SERMON XI.

HAving shewn you the Substance of the Lesson; let me now speak of the Season of it, when this is to be performed; and that is, in this pre∣sent World.

Doct. That our Abode in the present World is the only time wherein we are to discharge the Duty of our Heavenly Calling. I shall,

• I. Draw forth the Force of the Expression.
• II. Give you the Reasons of it.

I. The Force of the Expression, In this present World. It implies three things; timely Beginning, zealous Discharge, and final Perseverance. Whatever we are to do upon the teaching of Grace, we are to do it speedily, earnestly, constantly: Speedily, now or never, take hold of the present Occasion: Earnestly, it is the Work of our Lives, wherefore we are sent into the World: and Constantly, that is, all the time of our living here.

1. Speedily: Now or never must it be done: We must set upon this Work spee∣dily upon two Grounds; because time to come is uncertain, and it is not fit to neg∣lect it. (1.) Time to come is uncertain: We have nothing to command but this Instant; that which is to come is not in our Power. One being invited to a Feast the next Day, made Answer, Ego à multis annis crastinum non habui; For these many Years I never had a to Morrow. The present Time is put into thy Hands, thou hast no Security for the next Day but thy own Word; and how is he the better assured that is Security to himself? When you promise your selves many Years, you are liberal upon another Man's Goods; and it is the Fashion of Mad-men to reckon other Mens Estates to be theirs. The Father hath reserved Times and Seasons in his own Power, and taken them into his own Hands. We are not Masters of a Day; therefore now or never must we set upon this Work of living soberly, righteously, godly. O how sad is it to be surprized, and Death to find us unprovided! 2 Pet. 3.14. Wherefore Beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in Peace. This is the great Business of our Lives, to be found in a Condition pleasing to God. A Man should live every Day as he would be found of God, for usually Death comes by way of Surprize, it finds us before we look for it, and steals upon us e're we are aware. (2.) Because it is not fit to neglect it till Death, and to provide Work for that time when we need Cordials: the Infirmities of Age and Sickness need Supports, and not Work. O how sad is this, that many times we are going out of the World before we begin to think why we came into it! Our great Business here is to save our Souls; and when Time is gone, then we be∣gin to think of it. He is a foolish Traveller that would set out at Night, and be∣gin his Journey when the Sun is setting, and the Darkness of the Night is coming on: so when Time appointed is gone, then to think of saving our Souls. It is too late to be sparing when we have spent all upon Prodigality. The foolish Virgins came to buy Oil too late. Who would expect to conquer then, when his Enemy is strongest, and himself weakest, or purposely delay it till such a time? If you do not presently set about the Work, you do but provide Grief and Sorrow for your last Age, when you are least able to bear it.

2. Earnestly: It is the Reason why we are sent into the present World: It is the Work of our Lives. We were not put into the World as Leviathan was put into the Page  99 Sea, to take our fill of Pleasure; but we were sent into the World for our Trial and for our Exercise: For this End was Life given us, not to get Wealth and Honour, and great Estates; or only to eat, drink and sleep, and so live as if we were never to die, and then die as if we were never to live more; such lose the End of their Lives. God hath appointed a Time for every thing under the Sun, and the Time of Life is appointed to work out our Salvation; and therefore it is but reason that our best Business should have the greatest Share of our Time and Strength, and that this Work should go forward according to our Years: still should you increase and be bet∣tering your selves in the great Business of your Lives. It is some Work of Grace to raise the Soul to desire Things within the Vail; it is more to hope for them; it is more to seize upon them as our Right and Portion, and lay hold of eternal Life, 1 Tim. 6.19. This is the great Work of our Lives, first to raise up the Soul and car∣ry it within the Vail, to be always increasing our Assurance of Heaven, and looking after a better Life; Iohn 9.4. I must work the Works of him that sent me, while it is Day; the Night cometh when no Man can work. Hereafter there is no Prophecy, nor Labour, nor Faith, nor Repentance. We have a little Time, and a great deal of Work, and a great many Temptations: It's a great Work to get out of a State of Nature into a State of Grace, to fit our selves for a better World. Now because we have no long Continuance here, we should be doing it with all our Might: There∣fore let us not forget the main thing, that which is the Business and Imployment of our Lives; let not your Time pass unfruitfully, for the Night cometh wherein no Man can work.

