord hath ſworn that he will have war with Amaleck; but ver. 16. in the Hebrew, as the Margent tells, It is the hand on the Throne of the Lord, and why ſays Glaſſius, is it ſaid the hand on the throne of the Lord, but to ſhew that this victory was not from Moſes hand, though it was a praying hand, but from Gods hand. Luther tells us of Staupitius, that when he came to his Government he ſaid, I will govern according to Law; But when he ſaw that his Government did not ſucceed, then he ſaid I will govern according to the cuſtoms of the place; When he ſaw that ſucceeded not, then ſaid he, I will govern by the Scripture; When he ſaw that ſucceeded not well, then ſaid he, I will do what I can according to Scripture and Law, and leave the ſucceſs unto God; and then his Government proſpered. And you ſee how it is with a Child, a Father bids him do this or that which he knows the child cannot do; therefore he ſecretly puts his own hand to the work, and he praiſes his child, and the child thinks that his hand did it. So here God bids us do his work, with all our might, & we do ſo & have ſucceſs in the work, and we think the ſucceſs is the fruit of our hand, whereas in truth it is the fruit of our fathers hand. Mark therefore what follows in the next words to the Text, in this verſe ſaith Solomon, Whatever thou findeſt in thy hand to do, do it with all thy might; but in the next words ſays, I returned and ſaw, that the Race is not to the ſwift, nor the Battel to the ſtrong. Why doth he add theſe words immediately, but to ſhew thus much, that though we do Gods work withall our might, yet we muſt not look upon the ſucceſs as the fruit of our own hand; And thus now this Doctrine is cleared, proved, vindicated, and cautioned; and ſo I come to the Application.
Application.
Now by way of Application, methinks this Doctrine looks wiſhly upon all the Congregation, for what man or woman is there amongſt you whom God hath not betruſted with ſome work or other. 'Tis true indeed, that he who had but one Talent, wrapped it up in the Napkin. Thoſe are moſt apt to be idle, that have leaſt, yet every one hath ſome Talent or other, ſome work or other that every one hath in the power of his hand. Now therefore in the Name of the Lord, I ſay unto you all, Whatever thine hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might.
Queſt. But how ſhall I be able to do the work which God hath put into my hand, with all my might?
Anſ. Firſt you muſt know what that work is which is in the power of your hand, elſe you cannot turn your hand to do it withall your might. Now,
Firſt, Look what that work is which is opus diei, The work of the day, which can neither be done in Heaven nor Hell, that is now in the power of your hand to do, There is ſome work which we may do in this life, that can neither be done in Heaven nor Hell. Preaching and Hearing the word, cannot be done in Heaven nor Hell, Repentance cannot be done in Heaven nor Hell, Patience under affliction cannot be done in Heaven nor Hell, Contributing to, or helping the poor, cannot be done in Heaven nor Hell. Now look what that work is that can neither be done in Heaven or Hell, that is the work of your preſent day, and is in the power of your hand to do.
