ness of mind will make that; though they yet from that same hand will I look for salfall short, yet by the way they will light on vation. very pretty things that have some virtue in My brethren, my desire is to stir in your them, as they that seek the philosopher's hearts an ambition after this blest estate of stone; but the believer hath the thing, the the godly that fear the Lord, and trust on secret itself of tranquillity and joy, and this him, and so fear no other thing. The comturns all into gold, their iron chains into a mon revolutions and changes of the world, crown of gold, 2 Cor. iy. 17, 18. and those that in these late times we our. This is the blessed and safe estate of be- selves have seen, and the likelihood of more lievers. Who can think they have a sad, and greater coming on, seem dreadful to weak heavy life? Oh! it is the only lightsome, minds. But let these persuade us the more sweet, cheerful condition in the world. The to prize and seek this fixed, unaffrighted sta. rest of men are poor, rolling, unstayed things, tion; no fixing but here, where we make a every report shaking them, as the leaves of virtue of a necessity. the trees are shaken with the wind, Isa. vii. Oh! that you would be persuaded to 2; yea, lighter than so, as the chaff that the break off from the vile ways of sin, that emwind drives to and fro at its pleasure, Psalm base the soul and fill it full of terrors, and i. 4. Would men but reflect and look in disengage them from the vanities of this upon their own hearts, it is a wonder what world to take up in God, to live in him vain, childish things the most would find wholly, to cleave to, and depend on him, to there. Glad and sorry at things as light as esteem nothing besides him. Excellent was the toys of children, at which they laugh and the answer of that holy man to the emperor, cry in a breath. How easily puffed up with first essaying him with large proffers of a thing or word that pleaseth us! Bladder- honour and riches, to draw him from Christ. like, swelled with a little air, and it shrinks Offer these things (says he) to children, in again in discouragements and fear upon regard them not. Then, after he tried to the touch of a needle's point, which gives terrify him with threatening,-Threaten that air some vent. (says he) your effeminate courtiers; I fear What is the life of the greatest part but a none of these things. continual tossing betwixt vain hopes and Seek to have your hearts established on fears all their days spent in these? Oh! him by the faith of eternal life, and then it how vain a thing is a man even in his best will be ashamed to distrust him in any other estate, while he is nothing but himself! thing. Yea, truly, you will not much reHis heart not united and fixed on God, dis- gard, nor be careful for other things how they quieted in vain, how small a thing will do be. It will be all one, the better and worse it! He need no other but his own heart, it of this moment; the things of it, even the may prove disquietment enough to itself; his greatest, being both in themselves so little thoughts are his tormentors. and worthless, and of so short continuance. I know some men are, by a stronger un- Well, choose you; but all reckoned and derstanding and moral principle, somewhat examined, I had rather be the poorest believer raised above the vulgar, and speak big of a than the greatest king on earth. How small constancy of mind; but these are but flou-a commotion, small in its beginning, may rishes, an acted bravery. Somewhat there prove the overturning of the greatest kingdom! may be that will hold out in some trials, but But the believer is heir to a kingdom that far short of this fixedness of faith. Troubles cannot be shaken. The mightiest and most may so multiply, as to drive them at length victorious prince, that hath not only lost nofrom their posture, and come on so thick, thing, but hath been gaining new conquests with such violent blows, as will smite them all his days, is stopped by a small distemper out of their artificial guard, disorder all their in the middle of his course: he returns to Seneca and Epictetus, and all their own calm his dust, then his vast designs fall to nothing; thoughts and high resolves: the approach in that very day his thoughts perish. But of death, though they make a good mien, and the believer, in that very day, is sent to the set the best face on it; or if not, yet some possession of his crown; that is his coronakind of terror may seize on their spirits, tion-day; all his thoughts are accomplished. which they are not able to shift off. But How can you affright him? Bring him the soul trusting on God is prepared for all, word his estate is ruined; Yet my inheri not only for the calamities of war, pestilence, tance is safe, says he. Your wife, or child, famine, poverty, or death, but in the saddest or dear friend, is dead; Yet my Father apprehensions of soul; above hope, believes lives. You yourself must die; Well then, under hope, even in the darkest night, casts I go home to my Father, and to my inherianchor in God, reposes on him when he sees tance. no light, Isa. 1. 