16
The Saint's Duty in evil Times.
pray that he would help you rightly to improve it; I ſay, O improve it rightly, by your anſwering it.
But ye will ſay, How ſhall we improve it? Anſwer, firſt, Improve it, by ſeeing that it is only of the Lord's free mercy that he hath given it, Ezek. xxxvi. 22. I do not this for your ſakes, O! houſe of Iſrael, but for my holy name's ſake.
Secondly, Improve it, by being thereby the more ſtirred up to your duty, Pſal. cxvi. Becauſe he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call opon him as long as I live. Hath he heard your prayers in this? Then be more in prayer, and be more ſingle in prayer, and all other duties, than ever heretofore.
Thirdly, improve it by loving the Lord himſelf, who hath granted you it, Pſal.cxvi. I love the Lord, becauſe he hath heard my voice and ſupplication.
Fourthly, Improve it, by ſeparating yourſelves more from the abominations of the time, by making clean hearts and clean hands, Pſal. vi. 8. Depart from me ye workers of iniquity, the Lord hath heard the voice of my ſupplication.
Fifthly, Improve it, by having a high and becoming eſteem of the ordinances, yer keeping it in its own room, and not reſting upon it, but ſeeking unto the Lord himſelf, Amos 5.4. Seek ye me, and ye ſhall live, but ſeek not to Bethel.
Sixthly, Improve it, by anſwering his call therein, and let not the Lord have it to ſay of you, that after long and many refufals, Yet I came and ſtretched forth my wings, and would have gathered you, as a hen gathereth her chickens, but ye would not. O! let him not have that to ſay: Come away, come away,
enter into your chambers and ſhut your doors about you, and hide yourſelves as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be over-paſt.
F I N I S.
