The Beatitudes, Discourse · Chapter 2
CHAP. II.
Shewing, that there is a Bleſſedneſs in Reverſion.
Matth. 5.3. Bleſſed are the Poor in Spirit.
4. The Sermon.HAving done with the occaſion, I come now Fourthly to the Sermon it ſelf; Bleſſed are the Poor in Spirit. Chriſt doth not begin his Sermon on the Mount, as the Law was delivered on the Mount, Mandatis & Minis, with commands and threatnings; the Trumpet ſounding, the Fire flaming, the Earth quaking, and the hearts of the Iſraelites too for fear; but our Saviour (whoſe lips dropped as the honey-comb) begins Promiſſis & Illectamentis, with Promiſes and Bleſſings: So ſweet and raviſhing was the Doctrine of this heavenly Orpheus, that like Muſick, it was able to charme the moſt ſavage natures, yea, to draw hearts of ſtone to him. To begin then with this firſt word, Bleſsed.
If there be any bleſſedneſs in knowledge, it muſt needs be in the knowledge of bleſſedneſs. For the Illuſtration of this, I ſhall lay down two Aphoriſms or Concluſions.
1. That there is a bleſſedneſs in Reverſion.
2. That the godly are in ſome ſenſe already bleſſed:
1. That there is a bleſſedneſs in Reverſion: The people of God meet with many knotty difficulties, and ſinking diſcouragements in the way of Religion; their march is not only tedious, but dangerous, and their hearts are ready to deſpond: It will not be amiſs therefore to ſet the Crown of bleſſedneſs before them, to animate their courage, and to inflame their zeal. How many Scriptures bring this Olive-branch in their mouth, the tydings of bleſſedneſs to believers! Matth. 24.46. Bleſsed is that ſervant whom his Lord when he cometh ſhall find ſo doing. Mat. 25.34. Come ye bleſſed of my Father. Bleſſedneſs is the perfection of a rational creature; it is the whet-ſtone of a Chriſtians induſtry; the heighth of his ambition; the flower of his joy; bleſſedneſs is the deſire of all men. Aquinas calls it the ultimus finis; this is the White every man aims to hit; to this Center all the lines are drawn.
Queſt. Wherein doth bleſſedneſs conſiſt?
Anſw. Millions of men miſtake both the nature of bleſſedneſs, and the way thither: Some of the Learned have ſet down two hundred eighty eight ſeveral opinions about bleſſedneſs*Auſtin., and all have ſhot wide of the mark. I ſhall ſhew wherein it doth not conſiſt, and then wherein it doth conſiſt.
SECT. 1.
1. WHerein bleſſedneſs doth not conſiſt: It doth not lie in the acquiſition of worldly things; happineſs cannot by any Art of Chymiſtry be extracted here: Chriſt doth not ſay, Bleſsed are the Rich, or bleſſed are the Noble; yet too many Idolize theſe things: Man by the fall hath not only loſt his Crown, but his Head-piece. How ready is he to terminate his happineſs in extrinſecals? which makes me call to mind that definition which ſome of the Heathen Philoſophers gave of bleſſedneſs*foreign.; that it was to have a ſufficiency of ſubſiſtence, and to thrive well in the World: And are there not many who go for Chriſtians, that ſeem to be of this Philoſophical opinion? if they have but worldly accommodations, they are ready to ſing a requiem to their ſouls, and ſay with that brutiſh fool in the Goſpel, Soul, thou haſt much goods laid up for many years, take thy eaſe, Luk. 12.19. Quid turpius quam bonum rationalis animi ex irrationalibus nectere *Seneca.? Alas, the Tree of bleſſedneſs doth not grow in an earthly Paradiſe. Hath not God curſed the ground for ſin? Gen. 3.17. yet many are digging for felicity here, as if they would fetch a bleſſing out of a curſe; a man may as well think to extract oyle out of a flint, or fire out of water, as bleſſedneſs out of theſe terreſtial things.