3. Constantly: It is in the present World as long as we are here, without any Li∣mitation, and therefore it hints final Perseverance, without which as good we had never begun. It is notable that under the Law, the Nazarite, if he had made a Vow he should touch no Wine, or any thing that was forbidden, for so many Days or Months; but if he had defiled himself before the Days of his Purification were accomplished, he was to begin again; Numb. 6.12. The Days that were before shall be lost, because his Separation was defiled. So when we have renounced the Vanities and Delights of the World, and given our selves to God, all is lost, when we turn Apostates, and go off from a Course of Godliness; Ezek. 18.24. But when the Righte∣ous turneth away from his Righteousness, and committeth Iniquity, and doth according to all the Abominations that the wicked Man doth, shall he live? all his Righteousness that he hath done, shall not be mentioned; in his Trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his Sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. As good never have begun, if we fall off and tire before we come to the End; nay in some respect it would have been better if we had never begun, than not to have continued; for it is said, the latter End is worse with them than the beginning, 2 Pet. 2.20. A Malefactor who hath made an Escape out of Prison, if he be taken again, he is loaded with Chains and Irons: So when any have made some shew of Escape out of the Devil's Clutches, by keeping a constant Course of Duty and Communion with God, and then turns and breaks off again, none in such Bondage and Slavery as they. Nay, and this Apostacy is a mighty Dishonour to Christ, as well as a Disadvantage to your selves: for a Man that hath begun to be strict, and careful, and holy, and righteous, and profess himself to be taken out of the Kingdom of Darkness, and made experience of the Ways of Christ, yet if he falls off, he doth as it were after Trial pronounce to the World that Satan's Service is better than Christ's. As Iacob kept wrestling till Day-light appeared, and would not let go his hold-fast; so till the Morning of Glo∣ry come, still keep on and continue your Courage. Or as Elisha would not leave his Master till he was taken from him into Heaven; so be constant to the last, let the World know you see no cause to leave Christ, or to be weary of his Service, and to begrudg the Strictness of Religion. Matth. 20. you read some were called into the Vine-yard sooner, some later, but they all kept working to the End and Close of the Day. There's a different time of Calling, some begin with God in In∣fancy, some in riper Age, but none must be weary of well-doing. But how apt are we to turn aside from God? Our Righteousness must be as the Morning Light, that always increaseth till High-noon; but our Righteousness is like the Morning-Dew, it is gone as soon as the Sun breaks out in Strength and Power. We have a great many Resolutions when we begin a Course of Godliness, but soon grow wea∣ry. Look as a tired Horse is ready to turn in at every Inn; so upon every Occasion Page  100 and Temptation we are ready to turn away from God: but it is not enough to begin to live godly, strictly, righteously, but while Life lasteth, you must hold on in God's ways, it must be during your whole present State and Abode here in the World.

