Man's chief end to glorifie God, or, Some brief sermon notes on I Cor. 10:31 by the reverend Mr. John Bailey.

1 Cor . 10.31 . Whether therefore ye Eat or Drink , or whatsoever ye do , do all to the glory of God .

I Shall not stand upon the Coherence of the Words ; only some hints to let you see how the Text comes in .

I have formerly upon another Occasion observed divers things concerning this great Apostle , and this famous Church he here writes unto ; and so need not say any thing more here .

The Text is an Exhortation to all Christians to the end of the World .

After the Apostle had Treated of many things , as in the beginning of the Chapter , That the Israelites were Baptized unto Moses in the Cloud , and in the Sea , and that though they did eat the same spiritual meat , and drink the same spiritual drink , yet they were heavily plagued for their sins , which especially were Idolatry , Fornication , Tempting of Christ , and Murmuring against God . And then the Apostle makes use of it to caution us that we do not so , and tells us tbey are our Examples , and that these things are written for our Admonition : and in ver . 13. help is promised under temptation ; then he hints at the Lords Supper , exhorting them to flee from Idolatry , because that at that Ordinance they have communion with the Body and Blood of Christ , and by Idolatry they should have communion with Devils , which would be very provoking to God .

And having desired them to take heed of giving offence to others , especially in Eating and Drinking , ver . 25. he tells them they may lawfully eat and drink what is set before them , and sold in the Shambles , ver . 26 , 27. asking no question for Conscience sake ; but if any should say it were offered to an Idol , then not to give offence by eating , and gives the same reasons both for eating , and not eating , to wit , ver . 26.28 . The earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof : q. d . Though such meat be abused by Idolaters yet it ceaseth not to be Gods creature , who made it to be eaten with Thanksgiving : and yet if notice were given that it were offered to an Idol , not to eat it , for fear of giving offence , for the earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof , ver . 28 there are more meats created of God , and you need not eat with offence . And then comes in the Text , they are Exhorted to mind the Glory of God whether they eat or no .

In the Text you have a precious and necessary Duty exhorted unto , To glorify God : and this is laid down both in general in whatsoever we do , and in particular , in our Eating and Drinking : ●s if those natural Actions were steps in our way to Heaven , and so not to be despised , or l●st by us .

DOCTRINE . It is the grand Duty , and it ought to be the daily desire , and design of every gracious Soul to glorifie God in all it doth , yea even in its very Eating and Drinking .

This is the grand , main duty that runs , or should run through every duty : and it should be our desire , and design , and that daily , and that both in general and particular actions . And if this be not your design in all you do , God hates your performances as he does your iniquities , Isai . 1.13 , 14. That man was never Regenerated that does not every day ( or ordinarily ) set out for God . And you ought not only to design Gods glory in general but in particular Actions .

Three things are to be attended here .

1. To show what it is in general to glorifie God .

2. What it is to glorifie God in particular and especially in eating & Drinking , and Recreation which may be added to it ; though in this I shall be very brief , it has been so well handled by others .

3. Why this should be our design in every thing : but this shall come under the Use of Exhortation , and the Motives may serve for Reasons .

1. What is it in general to Glorifie God ?

Ans. 1. Negatively , it is not to make him better , greater or more glorious , for what can be added to Infiniteness ? his essential glory was , is , and will be still the same ; it s impossible to add to that , but his declarative glory in the World is here meant .

2. Positively it lies in three things .

1. In giving him the glory of his wonderful Perfections , by getting and careful maintaining such Notions and Apprehensions of him , in the secret of our Souls as do beget suitable dispositions towards him , and Impressions before him .

2. It consists in this , when the glory of God is plainly to be seen upon the outward face of our Acknowledgment and Deportment , or ( take it in these words ) Worshiping and Walking . )

3. It lies in an actual Proposing of the Glory of God , as our outmost end in all our particular actions .

Now to speak to each of these distinctly :

1. It lies in giving God the Glory of his wonderful Perfections , by a getting and chearful maintaining such Notions and Apprehensions of him , in the secret of our soul ; as do beget suitable Affections to him , and Impressions before him .

Gods Glory is seen in his Perfections , in his wonderful Holiness , Goodness , Wisdom , Faithfulness , &c. So that a person is said to glorifie God when he has a right knowledg of his Perfections ; and this knowledg is right when it puts a man upon magnifiing , exalting , & extolling God above every person and thing . The Saints are often said in Scripture to magnifie God , and to call on one another to do so , Psal . 34.3 , 4. Luk 1.46 . the word Magnifie , signifies to make great but this ( as you heard before ) we can't properly do : our Righteousness adds nothing to him , Job 35.7 , 8. it 's only a declaring him great ( who was infinitely so from Eternity ) in our apprehension affections Impressions and Conversations . Hence God is said to magnifie himself when he makes himself known , Ezek . 38. ult . and often said to magnifie his mercy , and his great Name when he shows mercy , and works for his Name sake .

Indeed when God magnifies man ( as he is said to do , Job 7.17 . ) He then really adds to him , and makes him greater . God magnified man by Creation , in giving him a rational Soul , capable of Communion with himself ; he has magnified him much more by Redemption and Regeneration , Rom. 8.30 . He is said to Glorifie them whom he calls , by putting a beauty and splendor upon them , who before were little and unworthy , and he does it both by giving them Grace here , and by raising them to Glory hereafter . Thus God magnifies man and makes him great .

But we magnifie God when we set up an high Throne for him in our hearts , and make room for him in our Souls : when we do most highly , gloriously and honourably conceive of God , this is a giving Glory to him , Jer . 13.16 . with many such like Texts that may fall in our way afterwards . He is glorious in himself , but we make him so to us , when we rightly conceive of him , and are suitably affected towards him .

In Scripture Gods Glory is said to be his Excellency , and that is above all other things Isai . 35.2 . the Glory of the Lord , and the [ Excelloncy ] of our God . When we daily conceive of God as the most Excellent one , this is a Glorifying God as God . Herod was destroyed for not giving God the Glory , Act. 12.23 . how can you Glorifie God when you forget him all the day ? this cannot be : we are then Christians to purpose when we Glorifie God as God , preferring him above all , see Rom. 1.21 . O how many are guilty of the sins of the Heathen ! they do not Glorifie God as God ; else they could never do that in Gods sight , which they would not do in the sight of a holy Minister , nay not in the sight of a Child .

Now our notions of God will appear to be right when they beget suitable Dispositions toward him , and Impressions before him .

1. Suitable Dispositions toward him , and they are five .

1. These Notions put persons upon observing of him daily , such do not ordinarily forget God , but every thing puts them in mind of him ; and they that would Glorifie God must begin every day , and every duty with a design so to do . Hence sayes David , My eyes are ever towards the Lord , Psal . 25.15 . the Saints observe God , and God observes them , Hos . 148. I have seen him , and [ Observed ] him , and they that are wise and willing will observe these things , Psal . 107. ult . the whole Creation puts a good Soul in mind of God ; its Gods Library , you may read your fill , it was the first Bible that ever God wrote : gracious Souls see God in every thing that he has made , and his glorious perfections in all , and give him the glory of them both in the work of Creation and Providence : as

1. His wonderful Power in making and upholding all things in their being , beauty , and order , and

2. His wonderful Wisdom that preserves this World , notwithstanding all the disorders that are in it .

3. His sweetness , when he tasts sweetness in any creature , O thinks he then how sweet is he that made it ! the Fountain must needs have more than the Stream , Psal . 19.1 . The Heavens declare the Glory of God , and the Earth shews his handy work . Hab. 3.3 . His Glory covered the Heavens , and the Earth was full of his praise , this makes them Glorifie God .

2. These Notions put them upon loving him dearly ; even above all .

Do you thus love him ? why should you not ? seeing his Excellency is above all . Many pretend to love him , but love their Lusts above him ; they love him not at all , and many mens Notions of him are such as make them either hate him or fly from him , Rom. 1.30 . but gracious Souls love to give him the Glory of his Grace and Mercy , &c.

O it s not every one that has a Right Notion of pardoning Mercy ; but they that have it love him dearly : and this Love of theirs , is not only of a restraining , but a constraining nature ; it constrains them unto all good , having had discoveries of God in a covenant of Grace , of God in Christ , and of God as a Father sitting upon a Throne of Grace : Hence these affections are begotten in them . Christ is called the Glory of God , yea , the brightness of his Glory , Heb . 1.3 , 4. Phil . 2.9 , 10 , 11. the Glory of God the Father , he is the Glass of the Father . Gods Glory is to be seen plainly in the Mediator , both in his Person , Miracles & Doctrine . The Saints see much of the Glory of God in the work of Redemption , in the Mediation and Intercession of Christ ; and this makes them love him , Psal . 104 : 34. their thoughts are sweet of him , and for this end , God has given you his Name in Exod : 34 : 7 : that you might know and love him . His Name ought not to be in vain to us , we are not to think of it in vain , or think of it with trouble , as the Psalmist under Temptation did , Psal : 77 : 3. I remembred God and was troubled , but we should think of him with delight .

3. These Notions of God ( when Right ) put them upon Trusting in him duely ;

Yea though he slay them , they will trust in him ; Job . 13.15 . they give him glory by Leaving their ( All ) with him , and Laying their ( All ) upon him . Sometimes when you know a man to be faithful , you will say , I could venture all upon such a mans word . What time they are afraid , they trust in him , Psal . 56.3 . It s a sign they know his name , Psal . 9.10 . Are there any that trust not in him ? They know him not ; for they that know him , will put their Trust in him , and that at all times , when not under Temptation , Psal . 62.8 .

They have had such Discoveries made to them of his Truth , Faithfulness , Power , and Promises , in Christ , that they cannot but give him the glory of them , by Trusting in him ; Abraham is said to glorify God by believing , Rom. 4.20 . ( and it 's no small mercy that God will account himself glorified by you , though it be but by one act of Faith . ) The Word is called his glory , but chiefly the Gospel , and the Promise ( which especially is the ground of Faith ) is called the glory of God , or the Glorious Gospel , 2 Cor . 4.4 . and he is said To Magnifie his Word above all his Name , Psal . 138.2 .

Many things which are the ground of our Trust and Comfort , are called the Glory of God , As

1. Pardoning mercy , Prov. 25.2 . It 's his Glory to Conceal a thing ; and that ( as some think ) is meant of pardoning sin by the Antithesis ; it s the honour of princes to search out a matter ; that is evil matter , some Treacherous matter : when God pardons he Conceals or covers sin .

2. The Redemption of lost man is said to glorify God Isai . 61.1 , 2 , 3. that he may be glorified .

3. Gods goodness and gracious nature is called his glory , Exod . 33.18 , 19. I beseech thee shew me thy glory , says Moses ; I will cause all my goodness to pass before thee says God : that s good news for us , for its that we stand the most in need of ; and Eph. 3.16 . It s called Riches of glory , that is of grace .

4. The coming of Christ is called the glory of God Isai . 40.5 . it s meant of the Righteousness of Christ that is offered in the Gospel .

5. The Ark of the Covenant 1 Sam . 4. last nay the place where his Gospel is preached is called the place where his honour dwells in Psal . 26.8 . his Mercy and his Arme is sufficient for your Trust Psal . 52.8 . I trust in the mercy of God , Isai . 51.5 on my Arme shall they trust . The tokens of Christs grace and power are called his glory , John 1.14 John 11.40 .

4 : These Notions and Apprehensions put them upon fearing him filially , Hos . 3 : 5 :

Though they have never so much of a Spirit of Adoption yet they cannot but fear him ; they have had such Discoveries of his Greatness and Purity that they fall down before it , Rev : 15 : 4. Jer : 10 : 7.

5 These Notions put them upon Admiring and Adoring him inwardly and superlatively .

Every converted Soul is an admiring Soul ; and they account every thing in God , and about him to be wonderful .

Do you thus know what it is to lye in the dust at his feet and admire him ? Admiration is the running over of the Understanding , whereby the Soul is as it were lost in God .

When God at any time puts forth an Attribute , there is a wonderful Glory attends it ; as when he puts forth acts of Justice on his and the Churches Enemies ; Numb : 14 : 21. Ezek : 28 : 22. Ezek . 29 : 13.

So on the other hand , when he puts forth acts of Grace and Mercy to his poor Church there is a wonderful glory attends it , Psal : 85 : 9. that Glory may dwell in our Land .

These are the suitable Dispositions that you are to have if you would evidence your notions of God to be right ; and prove your selves to be them that glorifie God . And especially this of Admiration : there is none like God , therefore none to be so admired , all Right worship is full of Admiration .

Gracious Souls cannot but admire God , and all the wayes he hath taken with them ; ( and this also make them admire themselves in a contrary sence , viz : in their own vileness and unworthiness , and that they are out of hell . )

And when at any time ( though its pity it is so seldom ) they have some small transient views and discoveries of him as he is now in Heaven , which is ( indeed ) a place of Glory they can't but fall admiring of him ; and say , Oh! what a day will that be when God shall come to be Glorified in his Saints , and admired in ( all ) them that believe , 2 Thes . 1.10 . Heaven is such a place of glory that it s called glory it self in 1 Tim . 3. last Luk . 24.26 .

And when they view God as in Heaven ( where he especially is gloriously revealed ) by an eye of Faith ; they cry out he is all glorious and their worship is spent in Admiration .

And when their Apprehensions are Ripened they come to hope much , as well as love and fear much , they rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God , Rom 5.2 . and though the day of Judgment be such a terror to the wicked yet to poor Souls that have saving Apprehensions of God , it s the day of their hopes and expectations .

And they glorifie God by marvelling , Mat : 9.8 . they may well admire Heaven , for if all the glory and splendor of this lower World should be made to pass by Heaven-Gates , the glorified Souls there would not think it worth one glance or cast of their eye in comparison of the Glory they behold .

This is now the first Branch , viz. suitable affections to him .

2. Branch , Suitable Impressions before him . These will sink deep into the Soul if your Notions of God be right . And these are begun in their first Conversion when their hearts are pricked , Acts 2.37 . they lie much under the sence and feeling of God , he works in them such wonderful Impressions of his Greatness , Soveraignty , Holiness , Goodness , &c. as are never worn out , but are maintained and increased in them to their very dying day They have deep and abiding Impressions of all the blessed Attributes of God , but especially of those three , his Greatness , Holiness , and Goodness . This might now .

1. Let us see whether we have Glorified God or no , and be in stead of a Use of Trial to us , what are our Notions and Apprehensions of God ? have they had this blessed effect upon us ? have they produced such Dispositions as those before named , and these deep and lasting Impressions yea or no ?

2. It might also serve to direct us how we may come to Glorifie God , viz. By getting right Notions and Apprehensions of Him .

3. It might greatly shame us , that the best of us have no more Glorified God , and done so little this way : may we not all of us now lay our hand upon our mouths , and put our mouths in the dust for this ? The best has done little , and many have done nothing , they have not glorified God at all , nay it may be many have very much dishonoured him , and done much against his declarative glory though they cannot hurt his essential glory ; this is matter of shame and Lamentation .

This might also reprove many that make false Representations of God , or such as walk not up to their right Notions of God .

4. It is matter of Comfort to all such as so apprehend of God as you have heard ; that God will account himself Glorified by you .

Many never drew so near to God in all their lives as rightly to apprehend of him ; but if you have been thus happy to draw so near to him as to have such apprehensions of him that have made you , Love him , Admire him , and prefer him above all , and love Heaven because it is a place where you shall do nothing else but glorifie him ; then have you glorified him .

Does He come into your hearts often , and make himself known to you ? does he lead you along guiding your hand , and break in upon you with glorious Discoveries of himself , as a God and King of Glory ? Acts 7.2 . the God of Glory appeared to Abraham , and Psal . 24.7 , 8. there is a fair promise made you , that he will come in if you shut him not out by Ignorance , Unbelief , Impenitency and Obstinacy .

He is called the Father of Glory , Eph. 1.17 . and his eyes are called the eyes of his Glory , which makes gracious Souls afraid to provoke him , Isai . 3.8 . Christ is called the Lord of Glory , 1 Cor . 2.8 . have you closed with him ? then have you Glorified God and may be comforted .

So much for the first thing of the three what it is to Glorifie God ; we come to the second ; To Glorifie God is this ,

2. When the Glory of God is plainly to be seen upon the outward face of our acknowledgment and our deportment , or of our worshiping God , and walking before him .

There are two Branches in this Particular .

1. Branch , When the Glory of God is plainly to be seen upon the face of our acknowledgment , the Worship of God ought to be so managed by you , as that others may see Gods holiness upon you in it , and fall in love with it .

When your Postures , Gestures and Expressions are such as beget such high though●s of God in others as you pretend to in your selves .

No doubt this is included in the Text , thô it be not mainly meant , Whatsoever you do , &c. and if we are to glorifie God in eating and drinking , much more in our Worship .

And other Scriptures speaks it more plain , Psal . 29.12 . if our natural and civil Actions should Glorifie God , much more our Religious Actions . Your Worship in secret should be so performed , as that you may believe your selves to be serious and in good earnest .

And so when you Worship God with others , you should so manage it , as that others may Glorifie Gods Holiness upon your account .

Not to Worship God in Spirit and in Truth , but to do it slightly and carelesly , is a sad sight , and a God-dishonouring thing , Levit . 10.3 . Before all the People I will be Glorified ; but alas ! how little is this minded by most Worshipers ? how few are made in love with Worship through the zeal of others in it ?

But might they not rather say of some kind of vain Worshipers , that they are Mad ? As 1 Cor . 14.23 .

Many read their Bibles with no more devotion than they would a Play-Book , and say their Prayers ( as they call it ) just like Parrats that have learnt to talk , and understand not what they say : this is a great dishonour to God , and is hardening to others . The vain , idle way of Popish Worshiping , has stood in the way of the conversion of the Jews , and of the Mahometan World a great while .

