[4.] It appeareth from the nature of the work. To follow Christ is not to give to him as much as the flesh can spare, but wholly to devote yourselves to his service, to sell all for the pearl of great price. Mat. xiii. 46. And you are obliged to walk so, that all may give way to the glory of God, and the service of your redeemer. If He will employ us thus and thus, we must not contradict it, or plead anything by way of excuse.
Use. Do not neglect your duty for vain excuses. The excusing humour is very rife and very prejudicial to us, for the sluggard hath a high conceit of his own allegations : Prov. xxvi, 16, * The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.' In the Eastern countries their council usually consisted of seven, as we read of the seven princes of Media and Persia, Esther i. 14. Therefore let us a little disprove this vain conceit. The sluggard thinketh himself so wise that all others are but giddy and crazy- brained people, that are too nice and scrupulous, and make more ado with religion than needeth. But can a man do too much for God and heaven? 1 Thes. ii. 12. The sluggard thinketh it is a venture, and lie may venture on one side as well as the other ; but it is a thousand to one against him in the eye of reason, put aside faith : in doubtful cases, the surest way is to be taken. But to draw it to a more certain determination.
1. Nothing is a reasonable excuse which God's word disproveth, for the scriptures were penned to discover the vain sophisms which are in the hearts of men : Heb. iv. 12, ' For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart ;' to discover the affections of a sensual heart, however palliated with the pretences of a crafty understanding. Certainly, our private con- ceits must not be lifted up against the wisdom of God, nor can a creature be justified in going against his maker's will. Nothing can be reason which the God of wisdom contradicts and calleth folly : Jer. viii. 9, ' Lo, they have reiected the word of the Lord, and what wisdom is in them ?'
128 KO EXCUSE AGAINST A SPEEDY [LuKE IX. 57-62-
2. Nothing can be pleaded as a reasonable excuse which your con- sciences are not satisfied is reason. Men consult with their ail'ections rather than with their consciences. Conscience would draw other conclusions, tlierefore our excuses are usually our aggravations: Luke xix. 22, 'Out of thy own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked ser- vant.' The master expected increase, tlierefore he should have done what he could : Job xv. 6, ' Thine own mouth condemneth thee ; yea, thine own lips testify against thee.' That is the strongest conviction which ariseth from a man's own bosom ; that is the rea.son why there are so many appeals to conscience in scripture : 1 Cor. x. 15, ' I sjieak as to wise men ; judge ye what I say.' Your own hearts tell you ye ought to be better, to mind God more, and the world less, to be more serious in preparing for your eternal estate.
3. Nothing can be a reasonable excuse which reflects upon God, as if he had made a hard law which none can keep, especially if urged against the law of grace ; this is to say, the ways of God are not equal, therefore there can be no excuse for the total omission of necessary duties.
4. No excuse can be reasonable, but what you dare plead at the bar of Christ ; for that is reason which will go for reason at last. Then the weight of all pleas will be considered, and all negligent persons that have not improved the light of nature, or have not obeyed the gospel, will be left without excuse. What doth it avail prisoners to set up a mock sessions among themselves to acquit one and con- demn another? He is in a good condition that shall be excused in the last judgment, and in a bad condition that shall be condemned then.
1 now proceed to the second point.
Secondly, That those who are called to follow Christ, should follow him speedily, without interposing any delays. Consider —
1. Eeady obedience is a good evidence of a sound impression of grace left upon our hearts. There is a slighter conviction which brecd- eth a sense of our duty, but doth not so strongly urge us to the per- formance of it. And there is a more sound conviction, which is ac- comjianied with a prevailing efficacy, and then all excuses and delays are laid aside, and men kindly comply with God's call : Cant. i. 4, ' Draw me, I will run after thee.' Run ; it noteth an earnest and speedy motion ; the fruit of the powerful attraction of the Spirit : Mat. iv. 20, ' They straightway left their nets and followed him.' The scoffing atheistical world thinketh it easiness and fond credulity, but it argueth a sound impression. The impulsions of the Holy Spirit work in an instant, for they carry their own evidence with them : Gal. i. 10, ' Immediately I consulted not Avith flesh and blood.' In divinis, non est deliberandum. When our call is clear, there needeth no debate or demun-ing u])on the matter.