2. Look wh… that work is, which is the work of your place, calling, or rel…tion, that is the work which is in the power of your hand to do. As ſuppoſe you be a agiſtrate, it is the work of the Chriſtian Magiſtrate to ſafeguard and defend Religion. Be wiſe now therefore O ye Princes and Nobles, kiſs the Son, Pſal. 2.1. It is the work of the Magiſtrate to preſerve the publick peace, for he is the head of the community, and therefore muſt look to the welfare of the body. It is the work of the Magiſtrate to diſpenſe juſtice and righteouſneſs, ſo as to encourage the good, and be a terror to evil doers. Rom. 13. It is the work of the Magiſtrate to aſſiſt the Miniſter. By the hand of Moſes and Aaron God led his people of old; not by the hand of Moſes alone, nor by the hand of Aaron alone, but by the hand of Moſes and Aaron. It is the work of the Magiſtrate to ſee that the poor be relieved and provided for, Pſal. 72. Or ſuppoſe you be a Miniſter, it is the work of the Miniſter to walk before the people, as the Dux gregis before the reſt of the Flock, in all holy life and godly converſation. Converſation is continual preaching, it is the work of the Miniſter to ſtudy the Scriptures much, for he hath more help that way then others,; it is the work of the Miniſter to preach the word plainly, powerfully, and continually both for conviction, converſion, and edification; it is the work of the Miniſter to ſeparate between the precious and the vile, in Church Adminiſtrations; it is the work of the Miniſter to bind up the broken hearted, to comfort the afflicted, to viſit and pray over the ſick, Is any one ſick, let hi… call for the Elders of the Church, James 5.15. Or ſuppoſe you be the Governour of a Family, Father, or Maſter; or you be Governed, a child or ſervant, It is the work of the Governour to bring up his children, or ſervants in the Nurture and Education of the Lord. It is the work of Inferiours to be obedient to their Parents or Maſter; It is the work of children and thoſe that are young, to learn ſome Trade & Calling, that they may live like men and women another day, and do good to others; it is the work of thoſe that are young to ſtock and ſtore themſelves with principles of Religion. Luther, a great Doctor in the Church, profeſſed that he was yet Catechiſmi Diſcipulus. And what is the reaſon ſaith Calvin, that men fall into errors when they are men? but becauſe they did not learn the Principles of Religion when they were young. Or ſuppoſe you be one of this Town, or of theſe Congregations, It is your work to pray for them that are over you in the Lord. It is your work to attend on the means of Grace, to receive the Goſpel, and to improve your Goſpel opportunities. Have you forgotten O ye people of Yarmouth, how far ye would run and go formerly for a diſhful of water; and now a Spring and fountain of Grace is opened amongſt you; will ye not improve it? if a Mine of Gold or Silver be opened in a Country, will they not dig it out. Now through grace there is a Mine of Goſpel Treaſures opened amongſt you, and will ye not dig for it as for hidden Treaſure? This is your work, for look what that work is which is the work of your calling, place, and relation, that is the work that is in the power of your hand to do.
Thirdly, Look what that work is, which is directly contrary to that ſin wherein you have notoriouſly lived, or been guilty of, that is the work which God calls you to, and is in the power of your hand. I have read of a young man that was much given to ſcorning, jeering, and deſpiſing of his Mother, but after it pleaſed God to work ſavingly upon his heart, when ever he ſaw his Mother come into the room, he would fall down upon his knees. I commend not his diſcretion. But if ye look into the New Teſtament, ye ſhall meet with three great Converts. Zacheus, the Jaylor, and Paul, and what did they do, but that work which was directly contrary to the ſin which they were notoriouſly guilty of and given to? Zacheus had been an oppreſſor, but being converted, Behold Lord, ſaid he, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have wronged any man I reſtore four-fold; The Jaylor whipped the …poſtles, and put them into the Stocks in the inner Priſon, but when converted then he brought them into his houſe, waſhed their ſtripes, and ſet meat before them. Paul was notorious for blaſpheming, and perſecuted the Church, but when converted then he preached the Goſpel, which before he perſecuted, So that look what that work is which is directly contrary to your notorious ſin; that is the work that God calls you to, and which your hand ſhould find to do.
Fourthly, Look what that work is which you are ſpared or raiſed up for, either from poverty or ſickneſs, that is the work which is in the power of your hand now to do. There is a great Controverſie at this day, How Gods Predetermination, and the Liberty of mans Will can conſiſt or ſtand together; The reconcilement whereof was committed to Francis de Arriva, which he ſhunning, fell into a great ſickneſs? ſo dangerous; that the Phyſicians gave him over for a dead man? but all of a ſudden, in a days time he revived, and was ſo well, that the Phyſicians could not believe that he was well; but be recovering, thought that he was ſpared on purpoſe to undertake that work of Reconcilement, Which thereupon he did, and hath ſaid as much in it as any other. And you know what Mordecai ſaid to Eſther, Who knows but God raiſed thee up on purpoſe, &c. Look therefore what that work is which your former poverty or ſickneſs points at, and for which you are thus raiſed up, that is the work that is in the power of your hand to do. Yea,
Fifthly, Look what that work is that you have ſpecial ability and opportunity to do above others, that is the work that is in the power of your hand to do. As ſuppoſe you have a great Eſtate in the world, and have no Children; It is your work to relieve and help the poor. Therefore, ſays Solomon, Prov. 3.27. Thou ſhalt not withhold goods from the owners thereof, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Would ye therefore know what that work is which is in the power of your hand? I anſwer in theſe five things. Look what that work is which is the work of your preſent day, which cannot be done in Heaven nor Hell: What work that is that is the work of your place or relation: What work that is that is directly oppoſite to your notorious ſin: What that work is which you are ſpared and raiſed up for: And what work that is which you have an ability and opportunity to do above others. That and all theſe are the works which are in the power of your hand to do.
