SERM. therefore can easily check us in our bad courses, and XXXI. will surely chastise us for our disobedience? We do plainly hereby incur the heinous guilt, and shall surely undergo the grievous punishment, of rebellion; this being the sentence which, refusing subjection to him, Luke xix. we shall one day hear and feel; Those mine enemies, that would not have me reign over them, bring them hither, and slay them before me. 27. 3. These points do afford ground and matter of great joy and comfort to us. Have we not cause to rejoice, that our Lord hath obtained so absolute and glorious a victory over all our cruel enemies? Should we not with joyful gratulation applaud the triumphs of goodness over wickedness, of charity over malice, of mercy over wrath, of life and happiness over death and misery? Is it not matter of huge satisfaction that one of our kind and kindred, who beareth toward us the bowels of a man and the affection of a brother, who hath yielded so wonderful expressions of good-will and charity toward us, who so loved us as to lay down his life for us, is raised to such preferment? Shall we not be pleased, that we have so good a friend in so high place and so great power; or that he who is so willing, is also so able to do us good? Have we not great cause to acquiesce in our subjection to so just, so mild, so gracious a Governor; the sceptre of whose kingdom is a right sceptre, whose yoke is easy, and burden light? Shall we not be glad, considering that we have so merciful and so kind an intercessor always resident with God, always ready to do good offices for us at the throne of grace? Considering this, what is there that can be or happen in the world that should displease, discourage, or disturb us? What enemies should we fear, since all our enemies lie prostrate under his feet? What good SERM. can we fear to want, since all things are at his dis- XXXI. posal, and all good is dispensed by him? What events should trouble us, since all things are managed and ordered by his good hand? Will he suffer any thing to hurt us? Will he see us need any convenience? Will he let us be oppressed by any mischief or distress, whose office it is and continual care to protect and succour us? Have we not, in contemplation of these things, abundant reason to comply with that precept, of rejoicing in the Lord always? Be our Phil. iv. 4. case in this world what it will, considering where our Lord is, we have great cause to be cheerful, according to that injunction of our Lord, enforced by this consideration; In the world ye shall have tri- John xvi. bulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome 33. the world. iii. I. 4. The consideration of these things serveth to cherish and strengthen all kind of faith and hope in us. If the resurrection of our Saviour might beget in us a strong persuasion concerning the truth of our Lord's doctrine, and a lively hope of salvation from his undertakings and performances for us, his ascension and session in glory (confirmed by the same indubitable testimonies and authorities) must needs nourish, improve, and corroborate them. We cannot surely distrust the accomplishment of any promises declared by him, we cannot despair of receiving any good from him, who is ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of divine wisdom and divine power, thence viewing all things done here, thence ordering all things every where for the advantage of those who love him and trust in him. SERM. It especially doth serve to quicken in us that XXXI. blessed hope, as St. Paul calleth it, of a joyful and Tit. ii. 13. happy rest after the troubles and sorrows of this Heb. vi. 19. wretched life; which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; where the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. 5. These points do likewise serve to excite and encourage our devotion: for having such a mediator in heaven, so near God's presence, so much in God's favour; having so good and sure a friend at court, having such a Master of requests ever ready to present up, to recommend, and to further our petitions, what should deter, what should anywise withhold us from cheerfully, upon all occasions, by him addressing ourselves to God? We may therefore, as Heb. iv. 16. We are exhorted by the apostle, come to the throne of grace with boldness, that we may receive mercy, and find grace for seasonable aid. We cannot, considering this, anywise doubt of those promises being effectually made good to us; Whatever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive ; 1 Johu v.14. whatsoever ye ask in my name, that will I do. There is nothing which he, enjoying such power, cannot do for us; and there is nothing which he, our loving and merciful Brother, will not do, that is good for us, if we do with humble confidence apply ourselves to him for it. And what greater incitement can there be to devotion, than an assurance so firmly grounded of fair acceptance and happy success thereof? Yea, what an extreme folly, what a huge crime is it, not to make use of such an advantage, not by so Matt. xxi. 22. vii. 8. Mark xi.24. John xiv. 13. xv. 7. xvi. 23. obliging an inducement to be moved to a constant SERM. practice of this so beneficial and sweet kind of duties? XXXI. 6. It may encourage us to all kind of obedience, to consider what a high pitch of eternal glory and dignity our Lord hath obtained, in regard to his obedience, and as a pledge of like recompense designed to us, if we tread in his footsteps, running the race that is set before us, and looking up unto Jesus, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, and is set at the right hand of the throne of God. As God, in respect to what he should perform, did offer to him so high a promotion; so doth he likewise, upon condition of our obedience to his commandments, oblige himself to put us into a like excellent and happy state: so our Lord himself declared, when he said, I covenant to Luke xxii. you a kingdom, as my Father covenanted to me a kingdom: it goeth before, Ye are they which have Rev. i. 6. continued with me in my temptations: there is the condition, faithful and constant adherence to Christ in doing and suffering; upon performance of which condition our Lord tendereth that glorious reward of an eternal kingdom: and the divine covenant being thus effectually fulfilled unto him, doth ascertain us, that his overture will likewise be made good to us; It is, saith St. Paul, a faithful saying, (that is, a 2 Tim. ii. word upon which we may confidently rely,) if we be dead with him, (dead to sin and vanity,) we shall also live with him, (live with him in glory and joy;) 29. V. 10. II, 12. if we endure, (or persevere in obedience and patience after him,) we shall also reign with him: and, To Rev. iii. 21. him (saith our Lord in the Revelation) that over cometh will I grant to sit with me on my throne, SERM. even as I also overcame, and am set down with my XXXI. Father on his throne. 7. Lastly, the consideration of these points should elevate our thoughts and affections from these inferior things here (the vain and base things of this world) unto heavenly things; according to that of Col. iii. 1. St. Paul; If ye be risen with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. To the head of our body we should be joined; continually deriving sense and motion, direction and activity from him: where the master of our family is, there should our minds be, constantly attentive to his pleasure, and ready to serve him; where the city is, whose denizens we are, and where our final rest must be, there should our thoughts be, careful to observe the laws and orders, Heb. xi. 16. that we may enjoy the immunities and privileges thereof; in that country, where only we have any good estate, or valuable concernment, there our mind should be, studying to secure and improve our interest therein: our resolution should be conformable to Ps. cxxi. 1. that of the holy Psalmist; I will lift up mine eyes Col. iii. 4. to the hills, from whence cometh my help. Christ 1 Tim. i. 1. is our life, saith St. Paul; and shall our souls be Col. i. 27. parted from our life? Christ, saith he again, is our hope; and shall our mind and hope be asunder? Christ is the principal object of our love, of our trust, of our joy, of all our best affections; and shall our affections be severed from their best objects? By his being in heaven all our treasure becometh there; and where our treasure is, there (if we apprehend and believe rightly, there naturally) our hearts will be also: if they be not, it is a sign we Gal. ii. 20. Animus est, ubi amat. |