King Solomon arrived at more than any man; he was the moſt magnificent Prince that ever held the Scepter. 1. For his Parentage; he ſprang from the Royal Line; not only that Line of which many Kings came, but of which Chriſt himſelf came. Jeſus Chriſt was of Solomons Line and Race; ſo that for Heraldry and Nobility none could ſhew a fairer Coat of Arms. 2. For the ſituation of his Palace; it was in Hieruſalem, the Princeſs and Paragon of the earth. Hieruſalem for its Renown, was called the City of God; it was the moſt famous Metropolis in the World, Whither the Tribes go up, the Tribes of the Lord, Pſal. 122.4. 3. For Wealth; his Crown was hung full of Jewels; he had treaſures of gold and pearle, and gave ſilver as ſtones, 1 Kings 10.27. 4. For worldly joy, he had the flower and quinteſſence of all delights; ſumptuous Fare, ſtately Edifices, Vineyards, Fiſh-ponds, all ſorts of Muſick to inchant and raviſh the ſenſes with joy; if there were any Rarity, it was a Preſent for King Solomons Court; thus did he bath himſelf in the perfumed waters of pleaſure. 5. For Wiſdome, he was the Oracle of his time; when the Queen of Sheba came to poſe him with hard queſtions, he gave a ſolution to all her doubts: 1 Kings 10.3. He had a key of knowledge to unlock Natures dark Cabinet; ſo that if wiſdome had been loſt, it might have been found here, and the whole world might have lighted their underſtanding at Solomons Lamp. He was an earthly Angel; ſo that a carnal eye ſurveying his glory, would have been ready to imagine that Solomon had entred into that Paradiſe out of which Adam was once driven, or that he had found another as good; never did the World caſt a more ſmiling aſpect upon any man; yet when he comes to give in his impartial verdict, he tells us that the World hath vanity written upon its Frontiſpiece; and all thoſe golden delights he enjoyed, were but a painted felicity, a glorious miſery. Eccleſ. 2.8. And behold all was vanity. Bleſſedneſs is too noble and delicate a Plant to dwell in Natures ſoile.
That bleſſedneſs doth not lie in Externals, I ſhall prove by theſe five Demonſtrations.
1. Thoſe things which are not commenſurate to the deſires of the ſoul, can never make a man bleſſed; but tranſitory things are not commenſurate to the deſires of the ſoul; therefore they cannot render him bleſſed; nothing on earth can ſatisfie. Eccleſ. 5.10. He that loveth ſilver, ſhall not be ſatisfied with ſilver; Riches are unſatiſfying.
1. Becauſe they are not real; the world is called a faſhion, 1 Cor. 7.31. The word foreign, ſignifies a Mathematical Figure, ſometimes a ſhew or apparition. Riches are but tin'd over*Bracteata faelicitas, Sen.; they are like Alchymy, which gliſters a little in our eyes, but at death all this Alchymy will be worn off. Riches are but ſugred lyes, pleaſant impoſtures; like a gilded Cover, which hath not one leaf of true comfort bound up in it.
2. Becauſe they are not ſutable: The ſoul is a ſpiritual thing, riches are of an earthly extract*Effodiuntur opes., and how can theſe fill a ſpiritual ſubſtance? a man may as well fill his Cheſt with grace, as his heart with gold; if a man were crowned with all the delights of the world, nay, if God ſhould build him an houſe among the Stars, yet the reſtleſs eye of his unſatisfied mind would be looking ſtill higher, he would be prying beyond the heavens for ſome hidden rarities which he thinks he hath not yet attained to; ſo unquenchable is the thirſt of the ſoul, till it come to bath in the River of life, and to center upon true bleſſedneſs.
2. That which cannot quiet the heart in a ſtorme, cannot intitle a man to bleſſedneſs; but earthly things accumulated, cannot rock the troubled heart quiet, therefore they cannot make one bleſſed. If the Spirit be wounded, can the creature poure in wine and oyle into theſe wounds? if God ſets on conſcience, and it flies in a mans face, can worldly comforts take off this angry fury? Is there any Harp to drive away the evil Spirit? outward things can no more cure the agony of conſcience, than a ſilken ſtockin can cure a gouty leg. When Saul was ſore diſtreſſed, 1 Sam. 28.15. could all the Jewels of his Crown comfort him? if God be angry, whoſe fury is poured out like fire, and the Rocks are thrown down by him, Nahum 1.6. can a wedge of gold be a Screen to keep off this fire? Ezek. 7.19. They ſhall caſt their ſilver in the ſtreets; their ſilver and their gold ſhall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord. King Belſhazzar was Carouſing and Ranting it; he drank wine in the golden Veſſels of the Temple, Dan. 5.3. but when the fingers of a mans hand appeared, his countenance was changed, ver. 6. his wine grew ſowre, his feaſt was ſpoiled with that Diſh which was ſerved in upon the Wall. The things of the world will no more keep out trouble of ſpirit, than a paper ſconce will keep out a bullet.