But ſecondly, If you would do Gods work with all your might, Then you muſt obſerve where your true ſtrength lyes, and apply your ſelf thereunto, Now your ſtrength lyes in Chriſt the Lord our Righteouſneſs and our ſtrength. Under Chriſt your ſtrength lyes in your call to your work. Go in this thy might, ſaid the Lord to Gideon, when he gave him a call. Under Chriſt your ſtrength lyes in the promiſe, for Lex jubet, Gratia juvat: The Law commands, and the Promiſe helps. Under Chriſt your ſtrength lyes in your comfort: He works faintly, that doth work uncomfortably. The joy of the Lord is our ſtrength, It's true in this ſenſe; and under Chriſt your ſtrength lyes in dependance upon God for ſtrength. Our ſtrength is to ſit ſtill; That is to depend and wait on God for his ſtrength. Herein lyes your true ſtrength. Would you therefore do Gods work with all your might, then away to your true ſtrength.
And thirdly, If you would do Gods work with all your might; then take heed that you do not think the way to Heaven is eaſie; nor that any thing is ſmall that lyes between God and you. Difficultas acuit conatum. Difficulty ſharpens diligence. But if a man thinks a thing is eaſie, he will not put his full ſtrength and might to the work. Greg. de Valentia tells of a Merchant, that profeſſed he would be a Papiſt, and no Proteſtant; For ſaid he, If I be a Papiſt, my work is ſhort and eaſie; 'tis but, Believe as the Church believes: But if I be a Lutheran, then I muſt learn Catechiſms, and ſearch the Scriptures, but I have no time for that; therefore I will be a Papiſt, for that way is eaſie. But we know, that the way to Heaven is up hill. Nulla virtus ſine lapide. Straight is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to life. And the more ye ſee theſe difficulties of your Salvation, the more you will put your whole ſtrength to it, and will work with all your might.
Yet fourthly, If you would do Gods work with all your might, Then let your eye be much upon them that have done Gods work fully in their day. If you be a Magiſtrate, think on Moſes; If a Miniſter, think on Paul; If a private perſon, think on Caleb. It's recorded of Luther, That he did ordinarily ſpend three hours every day in Prayer; he Preached much, Read Lectures, and Wrote nine or ten great Volumes in Folio. It's recorded of Calvin, That he Preached yearly Two hundred and eighty Sermons, and Read One hundred and eighty Lectures; every Lecture being the length of a Sermon. Once in a Week he met with the Elders of the Church. Much in private Duty, and wrote Letters to all the Churches. So that the Care of all the Churches lay upon him; and he wrote twelve great Volumes in Folio. Ye have ſeen the three Volumes of Mr. Perkins in Folio, all which he wrote with his Left-hand, for his Right-hand was naturally lame: His Motto was, Hoc age; As if he had ſaid, What thou doſt, do with thy might. Dr. Sibbs his Emblem, was a Candle burning with theſe words over it, Perlucendo pereo; By giving light to others, I conſume my ſelf. And ye have heard of that good old man Mr. Dod, who went up and down doing good, and Preaching all the day long: When his friends obſerved that he was ſpent, and deſired him to ſpare himſelf, his uſual Saying was, Hear this one thing more, it may be I ſhall never ſpeak to you again; And ſo he went on, and continued till he was Eighty ſix; and ſo died in his full ſtrength of Goodneſs. Now when I conſider theſe Men, I confeſs before you all, that I am aſhamed. And if men would but ſeriouſly conſider theſe and ſuch like Examples of men that have done much for God in their day; They would certainly be provoked to do Gods work with all their might.
