’Tis the shame of religion, that Christians are so unlike themselves, unless upon their knees. Our lives and language should tell the world what we are, and whither we are going. Christians, let little things content you in the world, but aspire after great things in the grace of God. Many little think what high degrees of holiness they may grow up to even in this life with pains and diligence. Sirs, be you men of great designs: think it not enough if you have wherewith to bear your charges to heaven; but aspire to be great in the court of heaven, favourites of the Most High, of tall growth, singular communion, that you may burn and shine in your place, that you may savour of heaven wherever you come, and that there may be an even-spun thread of holiness running through your whole course. ’Tis our disgrace, that there is so little difference to be seen in the ordinary conversation of believers and other men. Is it not a shame, that when we are in company with others, this should be all the difference that is to be seen, that we will not curse and swear? If you will honour the gospel, bring forth your religion out of your closets into your shops, trades, visits, and exemplify the rules of religion in the management of all your relations, and in your ordinary converse. Let there be no place or company that you come into, in which you do not drop something of God; this will be the glory of religion, and we shall never convince the world ’till we come to this. May you come, my brethren, out of your prisons with your faces shining, having your minds seasoned, and your tongues tipt with holiness! May your mouths be as a well of life, from whence may flow the holy streams of edifying discourse! May you ever remember, as you are sitting in your houses, going by the way, lying down, rising up, what the Lord doth then require of you. 2. _To improve their present retirements from the world, for the settling their spiritual estates._ ’Tis a common complaint amongst Christians, that they want assurance. Oh, if any of you that wanted assurance when you came to prison, may carry that blessing out, what happy gainers would you be? Now you are called more than ever to self-searching. Now bring your graces to the touchstone. Be much in self observation. Rest not in probable hopes. Think not that it is enough that you can say, you hope ’tis well. Be restless till you can say, that you know ’tis well; that you know you are passed from death to life. *Think not that this is a privilege that only a few may expect. Observe but these three things: 1. _To take heed of laying the marks of salvation either too high or too low_; 2. _To be much in observing the frame, and bent, and workings of your own heart_: 3. _To be universally conscientious, and to be constant in even and close walking_, and then I doubt not but you will have a settled assurance, and know and feel that peace of God that passeth all understanding.