And as for others , most mens Religion is the fruit of their conceits ; they little think that every word they read has Gods Image , and Gods Authority stamped upon it .

But while I am thus calling upon you to Glorifie God before others in your Worship , do not mistake me , do not with the Hypocritical Scribes and Pharisees , do all this to be seen of Men ; but do all with a sence of God , and of Eternity upon your spirits .

Here I have five Words to say to you , viz. that you would labour to Glorifie God ,

1. In your Confession of Sin , which is one part of Prayer . Let the glory of God be seen in it , that others may be provoked by your seriousness herein to count sin an odious thing .

That you would take heed of complementing with God and so lose all your Prayers , as too many do , they confess their sins as coldly as they committed them boldly .

And let Conscience be witness to this : do you not often confess them so coldly that even your selves scarce believe your selves to be in good earnest ? That man glorifies God in confession of sin , that does it with self-loathing and shame , even for those sins which none but God can charge him withal . It s not every Confession that glorifies God , Josh . 7.19 . give glory to God by confessing , do it so as your selves and others ( when they joyn with you ) may believe you hate it .

2. In your begging of Mercy from God , labour in this part of Prayer to glorifie God .

But alas ! how few beg as if they were in earnest , as a Subject would beg favour from his Prince ? or a Poor Tenant a boon from his Land-lord , or a poor starving Creature would beg for an Alms , or a Malefactor for a Pardon from his Judge ?

Do you know the worth of Pardoning Mercy when you pray for it ? & so of all other spiritual mercies ? do you so pray for mercies as others may believe that you esteem them worth asking and waiting for , and that you are at the right door ?

It is an excellent thing when you strive with God in Prayer , both in secret and with others , that you beg so humbly , confidently and importunately , that others may believe that you are at the door where everlasting Mercy dwells ; and that God only is the God of all grace and comfort , and that you are for other kind of things than profits , pleasures and preferments here , but that you are for Blessings indeed , as he was in 1 Chron . 4.10 : O that thou wouldest bless me indeed , &c.

3. In your Blessing and giving thanks to God for mercies already received , Do this so as that God may be glorified . This the Scripture is full of , I shall only hint at it ; but you see how God accounts of it in Psal . 50. ult . Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me : and Luk . 17.15 . He glorified God , and Christ sayes , He gives glory to God , ver . 18. that was , he gave Thanks .

I might show you how all these three parts of Prayer Glorify God in all his Attributes , his Omnisciency , Soveraignty , Holiness , &c. but I forbear enlargement ▪ But in giving praise , you are to set the Crown upon the right head ; when God puts any glory upon you , by making use of you , & you give it back to him again ▪ then do you glorify him ; Luke 19.16 . Lord , thy pound hath gained Ten : and when you say , as 1 Cor . 15.10 . By the grace of God I am , what I am , and I Laboured more abundantly , yet not I , but the grace of God which was with me ; and as Gen. 41.16 . it is not in me , God shall give Pharaoh an answer of Peace ; and Acts 3.12 , 13 , 16. he puts power and holiness together . It 's not by our own power and Holiness .

It 's excellent to do much , and yet to be nothing in our own eyes ; 1 Chron . 29 11 , 12 , &c. That was the Proclamation when Christ came , Glory to God in the Highest ! Peace and Good-will is for us , but Glory or God Alone , Luke 2.14

But some glorify themselves Rev. 18.7 . There is a Dreadful Doom concerning them .

4. In your spending the Lords-Day , Labour so to carry your selves , that Gods Glory may be seen in it .

It is a Day set apart only for Gods Worship ; but , oh this is an undoing thing That our Sabbaths smell so rank of our Week-days ! and the great reason , is , because we have so little Tincture of the Sabbath in the Week-days .

The Lords-Day is seriously , ( the whole of it ) to be spent with him , either in our Closets , Families , or in the House of God . See what the Prophet says , Isa . 58.13 . Honouring and Glorifying is the same .

5. In your ordinary Discourse , you are to speak

1. Reverently , And

2. Magnifyingly of God ; then do you cause his Glory to be seen in the face of your Acknowledgment when you do thus .

A word to each of these :

1. When we speak of God , we are to speak with great Reverence and Seriousness , that others may be Affected and Edified therewith . Not after a slighty careless manner . As a man may dishonour God by prophane speeches , so he may also , by the manner of his speaking of good things . Many gracious Souls , have had an holy Awe and Dread on their Spirits , upon their very mentioning the Name of God , in Prayer it self ; so tender have they been of it , that they have been afraid to abound in using that great Name too frequently , even in their Prayers : How horrible a thing then is it to bring that most Fearful and Glorious Name into matter of Jests ? Oh , it 's too great and Sacred a Thing to be thus brought into your mouths .

It 's the Temper of a gracious Soul , always to have a secret Reverence attending every word it speaks of God , either before , or after the speaking of it . And this Lesson was Taught it at its first Conversion .

You may as truly dishonour God , by speaking lightly of what is good , as by speaking evil . You should la●●●r to Glorify God , both with your mind and your mouth ; and excite others so to do also by your doing it , Rom. 15.6 .

And upon this account David calls his Tongue his glory so often in the Psalms , and it is your glory when you use it to the glory of God : But the Lord knows it may well be called many a mans shame .

2. We are to speak Magnifyingly of God , we should Extoll him , and Recommend him to others ; and Ascribe greatness to him , goodness and holiness to him ; and to say as Rev. 4. last Thou art worthy , O Lord to Receive Glory , &c :

The Psalms abound to this purpose ; ( the Reading frequently of which I commend to you ) see Psal . 86 9. Psal . 105.1 , 2 , 3. Talk ye of all his wondrous works ; Psal . 145 6 , 11. Psal . 35. last . 1 Pet . 4.11 . If any man speak , let him speak as the Oracles of God ; that God in all things may be glorifyed . Though this may be meant especially of an Authoritative way of speaking in the name of God , yet it may include the other ; Paul concludes his Epistle to the Romans with giving glory to God . See Phil . 4.20 Heb . 13.21 .

But how ●hould others glorify God on your account , when you speak lightly , hardly , or discouragedly of God ?

So much of the first Branch , when the Glory of God is to be seen upon the outward face of our Acknowledgment .

The second Branch , when the Glory of God is plainly seen upon the outward face of our Deportment , or our Conversation ; then indeed do we Glorify God .

This is mainly and especially meant in the Text , though the other is included also : It 's not enough to have high and honourable thoughts of God in our hearts , and also to perform a seeming zealous Worship to him , but these things are to be diffused abroad into our Lives and Conversations , that others may see by our holy Lives , that the God we worship is an Holy God . Else how are we said to glorify God ? and how came others by observing us , to glorify our Father which is in Heaven ?

It 's not enough to be serious alone , others know not what we do there , but we must bring our Religion out of our Closets , into our Shops , Houses , and Fields ; we are not only to be Religions in Gods House , but in our own Houses also . Athiestical Livers are great Enemies to a God-head .

But then do you glorify God , when your words , ways , course , and Discourse , give others a fair occasion to lift up the Name of God in their Hearts . You ought not only to serve God your selves , but to carry it so , as to win others to God ; carry it so , as that others may know there is a God , and that he is a very Holy God ; that their Hearts may thereby be raised up to God , that they may begin to Admire , Adore , Observe Love , & walk in the fear of this God .

Our Loves and our Lives ought to be like flames , catching hold of all about us .

No doubt there are thousands in Heaven , that are Blessing God for the holy Lives of others . All Gods Attributes are his glory , but especially his Holiness : therefore when much of this is seen upon the face of our Deportment , then do we very much glorify God . He is said to be glorious in Holiness ; this Attribute runs through all his other Attributes , he is infinitely Holy in them all : And if Holiness be the glory of God , why should it not be our glory ? Exod . 15.11 . And he is not only glorious in Holiness , but he glories in it : he is called Holy three times together , Rev 4.8 . Isa . 6.3 . he is infinitely happy in his Holiness , Hab . 1.13 . Sin never yet had a good look from him , nor ever will . David smarted severely for it , and all the Saints that fell into it ever since , have smarted for it , more or less : God hates it , and the workers of it , and the Saints know it , Psal . 5.4 , 5. Thou hatest all the workers of iniquity . He will have nothing about him , but what is holy ; his Son , Angels , Sabbaths , are called holy ; and he has also willed and commanded you to be Holy , 1 Thes . 4.3 . 1 Pet . 1.16 . Be Holy , as he is , for quality , though not for quantity : Hence by these inward Affections , Impressions , and holy Conversations , we are said to sanctifie him , Lev . 10.3 . that is , by Recommending him to others Admirations , by your God-glorifying Conversations , 1 Pet . 1.15 . you are to be holy in all manner of Conversation ; which takes in both our Relative Duties , and our Callings , Conditions and Company .

You read of the Beauties of Holiness ; and indeed the more Holiness , the more beauty in any : Holiness puts a Beauty upon any , let them otherwise be never so mean or deformed .

The more there is of three things in your Deportment , the more is God glorifyed by it .

1. The more there is of God in your Deportment .

2. The more there is of Christ in it .

3. The more there is of Heaven in it .

1. The more there is of God in your Deportment ( or your Conversation ) the more is he glorifyed ; he is glorifyed by nothing , but what is of himself Adam was made after Gods Image , that is in holiness ; and this carries Reverence in it from the worst of men , whose Consciences honour it , though their wills and affections hate it . Then does a man glorify God , when Holiness to the Lord is engraven upon all his Faculties , and all his Affa●rs upon all the Faculties of his Soul , Mind , Will , Conscience , and Affections , though this is invisible to men ▪ but he glorif●es God in his Deportment , when it s plainly written upon his Affairs , and there will such a day come when Holiness to the Lord shall be upon the Horses Bridles , and every Pot in Jerusalem shall be holy , &c. Zech . 14.20 , 21. A vain jungling Spirit is not becoming a Christian , t● be always Jesting , this is not to be used as your Ordinary Food , though mirth be allowed sometimes , yet it is to be used with great sobriety and moderation . God is ( as one well saith ) the real glory of every thing , person , word or work ; if God be not in your Health , Houses , Relations , Employments ; and in every word you speak , and every work you do , there is no glory in it ; if it have not more or less reference to God it is worth nothing .

And you may know if Gods Glory be to be seen in your Conversation by these things .

1. When you are afraid to offend God tho● none know of it .

2. When it appears to others ( as far as they can judge ) that Gods Glory is your only Rule to walk by , both in Heart , Lip and Life , in Thoughts , Words and Actions .

3. When it appears ( as far as they can see ) to others , that in your whole Conversation you are swayed by the consideration of eternal and invisible things , and you carry and look like men that believe unseen and eternal things , and consult not Profits , Honours , Ease , &c.

4. When it appears to others that you only live to God ; that his Glory is that you live for , and that his Work you mind , and that you place your whole happiness in his favour , and make it your only business to please him in all you do , and it appears that you mind Gods work more than your own ; and that you carry towards him as your Owner and Benefactor , and as one with whom you expect to live for ever .

2. The more of Christ there is in your Conversation the more God is glorified by you .

Christ is the glory of God , and hath wonderfully glorified him .

Gods Glory did most eminently appear in him when he was upon Earth , Joh . 1.14 . & 2. ●1 . The Father also was glorified by him , Joh . 17.4 . I have glorified thee on Earth , &c. let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus , when you show forth the vertues of Christ , then you glorifie God . God loves Christ , and his Image in him , it is so like himself , like Loves its like , we use to say , John 14.8 . He that hath seen me hath seen the Father also . If the Father had been clothed with flesh he would have carried just as Jesus Christ did .

God accounts a Christ-like spirit of great price . To be sweet , patient , charitable , humble , useful , evangelical in all we do , to be fruitful in every good work is to be like Christ , and you show your selves to have the spirit of Christ by the fruits of it . Gal. 5. 22 , 23. 1 Pet 3.4 . he had been in the Chapter before recommending Christs Example , and here tells you such a spirit is of great price in Gods sight ? and John 15.8 . Herein is my Father glorified , and Mat . 5.16 . We are so to glorifie God , as that others may fall a doing so too . Phil . 1.11 . the glory of God and of Christ are put together , John 1.14 . & 11.4 .

He was a great Example of Seriousness and Gravity when he was on Earth ; you often read of his Groaning , Weeping , &c. but never can you produce that Chapter or Verse that speaks of his jesting or laughing away his time ; he tells us he came to do the will of him that sent him , and to finish his work . And what a serious patern was he in his Preaching ! though very plain in it , yet never Man spake like him ; O his tenderness , weeping over Sinners ! and his great in offensiveness to all , and what a wonderful Instance of Humility was he ! especially when he washed his Disciples feet : hence he invites you to learn of him , John 13. from v. 4. to the 15th . Do as I have done to you , Mat . 11.29 . Learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart .

And for his Obedience to the Law , he was a meer Commentary upon it , and for pleasing of God what an Example was he ! I do alwayes the things that please him ; and for his Charity and Love , how did he feed Multitudes ! and for Self-denial and Contempt of the World what a rare instance was he ? John 6.15 . When he perceived they would come and take him by force to make him a King , he departed , &c. he was not fond ( as many are ) of great preferments , but steals away from them : & for patience , how many reproaches did he bear ? altho' they were very grievous to his most tender Spirit , in somuch that he sayes in Psal . 69 20. it had broken his heart , for this is spoken of Christ , of David only in the Type .

And for meekness , how do you find him riding upon an Asses Colt , he slighted all the Pomps and Bravery of the World when his Disciples showed him the goodly Stones wherewith the Temple was adorned , how little did he regard them !

Carry like this meek humble crucified Christ , if you would glorifie God .

The contrary of all this that you have heard does greatly dishonour God .

How many are witness that your Christ-like Conversation has made them to glorifie God ? do you verily think in your Consciences that Christ would carry as you do , in such and such particulars which you best know of ? that he would so vainly squander away his time in mirth and jolity , and vain and wicked company ? do you think that he would spend his time in jesting , telling idle Tales , in laughing and sporting ? not but that a man may laugh , for it is a power of Gods creating : but by this I mean a giving up your selves to live in carnal pleasure , and to let out your hearts unto such things as these .

It is true many acts of Christ were not imitable by us , as his sa●●●fying Justice , his forty dayes Fast , &c. but as he was an Example of all manner of Holiness , &c. we are to walk as he walked as much as in us lies ; you ought to speak and walk as he did , else why are you called Christians ? have you not important work that lies on your hands ? why should you not ( as he did ) labour to dispatch it ? John 9.4 . I must work the works of him that sent me while it is called to day , the might cometh wherein none can work .

You see how carefully he improved his season , and can you for shame bear the name of Christians and spend your time in Carding , Dicing , Drinking , &c. O this ill becomes you , and this is not to glorifie God in your deportment . To be slighty and careless and slothful about those things that are in themselves good , is not to be like Christ , and so glorifies not God .

I have read of one that was naturally of a proud stout Spirit , who was converted by reading that passage of Christs washing his Disciples Feet , and cried out , Lord , thou hast overcome me .

I have also read of some Philosophers that were so beloved of their Scholars , that they would labour to imitate them even in their infirmities out of pride , but you have such a patern to imitate that is infinitely free of all infirmities : one should think we should be very ambitious of such an example ; no marvel that his Life was serious and holy , for his nature was so . And O what A patern was he for Ministers , in his rising a great while before day , that he might not by his publick work be hindred from his private communion with God , & it is said , that at some times he continued all night in Prayer .

He was a notable Example also for improving outward Occurrences to a spiritual use , which appears in all his Parables , and many of his other Speeches , and all this was written for our Example , see what a serious charge we have in Heb . 12.2 : Looking unto Jesus , that is , as our Principle , and as our patern .

Thus we are to have much of Christ for our Example in our conversation , of which you will see farther , under one of the Motives .

And to make him our Principle , as you will see afterwards in the Directions .

So much of the Second Particular as to our Deportment or Conversation .

3. The more of heaven there is to be seen in the face of our Deportment , the more is God glorified by us in it . Then do we glorifie God when we look not like men of this World , as too many do . You are to carry so as if your business were in Heaven , your Trade and Traffick there , and as Citizens of the new Jerusalem . Phil . 3.20 . But the worldly , carnal lives of Professors are a great dishonour to God . If there were much of Heaven in our conversation , it would convince the most sensual and bruitish Persons we converse with , that there is another World , which ought to be preferred before this World ; and this would make them to wish to dye your death , though they could not get up to live your lives . Let them see that you seek an unseen happiness , that you verily look to live with Christ ; let all see what you are , and whether you are going . If you be Believers live up to the hopes and priviledges of Believers , let all see that your hopes are bound up in the second coming of Christ , that others may see by you that Heaven is worth venturing all for , and that there is a Reward for the Righteous .

Let them see that you account self-seeking to be self-undoing , and that that time that is not lived to God is lost , that what is done for God is done for ever , that this Life is short and uncertain , and that the Life to come is certain and eternal ; and let it be seen , that you are by little and little Transplanting and Transporting thither . There is not a good thought , word , or action , but if you are in Christ shall meet you beyond the Grave . Be laying up apace then , and let all see that you make Heaven your Home : Live by Faith , and count all things here nothing . Scorn the Worldlings happiness , though ever so great , accounting the Lives of such Base and Contemptible , and that Riches , Honours , &c. are poor things in comparison of what you are seeking of , and hoping for , and that you are contented to endure Afflictions , as Knowing they are not worthy to be compared with the future glory , 2 Cor . 4.17 , 18. & see Heb . 11.6 . that you believe this Text , and herein God is glorified by you , 1 Pet . 4.14 , 16. Isai . 24.15 . That you can glorifie God in the fire . Let the Life of Jesus hereby be manifested in you , 2 Cor . 4.10 , 11. And let Christ be magnified in you , both in Life and Death ; Phil . 1.20 . then indeed is God glorified by you , and more eminently when you can get up to long for Death and Judgment , and desire to be absent from the Body , that you may be present with the Lord . 2 Cor . 5.8 .