10. "Yea, though he slay For the public troubles of the church, me, (says Job) yet will I trust in him ;" not doubtless it is both a most pious and geneonly though I die, but though he slay merous temper, to be more deeply affected for when I see his hand lift up to destroy me, these than for all our private ones; and to resent common calamities of any people, but look for mercy, and will hope better; though especially of God's own people, hath been I found him shaking me off, yet will I think the character of men near unto him. Ob- he will not do it." It is good to seek after serve the pathetical strains of the prophets' all possible assurance, but not to fret at the bewailing, when they foretell the desolation want of it; for even without these assurances, even of foreign kingdoms, much more for the which some Christians hang too much upon, Lord's chosen people, still mindful of Sion, there is in simple trust and reliance on God, and mournful for her distresses, Jer. ix. 1, and in a desire to walk in his ways, such a and the whole book of Lamentations. Psalm fort of peace, as all the assaults in the world cxxxvii. 5. If I forget thee, O Jerusalem. are not able to make a breach in; and to this Pious spirits are always public, as even brave add that unspeakable delight in walking in Heathens for the commonwealth. So he, in his fear, joined with this trust. The noble that of Horace, Little regarding himself, ambition of pleasing him makes one careless but much solicitous for the public. Yet of pleasing or displeasing all the world. Beeven in this, with much compassion, there is sides, the delight in his commandments, so a calm in a believer's mind; (how these pure, so just a law, holiness, victory over lusts, agree, none can tell but they that feel it ;) he and temperance, hath a sweetness in it that finds amidst all hard news, yet still a fixed presently pays itself, because his will. heart, trusting, satisfied in this, that deliver- It is the godly man alone, who, by this ance shall come in due time, (Psalm cii. fixed consideration in God, looks the grim 13,) and that in those judgments that are in- visage of death in the face with an unappallflicted, man shall be humbled and God ex-ed mind; it damps all the joys, and defeats alted, Isa. ii. 11, and v. 15, 16; and that all the hopes of the most prosperous, proudin all tumults and changes, and subversion est, and wisest worldling. As Archimedes of states, still his throne is fixed, and with said, when shot, Avocasti ab optima demonthat the believer's heart likewise, Psalmstratione. It spoils all their figures and fine xciii. 2. So Psalm xxix. 10. "The Lord devices. But to the righteous there is hope sitteth upon the flood: yea, the Lord sitteth in his death: he goes through it without fear, King for ever." Or, sat in the flood, possi- without Caligula's Quo vadis? Though bly referring to the general deluge; yet that then God sat quiet, and still sitteth King for ever. He steered the ark, and still guides the church through all. So Psalm xlvi., throughout that whole psalm. In all commotions the kingdom of Christ shall be spreading and growing, and the close of all shall be full victory on his side, and that is sufficient. Of this, a singular example is in Job, who was not daunted with so many ill-hearings, but stood as an unmoved rock amidst the winds and waves. + In this condition there is so much sweetness, that, if known, a man might suspect himself rather selfishly taken with than purely loving God. Such joy in believing, or at least, such peace, such a serene calmness, is in no other thing in this world. Nothing without or within a man to be named to this of trusting on his goodness; he is God, and on his faithfulness, giving his promise for thy warrant. He commands thee to roll thyself on him. The holy soul still trusts in the darkest apprehensions. If it is suggested, thou art a reprobate, yet will the soul say, "I will see the utmost, and hang by the hold I have, till I feel myself really cast off, and will not willingly fall off. If I must be separated from him, he shall do it himself; he shall shake me off while I would cleave to him. Yea, to the utmost I will • Invenit insomni volventem publica cura † Ille velut rupes immota manebat. riches, honours, and all the glories of this world, are with a man, yet he fears, yea, he fears the more for these, because here they must end. But the good man looks death out of countenance, in the words of David, Though I walk. through the valley and shadow of death, yet will I fear no evil, for thou art with me. SERMON XIII. MATT. xiii. 3. And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow, &c. THE rich bounty of God hath furnished our natural life, not barely for strict necessity, but with great abundance; many kinds of beasts, and fowls, and fishes, and herbs, and fruits, has he provided for the use of man. Thus our spiritual life likewise is supported with a variety; the word, the food of it, hath not only all necessary truths once simply set down, but a great variety of doctrine, for our more abundant instruction and consolation. Amongst the rest, this way of similitudes hath a notable commixture of profit and delight. Parables, not unfolded and understood, are a veil (as here) to the multitude, and in that are a great judgment, as Isa. vi. 9, cited to our way. here; but when cleared and made trans- the