The Consistent Christian

William Secker, 1660


"What are you doing more than others?" Matthew 5:47
 

SECTION 1
Introduction
Recommendatory Note
Epistle Dedicatory
Preface

SECTION 2
Text explained.

Doctrine: That singular Christians will perform singular actions.

I. WHY a Christian should do more than others—

1. Because more is done FOR him than for others.

2. Because he is more nearly RELATED to God than others.

3. Because he PROFESSES more than others.

4. Because he is inwardly CONFORMED to the Redeemer more than others.

5. Because he is WATCHED more than others.

6. Because if he DOES no more than others—it will appear that he IS no more than others.

7. Because he is appointed to be a JUDGE of others.

8. Because he EXPECTS more than others.
 

SECTION 3
II. WHAT the Christian does more than others—

1. He does much good—and makes but little noise.

2. He brings up the bottom of his life—to the top of his light.

3. He prefers the duty he owes to God—to the danger he fears from man.

4. He seeks the public good of others—above the private good of himself.

5. He has the most beautiful conversation—among the vilest people.

6. He chooses the worst of sorrows—rather than commit the least sin.

7. He becomes a father to all in charity—and a servant to all in humility.

8. He mourns most before God—for those lusts which appear least before men.

9. He keeps his heart lowest—when God raises his estate highest.

10. He seeks to be better inwardly in his substance—than outwardly in appearance.

SECTION 4
11. He is grieved more at the distresses of the church—than affected at his own happiness.

12. He renders the greatest good—for the greatest evil.

13. He takes those reproofs best—which he needs most.

14. He takes up duty in point of performance—and lays it down in point of dependence.

15. He takes up his contentment—in God's appointment.

16. He is more in love with the employment of holiness—than with the enjoyment of happiness.

17. He is more employed in searching his own heart—than in censuring other men's states.

18. He sets out for God at his beginning—and holds out with him to the end.

19. He takes all the shame of his sins to himself—and gives all the glory of his services to Christ.

20. He values he values his heavenly inheritance—above all earthly possessions.

SECTION 5
III. APPLICATION

A. PRINCIPLES which a believer should walk by:

1. That whatever is transacted by men on earth—is eyed by the Lord in heaven.

2. That after all his present receivings—he will be brought to his future reckonings.

3. That God bears a greater respect to his heart—than to his works.

4. That there is more final bitterness in reflecting on sin—than there can be present sweetness in the commission of sin.

5. That there is the greatest vanity—in all created excellency.

6. That duties can never have too much attention paid to them—nor too little confidence placed in them.

7. That those precious promises, which are given to insure his happiness—do not supersede those directions which are laid down for him to seek after happiness.

8. That it is dangerous to dress himself for another world—at the looking-glass of this world.

9. That where sin proves hateful—it shall not prove hurtful.

10. That inward purity is the ready road—to outward plenty.

SECTION 6
11. That all the time which God allows him—is but enough for the work which he allots him.

12. That there can never he too great an estrangement from defilement.

13. That whatever is temporarily enjoyed—should he spiritually improved.

14. That he should speak well of God—whatever trials he receives from God.

15. That the longer God forbears with the unrelenting sinner in life—the sorer he strikes him in the judgment-day.

16. That there is no judging of the inward conditions of men—by the outward dispensations of God.

17. That it is safest to cleave to that good which is the choicest.

18. That no present worldly business—should interrupt his pursuit of future blessedness.

19. That gospel integrity towards God—is the best security against wicked men.

20. That the richness of the crown which shall be received—shall more than compensate for the bitterness of the cross which may here be endured.


SECTION 7
B. DIRECTIONS to those who wish to do more than others:
1. You must deny yourself more than others.
2. You must pray more than others.
3. You must resolve more than others.
4. You must love more than others.
5. You must believe more than others.
6. You must know more than others.
7. God must reveal himself more to you, than he does to others.