Let others see that you can live cheerfully on the hopes of Heaven , and that your Hopes , Births , and Hearts , are higher than the Highest of Carnal men , though Monarchs or Emperours . And the more of such an heavenly Conversation you shew , the more is God glorified by you ; for in Heaven he is perfectly glorified . Oh labour to live like the Triumphant Church , though you be yet in the Militant . Great degrees of Grace are called Glory ( they look so like it ) in 2 Cor . 3.18 . from glory to glory , that is from one degree of grace unto another .

Believers should be looking-Glasses for others to dress themselves by , then would they be forced to say as Dan . 2.47 . Of a Truth your God is God of Gods , and a Lord of Kings . This would make them glorifie God on your behalf , Gal. 1. last . and think more highly of God and Heaven , and glorify God for your professed subjection to the Gospel , 2 Cor . 9.13 . Such Trees of Righteousness do glorifie God , Isa . 6.13 . It was the greatest Commendation that a scoffing Enemy gave of Mr. Baxter , that he could Breathe forth nothing but Puritanism ; I wish it were true of us all . This would make others fall down , and confess that God were in us of a Truth , 1 Cor . 14.25 . But it is very sad , that when profane persons and Christians are together , all the difference betwixt them is , that they will not Swear or Curse as they do . An Eminent Person says upon the like occasion if a man should hear of one that had the spirit of God , that was united to Christ , filled with all the fulness of God , whose Conversation were in Heaven , and had God to his Father , &c. he would expect very great things from him , not to be entertained with vain Jangling , or sinful discourse , &c. but we may well say with Erasmus , that seeing the World cannot be brought to Christianity ; men have brought Christianity to the World , in too great a measure , and with too many . I conclude this particular with the definition that the Assembly at London gives of a Godly man , that He is one whose person is united to Christ by a Lively Faith , and whose nature is Elevated by the Spirit of Regeneration , and whose Principles and Practices are Supernatural and Divine .

May not one then think of many ( that count themselves Christians , and would have others to account them more than the common sort ) that they only cheat and deceive themselves ?

Thus I have done with the second General Head how we are said to Glorifie God .

3. The glorifying of God consists in this , when we do ( as much as in us lies ) actually propose the glory of God , in our particular Actings ; and when it is not attained , it is heartily bewailed , and acknowledged to God ; and as soon as God meets with these hearty Acknowledgments , he forthwith with pardons the Soul . The New Creature is seen in nothing more than in the bent of his Soul for God , and his sincere Resolutions ; if you never design thus to glorifie God , it is a certain sign that you are no Christians . And this you ought to do every day at least , and at the beginning of every Action either Sacred , or Civil , at the beginning of every day , and more especially on the Lords-day : and when you do come short , you ought immediately to Renew your sincere Repentance , and Cordial Resolutions . A man in a long Journey , sets out every day for his Journeys End , though he may not think of it every step he goes ; thus do you , set out every day for Heaven as your Home , and often in the day think of it , and speak of it ; so set out to glorifie God , with a full intention of Soul , and carry your End in your Eye . We are to account of God , not only as the first cause , the most Excellent Being , but also as our chiefest Good , and our last End.

And though we cannot think of this every step we take , yet we are to set our faces towards it ; and though we cannot attain in every thing to glorifie God , yet we are to set it as our Mark to Aim at , in all we do , both at the beginning of the day ( as before ) and the Lords-day , the beginning of a Solemn Duty , or sitting down at our Tables , to eat and drink for the glory of God , going to our Beds , to Rest our selves in order to our serving of God , &c. So when we go to visit , or to work at our Callings , &c. This End proposed at the beginning , hath great influence all along , as you see in the throwing of a Stone into the Water , the stone sinks out of sight , but the Circles will remain sometime after ; When a Bell has done Ringing , it will sound and shake for some time after ; so is it here ; if this design of glorifying God be maintained , it will have an influence upon our Actions .

Here let me give you three words of Advice .

1. Be sure that Grace be in the Habit in your Souls , that the bent and biass of the Heart be set aright for God , else all your Resolutions will come to nothing ; this work is too hard for an unrenewed , unsanctified heart .

2. Bring this gracious Habit into act , by a Renewed Resolution , and by frequent Ejaculations to God for Assistance , this do as often as you can .

3. When you have done thus , take heed of any other inordinate Intention , or Inclination , to hinder what you have done in setting out .

It is said of the Nazarite , Numb . 6.12 . All the days of his Separation that went before were lost , because it was defiled . So here it spoils all . Moses was offered a greater bribe than ordinary , by the Lord ; and yet he would not take it , because he minded the glory of God , more than his own , that was the End he kept his Eye upon , Numb . 14.11 , 12. But do not you Eat to your selves ? that is bad , God would have you not only to fast unto him , but to eat unto him .

Is it the great design of your Soul to glorifie God , the one thing you do ? That runs through your very Soul ; bearing all other things down before it . Psal . 27.4 . Phil . 3.14 . Do you make all things beside to stoop to this Renewed purpose of your Soul ? You see how faulty Jehu was in this , and the Pharisees they did not propose Gods Glory , but themselves , in what they did , do you spend every day as for God and Eternity ? and thus propose Gods glory ; & well you may , for the meanest Action thus done , shall be well Rewarded , Col. 3.23 , 24. Eph. 6 : 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. Any such Relative Duties if done to the glory of God , shall be Rewarded , Rom. 14.6 , 7 , 8. Phil . 1.21 . if you don't thus live to Christ , Death will never be your Gain . God took it very ill from Eli's Sons , that they served themselves first out of the Sacrifices , 1 Sam . 2.14 , 15. In all our Actions God is to be uppermost in our designs , and in Spiritual Actions he is to be All. God should be the end of all our operations ; all our motions should Terminate in him ( but when self lies at the bottom all is nought . ) This is called a doing ,

1 : All in the Name of Christ , Col. 3.17 .

2. And a being devoted to his Fear , Psal . 119.38 .

3. A being in the Fear of the Lord all the day long , Prov. 23.17 .

4. A walking up and down in his Name , Zach. 10. last . That is a blessed Promise indeed , has God made it good to you ?

We should ( as one saith well ) every morning set out on a right point of the compass , for if we set out wrong it endangers our going wrong all the day , the best that can come of it is loss of time and pains , if a Clock or Watch be wound up and set right in the morning , with good keeping , it will go well all the day . David used thus to set out , Psal . 5.3 . In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee and look up , Psal . 139.18 . When I am awake I am still with thee . A mans last End is but one , and ought to be no other than this to glorifie God , though subordinate ends may be minded in their proper places , yet alwayes with respect and tendency to the ultimate end , and they ought to be wholly laid aside when they interfere with that , or that it come to be hindred by them . Our health , wealth , mirth , liberty , life and all are to give way to the last end ; and for the want of thus doing , God charges Eli with honouring his Sons before him , the subordinate end prevailed above the ultimate .

And thus I have showed you in general what it is to Glorifie God .

2. The next thing propounded is to show what it is to Glorifie God in eating and drinking .

This is the second part of the Text , and it may also include all kind of Recreations lawful in themselves , thô not named .

As cessation from Labour , Visiting , &c. for much of pleasure is set forth by Eating & Drinking , yea Heaven it self is often set forth by it . So that I may put all these things together , though not so particularly meant in the Text , Recreations , Diversions , &c. Eating and Drinking all these are to be done to the Glory of God , and not only in greater Meals of Feasting , but even in our common Meals it should be thus , ( so that by the way it will follow , that we should do it in every thing ) we cannot glorifie God in unlawful Sports , I hope none of you will think so , as Cards , Dice , &c. nor those Sports that have either cruelty or costliness in them ; things unlawful cannot be made lawful , let your end be ever so good , See Rom. 1. last . have pleasure in them , &c. neither holy things nor sinful things should be matter of our Sport .

I need to say but little here , because what has been said before may save me the labour , if persons glorifie God as is said in those three Particulars , they will do it in this .

Only a few words briefly here :

It lies in three things , our Eying and our Glorifying of God , 1. In the Introduction of them . 2. In the Progression . 3. In the Conclusion of them .

1. We are to Eye and Glorifie God in the Introduction of them , in our first setting upon them .

I put all Recreations under this of Eating and Drinking for brevity sake , though we are not to use Eating and Drinking only for Recreation , I mean for pleasure , but to strengthen us for Service , but most of some persons pleasure and outward Recreations is at their Tables ; and Heaven as I told you is set off by it , not that we should conceive of Heaven as of a Fools Paradise , or Elysian Fields , to consist in carnal , sensual delights , but the Holy Ghost is pleased to make use of this similitude , to set off the pleasure they have there , to let us know that they have unspeakably more pleasure in Communion with God than we have in Eating and Drinking . Now when we begin upon our Eating , &c. we should keep our Eye upon the Glory of God , we should so intend and resolve by the Grace of God to eat this Meal for the Glory of God , use this Recreation , unstring the Bow now , only to be more fit for his service by it ; if the Bow should alwayes stand bent , it would not be fit for use : and though such a course as this might be hard at first , yet the more you are acquainted with it , the more skill & strength you would get for it .

And this would not destroy your chearfulness : how can this Text be otherwise expounded ? if we are not thus to begin our Meals , &c.

It is very sad when we have no higher an end in Eating , &c. than a Beast , to satisfie our sensual Appetite . In natural Actions , you are to have supernatural ends : you are not to walk abroad because you have nothing else to do , or to eat only because you are hungry , but you are to Glorifie God in it , and do it to fit you the more for your general and particular calling , and your crazy carcasses stand in need of some sober , short and seasonable Diversion , and God is no hard Master , he allows you this , he has given us many things , not only for necessity but for delight , yea all things richly to enjoy . Nay he bids you by Solomon to Recreate your selves , Eccles . 9.7 , 8 , 9. he speaks not like an Epicure as some might vainly think , for he in the 7nth verse gives the Reason , God hath accepted thy work . ( Note by the way that wicked men have no right to any Recreations ; and they abuse them as they do every thing else : ) but some are blamed for not taking that lawful comfort in what they enjoy , and it is counted a sore evil , Eccles . 6.2 , 3. not to rejoyce soberly in what they have , Eccles . 2.24 . and 3.12 . it s called the gift of God so to do . We are allowed to get ( as well as commanded to do ) all the good we can while we are here , and some persons need Recreations more than others , and are to use them out of duty . I forbear to name such , most persons are too forward this way .

But shall we be as without God in the world when we use Recreations ? God forbid . You ought so to intend and begin upon them as to further the Glory of God and your own good account . It was a saying of Luther , I have formerly eaten and drunk to my self , but now I am resolved by the Grace of God it shall further my good account , So Austin , he bewails his eating to himself .

What shall we think then of such Professors that eat to Gluttony , and drink to Excess ? I beseech you look on it as your duty to Glorifie God in these as well as in Gods House , and in your closets . A curious Scribe will be careful to draw his small Letters exactly as well as his Capital , a good Builder will contrive to do his Kitchin well , as well as his Dining Room ; see how God blames them in Zech . 7.5 , 6. there is great reason why we should eat and drink for God , for he gives us all ; do we not daily live on Heavens Expences ? it is Gods Wool and Flax we wear , Gods Food and Rayment we enjoy , Hos . 2.9 . My Corn , and my Wine , my Wool and my Flax , sayes God .

No Christian lives to himself , Rom. 14.6 . as you have all from him and by him , so you are to do all to him , Philip . 1.21 . Ephes . 6 , 5.7 .

And when you visit , you should resolve to get or do good , and leave a good savour behind you . So you should eat , drink and sleep to refresh ( as one sayes well ) a weary Servant of Christ .

Recreations should only be used as sauce to whet our Stomachs , not as our food to live on . You would wonder to see a man whetting his Sythe all the day instead of Mowing ; you should use these only as Oyl to the Wheels , to make them go on more readily . It s very sad indeed to do all for to gratifie your Lusts , or to pass away the Time , you will have Time little enough when you come to dye .

School-boys learn hard that they may play ; but wise men play that they may work .

This godly Introduction would put you upon asking your Fathers leave for what you do . How often was this used in Scripture ? Shall I go up to Ramoth Gilead ? when David had a mind to go against the Philistins , he asks Gods Leave first , so should you , in every thing you go about . The very Heathens had a notion of this , A Jove Principium . Baalam seems to have something of it Numb . 22.8 . and in your thus doing , you Acknowledg Gods Dominion and Soveraignty over you , and , it argues your dependance on him also . And as you should ask his Leave , so you should ask his Blessing also . Gen. 24.12 . That good Servant asks Gods Blessing before he would go on his Errand . Jer . 10.23 The way of a man is not in himself ; it is not in man that walketh to direct his paths .

You should crave a Blessing upon all , or else they are easily cursed to you , Every thing is Sanctified by the Word and Prayer . Christ looked up to Heaven before he brake the Bread , if you do not ask Gods Blessing , you may Eat and not be satisfied , ( as sometimes God threatens ) and you may sleep and not be Refreshed , For it is he that giveth his Beloved Sleep : and we should labour to maintain Communion with God in our asking his Blessing . For that is true , Mat . 4.4 . Man lives not by Bread only .

2. We are to Eye and Glorifie God in our progression in them , in our management of these things ; and that by a frequent Renewing of Ends , and Aims , and by a secret Ejaculation to God in them . Your Intention should be often brought thus into act . And you should beware ( as was said under one of the General Heads ) of any other inordinate Intention arising , or prevailing , to hinder this ; we are to Eat and drink for Eternal Life , as minding that one thing . It is said of Socrates , that he did as really benefit his Scholars in their Recreations , as when he was Reading Lectures to them . We are in nothing more apt to forget God , than in the midst of Friends , Eating & Drinking , &c. And ( which is worse ) more apt to let down our Watch in good Company than in Bad , but you should take heed of laying aside your seriousness when you go about these things . Job was afraid his Children had missed it in their Feasting by forgetting God . Job 1.5 . for that is it he means , by Cursing God ; they were better Taught than so , but he means they had forgotten God , or carried unsuitably to his Presence . It is no good sight to see good men themselves extraordinary merry .

You read of some that feed themselves without fear , Jude 12. without the fear of God . You may eat and drink with cheerfulness , but must there be nothing else ? See what mad work they make in their mirth , Job 21.12 , 13 , 14. They take the Timb●el and Harp , and Rejoice at the sound of the Organ , and they spend their dayes in Mirth , &c. Therefore they say unto God , depart from us , &c. There is dreadful Language indeed ! but a gracious Soul would not be at a Distance from God in any place , or Company . Solomon tells us that the way of Life is above to the wise , and that is a shorter , fairer , safer way than below . It is said Exod . 18.12 . They did Eat before God . We ought continually to keep the sence of the Divine Presence , upon our Souls in all we do , and in all we Enjoy . God commands Abraham to walk before him , and to be Upright . It is an Excellent thing when it may be said , That every Pot is Holiness to the Lord . And as we are thus to Renew our Ends , and Aims to glorifie God in our Eating , &c.

So we are also to be often breathing forth holy Ejaculations , and Affections to God , in them . That was an excellent Commendation of an holy Minister , That to him each Thought was a Prayer , each Prayer a Song , each Day a Sabbath , and each Meal a Sacrament . This need not to hinder our moderate cheerfulness , nor our necessary Discourses , about other Affairs .

It is thought , that most of Solomons Proverbs were spoken at his Table , and there is a whole Folio Book , written of Luther's Table-Talk .

If all News , idle Talk , were written in a Book , which many speak at their Tables ( as Plato would have it ) What Volumns of vanity would there be ? however Angels take notice , and Conscience Books it all .

Two of Gods Attributes chiefly are matter for our thoughts at such times , his Goodness , and his All-sufficiency . His Goodness , that so spreads our Table , and fills our Cup , and gives us all things Richly to enjoy , especially in these sad times , when many far better than we , are deprived of them , how good is He that makes all these good ? especially if they come swimming unto us in the blood of Christ .

And his Sufficiency , what a great House-Keeper is he who opens his hand , and satisfies the desire of every Living Thing ! We read of the Primitive Saints they did Eat their Bread with Cheerfulness , and singleness of heart , Acts 2.46 . they were so delighted with the thoughts of God , and in Neh . 9.25 . They delighted in his Goodness , &c. It 's true , That Meats and Drinks Commend us not to God , and the Kingdom of God consisteth not in them ( as the Apostle says ) but yet you may think of God , and of his Kingdom in the use of them ; how often doth Christ give us an Example this way ? Luke 14.15 : his blessed Discourse Ravishes that man so that he cries out , Blessed is he that may Eat Bread in the Kingdom of God . You have his Discourse from the seventh to the fourteenth verse .

And if you would do thus , it would be the ready way to observe all the other Rules given by Divines about these things , as to do them soberly , moderately and seasonably , &c. As to the seasons of Recreation , note , they are altogether unseasonable upon the Lords-day , also when the Church is in Trouble they are less seasonable ; the more seldom and short at such a time , the better , Amos 6.3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7. Isa . 22.12 , 13. You are to Eat and Drink , &c. so as to be fit to pray . You were not made only for pleasure , as the Leviathan to sport in the Deeps ?

Do you only as Jonathan , that tasted a little Honey on the end of his Rod . You read of some that live in pleasure upon the Earth , you should do all as persons upon Earth ; too much mirth suites not that state . These things often become Clouds , and Cloggs to us in our way to Heaven , instead of helping us .

It is said of those in Noahs time , they did Eat , Drank , they Married , &c. as if they did nothing else . Some are said not to serve the Lord Jesus Christ , but their own Bellies , that is sad . There is bread and salt at every Feast , so your Discourse should feed , and season others .