3. That which is but for a ſeaſon, cannot make one bleſſed; but all things under the Sun are but foreign for a ſeaſon, therefore they cannot enrich with bleſſedneſs: Sublunary delights are like thoſe meats which we ſay are a while in ſeaſon, and then preſently grow ſtale, and are out of requeſt: The world paſſeth away, 1 John 2.17. Worldly delights are winged; they may be compared to a flock of Birds in the Garden, that ſtay a little while, but when you come near to them, they take their flight and are gone. So Riches make themſelves wings, they flie away as an Eagle towards heaven, Prov. 23.5. They are like a Meteor that blazeth, but ſpends and annihilates; they are like a Caſtle made of ſnow, lying under the torrid beams of the Sun: Auſtin ſaith of himſelf, Si quid arriſiſſet proſperum, &c. When any preferment ſmiled upon him, he was afraid to accept of it, leſt it ſhould on a ſudden give him the ſlip. Outward comforts are as Plato ſaith, like Tennis-balls, which are bandied up and down from one to another*Dei ludibria, quae ſurſum ac deorſam ſuo coelo feruntur. Plat.; had we the longeſt leaſe of worldly comforts, it would ſoon be run out: Riches and Honour are ſtill in fugâ, they paſs away like a ſwift ſtream, or like a Ship that is going full fail. While they are with us, they are going away from us; they are like a poſie of flowers, which withers while you are ſmelling to it; like Ice, which melts away while it is in your hand. The world (ſaith Bernard) cries out, I will leave you, and be gone*Caro clamat, ego inficiam; mandus clamat, ego decipiam. Bern.; it takes its ſalute and farewel together.
4. Thoſe things which do more vex than comfort, cannot make a man bleſſed; but ſuch are all things under the Sun, therefore they cannot have bleſſedneſs affixed to them: As riches are compared to wind, Hoſea 12.1. to ſhew their vanity; ſo to thorns, Matth. 13.17. to ſhew their vexation: Thorns are not more apt to tear our garments, than Riches are to tear our hearts; they are thorns in the gathering, they prick with care; and as they pierce the head with care of getting, ſo they wound the heart with fear of loſing; God will have our ſweeteſt wine run dregs, yea, and taſte of a muſty Cask too, that we may not think this is the wine of Paradiſe.
5. Thoſe things which (if we have nothing elſe) will make us curſed, cannot make us bleſſed; but the ſole enjoyment of worldly things will make us curſed; therefore it is far from making us beſſed: Riches are kept for the hurt of the owner, Eccleſ. 5.13. Riches to the wicked, are fuel for pride: Ezek. 28.5. Thy heart is lifted up becauſe of thy riches; and fuel for luſt: Jer. 5.7. When I had fed them to the full, they then committed Adultery. Riches are a ſnare: 1 Tim. 6.9. But they that will be rich, fall into temptation, and a ſnare, and into many fooliſh and hurtful luſts, which drown men in perdition. How many have pull'd down their ſouls to build up an eſtate! a ſhip may be ſo loaden with gold that it ſinks; many a mans gold hath ſunk him to hell. The rich ſinner ſeals up money in his bag, and God ſeals up a curſe with it. Hab. 2.6. Woe to him that ladeth himſelf with thick clay. Auſtin ſaith, that Judas for money ſold his ſalvation, and the Phariſees bought their damnation; ſo that happineſs is not to be fetch'd out of the earth; they who go to the creature for bleſſedneſs, go to the wrong box.
SECT. 2.
