Use 2

USE II.

Let every such one be exhorted to keep a strict account of these things. If God does thus, it then loudly calls upon us to do so too; and to move us hereto, Consider,

1. The neglect of this duty is one great reason of the barrenness of professors. A careless frame of spirit; a neither regarding the operations of the Lord, nor observing the framings of their own souls; this makes multitudes to live as if they had neither duty nor danger before them: and how often have we God complaining of his people that they would not consider, mentioning it as the leading cause of all the other things which he had to article against them for? This not laying of things to heart made them secure and regardless of themselves.

2. This reckoning, if any thing, will quicken you to present duty. I am sure that it carries matter of awful awakening in it, and helps to convince us how much we are concerned to see that our matters be good; to think that we have to do with a God, who is so strict in observing and recording, and is consequently like to be so exact in reckoning with us. Paul thought it to be an argument of strong persuasion (2 Corinthians 5:11).

3. This is the way to know your present state. We are all debtors to God for all that he is thus doing for us; and according to our improvement of these things, so the account stands between him and us; in this way then we come to a reckoning with God. We know what we are indebted to him, by reflecting upon all that he has been doing for us; but we know upon what ground we stand with him, by a right computing what fruit there is of all this in us.

4. Thus also we shall come to know how it is like to go with us in the day of judgment. Then it will be strictly enquired both what we received, and how we improved: then the faithful servant shall have his well done: and then the unprofitable servant shall receive his condemnation, and surely it is good for us to know beforehand if we may, whether we are like to stand or fall in the judgment, and for our direction in this affair, let us take these rules.

1. Be frequent and distinct in observing all the ways in which God comes to you. There has been a summary account of this given in the explication of the doctrine: and if God distinctly observes them, do you do so too; and that both outwardly and inwardly: and be very particular: remember this Sabbath, that lecture, this mercy, that affliction, &c: what was spoken in your hearing, and what there was whispered in your hearts: and reckon, not only the seasons that you did enjoy; but what you might have enjoyed if you had not willingly, at least negligently omitted; for God certainly does so; and you must expect to hear of it again.

2. Examine yourselves particularly what use you have made of these things. Set down the improvement over-against the enjoyment: this is the way to have the accounts clear. Say to your own souls, God came to me at such a time in his Word, and spake thus, what impression did it make on my heart and life: he came in such a mercy, what did I render to him for it? He spake to me by such an affliction, how did I resent it? What is my profiting by all these things? And that your account may be full, enquire after your carriage both in the time, and afterwards: what impression did it leave on your hearts? Did you entertain God speaking to you, or did you reject him? And how did it influence your after-conversation: did you soon forget it, or has it made you to be more careful and critical in your steps?

3. Draw particular conclusions from hence: and more especially these two.

1. Let the conviction of barrenness quicken you to repentance, and diligence. How many, if they would draw up the accounts faithfully, will find that they have ill requited God, and never borne any fruit? And who is there but may sadly say, I have not come up as I ought, to an answerableness to what God has been doing for me? And what does this call for, but that we go to God and bewail it, repent of it, and seek to have the accounts adjusted by Christ our Surety? And to ask of him grace that we may be up and doing, and redeem the time that remains, in better diligence, serving him more and better.

2. Let it mightily encourage us to renewed industry in bearing fruit, to think that God keeps such an account. As the consideration of this solemn truth should make us both fearful and careful in our work, because he puts it on record what he has done for us, so to remember that he also enters down all that we do in our whole life, should make us not only afraid of misimprovement, but also cheerful in a constant vigorous improvement, as knowing that, if it be so, our labor shall not be in vain in the Lord.