by William Hooke
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
This text has been initially updated from EEBO-TCP by Project Puritas (Logan West, David Jonescue, Alex Sarrouf) www.puritansearch.org. Further revision and editing done by Monergism. Copyright Monergism via universal text usage permission from the above.
In respect of Gifts and Graces exercised, Duties and Services performed, sufferings and Trials undergone by them, which the Glorified are not capable of. Being The Sum of a Discourse upon a part of Hezekiah, Song of Thanksgiving after his Recovery from his Sickness. To which is added, A short Discourse of the Nature and Extent of the Gospel-day, reaching from the Destruction of the Old, to the erection of the New Jerusalem out of Zech. 14. 5,7.
The greatest and highest Honor of the reasonable Creature is to serve him, who is the best Good, and last End. Herein do we communicate with Angels, whose glory it is that they are Ministering Spirits, always beholding the face of God our Father for this very purpose. How diligent then should we be to lay hold on, and to improve all opportunities of service, seeing our time is so short, our work so great, and our salvation nearer than when we first believed? The Son of God hath given us a glorious pattern herein, I must work the work of him that hath sent me, &c. Christ Jesus our Master improved all opportunities, went up and down doing good, filling all places where he came with the favor of his Doctrine and Miracles, because he knew his time was short, and the recompense of reward at hand. The serious thoughts hereof would exceedingly spur us to a holy diligence, especially considering that Heaven is a place not of work but reward, where the Saints will be divested of serving and honoring God in many of these ways, wherein now (through grace) they are enabled to bring much glory to his Name. Many Graces, Duties, Gifts have here their place, while we are Viatores, but shall have no room when we come to be Comprehensores.
And this is the design of the worthy Author in this little Tract: viz. to set before thee the great opportunities thou hast of service to God, while thou art on this side Heaven, beyond what are to be enjoyed there. Were this thoroughly weighed, how would Holiness be promoted, Saints thrive, Families flourish, Churches revive? We should not so passionately desire death merely to be rid of all sufferings, but should prize life, if with it Christ Jesus might be magnified. It is glorious work that God calls his Saints to 'ere they get to Heaven. Is not suffering for Christ, glorious work? Is not the exercise of Faith, Hope, and Patience, glorious work? To do good, and to communicate both to the bodily and spiritual necessities of Saints and others, is not this glorious work? In a word, to propagate pure Religion, & undefiled, to the generations to come, is not this glorious work? Why, herein are the Saints on Earth privileged beyond those in Heaven, where there is no room for the exercise of these Graces, and Duties.
Oh! who would not pray that he might live to do God service? Spin not out precious time unprofitably. Pray that thou mayest be counted worthy of this calling (which is indeed a high calling) and fulfil all the good pleasure of his Goodness, and the work of Faith, Hope, and Patience, with power, that the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
-----
Table of Contents
TO THE READER
THE PRIVILEGE OF THE SAINTS ON EARTH
A SHORT DISCOURSE OF THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE GOSPEL-DAY
COURTEOUS READER