Lord not only of the harvest, but of the parent, then they are a glass to behold divine seed-time, and of this seed to make it fruitthings in, more commodiously and suitably ful; this is his peculiar work. So the aposAll things are big with such tle acknowledges, 1 Cor. iii. 6. "I have resemblances, but they require the dexterous planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the hand of an active spirit to bring them forth. increase." This way, besides other advantages, is much graced and commended by our Saviour's frequent use of it. That here is fitted to the occasion; multitudes coming to hear him, and many not a whit the better. He instructs us in this point -the great difference between the different hearts of men; so that the same word hath very different success in them. 4. Hence we also learn the success to be very different. This is most evident in men: one cast into the mould and fashion of the word, and so moulded and fashioned by it; another no whit changed; one heart melting before it, another still hardened under it. So, then, this is not all, to have the word and hear it, as if that would serve turn and save us, as we commonly fancy-the temple In this parable we shall consider these three of the Lord, the temple of the Lord. Multhings: (1.) The nature of the world in it-titudes under the continual sound of the word, self. (2.) The sameness and commonness of yet remain lifeless and fruitless, and die in the dispensation. (3.) The difference of the their sins; therefore we must inquire and operation and production. examine strictly, what becomes of it, how it The word seed hath in it a productive vir- works, what it brings forth; and for this tue to bring forth fruit according to its kind, very end this parable declares so many are that is, the fruit of a new life; not only a fruitless. We need not press them; they new habitude and fashion of life without, but are three to one here; yea, that were too nara new nature, a new kind of life within, new row, the odds is far greater, for these are the thoughts, a new estimate of things, new de- kinds of unfruitful grounds, and under each lights and actions. When the word reveals of these huge multitudes of individuals, so God, his greatness and holiness, then it be that there may be a hundred to one, and it gets pious fear and reverence, and study is to be feared, in many congregations, it is of conformity to him; when it reveals his more than so. goodness and mercy, it works love and con- Whence is then the difference? Not from fidence; when it holds up in our view Christ the seed, that is the same to all; not from crucified, it crucifies the soul to the world, the sower neither, for though these be divers, and the world to it; when it represents these and of different abilities, yet it hangs little rich things laid up for us, that blest inherit-or nothing on that. Indeed, he is the fittest ance of the saints, then it makes all the lus- to preach, that is himself most like his mestre of this world vanish, shews how poor it is, sage, and comes forth not only with a handweans and calls off the heart from them, rais-ful of this seed in his hand, but with store ing it to these higher hopes, and sets it on the of it in his heart, the word dwelling richly project of a crown; and so is a seed of noble thoughts, and of a suitable behaviour in a Christian, as in the exposition of this parable, it is called the word of the kingdom. in him; yet, howsoever, the seed he sows, being this word of life, depends not on his qualifications in any kind, either of common gifts, or special grace. People mistake this Seed, an immortal seed, as St. Peter calls much, and it is a carnal conceit to hang on it, springing up to no less than an eternal life. the advantages of the minister, or to eye that This teaches us, 1. Highly to esteem the much. The sure way is to look up to God, great goodness of God to those places and and to look into thine own heart. An untimes that were most blessed with it, Psalm changed, unsoftened heart, as an evil soil, cxlvii. 19, 20. "He sheweth his word unto disappoints the fruit. What though sown by Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto a weak hand, yea, possibly a foul one, yet if Israel; he hath not dealt so with any nation, received in a clean and honest heart, it will and as for his judgments, they have not known them." fructify much. There is in the world a needless and prejudicial differencing of men, out of which people will not come for all we can 2. That the same dispensation is to be preached indifferently to all where it comes, say. as far as the sound can reach and thus it : The first bad ground is a highway. Now. was very much extended in the first promul- we have a commentary here, whence we may gating of the gospel; their sound went out not, nor will not depart; it is authentic and through all the earth, as the apostle allusive-full. Ver. 19: they that understand not. ly applies that of the Psalmist. Gross, brutish spirits, that perceive not 3. This teaches also ministers liberally to what is said, are as if they were not there, sow this seed at all times, according to that, sit like blocks, one log of wood upon anEccles. xi. 6, "In the morning sow thy other, as he said. * This is