3. In the conclusion of them you should glorifie God ; and that by humble and thankful Reflection . You should look back , and be humbled for your miscarriages , if you have missed it , and thankful for Gods goodness , presence , and help if you have had it . As we are apt to forget God in , so after them . Christ charges us to beware of Surfeting , &c. because that makes us unmindful of , and unfit for , the great day , Luke 21.34 . Wine , and new Wine take away the heart , Hos . 4.11 . fulness often breeds forgetfulness , Deut. 6.11 , 12 , 13. Deut . 8.10.32.15 . Jesurun waxed fat , and Kicked .

That was an Excellent Prayer of Agur , Prov. 30.9 . We are apt to forget God , and Gods poor , when we are full our selves , considering little the many naked Backs , and empty Bellies of others . Christ has bid us send for the poor , Lame , and Blind , to feast them , if we will feast , but few do so ? however , tho' we don't send for them , yet we might send unto them . Great Eaters and Drinkers are seldom Friends to the poor . Few are like Job , not to eat his Morsel alone , Job 31.17 . but most like churlish Nabal , 1 Sam . 25.11 . But its bad to be thus forgetful , you would thank your Neighbour for your entertainment , and will you thus Requite God ?

The best way to be thankful is to live well , to do as good Servants , when they have dined they go to their work .

Thus I have done with the 2d . thing propounded , what it is to glorifie God in Eating and Drinking ? &c.

More might be said , but I leave it .

As for the third thing to show us why we should thus glorifie God , both in the course of our Lives , and also in our Eating and Drinking , &c.

That I leave to the Use of Exhortation , and the Motives to serve instead of Reasons .

Application .

There might be divers Uses made from what has been said , But I mainly Aim at the Use of Exhortation .

Tho' here might be a Use of Information ; or here you may infer from what has been said ,

1. That Religion is a serious , and industrious thing , there is much to be done , God sent you not into this world as into a Playhouse , but a Work-house . Religion is not your by , but your main business , it is called Running , Fighting , Wrestling , &c. all which denotes Labour and Hardship , though pleasant .

2. It informs you , what your work is .

3. That Religion extends it self to small things comparatively . You are to glorifie God in all places , and in all things .

Also a word of Reproof , and that

1. To them that never in all their Lives glorified God ; does not your Conscience tell you , you never did it ? nay , some carry as if it were their work openly to dishonour God , O their Wickedness !

2. To those that though they know God , yet do not glorifie him as God , Rom 1.21 .

3. To such that instead of glorifying God , glorifie themselves , Rev. 18.7 .

4 To those that set up others in Gods room , that honour and Love something more than God , 1 Sam . 2.29

3. It might also be an Use of Trial , have you right Apprehensions of God ? do you live a holy life ? and design the glory of God in your particular Actions ?

4. But the main Use is of Exhortation , and it calls upon us all seriously to mind the glorifying of God , and to make it our great business so to do , both in Heart , Lip and Life , as you have heard at large .

And begin at your Hearts , else it will all come to nothing . One would think there were no need of Motives , but our backwardness to it is such that I shall give you a few , and subjoyn some Means or Directions .

Motive , 1.

This is your great & very important Duty : The Doctrine tells you so , and what have you and I to do , as we are Creatures , and Governed by a Law , but to mind our Duty ? ●… nd it s not an ordinary Duty , but it s

1. A very weighty Duty , that much de●… ends upon ( to wit ) Gods Honour , and ●… our own comfort .

2. An absolute indispensible Duty , the neglect of this can never be dispensed with , though some other Duties have for a time been dispensed with , as Circumcision , and the Passeover , when the People were in the Wilderness , because God loves Mercy rather than Sacrifice : but his Glory he cannot give to another ; he will have his Glory whatever he wants , he sayes Psal . 50. last , Thou shalt Glorifie me .

3. This is the most reasonable & acceptable Duty in the World , as its indispensible , so it s indisputable , Rom. 12.1 , God is well pleased with it . It s a plain Duty , some Duties are dark , but this is not ; it s a right Duty , and no fault is to be found in it , therefore reasonable , and it s brought in with a Therefore in the Text , as if he would tell them of a Duty that none disputed against God has made you rational Creatutes , wil●… you deny him reasonable Service ?

4. It is your only Duty ; you have bu●… this one thing to mind , Phil . 3.13 .

5. It s a most comely , lovely , useful comfortable Duty , how does it sweeten all w●… do ? and fills as with marrow and sweetness when we can but get up to it .

6. It s a universal Duty , and that both , ( 1. ) As to all Men , none to be excused . and ( 2. ) All of and in Man is to be improved this way , his Soul , Body , Spirit , Heart , Lip , Life . ( 3. ) At all times , both in Life and Death , John 21.19 . This he spake signifying by what death he should glorifie God . ( 4 ) In all places and companies , and upon all occasions , in all states and stations , prosperity , adversity , yea you are to glorifie him in the very Fires , and 1 Pet . 4.11 . you are to do it in all things .

7. This is a perpetual everlasting Duty : it s never out of date in time , nor in Eternity ; see Heb . 13.15 . Continually you are to praise him .

Motive , 2.

It is the peremptory command of the great God ; and this well follows the former . This tells you why it s your absolute Duty , &c. because God hath enjoyned it , and this is reason sufficient in any case . It s enough to stop all mouthes but those that have a mind to fight against God ; ( which you would be loth to do with your Governours for their reasonable Edicts ) he is wiser and stronger than you . And this is also good in it self , therefore commanded ; some things are good because commanded , as keeping the Sabbath on such a day of the Week and not another , the manner of the Administrations of Sacraments , with many other things ; these are good because he hath commanded them , but this is good in it self , and he hath also seriously commanded it , his very heart is in it , and he expects it at your hands .

And he also commands it frequently , and such commands are especially to be noted , that are so inculcated ; this is not only in the Text , but is the great scope of all the Scriptures which would be too tedious to show , and the other Motives will sufficiently prove . Sometimes he speaks of this as a King commanding it , sometimes as a Judge reproving the neglect of it , sometimes as a Friend intreating of you to do it , this often repeating of it denotes ,

1. The weightiness of the matter , and

2. It also denotes his great concernedness in it . If a great King should thus often command a thing you would take notice of it , and you will see this often repeated if you do but look over the Scriptures mentioned under the three first Heads .

And I tell you it is his peremptory Command , so that he will abate nothing of it ; he hath declared it ( and there is no disanulling of it ) he will be glorified by you , or upon you to your utter ruine . Do not think it hard , for it s a reasonable Duty , Neh . 9.13 . they are right Statutes and good Laws , Hos . 14. last All the wayes of the Lord are right : I say as Acts 4 19. Whether are you to obey God , or the Devil , world and Flesh ? judge yee . This is a right command because it is your life , Deut. 32.46 , 47. John 12. last what an excellent Text is that ! he does not only say the Promise , but the Commandment is Life everlasting . And I know it ( says Christ ) denoting the certainty of it . May not God put that question to your Consciences , Prov 22.20 . Have not I spoken to thee excellent things in Counsel and Knowledg ? what could you say against it ? it s the most excellent command in the World , and if you are convinced of it , your sin is the greater that you neglect it . The Spirit speaks expresly not implicitly in this thing , and shall not the wrath of this King be as the roaring of a Lion to you Amos . 3.6 Shall a Trumpet be blown in the City and the people not be afraid ? I may say here as in Dan . 3.22 . the Kings command is urgent : and though you think it hard , yet the Saints have loved such commands and embraced them . I 'll only instance in David , Psalm 119 : 11. he would hide them , he loved them , ver : 127 : and delighted in them , ver : 47 : and longed for them , ver : 131. and would not forget them , ver : 176 : but do them ▪ ver . 166 :

Motive , 3.

Our Creation , Redemption and Sanctification by the sacred Trinity have reference to this very thing . You know the works of God are either essential , ( viz ) those that are common to the whole Trinity , or personal which are proper to each Person , and both these are either as to external or internal Objects . The internal are those that have no reference to any Object without God , as the generation of the Son , &c. the external have reference to some Object without the Trinity , as Predestination , Creation , &c : and that 's a Rule here , that one and the same external work ( in a different consideration ) is both essential and personal , as Creation , Redemption and Sanctification , they are essential works of the whole Trinity , and yet in another respect are personal : and hence the Father being the Fountain of the Trinity , is said to Create , and the Son taking our nature , is said to Redeem , the Holy Ghost proceeding from both , is said to make Application of all this to us .

Three Branches in this Motive .

1. Our Creation was to Glorifie God ; We were not made to Eat and to Drink , &c. but to glorifie God , ( as the first answer in your Catechism shews ) he made you to Work and Labour , not to play ; to give all Diligence , &c. You should ask your selves seriously , have I answered the great end of my Creation ? A man had better lose his Life than the End of his Living . He made you for this End , Isa 43.7 . I have Created him for my [ glory ] I have formed him , yea , I have made him . He made you to be Factors for him , not to Set up for your selves . And he made you at first after his own Image , that you might with ease glorifie him : But it may be said of too many , as in Hos . 10.1 . They bring forth Fruits to themselves . Eph. 2.10 . You are Created in Christ Jesus unto good works , and Psal . 102.8 . as if he should say , they shall be to my glory , Rev. 4. last . For thy pleasure they are and were Created , that we should be to his wel●-pleasing , Isa . 60.21 . The work of my Hand , that I may be glorified . It is a dreadful thing to be made in vain . Gen. 6.6 . It Repented God that he had made man ; may not God ( if I may say so with Reverence after the manner of men ) Repent that he made your Tongues that Swear , and Lye , and Talk vainly , &c. Your Feet that lead you into wicked Company and to wicked Actions ? &c. He Repented that he made Saul King , in 1 Sam . 15.35 . so he may of many of us , he Repents he has made us , and made us men , honourable in any respect or degree . May he not say to us , as Matth . 20.6 . why stand you here all the day Idle ? why did God make you different from Beasts ? giving you Understanding , and Language ? but that you should glorifie him ? this is the fruit he expects from you , your Tongues should be your glory , as it was Davids , Psal . 16.9 . Psal . 30. last .

The second Branch , Your Redemption by Christ was for this end , all that he did , and suffered for you , was for this very one End. He has bought you , both Soul & body for this , 1 Cor . 6. last . Ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie God in your Body , and in your Spirit , which are his You should do it , both in Soul and Body , Rom. 15.6 . Titus 2.14 . Who gave himself for us , to Redeem us from all iniquity . In Creation God gave you your selves , but in Redemption he gives you Christ , which is much more , and he Redeems from Sin , and that is it only that stands in the way of Gods Glory . Hence he that Redeems is called , The Holy One , Isa . 41.14 . we are said to be Redeemed to God , Rev. 5.9 . and from all iniquity . Psal . 130. last . as well as from Hell And Christ died for you , that you might Live . unto God . 2 Cor 5.15 . It is a blemish to Christ when you do not live to God , and yet profess to be Redeemed by him . Let the Redeemed of the Lord give him praise , Psal . 107.1 , 2. Luke 1 54 , 75. He hath Redeemed us , &c. That we should serve him in Holiness and Righteousness all the days of our Life , 1 Pet . 2.24 . He bare our Sins for this .

The Third Branch . Our Sanctification by the Holy Ghost is for this End. He is called the Holy Spirit , not only Formalitér sed Effectivé , he is not only Holy himself infinitely , but his work is to make you holy . And shall God ( as I may with Reverence say ) foul his fingers with you to make you of Clay ? Shall the Son take Flesh , and Dye to Redeem you ? and the Holy Ghost make it his work to apply all this to you ? and will you not glorifie God ? It is the work of the Holy Ghost to sanctifie you , and if you be not sanctified , you cannot glorifie God , and he is grieved when you oppose him in his sanctifying work , and refuse , or neglect to glorifie God . That it is his work , see 1 Pet . 1.2 . and that Conversion and Sanctification glorifie God , see 1 Pet . 2.5.9 . you are said by these to shew forth the praises of him , &c. And hence Grace is called Glory , 2 Cor 3. last .

1. Because it leads to glory .

2. Because God is glorified by it , both by giving it , preserving it , and drawing it out into Exercise : They that have Gods holy Image on them are called his glory , Isa . 46. last . and the Church is called a glorious Church , Eph. 5.27 .

So much for the third Motive .

The Fourth Motive . It is Gods chief End in all that he daily does , to glorifie himself . Prov. 16.4 . The Lord hath made all things for himself , &c.

And not only Creation , but Preservation ( which is a continued Creation ) is for this End , this is ,

1 The end of all Gods works , and all his Providences . If you Refuse to glorifie God you do as much as in you lies to make void all the Creation . Does God give you the Sun , to give you Light , to sin against him . The Creatures serve you , that you might serve him . What a wretched Creature is a Sinner ! He would command every thing , and not be commanded by his Creator , but lifts up the heel against him . He does not give you his Creatures , that you should fulfil your Lusts with them , no doubt they shall rise up in Judgment against such as have not glorified God . It is observable , that God calls upon the irrational Creatures to praise him , in Psal . 148.3 . To praise him is to glorifie him ; This might reprove us , for not doing it . q . d ;

I have made man to glorifie me , but he does not , Come you and praise me . As he calls upon the Earth to hear , when men are deaf to him ; but it especially means that we sho●ld when we behold the Curiosity , and Constancy of them , be Excited to praise God . Though they have no Tongues yet are said to declare his glory , Psal . 19.1 . Hab. 3.3 . though they cannot ( as Plato thought ) do it with understanding , yet with a dumb Eloquence they call on us to do it , and reprove our negligence ; and they are the matter of our praise . Nay , all these things are upheld in their Beings , while waiting upon you , that you might honour God .

All Gods Providential Acts are for this , viz. for his glory . As 1. When he preserves , protects , provides for his people , when he prevents their trouble , or delivers out of it , he has but this one end in all ; when he works Miracles for them it is for his glory , John 2.11 . Psal . 85.9 . Temporal Salvation and Glory are put together , Salvation is nigh to them that fear him , that Glory may dwell in our Land . So Psal . 3.3 . a Shield and glory , is put together , so Psal . 102.16 . when God builds up Zion , he will appear in his Glory .

2. And when he destroys his peoples Enemies , when he disappoints and frustrates them , this is for his glory , when he makes them fall into their own Pits . Read Exod . 14.17 . to the twentieth verse and so on , you have the proof of this ; and Numb . 14.13 , to 21. Moses pleads with God , and in the conclusion is heard , and says God , All the Earth shall be filled with my Glory . That is , with the glory of his wisdom in frustrating them , of his power in Crushing them , and his Justice in being Revenged of them , and his Goodness to his people and his Truth both as to his Promises and Threatnings .

3. Gods daily pardoning , supporting , strengthning , Counselling , Comforting , and giving greater degrees of Grace to his people ; yea his very Afflicting of them , are all for this ●nd ; and his hearing of their Prayers , affording his Presence in his Ordinances , all is for his Glory . Exo . 32.18 . His Goodness is his glory , and he cannot put forth a greater act of glory , than in pardoning of Sin , Isa . 61.2 , 3. last clause of it , 1 Kings 3.11 . There was an extraordinary Appearance of Gods Presence , and that is his glory . All these are called his glory , as formerly you have heard in the first Explaining of the Doctrine .

Gods Holiness lies in a willing of his glory as his ultimate end , and our holiness lies in making it our last End in every thing , and willing of other things in subordination to it ; even the meanest Believer in this sence lives the life of God , from him , and unto him .

They have all their grace , peace , strength , &c. from God , and all they do , is with a design to glorifie God in it .

There is in every mercy two things ; Comfort , and Glory ; the Comfort he allows us to take , but the glory he will have himself , and good reason he should .

The Fifth Motive . All that God hath done from Eternity , and all that he will do to Eternity , are for his glory : Why should not you then glorifie him in time ? this was it that God was doing from Eternity , he was delighting himself , in himself , and designing his own glory .

Two Branches here .

The First Branch . All that he has done from Eternity , those Eternal Purposes of God , which Relate to the Creature ( to wit ) Election and praeterition .

1. Election , in his chusing some here , some there as he pleases , He only designs his glory in all ; nothing out of himself moves him , he will chuse because he will , only for the glory of his Grace ; and this is it that affords Rivers of Oyl , to feed the Flames of Eternal Extasies among the Glorified , Eph. 1.6 , 12 , 14. You see it is for his Glory . Hence his mercy is called his glory , Eph. 3.16 . The Riches of his Glory , and it is that we should be to the praise of the Glory of his Grace .

2. Praeterition also , that is a good Rule in Divinity , that Damnation is not the end of praeterition , ( or passing by of any ) but the manifestation of the glory of Gods Justice . These things many stumble at , because Gods Word is a savour of Death to them , but it is for his glory , Rom. 9.22 . It is to make his power known , as he did on Pharaoh , Exodus 14.4 . Rom 9.17 . It is not Gods pleasure in mens ruine , but his own glory he designs in all .

The Catechism tells you , it is for his glory , That 1 His Decrees are an Eternal fore-ordaining all that comes to pass . 2 That the Cause of them is the good pleasure of his Will . 3. That the end is his own Glory .

I might also have mentioned the eternal Generation of the Son of God , which was hinted at before ; this being an immanent act from Eternity , was for his Glory : hence the Apostle in this sence calls Christ the Glory of God , Heb . 1.3 . yea , the brightness of his Glory : this he sayes when he is speaking of his Son-ship in that Chapter .

Also his giving Christ a Body , &c. ( ●hough done in time ) was also for his Glory , John 1.14 .

The Second Branch of the Motive is , All that God will do to all Eternity is for his Glory .

The salvation of his People for ever , everlasting Glory sits upon the head of his mercy and truth ; his Saints shall be for ever with him , and ever be giving him the glory of it . They shall admire and adore him for ever ; Heaven is the Land of Hallelujahs , we shall not then be as we are here , one day in a praising , admiring frame , and two or three dayes out of it : there is not one Soul in Heaven but Glorifies God as much as he would have it to do . They do their work well and God likes it as well . Heaven is called Glory , Luk . 24.26 . Christ the Head is Glorified , and he will never leave praying , till he have all his Members with him , and the hopes of Heaven is called the hopes of Glory , Rom. 5.2 . Heaven is called Glory .

