If Christ used this meanes to encourage him to endure the Crosse, much more may we by this meanes encourage our selves to do and endure whatsoever God shall call us unto. Yea, I may adde that we must have our eye on that that is set be∣fore us. For be that commeth to God, must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him, Heb. 11. 6. Thus Abraham looked for an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 City: and Moses had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 unto the recompence of the reward, Heb. 11. 10, 26. With this doth the Apostle thus perswade Christians to hold out under all their pressures, our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding 〈◊〉〈◊〉 eternall weight of glory, 2 Cor. 4. 17.
- 1. The weaknesse of our flesh, needeth this support. The spirit may be willing, when the flesh is weak, Matth. 26. 41.
- 2. The difficulty of our task, for doing and suffering what we are bound 〈◊〉〈◊〉, requires such an encouragement: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, Matth 7. 14.
- 3. The imperfection of the sanctification of the best, while here they are in this world, needeth such an help. For we know in part, (1 Cor. 13. 9.) and of all o∣ther graces, we have but a part. If we were now as Adam in his innocency was, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 glorified Saints now are, we should need no such meanes.
- 4. Reward, especially the hope here spoken of, namely, of eternall life, i•…•… the end of our practise, (Rom. 6. 22.) and of our faith, (1 Pet. 1. 9.) Therefore we may have our eye fixed on it.
- 5. God having promised that which we hope for, we may well set it before us For whatsoever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, •…•…∣ans 6. 8. and in due season we shall reap, Gal. 6. 9.
- 6. None condemns this point of prudence in temporall things. Who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the h•…•…sband man, for sowing bountifully, that he may reap bountifully, •…•… Cor. 9. 6. It is by way of commendation said, The husband man waiteth for the precious 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the earth, James 5. 7. He that striveth for a mastery, doth it to obtain a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Crown, 1 Cor. 9. 25. All Tradesmen, Merchants, Mariners, Souldiers, and ot•…•…ers, have that which they hope for in their eye.
1. Object. It is a mercenary disposition, and the part of an hireling to do 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for reward.
Answ. Not unlesse they do it wholy and only for reward: or at least, principal∣ly, according to this proverb, No penny, no Pater Noster.
2 Object. This argues self-love.
Answ. Indeed the eying of such a reward argues a spirituall self-love: but this is very commendable, as is shewed, in Domest. Duties on Eph. 5. 29. Treat. 1. §. 58.
Though this be lawfull, yet it admitteth sundry cautions: such as these.
- 1. That the principall •…•…nd we aim at in all our endevours, be Gods will and his glory. We ought so far to aim at this mark, as if our salvation and Gods glory should stand in opposition (which never can in a right course) we should with M•…•…ses wish to be blotted out of the book of life, (Exod. 32. 32.) and with Paul to be se∣parated from Christ, rather then Gods glory be dashed. Our aim therefore at ou•…•… own happinesse must be subordinate to Gods glory.
- 2. That the particular thing which we aim at be such as proceedeth from Gods love and favour, and bringeth us into communion with him.
- 3. That we aim at a reward, not as a due debt, or matter of merit: but as that which God on his meer grace promiseth.
- 4. That the longer we be trained up in Christs Schoole, we do the more 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ our selves with the beauty and excellency of that which God requireth of us, and thereupon to yeeld unto it, for conscience sake, for the Lords sake, for the lo•…•…e of goodnesse it self.