[2.] Entirely trust yourself, and all your concernments, in the hand of God. Christ expected from all tho.se whom he called in an extra- ordinary manner, that they should leave all without any thought or solicitude about it, trusting in him not only for their eternal reward, but for their provision and protection by the way during their service. And the same in effect is required of all Christians ; not to leave our estates or neglect our calling, but renouncing tlie world, and resolv- ing to take such a lot in good part as he shall carve out to them. All that enter into covenant with God must believe him to be ' God all-sufficient,' Gen. xvii. 1. The apostle, when he dissuadeth from worldliness, he produceth a promise of God's not forsaking us and leaving us utterly destitute : Heb. xiii. 5, ' Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. For he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' On the other side, certainly, it is unbelief that is tl^e cause of apostasy, or falling back from God : Heb. iii. 12, ' Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.' Certainly, when we have resigned up ourselves to Christ to do his work, we may trust him boldly, and serve him cheerfully ; we need not look back to shift for ourselves. If you are willing to be his people, he will be your God and your Saviour, and then you may conclude that ' God, even our God, shall bless us,' Ps. Ixvii. 6. He will not be wanting to those that unreservedly yield up themselves to his obedience.
[3.] Consider that they are deluded hypocrites that will meddle no farther with religion than they can reconcile it with their worldly hapj)iness. Whatever glorious notions they have of God, or pretences of admiring free grace, it is self-denial that Christ calleth for ; and taking up our cross is the first lesson in his school. And true conver- sion is a turning from the creature to God, and beginneth in mortifi- cation ; and baptism implieth a renunciation of the devil, the world, and the flesh. Therefore tho.se that will save their worldly state, and launch out no further in the cause of religion than they may easily get ashore again when a storm cometh, and love and serve God no furtlier than will stand with the contentment of the flesh, and divide their hearts between God and the world, give God but half, and the worst half ; surely these were never sincere with God. It is an impossible
Luke IX. 57-G2.] evil of looking back. 139
design they drive on, to serve two masters, Mat. vi. 24. You must let go Christ and glory, if you be so earnest after the world, and so indulgent to the flesh.
[4.] Consider how much it is your business to observe what maketli you fit or unfit for the kingdom of God. The aptitude or inaptitude of means is to be judged with respect to the end, as they help or hinder the attainment of your great end ; for finis est rnensura mediorum : Mat. vi. 22, ' The light of the body is the eye : if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.' Now our great end is to enjoy God for ever. And what fitteth you for this, — looking back, or keeping the heart in heaven ? Experience will show. The ob- servant and watchful .Christian will soon find where his great hinder- ance lieth. How much he findeth his heart down by minding the world, and how he needeth to wind it up again by faith and love : Ps. XXV. 1, ' Unto thee, 0 Lord, do I lift up my soul.' The world is the great impediment that keepeth him from God, and indisposeth him for his service, dampeth his love, and quencheth his zeal, and abateth his diligence ; he will soon find how much more he might do for God if he could draw off his heart more from those inferior objects. This is the weight that presseth us down, and maketh us so cold and cursory in God's service.
[5.] Consider, in the text, here is the kingdom of God, which is double — the kingdom of grace, and the kingdom of glory. The one is called, ' The kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ,' Rev. i. 9 ; the other is called, ' His kingdom and glory,' 1 Thes. ii. 12. By the first we are prepared for the second ; and the second is tho great encourage- ment. Now they that look back are unfit for either the duties of Christians or tho reward of Christians ; he flincheth from his duty here, and shall be shut out of heaven at last : 2 Thes. i. 5, ' That ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.' They are only counted worthy who constantly and patiently look for it, and venture something on it.
[6.] Consider the great loss you will incur by looking back after you have put your hand to the plough. You will lose all that you have wrought, and all that you have suffered.