1. Because much of Gods Glory is to be seen there , that could not be seen here .

2. Because it was created for his Glory .

3. Because he will be there perfectly 〈◇〉 eternally glorified , they shall begin betime● to do it , and shall hold on for ever , 2 Thess. 1.10 . And now what a strong Motive is this to us all , to make it our business to Glorifye God : Consider here but these four things in it . that ,

1. All that God has done from first to last is for his Glory , stop here and think , why should not we do thus ?

2. That God will glorifie his People to all Eternity . And is not this a sufficient Motive to you to glorifie him now ? Rom. 8.30 . ( Glorified ) that is , He has adorned them with grace here , and will adorn them with Glory hereafter . If you could be assured that you should within this month be glorified with him at what a rate would you live ! and though you walk in darkness , and see no light , yet it s your duty to glorifie God ; and a good Child will love ●nd serve his Father , though he have no Inheritance to give him . A spirit of Adoption lies much in this , that the Soul would glorifie God , though it be not sure that God will glorifie it . But ha●● you no probabilities ? if you have the least degree of probability , there is infinite reason you should glorifie him . Have you closed with the call of the Gospel ? are you willing to go with Christ ? then you are as good as glorified . God will make you glorious , he will so deck you with Glory , that you shall love your selves for Gods likeness on you . But I conclude you never expect to be Glorified by God , if you make it not your business to glorifie him .

3. You have but a little time to glorifie God in , after that manner that you do it here . Indeed in Heaven you shall glorifie him perfectly , but not after such a manner in all respects as you do it here , viz. by Faith , Repentance , &c.

1 By Faith , as it glorifies God in times of temptations , Desertions , &c. Rom. 4.20 . O think , why should not I glorifie God under my temptations , &c. I have but a little time to do it in .

2. By Repentance , living a life of Godly sorrow confessing Sin , lying low before God , Josh . 7.19 . how should you now be looking back upon that has been amiss , and mourn ! for Repentance is out of date in Heaven .

3. By standing up for the cause and interest of Christ in the World , and in the places where you live .

4. When you can do no more , you should be willing to suffer for Christ : there is no Martyrdome in Heaven , and God is glorified by this , 1 Pet . 4.14 , 16. this was an honour that the holy Angels were never capable of , this Father Latimer very much desired and had at last .

5. You should do it by an exemplary conversation , in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation , Mat . 5.16 . this you may see more of under the Explication how you are to glorifie God in your deportment .

4. Consider also , that your glorifying God now , will fit you the more for it when you come to do it in Heaven . Begin Heaven upon Earth ; settle to your work now , the more you glorifie God now , the more you will do it then , and the more you will be glorified also : for none doubts but there are degrees of Glory , and Grace is Glory begun . I do not here put you upon the thought of meriting , for there is infinite disproportion between the work and the reward ; that glory that shall be revealed in you infinitely out-does your endeavours and attainments : however you should in a way of Love and Gratitude desire to glorifie that God now , that will so glorifie you , and by using your selves to it , you would be Masters of your Trade ( as we use to say of some that have served an Apprenticeship to a Trade . ) That makes Religion so hard , you accustome your selves to it so little . If God should take up unsanctified persons to Heaven , they would not be fit for the imployment there ; what haters of God spend their Eternity in praising him ! that 's not likely , they are weary of holy exercises now , how should they rub out endless Eternity in such work !

So much for the fifth great Motive .

Motive , 6.

The Lord Jesus Christ began betimes to glorifie his Father , and held on so to do till the very last moment that he drew breath in this World . Here you may look back to what was said in the former part of the Discourse , about a Christ-like Deportment ; but I may add by way of Motive more to what was there said . He did thus , and shall not the same mind be in you that was in him ? if Christ be not your principle and patern , he will not be your price , you ought to walk as he walked , to be daily Looking unto him , Heb . 12.2 . as a man that 's drawing a Picture , or a School-boy at his Copy . And he grew in Grace betimes , Luk . 2.49 . and made it his business to glorifie God , and you may see he held on in so doing , by John 17.4 , 5. I have glorified thee on Earth , I have finished the work thou gavest me to do , now O Father glorifie thou me , &c. this confirms what was said before , that they that glorifie God shall be glorified by him . It would be a blessed thing to be able to say at death , as Hezekiah did , Isai . 38.3 . and as Paul did , 2 Tim . 4.7 . I have fought a good fight , I have finished my course , I have kept the Faith , &c.

And Christ did all along glorifie God , though he found it costly work yet he finished it , he was concerned for his Fathers Glory , Father glorifie thy Name , &c. John 12.27 , 28. & 13.31 . God is glorified in him .

Not but that Christ as God is as much an Object of honour as the Father ; but we now speak of him as he is a Mediator , and so subject to the Father ; and his Fathers mind and will , was his meat and drink , John 4.34 . and his only business , John 6.38 . he came not to do his own will , but the will of him that sent him . And he tells us , the zeal of Gods House had eaten him up ; and at death sayes , Lord , not my will but thy will be done , O what an excellent Example is this ! and what a Motive might it be unto us !

Motive , 7.

Gods Glory is the most weighty and precious thing in Heaven and Earth : and will you rob him of that ? O give him his glory then , for it is the most dangerous thing in the World to rob him of it , he has said He will not give it to another , Isai . 42.8 . and it s repeated again in Isai . 48.11 . this is the forbidden Fruit , he will have none to finger it , he has but this one thing incomparably dear to him , it s all he aims at , all he is concerned for ; and if you have not glorified him , you have done nothing in the World to any purpose : God sayes to us all as he did to Christ , John 12.28 . I have both glorified my Name , and will do it again : I will have every body to do it , or neglect it at their utmost peril . Sometimes his glory is said in Scripture to be great , exceeding great , higher than the Heavens , and it s said to fill all the Earth .

It is more worth than your Souls , and Salvation . Who or what are we ? that God should mind our Salvation , and bring us to glory by Christs Death ? who can think he should Dye ultimately for us ?

Though our Salvation was the immediate and Proxime End of his Death , it was Gods glory that was the ultimate end of his Death . He dyed not ultimately to glorifie himself , Heb . 5.5 . It was his Fathers Will ; he did not thrust himself upon it . Althô it is true , his Exaltation came after his Humiliation , yet this was not his ultimate end . Much less then was your Salvation his ultimate end , though at the same time he shewed the highest Love , both to God and you , that could be .

The Glory of God is infinitely better than our Salvation ; so that if Gods Honour should have been impaired , Justice violated , and his Truth broken , who durst have been seen in it ? But it is so ordered by infinite Wisdom , that God is no loser by it , but all his Attributes are eminently glorified by the death of Christ , never such an instance of Grace and Mercy , as in the death of Christ ; you have many instances of his Mercy , in Psal . 136. but no such an instance as this . And this makes the sin of the Devils so great , that in opposing of your Salvation , they oppose the glory of God , by the death of Christ , for God in infinite grace has joined his Glory and our Salvation both together : So that it is matter of great comfort , that when Christ is said to glorifie God in Dying , it is meant his grace and mercy is glorified by your Redemption , and his glory and your good , are never to be separated . So that God is a gainer by this way of Salvation , as well as you , his Justice not only satisfied , but Grace exalted by it . And as it glorifies the true Grace , so also the wisdom of God Solomons Wisdom was admired in giving judgment between the two Harlots . We have a Story in History , Of a great Emperour that made a Law , That every Adulterer should have his Eyes bored out ; and his own Son being found guilty , he had no other way to save the honour of his Justice , and yet to save his Sons Eyes ; but caused one of his Sons Eyes , and one of his own to be Bored out . This Story has been much admired , but we have infinitely more cause to admire the Wisdom of God in the death of Christ . And as it glorifies his Grace and Wisdom , so also his Justice ; it is both a merciful Justice , and a just Mercy . So also his power : Christ is called both the Wisdom and Power of God in this Respect . Thus God is glorified by the death of Christ , and this was his ultimate end in dying .

For he did not glorifie God that we might be saved , but dyed to save us , that God might be glorified . All the Souls in the world are nothing compared with the glory of God ; better we all should perish , than God should lose his Glory ; though one Soul would weigh down ten thousand Worlds of other things . Gods glory is a greater good than your Salvation ; for your Salvation is but as the Medium , his glory is the Ultimus finis . His Glory must needs be of more worth than your Salvation , for that is only the good of a Creature , his glory is like himself . However , these are not to be parted , for God hath joined them , he has commanded you to seek his glory , and also Immortality and Eternal Life .

And now from this you may infer two things .

1. How should Christians walk that are trusted with such a weighty thing , as the glory of God! how very provoking are the sins of Professors , and their scandalous Lives ? You should walk blamelesly , and depart from iniquity , for Gods name is upon you , and you should be more tender of the Name of God , than of your own names .

Moses was Eminent , for that he was more concerned for Gods glory than his own . You should carry so , as to stop all mouths , ( at least when they come to dye , 1 Pet . 2.12 . ) James 2.7 . Rom. 2.23 , 24. The wickedness of a Servant reproacheth his Master . And do not you pretend to be Gods Servants & Children ? Salvian used to write much against the bad Lives of the Christians , and told them , that the Heathen might well say , Christiani sancté vixissent , si Christus sancta Docuisset . Christians would have Lived better , if Christ had taught them better . Oh , wipe off this Reproach by your blameless Lives . Gods glory is his Spouse , he is very jealous as to this , Joseph had the charge of all Potiphars House except his Wife . But God has trusted you with the best thing he has in the world , viz. his glory , and then how tender and careful should you be of it .

2. Again we may infer this , That if our Salvation be to be Referr'd to the glory of God , then much more all outward things , Health , Honour , Parts , and Wealth , &c. What have you all for , but to glorifie God ? The End is beyond the Means , you are to account it so , and to look beyond them , and desire no more of them , than leads unto the End. As an Old Saying , Media movent Bonitate Finis . The Means moves through the goodness of the End. You do not desire all the water in the Fountain , but as much as will quench your Thirst , nor all the Cloth in the world , but what is needful to cover you . So here you ought to desire these things only with Reference to the glory of God .

So much for the seventh Motive .

Motive 8.

If you will not glorifie God , he will be glorified upon you . Put him not to strain for his own . If you will not sanctifie him , he will sanctifie himself ; if you do not glorify him intentionally , he will be glorified eventually , if not actually , he will be glorified passively , if you bear not witness to his Holinefs , He will do it himself by his Judgments . ( as one well saith ) There is not one in a Congregation , but the Holy God is sanctified by him , or else upon him , by Spiritual Plagues and Judgments , which are the worst , and alwayes certain , though not alwayes visible . We may plainly see in that instance of Nadab and Abihu , ( though the Eldest Son● of a good man , and in the Priests Office . ) That Gods glory is dearer to him than mens Lives , Lev . 10.3 . God would not bear with them .

Another instance of this , is Herod ; ( though a very great man ) God would not bear with him , Acts 12.23 . You have his death , and the manner of it , he was smitten , and that immediately , by the Ministration of Angels , and mortally , he gave up the Ghost , and shamefully , Eaten of Worms , or Lice , as his Grand-father Herod was before ; and then you have the Reasons of it , He gave not God the glory , being unjust , and unreasonable therein . This might seem but a small thing , but God took it very ill . The Apostles did otherwise , Acts 14.13 , 14. When the people would have done Sacrifice to them , they ran in amongst them , &c. And Peter when Cornelius fell down at his Feet , Acts 10.26 . bids him stand up , &c. I have heard of a man , that Lived a very Atheistical Life , who was in a sad case when he came to Dye , crying out , if there be a God , I am undone for ever .

Thus you see God will have his glory , if you will not give it him .

Motive 9.

God is infinitely worthy of it . Therefore I beg it of you : if he do not deserve it at your hands , I 'le give you leave to deny me . It is gross Idolatry to give it any other . And this is the Reason of the last Motive . He may well take it ill , when you do not give it him , seeing he is worthy most worthy , altogether , only and infinitely Worthy , Rev. 4. last . Thou art worthy O Lord , of Glory , praise , &c. God exceeds all things in glory , Heaven & Earth is full of his Glory ; and he should have it all . God deserves the glory on a double account .

1. He is his own glory . 2. He is your glory also .

1. God is his own glory , he is absolutely and independently so . Why should you not give God his own ? Sometimes Riches are called Glory in Scripture , and outward Honour , Learning , Victory , a good Name , Authority , Prosperity , and Grace is called Glory : but all these are but derivative , and none have all of these ; but God is his own glory and he needs none to add to him . Hence he is called Glorious , Exod . 15 11. and he is so , not only in his Holiness , but in every thing else . Every thing in God is glorious ; he is incomparably glorious . And if he be so glorious in the world , The Sun , Moon , and Stars , declare his Glory , &c. So glorious in his Church , in his Word , Works , and in his Saints , Psal . 45.13 . The Spouse is all glorious within ; in his Angels , his Sanctuary , Ministers , Gospel , Sacraments , &c. What is that God that hath ordered and Beautified all these , Psal . 66.2 . You should then make his praise glorious ; his Right-hand is called glorious , his power is glorious , Col. 1.11 . he is so glorious , that he doth and can , without weakness , glory in himself . How many glorious descriptions have you of God in Scripture ! which I have opened upon other occasions , as in Isa . 40. and in Isa . 57.15 . and in many more places , yet we cannot say his glorying is not good , for his glory is infinitely above all other glory , and it is his own . I am not able in the least to set him off to you , his back-parts are only seen in this World , you cannot see his face and live : if you knew him , you could not but fall in love with him He is called the God of Glory , and the Father of Glory , Eph. 1.17 . Acts 7.2 . there is a glory of God that is absolute , and none can conceive of , Exod . 33.18 , 22 , 23. and he is called the Lord of Glory and King of Glory ; Glory and Honour are said to be in his presence , &c. thus he is his own Glory .

Branch 2. He is your Glory also . He puts an honour upon you , 1 Pet . 2.7 . Margent , to them that believe he is the Honour .

I am almost out of heart to speak to others , I would now speak to Christians , Christ is your Glory and Honour , Luk 2.32 . just as a person of Honour Marrying a mean person makes her Honourable , Isai . 43 4. since thou wast precious in my sight , thou hast been honourable , &c. and you find in Scripture , that the Saints have accounted God their glory , Psal . 3.3 . and if you have any interest in God , you may say thus , so Psal 62.7 .

I shall show you in five things how God is the Glory of his People and in what Respects .

And these things might all serve as Motives , to perswade you to Glorifie him .

1. He is their Glory , in that he does not only permit them , and command them to Glorifie him , but is also pleased to account himself glorified by them .

This is a piece of great condescention indeed in him , who is infinitely above the Admirations and Services of the Holy Angels themselves , ( and therefore he is said to humble himself , to behold things done in Heaven , ) that he should account himself , glorified by you , and that he should take any thing well at your hands ; he not only commands it , but commends it , Psal . 50 ult . That he should account you make him glorious by your right conceptions of him , and your Gospel conversations ; this is your Glory , and might be a strong Motive to you . That he should be found of you , and suffer you to come so near him , and to stand in his Courts , is your honour , but that he should be pleased to account himself glorified by you is more .

He is said to be glorified on your part , 1 Pet . 4.14 . and Hag . 1.8 . he takes pleasure in it , as if he should say , I take it well , I account my self glorified by you . And old Divine expresses himself thus , that when any man glorifies God , he is accounted by God to make him glorious , and to give him as it were a new Being , ( though this is soberly to be understood . )

No doubt when any person does eminent●… y Glorifie God , he sets him off as it were a●… ew before others . And that God should account thus of it , is a very great Honour . You read of the blinde and lame , the Lepers and Centurion , and the Gentiles , that they glorified God , and he takes notice of all these , as I might give Scriptures for them all : he took it well from them ; O this is your glory , when God accepts of you in what you do . The Saints in the worst of conditions may live upon their present acceptance and their future recompence .

2 He puts a great glory upon his People , in that he hath , he daily doth , and will magnifie them to all Eternity .

1 He not only hath magnified man ( as before ) in Creation , Redemption , &c. in Creation making him but little lower than the Angels , and putting all things under his feet , that if he had stood all the Creatures should have been subject to him , having furnished the World plentifully and magnificently for him , before he came into it , this was a great Honour , but he has honoured his People much more by Redemption , in that when you had sold your selves to Satan to your sins , and to the justice of God , he should be at such cost to Redeem you , is not this an honour ? Would it not be an honour for a Prince to give many thousand pounds to redeem a poor Slave out of Turkey ? how may you admire God then , who has put such an honour upon you in Redemption , and that by his own Son too , and by his precious blood ! this indeed is an honour , and might be a great Motive to glorifie him .

And he has also put an honour upon you in your conversion to him , whereby the Image of God is renewed in you , and you are made partakers of the Divine Nature , and come to live the life of God , all which is a mighty glory to you .

And if God be thus your glory and have so magnified you ; why should not you glorifie him ?

2. He daily doth magnifie and put Honour upon his People , in that he preserves them even by a Guard of Angels , Heb . 1.14 . admits them to communion with him , that at any time he smiles on them , accepteth and embraceth them , counselling supporting , supplying them as they need ; and that also he should afflict them rather than lose them , ( for he loves them too well to let them live in any sin uncorrected ) all this is their honour ; thus God is their glory . It s an honour to you that so glorious a God should contend with you by affliction , 1 Sam . 24.14 . and more , that he should cause it to work for you an eternal weight of glory , and bring you to glory at last : thus he puts a glory upon his People both in life and at death .

3. He will glorifie them to all Eternity , this I but name , it has been hinted at before : but God is both your glory in life , at death , and after death ? he might have forbidden you to glorifie him , and then you had been miserable : O glorifie him then to your utmost .