Yet fifthly, If you would do Gods work with all your might, Then converſe much with the greatneſs of God. Who can ſtand in the Beams of the Sun, and not ſhine with the beams thereof? Much leſs ſhall you ſtand in the beams of Gods Attributes, and not ſhine therewith. The ſight of Gods greatneſs will grandire, greaten your hearts and ſpirits, and make them do much and great things for God. Therefore converſe much with the greatneſs of God. But
In the ſixth place, Be ſure that you lay in againſt reproches. For when you ride apace, the Dogs will bark, and the duſt will be raiſed: If you go eaſily, you raiſe no duſt, neither will the dogs bark. So if you will go a ſlow pace to Heaven, you ſhall not be reviled, or reproched by the world; But if you will put on with all your might, then you ſhall be reproched. Therefore if you will do Gods work with all your might, you muſt be well laid in againſt all reproches, becauſe it is the work of your hand.
In the ſeventh place, If you would do it with all your might, Then you muſt go to God to open your hand; And when he ſhall open your hand, and breath upon your ſoul, be ſure that you improve all thoſe gales. For Job tells us, That he ſealeth up the hand of every man, that all men may know his work. Sometimes he ſeals up the hand of the Sea-men, that they cannot ſayl; Sometimes he ſealeth up the hand of the Husbandmen, that they cannot ſowe nor reap; Sometimes he ſealeth up the hand of the Merchant and Tradeſman, that he cannot vend his commodity; Sometimes the hand of the Preacher, that he cannot preach; Sometimes the hand of the Chriſtian, that he cannot pray. And why doth he thus ſeal up the hand of every man, but that all may know his work? Would ye therefore do the work of your hand with all you… might, then go to God to open and unſeal your hand; and if he breath upon your heart, then be ſure that you improve theſe gales. This is the ſeventh Direction.
Do ye therefore now ask, What ſhall I do, that I may do the work of God with all my might. Then remember theſe Seven Things.
Firſt, You muſt know what that work is which is in the power of your hand.
Secondly, You muſt obſerve where your true ſtrength lyes, and apply your ſelf thereto.
Thirdly, You muſt not think the way to Heaven eaſie, or any thing ſmall that is between God and you.
Fourthly, You muſt eye them much, who have ſerved God fully in their day.
Fifthly, You muſt converſe much with the greatneſs of God.
Sixthly, You muſt be well laid-in againſt all reproches.
And then ſeventhly, You muſt go to God to open and unſeal your hand, improving all his gales. Now give me leave to lay ſome three or four Motives before you, that may perſwade hereunto, and I ſhall wind up all.
Firſt, The firſt Motive is this, Look whatever work that is which is in the power of your hand to do, that God will require at your hand. If you be a Magiſtrate, and it be your work to preſerve peace, to ſuppreſs the multitude of Ale-houſes, and prophanation of the Lords-day, Then God will require this at your hand. If you be a Miniſter, and it be your work to Preach the Goſpel in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon; Then God will require this work at your hand. If you be a Parent, and it be your work to bring up your Children in the nurture and education of the Lord. If you be a Child or young perſon, and it be your work to ſtock your ſelf with Principles of Religion; Then God will require theſe works at your hands. And if you be one of this Town, and of this Congregation, and it be your work to receive the Goſpel, and to improve your day of grace, Then God will require this work at your hand. Remember the Parable of the Talents, &c. If God will require the work of our hands at our hands; Why ſhall we not do that work with all our might? But
Secondly, As God will call you to an account for all that work which is in the power of your hand; So you do not know how ſoon he may take your work out of your hands; how ſoon he may take you from your work, or your work from you. We ordinarily think that we ſhall not dye before our work be done: But if you look wiſhly upon Gods Diſpenſations, you ſhall find that Death doth ſometimes preſs men from their Shop-board, when much work is cut out before them. You all know what an uſeful man good King Joſiah was, as a Magiſtrate, yet he dyed in the midſt of his work, when he was but Thirty nine years old! Ye know what an uſeful man John the Baptiſt was; yet he died in the midſt of his days, when not above Thirty three years old. Is it not known to ſome what a great Workman Dr. Whitaker