II. The Reasons why this Duty of our heavenly Calling must be in the present World.

1. Because this is the Time of Grace. There is no other Time to get the Favour of God, and an Interest in Heaven, but here upon Earth. Now we have the Means, hereafter the Recompences. Now Christ saith, Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, Matth. 11.28. Hereafter he will say, Come ye Blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the Foundation of the World, Mat. 25.34. Now he calls us to receive Grace, hereafter we must receive either Vengeance or Glory. In the Angels Song we find, Luke 2.14. Peace upon Earth. Here God pro∣claims Tidings of Peace and Reconciliation to the Creature, if it will submit to God. Now the Golden Scepter is held out, and you will have no more such a Sea∣son. This is God the Father's, God the Son's, and God the Spirit's Time, but after this Life you shall have it no more: It is the Time of God the Father's Patience; and these are the Days of the Gospel when God the Son is offered to us; and now we have the Advantage of the Spirit's Impulses, and his Convictions upon our Hearts: But after this Life, there's neither Prophecy, nor Gospel, nor Conviction, nor Means offered any more; then comes Recompence and Retribution. Zanchy speaks of some which had a Fancy that the Gospel should be preached hereafter in the other World, to those that never heard of Christ in this World; as to Children, to Turks and Pagans: to justify this Conceit, they alledg that Place, 1 Pet. 3.19. By which he went and preached to the Spirits in Prison: But that's a clear Mistake. The Apostle speaks there how the Spirit of God went forth by Noah's Preaching in warm Conviction upon the Hearts of those that are now in Prison, that were some∣times disobedient to the Warnings of Noah, and are now held with Chains of Dark∣ness in the Prison of Hell. But however there is nothing to this World. Now you have the Means, and God's golden Scepter is held out. Now Christ saith, Come; but if you refuse, hereafter he will say, Depart: Now is the accepted Time, now is the Day of Salvation, 2 Cor. 6.1.

2. This is the Time of our Exercise and Trial.

(1.) There must be this Exercise before we come to Heaven. We do not leap into Heaven without any Preparation: The Vessels of Glory must first be seasoned with Grace; Col. 1.12. Who hath made us meet to be Partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light. First we are qualified and seasoned, then filled brim-full. As when the Virgins were chosen for Ahasuerus, they were to accomplish their Months of Purification; so we must have a Time of purifying and cleansing from Corrup∣tion, before we can get to Heaven. Balaam would die the Death of the Righteous, but not live his Life; Numb. 23.10. Let me die the Death of the Righteous, and let my last End be like his. As it is said of the Snake, that when it is stricken with Death, stretcheth out it self straight, though crooked before; at oportuit sic vixisse, you should have so lived: You should be sober, righteous and godly. Enoch before his Translation had this Testimony, that he pleased God, Heb. 11.5. Some-thing must be done here; there is no Triumph without a Warfare. 2 Tim. 2.5. If a Man strive for Masteries, yet is he not crowned unless he strive lawfully; that is, according to the Laws of the Race or Exercise: so we cannot expect to die in the Lord, un∣less we live in the Lord; Rev. 14.13. Blessed are the Dead that die in the Lord, from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their Labours, and their Works do follow them. Your Works die not when you die; Eccles. 11.3. If the Tree fall toward the South, or toward the North; in the Place where the Tree falleth, there it shall be. In the time of the Law there was nothing to be gathered upon the Sabbath-Day, but a double Portion to be gathered before; those that provide nothing on the sixth Day, had nothing on the Sabbath-Day. The Sabbath is a Figure of Heaven, of that eternal Rest we shall have there; if we do not make Provision du∣ring the time of Life, there can be nothing done afterwards.

(2.) It is only here, this is the fittest Place for Exercise: Here are Difficulties, Snares and Temptations; and these serve to discover the Glory of Grace; and this makes it worthy of Praise, that we can act for God in the present World, where so Page  101 many miscarry; 2 Tim. 4.10. Demas hath forsaken us, having loved this present World. Here is the fit Place for our Trial, where we have so many Difficulties, Snares, Baits, Avocations and Scandals, to take us off from performing the Duty of our Heavenly Calling. As Death leaves us, so Judgment finds us. Upon our Behaviour in the present Life, both our everlasting Woe or Weal depends. Hereafter is not a time of Labour, but of Reward and Punishment; there is no room for Exercise and Trial there, no Snares in the next World: Grace cannot be found wor∣thy of Praise there, for that is God's Day, called the Day of the Lord, 2 Pet. 3.10. The Day of the Lord will come as a Thief in the Night. Here is our Day, because God affords Time to us as a Space and Season of Repentance and Reformation; but the Day of Judgment, that is the Lord's Day, the Day of Recompence, Rewards and Punishments.