3 He is your glory , in that he hath put you into so near a Relation to himself , and put himself into so near a Relation unto you : he calls himself your Father , your Husband , your God , your Shepherd , ( I might bring Scriptures for all these ) and your Saviour , yea your own God . Can you do too much for your Father , your heavenly Father ? if you be true Christians God is really your Father . What a great thing did David account it to be Son in Law to a King ? but happy are they whose God is the Lord . This is the highest Honour that can be , and whilst others boast of this and that , you may make your boast of God for ever ▪ Glory in your Knowledge of him , and of your interest in him , Rom. 5.11 . in the Greek , But we Boast in God , through Jesus Christ . I may say as Esth. 6.11 . You are such as this King delighteth to Honour : why then should you not honour him , with all you are , have , and can do ?

Its observable how many Names God gives to his People in Scripture , which sets forth this thing , and you should answer your Names . Are you called the Sons of God , and will you not honour your Father ? Mal . 1.6 . you are called Vessels , and are you leaking Vessels ? Can you hold no glory for God 2 Tim . 2.20 , 21. when a man makes a Vessel he has it for some use or other . Who made you Vessels of Honour ? and why did free Grace chuse you ? but many are Vessels in whom there is no pleasure , Jer 22.28 . not meet for their Masters use . You might have been suffered to have been Vessels of wrath , Rom. 9.21 . it was Grace that made you otherwise : you are also called Members of Christ , and will you not honour your Head ? will you rise up in rebellion against your Head ? nay , you are called his Flesh , and his Bones , Eph. 5.30 . and will you dishonour your Head ? 1 Cor . 11.4 .

Are you not called Temples of the Holy Ghost ; and will you not honour God ? In his Temple should every one speak of his glory . Ps. 29 9. Much of glory was in the Temple , and God was Glorified and Worshiped in his Temple . If you be Gods House , then he dwells in you , and by so doing he honours you ; Will you not glorifie the Master of the House ? 1 Cor . 3.16 . What , know you not that you are the Temple of God ? And that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you ? 1 Cor . 6.19 , 20. Wherefore glorifie God , &c.

And you are called the people of his Choice , his chosen Generation , and what was it for ? see 1 Pet . 2.5 , 9 & in Exod . 19.5 . his Peculiar Treasure . Acts 9.15 . Chosen Vessels . And will you not glorifie him ?

You are called the Heirs of Glory , and ere long you must inherit glory , and will you not glorifie him ? Heb . 1. last . Heirs of Salvation , Heb . 6.17 . called the Heirs of promise ; How should such honour God!

4. He is your g●●● in that he hath invested you with many great priviledges that are your glory . As his affording of you many means of grace , seasons and opportunities of glorifying him , planting you in his Vineyard . ( I wish you understood your mercy in this ) Isa . 61.3 . shall God thus honour you ? and will you not honour him ? This very thing hath honoured our Nations more than any part of the world , the greatest part of the world are not thus honoured . He has made you Trees of Righteousness : Your great Clusters of sin , and vanity should fall off ; and you should be Laden with fruits of Righteousness to his Glory . Phil . 1.11 . But O what Clusters of wrath do some bring forth ! What a lovely thing would it be for you to bring forth Clusters of Faith and Love , &c. he hath not dealt with other Nations as by us , Psal . 147. last . Has he not Created a Defence upon your glory ? Isa 4.5 . Your good fruit would glorifie your Father and Christs Father , John 15.8 . John 20.17 . Our Sabbaths are our glory , Isai . 58.13 . and your Ministers are to be honoured for their works sake , nay , they are called the glory of C●●●● ( though accounted the off-scouring of all ●●●ngs ) 2 Cor 8.23 . and they are your honour , for whether Paul , or Apollos , or Cephas , &c. all are yours ; they are the gift of Christ , and it is said , no man takes this honour unto himself , but he that is called , &c. It is a blessed thing when Gods Word Runs and is Glorified . But it may be our glory is departing , then call your Comforts Jchabod , as she in 1 Sam . 4.21 , 22.

5. God has put a mighty glory upon you in that he does in so many words call and account you his glory , Isa . 46. last . Israel my glory .

Indeed it is very much he should be your glory , but that you should be his glory is much more , Isa . 60.7 . You are the joy and Crown of Christ , which is more than to be Pauls joy and Crown , Phil . 4.1 . Isa . 62.3 . Thou shalt be a Crown of glory in the hand of the Lord , and a Royal Diadem in the hand of thy God . So that I may say glorious things are said of you through free grace , and will you not glorifie God ?

So much for the ninth great Motive .

Motive 10.

The greatest part of men in the world do downright dishonour God : and you your selves have but very little glorified him hitherto . And shall God have no glory in the world● and this well follows the last ; it aggravates your doing so little this way if God be your glory .

Two Branches here .

1. The greatest part of mankind do downright dishonour him ; they generally provoke the Eyes of his glory , they know no shame , they hide it not , but instead of glorifying God , they turn his glory into shame , Psal . 4.2 . yea , they glory in their shame . It was an old complaint in Rom. 3 23. and those sins that are most common amongst us , I could show you how they are said to dishonour God . But now when others do so , let us grow more holy by it . Methinks the Name and glory of God cries out , Who will be on my side , Who ? It hath few faithful Friends in the world , now turn to him , and glorifie him so much the more . Let him not have your blow amongst the Rest , nor let your helping hand be Imployed to thrust his glory out of the World . The whole world lies in wickedness there is none that does good , whole Volleys of Impieties are daily discharged against him . We may say of most , as Dan . 5.23 . The God in whose hand is their breath , and whose are all their ways have they not glorified .

It may be wondred at , Rev. 15.4 . Who shall not fear thee , and glorifie thy name ? All things but Devils and wicked men glorifie him , and they shall ( though against their wills . ) He may complain of the most of the world that they have Robbed him .

The Second Branch .

You have but very little glorifyed him your selves hitherto .

Is it not time now to begin ? Shame might help you a little here ; grow the better this cold time . David did so , Psal . 119.126 , 127. They have made void thy Law , Thorefore I love thy Commandments , &c. but you have yet done little , how little in your Closets , Families , or the Church , have you done ? how little have you been in praise , in Prayer ? how little have others glorified God through you ; how seldom have you been in thinking , speaking , Admiring , Loving , Commending of him to others ? how little on week-days have you glorified him ? and how little on Lords-Days ? O now begin your Reformation , and lay your foundation in deep Humiliation , lay your hand upon your mouth , and Resolve through Christ , that you will be more holy , and heavenly , useful , and prayerful , than formerly ; be now more for serious godliness than ever . O it is high time to mend , and God expects it at your hands , see what he would have you be , Jer . 13.11 . a praise and a name , and a glory to him . Do not refuse as they did there .

But alas , the greatest part of the world may be reduced unto three Ranks .

1. Such that have done very little , considering the abilities and opportunities they have had , they have Prayed , Repented , Loved , and Lived little , that came late into the Vineyard , or have been Loyterers in it , or have gone back from his work , they have put their hands to the Plough , and look back . Some indeed é contrà have lived much in a little time . Abraham it is said , Dyed old and full of years , though he lived not so long as many others . But he was full of God , of Grace and Comfort .

2. Many that have done nothing at all , but only have lived to Eat and Drink , Buy and Sell , &c. and so have only Cumbred the Ground ; it is said in Gen. 5. such and such they lived so many years and they dyed , and nothing set down Remarkable in their Lives . Thus it is with very many .

3. There are many that have done worse than nothing , that live in Rebellion , and are bad Examples , Corrupting all about them ; that in stead of living to God , live to themselves , and the World , yea to the Devil .

And this should Excite us the more to glorifie God , to Repair the loss of his Glory what in us lies .

So much for the Tenth Motive .

Motive 11

This hath ever been the Language of all true Converts , at the very first ; What shall we do to glorifie God ? bewailing bitterly the former neglect of this . And if this be not the care and business of your Lives , ( if there be a Living God ) your state is naught , though you may reform , and do much , you are yet unconverted . Acts 13.48 . When the Gentiles begin righty to apprehend of God , they then glorifie him ; thus do you , and that both in himself and people , and every thing else . And see this , the Day will come when Ministers shall not lose their Love upon any Hypocrite , they shall know who have glorified God , and who have not . See the Language of that Heavenly Host , in Luke 2.14 . Glory be to God in the Highest , and Paul that great Convert concludes some of his Epistles with Glory to God . O see that you be such as thus do , else you are not Converted . And to come near the Kingdom of Heaven and not get into it , will make your Condemnation the greater .

The Twelfth Motive .

This would be the only way to glorifie Jesus Christ your Saviour , and to be glorified with him for ever .

It is meet that you should glorifie him , that spent his breath , and his precious blood for you . Oh who would not live to the Glory of such a Redeemer ! That day is lost that is not spent ( in part at least ) in thinking of , and Admiring of Jesus Christ ; if you would glorifie Christ , then glorifie God 2 Thes . 1. last . It is the best prayer in the world next to the prayer of Christ , That the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you , &c And there is great reason we should glorifie Christ , for God the Father has glorified him : He has not only received him to Glory , and set him at his own Right-hand , but he also glorifies him in that he will do nothing without him , Hab . 3.13 . Thou wentest down with thine Anointed . He directs us alwayes to go to him under all our difficulties , and hath committed all power to him , and has given him a Name above every name . Some have been called Jesus , some have been called Christ , but none besides himself called Jesus Christ God is well pleased when you glorifie Christ , Joh . 17.10 . and the Holy Ghost glorifies Christ , John . 16.14 . I need not to tell you Christ is glorious , for the Scriptures are full of that . Christ is most glorious When most contemptible , Isai . 53.2 . Now if you would glorifie Jesus Christ , you must glorifie God by chusing him for your happiness and portion , and daily pursue your choice . Nothing more glorifies Christ than conformity to him ; we honour him most when we do as he did , and his Life was a continual living to God ( as before ) John 8.29 . And you are also to magnifie Christ at your death , Phil . 1.20 . and this you do when you die believingly , and at Christs Command , Deut. 34.5 . witnessing to the Truth of Christ , John 21.19 . and this is the way to be glorified with him , He that honours me I will honour , sayes God , and John 12 , 26. he that serveth me , him will my Father honour , and where I am there shall my servant be also .

Motive , 13.

By Glorifying God much now , you lay a Foundation for your glorifying of him , upon Earth , even when you are in Heaven . No doubt God hath much glory here upon Earth , by means of his holy useful servants , when they have been long in eternal glory ; and not only from holy Ministers , who have left converting Books behind , that have been much blessed to survivers , and whereby with Abel , they being dead yet speak : and holy Examples too , as Heb . 13.7 . but also private Saints are concerned herein , to be laying in a stock to trade with for God when they are gone to glory . And thus many have done , and we ought to do , by good words , works , holy and exemplary lives , Exhortations , Admonitions , Instructions and Consolations , by doing and suffering fo●… Christ , &c. Let me intreat you in the Name of Christ , to be laying in a rich stock of al●… these to leave with your Posterity , Friends and Families , nay all that ever had to do with you , that they may trade with it for the glory of God , and hand it down to them that shall come after them . O let us be writing good Copies every day for them that come after us , Nulla dies sine lineâ . That they may say so , and so , did my Father and Mother , Husband and Wife , &c. walk , so did they behave themselves in Closet Families , and in the Church of God ; so did they perform Duties , hear Burthens , suppress their Passions , and deny themselves , &c. thus be , doing good after your Death . Heb . 11.4 . Preach your own Funeral Ser-Sermons every day by living for Posterity , Nay the Motive is yet stronger ( if that be true which some Divines have positively asserted ) that the good you now do upon E●●th does not only increase after your death , but also as that increaseth so your Glory will increase , say they : God will not only reward men according to their works , but according to the fruit of them , Jer . 17.10 . so that if their holy Actions on Earth do fructifie after their Death , the fruits of them shall be rewarded , and follow them ; Rev. 14 13. And so do the evil works of wicked men , as Jerob●hams did for above 300 years after his death , which made his Hell more hot . This is thought to be the Reason why Dives did desire his Brothers might avoid that place of Torment , because it would increase his own , for we cannot imagin natural affection , or the desire of the Salvation of others , to be in Hell . Nay it is said that the Glorified shall by their enlarged Crowns , and Additional glory , know the good they did here , and left behind them , doth fructify , which shall make them break forth into new Songs of Praise to God , and the Lamb , that helped them to sow that seed on Earth , that Reacheth them in Heaven . They know when any thing they have do●e on Earth is Blessed for others good , and Gods glory by two things , the Augmentation of their own Glory , and the Acclamation of Angels . Luke 15.20 . speaks for this .

Verily it is not then in vain to serve God ; Godliness is great gain , it s the most profitable , yea present gain , the most creditable , and prudentiall gain , in the whole world ; O who would not glorify God ? who is it that would not have plentifull Crops of Comfort , A whole Harvest of Happyness , Incomes of Glory , not only going with him at his Death , but continually comeing after him in Glory ?

There is a three fold benefit of Gospel good works .

1. Unto them that do them .

2. To those they are done for .

3. To them that see them done ( but this may Especialy relate to works of Charity either to the Bodys or Souls of others . )

I do again Exhort you to Glorify God , for you shall certainly in a very little time not only come to the Gates of Death , but also pass through them up to Gods great Tribunal to give an answer to this one Question , What have you all this while done for me ? when ever God comes , he comes to Reckon , and when ever you go , you go to Reckon with him , how your time , strength , Parts , Estate , &c. have been Improved ; And let me tell you in the Name of God , that it 's not worth your while to live here , if it were not to Glorifie God . And let me tell you also , that if you do not , you take the ready way to shame your selves ; ( and that 's a thing none loves ) when you look back at last on the many years you have Rubbed through in the world , and think that of all that time , you never lived one day . For he that lives not to God , but lives in pleasure , is dead whilst he lives . Oh! how will these thieves that have Robbed God all their dayes be ashamed when catched at last by Death ! Jer . 2.26 . But the Apostle living for God , and lifting up the name of God , was confident that he should not be ashamed , Phil . 1.20 , 21. According to my earnest expectation that in nothing I shall be ashamed , &c. For to me to live is Christ , and to dye is Gain . And take notice for your encouragement , to propose the glory of God as your utmost end , this is a way to put a beauty and lustre upon your meanest Services , to make all acceptable to God through Christ .

So much for the Motives .

I shall now give you a few helps or Directions how to glorifie God .

It should be the language of all , how shall I come to glorifie God ?

I might show you how to do it in your hearts , in your Lips , and in your Lives distinctly : But .

I shall only give you a few general helps , and put them all together .

Direction I.

Get a Renewed Mind . Get into a State of Grace , else you can never glorifie God . The Apostle often makes this his Exhortation to , and his supplication for , those he wrote unto .

If you have the old carnal heart still , all other means will be ineffectual . You should Eye the glory of God in all you do : but how can you do this with no Eye , or a blind Eye ? The Renewed Mind is the eye of the Soul , and if the Eye be dark , how great is the Darkness ? You may seem to Pray , Hear , and meditate , &c. but you can never glorifie God without a new heart . Heb . 11.6 . Rom. 8.7 , 8. They that are in the Flesh cannot please God , that is , glorifie God . The Apostle when he Exhorts to prove the acceptable will of God , advises to this , Rom. 12.2 . The Renewing of the mind : so Col. 3.10 . Eph. 4.23 . And they are happy , whose Inward Man is Renewed Day , by Day , though their outward man decay . Give God no rest till he give it you , Psal . 51.10 . And be sure to Eye the Holy Ghost , to Renew the Spirit of your mind , that is , the Soul of your Soul , &c. or the most inward part of your Soul , &c. Renewing work is the work of the Holy Ghost , Tit . 3.5 . and when you are Renewed ; be much in waiting on God , Isa 40. last . Such shall Renew their Strength .

There is a specifical Renovation in first Conversion , and a gradual Renovation afterwards . And both these are the work of the Holy Ghost ; let Sinners pray for the one , and Saints for the other .

Direction II .

Having got into a State of Grace , keep up the Lively Exercise of Grace daily . Especially some graces , without the Exercise of which God connot be actually glorified ; while they are only in a dull sleepy habit , they do not so glorifie God . And these are especially .

1. Faith in the blood of Christ . Every day make it your work to believe as for your lives . Be much in Resting , and Rolling upon the Righteousness of another , you should not only fill your days with Duty , but every Duty with grace , and this of all graces glorifies God , and he honours it . You ought not only to mind your being Justified and saved at last by Faith , but you should every day live by it . God is only glorified in and through Christ , and that especially by the Exercise of Faith . Abraham gave glory unto God by believing . Faith honours God by taking his bare naked word and Resting on it , and on him that they never saw . Our Divines have said , That a man glorifies God more by believing , than if he had never sinned , but perfectly obey-the Law . But it is certain , Faith makes a man Righteous in Gods account as though he had not sinned , which no other grace doth . Repentance , &c. does not make a man Righteous , but Faith doth . Christ ( as you have heard under the Motives ) glorified God , and he was eminent for Faith , he was the greatest Believer in the world , for he not only believed for himself , but his whole mysticall Body , his Faith was strong , Isa . 50.7 , 9. Psal . 16.1 . The grace of Faith glorifies all Go●● Attributes , his Son , Word , and Spirit , and it will correct sence and Reason . For when Sence saith such a thing will not be , and Reason saith it cannot be , saith Faith but it both Can , and will be , for God hath said it , it gives God its Testimonial , Joh . 3.23 . It hath set to its Seal that God is true , and saith as Moses , when he must not go into Canaan , Deut . 32.4 . he is a God of Truth and without iniquity , Just and Right is he , thus it honours God , and Justifies God , not imputing Sin to him , as he justifies the Soul , so Faith justifies him , &c.