IF bleſſedneſs doth not conſiſt in Externals, then let us Uſe 1 not place our bleſſedneſs here; this is to ſeek the living among the dead; as the Angel told Mary concerning Chriſt, He is not here, he is riſen, Mat. 28.6. So I may ſay of bleſſedneſs, it is not here, it is riſen, it is in an higher Region: How do men thirſt after the World, as if the pearl of bleſſedneſs did hang upon an earthly Crown? O ſaith one, if I had but ſuch an Eſtate, then I ſhould be happy! had I but ſuch a comfort, then I ſhould ſit down ſatisfied? Well, God gives him that comfort, and lets him ſuck out the very juyce and ſpirits of it; but alas, it falls ſhort of his expectation, it cannot fill the hiatus, and longing of his ſoul, which ſtill cries Give, give, Prov. 30.15. Juſt like a ſick man, if ſaith he, I had but ſuch a meat, I could eat it; and when he hath it, his ſtomack is bad, and he can hardly endure to taſte it; God hath put not only an emptineſs, but bitterneſs into the creature, and it is good for us that there is no perfection here, that we may raiſe our thoughts higher, to more noble and generous delights. Could we diſtil, and draw out the quinteſſence of the creature, we ſhould ſay as once the Emperour Severus, who grew from a mean eſtate to be head of the greateſt Empire in the World, Omnia fui & nihil expedit; I have ſaith he, run through all conditions, yet could never find full contentment.
SECT. 3.
Uſe 2 TO ſuch as are cut ſhort in their allowance, whoſe cup doth not over-flow, but their tears; Be not too much troubled; remember theſe outward comforts cannot make you bleſſed; you might live rich, and dye curſed; you might treaſure up an Eſtate, and God might treaſure up Wrath: Be not perplexed about thoſe things, the want whereof cannot make you miſerable, nor the enjoyment make you bleſſed.
SECT. 4.
HAving ſhewn wherein bleſſedneſs doth not conſiſt, I ſhall next ſhew wherein it doth conſiſt. Bleſſedneſs doth ſtand in the fruition of the chief good. 1. It conſiſts in fruition; there muſt not be only poſſeſſion, but fruition. A man may poſſeſs an Eſtate, yet not enjoy it; he may have the dominion of it, but not the comfort; as when he is in a Lethargy, or under the predominancy of melancholy; but in true bleſſedneſs there muſt be a ſenſible enjoyment of that which the ſoul doth poſſeſs. 2. Bleſſedneſs lies in the fruition of the chief good; it is not every good makes a man bleſſed, but it muſt be the ſupream good, and that is God. Pſal. 144.15. Happy is that people whoſe God is the Lord. God is quies animae, here the ſoul doth reſt: Pſal. 116.7. Now that only in which the ſoul doth acquieſce and reſt, can make it bleſſed. The Globe or Circle, as is obſerved in Mathematicks, is of all others the moſt perfect figure, becauſe the laſt point of the figure ends in that firſt point where it began: So when the ſoul meets in God, whence it ſprang as its firſt original, then it is compleatly bleſſed. That which makes a man bleſſed, muſt have ſix Qualifications or Ingredients in it, and theſe are found no where, but in God the chief good.
1. In true bleſſedneſs there muſt be Meliority; that which fills with bleſſedneſs, muſt be ſuch a good as is better than a mans ſelf. If you would ennoble a piece of ſilver, it muſt be by putting ſomething to it which is better than ſilver, as by putting gold or pearle to it: So that which doth ennoble the ſoul, and enrich it with bleſſedneſs, muſt be by adding ſomething to it which is more excellent than the ſoul, and that is God; the World is below the ſoul; it is but the ſouls foot-ſtool; therefore cannot crown it with happineſs.
2. Another Ingredient is Delectability; that which brings bleſſedneſs, muſt have a delicious taſte in it, ſuch as the ſoul is infinitely raviſhed with; there muſt be in it ſpirits of delight, and quinteſſence of joy; and where can the ſoul ſuck thoſe pure comforts which do amaze it with wonder, and crown it with delight, but in God? In Deo quadam dulcedine delectatur anima, immò rapitur *Ang.: The love of God is an honey-comb, which drops ſuch infinite ſweetneſs, and ſatisfaction into the ſoul, as is unſpeakable, and full of glory, 1 Pet. 1.8. A kiſs from Gods mouth puts the ſoul into a Divine Extaſie, ſo that now it cries out, It is good to be here.
3. The third Ingredient into bleſſedneſs, is Plenty; that which makes a man bleſſed, muſt not be too ſcanty; it is a full draught which quencheth the ſouls thirſt; and where ſhall we find Plenty but in Deity? Pſal. 36.8. Thou ſhalt make him drink of the River of thy pleaſures, not Drops but Rivers. The ſoul baths it ſelf, and is laid as it were a ſteeping in the water of life; the River of Paradiſe over-flows, and empties its ſilver ſtreams into the ſouls of the bleſſed.
