Inference 1. If this be the case of the unbelieving world, to be so blinded by the god of this world ; How little should we value the censures and slanders of this blind world ? Certainly they should move no other affection but pity in our soul : if their eyes were opened, their mouths would be shut ; they would never traduce religion, and the sincere profession of it as they do, if Satan had not blinded their minds : they speak evil of the things they know not; their reproaches, which they let fly so freely, are but so many arrows shot by the blind man's bow, which only stick in our clothes, and can do us no hurt, except we thrust them onward by
46S THE METHOD OF GRACE. SERM. XXXV.
our own discontent to the wounding of our spirits. " * I could al- " most be proud upon it, said Luther, that I have got an ill name " among the worst of men.1" Beware, Christians that you give them no occasion to blaspheme the name of your God, and then never trouble yourselves, however they use your names. If they tread it in the dirt now, God (as one speaks) will take it up, wash off all the dirt, and deliver it to you again clear and shining. Should such men speak well of us, we might justly suspect our- selves of some iniquity which administers to them the occasions of it.
hif. 2. How absurd and dangerous must it be for Christians to follow the examples of the blind world? Let the blind follow the blind, but let not those whom God hath enlightened do so. Chris- tians, never let those lead you, who are led blindfold by the devil themselves. The holiness and heavenliness of Christians was wont to set the world a wondering that they would not run with them into the same excess of riot, 1 Pet. iv. 4. But sure, since God hath opened your eyes, and shewed you the dangereous courses they walk in, it would be the greatest wonder of all, if you should be the companions of such men, and tread in the steps of their examples. Christian, as humble and lowly thoughts as thou hast of thyself, yet I would have thee understand thyself to be too good to be the associate of such men. Discamus sanctam superbiam, et sciamus nos esse ill is meliores. If they will walk with you in the way of duty and holiness, let them come and welcome ; receive them with both arms, and be glad of their company ; but beware you walk not in their paths, lest they be a snare unto you. Did they see the end of their way, they would never walk in it themselves; why then will you walk with them who do see it ?
Inf. 3. If this be so, Let Christians be exact and circumspect in their walking, lest they lay a stumbling-block before the blind. It is a great sin to do so in a proper sense, Lev. xix. 14. " Thou shalt " not put a stumbling-block before the blind. " And a far greater to do it in a metaphorical sense, Rom. xiv. 13. It is the express will of God, " that no man put a stumbling-block, or an occasion to " fall in his brother's way." It is an argument of little regard to the honour of Christ, or the souls of men, so to do. O professors, look to your steps ; the devil desires to make use of you for such purposes. The sins of thousands of others, who make no profession of godliness, will never so fit his purpose for the blinding of those men's eyes, as the least slip or failing of yours will do. It is the living bird that makes the best stale to draw others into the net :
* Superbusjio, quod video nomen pess'wnum mihi crescere. Luther. Gratias ago Dec meo, quod di«nus sum quern mundus oderit. Hieron.
SERM. XXXV. THE METHOD OF GRACE. 46*9
the grossest wickedness of profane sinners passeth away in silence, but all the neighbourhood shall ring with your miscarriages. " A " righteous man falling down before the wicked, is as a troubled " fountain and a corrupt spring," Prov. xxv. 26. The scandalous falls of good men are like a bag of poison cast by Satan into the spring from whence the whole town is supplied with water. You little know what mischief you do, and how many blind sinners may fall into hell by your occasion.
Iiif'. 4. Hoio dangerous a thing is zeal in a wicked man ? It is like a sharp sword in a blind man's hand, or like a high mettle hi a blind horse. How much hath the church of God suffered upon this account, and doth suffer at this day : The world hath ever been full of such blind and blustering zeal, which, like a hurricane, over- turns all that stands in its way : yea, as we noted before, it makes a man a kind of conscientious persecutor. I confess it is better for the persecutor himself to do it ignorantly, because ignorance leaves him in a capacity for mercy, and sets him a degree lower than the malicious, enlightened persecutor, 1 Tim. i. 13. else it were the dreadful case described in Heb. x. But yet, as it is, John xvi. 2 these are the fierce and dreadful enemies of the church of God. Such a man was Paul, a devout persecutor, and such persecution God afterward suffered to befal himself, Acts xiii. 50. " But the " Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief " men of that city ; and raised persecution agsinst Paul and Bar- " nabas, and expelled them out of their coasts." An erroneous conscience binds, as well as an informed conscience ; and wherever God gives such men opportunity to vent the spleen and rage of their hearts upon his people, they will be sure to do it to purpose. With other men Gamaliel's counsel may have some influence, and they may be afraid lest they be found fighters against God ; but blind zeal spurs on, and saith, as Jehu did, " Come, see my zeal " for the Lord of Hosts." O blind sinners, be sure of your mark before you discharge your arrows. If you shoot at a wicked man, as you suppose him, and God finds one of his dear children wounded or destroyed, what account will you give of that fact to God when you shall come before his judgment-seat?
Second use, of exhortation.
This point is very improveable by way of exhortation. Both,
1. Unto those who are blinded by the god of this world.
2. To those that are enlightened in the knowledge o^ Christ, by the true God.
First, To those who are still blinded by the god of this world, to whom the Lord hath not given unto this day eyes to see their misery in themselves, or their remedy in Christ, so as to make an
470 THE METHOD OF GRACE, SERM. XXXV.
effectual application of him to their own souls. To all such my counsel is,