Signs of Living to Please God
restraining them from intended evil, or doing us good by that which they intend for hurt.
Signs of Living to Please God See therefore that you live upon God's approval as that which you chiefly seek, and will suffice you: which you may discover by these signs.
1. You will be most careful to understand the Scripture, to know what doth please and displease God.
2. You will be more careful in the doing of every duty, to fit it to the pleasing of God than men.
3. You will look to your hearts, and not only to your actions; to your ends, and thoughts, and the inward manner and degree.
4. You will look to secret duties as well as public and to that which men see not, as well as unto that which they see.
5. You will reverence your consciences, and have much to do with them, and will not slight them: when they tell you of God's displeasure, it will disquiet you; when they tell you of his approval, it will comfort you.
6. Your pleasing men will be charitable for their good, and pious in order to the pleasing of God, and not proud and ambitious for your honour with them, nor impious against the pleasing of God.
7. Whether men be pleased or displeased, or how they judge of you, or what they call you, will seem a small matter to you, as their own interest, in comparison to God's judgment. You live not on them. You can bear their displeasure, censures, and reproaches, if God be but pleased. These will be your evidences.
Table of Contents Introduction: Directions Against Inordinate Man-pleasing Direction I. Do Not Run to the Opposite Extreme
- The Proper Respect We are to Have Towards Men - Consider the Nature of Man in General Direction II. The Favour of Men is a Snare
Direction III. Remember How Silly a Creature Man Is Direction IV. Remember the Judgment of God
- The Judgement of God Compared to that of Men Direction V. Why Honour Men so Much?
Direction VI. Men-Pleasing is Slavery Direction VII. Remember what a pitiful reward you seek.
Direction VIII. The Fleeting Nature of Honour Direction IX. Can You Please Men?
- The Folly of Trying to Please Men Direction X. Men-Pleasing a Vexation Direction XI. Remember Your True Business
The Advantages of Pleasing God Rather than Men The Benefits of Seeking to Please God Signs of Living to Please God