4. In true bleſſedneſs there muſt be Variety: Plenty without variety is apt to nauſeate; in God there is foreign all fulneſs, Col. 1.19. What can the ſoul want, but it may be had in the chief good? God is bonum in quo omnia bona; he is a Sun, a Shield, a Portion, a Fountain, a Rock of Strength, an Horn of Salvation; In God there is a complication of all excellencies; there are every moment freſh beauties and delights ſpringing from God.
5. To make up bleſſedneſs there muſt be perfection*Beatitudo eſt ſtatus omnium honorum aggregatione perfectus. Boetius. Cicero.; the joy muſt be perfect, the glory perfect. Hebr. 12.23. Spirits of juſt men made perfect. Bonum conſtat ex integro; if there be the leaſt defect, it deſtroys the nature of bleſſedneſs; as the leaſt ſymptom of a diſeaſe takes away the foreign, and right temperature of the body.
6. True bleſſedneſs muſt have Eternity ſtamped upon it. Bleſſedneſs is a fixed thing, it admits of no change or alteration. God ſaith of every child of his, I have bleſsed him, and he ſhall be bleſſed: As the Sunſhine of bleſſedneſs is without clouds, ſo it never ſets. Joh. 10 28. I give unto them eternal life. 1 Theſ. 4.17. And ſo ſhall we ever be with the Lord. Eternity is the higheſt link of the Chain of bleſſedneſs: Thus we have ſeen that this Diamond of bleſſedneſs is only to be found in the Rock of Ages. Bleſſed are the people whoſe God is the Lord.
SECT. V.
Uſe 1 IF there is ſuch a bleſſedneſs in Reverſion, be Uſe 1 convinced of the truth of this, ſet it down as an Article of your faith. We live in times wherein many are grown Atheiſts, they have run through all opinions; and now of Profeſſors they are turned Epicures; they have drunk in ſo much of the poyſon of Error, that they are quite intoxicated, and fallen aſleep, and begin to dream there is no ſuch thing as a ſtate of bleſſedneſs after this life; and this opinion is to them above the Bible. When men have the ſpiritual ſtaggers, it ſadly preſageth they will dye. Oh it is a dangerous thing to heſitate and waver about fundamentals; like Pythagoras, who doubted whether there was a God or no! ſo, whether there be a bleſſedneſs or no. Doubting of principles, is the next way to the denying of principles. Let it be a Maxim with every good Chriſtian, There is a bleſſedneſs in Reverſion, there remains a rest for the people of God, Hebr. 4.9.
Uſe 2. Revolve this truth often in your mind; there Uſe 2 are many truths ſ…im in the brain, which do not ſink into the heart, and thoſe do us no good: Chew the Cud: Let a Chriſtian think ſeriouſly with himſelf, There is a bleſſedneſs feaſible, and I am capable of enjoying it, if I do not lay bars in the way, and block up my own happineſs. Though within I ſee nothing but guilt, without nothing but curſes; yet there is a bleſſedneſs to be had, and to be had for me too in the uſe of means.
The ſerious meditation of this will be a forcible Argument to make the ſinner break off his ſins by Repentance, and ſweat hard till he find the golden Mine of bleſſedneſs; I ſay, it would be the break-neck of ſin; how would a man offer violence to himſelf by Mortification, and to heaven by ſupplication, that at laſt he may arrive at a ſtate of bleſſedneſs. What, is there a Crown of bleſſedneſs to be ſet upon my head? a Crown hung with the Jewels of honour, delight, magnificence; a Crown reached out by God himſelf; and ſhall I by ſin hazard this? can the pleaſure of ſin countervail the loſs of bleſſedneſs? what more powerful Motive to Repentance than this. Sin will deceive me of the bleſſing! If a man knew certainly that a King would ſettle all his Crown-Revenues on him after ſuch a Term of years, would he offend that Regal Majeſty, and cauſe him to reverſe and alter his Will? There is a bleſſedneſs promiſed to all that live godly. 1 John 2.25. This is the promiſe that he hath promiſed us, even eternal life. We are not excluded, but may come in for a childs part; now ſhall we by living in ſin provoke God, and forfeit this bleſſedneſs? O what madneſs is this! Well may the Apoſtle call them fooliſh and hurtful luſts, 1 Tim. 6.9. becauſe every luſt doth what in it lies to cut off the entail of mercy, and block up the way to happineſs; every ſin may be compared to the flaming Sword, which keeps the heavenly Paradiſe that the ſinner cannot enter.