2. You glorifie God by the lively Exercise of the grace of Love ; and a Dormant Love doth not actually glorifie God . But Love will keep you doing , and will think nothing hard . Some things you may find more difficult than others , but Love covers many Infirmities , it suffers long , is not easily provoked , seeks not her own things , thinketh no evil , it will bear , believe , hope , and endure all things ; hence the Angels that are all in a flame of Love to God , cry out , as Luke 2.14 . Faith works by Love , it s called the Labour of Love , Heb . 6.10 . Love is of an opening nature , it expands and enlarges the heart towards God ; hence it glorifies him , Psal . 24.7 , 9. and it is of a constraining nature , 2 Cor . 5.14 . A Spirit of Adoption will make a man do more than all things else will , either shame , hell , &c. & if you let a Spirit of Adoption down , you can neither live usefully nor comfortably ; hence the Saints in Heaven glorifie God perfectly , they Love him perfectly . Love counts none of Gods Commandments grievous , 1 John 5.3 . This made David do so much , he loved much , as you find throughout the 119. Psalm in many verses of it .

So much as you Love , so much you glorifie God ; if you Love not , you glorifie him not at all .

3. Keep up the hopes of eternal glory , and this would help you to glorifie God , and despise all things below , and glory in Tribulation &c. Rom. 5.2 , 3 , 5. It s the love of God shed abroad in your hearts , will help you in all the Rest .

See what was said in the former part of the Discourse , We must have much of Heaven in our Deportment , if we would glorifie God . That is , the hopes of heaven . This hope will purifie you , and so it glorifies God . It puts the Soul upon waiting quietly , expecting earnestly , and preparing carefully for the Coming of Christ , as persons do for a great Wedding . How should that Soul live to day that knows not but that it may live with God to morrow ! You are begotten to this Hope , 1 Pet . 1.3 . Hope is both of an Elevating , and endearing nature , and both these ways it glorifies God . The soul that has it , scorns the best of sublunary happinesses . And this Hope makes the Soul to cleave to its object . Hope suits your present condition , for it is an Anchor : nay , it gives you a sweet light in a night of Adversity . See how Hope glorifies God , Tit . 2.11 , 12 , 13. It will teach to deny all ungodliness , and to live Soberly , Righteously and Godly , &c. What will not your hopes of enjoying God for ever , make you do ?

4. Keep up in fear , Keep down in humility , and keep on in Repentance and godly Sorrow , I put them all together . Take heed of making too bold with God , be humble , daily Repent and Confess your sins . You have heard already how these glorifie God , Isai . 8.13 . Sanctifie the Lord in your hearts , and make him your fear and your Dread .

And if you would glorifie God , hate vain glory , and be much in denying your selves . Paul was an excellent Example in this , Phil . 3.4 , 5. &c. And God will have no flesh to glory before him , therefore he has said so much to prevent our glorying in any thing but God , and hath carried so in his Dispensations , 1 Cor . 1.26 . to the 29. verse . Rom. 4.2 , 6 , 7. if you will glory , do as Paul did , 2 Cor . 12.9 . Glory in your Infirmities , that the power of Christ may Rest upon you : And Repent daily , for that gives God the glory which your sins took from him .

So much for the Second Direction .

Direction III .

Labour to know God , and be mindful of him . These are of great use , for if you know not God , you cannot glorifie him : and though you do know him , if you forget him , you are like to do little at glorifying him , for actual Communion with God is not ordinarily without an act of the Memory .

Two Branches here .

1. Labour to know God . This makes way for every thing that is good , by this you have right Notions of God , ( as under the first Head in the Explication you may see ) your Glorifying of God will be according to your knowledge o●… him , sometimes God seems to hide himself , Job 23.3 . O that I knew where I might find him ! or it may be read , O that I knew how I might know him !

For your help here take three Words of Advice ;

1. Beware of any idle , vain , or childish representations of God , or imaginations in your thoughts . These disshonour God as much as may be : never think of comprehending him ; for he is vastly , infinitely above you . Take heed of imaginary , corporeal , carnal shapes of God , cast them out with indignation , Exod . 20.4 . Acts 17.22 . Deut . 4.15 . Isai . 40.18 . yet in that Chapter you have glorious Descriptions of God . Images are forbidden in the second Commandment , and that in our Heads as well as in Churches . Some Men have been so wicked as not only to picture God in their thoughts , but also in their Churches and Chambers , which is enough to make one tremble to think that they should go about to paint the infinite and everlasting Being . If it be hard and needless to picture an Angel because it is a Spirit , how much more Blasphemous is it to paint an increated Spirit , the Object of all Worship ! But so bruitish have some been , that they have painted the Father as an old Man , the Son as a young Man , or as a Lamb , and the Holy Ghost as a Dove ; and the Trinity ( in some Books ) like the Sun with Beams , and the word Jehovah in the midst . These are idle and unprofitable : for Christ himself ( though a Man ) cannot be pictured , it being hard to tell his features , and you must not please your fancies in it , and say as in other things so it pleased the Painter you would not like to have your own Picture so drawn . But if you could draw his bodily feature , yet you can't picture him fully , because of his two Natures . Though you have a Soul you may say men picture your Bodys , but still you have but one Nature .

And though God was pleased to appear in Shapes , yet what is that to the purpose . It was in Love and Mercy he thus Condescended , and will you so abuse it ? These things beget carnal thoughts of God , and are so far from being profitable that it is an horrible abuse , Rom. 1.22 , 23 , 24. And as these are unlawful , so carnal Representations of him are very dishonouring to him . Yet often times gracious Souls may be afflicted with these , and greatly perplexed from Satan , but if you hate them its matter of Comfort .

To such I would say that if indeed you hate them ,

1 God will not charge you with them , but lay them at Satans door , though its great cause of Humiliation to you to be capable of suffering such temptations , it s a fruit of the Fall .

2. You are not alone in this case , for many gracious Souls have been thus afflicted , and many all their dayes subject to them .

3. They will be but short , and if they last long they shall work for your good .

And for Direction to such I would say ,

1. Pray often to God about it , as a poor Prisoner at a Window , look out and call in Heaven against them , and God will Rate off Satan at last .

2. Resist them speedily , and don't think of them too much : the way to resist other Temptations is to study the evil of them , but these are to be thrown out immediately , they are not to be disputed with .

3. Be diligently and spiritually imployed , be not idle , that gives great advantage .

4. Keep reading the Promises , and avoid all needless solitude , be much in godly , serious and lively Company .

2. If you would know God then study him much , and that in his properties , works , Word , Son , Spirit and Heaven .

This would help you to Know him and Glorifie Him .

1. Study Him in his Properties , look upon him as your Catechism speaks , Infinite , Eternal , unchangeable , Incomprehensible , &c. And this is the way to apprehend his Being .

2. Study him in his Works : All the Creatures are his Preachers , they are his Library , and his Ladder : how wonderfully were all things made ! Psal . 19.1 . Rom. 1.20 . and as wonderfuly preserved and governed even from the Angel to the Worm : there are great mysterys in all . He works still John 5.17 . that his Providence should so extend it self and that also both to good and evil , and yet pure notwithstanding is wonderful , and its both perfect , punctual and perpetual , if he should but take off his eye a moment , how would Sun , Moon and Stars drop ? What a wonder is it that this Massey Earth should hang in the Air , when we cannot make a Feather to hang in it . Study these great Mysteries of Creation and Providence , and be before hand with Satan and your vain imaginations . Who is it that Thunders so marvelously , Psal . 29.3 . & 145.4 . O all his Works praise him , and men should praise them , by and for them . You should do as they did , Mat . 15.31 . Luke 7.16 . Look upon God as the Marrow , the Soul the Glory the All of the Creation

3. Study God in his Word : Be well acquainted with the Scriptures they Testifie of him . Glorious Descriptions you have of him there , I mention none . Accustome your selves to think of him as set forth in his Word , this is more than in his works ; here he is drawn to the life , his Characters much fuller and clearer : in his Works you may plainly guess there is a God , but here you may see what a God he is in part though you can never fully know him .

Here you have the Trinity set forth ( which the Heathen never dreamed of , and the Quakers have sinned themselves into the unbelief of ) and so that mystery of Gods being a Redeemer which could never be told by Natures light . How should you then prize the Scriptures ! cleave close to them , and pity others that have them not , or that will not use them , their case is sad indeed , it s a sign they never saw that Glory and Majesty that is in them .

4 Study God in his Son . The clearest , manifestation of God is in the Person of the Mediator , He hath Expounded him , Joh 1 18. ( in the Greek ) He is the Fathers Glass , Joh . 14.9 . Heb . 1.3 . Col. 1.15 . in a clear Glass you may see every feature perfectly 2 Cor . 4.4 , 6. He is the Image of God , so a Gods Glory shines in the face of Christ , he is Gods face ; the most beautiful part of a Man is his Face . God who dwells in Light that none can approach to , 2 Tim ▪ 6.16 ▪ may be seen here in his glory , which otherwise we could not behold : as we may see the Sun in a dish of water , which else cannot be looked at ▪ Gods Glory especially in his wisdome , and goodness shines clearly in the Mediator , you may see Gods Majesty in himself , and yet his condescendency in Christ . O that lovely and useful Remedy that is appointed to heal our ignorance of God!

5. Study God in his Spirit . He discovers himself in Christ by his Spirit . Study God in the new Creation as well as in the old in the works of Grace as well as in the works of Nature . O what a God must that be that makes a blind Soul to see ! a dead Soul to live and breathe ! See him in this , and Admire .

6. Study God in his Heaven . There he is most glorious . Suppose that ( with Stephen ) you saw the Heavens opened , and God there with that innumerable Company of glorious Saints and Angels about him , praiseing and magnifying of him , and if you could hope to be one of them ere long , would it not raise your Spirit ? He directs us to this in the Lords Prayer ( Our Father which art in Heaven ) as if he would have us at the beginning of every Service to wind up our hearts to Heaven , it denotes his glory that he dwells in such a place . You count him poor that lives in a Cottage , so on the contrary , great , that lives in a Palace .

3. If you would know God be often in those places where he most discovers himself in his Glory . There are not only some times , but some places also , where God especially discovers himself ; and you should not only study him , but wait on him in those places :

And they are two principally ;

1. In the Temple , be no strangers to Publick Ordinances , hearing the Word opened and applyed , &c. We are most familiar in our own Houses , so is God in his it is called , the place where his Honour dwelleth ; He comes to his Temple , Mal . 3.1 . Christ was found in the Temple Luke 2.46 . He will feed there , Mic , 5.4 . He is usually found there at first and afterwards , 1 Pet . 2.2 . You should love the Word and desire it .

2. In the Closet , upon your Knees , O pray for this , that God would discover himself unto you . Pray as he did , Exod . 33.18 . and as Psal . 63.2 To see his Glory . O pray whatever you do . A Prayerless man is a godless , graceless man , ( but this I have largely spoke to from other Texts . ) And when you have thus prayed , be Tractable and Ready to receive his Impressions and Discoveries . Pray and Look up , Psal . 5.3 . it will come by little and little ; plead with God for it , and you have many arguments to plead .

1. That he has given you a Soul capable of knowing him .

2. That he has Enlightned as blind and dark Souls as yours are .

3. That he has made a Covenant-promise of this , That he will give a heart to know him , and that they shall be all Taught of God , &c.

4. And ( if you can plead it ) that you desire to know him , only that you might love and serve him . And he has said , you shall know if you thus follow on to know him .

The Second Branch .

Be mindful of Him , for if you forget him , you cannot glorifie him .

Let him be in your thoughts much , Psa . 16.8 . I have set the Lord always before me . Luke 1.75 . Before Him . Let your knowledge further your Remembrance of him . To forget him argues open Impiety , or secret Hypocrisie , Job . 5.13 . Psal . 10.4 . Some persons think of him after a bad manner , and so dishonour him ; and others do it by forgetting of him , as if God were not worthy to be thought on . And you are all prone to this Evil . Learn to send , to Bend , and to bind your Thoughts this way to abide with God .

Labour to know and think so much of God , as to prefer him , and Communion with him above all things , so as to set up an high Throne for him in your Souls , desiring nothing more than to glorifie him , and to be glorified with him , so as to say with him , Psal . 73.25 . Whom have I in Heaven but thee ? &c. It is a wonder we can forget him , for the Creation is full of him , which might put us in mind of him ; his mercies are many , and are as so many Motives and Memorandums to us , and there is one Ordinance that is on purpose appointed for this end that we might Remember . Do this in Remembrance of me : And though this sin of forgetting God be little noted , yet it is a Mother-sin , and sorely threatned , Psal . 9.17 . The wicked shall be turned into Hell , and all the Nations that forget God . Psal . 50.22 . Consider this all ye that forget God , lest God tear you in pieces , and there be none to deliver you . What a dreadful word is this ?

So much for the Third Direction .

Direction IV .

Accustome your selves very much unto a Life of Praise , this is the way to glorifie God . This would fit you for Heaven ; the first word you shall say There is Hallelujah . It is Angels work , and Heavens work , be found much in it ; and it would also help you against Unbelieving Melancholly , for there is Love , Gratitude , and Joy in it . It keeps off Satan , and keeps you near God , and though you may be at a loss about your interest in him , yet praise him for his Divine Properties , and bless him for his Christ , and what he hath done for you , though evet so little .

And Read those Scriptures often that put you upon this duty , the Book of Psalms is full to this purpose . And this is most suitable for a Lords Day especially . We have all something to bless him for , either what we have had , what we have , or what we hope to have . But if you have nothing else to bless him for , bless him that you are out of Hell , and under the Call of the Gospel . Praises ought to have their due share in all our Prayers ; but alas , how often are they shut out , and all our time filled with Complaints ! we either forget to praise , or are short and perfunctory in it . Christ did not teach us so to do , for the Lords Prayer begins and ends with praise .

If you can't bless him for some benefits , as saving grace , &c. yet you might praise him for his own Excellencies . I say as Psal . 107.8.15 . &c. O that men would praise the Lord , for his Goodness , and for his wonderful works to the Children of Men . This would set off God and his ways in the world . And if you would accustome your selves to it , it would make it become easy to you .

Direction V.

Keep your Eye upon the whole Compass and Circumference of your Duty , and see that all be done as God expects it from you .

Much is to be done if you would glorifie God . Look not at it with a squint Eye , Obedience doth much glorifie God , but do not pick and choose your Duty , you must be universal in your Obedience , or else you will be ashamed , Psal . 119.6 . There must be no sin loved , no Duty neglected . And the Commandment is exceeding broad , Psal . 119.96 . When an Instrument hath many strings , it requires the more skill in manageing it . You are to mind both Law and Gospel . The Moral Law is a Rule though not a Covenant to Believers , ( do not think that Christ who was made a Curse for fin , will be a Cloak for it , ) and this Law condemns heart sins , and sins of Omission , &c. You are to hate every false way , and in all things to live honestly ; to have a good Conscience both towards God , all men , and your selves , &c. You must see to Faith in Christ , and Repentance towards God . You are to mind the Duties of both Tables , and to see that there be Faith in all you do towards God , and towards men Charity , Justice , meekness ; and as to your selves Sobriety , and Self-denial . Take heed of minding one duty so , as to neglect another . In general see to an humble , heavenly , blameless Conversation ; that so others may glorifie God for you . Nothing like practical Godliness , 2 Thes . 1.11 , 12. Let God be glorified by your walking worthy of your Calling . Profaneness dishonours him , Phil . 2.15 . Some Professors carry as if they had nothing to do for God in the world , others carry as if they came from Hell to do the Devils work , and to glorifie Satan , and many walk as if they carried Christ up and down in the world only to Reproach him , this is woful . But mind you your whole Duty , and leave not out those Duties especially , that even some wicked men have skill in , as Justice , Temperance , Mercy , Charity , Meekness , &c. But be you spiritual in all this is to be like God and Christ , Eph. 5 , 1 , 2. To be Imitators of Christ , as he imitated his Father , John 5.19 . Imitation eve-discovers high Estimation . Compare Mat . 5. ult . with Luke 6.36 . Carry witnessingly , Convincingly , Tit . 2.10 . 1 Pet . 3.1 . 1 Pet . 2.12 . In the day of Visitation that they may be forced to glorifie God , q. d . When he shall visit them .

Mind Comliness in all you do , and what is of good Report , as well as what is lawful . And be always doing something more than others , that is harder and more hidden Duties than what others do . And do not do that your selves , which you forbid others to do . The Scripture is full as to all these things , but I forbear any more .

Mind also in your doing , both the manner after which you are to do all , and that you act from right ends , and from right principles , and provoked to it by Gospel Motives , and that you do all orderly , the greatest Duty in the first place , and seasonably ; for if you be cutting with your Ax when you should be smoothing with your plain , you will make but a bad piece of work of it . God complains of some , that he found not their works perfect , they should be perfect in all their parts , though they cannot be so as to their degree , the want of any of these , is as an hair in your pen , that blots all . When God bids you serve him , he bids you to do it fervently ; zeal and Repentance should go together . You must not only hear , but you must be swift to hear ; not only give to the poor , but draw out your Soul , as well as your Mony . Thus you are to mind the manner of all you do . If you wind up a Watch , and do not set the finger right , it will go wrong . If the Arrow be drawn up to the head , and directed to a wrong Mark , the Game is lost : and a Man may loose by shooting short , or over , as well as by shooting wide .

You are to do all , not only in Faith , and in the Name of Christ , but in fear , also or else it cannot be acceptable , Heb . 12.28 . you must do all by Rule , Gal. 6.16 bring all your work to the Rule . If the Mariner mind not every point of the Compass he will make sad work : you should Trade by Rule , Pray , Hear , &c. do all by Rule . These things have been so plainly and plentifully opened on other Subjects , that I say no more of them here .

Direction VI .

Get and keep your selves in some measure fit for suffering . Get such Graces as will fit you for , and Adorn you in your Suffering .