our brutish seed, and in the evening withhold not thine multitude. What pity is it to see so many, hand," &c., praying earnestly to him that is * Lapis super lapidem in theatro. such as have not so much as a natural ap-much, more than those whose hearts receive prehension of spiritual truths. The com- it more deeply; there it lies hid longer, and mon road of all passengers, of all kind of little is heard of it. Others may think it is foolish, brutish thoughts, seeking nothing lost, and possibly themselves do not perceive but how to live, and yet know not to what that it is there; they are exercised and end, have no design; trivial, highway hearts, humbled at it, and find no good in their all temptations pass at their pleasure, pro- own hearts; yet there it is hid, as David fane as Esau, which some critics draw from says, Thy word have I hid in my heart ; a word signifying the threshold, the outer and as seed in a manner dies in a silent, step that every foul foot treads on. smothering way, yet is in order to the fructifying and to the reviving of it, it will spring up in time, and be fruitful in its season, with patience, as St. Luke hath it of the good ground; not so suddenly, but much more surely and solidly. These retain nothing, there is no hazard of that; and yet the enemy of souls, to make all sure, lest peradventure some word might take root unawares, some grain of this seed, he is busy to pick it away; to take them off from all reflection, all serious thoughts, or the remembrance of any thing spoken to them. And if any common word is remembered, yet it doth no good, for that is trodden down as the rest, though the most is picked up, because it lies on the road. So expressed by St. Mark, iv. 4. The second is stony ground. Hard hearts, not softened and made penetrable, to receive in deeply this ingrafted word with meekness, with humble yieldance and submission to it the rocks. Yet in these there is often some receiving of it, and a little slender moisture above them, which the warm air may make spring up a little; they receive with joy, have a little present delight in it, are moved and taken with the sermon, possibly to the shedding of some tears; but the misery is, there is a want of depth of earth it sinks not. But the most are present, mushroom Christians-soon ripe, soon rotten: the seed grows never deep; it springs up indeed, but any thing blasts and withers it. Little root in some, if trials arise, either the heat of persecution without, or a temptation within; this sudden spring-seed can stand before neither. Oh, rocky hearts! How shallow, shallow, are the impressions of divine things upon you! Religion goes never farther than the upper surface of your hearts; few deep thoughts of God, and of Jesus Christ, and the things of the world to come; all are but slight and transient glances. The third is thorny ground. This relates to the cares, pleasures, and all the interests of this life, see St. Mark iv. 1, and St. Luke viii. 5. All these together are thorns, and these grow in hearts that de more deeply receive the seed, and send it forth, and spring up more hopefully than either of the other two, and yet choak it. Oh! the pity. tion, sucking the sap of the soul. Our other seed and harvest, our corn and hay, our shops and ships, our tradings and bargains, our suits and pretensions for places and employments of gain or credit; husband, and wife, and children, and house, and train; our feastings and entertainments, and other pleasures of sense, our civilities and compliments; and a world of those in all the world are these thorns, and they overspread all. The lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life." No wonder if there is some present delight in these; therefore the word of the kingdom, especially if skilfully and sensibly delivered by some more able speaker, pleases. Let it be but a fancy, yet it is a fine, plea- Many are thus almost in heaven, so much sant one such a love as the Son of God to desire of renovation, and some endeavours die for sinners; such a rich purchase made after it, and yet the thorns prevail. Miseas a kingdom; such glory and sweetness! rable thorns! The base things of a perish. Therefore the description of the new Jeru-ing life drawing away the strength of affecsalem, Apoc. xxi., suppose it but a dream, or one of the visions of the night, yet it is passing fine; it must needs please a mind that heeds what is said of it. There is a natural delight in spiritual things, and thus the word of the prophet, as the Lord tells him, was as a minstrel's voice, a fine song so long as it lasts, but dies out in the air; it may be, the relish and air of it will remain a while in the imagination, but not long; even that wears out, and is forgot." So here it is heard with joy, and some is springing up presently: they commend it, and it may be, repeat some passages, yea, possibly desire to be like it, to have such and such graces as are recommended, and upon that think they have them, are pre- The last is good ground, a good and honest sently good Christians in their own conceit, heart; not much fineness here, not many and to appearance some change is wrought, questions and disputes, but honest simplicity, and it appears to be all that it is. But it is