Vse 1. To reprove them that delay the Work of Repentance, and their Change of State. There is nothing more usual than Delays and Put-offs: Some are full of Imployment, and after their Business is a little over, then they will think of saving their Souls; Luke 9.59. Suffer me first to go and bury my Father: still there is some∣thing in the way. Others when they have arrived to such a Degree of Wealth, and made such Provision for their Families, then they will look after their Souls. Others when their youthful Heats are spent, then they dream of a devout Retire∣ment, and a religious Age: there is nothing more usual. The Lord knows these are our inward Thoughts, still there is something in the way when we should act holily, righteously and godly. This is Satan's last shift, to elude the Importunity of a pre∣sent Conviction by a future Promise. As a bad Debtor promises Paiment for the fu∣ture, to be rid of the importunate Creditor, though he means no such matter; so we make Promises for the future. Felix when his Conscience boiled, dreams of a more convenient Season; Acts 24.25. Go thy way for this time, when I have a more convenient Season, I will send for thee. And Matth. 22. when they were invited to the Wedding, the Answer is not scornful, but civil; it is not non placet, but non va∣cat: they do not deny, but make Excuse; they had present Business, and were not at leisure to comply with God's Will. Always God comes Unseasonably in the Sin∣ner's Esteem, Reckoning and Account: and Satan's usual Clamour is, when we be∣gin to be serious and mind our Salvation, Art thou come to torment us before our time? Matth. 8.29. The Devil would fain have a little longer Possession, and therefore some∣thing is pleaded by way of Bar and Hesitancy. You find it in particular Cases, when you go to perform any thing that is good, to pray, to meditate, to renew your Communion with God, something is in the way; if such a Business were over, then I were at leisure. Thus we dream of another time, a more convenient Season, and we linger and draw back as Lot in Sodom. O consider, the Work must be once done, or you are for ever mi∣serable, and you will never have a better Season than now, when you are under Conviction, and the warm Impulses of the Spirit of God. David takes hold of the present Season when his Heart was ingaged, and he had a religious bent towards God; Psal. 119.60. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy Commandments. So when there is such a strong bent in your Souls, strike while the Iron is hot; you may have more Hindrances, but never more Helps. Again, we owe more than we are worth already, and why should we run more in Debt? The longer you conti∣nue in Sin, the higher will your Accounts rise. A Tenant that cannot pay the Rent of one Year, if he let it run on, how will he be able to discharge the Rent of two Years? So if it be so troublesome now, do you think it will be more easy hereafter, when the Heart is hardned by a constant Resistance? If there were a sound Convi∣ction, you would not delay. A sensible Sinner is always in haste; Heb. 6.18. He flies for Refuge to lay hold upon the Hope set before him. It is an Allusion to the Man pursued by the Avenger of Blood; he that hath Wrath at his Heels, he runs as for Life to Jesus Christ. It is but a slender and insufficient Touch upon the Conscience. He that knows the Danger, can never make haste enough to come to Christ; as the pursued Man could never make too much haste to get into the City of Refuge that is be∣fore him. Nay, it argues little Love to God, and a great deal of Disingenuity of Spirit, to continue in Rebellion against God, and think to come in at last, when you can stand out no longer: This is meerly Self-love, when you care not how much God is dishonoured, and his Spirit grieved, provided at length we be saved. The Lord Page  102 did not so deal with us, his whole Duration and Existence is for our sakes; from Eternity to Eternity he is God; and from Eternity to Eternity his Loving-kindness is great to them that