You may be near it , for ought I know ▪ be fit for it , that God may be glorified by you , as ( no doubt ) he is by a holy , humble suffering for him . Get much Faith , Humility , Zeal , Boldness for God ; O how was God glorified by the Martyrs of old ! and so also by the death of Christ ; so that they that stood by cried out , This is the Son of God , John 21.19 . Isai . 24.15 . 1 Pet . 4.14 . The Spirit of Glory is more than the Spirit of Grace , and that shall rest upon you . When you suffer you should be concerned for Gods Glory , as Christ was , John 17.1 . you do not know but God may call for that which is Dearest to you : O be like Christ , that in every thing denied himself , vailing his own glory , though he did not quit it ; for ( as one well saith ) all the Honour possible is due to the Humane Nature of Christ , from the very first moment of of its being united to the person of the Son of God , Heb . 1.6 . and yet all this he willingly laid aside to glorifie God in the work of Redemption , living like a Servant , and dying like a Malefactor .

And ( to Comfort you ) this is the way to Glory , Luke 24.26 . Rom. 8.17 . if we suffer with him , we shall be glorified with him , Rom. 10.10 . With the mouth Confession is made unto Salvation , Gal 6.17 . He went to his Slaughtering-House as to a Wedding-house , John 14. ult Arise , let us go hence ; so should you suffer with Chearfulness .

And if you should not be called to suffer Death , yet if to suffer Shame and Reproach for Christ , you should Rejoice . The Apostles did thus : and Triumphed in Christ Jesus , 2 Cor . 2.14 . to Sing in the Stocks , and embrace Faggots , is highly Glorifying and pleasing to God .

Direction VII .

Make it your great buisness to Glorify Jesus Christ the Son of God : if you would glorify God , 1 Pet 4.11 . he is glorifyed ( as you heard before ) through Christ . When you glorify Christ you honour God , for He seeks his glory all along ; hence has he suffered the worst of evils to be in them that he intends to save by Christ , that he may let us see he Loves Christ more , than he hates Sinners . ( But this is no Encouragement to sin . ) That must needs be on Excellent Bloud that takes away such staines : nay ( as some of our Divines have said ) God Suffered Adam to fall , that so Christ might have the Honour of Raising up fallen man again . And the Ministry is appointed to honour Christ ; the Spirit in the Preaching of the Gospel takes of Christs and showes it unto us , John 16.14 ▪ hence ( as some observe out of John 17.10 . ) when Christ prayed before for himself , he used that Argument that he had Glorifyed God ; now he prays for his Disciples , his Argument is , that they had Glorified him , to signify that this was well pleasing to God .

And you Glorify Christ by seeing your need of him ; and when you come unto him by Faith , and Close with him , when you depend on him , and profess him , and walk-seriously before him , and suffer for him when called to it ( as before ) when you Bless God for Christ , and wholly Live to him , and account all things Dross in Comparison of him ; when he is much in your Head , Heart , Mouth , and Life , when you walk as his Members , and trust in his Righteousness , and though the Papists have Reproched it , yet you will find it will not deceive you at Death . Where pure Righteousness Leads the Van , Glory comes in the Rear Isai . 58.8 . Christs Righteousness is your glory , Oh Glorify God by puting it on .

Direction VIII . And Lastly .

Get and Keep to high and noble Ends in all you do .

This Glorifying God is in it self a Noble Work , an high Raised Work , and can never be Sincerely , Evenly , and Universally Managed with Low Ends. If your Ends be Low your Lives can never be High .

It s a pitty that Heaven-born Souls should mind mean things . O be where your head the Lord Jesus Christ is , Col ▪ 3.1 , 2 we see it Daily and every where , that the End ( let it be wherever it will ) is of a Drawing , Directing , and Overcomeing Nature .

This makes Sinners to be as they are , their carnal Ends in all things govern them . Hence it s impossible to make a Sinner forsake his way till he hath new ends given him by heart-changing Grace . Now as the divine Glory is , or ought to be , every mans great end ( as in the Text ) so there are some other noble ends that would further this great end if they were daily kept up in the Conscience , Power , pleasure and Dignity of them .

In Particular these six Ends , with which I shall Conclude .

1. Aim now at perfect Mortification and Holiness .

Its true that you cannot attain it must be taken for granted ; yet it s your Duty to Aim at it , it s the very nature of the new nature so to do .

True Grace is not contented with Little Grace . Herein lies Gospel Perfection .

1. In giving all it hath to God in the Name of Christ . God has that from the Soul that no creature in the World hath , and he can do that for God every day , that he would nevet do for any other . And that 's not all , but

2. When it hath done all this , it s heartily grieved that it can do no more . And also ,

3. It keeps on Mortifying Sin , and Perfecting Holiness ( in order unto glorifying God ) without setting any bounds or limits to it self . And in this it out-does the most flourishing Hypocrite in the World ) a good Soul would ( if it could ) be infinitely enlarged in love to God , and hatred to sin .

It is your Duty to Aim at the perfect Mortification of your Sins , and perfect Holiness . And that not only ( thô mainly ) because the holy and spotless Law of God requires it , Gal. 3.10 . Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the Law to do them , Mat . 5. last . Be ye perfect as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect . And you are commanded to love the Lord your God , with all your heart , mind soul and strength , &c. And Christ teacheth you to pray that you may not be lead into Temptation , but delivered from all Evil , Mat 6.13 . and the Apostle prayes for his Corinthians , in 2 Cor . 13.7 ▪ I pray God that ) ye do no Evil : and 1 Thess. 5.23 . Yea ( as one well saith ) even pardoned Persons themselves , are strictly bound unto the Law for Duty as well as Adam , though not with such evil Consequences ; they may be in danger of contracting Sin , though not in danger of incurring Death by the breach of it . And the Law is as much a Rule to them as ever , though no more a Covenant , and though Believers are delivered from the Curse of the Law , yet not from the Commanding power of it . Our being set at liberty from the curse of the Law , does not discharge us from the Duty and Obedience we owe unto it . The Law of God being as just and full of equity as ever , though we have unhappily lost our power to keep it , and Christ came not to destroy the Law but to fulfil it . And when he justifies any person , he does not give him a liberty to sin , or disoblige him from Duty ; so that still the Law is in force as a Rule to the end of the World , and requires perfect Mortification , and perfect holiness and conformity to God , therefore you should Aim at it . ( Tho' God is pleased through the Merits and Righteousness of Christ to pardon Imperfections , when the heart sincerely Aims at and designs perfection ) and not only should the Command of the Law put you upon thus Aiming at perfection , but there are two special advantages would he the Consequence of it .

1. It would be a comfortable evidence of your Uprightness : and an Upright Man God accounts a perfect Man , Gen. 17.1 . Walk thou before me , and be thou perfect , ( in the Margent ) be thou sincere : Psal : 18.23 . I was also upright before him , and I kept my self from mine Iniquity . If any sin be indulged , or Duty neglected , you cannot have good evidence of your sincerity . And this aiming at perfection , both in Mortification and Holiness , would argue the truth both of your Love and Hatred . When you take your Aim , by 2 Cor . 7.1 . having therefore these precious promises , let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of Flesh & Spirit , ( there is Mortification ) perfecting holiness , ( there is vivification . )

You are not only to cleanse your selves from sins of the Flesh , that are of a grosser nature , but Sins of the Spirit , all Spiritual Filthiness ; Spiritual Pride , Heart-Hypocrisie , &c. Nay , all Filthiness , so that the Evil One may not so much as Touch you . 1 Joh . 5.18 . and to keep Unspotted of the World , Jam . 1.27 . Some things are not to be named by you , Eph. 5.3 . And this is not all , but afterwards you must go on , perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God ; and all this from a most Gospel Motive , viz the Covenant-Promises that are mentioned in the end of the foregoing Chapter

Thus if you would have an Evidence of your sincerity , you must design perfection .

2. It would also be a notable help to your proficiency in the ways of God ; and your great Attainments would greatly glorifie God . He that shoots at the Moon shoots higher than he that shoots at a Mole Hill . Though you cannot reach Perfection , yet you would by thus Aiming at it , Reach further than those who only set themselves such , or such a measure of Grace .

O therefore if you would glorifie God greatly , get great measures of grace ; let your Ends and Aims be great ; no less than perfection in grace . Do as Paul did Phil . 3.11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15. Aim at the Resurrection of the Dead , at a sinless Estate ; Forgetting those things that are behind ; be earnestly pressing forward , and Reaching forth ( as a man Running a Race stretches forth his Body , and makes towards the Mark , so do you ) toward the Mark for the Prize , &c. 〈◇〉 Metaphor drawn from the Olympick Games , where many Run , but one Obtained the Prize . If by any means I might attain to the Resurrection of the Dead . See how earnest the Apostle was in this matter , and he makes it his one Thing he had to do .

And these designs would further you greatly in your Glorifying God .

So much for the first thing you should Aim at .

2. Aim at frequent sensible Communion with God .

I shall be short in this , and the Rest , for the first was that I chiefly intended . But Aim at this , it is an high and Noble End ; and design the Enjoyment of God in every Ordinance , and upon all occasions . This would help you to glorifie God , for then you might expect to enjoy him . Let your Souls follow hard after God . But always be sure to give Christ his due place , and honour , in all your making out after Comunion with God , Eph. 2.18 . He seems to bespeak it , John 14.6 . I am the Way , the Truth , and the Life ; no man cometh unto the Father but by me . Therefore be sure to mind Christ in all you do .

And it would be good every Evening for you to observe what Transactions , and out-goings have passed between you and the blessed God . On Gods part , what offers of grace , what Quicknings and Breathings of his Spirit , &c. And on your part , what openings unto God , what Receivings from him , what meltings of Soul , and humblings before him , and what Improvements , of his Presence and Providences , you have made , and what out-goings , and earnest Breathings of Soul , to God , have passed from you : and accordingly you are to carry in a way either of Humiliation or Thanksgiving . Whilst some are saying , Who will shew us any good ? Say you with David , Lord lift thou up the Light of thy Countenance upon us . Psal . 4.6 , 7. While others have their Portion in this Life , and have their Bellies filled with Gods Hid Treasure ( both at Sea and Land ) Let it be your great Ambition to Behold Gods Face in Righteousness , and to be satisfied with his Likeness Psal . 17. ult . And though you may not know what Raptures and Ravishing Enjoyments and Enlargements mean , yet see to walk humbly with God , and Aim at daily , Soul Transforming , and Endearing Communion with him .

And hereby you will be holpen to this great Duty of glorifying God .

3. Aim at Universal Edification . Let every body be the better for you . Let this be the design of your Soul , although too often you may fall short of what you design . Let all things be done to Edifying , 1 Cor . 14.26 . There is an ungodly Edification you read of , 1 Cor . 8.10 . Emboldened , it is in the Greek Edifyed , when we by our Example make others bold to sin , beware of this , let your Carriage be such as may Edify Beholders . And your Speech always with Grace seasoned with Salt , that you may know how you ought to answer every man , Col. 4.6 . Let no Corrupt Communication come out of your mouth , but that which is good to the use of Edifying , that it may Minister Grace to the Hearers . Eph. 4.29 . Especially when you mention the great Name of God , do it Reverently , and Admiringly , Take heed of speaking lightly of good things . It is to be bewailed , that many times the good Discourse of some is so weakly managed , that it rather makes sport to others , and sets them a Laughing , then Convinces and Edifies them . May you not have as much Reason to speak Admiringly and Reverently as David ? and how does he Abound this way , the 145 Psalm most of it is spent this way ▪ but in the 5th & 6th verses , he would so speak of God as to set others a speaking so too . And may not you say with him , as Psal . 35.10 . All my bones shall say , who is a God like unto thee ? so all my Sins , my Soul , my Wants , may you say , speak thus . Your savoury , holy and reverent speeches would greatly edifie others and glorifie God .

And unto all that has been said I would give you this Advice , Wherein you fall short in one thing , Labour to abound in another Duty , that you may have more skill in , and Ability for . It is true you are to do your best in all ; yet if you unwillingly fall short in Active Obedience , Labour to make it up in your Passive Obedience ( if called to it ) if you fall short in Action , be sure to make it up in Affection , ( But beware of deceiving your selves here ) and what you cannot do your selves , as Acts of Charity &c. Labour the more to stir up others to do it , what ever good it be , and God will set it to your Account as done by you for his Glory .

And your high and Lofty Aimes in all this would mightily further your Glorifying of God .

4 Aim now in every thing you do , at a most Honourable going off the Stage of this World . O Aim at this , and live like them that Aim at glorifying God by their death , in passing Honourably and Gloriously through it .

Be every day taking the most likely way to aveit thus . Keep Conscience so now in peace & power , that this may readily be effected at last . And though you may dye in the dark , as many a good Soul hath ( for as grace is free , so Comfort also ) yet now Aim at , and labour for an Abundant Entrance into the Eternal Kingdom , 2 Pet . 1.11 There is a great deal of difference in Ships coming into the Harbour , some come with their Anchors lost , Sails torn , and Mast gone , &c. But others they come in with all their Sails and Flag up : O be often Aiming to come gallantly into the Harbour of Glory . And you should be in such a Frame as to long for the day ( but alas , few need Mr. Dods Advice to be patient to stay till God sent for them , ) and be willing to wait his Time ; very few in our days are so fond of going to Heaven , as to be in such haste ; but Aim you at it , and at a Tall Stature in Christ . O labour to find , & feel your selves daily fitting for that sinless Estate before you , Col. 1.12 . to find your selves made meet for the Inheritance of the Saints in Light : And that God is daily working of you up , framing and fashioning of you , for that self-fame thing , 2 Cor . 5.5 . He that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is God , &c. Let your graces , not your sins follow you into another world , Rev. 14.13 but O the miserable case of such , whose works follow them in a bad senee , all their sins , viz. the desert of them , but not the pleasure of them , and though they would gladly have them stay behind , ( for they are said to lye down with them in their Graves ) Job 20.11 . yet they will not , but follow them to the Judgment-seat , and down to Hell again , there to be their Tormentors . On the other hand what a Comfortable thing it is when your Prayers , Tears , Alms , Faith , Repentance , Self-denyal , Patience , &c. Follow you . And this is it you should in all you do be aiming at , for this you have a promise Psal . 126 ▪ ult ▪ They that sow in Tears shall Reap in Joy , he that goeth forth weeping bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with Rejoycing , bringing his Sheaves with him ; they shall have Sheaves of Comfort and Glory then , for all their Toil and Tears now . O be often taking a fair farewel of all this world , at least aiming at thus doing .

And for your great encouragement take notice of this , that none of the Actings of your grace , shall ever be lost , as you see in the forenamed Text , there is an Harvest of Joy after a seed-time of grace . And the Reason is God observes all , and Books all ; and though your grace may lie in a little room , so that it may well be compared to a grain of Mustard-seed , the least of all Seeds , yet it shall not be lost , and though none in the world has been able to see many of the Actings of your grace , yet you may say as she did in another case , Gen. 16.3 . Thou God seest me ! he is graciously by you , and sees your secret Closings with Christ , your Mournings , Meltings , Heart-breaking , Relentings of Soul , not a sigh but he takes notice of it , not ● Groan or moan but he hears it , not one act of grace but it is all naked and bare to him ; and he takes himself as glorified by all these , as you have heard ; and then will surely Reward them with glory in another world ; and if so , then the comfortable Reflection , upon all these must needs help to make your going off the Stage very Honourable and Comfortable . O then abound in these and that 's the way ; daily be designing this glorious End. So much for the fourth noble end we are to Aim at daily , that so we may eminently Glorify God .

5. Aim daily to have a pleasant smiling Countenance at the Morning of the Resurrection . Aim at nothing short of exceeding joy then in the Judgment day , and to be without spot or fault , Jude 24. Aim now to have a Crown there , 2 Tim . 4.8 . Let your happiness lye in the Second Coming of Christ ; be looking at the Recompence in the Resurrection , Luke 14.14 And that 's the last time to take Mony in : Let it be your great care and Study then to have your Account weighty in a good sence , and ( as was said in the last particular ) abound much in the Exercise of Grace , and if you Go off the Stage well at Death , You will fare well here .

And O what a Day will that be when all the Saints shall Lift up their heads before God , and Angels , while all others shall find their Faces gathering Shame and Blackness ! when the Arch Angel shall sound and gather all his Armies together , O what a Day of Congregation will it be ! and what a sad Day will it be to some , that must find it a Day of Separation ; and that for ever ! But to the Saints a joyfull Day and Glorious , when Each of them shall Shine as the Sun in the greatest Splendour , and more . O how will the Vaults of Heaven Ring with their joyfull Acclamations ! O what a Train will follow the Captain of your Solvation ! and what a Shout will they give , when they take Leave of a Reprobate World . And if you would Look with a Pleasant face then , Aime at , Designe for it now : Glorify God much , that 's the way to it ; and often Renewing your Designes , for this would also fit you to Glorify God .

6. Aime at the highest Degrees of Glory in another World . There are Degrees of Glory is plain , and many Arguments might prove it , Oh! Aime at the highest Degrees of it , if you would Glorify God here under the Influence of these high and noble ends , and amongst the rest Aime at Heaven , at nothing short of Heaven , Oh! Seek for Glory , Honour , and Immortallity . Rom. 2.7 . And the greatest Degrees of it : Count it not enough to have only so much Religion as will keep Life , and Soul together , that will only bear your Charges to Heaven , but be Ambitious of being great in Heavens Court , and Intimate favourites of the Most High . Let us be persons of great Aims and Designs ; and this is one especial way of Glorifying God . AMEN .

Thus you have in these few and plain Discourses seen that it is your great Duty to Glorifie God ; and had some help afforded you for the doing of it . If God may be Glorified , you Converted , Edified or Comforted I should Rejoyce ; and if it should be otherwise , my Soul desires to weep in secret for your Pride and Misery .

FINIS .