was here in England, of whom it was ſaid, That he never was leſs idle, then when idle; yet he died in the midſt of his work, when he was but Fourty four years old. It is ordinarily known what a bleſſed Inſtrument Mr. Perkins was, of whom the Preacher ſaid at his Funeral, Here lyes that bleſſed Perkins, who firſt taught England for to worſhip God; yet he died in the midſt of his work, when he was but Fourty ſeven years old. And who hath not heard of Dr. Preſton, what a great Workman he was in Gods Vineyard; of whom I may ſay, Who though dead, yet ſpeaketh in his precious Books that are amongſt you; yet he died in the midſt of his Work, when he was but Fourty one years old. I might inſtance in Mr. Burroughs, and others; yea, in divers good Chriſtians in this place, who have died in the midſt of their work and time. It was not long ſince a Preacher now in Heaven preached on this Text at the Guild at Norwich, at the Inſtallment of the Mayor; and before the year came about, the Mayor died. So that Death doth ſometimes preſs us from our Shop-board before our work be made up. And I pray mind the Text a little, Whatever is in the power of thine hand to do, do it with all thy might: For ſays Solomon, In the grave there is no work nor device whither thou goeſt. He doth not ſay, Whither thou ſhalt go, or whither thou muſt go, but whither thou goeſt. You go ſometimes to Church, and ſometimes not; you go ſometimes to Sea, and ſometimes not; you go ſometimes into the Countrey, and ſometimes not: But whether you go to the Church, or whether you go to Sea, or whether you go into the Countrey, ſtill thou goeſt to the Grave. And ye know what Chriſt ſaith, The night cometh wherein no man worketh. Now if the night cometh, and thou goeſt; then why ſhould you not do your work with all your might whilſt it is day. Certainly he that plays away his day, ſhall go to bed in the dark. But in the third place.
Thirdly, Who is therein all this Congregation, that doth not deſire a comfortable Death-bed when it comes. As the Heathen man ſaid to a great congregation, I know all your thoughts, for every man deſires to buy cheap, and to ſell dear; So in this reſpect I may ſay, I know all your thoughts, viz. that when death comes you may have a comfortable death bed: In the time of your death-bed-ſickneſs; you will then be able to do little; when your pains ſhall be great, you will be able to pray little, to hear little, to read or meditate litle, and then what will be your comfort in that death-bed-little but this? Well, though I can do but little now, yet I have pray'd and ſerv'd God with all my might, when I was well, and therefore I have comfort now. Now therefore if you deſire that you may have much comfort in your death-bed-little, why ſhould you not do the preſent work of your hand with all your might? But,
4. In the laſt place, Who is there in all this Congregation, that doth not deſire to rejoyce with all his heart in theſe bleſſings which he hath in his hand; now look once more upon the words of the Text, and ye ſhall find, that as Solomon in Gods name commands you to rejoyce with all your heart in the bleſſings which you have, verſe 7, 8, 9. So in theſe words he commands you to do Gods work with all your might; And why are theſe things thus knit together? but to teach us thus much, That whoever will do with all his might the work that is in his hand to do, he may and ſhall rejoyce with all his heart in the bleſſings which he hath in his hand to enjoy. But above all ye know how fully Chriſt did your work for you, and will you do his work by halfes; never ſpeak of reſt here, there is reſt enough in the grave, and recompence enough in heaven: Either the work that is in your hand is worth your while, or it is not; if it be not worth your while, why ſhould you do it at all? and if it be worth your while, why ſhould you not do it with all your might? And O that there were an heart in you all to do ſo! If the weight of this truth have fallen in power upon your ſouls, I dare ſay, Some of you will go away and ſay, what have I done all this while? I confeſs I have done Gods work by the by, and when I heard Miniſters preſſing ſuch truths as theſe, I have ſaid, well, yet I hope I may go to Heaven with leſs ado, but now through grace I will go away, and what ever is in the power of my hand to do, I will do it with all my might. Thus do, and I ſhall obtain the end of my preaching, and you under Chriſt ſhall obtain the end of your practice the Salvation of your ſouls. Wherefore think on all theſe things and the Lord bleſs them to you.