sweet sincerity, that is all; a humble single not deep enough, they talk possibly tool desire to eye and to do the will of God, and And for how long is all the advantage and delight of these? Alas! that so poor things should prejudice us of the rich and blessed increase of this divine seed. this from love to himself. This makes the And above all, pray, pray before, after, soul abound in the fruits of holiness, receiv- and in hearing. Dart up desires to God, ing the word as the ground of it: different he is the Lord of the harvest, whose influence degrees there are indeed, some thirty, some doth all. The difference of the soil makes sixty, and some a hundred fold, yet the low- indeed the difference of success, but the est aiming at the highest, not resting satis- Lord hath the privilege of bettering the soil. fied; yet growing more fruitful-if thirty last He that framed the heart, changes it when year, desiring to bring forth sixty this. and how he will. There is a curse on all This is the great point, we ought to ex-grounds naturally, that fell on the earth for amine it; for much is sown and little brought man's sake, but fell more on the ground forth. Our God hath done much for us, of man's own heart within him: Thorns (what more could be done ?) yet when grapes and briars shalt thou bring forth. Now, were expected, wild grapes are produced. it is he that denounced that curse, that alone What becomes of all? Who grow to be hath power to remove it; he is both the more spiritual, more humble and meek, more sovereign owner of the seed, and changer of like Christ, more self-denying, fuller of love the soil, turns a wilderness into Carmel by to God, and one to another? Some; but, his Spirit; and no ground, no heart, can be alas, few. All the land is sown, and that good till he change it. plentifully, with the good seed: but what comes for the most part? Cockle and no grain. Infelix lolium. And being changed, much care must be had still of manuring, for still that is in it, that will bring forth many weeds, is a mother to them, and but a step-mother to this seed. Therefore, We would do all other things to purpose, and not willingly lose our end; not trade and gain nothing; buy and sell and live by Consider it, if you think this concerns the loss; not plough and sow, and reap you: he that hath an ear to hear, as our nothing. How sensibly do we feel one ill Saviour closes, let him hear. The Lord ap year! And shall this alone be lost labour, ply your hearts to this work and though that, well improved, were worth all the rest? discouragements arise without, or within, Oh! how much more worth than all! Shall and little present fruit appear, but corruption we only do the greatest business to the least is rather stronger and greater, yet watch and purpose? Bethink yourselves, what do we pray; wait on, it shall be better; this fruit here? Why come we here? That word, is to be brought forth with patience, as St. Thou fool, this night shall they fetch away Luke hath it. And this seed, this word, thy soul, how terrible will it be ! the Lord calls by that very name, the very We think we are wise in not losing our word of his patience. Keep it, hide it in labour in other things. Why, it is all lost, thy heart, and in due time it shall spring even where most vexation of spirit is the total up. And this patience shall be put to it but sum. And in all our projecting and bust- for a little while; the day of harvest is at ling, what do we but sow the wind, and reap hand, when all in any measure fruitful in the whirlwind; sow vanity, and reap vex-grace shall be gathered into glory. ation ? Oh This seed alone being fruitful, makes rich and happy, springs up to eternal life. that we were wise, and that we would at length learn to hear every sermon as on the utmost edge of time, at the very brink of eternity! For any thing we know for ourselves, of any of us it may be really so; however, it is wise and safe to do as if it were so. Will you be persuaded of this? It were a happy sermon if it could prevail, for the more fruitful hearing of all the rest henceforward. We have lost too much of our little time; and thus, with the apostle, I beseech you, I beseech you, receive not the grace of God in vain. SERMON XIV. 2 COR. vii. 1. Having therefore these promises, (dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfect. ing holiness in the fear of God. IT is a thing both of unspeakable sweetness and usefulness for a Christian, often to consider the excellency of that estate to which Now, that you may be fruitful, examine he is called. It cannot fail to put him upon well your own hearts, pluck up, weed out, very high resolutions, and carry him on in for there are still thorns. Some will grow; the divine ambition of behaving daily more but he is the happiest man that hath the suitably to his high calling and hopes. Theresharpest eye and the busiest hand, spying fore these are often set before Christians in the them out, and plucking them up. Take scripture, and are pressed here by the apostle heed how you hear; think it not so easy a upon a particular occasion of the avoidance matter. "Plough up, and sow not among of near combinements with unbelievers. He thorns," Jer. iv. 3. mentions some choice promises that God |