(2.) With respect to vivification, or progress in the duties of the holy and heavenly life. So the apostle telleth us, Phil. iii. 13, ' But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,' &c. Farther pro- gress in holiness is the one thing that we should mind, and that above all other things. This is the unum necessarium, Luke x. 42 ; the primum or principium, the one thing, that is, the main thing : Ps. xxvii. 4, ' One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after.' But how should we mind it ? Not looking to the things which are behind, but looking to the things which are before. The things behind are our imperfect beginnings, or so much of the race as we have over- come and got througli. It is the sluggard's trick to consider how much of the journey is past, or how far the rest of the racers are behind him. But he that sets heartily to his business considers how much is before, that he may get through the remainder of his race, and so obtain the prize. The things which are before us are God and heaven, and the
134 EVIL OF LOOKING BACK. [LUKE IX. 57-G2.
remaining duties of the holy life. These we sliould mind, and not look back, as satisfying ourselves with what we have attained to already.
2. How ill it becometh those that have put their hands to the spiritual plough.
[1.] In respect of the covenant into which they enter, or the manner of entrance into it, which is by a fixed unbounded resignation of them- Felves unto God. Till this be done, we are but half Christians. As suppose we desire privileges, would have God to be our God, but neglect duties, and are loth to become his people ; or suppose we see a necessity of that, and so are in some measure willing to give up our- selves to him, yet if our resolution be not fixed, or be not unbounded, without reserves, and against all reserves, the covenant is not con- descended unto. We do nothing unless we do that which is further required of us.
(1.) If it be not fixed, but wavering, we do but treat ; we do not conclude, and come to a full agreement with God : Acts xi. 23, ' He exhorted them all, that, with full purpose of heart, they would cleave unto the Lord.' It implieth such a resolution as carrieth the force of a principle. Agrippa was almost a Christian, had some enamouring and uncertain inclinations : Acts xxvi. 28, ' Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.' Clu'ist is resolved to stick to his servants, and therefore he expects that they should be resolved to stick to him.
(2.) If it be not unbounded, reserving nothing, but leaving all to Christ, to be disposed of at his will. Except but one thing, and the covenant is not fully concluded ; it stickcth at that article ; it is but bucking with God, not agreeing witli God. Kesolving with reserves is no resolution at all. It is but dealing like Ananias and Sapphira, giving something, and keeping back the rest. Acts v. Christ will have no disciples which will not part with all. Nothing must be re- served, neither credit, nor life, nor estate, Luke xiv. 28. Now, none of this can be as long as you look back, or allow that that will tempt you to look back ; that is, till you be thoroughly loosened from the world ; for whilst the heart cleaveth to any earthly thing, your resolu- tion is unfixed. They that only take Christ upon liking, will soon be tempted to mislike him and his ways ; and your resolution is not un- bounded, whilst you set upon the profession of religion, and yet keep the world, or something of the world : your heart will ever and anon be seeking occasions to withdraw; for you were fiilse at heart at your first setting out, and treacherous in the very making of your covenant.
[2.] With respect to the duties of Christianity, or that part of the kingdom of God which concerneth your obedience to him, you are never fit for these while the heart cleaveth to earthly things, and you are still hankering after the world.
A threefold defect there will be in our duties : —
(1.) They will be unpleasant.
(2.) They ivill be inconstant.
(3.) Imperfect in such a degree as to want sincerity.
(1.) Your duty will be unpleasant to you, so far as you are worldly and carnal, so that you can never yield cheerful and ready obedience to God.
Luke IX. 57- 62.] evil of looking back. 135
Certain it is tliat we must serve God, and serve him with delight. His commandments should be kept, and they should not be grievous to us, 1 John v. 3, Now, what is the great impediment ? Worldly- lusts are not thoroughly purged out of the heart ; for presently he addeth this reason, ' For whatsoever is born of Grod overcometh the world.' It is a hard heart maketh our work hard ; and the heart is hard and unpersuadable when our affections are engaged elsewhere. The readiness of our obedience dependeth on the fervency of our love ; the fervency of our love on our victory over the world ; our victory over the world on the strength of our faith ; the strength of our faith on the certainty we have of the principal object of our faith ; the prin- cipal object of our faith is, that Jesus is the Son of God, whose counsel we must take, if we will be happy. And the evidence of that principle is the double testimony or attestation given to him from heaven, or in the heart of a believer. Once settle in that, that you can entirely trust yourselves and all your interests in the hands of Christ, and all duties will be easy.