Uſe 3. Let us ſo deport our ſelves, that we may expreſs Uſe 3 to others that we do believe a bleſſedneſs to come; and that is by ſeeking after an intereſt in God; for the beams of bleſſedneſs ſhine only from his face; 'tis our union with God the chief good that makes us bleſſed: Oh let us never reſt till we can ſay, This God is our God for ever and ever, Pſal. 48.11. Moſt men think becauſe God hath bleſſed them with an Eſtate, therefore they are bleſſed; alas, God often gives theſe things in anger: Id concedit Deus tratus quod non vult pacatus: He loads his enemies with gold and ſilver; as Plutarch reports of Tarpeia a Veſtal Nun, who bargained with the enemy to betray the Capitol of Rome to them, in caſe ſhe might have the golden Bracelets on their left hands, which they promiſed; and being entred into the Capitol, they threw not only their golden bracelets, but their bucklers too upon her, through the weight whereof ſhe was preſſed to death. God often lets men have the golden bracelets, the weight whereof ſinks them into hell: Oh let us ſuperna anhelare, get our eyes fixed, and our hearts united to God the ſupream good; this is to purſue bleſſedneſs as in a Chaſe.
2. Let us proclaim to the World that we do believe a bleſſedneſs to come, by living bleſſed lives; walk as becomes the heirs of bleſſedneſs; A bleſſed crown, and a curſed life will never agree. Many tell us they are bound for heaven, but they ſteer their courſe a quite contrary way; the Divel is their Pilot, and they ſail hell-ward; as if a man ſhould ſay he were going a Voyage to the Eaſt, but ſails quite Weſt-ward. The Drunkard will tell you he hopes for bleſſedneſs, but he ſails another way; thou muſt go weeping to heaven, not reeling. The unclean perſon talks of bleſſedneſs, but he is fallen into that deep ditch, Prov. 23.27. where he is like ſooner to find hell, than heaven. A Beaſt may as well be made an Angel, as an unclean perſon in his Leproſie enter into the Paradiſe of God. The covetous perſon (of whom it may be ſaid, He is a worme, and no man, Pſal. 22.6. he is ever creeping in the earth, yet) he would lay a claim to bleſſedneſs; but can earth aſcend? Shall a lump of clay be made a bright Star in the Firmament of glory? be aſſured they ſhall never be bleſſed, who bleſs themſelves in their ſins; if ſaith God, Deut. 29.19. the ſinner bleſs himſelf, ſaying, I ſhall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to adde drunkenneſs to thirſt; the Lord will not ſpare him, but then the anger of the Lord, and his jealouſie ſhall ſmoak againſt that man, and the Lord ſhall blot out his name from under heaven. A man can no more extract bleſſedneſſe out of ſin, than he can ſuck health out of poyſon. O let us lead bleſſed lives, and ſo declare plainly that we ſeek a country, Heb. 11, 14.
Uſe 4 Uſe 4. To you that have any good hope through grace that you have a title to bleſſedneſſe, let me ſay as the Levites did to the people, Nehem. 9.5. Stand up and bleſſe the Lord your God for ever and ever. What infinite cauſe have you to be thankful that the lot of free-grace is fallen upon you! Though you had forfeited all, yet God hath provided a haven of happineſſe, and he is carrying you thither upon the Sea of Chriſts blood, the gale of his Spirit blowing your ſailes; you are in a better condition through Chriſt, than when you had the robes of innocency upon you; God hath raiſed you a ſtep higher by your fall. How many hath God paſſed by, and looked upon you? millions there are who ſhall lye for ever under the bitter vials of Gods curſes, whereas he will bring you into his banqueting-houſe, and pour out the flagons of wine, and feaſt you eternally with the delicacies of heaven. O adore free-grace, triumph in this love of God; ſpend and be ſpent for the Lord; dedicate your ſelves to him in a way of reſignation, and lay out your ſelves for him in a way of gratulation; never think you can do enough for that God who will ſhortly ſet you aſhore on the land of promiſe.