fear him, Psal. 103.17. The Mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting to them that fear him. If God thinks of us from one Eternity to ano∣ther, before the World, and after the World, can we be content to thrust him into a narrow Corner of our Lives? Can you satisfy your Hearts, when you have nothing to give God but the Rottenness, Weakness, and Aches of old Age and Sickness? Consider once more, Sin leaves thee in Sickness, thou dost not leave Sin, it is not a Work of Choice, but of Necessity; as a Merchant throws his Goods over-board in a Storm, tho he loves them well enough. At least it is a very suspicious Act, a natural Aversation from our own Misery, and a desire of our own Happiness; it is a yielding upon force; when a Man never yields to God, but when God hath him under, and he can sin no longer. And what assurance have we, that we shall have a Heart to mind Salvation at all, and turn to God hereafter? When all our Distracti∣ons are out of the way, is Grace at our beck? There is an offer of it to day, Heb. 3.15. While it is said, To day if ye will hear his Voice, harden not your Hearts. Nay, there's a shrewd Presumption to the contrary, that Obduracy, Hardness of Heart and Despair will grow upon us. Long use makes the Heart more obdurate, and long Resistance grieves the Spirit of God, and makes him more offended with us. By putting off the Change of your Lives, you put your Souls into Satan's hands by Consent, for a while. He that delays his Conversion, doth (as it were) pawn his Soul into the Devil's Hands, and saith, if he do not fetch it again at such a day, it is his for ever. Again, it is a great Honour to seek the Lord betimes. Mnason was an old Disciple. Seniority in Grace is a very great Honour. The Apostle saith, Rom. 16.7. Salute Andronicus and Junia, — who were in Christ before me. And the Lord saith, Ier. 2.2. I remember thee, the kindness of thy Youth, and the love of thine Espousals. God prizeth these pure Virgin-Affections, when before our Hearts be prostituted to the World we apply our selves to seek his Face. You lose the Advantage of much early Communion with God, whenever you are called to Grace; and if ever you taste of the Sweetness of Grace, it will be your Grief that you were acquainted with it no sooner, and all the time that remains will be little enough to repent the loss of that which is past. Consider, a Man can never come soon enough into the Arms of Mercy, nor soon enough out of the Power of Satan. Present Necessity admits of no Deliberation, therefore charge your selves to be more solid and serious. Sin, if you let it alone, will gather more Strength. Jer. 13.23. Can the Ethiopian change his Skin, or the Leopard his Spots? then may ye also do Good that are accustomed to do Evil. When a Stick hath been long bent, it will hard∣ly ever be set right again. Some that have been late converted, have much be∣wailed their Disadvantage, their standing out so long, till their Inclinations were fixed, and that they have got a stubborn Nature so strong, and ever apt to recoil upon them. Consider, we would not have God to put us off when we come for Mercy, and are in present need, and shall we put off God? We would count a Delay to be as bad as a Denial; therefore take heed of Delays in this kind, for if ever you be called to Grace, you will smart for it soundly. Christ waited upon the Spouse for Entrance, Cant. 5.2. My Head is filled with Dew, and my Locks with the drops of the Night: and then the Spouse waited for Comfort, ver. 6. I opened to my Be∣loved, but my Beloved had withdrawn himself and was gone; my Soul failed when he spake; I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no Answer. What is the Reason, when the Work is begun, and the first stroke is given to Sin, that Christians walk so mournfully for a great while? O they have made God wait long, and stood out many a Call, therefore the Lord exerciseth them with waiting. Let all this work thee to comply with the Importunity of the present Conviction of the Holy Ghost.

