II. That Zeal is the neceffary Qualification of Pofitive and Actual Goodnefs.

I. That Pofitive, &c.

And this I fhall reprefent, firft, under a general View: And, fecondly, under. fome more particular Confiderations. And,

First, That we are obliged to the actual Exercife of Goodnefs will appear, in a general Way, if we do but turn a Thought to the State and Order of created Beings, and the Defigns of their Creatour. For though no Virtue or Vice can be afcribed to those Beings, which have no Understanding; yet remiss and negligent Man may form a juft and useful Reproof to himself, upon this Obfervation, That whilft He, who is the Glory of vifible Creatures, fails of exercifing his Powers and Abilities, and of Answering the Ends of his Creation, all the other Parts even of the natural World do exert themselves to their utmost Capacity, in promoting and fulfilling the great Ends and Purposes of Nature. The Sun ceaseth not to vifit, and cheer, and

beautify

beautify the World, but cometh forth as a Bridegroom out of his Chamber, and rejoiceth as a Giant to run his Course; And if it once flood fill in the midst of Heaven, and hafted not to go down, about a whole Day, this was owing to the fpecial Reftraint of the Creatour; for Otherwise, It goeth forth from the uttermost Part of the Heaven, and runneth about unto the end of it again. And fo the other Celeftial Bodies maintain their conftant Revolutions, for the Illuftration of God's Glory, the Benefit of Mankind, and the Regularity and Harmony of the World.

And if we bring down our Profpect into the lower Regions, there all the Orders of Beings purely Animate are in a State of Motion and Activity, under their proper Proportions. And thofe things here below, as well as thofe above, which are deftitute of Life, are not yet wanting in their Motion, but are making continual Advances, agreeably to their proper Tendencies, for the Accomplishment of their proper Ends. The Seas are fulfilling the Course of Nature by constant Agitations, and, for the like 0 2 Purpose,

Purpose, the Springs break forth into the Rivers, which run among the Hills. Even the Earth it felf, Unactive and Sluggish as it is, must not ftand an Exception to the general Laws of Activity, which the Other natural Bodies are governed by, but bears its proper Part, and moves in Concert with them.

Thus it is in the Conftitution of things Natural: It doth not fuffice that they do not act in a plain Oppofition to the Intentions of their Maker, and the Laws affigned to them; but that they should not act at all, is likewife abfolutely Inconfiftent with their State, and the Defign of their Author. Operation is the End of created Beings, and each must actually perform its proper Offices, in order to the Perfection of the Whole. And fuch a Courfe of Operations, proportioned to the different Conditions of Beings, is ftill more eminent in the intellectual and moral World. The bleffed Angels, which are vefted with the Highest Principles of Activity, are most remarkable for the Quickness and Conftancy of their Motions, in Obedience

to their Maker. Thus, in Jacob's Vifion, we have an Account of the Angels of God afcending and defcending betwixt Earth and Heaven; And the Reason of this is plainly given by the Apostle, they are all miniftring Spirits: To which Purpofe we read of the Seven EYES, which are the feven SPIRITS of God fent forth into all the Earth. And when with these Paffages of Scripture we compare those others, wherein we have an Account of the Angels ftanding round about the Throne, and falling before the Throne on their Faces, and worshipping God, we have in one view their Diligence in exercifing Pofitive Acts of Homage and Obedience to the Almighty.

From all which it appears, that the feveral Powers and Capacities of all Beings are to be Actually exercised, according to the Direction and Appointment of God; and that if any of thofe Beings should only fufpend the Exercise of their Powers and Capacities, fo as not to act at All, according to their refpective

* Gen. xxviii, 12.

† Revel. v. 6,

03

Condi

Conditions, they would thereby as plainly violate the divine Appointment, as if they should Act in a Direct Contrariety to it.

Thus the general Laws of created Beings do point out our Obligation to Pofitive Duty, or, the Actual Exercise of Goodness, and fhould be unto us a conftant Rule of Inftruction and Admonition; A method of Inftruction, not only very Useful, in the Nature of it, and therefore neceffary to be mentionded; but likewife recommended in the facred Scriptures themselves, the Standard and Fountain of spiritual Wisdom and Inftruction.

There we are taught, that the Heavens declare the Glory of God, the Elements alfo, and the Compounds of them, Fire and Hail, Snow and Vapours, Wind and Storm, fulfilling his Word: There we have an Admonition to exert our felves in proper Testimonies of Duty to God, taken from the natural Notices and Regards which are exerted by inferiour Beings, the Ox knowing his owner, and the Afs his Mafter's Crib: There we are required

to