LXXXII.

SERM. childish things, and to live like men who have their senses about them. Amongst these, very many put off their conversion so long till death overtakes them unawares. Some contract such evil habits, as makes them plainly despair of ever overcoming them. Others live in a way of repenting and sinning all the days of their life.

To prevent all these mischiefs as much as may be, the Church has appointed a time when all people shall be called upon to consider, to resolve, and to promise, to live as becomes men, as becomes Christians, as becomes those that hope for salvation. The time the Church has appointed is, when children are come to years of discretion.

And this she has done for a very good reason; namely, that people may, with their own choice and consent, dedicate themselves to God, before sin and hell have got the dominion over them, before evil habits are become a second nature.

And a sad account are those parents like to make, who neglect such a time of preparing their children to receive the grace of God, then offered them after so seasonable and solemn a manner. They do not consider, that the wisest of men, without the grace of God, are too weak for so great a work as all Christians are to go through.

What then do they think will become of their children, [1 Pet. 5. whom they abandon to the malice of the devil, who, like a 8.] roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may (be permitted to) devour, finding them out of God's ways and protection.

Let all others put their trust in God, whose grace is sufficient to enable us to do whatever He expects from us. This He has shewn in the conversion of others whom He has effectually called from an evil life to a life of true religion, in spite of all their enemies, and the great corruption of their nature.

God grant that we may never resist His grace, nor grieve His Holy Spirit, by which we are sanctified. To Whom, &c.

SERMON LXXXIII.

PREACHED AT A CONFIRMATION.

THE KNOWLEDGE NECESSARY FOR EVERY ONE WHO TAKES UPON HIMSELF THE PROFESSION OF A CHRISTIAN, POINTED OUT AND ILLUSTRATED.

LUKE XIV. 28-30.

For which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

OUR blessed Saviour well foresaw, that when the Gospel came to be preached to the world, when men were told that their becoming members of the Church of Christ gave them a title to the protection and love of God, a right to heaven and eternal happiness, many would desire to become Christians.

Now, that they might not be deceived in their hopes; that they might not undertake a profession in hopes of being great gainers by it, and afterwards forsake it because of the difficulties they might probably meet with; He makes use of this parable, to make men sensible how wisely they go about their worldly concerns. That they may not be discouraged or disappointed, they sit down, and consider with themselves, they consult with others wiser than themselves, they think what difficulties they shall meet with, what it will cost them, to compass their ends. From whence He would have us make this conclusion; that for the very same reason, when people desire to become Christians in hopes of salva

LXXXIII.

SERM. tion, they ought in the first place to know what will be expected from them, and whether they will resolve to do what is expected from them.

If a man has a house to build; before he lays one stone, he considers what the charge may be, whether he is able, and whether he is resolved, to lay out so much upon it. And he that would be a disciple of Christ, if he does not resolve beforehand to do what Christ expects from His faithful servants, will not only become a scandal to his profession, but will certainly come short of what he hopes for by being a Christian.

Therefore, to carry on the design of this parable: as a man, who is about to undertake any work of moment, would be glad to be informed what difficulties he is likely to meet with, what will be necessary to bring his work to perfection, how much he will be a loser if he miscarries; it is as necessary that every person, who takes upon himself the profession of a Christian, should beforehand know,

First; what God will expect from him.

Secondly; what discouragements he will certainly meet

with.

Thirdly; what assistances he may depend upon.

Lastly; what means he must use to gain the end of his faith, which is, the salvation of his soul.

And these are the particulars which, by the good grace of God, I now purpose to explain to you.

I. And, in the first place, every person who desires to be a Christian, that he may live and die in the favour of God, will desire to know what he must do to please God.

We all know, that we must renounce the devil and all his works, the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh; that we must believe in God, and keep His commandments.

But it is not enough to know, and to say this, unless you resolve to live like people that really believe this to be their duty and their interest. Whoever hopes to go to heaven when he dies, must be in earnest while he lives to fit himself for it.

This is signified in the text, by sitting down and counting the cost; intimating thus much, that if I think I ought to be

a Christian, I ought likewise seriously, and often, to think what it is to be one; I ought often to consider the promises which God hath made to such as fear and serve Him to the best of their power, that my heart being full of the sense of my own unworthiness, and God's goodness, I may very cheerfully and thankfully do whatever I shall at any time be convinced will please Him.

Now, he that is thus disposed, and resolved that for the sake of heaven, which he hopes for, and for the love of God who has provided such good things for them that serve Him; he that is resolved at all times, for these reasons, to do what he shall be persuaded will please God, is in a fair way to happiness, let his understanding be never so mean.

And this I affirm to you, and this I will shew you from God's Word, that none of you may think, either that want of learning will excuse you from keeping the commandments of God, or hinder you from attaining the promises He has made His children and servants. "If any man (saith Christ) John 7. 17. will do His will," that is, really desires to please God, "he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself:" that is, the Spirit of God is always ready to enlighten the minds, and to inform the judgments of those that seriously desire to please Him. Thus it was with St. Paul before his conversion: he was verily persuaded, that he did God good service in persecuting the Church; and God was pleased, even by a miracle, to inform him better of his duty.

And I rather insist upon this, than burden your memories with too many things at once. Reason thus with yourselves: Is it not a great mercy that God will be pleased to pardon me, for Christ's sake, though I have many ways offended Him? Is it not a great favour that God has resolved (if it is not mine own fault) to make such a poor creature as I am equal to the angels of heaven? Is not that God greatly to be feared, who, when I am dead, can raise me to life again, and reward or punish me for ever? Are not the joys of heaven very great, when Jesus Christ who knew them, and so many wise and good men in hopes of them, have suffered death, to encourage others to set their hearts upon them? And must not the torments of hell be terrible

SERM. indeed, when nothing on earth, but fire and brimstone burning for ever, can represent them to our understandings?

LXXXIII.

[Acts 14.

Sit down, I say, and lay these things together, and think of them often, and you will at last conclude, that God is in- · deed worthy of your love, and all the poor service you can do Him; that God is greatly to be feared, and especially of such as live to displease Him; that none ought to despair of mercy, but such as are careless, and despise the means of grace; that the miseries of such as are sent into hell are enough to awaken and startle the most careless on earth, if they will but think of them; and that to be blessed with the happiness and company of saints and angels, is what will make us great amends for any trouble we shall be at in our way to heaven.

And the conclusion of this way of reasoning will be: you will heartily desire to know the will of God, and what will please Him; you will at all times be disposed to do His will whenever you shall know it; whenever you are under any doubt concerning the will of God, you will go to those to whom God has committed the care of your soul; you will hearken to them as to men appointed by God to make His will known to you; and if you are not sure that God has declared the contrary to what they tell you, you will obey them that have the rule over you: for this is the command of God. And being thus honestly disposed to do your duty, you shall never want means of knowing it, or what you do shall never be laid to your charge.

After all, you must not expect that the way to heaven and happiness is smooth and easy, and that you will meet with no trouble in getting thither. Jesus Christ has told you otherwise: We must, through much tribulation, enter into the kingdom of heaven. Agreeably to this, the Scriptures speak 2 Tim. 4.5; of suffering for the sake of Christ, of taking up the cross, as He did before us, of denying one's-self, enduring afflictions, suffering wrongfully.

22; Matt. 16. 24;

1 l'et. 2.

19.]

II. Now, you must not imagine, that these Scriptures do not belong to you, for in truth they do. It is as true now,

[2 Tim. 3. as it was in the very beginning of the Gospel: every one that 12.] will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution. This is what you must expect, and it is fit you should know it be