Vse 2. Is to reclaim us, when we are greedily set upon other Businesses and Pro∣jects than the great Business of our Lives, as to get Wealth, Honour and great Estates. Remember what is thy Duty and Work in this present World. Con∣sider,

1. The shortness of Life. We have a great deal of Work to do in a little time, therefore we should not waste it; every day we are nearer to the Grave. We Page  103 are sensible of the Decays of others, but not of our own; thou seest others wax old and die, remember thou thy self art going that way. When two Ships meet one another in the Sea, the other Ship seems to fail faster than yours, tho both pass away alike; because you are not sensible, or do not observe your own Motion. We see others are mortal, but do not number our own Days. This is a Point of Prudence, Psal. 90.12. So teach us to number our Days, that we may apply our Hearts unto Wisdom. A Man would think of all Points that were plainest and soonest learned, yet it is very hard to learn the lesson of our own Frailty; I mean to learn it by Heart, to learn it practically.

2. The Uncertainty of Life. We know not when Death will surprize us, it is ill to be taken unprovided; when Death comes, to say, Hast thou found me, O my Enemy? Every day we have cause to look to it; more are mistaken in reckoning upon Life than upon Death. Thou art asleep in the Wolf's Mouth; there is no Reme∣dy but imploring the Shepherd's Help. A Carnal Man that goeth on in Sin, pro∣voketh God to his Face, and trieth whether he will cut him off yea or no. We are sure to live to enjoy what we provide for Heaven, but we are not sure to live to enjoy what we provide for the World. A Man may not rost what he took in hunting; but when he cometh to enjoy his Estate, God cutteth him off: Luke 12.20. Thou Fool, this night thy Soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided? And shall my Master come and find me idle?

3. After Death followeth Eternity, the great Amazement of the Soul. Now if Death find you at Peace with God, Eternity will be comfortable, and Death sweet; Body and Soul part, but God and the Soul meet. When we can see Angels ready to do their Office, and Conscience becometh our Compurgator, I bear you witness you have spent your time in this World in obeying and serving God; and then Body and Soul take leave of one another, it is a blessed parting. But now when you have not regarded your Work, you are then delivered up to Satan by such an Excommu∣nication as shall never be reversed, Accursed till the Lord come; and then Body and Soul meet to be tormented for ever. It is a sad parting, when Conscience falls a raving, and we curse our selves, and the day of our Birth; O that ever such a Creature were born! O that I had been stifled in the Womb, and never seen the Light!

4. The necessity of working out our own Salvation. God's Stipulation with Mankind is not made up all of Promises, something is required; Holiness is the way to Salvation. Men that live as they list, can claim nothing. The World is a common Inn for Sons and Bastards; in the time of God's Patience he keeps open House for just and unjust; but no unclean thing entreth into Heaven. At the great Rendezvouz God maketh a Separation, Psal. 1.5. The Vngodly shall not stand in the Iudgment, nor Sinners in the Congregation of the Righteous. The wicked shall not be able to look Christ in the Face, nor vail themselves in the glorious Assembly; 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. Know ye not that the Vnrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither Fornicators, nor Idolaters, nor Adulterers, nor Effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with Mankind, nor Thieves, nor Covetous, nor Drunkards, nor Revilers, nor Extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God. Our Desires settle into Opinions, we think God will not damn his own Creatures, and an universal Hope is natural.

5. The Folly of not doing our Business. To get bodily Supports is but our Er∣rand by the by; these Souls were not given us to scrape up Wealth, and only to pro∣vide and purvey for the Body: Let us use them to the end that God gave them, to think of Eternity; Luke 10.41, 42. Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful. And Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Martha was careful to entertain Christ in her House, but Mary to entertain him in her Heart. The one thing needful is the Care which every one ought to have of his own Salvation. Every thing is best that helpeth us on towards Heaven, and that is evil that hindreth us in our pursuit of Heaven. This will appear to be the greatest Wisdom at length, and not to spend your Lives in getting Honours or Pleasures, or screwing your selves into the Favour of great Personages. It is commonly said of a Man that hath gotten an Estate, that he hath spent his Time well; but the Apostle commands, Eph. 5.15, 16. See that ye walk circumspectly, not as Fools, but as Wise; redeeming the Time, because the days are Page  104 evil. Those other are the worst Fools, who make no Provision for the future; they part with Jewels for Trifles.